The Lily Warne Wool Diary 2016

To our dearest Lily Warne Wool followers we are delighted to share with you an up to date overview of our amazing year.

January
The year started on January the 6th with the arrival of CBEEBEES, they came to film for a show called ‘Do You Know’ we were delighted to be able to show the Farm to Yarn process with them and this was broadcast in September 2017.

February
Brought the sounds of bleating to the barns as new life appeared. We love lambing, the highs and lows and on our social media we were delighted to show you this live in our lambing. Its tough but the most amazing experience & we have the most photogenic lambs.

March
Lambing continues with the chaos of turning the lambs who are now ready to run with their Mums. Mothering Sunday always brings a busy time at the farm, as we also we grow daffodils & tulips on a commercial basis.

April
April is just fab here warmer days and the studio comes to life. Easter brings the resurgence of our darling small flower brooches and Lily Lambs off to their new homes.

May
Show season and Devon County Show the first of many. A visit from the BBC Countryfile team and Anita Rani as presenter to show case our sumptuous sheepskin rugs like no other and the process using the local tannery.

June
Our first year at the Contemporary Craft Fair with our sheep. Lewis came home to roost after 3 years of Uni. No time to rest for him though as it was shearing time, he worked across Devon keeping all the flocks trim for lots of farmers including us.

July
Cirencester Show for the marvelous Addington Fund teaching lots of people about the Farm to Yarn process and how to crochet!! This month Lewis Graduated, we were so proud for him to archive a 2.1 in REALM at the Royal Agricultural University. We also visited Princetown on Dartmoor for a summer fair.

August
BBC Countryfile live for 4 days. Started to film with Kate Humble for a new series ‘Back to the Land’ airing in 2017 lots of sunshine, sheep & laughter. The film crew followed us to our favorite Chagford show. Lewis headed off to the Cotswold’s taking Lily Warne Wool on the road to Jamie Oliver’s Big Feastival and showcasing his new venture The Dartmoor Shepherd. Whilst at home we headed to Lustleigh Show to meet and greet friends old and new.

September
Widecombe Fair saw the last of the showing season. New Tups (Rams) were chosen for the girls, Ted (Grey Faced Dartmoor), Ross (Devon and Cornwall), William (White Faced Dartmoor) and Pete (Blue Faced Leicester) they started the task of keeping 170 ewes happy so to speak! More guest speaking experiences and educational talks for me.

October
Lewis and I had the chance to dress up and present a few awards at the UK Rural Business Awards which we were fortunate to win last year. On line shop sales busy busy. Keeping the home fires burning and trying to have a little family time.

November
We are fortunate to have farming friend who lets our flocks (well some) go on holiday to the South Hams where our sheep can make the most of the news lays of grass at their farm overlooking the sea, enabling those darling growing little lambs have a holiday.

Cold weather at the farm is lovely bringing the change of seasons is so beautiful. I love hearing the sheep tuck into their tea and seeing their frosty breath.

December
A busy month with lots of Christmas fairs and pop up events. Gift vouchers were launched in the online shop. Then a well deserved family Christmas break.

with love
Paula x