BAS News
Toft Alpaca Shop increases prices paid for fl eeces B
ecause of an upsurge in demand for its products, the Toft Alpaca Shop has increased the prices it pays for both suri and huacaya fl eeces. “In the last three years Toft has developed from a small alpaca garment and accessory retailer to an internationally recognised knitting yarn and design brand,” said manager Kerry Bettinson. “We are now fully dedicated to manufacturing handknitting yarns in 100% natural British alpaca fi bre, and produce two fashion-led ready to wear and knit collections a year designed to showcase British alpaca at its best.”
The autumn/winter 2012 collection has been designed and photographed and the business now needs the yarns to get it on sale. “It is that time of year when it’s all starting to get a bit busy around the farm, and the shearer will be here again before you know it,” said Kerry. “Fortunately, it is also this time of year when we at Toft need as much fl eece as we can get our hands on ready to sort and spin up.”
The shop is offering: 1. To collect from farm if over 70 fl eeces and help arrange contacting local owners to organise this.
2. Payment with six weeks of collection with no hidden transport or administration fee.
3. Individual feedback on each fl eece (weight used, how graded) if they are presented with ID.
4. Traceability through processing to let you know what your fl eece has become.
5. A buy back option on yarns and product so you can stock product you have contributed to.
6. Recognition and accreditation on its website to let customers know where their fl eece comes from.
Fleece will be graded and paid for that the following rates:
• 1st grade £8.50/kg Baby alpaca (generally fi rst fl eeces below 21 micron) • 2nd grade £6.50/kg Fine alpaca (quality fl eece generally 22<25 microns with minimal guard hair) • 3rd grade £4.50/kg • 4th grade £3.50/kg Coarser alpaca over 26 microns with higher levels of guard hair All fl eece failing to meet the above will be paid for a rate of £0.50/kg. All prices exclude VAT @ 20%. For further information and a copy of a fl eece purchase agreement, please contact the shop at
admin@thetoftalpacashop.co.uk, on 01788 810626 or through
www.thetoftalpacashop.co.uk.
atton Alpacas has been awarded a Silver in the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) for its bed and breakfast service. “This was a higher grading than we expected so we were over the moon,” said Mym Holcombe. Mym and husband Adrian have a herd of around 40 alpacas on the Wiltshire and Gloucestershire borders between Swindon and Cirencester, just outside Cricklade Their on-farm shop gives demonstrations and sells items handcrafted from alpaca fl eece. The couple also offer bed and breakfast which can be booked with or without alpaca experiences and a variety of craft courses. “We have always tried to be reasonably eco-friendly but when the opportunity
Going for green L
arose to join the GTBS it really focused our thoughts on being green and not being wasteful,” said Mym. “We believe that we are the only establishment in Cricklade to be part of this scheme and the only silver graded B&B in Swindon and Cirencester! And as far as we know, we are the only alpaca farm in the UK with this award.” For further information, visit
www.lattonalpacas.co.uk.
6 Alpaca Summer 2012
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52