Over the summer, things got a little hectic (as they often do here in the Dales), and we completely forgot to share one of the most meaningful experiences we had this year: taking part in The Gather.
For those unfamiliar, The Gather is no ordinary event. It’s a deeply rooted tradition in the Yorkshire Dales hill farming calendar - a time when the commoners (local farmers with grazing rights on the fell) come together to bring their sheep down from Ingleborough and back to their home farms. The particular event we joined was the Clipping Gather, timed to round up sheep for shearing, right before the busy wool season.
At the heart of our Clapdale Wool project is this very community, and the skill, tradition, and sheer dedication of the farmers who make it possible.
A Foggy Start, a Warm Welcome
Our day began at Bleak Bank Farm well before sunrise. For the farmers, these early starts are just part of the job - but for us, it was a bit of a shock to the system. The meeting point? The very top of Ingleborough, at 6 a.m.
The start of the walk up Ingleborough
After a quick cup of tea and some classic British debate about whether the fog would lift, we began the climb. Naturally, we had to get a photo in our Ingleborough t-shirts at the summit - even if the view was more cloud than countryside.
Helen and Edward on the summit of Ingleborough.
The view at the top was limited
Community in Action
Once everyone had “gathered” at the top, we helped slowly drive the sheep down the hill, guided by the skilled hands of the farmers and their incredible sheepdogs, who made it all look effortless.
The return journey down starts off lonely as we 'gather' sheep one by one
By the time we reach the farm we've 'gathered' a few hundred sheep
Once we were back down at the farm, the final stage of the gather took place - sorting the sheep. Some sheep had strayed to the “wrong” side of the fell and ended up mixed in with neighbouring flocks. They were carefully identified and reunited with their rightful owners - a task requiring an expert eye and no small amount of patience.
At that point we found ourselves totally surrounded by sheep and decided to leave the experts to it!
Different markings identify sheep belonging to different farmers that must be sorted
Why It Matters
Taking part in The Gather gave us a powerful insight into the work that underpins Clapdale Wool - and it reaffirmed just how central local farmers are to everything we do.
Without the dedication of farming families, and the shared traditions that bring communities together, there would be no Clapdale Wool. These moments, often unseen and underappreciated - are where the story of our wool truly begins: not in the shop, or the studio, but out on the fell in the misty morning light.
This isn’t just about wool. It’s about place, people, and preserving a way of life that has shaped the Dales for generations.
Thank You
To all the farmers who make events like The Gather possible - and who work year-round in all weathers to care for their flocks - thank you. You are the heart of this landscape and the soul of everything we create with Clapdale Wool.
