On Sunday 7th May, around 30 members met near Darlington, Co Durham for a North-east workshop organised by Helen Collinge and Anna Pennell.
The talks and demostrations were kickstarted by Mark Elliott who demonstrated the skill of handclipping a Wensleydale including how to cut a skirt in ready for the forthcoming show-season; this was a very interactive demonstration with plenty of questions being asked about getting the best finish, the best shears to use and when best to start. This was followed up by a very lively discussion on conformation and type led by Roger Field looking at three shearlings presented with varying faults as well as looking through a hogg in wool and discussing her variation in fleece and what makes a good hogg (and the work involved to get them show ready!). Taking the fleece clipped off by Mark, Shelagh Prescott then demonstrated and explained how to deal and wrap a fleece on the table. Having also brought a variety of different fleeces with her, it allowed members to get close to the fleeces and really look at what makes a good fleece and what doesn’t. Our thanks must go to Mark, Roger and Shelagh for all their hard work as well as the other very experienced members of the association who came along to help with the discussions and help everyone to understand and learn.
This was followed by a light lunch and a look at the lambs born on the farm this Spring.
