About Blegan
Sue, John and the youngest of their three sons Sam moved to the farm during 1999. Since then the house and outbuildings which are approximately 200-300 years old have undergone extensive restoration, together with the ancient tracks and stone hedges which divide the fields. During the same time further land and the farm next door was purchased enabling them to increase the flock and herd sizes and welcome visitors to their 2 holiday cottages. The farm has grown into a successful business that operates ethically and responsibly. No pesticides or herbicides are used on the farm and wherever possible local people are employed.
Blegan (a derivative of the Cornish word ‘blejen’ which means flower) came about after the initial three goats Daffodil, Lupin and Bluebell had produced enough fleece, along with later arrivals to sell. By this time they had also bought the foundation of their rare, white Wensleydale flock of sheep (Wensleydales are said to produce the finest lustre longwool in the world) and with the poor prices being achieved by the Mohair marketing and Wool Board decided to get the fleece processed their selves. After a short time it was decided that to have more variety, other colours were required and as Shetland sheep come in a wide and varying colour range from black, different shades of brown and grey to white and because they produce a beautiful fine fleece a small flock was purchased. Now Sue & John are in the process of starting a flock of very rare black Wensleydales.
Whilst the sheep and goats are being shorn the fleece is sorted into the various colours and different age groups. Before it goes away to be spun It has to be carefully sorted to remove any soiled fleece, hay, straw, bits of gorse, blackberry or anything else that might have got caught in their fleece.
When it arrives at the spinners it will be washed and spun into yarns of varying thicknesses depending on what it will be used for. From the spinners it is sent on to the various weavers, knitters and tailors, all of which are situated in the UK.
See some of our finished products here!