THE NEW WOOL BARN

An exhibition of craftwork at the wool barn, as part of Wool Week

The large Wool Barn, being constructed in the heart of Gables Farm, means Ruskin Mill College’s textile and farm curriculum can come together under one roof. The Wool Barn links closely to the surrounding farm activities, including a dye plant garden and the animal husbandry curriculum. Rooms for lambing and shearing, dyeing, spinning, felting and weaving will promote a full field-tofibre curriculum. There will also be space for some new equipment; the weaving tutors are expecting some beautiful Cretan looms.

The Wool Barn under construction The original wealth of the Cotswolds was from the wool trade and textiles is the signature craft at Ruskin Mill College. The Wool Barn will enlarge our current textiles curriculum with the construction of a large dyeing workshop that can take the fleeces from the Trust’s five farms and process them. This will establish a new social enterprise for our students which gives them a real-life experience of manufacture and commerce based on a heritage craft. It is an exciting new concept for the college.

FIELD TO FIBRE CURRICULUM

A building of this size has been sorely needed by the college for many years, as there is no single space that can accommodate all the staff and students together. Although the college has a beautiful 120acre campus, it is short of large, purpose-built learning and resource spaces. The Wool Barn will also provide a much-needed base for the performing arts and music curriculums and college festivals.

By Caitlin Bently, Senior Tutor, Weaving and Janine Christley, Director of Fundraising

A weaving workshop at the Wool Barn

We are extremely grateful to all the funders who have supported the Wool Barn and look forward to welcoming them to visit this wonderful new building.

• The Wolfson Foundation • Whitstone Head Educational Trust • The Sterling Charity • The Sedbury Trust • The Sackler Trust • Horlock Educational Trust • Worshipful Company of Woolmen • Fred and Marjorie Sainsbury Charitable Trust • The Saintbury Trust • The Princess Anne's Charities Trust • Joanies Fund • The Champniss Charitable Trust