The Sheepshape Art Event took place on 6th, 7th and 8th June 2003.
Friday 6th saw 44 art sheep in Leominster Priory Churchyard, with an additional 5 art sheep in display windows. Many helpers, a shepherdess and two real ryeland sheep made the event work and inspired visitors to return with friends . The display exceeded all expectations and received wonderful feed back from the steady numbers of visitors who came to see the art sheep. The sheep made by local groups and individuals amazed visitors by their diversity, ingenuity, use of materials and creativity.

The Sheepshape proposal aimed to inspire and re-view the local landscape by focusing on making 3D art sheep from natural local materials and/or recycled materials. The project aimed to involve people who would not usually get involved in an art project or making 3D work. The project sought to involve people who are interested in the debates around rural life and cultures, such as farming , wool, art, textiles and craft traditions. Leominster and its North Herefordshire environs were selected due to the Leominster Ore wool history, the wheelchair accessibility of the chosen venues and the towns transport systems.

The report splits into three sections: i. pre-production/planning/organisation/making, ii. the weekend of events, the art sheep and documentation and iii. post-production, accounts, publicity, feedback, 'spinoffs', evaluation.

i.Sheepshape Pre-production
Planning for sheepshape started with the initial idea last summer, putting together a proposal, fundraising and gathering initial interest and support, November to March 2003. This involved three Woolgatherer meetings, visits to Mind, Echo Arts Pembridge, Berrington Hall, Herefordshire County Records, numerous phone calls, funding applications and basic library research.
The project officially started in March with a confirmed budget of £2750.00, ( £750 on account).

1.Funding
Funding bids were submitted to the Arts Council, Grass Roots Fund, Herefordshire Partnership, Elmley Arts Fund, Leominster Pea Fund, Herefordshire Voluntary Groups fund (still pending), Laura Ashley Fund and Leominster Council. By the end of March funding was confirmed from The Arts Council, Elmley Arts Fund, WHAM Leominster agenda 21, Laura Ashley Foundation, National Trust, Leominster Council, Herefordshire Partnership.

2.Research
a.Basic historic research undertaken by visits to Records Office,Woolhope Club, Berrington Hall (National Trust ), Hereford Costume Archives, Leominster and Hereford Libraries. Contacts by phone made with Leominster History Group, Leominster Folk Museum. Herefordshire Records Office offered to make display boards of local wool history and offered photos of artifacts for the website.
b.. General Research/Networking Knowledge of area widened by Woolgatherer members living in Leominster area, and the CVS groups book, info. in Library, contacts were make with relevant groups re: viability of project.

i.Sheepshape Pre-production
i)3. Artists and Groups
a. Local artists-were approached in March to work with groups in May and confirmed by April as
Celia Kibblewhite -maker,
Ciara Lewis -Textile Artist,
Andrew Marsden -Jeweller,
Jenni Stuart-Anderson -Textile Artist.
Artist meetings April.., ‘contract’ letter 4.4.03 sent to 4 artists, confirming 3 artist days work .4.03. Artists given
support artists to discuss project if useful. Support artists Harriet Hill, Anne Belgrave, Ian Lawson, Debbie Yates and Angela Martin

b.Groups
Leominster Mind and Echo Arts were contacted and registered interest in being involved and were visited to discuss the project. Further groups contacted include: Kimbolton Primary School, The Leominster Youth Project, Leominster Carers, Teme Valley Youth Project, Age Concern and Connexions.
Artists given details of group and contacted groups direct to arrange work times.
Groups working with artists initially were:
Celia Kibblewhite/Echo
Ciara Lewis/Leominster Youth Project
Andrew Marsden/Mind
Jenni Stuart- Anderson/ Kimbolton School & Leominster Carers
Teme Valley Youth Project made a late confirmation and worked with Debbie Yates and Angela Martin for 2 sessions and then paid Debbie Yates for further sessions.
Angela Martin worked with Age Concern to give talks to 4 branches about the SheepShape event and felt making demonstrations. In addition a photographer Nick Burns was paid to digitally photograph Ryeland sheep.

