Romney Marsh Wools – all raised on the farm

I came across this company last week at the Country Living Fair – the offer of a blob of hand cream was difficult to resist.

This company is exactly what it says on the label: a family farm that straddles part of Romney Marsh and Adlington & Bonnington in Kent. Kristina and Paul Boulden, sixth generation sheep farmers, decided to diversify from the core family business and use the wool for knitting and weaving as well as the lanolin and wool fat for toiletries.

Wool used to be England’s biggest export back in the Middle Ages using Romney sheep. The breed dates as far back as the 1300s and produces a lovely long staple cream yarn.

Farming alone is not enough to make a living these days so I love Romney Marsh Wool‘s use of history, locality and sustainability to create a new business. They were awarded “Best Product” at the show too – not bad for a first -time exhibitor.

Fleeces are cleaned, carded and spun by local artisans then either woven or hand knitted into a small collection of throws and blankets, sold through the website and at local retail outlets listed on the site.

Thanks Kristina for these pictures.