A new woollen spinning mill is in full production in Brecon, Powys and is set to fill the gap in the UK market for a processor capable of dealing individually with small batches of fleeces.
Ideal for breeders with small flocks of rare, exempt and coloured sheep, goats bred for mohair and cashmere and alpacas, the mill will accept a minimum of 25 kg of fleece, and will guarantee that customers receive back only their own product.
Combining the expertise of director Robi Mandley, a farmer and fine textiles producer, and mill manager Robert Southall, Woolcount Ltd has been set up to serve a niche in the market for specialised, small scale contract spinning. The bigger mills, such as those in Yorkshire and Huddersfield, deal with batches at least ten times larger, and the much smaller scale mini mills deal at best with 5 kg of fleece per day. This exciting project is being supported by Glasu, the rural development programme for Powys, and is aligned to their work to add value to local produce, including the creation of a stronger market for local wool. This will also give a tremendous boost to sheep breeders and those who farm
Alpacas and Angora goats with the veiw to processing their own fibres .We offer a real benefit for breeders from all over the UK, who can now have their fleeces spun into top quality yarns at economic prices, “ said Robi. ” As a fibre farmer myself, I know the amount of work that goes into producing one year’s crop, and the implications for a small enterprise if it is spoiled through poor processing.
“ There is only one chance at getting the yarn right and that’s why, at Woolcount, we aim to produce top quality yarns by giving each batch individual attention. The process is not computerised – everything is done by eye and on weight. Also, all the chemicals used in the processing, and all the oils, are organically approved. My role is to include talking to our customers to understand their individual needs, and offering help and advice to those new to fibre farming with little knowledge of the spinning process.”
Robi is responsible for marketing the new venture, and the company is already processing from far and wide, including Scotland and The Scottish Islands, Ireland and France. Her experience as a breeder of Polwarth sheep and Angora goats, and the knowledge she has acquired running The Goat Company manufacturing textiles, designer garments and accessories gives her a thorough understanding of the market, of fleece production and of the variety of end uses for the yarns. Mill manager Robert, with twelve years experience as a carding and spinning technician, is known by his former customers for his attention to detail and the quality of his processing.
Said Robi:“ With our extensive knowledge of the industry we are able to offer advice on everything from raw fleece selection through to retailing. We plan to develop new and interesting textiles and blends to offer customers greater choice, and we can also link fibre producers to dyers, weavers and garment manufacturers.”
Robi’s plans for the mill include a showroom, where customers can see finished items to give them ideas, and where they can examine examples of silks, cashmere, llama, bamboo and other yarns which they could use for blending to add value and interest to their own yarns. There will also be a selection of rare breed yarns available to order.
Also, she intends to develop sharing schemes, where producers can share their finished yarns between themselves, to produce throws, accessories and other added value items, to extend their product range and develop a wider market.This is a good way
for those who don’t have the minimum amount of fibre to still be able to have yarns made and also for producers to be able to access small amounts of new products to test the market place.
There’s good news to, for organic producers. As well as using organically approved chemicals and oils, the mill is organically certified and able to operate specific organic “runs” into which their fleeces can be incorporated.
Said Lee Price from Glasu: “We are delighted to be supporting such an exciting business, which is based in Powys and will bring employment to the area. The payments for wool clip are generally so poor, that many local farmers and smallholders are introducing stock with both a good carcass and finer wool and having it spun into knitting and weaving yarns themselves, in an effort to derive a better return for their fleeces. Our research indicates that this new facility, right on their doorstep, will be a great help to them. However, its benefits go far wider, as it will meet the needs of wool and fine fibre producers across the UK.”
For more information, please contact Robi Mandley on 01873 860590.
Email info@woolcount.co.uk or visit www.woolcount.co.uk