A Good Yarn
This episode screened June 23, 2007.
'A Good Yarn'
Cheryl and Barry Eldridge set out to buy a hobby farm - but have ended up taking on a 1000 hectare hill country property and developing their own unique sheep breed.
After moving to New Zealand from the UK, the Eldridges decided they wanted a lifestyle block to spend weekends out of Wellington.
They fell in love with a rugged Wairarapa property, but realised they had to diversify to make the farm pay. This prompted Cheryl, who had a lifelong interest in fibre, to buy a flock that originated from a primitive sheep breed on the Swedish island of Gotland.
The sheep had been brought to New Zealand as a possible alternative for pastoral farming but had not adapted well. Despite their poor condition, Cheryl saw the potential to create fabrics and garments for the fashion industry from the breed's lustrous grey wool.
Although she knew almost nothing about farming, she bought the flock, along with a pool of frozen embryos and semen.
The challenges were huge, but Cheryl embarked on a 13-year breeding programme, with help from a vet and a farm advisor, to produce wool suitable as a fashion fibre.
The breed was officially registered in 2003 and today the farm runs 1200 Stansborough Greys, along with a herd of 60 alpacas which also provide fibre for the Stansborough business.
The couple decided early on they wanted to add value to the wool themselves and they established a weaving mill at Seaview, near Wellington.
Rather than opting for modern technology, the Eldridges bought weaving looms dating back to the 1890s. Barry spent nearly three years in virtual apprenticeship learning how to use them.
They are among the oldest mechanical looms still operating and and give the fabric an authentic, handmade look.
Today the weaving mill makes fabric to meet local and export orders and is also a tourist attraction showing how weaving was done 100 years ago.
Stansborough garments, accessories and fabrics are sold in fashion boutiques in cities around the world, including New York, where the fabric was spotted by costume designers for The Lord of the Rings film trilogy.
That led to an order for 1000 metres of Stansborough fabric that was used to make the elves' cloaks and other costumes in the films. Stansborough has gone on to supply fabric for another seven films since.
Keeping tabs on all aspects of the Stansborough operation is no easy task, but the Eldridges wouldn't have it any other way. They say their love of the property at the heart of the venture remains their driving force.
To find out more about Stansborough, go to
www.stansborough.co.nz
