Barge to retrace route of trans-Pennine wool trade over 200 years

Once the Kennet reaches Saltaire on October 11, the bales will be blended and scoured in Bradford before Guiseley-based Abraham Moons makes the wool into a suit.

Tomorrow the barge will dock in Skipton where a bale of British wool will be loaded for the final leg of the journey. The barge’s journey began on August 15 in Liverpool, loaded with wool from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

The journey recreation will celebrate the third year of HRH The Prince of Wales’s Campaign for Wool.

The UK wool industry is making a resurgence with British mill production output increasing by 12 per cent in 2011.

The price of wool has also increased significantly over the past few years. Wool was priced at auction in Bradford at 38p per kilo in 2008, but last year the price rose to 160p per kilo.

In 2009, Britain produced 32 million kg of wool and this increased to 40 million kg in 2011.

Saltaire was built to accommodate the wool trade of the 18th century. The Leeds and Liverpool canal took 40 years to complete and was opened in 1816 allowing the free flow of broad boats across the Pennines.

The journey was a popular and regular one made by broad boats transporting wool until the demand for wool dwindled in the 20th century owing to the introduction of man made fibres.

The barge journey marks the first of many nationwide activities taking place in the run up to Wool Week 2012 which takes place between October 15 and 21.

From October 8, local schools in Bingley and Saltaire will take part in the canal project.