A Vale couple frustrated at the lack of outlets for wool produced by sheep on their smallholding have come up with an eco-friendly business plan to make the most of the fleece from their flocks.
Mark and Rhian Rochford keep pedigree sheep – Coloured Ryelands and Black Welsh Mountains – on their plot at Maperton but found, due to the relatively small numbers of animals they had compared to larger commercial operations, they had no viable outlet for the wool.
Much of it previously ended up going to waste.
So, the couple – together with children Will and Elise – came up with a plan and their company, Gather, was born.
“Having spoken to other like-minded smallholders from across the South-West and Wales, we decided that we would create a brand to utilise the wool and create something wonderful, which was fully traceable, sustainable and 100 per cent British,” Mark said.
“We travel around the South-West and Wales collecting native breed wool from our ‘Gatherers’ and turn this into our own yarn.
“We then work closely with our designer to produce timeless designs which utilise the natural colours of our wool before weaving in traditional British mills to produce our premium British wool blankets.”
The aim of Gather is to help smallholders like themselves take part in an ethical, sustainable business.
“We understand the financial challenges many smallholders and farmers face with no viable outlet for their prized wool,” Mark added.
“As a result we pay considerably more than market value for any fleeces we procure, making Gather a sustainable venture for our partners.”
Due to the nature of the process, each blanket can be traced back to the flocks that produced it, with each item numbered from its batch.
“The entire manufacturing process takes place in the UK, with only 100 per cent British new wool used from our own sheep and our gatherers,” Rhian said.
“Each blanket is designed to last a lifetime if cared for correctly, and as well as being perfect to keep warm over the winter, they make a wonderful gift to friends and family.”
The brand was launched at the Annual London Sheep Drive at Monument and Tower Bridge with great success, and the couple’s online shop is now taking orders.
But the launch is just the beginning for the couple, who have big plans for the future.
“We are currently looking for retail partners to help expand the brand nationally,” Mark added.
“Our first collection ‘Classic’ is available now and is priced at £135, including VAT.”
For more details on Gather and to order a blanket, log on to www.gatherwool.co.uk
Watched Kate Humble on the farm on TV and loved the blanket shown – light colour with two narrow yellow strips – is it available to buy? We love wool in clothes and blankets!