Continuing the Savile Row theme, on Countryfile on Sunday (BBC 1:6.30pm:10th Oct), there was a feature about Adam taking some of his fleece to Savile Row. This will be an ongoing story through the next few weeks, as he goes through the processes to get the wool made into a suit. Please watch the programmes and leave some comments on the BBC website so they can see how much interest there is. This episode is on the I-player for another three days, click here and watch from 33.20. UK wool on primetime TV, FANTASTIC!
I was actually immensely disappointed with the feature and with Countryfile picking up such an elitist angle regarding the challenges and oportunities for British wool. Although the piece starts, quite rightly, flagging up the incredibly low value of fleeces and how wool is drastically undervalued, there’s little chance of Savile Row suits turning the situation around! The guy in the shop even told Adam that one suit could last 20 or more years so thats an odd fleece every 20 years then. Similarly, Savile Row suits are way out of reach for most people so even if fashion can revitalise the market for British wool, the revolution will be through high streets retailers across the UK not one designer street in London! Surely Countryfile should look at some of the other amazing things that wool can and is now being used for as an entirely sustainable and biodegradable alternative to man made materials, such as the insulated packaging being used instead of polystyrene by organic food delivery company, Abel & Cole. This kind of thing is not only revitalising the market for British wool but also cutting the polystyrene mountain heading for landfills.
I agree with you about your main point; Saville Row and high-end fashion is not the only answer. Neither are campaigns like the recent Wool Week or small local iniatives like GFAC. But lots of small projects make a large movement or revolution; it’s just a question of getting them linked up and getting publicity. I think that any exposure on TV or in the media about British Wool, however narrow the view, has to be a good thing. It would be great if Countryfile would follow up on the wool story by exploring other uses but media always wants a good story and maybe Saville Row and tailoring makes better TV at the moment than other issues. Thanks for your lead to Abel & Cole; I’m collecting data on any company using wool ,so I can add it to my research and list it here on the blog. Another project to link into the larger revolution.
I agree with the above comments regarding British Wool and its uses. However, I mainly agree with the comments on making suits with the wool. As others have stated, the suits cost a lot of money and although they last for many years, I do not think it will solve the problem.
I now turn to my ideas – a few years ago I saw an advert for loft insulation with sheep wool, instead of fibreglass and its derivitives. I investigated and decided to purchase this insulation. It was delivered in baled rolls and to be honest is initially took over the full garage space – I wondered if I had ordered too much – but it was and still is fantastic. It is clean to use, easy to work with and the house is now cosy and warm. In other words it is certainly fit for purpose. I would not be without it. Also when salesmen call at my door to try to sell the normal type of insulation they go away with their “tails between their legs” when they admit they cannot compete with what we have got.
Regards
John Williams
Thanks for your comments, John. The wool insulation sounds fantastic. By coincidence I had a conversation with two representatives of the Grey Faced Dartmoor Association who are looking for uses for their fleece, and insulation was proposed. I don’t know how viable it is to sell because I imagine that the price compared to fibreglass etc would deter some people. I’ll add your insulation to my list of wool uses and research the companies who are doing it. I know of one in Cumbria but there must be more.
Interested in the item about sheep’s wool being used for suiting and loft insulation. Is this wool moth-proofed? I have several pure wool items in my wardrobe and protecting from moths is a major concern.
Just received a comment under ‘Sheep on TV again’ on this very subject.