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The seventh annual Kendal Wool Gathering promises to be the best yet, with 65 exhibitors and demonstrators taking over two floors of the town’s Leisure Centre.
The annual event on the weekend of October 26 and 27 attracts thousands of visitors from all over the UK.
You will see the ‘Wool Market’ in the Westmorland Hall, with a wide range of exhibitors selling and displaying wool-related products and equipment everything from knitting needles to looms, from wool tops to finished products.
There will be more exhibitors and demonstrations on the upper floor and outside The Westmorland Agriculture Society will have a livestock marquee and Farmers will be on hand to discuss their work and the importance of sheep to the Lakeland Fells.
A new key feature to the show is the introduction of outside food stalls, giving a varied choice of street food to visitors and stallholders alike.
Kendal Wool Gathering announces their association with the local Charity Paddlers for Life Windermere, an amazing Charity that offers support to Cancer Survivors, their friends and families across Cumbria and Lancashire. The Paddlers spend most Sundays on Windermere in their Dragon Boat, visit their stand to find out more. Kendal Wool Gathering are also supporting St. John’s Hospice, Lancaster. We hope our visitors will support both these fabulous Charities.
Kendal Wool Gathering was set up in 2013 to celebrate the town’s wool heritage and promote businesses using traditional materials and methods. It took its inspiration from Kendal Town Council’s motto, “Wool is My Bread” and the Council remains one of the event’s main sponsors.
“Kendal Town Council and Cumbria County Council continue to give Kendal Wool Gathering tremendous support which has enabled us to secure the venue at the Leisure Centre again. It is our intention to establish the last weekend in October firmly in the venues calendar each year,” says Cliff Dixon KWG Secretary.
Janet Phillips of the Threshing Barn, from the Yorkshire Dales, said: “All the stall holders become great friends as they go from show to show, we are like a big woolly family.
“I love coming to Kendal. It’s such a welcoming event, we get to meet up with old friends and make new friends. We get to inspire creativity through the medium of wool what could be better!”
There will also be opportunities to have a go at spinning, weaving and felt making. Members of the Lancs & Lakes Guild of Spinners Weavers & Dyers will be available to assist with hands on demonstrations, as well as a display from the famous Quaker Tapestry of some of their Road Show panels, plus demonstrations and kits for sale.
The Chair of Kendal Wool Gathering organising committee, Mandy Dixon, said: “This is the perfect event and time of the year to take up a new hobby or stock up on specialist wools and equipment from last year. If you are not good with your hands you can purchase finished gifts and garments ideal for that perfect Christmas gift.”
There will be an entry fee of £3 this year. Children are free. As not for profit organisation this will help make Kendal Wool Gathering a sustainable event. There is free parking at the Leisure Centre and nearby at K Village and disabled access to all areas.
Opening times:
- Saturday 26 October 2019 10am – 5pm
- Sunday 27 October 2019 10am – 4pm.
More information is available here www.kendalwoolgathering.co.uk