c.Materials
Materials given in kind for SheepShape included withies, from Peter Norman, Ludlow, fleeces from Felicity Norman, Luston, Victoria Caine, Kingsland, reclaimed chicken wire. local to artists involved, textiles include contributions from participants, Scrappies and Charity shops.The brief was to use recycled and or local natural materials. Offers were made by a computer shop and cycle shop for waste parts.

d.Commissions
Commissions differed in time blocks, organisation and number of participants e.g. Jenni SA worked with 4 Leominster Carers and Ciara Lewis with up to 25 members of the Leominster Youth Project. Mind rearranged the project times to the end of April. Artists designed the projects for maximum involvement within the given time constraints.Three of the artists made armatures ready to be covered. Artists were required to keep a record of the work in progress. Five of the projects were visited by the co-ordinator.

i.Sheepshape Pre-production
i)4. Publicity
a. Website
Mike Ashwell of the Bishops Castle Enterprise centre worked with Anne Belgrave and Angela Martin. Work started on the website in March. The web extension was launched mid April with 5 pages, home, history, how to get involved, the project and a gallery. The site was updated with work in progress during May and the gallery extended, and in July with the June event summary.

b. Leaflet and Poster The SheepShape leaflet aimed to be multipurpose, with information about the events, the project and getting involved, the Woolgatherers and local wool history. Anne Belgrave Designed the leaflet and poster, Angela Martin logo and text. The full colour leaflet was printed by Orphan Press, Leominster, mid April, 300 black/white photocopied leaflets printed by Teme Valley Youth Project. 200 posters were colour photocopied by Roundabout Stationery, Leominster.

c. Leaflet and Poster Distribution
Leaflets sent to Woolgatherer/Sheepshape mailing list April, leafletting Leominster town shops, library, hospitals, the community centre, the Priory, businesses and industrial estate and satellite towns and villages, April and early May. Leaflets given to tourist office not released until late May.

d. Press Releases, local brochures, newsletters etc, The Sheepshape event was mentioned in the Leominster festival brochure, and given generous cover by local Music and Arts 'whatson' magazine Sheep Music, May and June. Press releases sent to West Midlands Arts Council Newsletter, Herefordshire Council’s Artery listings, and Ludlow Medieval Fare.

e. Press Releases, local press, national press
Press releases sent March, April, May and June. Articles appeared in Hereford Times in April, May and June, the Leominster Echo, South Shropshire Echo and The Farmers Guardian, May. Radio Interviews with BBC Hereford & Worcester and BBC Radio Shropshire, April, May and June 6th sent radio car.

f. Publicity Pitches
Sheep appeared on display in Leominster Library in April and May, as part of the Leominster Festival window
display in the tourist office, May/June, the window exhibition at the Lion Gallery, June.

g. SheepShape Spin Offs. Artist Harriet Birchley from Art in Heaven ran sheep making workshops, Angela Davies, Leominster Children’s Librarian ran a Sheep Story event 31.5.03, Sue Morrison and Sandie Smith ran a Ewe Turns event at the Granary Cafe, Leominster, SheepShape Poetry workshops ran in 2 primary schools.

h. Woolgatherer/Sheepshape National Trust Berrington Hall event 8.6.03
Yvonne Osborne and Sue Brace publicised the event through NT networks, posters and leaflets.

i)5. Co-ordination//Management/Admin.
a. Admin. - duties included keeping a day book, updating card index, filing and computer files, mail outs, finance and accounts.
b,Venues for Sheepshape included permission to use Leominster Grange and Priory Churchyard, provisional use of Leominster Priory in the case of bad weather and use for overnight Sheep storage, booking for the Lion Ballroom and permission for overnight storage, permission from Defra for pen with real Ryeland Sheep, notification of the events to the local police, booking and organising display venues, negotiating Berrington Hall Sheepshape event. A room was booked for the Carers group in the community centre. The Royal Oak pub was the venue for 2 steering group meetings and the Granary Cafe, Leominster and the New Inn at Ammestry for the Artists group meetings.
c. The Steering Group met monthly to review and plan events and via regular phone or e-mail contact at other times to advise, support and offering specific skills such as design, funding information, network and planning contacts and ideas . Steering group members involved with supporting artists, advising on funding, distributing publicity, publicity making sheep, organising sheepshape events, helping at the event, judging art sheep.

