Otley Chevin workshops to offer lessons in traditional skills with wool (From Wharfedale Observer)

Otley Chevin workshops to offer lessons in traditional skills with wool

3:48pm Friday 22nd March 2013 in News

Wool from a local sheep flock will be at the heart of a new series of craft workshops starting on Otley Chevin this weekend.

The Chevin Forest Wool Project aims to help residents learn a variety of traditional skills, including spinning, knitting and felting, using wool from the Poll Dorset sheep that graze in the surrounding area.

The venture has been set up, with help from an Otley Town Council grant, by three teachers who live in Otley – Flora Harvey, Sharon Smith and Amanda Newham.

The women are pooling their skills in art, textile craft, forest school activities and animal husbandry to offer a range of workshops to the local community, particularly focusing on disadvantaged groups, families, children, the elderly and young people with disabilities.

A free taster session featuring all the activities will be on offer at the White House Education Building, beside the White House Cafe on Johnny Lane, from 10am to noon, on Saturday, March 23.

Visitors will also have a chance to meet the Chevin’s flock of sheep and lambs and take part in an Easter egg hunt.

Future workshops will initially run from 10am to 3pm on the last Saturday of each month, starting from April 27, at the same venue.

More details are available by sending an e-mail to theotleylot@talktalk.net or visiting Otley Courthouse or Otley Library.