Knockando Woolmill Trust

An unexpected visitor!

We had an unexpected visitor to the Woolmill last week!

HRH Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay paid a special private visit to the Mill and was fascinated by everything he saw. He couldn't believe that the Mill had managed to survive since the eighteenth century and was still working. Jana and Hugh explained the plans for the Mill's restoration and the Prince was clearly interested in all aspects of the project - the restoration, the textile business and the craft skills involved. He was particularly pleased that rather than just a glossy makeover, we'll be keeping the intrinsic agricultural essence of the place.

Leaving with a Knockando Woolmill rug as a souvenir, we look forward to welcoming him back in both a private and official capacity in the future.

Recent flooding

Last week saw some of the worst flooding on Rivers Spey & Lossie for a number of years with a number of evacuations in the area. The level of Knockando Burn (a tributary of the Spey) which originally powered the Mill (and may again in the future) was up 4-5 feet - as illustrated by this photo of the soon to be restored Mill cottage. The last remnants of the old footbridge were washed away, but the Mill survives intact.

Knockando Woolmill Celebration

On Monday night we held an informal ceremony down at the Woolmill to mark a very special day in its history.

After ten years of hard work, the Knockando Woolmill Trust has secured most of the funds needed to restore the Woolmill and work should start in September. The trustees want to thank everybody who has worked so hard to get us this far. By Easter 2012 we shall have a wonderfully restored mill and machinery, a unique textile business, dedicated education and training facilities and a beautiful visitor centre. We have had amazing support from many public bodies, charities, private donors, the local community, Friends of the Woolmill, volunteers and of course our hard-working professional team. The Moray Council has had confidence in the Project from the start and their support has been crucial in securing over £1 million of European Funding. Exciting times ahead!

Last Sunday's Open Day

Thanks to everyone who attend our fantastic Open Day on Sunday. The weather was perfect and we were midge free!

A rough tally suggests we were visited by 300-400 people - many of whom had travelled considerable distances (thanks to our German friends for making the effort to visit!).

It was probably the last opportunity to see the Mill pre-restoration - we'll be keeping the blog up to date with news of our progress. But Hugh will be weaving up to the very last minute - he was busy working on some sampling on Sunday - see the photo below.

All thanks to Sandra and Hugh for setting everything up and publicity; Jane, Graeme and Jolyon for Mill duties; Carron Creates and Karin Werner for craft demonstrations; Janet, Sandra's daughter Annbelle and her friend for greeting, explaining our plans and refreshments; Matt for car parking duties. We couldn't have done it with out you!

But there's still plenty to be done!

If you'd like to help, perhaps you could consider becoming a Friend of Knockando Woolmill? We'll keep you up to date with all of our activities and you'll receive a number of Friends' benefits.

And if you're a business that would like to support our work, we'd love to hear from you.

Woolmill Open Day

The Woolmill will be open to everyone on Sunday 28th June from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. This will be a great opportunity to visit before the building work begins in September. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible and would encourage you to bring everybody you know! For any further information please contact Sandra Kennedy on 01343 890335 or email - sand45@tiscali.co.uk

Constitutional Change

The Trust is in the process of changing its constitution to enable Moray residents to become members of the Trust with voting rights. People living outwith Moray will be very welcome to be associate members but will be ineligible to vote.

Since January over 140 people have shown an interest in the new membership and an invitation will be extended to them together with our ‘Friends of Knockando Woolmill’ as soon as the changes are complete. This will, in effect, give our members part ownership in the Woolmill and more importantly, a real stake in it’s future. So many young people have shown an interest in the Woolmill that we intend to introduce a Junior Membership which should also help to broaden our educational aims.

Proud owners!

On April 1st 2009 the Knockando Woolmill Trust became the proud owners of the Woolmill and leaseholders of the other buildings and land within the complex. Many of you will have read in the press that we have been successful in securing awards totalling some £3.5 Million and are now in a position to save the Woolmill.

Since our foundation in 2000 and the publicity of ‘Restoration’ in 2004 there have been many twists and turns along the road. We are seeing the dream turn into reality. It is our passion to share the Woolmill experience with as many people as possible and pass it on to future generations as living, working heritage.

Become a part owner of the Woolmill

On April 1st 2009 the Knockando Woolmill Trust will become the proud owners of the Woolmill and leaseholders of the other buildings and land within the complex. I am not sure whether the date of transfer is auspicious or not! 

The Trust invites all residents of the Moray Council area to be part owners of the Woolmill. They will then have a real stake in its future  - now and for the generations to come. In order to do this, we are in the process of changing our constitution to enable Moray residents to become members of the Trust with voting rights. People living outwith Moray are very welcome to be associate members, but will be ineligible to vote. So many young people have shown an interest in the Woolmill that we intend to open a junior membership.

My apologies to the many Friends of Knockando Woolmill - we should have contacted you about this change first. The membership will make no difference to your Friend status, although we hope you will choose to be a member as well. We have all been incredibly busy - holding our breath for March 4th when we should know whether or not we have the funding in place to save the Woolmill!

If you want to be a member or an associate of the Knockando Wooolmill Trust, please contact Sandra Kennedy on 01343-890335 or email: sand45@tiscali.co.uk

The Knockando Woolmill Trust Rug

We're pleased to offer a limited edition rug as part of our fund raising activities.

The rugs measure 1.9m x 1.4m (6'3"x 4'7") and just 45 have been produced. And you can purchase one for £95.00 including packing and postage in the UK (£105 for overseas sales).

A few words about the rug from Hugh Jones, current owner and weaver at Knockando Woolmill...

"I've been weaving the Knockando Estate tweed for many years now. This tweed, and those of many other estates, have been a mainstay of trade at Knockando for generations before me.

When thinking on a design for a rug to support the woolmill trust's fundraising, the Knockando Estate cloth was an obvious starting point but the pattern size was too small for a rug, which needs a large repeat to look right... and so we blew it up (to 5 x size) to make this original throw which, I think, came out quite handsome. I made 47 and after finishing (fringe rolling, washing, raising etc..), there are 45 left. I hope you will want and enjoy one of them."

For more photographs and online ordering please visit www.knockandowoolmill.org.uk/rug.htm

BBC Homes & Antiques

We're delighted that BBC Homes & Antiques have featured our efforts as the main news feature in November's issue:

"Much of the machinery is from the 18th century and - although this hasn't hindered Hugh Jones, who has produced tweed here for the past 30 years - it is finally in need of restoration."

> Read the article in full here

If you'd like to help us raise the final £200,000 needed to trigger the restoration process please consider becoming a Friend of Knockando Woolmill.

Becoming a Friend enables you to join the increasing and dedicated group of people from all over the world who are committed to the restoration project so that future generations can enjoy its heritage and keep the traditional art of weaving alive.