i.Sheepshape Pre-production
i)5.d. Networking Sheepshape aimed to have at least 20 art sheep. The art brief was spread via contacts and friendship networks, publicity via proposal, leaflet, press information and phone calls to groups and schools in the area. Paintbox shop and project received a leaflet and Roy Seifert e-mailed the project to offer to make a sheep. The Moravian church youth group became involved when a member who worked at Lloyds Bank received a leaflet. The Minster School were sent information and contacted by phone. The year 8s produced 2 sheep with their art teacher. Several people involved with the project kept Ryeland sheep. Anne Jones of The Ryeland Flock Book Society, initially contacted via the website,offered to bring a display stall to the Friday Sheepshape Event with a ewe and lamb. 2003 is the 100th anniversary of the society. A leaflet was sent to the Atelier who requested samples of and information about Ryeland wool, this was forwarded to Anne Jonese. Wheelchair Access- The venues chosen for the SheepShape Events in Leominster have good wheelchair access.
f. Accounts
First payments made in May, artists first payment, co-ordinator-s first payment and printers and webmaker's invoices.
g. Sheepshape Art Market, Show and Auction The original plan for an auction was shelved as it was unclear how many sheep would be available and felt that if would need additional organisation. Brightwells, Leominster auctioneers agreed to give skills and time.
The Art Sheep Market was planned for Leominster market day and combined with a show and judging. A ‘town crier/shepherdess was hired for Friday afternoon. The Ryeland Flock Book Society booked a stand and a pen for
two Ryeland sheep. Clearance for the sheep was gained from Defra via Herefordshire Parks dept. Felicity Norman co-ordinated volunteer Shepherd/ invigilators for the Saturday grazing event. Anne Belgrave planned the Berrington Hall event with National Trust staff.
h. Pre-production estimated participants: Artists working with groups Artistmaker groups c.130, groups making independently c. 700, groups/individuals supporting, 600. plus audiences via publicity and press coverage.

ii) SheepShape Art Event
Weekend of Events, Sheepshape Art Event 6th, 7th ,8th June.
The three days were co-ordinated by Angela Martin, Felicity Norman and Anne Belgrave respectively.

A. Publicity and Information
1. The event was publicised through the local press and radio BBC Hereford & Worcester, interviews 5.6.07
Angela Martin on the ....Show and on site interview Celia Kibblewhite on the Matt Grimes morning show 9.30 7.6.03.
2. Signs and Publicity on the day were provided by Debbie Yates and Angela Martin. Helpers wore sheep masks and carried signs and gave out leaflets in Leominster shopping areas.
3. The invitation for the SheepShape Lion Ballroom evening event and launch of the Record’s office wool exhibition carried information on all the weekend events.150 invitations were sent out two weeks prior to the event.
4. Publicity could also be seen in the Lion Gallery and the Tourist Office windows.

B. Helpers and Shepherd/Invigilators
Friday 6th June: Celia Kibblewhite, Joan Featherstone, Sandy Smith, Steph Painter, Jill Holiday, Tanya Kirby,
Bob Flemons, Tom Flemons, Derek James, Anne Jones, Ken Jones, Joy Greenall, Sue Morrison.
Saturday: Felicity Norman, Anne Adams, Babara Konig, Elaine Harper, Trish Marsh, Celia Fox, Sue Hubbard,
Pete Blench, Daisy Blench, Angela Martin, Chris George.Some sheep makers helped with arranging the exhibition and giving out information including the Art Group from the Royal National College for the Blind, Minster Art Teacher Frances McMahon and some year 8 students,

ii)c. SheepShape Art Event
The SheepShape Art Event produced 49 Art sheep, no rain and exceeded all expectations. Over 200 people attended the SheepShape Event at the Lion Ballroom on Friday evening, over 1000 people visited the sheepshape show and market.

