Just south of Coniston, in Nibthwaite, a business which could throw a lifeline to Cumbria’s sheep farmers is thriving.
Four years of hard work to produce distinctive tweeds which represent all thirteen Lake District valleys is nearing completion. Already the designs are in demand for tourists and locals who want a practical and beautiful memento of their favourite part of the county.
Maria Benjamin is rightly proud of the achievement.
Lake District Tweed is part of a farm diversification business called Dodgson Wood, founded by Maria and partner John Atkinson whose family have farmed in the area for more than six hundred years.
“Farmers like John get about 30 pence per kilo yet is costs £1.50 to shear so the economics just don’t add up,” Maria says. The former Grisedale Arts project manager clearly loves the Lakes and was determined to do her bit to help farmers get a better deal.
An initial idea to create a tweed just for Coniston drew interest and support from Defra’s Farming in Protected Landscapes fund administered by the Lake District National Park Authority.
The idea of producing tweed for all thirteen valleys was ambitious but thanks to support from twenty two farmers and specialist designers the plan took off.
“When I had the idea to create valley specific tweeds, I contacted Sheila Philips from the Lancs and Lakes Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers,” Maria recalls.
“Sheila organised the group to come up with tweed designs based on unique aspects of each valley such as the bluebells of Buttermere.
“Textile designer Louise Dixon and I chose the final designs from the selection produced. Louise adapted the designs for a more commercial tweed but the throws reflect the original patterns created by the Guild.”
The farmers receive an above market price for their wool and a profit share from sales of the tweed.
The wool itself is processed in Bradford, Huddersfield and Oldham; washing, combing, spinning and weaving taking place in the areas where the industry has been part of life for generations.
Demand has been strong with people keen to purchase something that’s made in the Lake District and has a particular link to an area within it.
Guest houses have purchased tweed throws and cloth to be made into cushions to give visitors an authentic feel of Cumbria during their stay.
“A throw is something that could be passed down from generation to generation and is a real memory of time spent in a special place,” Maria says.
Even King Charles now possesses a tweed made by Maria after a farming friend in Scotland gifted it to the King when he visited The Flow Country, the world’s first peatland UNESCO World Heritage site. The Royal connection continues with a link to the King’s Foundation at Dumfries House where sheep are grazed. Wool from the flock has been processed into knitting yarn.
Farmer and writer James Rebanks is one of the farmers whose flocks’ fleeces are used by Maria. Not only does wool from his Herdwicks appear in the Ullswater tweed but it’s also spun to produce trendy Shepherd’s Bags, useful for carrying anything from a lamb to a laptop.
“For the farm to thrive and not be reliant on farm subsidies we felt it was important to put our energy into growing relevant small businesses that enhance the work we do,” Maria said.
Alongside the tweeds, an experiment with producing soap from Jersey milk has paid off with farmers, among others, making use of it for its skin nourishing benefits.
“These tweeds are inspired by the beauty and history of the landscape, the hardy Lakeland farmers and the sheep who have grazed the fells for generations,” Maria said. “We are proud to be a part of this Lake District legacy through the hands of craftspeople who bring our timeless tweeds to life.”
