...Updated 30th July 2009
 

Visit to Elsa Krogh, Denmark

Elizabeth and Richard spent 4 wonderful days recently with Danish weaver and author Elsa Krogh and her husband Arne at their home on Jutland, Denmark. Elsa, who for over 30 years distributed Ashford products and who already has written two popular titles for us is currently working on a new book. Provisionally titled “The Ashford Book of Patterns for the Four and Eight Shaft Loom” Elsa has woven beautiful and exciting shawls, scarves, cushions, towels, table runners and fabric material using a variety of techniques from twill to summer and winter and modern backed weaves. Many of the patterns are sourced from archival material from local museums and bring a wonderful sense of continuity as well as smart Danish style! We will have this new book available early in 2010.

Woolfest 26-27 June 2009, Cockermouth, Cumbria, UK

Richard and Elizabeth, together with our UK distributor David Herring exhibited at this large annual, national show. Alongside ten of our UK dealers we enjoyed meeting many of the over 5000 enthusiastic visitors. As well as the vendors there were lectures, workshops and a sheep auction.

Photo1. Richard and Elizabeth with David and Bryony from Frank Herring and Sons
Photo2. Elizabeth with Sarah Howard and Elisabeth Kendrick, authors of “Creative Weaving”

Photo 3. Richard and Elizabeth with some of the UK Ashford dealers at the show.

  

Jubilee Entrance


Construction of our new entranceway to the factory, Craft Shop, Museum and Village is complete. With smart stone walls, new signage and an enormous Elizabeth spinning wheel (it is 2 ½ the size of the original wheel) the entrance is certainly eye-catching and a special way to commemorate our 75th Jubilee.

Estonia

Congratulations to our new distributor for Estonia Imbi Jäetma on holding an Ashford open day in Tallinn. We are very proud to have Imbi representing us in Estonia. Imbi also has a flock of 50 rare Estonian Native Coloured Sheep (Northern Short Tail) & is committed to preserving this breed as there are approx. only 200 of them left world wide.

International Back to Back Challenge

Taking up the Challenge - Can you knit a jumper in a day? Can you race against the clock, using blade shears, spinning wheel, and knitting needles?

Congratulations to our Czech Republic distributors Daniela and Paul Linhart who took up the challenge and entered two teams in the Back to Back challenge.

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Team 1 - Antonin Zeman - shearer, Jana Kiedronova, Daniela Linhartova, Alena Radlova, Ines Stovickova, Jana Stupkova, Anna Tumova, Marie Zemanova
T ime: 8 hours 48 minutes 29 seconds

Team 2 - Milan Slunecko - shearer, Jana Klevcovova, Jitka Knezu, Daniela Linhartova jr., Miroslava Maresova, Jana Stupkova jr., Eva Uxova, Iveta Zastoupilova
T ime: 9 hours 43 minutes 42 seconds

BACK TO BACK CHALLENGE

This year we at Ashford's took up the challenge!
On Sunday the 18th of May our team of 7 plus shearer Don Hammond, shore a sheep, spun and knitted a jumper at The Ashford Craft Shop, Ashburton, New Zealand. As this was our first attempt, we didn't expect to break any records but gave it a good go! There was lots of laughing and a great time was had through out the day. We completed the task with a final time of 10 hours 38 minutes 7 seconds. What a great day! All donations went to a worthy cause - Ashburton's Palliative care Unit

Ready, steady...GO!!

Special thanks to Melva & Peter Gould for providing a beautiful sheep. Anne Ross and Pauline Stewart for being our time keepers and official scrutineers.

Anne & Pauline after a long day!

1934-2009 75th Anniversary

Next year we are celebrating our 75th birthday. Preparations have already started with the design of a new entranceway to our factory, craft shop, museum and village
 

Distributor visits

We were very pleased to have Deland Liao of Founder Tek Weaving Studio, Taipei, Taiwan visiting us for an intensive week of product training and developement.

Pictured - Elizabeth, Deland & Richard

Ashburton Spinners & Weavers

We welcomed members of the Ashburton Spinners group to demonstrate Spinning in the Ashford Craftshop as part of the local Wheels Week.

Elsa & Arne Krogh visit NZ

World famous weaving author Elsa Krogh and her husband Arne visited New Zealand recently

Elsa is the author of The Ashford Book of Textures & Towels and The Ashford Book of Projects for the Eight Shaft Loom.

Pictured are Arne, Elsa and Elizabeth at Ships Cove, Marlborough Sounds, NZ