SheepShape Makers
The following groups made sheep:

1. Anne Belgrave, 1 sheep, fleece, sisal
2. Suzie Birch, Tanya Kirby and Sue Morrison 2 sheep, See Ewe, car wash brush & Spring Lamb, bed springs
3. Harriet Birchley, Art in Heaven. Llanwarne, with Coombes.Cycles, 2 sheep, ryegrass sheep & Recyclesheep.
4. Cecily Blench, 1 sheep, Celestial sheep, reclaimed electrical wire, fleece, wood and feathers
5. Bromyard Art Group, 1 sheep, party animal
6. Anne Campbell, Bromyard, 1 sheep, life-sized bronze
7. Echo Arts, Pembridge, working with Celia Kibblewhite, 3 sheep, recycled chicken wire, papier mache, and recycled textiles
8. Joan Featherstone, Ryeland sheep, 1 sheep
9. Tom Flemons, 2 Sheep, Orleton, Reading sheep and Sawdust sheep
10. Celia Fox, knitted little lamb.
11. Tonia Gilliat, Onibury, 1 sheep, Cardboard & Cork sheep.
12. Herefordshire Records Office, Sue Hubbard and Elizabeth Semper, 1 sheep, Archives Aries.
13. Derek James, Pam Spenceley and Pam, Lingen, 1sheep, fleece, wood, withies
14. Celia Kibblewhite, Kington, prototype sheep, 3 sheep, recycled chicken wire, hay, cardboard
15. Kimbolton Primary School with Jenni Stuart-Anderson, 1 sheep, Tig, Clun Sheep, armature of withies, rag rug body
16. Leominster Carers Group with Jenni Stuart-Anderson, 1 sheep, rag rug
17. Leominster Mind Arts Group with Andy Marsden, 1 sheep, wire, withies, wood
18. Leominster Tourist Office, Jill Ling, Manager, 1 sheep, recycled tourist leaflets papier mache.
19. Leominster Youth Project with Ciara Lewis, 2 sheep, wood, chicken wire, bandages, textiles
20. Trish Marsh, Leominster, 1 sheep, Bored Sheep, cardboard box
21. Marshfield Recycling Group, with John Marshall, 1 sheep.
22. Marshfields Day Centre, Ryelands Rd. Leominster, Service Users lifestyles group, 1 sheep, ‘A Ram for all Seasons’
23. Dan Milton, 1 sheep, ‘Roger, made out of things I found in school’.
24. Minster School, Year 8, Leominster, with Art teacher Frances McMahon, 2 sheep
25. Moravian Church Youth Group, 2 sheep, plastic bags.
26. Paintbox project with Roy Seifert, Leominster, 2 sheep, egg boxes
27. Lynden Rees Roberts, 1 sheep, wolf in sheep clothing
28. Royal National College for the Blind, Hereford, Art Group, prototype small clay sheep, 1 sheep, Shreddie Freddie - shredded paper
29. Rachel Sheppard, Richards Castle, 1 sheep, fleece, cane chair base, withies
30. Lawrence Smith, New Radnor, 1 sheep, Rock the Flock, 6ft. high
31. Step by Step Playgroup with Harriet Birchley, Llanwarne, 1 sheep, Nursery Sheep
32. Tia Swan, Brierly Hill, Baa, Baa, Baa, Barbara lamb, Carrier Bag Recycler.
33. Teme Valley Youth Project, Wigmore, with Debbie Yates and Angela Martin, 2 sheep, three headed sheep deity ‘Trilogy’ and Super Sheep, foam packaging, water bottles, tissue paper, chicken wire & wire, papier mache & textiles.
34. Yarpole Kids Club, 5 sheep. 4 Morris dancing sheep and 1 woolly sheep
35. Debbie Yates, prototype sheep. 3, and sheep masks, water bottles, textiles

Plus a real Ryeland Ewe and her lamb from the Ryeland Flock Book Society.

