Newsletter - September 2007
Organic Native Shetland Wool Project
'WoolMatters' - Organic Native Shetland Wool
There
is an increasing demand for organic wool, and with the range of natural
colours from the native Shetland hill sheep and natural dyeing techniques, it is hoped that a small-scale
processing unit might be developed and that would provide added value to
this exceptional product. Although the flocks of organic sheep are
small, there is a quantity of wool from these animals each year that is
definitely being under utilised.
Under a pilot project, WoolMatters, Shetland Organic Producers'
Group has been processing
raw fleeces from Organic Native Shetland sheep, encouraging local
designers to make distinctive
articles and investigating potential markets for the finished goods. No capacity exists in Shetland to spin organically,
so Shetland Organic Producers' Group established a working relationship
with the North Ronaldsay Spinning Mill in Orkney and also the only organic
weaver in Scotland, the Isle of Mull Weavers (For details of the weavers go to www.isleofmullweavers.co.uk)
Through collaboration with these two companies this 2-year project has culminated with traceable fully certified Organic Shetland Wool from producer to customer and all the processes in between. Funding has been provided from public and private bodies, that include the Crofters Commission, EU through the Leader+ programme, Shetland Islands Council, Shetland Arts, Shetland Amenity Trust and Shetland Enterprise Company.
The designing and making of garments, accessories and household articles was undertaken under the SOPG organic certification. More than twenty experienced Designers, all Shetland based, worked on designs for the varied range of articles using varied techniques: hand spinning, hand, frame and machine knitting, hand and machine weaving, felting and rug making.
A
seminar was held at the end of August to bring all this work together (50
or more separate articles), and the knitters, weavers, felters and a
seamstress all expressed
their pleasure to
be working with this unique yarn and tweed. They noted particularly the
strength and character of the wool. It was felt that modern chemicals and
scouring techniques deprive Shetland wool of its traditional features and
left the yarns lacking "life". Thus through Organic
processing this springiness or unique 'handle' is retained.
SOPG has now renewed its SA Certification Ltd licence, which allows the Group to continue to purchase the raw fleeces from the organic producers, grade and pack bales for shipping to an Organic spinning mill.
The pictures below illustrate some of the beautiful articles that can be commissioned.
Shetland Aets & Bere Living Heritage Project
With the assistance of the Crofters Commission, Shetland Islands Council, Shetland Enterprise, Scottish Natural Heritage and RSPB, the Shetland Organic Producers' Group has set up a five-year project to maximise production and build up a seed bank of native bere-barley and Shetland oats (aets).
The quantity of seed grown now-a-days is so small that there is a real fear that these unique varieties are in danger of extinction. There are currently only a few crofters who are able to dedicate time to their production, and the aim of this scheme is to encourage the existing growers and a few new ones to participate in maintaining a seed bank into the foreseeable future.
Growers are now into the 2007 harvest, and although there were fewer growers taking part in the project it is hoped that the area under cultivation this year will produce a reasonable return. The weather this past summer was not conducive to a good crop, and the yield will have been influenced by heavy rain showers and the strong winds which we regularly experience across the Isles.
The Group will shortly establishing a list of growers for next season, especially as there is possibility of commercial interest in the bere.
Native Shetland Hill Bred Lamb
Members of the Group are getting ready to arrange for the processing of this season's crop of native hill bred Shetland lambs at Shetland Livestock Marketing Group's facility at Laxfirth in Shetland. This small unit, which processes only lamb (both conventional and organic) has organic certification issued by Scottish Organic Producers Association (SOPA). This allows Certified Organic producers to have their lambs slaughtered and butchered on the islands.
Some of our members sell lamb and salmon locally at the Farmers' Markets in Tingwall and Baltasound. Ronnie Eunson's Organic lamb is also available from Scoop Wholefoods in Lerwick. The Shetland Organic Producers' Group are continuing to promote the unique identity and health status of native Shetland hill lamb for the discerning consumer via this website.
For further details on the availability of Native Shetland Hill Bred Lamb contact pete.glanville@virgin.net
Raymond Smith, Chef and Proprietor of Monty's Restaurant in Lerwick, continues to feature a wide range of the best of Shetland produce in his Taste of Scotland accredited and very successful Bistro.
