Sheep To Visit Barry Library As Part Of British Wool Week

Libraries in Barry, Cowbridge and Llantwit Major will be celebrating British Wool Week by holding events that demonstrate the wonders of wool and the sheep that produce it. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

On Tuesday 11 October, Barry Library will play host to wool producers. Sheep from the Kennixton Flock will be coming along to take part in an event at the library that will bring to life the production of wool, and highlight the different ways in which wool is used – from the sheep to the garment. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

There will also be spinning demonstrations, with the opportunity to try your hand at this traditional Welsh heritage craft. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Jane Bissett, shepherd, said: “I am delighted that I am going to be able to bring some sheep into an urban environment to meet people at the library. Everyone sees sheep in fields as they are driving through the countryside, but not so often close up. In Wales there are about three sheep to every one person, and sheep are vital to the agricultural industry in Wales – they are very much worth celebrating. This is the seventh year for the Campaign for Wool, and the appreciation for wool is growing.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Senior Librarian, Melanie Weeks, added: “We are really looking forward to being able to bring British Wool Week to the library – especially being able to accommodate some sheep! It isn’t every day you can go to our local library to see sheep, and learn about the wool they produce and the different ways it is used. Sheep do not appear in many books as the lead character, so hopefully the Kennixton Flock sheep will have centre stage for at least one day. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Some of the local schools will be bringing classes to join us throughout the day, but everyone is very welcome to come along. The library is about community and learning, and I am sure this event will not only bring the countryside to town but also help our understanding of the role of sheep in the past and the future of Wales.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Barry Library is also the meeting venue for the Tuesday Knit and Natter group who will also be taking part. They will showcase some of the wonderful and creative ways wool can be used in the mediums of knitting and crochet, as well as being on hand for a chat about wool and their current projects. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Volunteer knitting organiser Natalie McCulloch, said: “Knitting is now becoming very popular again; the group that meets at the library in Barry range in age, experience and ability. However, their enthusiasm is infectious and, as well as supporting Wool Week, they are keen to welcome any new knitters, crocheters or people who would just like to come along and have a go.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

On Wednesday 12 October the exhibition moves on to Cowbridge Library in the morning and Llantwit Major Library in the afternoon. These events represent an exciting change of tone for Vale libraries! ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​