Ready, Shear, Knit! Stroud’s Fastest Needles Take On the World 🐑
Saturday 7th June | 9am–7pm | The Sanctuary at Brimscombe Mill

The Cotswold Woolgatherers are back – and they mean business! Join Stroud’s legendary team as they compete in the International Back to Back Wool Challenge 2025 – a wild woolly race to shear a sheep, handspin 600g of yarn, and knit a full adult jumper... all in under a day.

In 2024, the Woolgatherers were 4th fastest in the world and fastest in Europe
Team PB: 9 hours 40 minutes
Over £1000 raised for cancer charities so far – and counting

🌀 All day – Watch as our team spins and knits in real time
🎽 By 7pm – One handmade jumper, created from fleece to finish
🎁 Silent auction – Bid for the final sweater or pick up handspun yarn

There’ll be sheep, spindles, stitches – and plenty of community spirit. Come the team on, donate, and maybe even witness a world record.

Free entry – donations welcome. All proceeds to charity.

While the wool’s flying in The Sanctuary, pop to our main space to discover our Mini Makers Market – a vibrant showcase of artists, crafters, and entrepreneurs aged 16 and under, from 11am-1pm.

The Long Table will be open for coffee, cake and a tasty pay-as-you-can lunch