SEDBERGH is set to weave its way into the world of tweed thanks to a new initiative by a local shepherdess.

Barefoot shepherdess Alison O’Neill already uses a style of tweed made from Herdwick wool in a range of fashion items, but has now made a move to develop a style made from the fleece of the Kendal Rough Fell.

“I have designed the tweed with David (McDowell) the weaver at Farfield Mill,” said Mrs O’Neill.

“I have kept it natural and there is going to be a mix of the lovely creamy colour of the natural wool and I am dying in a second colour of a lovely dark charcoal and it will be a Herringbone pattern.”

The Kendal Rough Fell is local to the Howgill Fells, which overlook Sedbergh and lie between the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales.

Mrs O’Neill is passionate about making the tweed something that reflects the nature and character of the area, as well as helping preserve the skills used to make it.

“I think it will be very distinctive and we want to keep that sense of place,” she said.

“I want it to look like it has come from an animal that comes from the fells and comes from Cumbria and is hardy and beautiful.

“There are so many people who come to the area and they want to buy something from the area and there is a wonderful story and heritage and providence here and I want to maintain the weaving and the mill.

“It is the sheep I love and it is where I live and for me it is the most important breed.”

Just as with the Herdwick tweed, the Rough Fell tweed will initially be used in a range of women’s bags and clothes.

“I would anticipate the first batch will be ready by Christmas,” said Mrs O’Neill.

“Working with the sheep on the fells gives me so much satisfaction, thinking I will be wearing a jacket made from that wool in the next three or four months and not just me but other people.”

Anne Pierson, director of Farfield Mill - which will host the Sheepfest event again next month (September) - said the new tweed was an exciting development.

“This is such good news for Sedbergh,” she said. “One of the reasons I started Sheepfest was to help the local economy and if Sedbergh tweed also takes off - and we will be weaving it on our Dobcross looms – there are exciting times ahead.”