ii. SheepShape Art Event
d. i)Sheepshape Art Show and Market 6.6.03
The day started early with sheep collections and deliveries and a radio interview. Sheep arrived from 9.00 onwards. Sheep checked in and asked to attach cards stating makers and contact details. Helpers minded the sheep and gave out information on site and in the town. Due to wind and threatening grey clouds the Priory Churchyard was the Friday venue. Art sheep grazed in the churchyard under trees where in the past it would have been traditional to graze sheep. Many people who visited returned with friends. Reactions to the show was amazement at the inventiveness and creativity of the makers and the range of the sheep, which were all different. The sheep made people smile and many children talked and patted the sheep. Many people were interested in the backgroup to the event and the history of Leominster Ore. The real Ryeland sheep were attracted much interest. Pongo, an elderly Border Collie was on site for much of the day. Jaelith Mahoney took on the shepherdess/town crier role although one child is reported
to have told her that she could not be a shepherdess because she was wearing tights.

Sheepshape Show Judging
Judging was a very tough task and allotted to Woolgatherer and Farmer Joy Greenall and National Ryeland Judge, Ken Jones. The judges made categories and felt the overall winner to be the Paintbox project egg box sheep. Ken Jones particularly liked the Mind sheep as it expressed so much about the subject. Rosettes were provided by Joan Featherstone saying ‘Special’ and rosettes made by Deb Yates. All sheep received a special rosette and many a commendation rosette. Results were written up by Anne Jones for the evening event. The ‘special rosettes’ were
donated by Jackie Fennell, Marden Riding Club, Bodenham.

Overnight Sheep Shelter
The event finished at five and most sheep were herded into the Priory church overnight with 10 sheep travelling to the Lion Ballroom event and over night shelter.

ii)e. Sheepshape Lion Ballroom 6-9pm 6.6.03
Hereford Records Office Sheep and Wool Exhibition
Archivists Sue Hubbard and Elizabeth Semper set up the travelling exhibition in the afternoon and returned to the Records office to collect the Mary 1 charter for Leominster town.

Displays Sheepshape Lion Ballroom Event
1. Art Sheep by Mind, Echo, Kimbolton School, Leominster Carers, Leominster Youth Project, Tia Swan, and RNCB
2. Records Office Wool Exhibition, Charter for Leominster Town, Parchment and quills for attendance list of the event.
3. Display of clothing miniature baby layette samples loaned by Diane Hallett.
4. Shetland Sheep display stand.
5. Ryeland Sheep display
6. Pictures by children from Kimbolton School attending the Tig sheep workshop.

Refreshments
Refreshments were provided by Hive and Vine, Leominster and The Mousetrap, Leominster. by donation. Cheese included sheep's one local and one Spanish and local white wine, red wine and apple juice.

Setting up and Clearing up done by various Woolgatherers and helpers.

Lion Ballroom SheepShape Event
At least 200 people attended the event which started at 6.00 and finished at 9.00. The event provided a wonderful launch for the exhibition and discussion and feedback about Sheep-Shape in general.

ii)SheepShape Art Event
ii)f. Saturday Sheep Grazing started at 8.30 with the removal of Art Sheep from the Lion Ballroom and the Priory. The sheep were displayed on the Grange and in the Priory Churchyard and attracted a steady flow of visitors. The Wool History exhibition was placed in the porch of the Priory church. Some sheep makers collected their sheep between 4
and 5pm, some sheep were herded up to go to Berrington Hall and others were offered space in the priory church.

ii)g. Sunday, Woolgatherer/Sheepshape Event, Berrington Hall, Leominster was organised by Anne Belgrave. The day included the Woolgatherers’ Alachig Tent with exhibition inside, the Wool History exhibition, small
sheep workshops by Celia Kibblewhite and Ciara Lewis, rag rug demonstration by Jenni Stuart-Anderson, Shepherds sheep’s milk icecream van, Nicky Port organically cured sheepskins. Precious Earth stand with information about wool cavity wall insulation and wool suppliers Merlin Mills and 12 Art sheep. Sheep collected or stored in barn.

