A community group passionate about all things wool will represent the Island later this week at Woolfest 2018, with support from the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company.
The annual two-day festival is a celebration of natural fibres, wool and crafts, attracting more than 9,000 people from across the globe. For the first time Fibre Space Isle of Man will travel to the event, which will take place on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd June in Cockermouth, to showcase the best the Island has to offer in this field.
The Steam Packet Company is supporting the trip by assisting with the cost of travel for the wool enthusiasts and their exhibit.
Fibre Space IOM was formed in 2014 when a group of like-minded people came together to organise the ‘Yarn Bombing of Peel’. A small number of them continued to meet up and pursue their love of knitting as a group, and so Fibre Space IOM was born.
The group of 10 will not only exhibit their own woollen delights at the original British wool festival, but take the opportunity to showcase items from quality Manx producers including Laxey Woollen Mills, Manx Textile Creative, Manx Spinners & Weavers, Snuggles Knitwear, Manx Loaghtan, Yarny Grainne and Manx Yarnies.
The team will also hold a number of workshops and demonstrations over the weekend such as braiding with a Trollen loom, Shepherd’s knitting and Tunisian crochet.
Rosie Wood from Fibre Space IOM said: ‘We are thrilled to represent the Island and its many woolly creatives at Woolfest 2018. The Isle of Man has a lot to offer in this area and we are passionate about endorsing this and showcasing our Island’s rich heritage.
‘As well as exhibiting, we will also be promoting the many Artisan craft workshops that take place on the Isle of Man, displaying films and leaflets provided by the Department for Enterprise and Manx National Heritage and encouraging people to come and visit our charming Island.
‘We are very fortunate to have the support of Manx National Heritage and Visit Isle of Man and would like to say a special thank you to the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company and Culture Vannin, as without their backing our trip just wouldn’t be financially viable.’
Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Chief Executive Mark Woodward said: ‘We are very pleased to support Fibre Space IOM and its trip to Woolfest 2018. The group is clearly passionate about what it does and is going to do a brilliant job of promoting the Island at the event – I wish them an enjoyable and successful time as exhibitors.’
Photograph: The Fibre Space team which will represent the Island this weekend.
