Mid Canterbury Black and Coloured sheep Fleece Sale 28th June 2025

There were plenty of winter woolies on offer at the Mid Canterbury Fleece Sale Day, held in Ashburton on Saturday 28^th June 2025.

The weather even co-operated which was better than the day before which had been grey, very cold and raining.

The sale was the first Fleece Sale for many years and was well supported by both Mid and South Canterbury/Waitaki branch members.

David Strong organised the sale at the Mania-O-Roto Scout Park Den in Ashburton, an excellent choice, with plenty of indoor space, plenty of parking and the mandatory kitchen.

Mid Canterbury Branch member and hand crafter, Verna Woods, provided customers with a guided tour of the stalls helping to explain the types of products for sale and the potential end uses.

Verna provided a great insight for the customers and was tempted herself by what was on offer.

“Corriedale, English Leicester, Lincoln, Merino, Perendale, Polwarth and curly, curly Gotland – so many Fleeces, what can one do, ummmmm just more fleece, ohhhhh a kg of that please.”

Verna said, buyers appreciated the option to purchase whole or part of a fleece, or in smaller amounts by the kg.

“Our sellers were very happy with their sales and interactions with the buyers over a very busy morning and into the afternoon. A busy, busy atmosphere, lots of chatter, questions, answers, information and bags and bags of goodies to take home.”

Verna said the organisers were grateful for the help Creative Fibre Canterbury and Timaru Creative Fibre gave promoting the Fleece Sale on their Facebook pages, creating a boost of interest to a wider network.

However, money wasn’t the only currency used and Shaun Hunter was very pleased with one of his transactions, swapping merino fleece for home baking.

The sale was well supported by Black and Coloured Wool Producers : Dave Strong, Leo and Karen Ponsonby (Greenacres), Ray McLaren, Dave Thompson, Margaret and Lindsay Williamson, Vivien Manson, Lisa Zwarts and Shaun Hunter, Stuart and Sue Albrey (Fine Fibre Farms), Pip Sanders and Richard Patterson who all displayed and sold a wide variety of fleece breeds and colours including multicolour fleeces. Leo added a great deal of  interest with his range of fleece and carded products.

The Mid-Canterbury Branch would like to thank all who attended, and are looking forward to seeing everyone at their 2026 fleece day!

Written by Verna Woods and Lisa Zwarts. Photos by Lisa Zwarts.