Further details announced for popular Leeds Wool Festival

With just under a month to go until it takes place an exciting line-up of activities has now been confirmed for this year’s Leeds Wool Festival at a popular city museum.

Fans of all things woollen will be able to once again enjoy a range of delights as part of the Leeds Wool Festival which is set to be held on Saturday June 6 from 10am-5pm at Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills. 

On offer will include textile workshops, talks, special performances and weaving demonstrations, which will sit alongside the museum’s fascinating working looms, spinning mules and newly updated tailoring gallery.

Presenting one of the talks is knitwear designer Susan Crawford of Susan Crawford Vintage who will be giving a free talk on The Vintage Shetland Project from 1pm to 2pm.

The Spinners of Aire, and Bradford Spinners and Weavers Guild will also be on hand to demonstrate a number of skills including traditional rug making, while handy tips and advice to help with all of your knitting needs will be provided from the museum’s very own Close Knit Friends, along with crochet and spinning gurus. 

If you are keen to learn new, or brush up on existing skills, a number of workshops will also be held on the day.

These include ‘Knitting in the Round’ and ‘Introduction to Fair Isle’ taught by knitting legend Audrey Wilson and ‘Natural Dyeing’ workshops taught by Debbie Tomkies.

For more details regarding how to book and cost of the workshops, please visit the website. 

A mini market featuring over 20 stalls which proved to be a big hit at the inaugural event at Armley Mills last year will also once again be at the festival.

They will be joined by additional entertainment including folk musician Jon Harvison, Morris dancers, and a special screening of the feature film ‘Tell them of Us’ and the short documentary film ‘Tell Them of Us: The Knitters’.

This tells the tale of knitters who answered the call to make costumes for a film to be shown on Armley Mills’ very own 1920s cinema at 11.30am and 3.15pm. 

Don’t forget to also pop in for tea, coffee, cakes and more yummy treats at a special pop up café courtesy of the ladies from Darling Roses WI or pay a visit to the festival’s important guests, the lambs and baby alpacas which will be making a special visit to the museum for one day only. 

For more information please visit www.leeds.gov.uk/LeedsWoolFestival or follow the #LeedsWoolFest hashtag. 

Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, Leeds City Council’s executive member for digital and creative technologies, culture and skills said:

"After a brilliant first event at Leeds Industrial Museum in 2014, we are really looking forward to again hosting the Leeds Wool Festival, which promises to be even bigger and better this year. 

"Specialist workshops, demonstrations, and a wide-range of other entertainment will be on offer, in what is undoubtedly the perfect day for any wool connoisseur!" 

Sarah Barton, keeper at Leeds Industrial Museum said:

"The team at the Industrial Museum are really excited to be running the Leeds Wool Festival again this year.

Last year was a fantastic event and we are hoping that this June’s festival will be even better."We very much look forward to welcoming you to the museum on the day."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

All events and activities are free with normal museum admission charges except the Knitting in the Round, Introduction to Fair Isle and Natural Dyeing workshops.

Admission:Adult £3.80, child £1.90, conc £3, family ticket £8 (Family ticket includes two adults and up to three children) Monday: Closed except for bank holidays. Bank holiday Mondays 10:00 - 17:00. Last admission at 16:00 Tuesday to Saturday: 10:00 - 17:00. Last admission at 16:00 Sunday: 13:00 - 17:00. Last admission at 16:00 

Canal Road, Leeds, LS12 2QF.

Tel: 0113 378 3173.

Email: armley.mills@leeds.gov.uk

Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills:

Housed in what was once the world's largest woollen mill, Leeds Industrial Museum houses a wealth of gems located in a beautiful riverside setting.

Step back in time to learn about the industrial history of Leeds from manufacturing textiles and clothing to printing, engineering and locomotives, which the city was world famous for.

There is no additional charge for visiting this event but normal museum admission charges apply.For further information visit our website www.leeds.gov.uk/armleymills

For media enquiries, please contact:

Colin Dickinson, Leeds City Council press office (0113) 39 51578

Email: colin.dickinson@leeds.gov.uk