Episode 23 - Growing UK Hemp for Fibre with Claire O’Sullivan and Kitty Wilson Brown

We're all becoming increasingly aware of the need to move away from fast fashion, plastic based fabrics and clothing waste.  A key way to make the move is by re-exploring heritage fabrics and production methods, aiming for a much more considered approach to the clothes we wear.

Hemp as a fibre has a long history in the UK going back thousands of years, but fell out of favour during the last hundred years or so.  However it offers not only the ability to create fabrics locally but also other benefits including soil health and employment opportunities.

In this episode podcast host Jo Salter chats with Claire O'Sullivan and Kitty Wilson Brown who founded Contemporary Hempery in 2021.  They have recently grown and harvested their first crop of industrial hemp in Suffolk, UK.  This crop will now be processed and turned into fabric.  Listen in to hear more about their journey and what's next for hemp in the UK.

Useful links:

Where Does It Come From? - https://www.wheredoesitcomefrom.co.uk

Contemporary Hempery (instagram) - https://www.instagram.com/contemporaryhempery

Wakelyns Suffolk organic agroforestry, food, horticulture hub - https://wakelyns.co.uk/

Festival of Natural Fibres 8/9 October 2022 (eventbrite) - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/festival-of-natural-fibres-tickets-389476052357

Festival of Natural Fibres information - https://khadi.london/festival-of-natural-fibres-2022/

Festival of Natural Fibres (instagram) - https://www.instagram.com/festival_of_natural_fibres/