1st Annual Coggeshall Wool Gathering Day

Just a thought for anyone interested in going to the meeting; the line up for the spring Sheep & Wool shows is pretty hectic in May.  Every weekend, beginning the last one in April (28th) until Memorial Day weekend, has a show if RI plans to take May 19th.  In the fall, the schedule is lighter.  VT has September 8-9, NY (Rhinebeck) Oct. 20-21st.  RI might have a better turnout, particularly vendors and exhibitors, if a show was planned for the fall.
                                                   Judy

Harriet sent this via email:

Sent: Monday, January 15, 2007 2:32:21 PM
Subject: Informational Meeting for 1st Annual Coggeshall Farm "Wool
Gathering" Day- We need you!


What- Meeting to Discuss the plans for our Wool Gathering and Sheep Shearing
Day to be held May 19th at Coggeshall Farm Museum.

Why- RI is the only state in New England that does not hold some type of
Wool event.. We will be having our annual sheep shearing event on this same
day- 

When- Meeting to be held Monday January 29th at 6 pm at Coggeshall Farm
Museum, Bristol RI.. 

Agenda
1. How do we reach all the RI "fiber farms"?  
        RI sheep co-operative
        Individual farms (have several alpaca farms expressing interest as
well as a goat)
2. What type of vendor would be appropriate?
            a. sheep
            b. camelids
            c. Goats
            d. Yarn/fiber
            e. Weaving/Spinning (wheels, looms, tools and toys)
            f.  quilting
            g. basket weaving
            h.  food vendor
            i. other appropriate crafts--- what am i missing
            j. music
3. Sheep to Shawl contest
            ? appropriate teams
            ? qualified judges
4. other contests
            Spinning
            Hand spindles
            knitty noddy winding. 
5. demonstrations
            Felting
            dying
            ??? what other
6. VOLUNTEERS
   Resource pool--- 
            membership
            previous event volunteers
            new blood
            guilds
What we need them for
            set up
            runners
            gate/parking
            contests
            judges
            take down
            ad hoc. 
            volunteer co ordinator

I realize that not everyone can make a meeting during the week (on a
winter's nite in january.). but if you can make it and are interested-
please let us know.. If you are interested and CAN NOT make it- or if you
have information that will assist us on any of the line items noted above-
also please let me know.. I am in the process of putting together a formal
"outreach sheet" that can be posted and shared - i will include you in on
the distribution.. I am really excited about this opportunity... I hope you
are too.. 

Contact info.. 

Linda Rhynard
cell phone- 401-258-7577
Farm phone- 401-253-9062  - Joe is the farm manager...