iii) SheepShape Post-production & other events
a. Events
1. A selection of Art Sheep went to All Saints Church and cafe, Hereford for end of June
2. A talk and felt making demonstration to Age Concern, Stanton on Wye, Herefordshire, 25.6.03
3. SheepShape @ Sheep Music, Presteigne, July 18th-20th, Yurt, displays, 12 Art sheep, felt jewellery workshops with Anne Belgrave, Angela Martin and Marietta Alker (Funding from Laura Ashley Foundation)
5. SheepShape @ The Green Gathering 28th July - 2.8.03
4. Records Office Wool Exhibition on display in Leominster Priory, booked for Leominster Library, Teme Valley Youth Project, Wigmore and The Minster School, Leominster
5. SheepShape @ Clun Carnival August 8th
6. Further talks and workshops/projects in Leominster, Wigmore and environs and beyond.

b. Post-production
People were very enthusiastic about SheepShape and have passed information about the event through word of mouth and photos. Many people commented on the accessibility of the project, the creativity of the makers and the way the sight of the sheep just made people smile. For some Sheep makers it was the first 3D piece they had made. One artist commented said that the project had challenged and inspired her to do more 3D work . Other artists and makers kept note books and sketched and made their own sheep in addition to working with a group.
One visitor said that he liked the way the project ‘thought outside the box’.

This section will review the following areas:
1. Audiences and Participants.,
2. Funding and Inkind Support,
3. Improved networks,
4. Research, Documentation and Education,
5. Design and Publicity,
6. Co-ordination,
7. Future Flocks.
This section will review the following areas:
Estimated numbers of participation numbers would be over 1000 and audience numbers over 4000 plus media audiences.

1. Audiences and Participants.
A wide range of people were involved in SheepShape as participants and audiences. Maker groups ranged from a preschool to age concern, and included several organisations working with people with learning difficulties such as Echo and PaintBox. Leominster Carers group, Leominster Mind worked with artists and students from the National
College for the Blind worked with the Artist in residence. Several kids clubs, youth groups and schools were involved in making sheep.(see page ...maker’s list) Individual makers also reflect this broad spectrum.
Some makers were artists, many just decided to have a go and had never made anything like this before. Participants came from Leominster and satellite towns and villages such as Pembridge, Wigmore, Bromyard,
Huntington, Lingen and Hereford. Woolgatherers, helpers and related businesses came from Leominster and district, Herefordshire,Worcestershire, Shropshire and Powys.

iii)b. SheepShape Post-production

1. Audiences and Participants
Local press, farming press and radio coverage reached audiences in Herefordshire, Shropshire and Powys and Farmers Guardian readership.
Audiences were also reached by personal contact via phone, email, and post, leaflets, the website and various contact grapevines’ & networks.

2. Funding
The project received funding from 1. The Arts Council, West Midlands, 2. Elmley Arts Fund, 3. Herefordshire Partnership, 4. Laura Ashley Foundation, 5. WHAM Leominster, 6.Leominster Council and 7. the National Trust. One successful bid for the Leominster Pea fund was withdrawn the day after the award was confirmed in writing due to a
concurrent bid for Herefordshire Partnership. This was advised by the Partnership. One bid to Herefordshire council in March has been carried forward to 29.7.03.
In retrospect certain applications are far more straight forward than others. In some cases notification of the award was followed by a three month wait for payment. Fundraising is very time consuming and in some cases took up a disproportionate amount of bureaucratic time.
Independent funds and Leominster council seemed to have less bureaucracy. The SheepShape proposal initially aimed at £5000 but the project developed ‘organically’ and tried to accommodate this with further funding bids, in a ‘chicken and egg’ way. The project guaranteed a 20% kind contribution in practice this was far greater.
(Accounts see attached) Inkind and donated materials and venues, large amounts of time and skills were given inkind particularly in co-ordination, organisation, fundraising, design, documentation, research, shepherding and transporting art sheep.

iii.3. Improved Networks

Local Wool businesses and Textile Artists
The project highlighted specialist wool businesses and a wide range of textile artists though artists working with groups, taking part independently, giving demonstrations, workshops and having stalls at SheepShape events. This information is on the woolgatherer web and increased awareness of design talent, craft skills and environmental
artists in the area. Artists, makers and designs involved networked and many have new contacts, work and business opportunities.

