Members of The Wool Clip have announced that entries are now invited for the co-operative's 25th Anniversary Awards. These have been launched as part of the co-operative's celebrations of its 25th anniversary throughout 2026.
"We've been working on the funding for these since the end of last year," says Alice Underwood, a member of The Wool Clip and one of those organising the 25th Anniversary Awards. "With the confirmation of funding for very nearly four Awards of £250 each so far, we're now inviting entrants from across Cumbria to download an Application Form (or pick one up from the Caldbeck shop) and submit their entry."
The Awards are being offered to help a new generation of wool-based craftspeople in Cumbria, particularly those at the start of their wool enterprises. The value of each Award is £250, not a huge amount but significant for anyone starting and developing a new wool-based enterprise.
"There are so many costs involved for new wool businesses," says Chloe Randall, another Wool Clip co-operative member who is involved in the Anniversary Awards. "Things like a web presence, an essential piece of equipment, a training course or something as simple as labels can all be barriers.""We're hoping that Awards like these – and the associated publicity and networking - can make all the difference for others in Cumbria with inspiring ideas and plans."
Chloe Randall of The Wool Clip
The closing date for the initial tranche of Awards is Monday 4 August, with successful applicants being notified late in August and then announced in September. The final closing date for entries (Award funding permitting) will be Monday 30 November with winners announced in December.
"All we're asking for is a bit of information on applicant's background and interests, their current involvement in wool and the key difference that a £250 Award would make," says Alice. "And they can include up to four images as well if that helps to explain."
The Award application form can be downloaded as a Word file here and as a pdf here. Completed forms can then be emailed or posted to The Wool Clip – contact details are on the form.
Members of The Wool Clip are selling special 25th Anniversary items
Members are creating designs with a common colour scheme, inspired by Cumbrian landscapes, and these are on sale in the Caldbeck shop, with a selection also on sale online.
Donations to the Awards fund are still welcome - you can read more in our previous blog
Thank you to everyone who has donated since we launched the 25th Anniversary Awards Fund. Each Award will be of £250 and there are application deadlines in August and then in November 2026.
We're keen to hear from anyone based in Cumbria who knows that £250 could make a difference to their new (or young) business
Please apply for one of our Anniversary Awards.
Our co-operative is made up of members who all know what it was like to begin selling their work - and we're keen to help those just starting out.