Only days to go!

The Fibrefest marquee went up yesterday! I was sorry I don't have a digital camera as I would love to share the excitement with you. It is one of the biggest marquee's I have ever seen and it all went up without the aid of ladders! All these many, many months of organisation and it is all about to become real. I really hope the weather is going to be good!

More news - Bridget Strawbridge has kindly agreed to officially open the event on Saturday. This is great news for us as she is known for the television series 'It's not easy being green' and it's good to be able to link fibre and textiles with the eco movement. Support your local fibre producer!

http://www.itsnoteasybeinggreen.org/

Steam Up at the Mill

Coldharbour Mill are 'in steam' over the Fibrefest weekend. This means that the boiler, and the two huge steam engines that used to power the factory will be in action. It really is an awesome sight and the 'steam team' will be on hand to answer any questions.

We have arranged a mini bus to take visitors from the festival to the mill and back again, so no one has to worry about parking. During the weekend present your Fibrefest ticket or stamped hand to the mill shop and you will receive £1.50 off the ticket price.

So if you have never visited Coldharbour Mill - now is the time to do it!

As you may know Fibrefest is offering a range of textile workshops from the 29th August to the 2nd September, these include felt making, tapestry weaving, spinning, knitting and peg loom weaving. There will also be two seminars - a brief history of the woollen industry in Devon and Indigo Past and Present. They are all booking fast, so download the booking form and apply soon to avoid disappointment!

We are so pleased that two artists will also be at the festival creating unique works of textile art. Sue Graham will be making a textile installation from a variety of yarn types. This links in with her interest in weaving without a loom and nomadic life.
There is also the opportunity to work with Gordon Field on a series of Blackdown Hills dragon banners made using felt. He has been researching the history of dragons in the area and will be able to tell you a few stories while you work! All this work will culminate in a procession of the banners around the festival at the end of each day.

Wonderwool Wales was a fantastic event and was cram packed with woolly delights. The Fibrefest team from the Blackdown Hills Natural Fibre group gave out sooooooooo many fliers! We still have room for more stalls so get a wiggle on if you have not sent your form back yet! Even small sellers made a good profit at Wonderwool, and with half the west country coming along...........!
The Blackdown hills food producers are planning the most amazing food tent..........I have earwiged their meetings and there will also be a pancake stall and home cooked crisps!

A few weeks ago we walked the site and wow is it good! Beautiful parkland with lovely old trees, a lake, the house in the background.
We are hoping to arrange a shuttle bus going from the trainstation at Tiverton Parkway to the Fibrefest and the Mill.

Hope you like the leaflet!

If anyone wants some to give to their friends and contacts please ask!

6 weeks to go to book your stand!

Yes only 6 weeks left for stallholders to book a space at Fibrefest! Bookings are coming in daily so if you have not yet returned your booking form send it back soon!! The website is now live although still under construction and the workshops are listed and places can be booked...........hurry as they will fill very fast. Booking forms for both stallholders and advance tickets are also on there and lots more will be coming very soon!
A list of local b&bs will be available in the next week or two and if you contact the secretary at info@fibrefest.co.uk she will be able to email it to you and also answer any other queries you may have.
Uffculme, where the Fibrefest is being held is home to the most amazing working woollen mill, Coldharbour Mill
The mill will be at the hub of the festival and the workshops will be held there. The mill will be steamed up......yes it runs by steam power, and also has a water wheel! More about the mill and history of the woollen trade in the west country later.......