Ryeland Sheep
The profile of ryeland sheep rose through the project in being taken up by the Altelier, France (Association Textile Europeenne de Liaision, d’Innovation, d’Exchange et de Recherche) and the presence of the Ryeland Flock Book Society with two sheep at the SheepShape Market and Show. Berrington Hall now have two Ryeland sheep in the children's area of the gardens.

iii)b. SheepShape Post-production
iii.3. Improved Networks continued impact on Leominster SheepShape enthused and inspired people. Visitors to the events included those invited or drawn by the press coverage and incidental visitors. Word of mouth produced extra visitors on the 7.6.03. Whether it re-introduced ‘Leominster Ore’ to Leominster remains to be seen but it did give many people a new information about Leominster and its wool trade history and present day ingenuity. There have been requests for more SheepShapes.
Local history networks have been alerted to the Wool history exhibition and scope for further gathering of research.

iii)4. Research, Documentation and Education
The project provided a focus and increased visibility for the above as follows:

Wool History
The project conducted initial research into wool history and was joined by the Herefordshire Records Office who made a travelling Wool & Sheep History exhibition. Fact Sheep high lights on local wool and sheep history appeared on the back of the SheepShape leaflet and the website.
Local history group, museums and related projects were contacted. One oral history tape was made of a local nonagenarian retired farmer and possible work with Age Concern groups in the area could be very rich in recent local wool and sheep related history. Given that wool was such a key commodity in Leominster and Herefordshire’s history. Their scope for more research, documentation and education work.

Environmental 3D art project
The SheepShape arts projects were documented photographically and work in progress has appeared on the web to be followed by a selection of the 49 sheep and highlights of the events. Due to funding uncertainty, four artists were guaranteed 3 days work in March, a fifth artist was added in May. Three of the groups involved presented hitches prior to starting the project and had time constraints that artists had to make the best of. Echo probably presented the best situation being a day group with helpers and has been well documented. The Leominster Youth Project met for one hour once a week. Displays of the art sheep and project were taken to Sheep Music in Presteigne. It is hoped to
reproduce some of the sheepshape images in poster. (further funding would be required).
Knowledge of sheep and wool increased amongst those participating.Despite being a rural area many participants had not seen fleeces or understood the range of wool quality and colour.

iii)5. Design and Publicity
Design of the publicity was done by Anne Belgrave and Angela Martin.
The leaflet was eye catching and generated interest. Due to funding constraints 1500 full colour leaflets with an additional 400 black and yellow leaflets and 200 posters were produced. Celia Kibblewhite and Debbie Yates sheep created curiosity and interest in the project. Key organisations were targeted. Local press covered the event well but
despite interest the project was not covered by local TV or nationally. While effective, this area was underfunded.

iii)b. SheepShape Post-production

6. Co-ordination, Administration and Management
The project started with a clear proposal and grew organically due to networking and interest from different groups. Co-ordination meant taking an idea through to an art event, establishing interest and information, undertaking research, organising steering group meetings, administration, networking, liaising, hasselling, overseeing design,
publicity, ferrying sheep and helpers, organising artists and groups,accounts and writing up the report. In retrospect much of this work is invisible and most of it in kind..

7. Future Flocks
Subject to time and funding there is scope for the following to be developed:
1. SheepShape as a biennial event with wool related events occurring on the intervening years.
e.g. 2004 ;’Lempster Caps’, Hats off to Leominster.
2. Wool History, more research and possibly education and information packs.
3. Wool and Sheep History, establishing a collection of oral history accounts.
4. Art and Design education materials relating to Woolgather work e.g. felt making, recycled art, environmental art projects, costume and textile projects.
5. Documentation materials of SheepShape 2003, including colour poster of art sheep.

Sheepshape was an original and inspirational project which gave a focus for environmental art, local sheep and wool history in Leominster and surrounding villages and beyond. Sheepshape included a wide range of people as participants and audiences and art sheep continue to make appearances nationally and build on the idea of Leominster Ore.

info@woolgatherers.net www.woolgatherers.net
Angela Martin, Co-ordinator, SheepShape, 28.7.03