Midlands wool show Wool @ J13 has launched open applications for its 2020 event which will take place on 16th & 17th May.
Set on a 600-acre farm in Penkridge, Staffordshire – just 1 mile from J13 of the M6 – Wool@J13 is the brainchild of Staffordshire-based wool artist Ingrid Wagner. Having noticed a gap in the market for a large wool event serving the Midlands, Ingrid teamed up with Val James, who runs a successful farm attraction, to create the show which is now entering its fourth year.
The 2020 edition will have a special focus on mental health with its Knit, Nurture & Nature theme, something which the organisers felt it was very important to address.
“Knitting, along with many other crafts, can have a very positive & relaxing effect on our mental health,” says Ingrid. “In today’s fast-paced & often angry society with its instant outrage culture, we wanted to highlight those positive effects.”
Visitors will also have the chance to get ‘hands-on’ with a programme of informative & fun workshops and a Shop Til You Drop retail area from a host of exhibitors who work in wool. And the ever popular WI tent with its Adopt An Animal in support of the show’s chosen mental health charity, will also be back. Its theme this year will be Nature & Nurture.
With a strong contingent of 2019 traders already having booked to return next year, new exhibitors are now being invited to apply, as Ingrid explains:
‘It’s fantastic to see so many of our 2019 traders returning for the fourth show of Wool @ J13. We’re committed to Wool @ J13’s sustainable growth to make it a real red-letter day in the wool & yarn calendar, and we’ve got a comprehensive PR & marketing strategy in place to help bring in even more visitors in 2020. In terms of its location, the show couldn’t be more central ‘“ it’s just off the M6 at Junction 13, so very easy for exhibitors travelling from far and wide but also well placed to draw visitors from all over the country. Exhibitors who are travelling and want to camp will be in for a great weekend ‘“ there’s always a real festival atmosphere about the show which both our visitors & exhibitors went out of their way to remark on!’
The event is also a great platform for new businesses to launch their show careers ‘“ start-ups that are based within a 50-mile radius of the venue can qualify for a half-price stand in the show’s ‘Saw Them Here First’ zone. Applications are invited ahead of the deadline of the end of 31st October 2019 – to download an exhibitor pack or for more details visit www.wool-j13.co.uk. Alternatively, get in touch with the festival team by emailing [email protected] or calling 01785 330757 or 07717 036213.
