MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Success of Falklands Farmer's Wife

A former BBC radio producer who emigrated to the Falkland Islands in the 1970s and became an expert on wool and wool dyeing, as well as a successful writer, is launching her latest initiative by exhibiting a new range of wool in 26 shades at October's prestigious Harrogate Fashion and Embroidery Show in Yorkshire. The show is expected to attract up to 40,000 consumers interested in textile arts.

Rosemary Wilkinson's experience as an adventurous young Falklands immigrant, has turned into a personal success story, in partnership with her husband, who also emigrated from England.

From humble beginnings, she as a farmstead teacher and he as a shepherd, they took up the challenge of running their own 16,000-acre Dunnose Head Farm on West Falkland, which came under Harrier attack during the 1982 Falklands War. Soon afterwards they welcomed a Royal guest, Royal Navy helicopter pilot the Duke of York, who stayed with them for welcome rest and recreation from the rigours of military operations.

Since then, their farm, with 3,600 Merino-cross sheep plus a mixed-breed coloured flock, has been transformed into an internationally-known producer of high quality organic wool, which they sell world-wide to hand spinners.

It has truly been a pioneering challenge, made harder by the farm's remote location, miles from any road.

Internet Promotes Falklands Wool

The difficulties of achieving growth as a mail order business is being overcome by exploiting the internet and forming a new business partnership with a United Kingdom-based artist, Sarah Lawrence.

Her firm, Crafty Notions, is marketing Rosemary's wool in Britain as well as to handspinners and feltmakers round the world on her website (www.craftynotions.com). The new range is promoted with a logo of a rainbow breaking over a green sheep, depicting the Wilkinson's emphasis on top quality chemical-free wool.

Sarah Lawrence, former chairman of the International Felt-Makers Association, has developed the new palette of 26 colours to the highest technical specifications on unbleached wool, using eco-friendly dyes.

Their business contacts began when Rosemary was in the USA and Canada promoting DHF wool and taking craft workshops. Sarah Lawrence says: "Dunnose Head Farm wool is increasingly recognised in North America for its clean, green and chemical free status".

Rosemary says: "DHF wool is in a class of its own, and ideal for the textile enthusiast who wants an eco-friendly product. The ?green' sheep is becoming recognised among crafts people as a symbol of quality and makes a good talking point. I enjoy corresponding with our customers