It has been a little over a week since we held the official Shire Slings launch party at Tunnel End in Marsden. We’ve been overjoyed with the response and feedback we’ve had so far and getting here has been a wonderful journey – up hill and down dale, so to speak!

It’s really fitting that we had the launch of Shire Slings in Marsden, Huddersfield with its rich and colourful weaving history.

Have you heard of the Luddites? These guys were artisan hand weavers and they were getting a little tetchy about advances in technologies that were putting their craft at risk.  A chap called Enoch Taylor was a craftsman that made some of the new mechanised weaving frames and croppers that drove the industrial revolution. He and his brother were also black smiths and made almighty 30lb hammers. The Luddites used these “Enochs” as their weapon of choice when smashing the new weaving machinery.

This gave rise to the saying

"Enoch hath made them and Enoch shall break them."

It was fantastic to see so many enthusiastic baby wearers walking into the Standedge visitor centre in the brilliant sunshine and I don’t think that the village has ever seen such an invasion of woven wraps, ring slings and mai teis! Folk were greeted with tea and some sensational cakes baked by an extremely talented friend. We had some music courtesy of Marsden duo Terry & Julie and of course slings, slings and more slings! Lots of people took advantage of the opportunity to test out Russian Dolls & Love Geek ring slings and wraps with Yolanda there to answer questions and offer advice. Many buyers took advantage of the Wrap Wrapping service, so they could enjoy opening up their new sling again when they got home.

The sensational Katy from Barefoot Books was there and children were agog with her magical storytelling and captivating range of books for people of all ages.

So thank you! To all the people who have helped get us here and especially to those who helped on the day; greeting people, handing out goody bags, wrapping slings, baking cakes, serving tea & coffee, washing up, playing music, making a makeshift projector screen, loading cars, entertaining our children and sweeping up –

THANK YOU!!