My friend June Hall has been named Cumbria Woman of the Year, and a well-deserved honor it is. Not mentioned in the article at that link are a number of aspects of what June does, including her personal textile work, which warrants a spotlight of its own.
Completely under the article's radar are the great help June provided in gathering hard-to-find fiber samples for The Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook, and the delightful time she facilitated for me following UK Knit Camp in 2010, when she took me under her wing and introduced me to people and places and sheep that I would not otherwise have encountered.
This is a photo I took through the windshield of June's car:
We visited a friend's farm. . . .
. . . with its flock of Herdwicks (and a few Gotlands and mohair goats). We also participated in a sheep day, for current and prospective shepherds, sponsored by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, and I got to watch and listen to Herdwick expert Jean Wilson talk about judging animals.
For someone like me who's interested in sheep and wool, I'll tell you there is nothing like a conversation with June, Sue Blacker, and Lawrence Alderson, all happening in June's living room. (It was June's cosy living room that demonstrated to me the delights of Herdwick carpet, and the trip we took to The Wool Clip that left me with a lasting appreciation for Herdwick blankets.) I'm still high on the experiences.
And I also now understand the special appeal of the Lake District . . .
and what fells are, and why hefting of sheep (a topic for another day) matters, all thanks to June.
And I'm just ONE of the people June has touched in this way.
If you went to look at the article, you probably noticed that June is working on a book about Lithuanian textiles. She's engaged in this project with Donna Druchunas, and I'm pleased to be a supporter of the work, and the book's editor.
But most of all, I am thrilled that June's quiet, persistent efforts are being recognized.
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