CAREER SHIFT
Bec Briar, shepherd, spinner and weaver
FEATURE FIONA GILMOUR
I really look forward to March after the long dark days of winter,’ says Bec Briar, at the loom in her workshop. ‘Our log pile has dwindled and we’ve had enough of the cold and wet. Then everything changes the day our wonderful shearer, Michael, arrives. In one or two days, Ihave awhole year of fleeces to work with’
She will use the coarser fleeces for peg-loom weaving; some go to amill for carding; others are boxed up for sale to spinners; and the rest she will keep for herself to create unique blankets, shawls, scarves and craft materials, often dyed with plants and herbs grown outside her front door. Bec particularly likes tree-based dyes and inks from twigs and bark. ‘To make dyes stick you need amordant and twigs contain this naturally,’ she says. ‘Nature’s colours are always different, depending on the time of year, the conditions the plant grows in and the weather. Iuse the dyes and inks for writing and drawing as well as colouring our fleeces and yarns.’
Shearer Michael uses traditional blades (like huge scissors), which he and Bec believe is kinder to the animal. ‘The process is so quiet, and leaves athin layer of fleece on the animal to keep it warm and dry. We talk and discuss the sheep and what needs doing while we work. Ihave learnt so much from him about the health and diet of the flock.’ For the highest quality, most lustrous fleece, she explains, the sheep need to be in peak condition, so high welfare standards are good for them and for the products she sells.
It wasn’t Bec’s dream to live off the land. In her twenties and thirties, she lived in afifth-storey flat in Brixton, South London, and worked as afundraiser and events organiser for avariety of charities, including Cancer Research UK. She enjoyed her work and all that London had to offer, but after atime Bec felt the need to breathe clean country air. ‘I wanted to be rooted to the landscape,’ she says.
Amove to Bristol in 2013 was astepping stone to rural life. She was offered the opportunity to turn an abandoned arboretum into anature centre running courses in bushcraft and woodland skills for adults and children (tortwortharboretum.org). Surrounding herself with experts in woodland management, Bec absorbed knowledge that proved invaluable lat
