June Hill has been involved in the subject of wool for many years. From keeping a small flock of rare Soay sheep, to writing a book about Lithuanian knitting traditions, writing articles for international magazines and teaching in Canada, the USA and the UK, to spending ten years as a member of the Wool Clip Cooperative (Caldbeck), wool has been an absorbing interest. 

As a local historian the source of wool – sheep – and their history are endlessly fascinating. The talk will cover the origins of sheep, the types and breeds, the natural attributes of wool and the evolution of processes, and hand knitting as an industry. Examples of regional knitted garments and items and tools involved in processing wool will be shown.