The future for Harris Tweed
Today's embargoed report about the re-opening of the Shawbost Tweed Mill is absolutely fantastic news, and as I alluded to yesterday, I am delighted and fully supportive of this proposal.It is exciting times for the industry, with the owner of the largest mill - John Haggas - seemingly bent on forcing a square pin into a round hole, and working in the believe that the supplier is always right, irrespective of the customer's views.
What a team that has been put together to re-open this mill: Iain Taylor, Brian Wilson, Alasdair Morrison, Rae MacKenzie and Iain Angus MacKenzie all bring huge amounts of skill and experience to the roles they will occupy, and the 300+ weavers will hopefully see an immediate benefit.
The industry now has two large companies, one operating a range of only five patterns of their choice, and Harris Tweed Hebrides who will offer the full range of patterns, utilising the skills and customers that Haggas has cast aside.
The impact of the industry on Lewis cannot be understated for the financial effect it has on the crofter/weavers who make the Tweed in their own homes; on the upstream businesses on the islands who manufacture products for resale; and on those who will find direct employment in the mill.
The emotional impact is immeasurable too.
Plaudits, pats on the back and congratulations to the team for this success, and my very best wishes for the future. Hopefully this is just the first step of many towards regeneration of the islands.
Update 2/11/07: BBC news coverage available.
9 comments:
We might have removed Alasdair Morrison, but he has created more jobs SINCE he lost than Angus MacNeil and Alasdair Allan put together.
They're spending their time stopping business coming here.
Well like the Western Isles Labour Party Slogan : Working for the people of the Western Isles. Well done Alasdair, Brian and all involved.
Still no one able to tell us 3 things ABM has done for the Islands. Noticed his voting record only at 40% yet he has expenses of nearly £170K
wot no pics of the calendar boys?!LS
Harris tweed revival ? have you lost the plot Angus ? Have you been conned by the New Labour propaganda that Wilson and Morrison are going to be the industry’s saviours ?
Alex Salmond has done more to restore confidence in Scottish business and our Nation than any ex new labourist arch unionist mp and msp will ever do. Angus get a grip.
Angus says anything that might be considered to be 'balanced' ie not rabid pro-SNP and the loonies come out and try to gag him.
Keep up the good work Angus
Harris tweed revival ? have you lost the plot Angus ? Have you been conned by the New Labour propaganda that Wilson and Morrison are going to be the industry’s saviours ?
Alex Salmond has done more to restore confidence in Scottish business and our Nation than any ex new labourist arch unionist mp and msp will ever do. Angus get a grip.
The SNP crazies are back out again. Interesting to note though that Alex Salmond has done more to restore confidence and no mention of our illustrious MP and MSP. And why might that be?
Still waiting for the list of 5 things...... Christmas is coming.
I will never subscribe to the politics of separatism and nationalism that you, Angus and Rae Mackenzie promote. But I will support everything that Rae does in partnership with everyone associated with the new company Harris Tweed Hebrides. The anti Labour rant by some Nat Crazy – is pathetic. It shows the thinking of many Nats – ie if your not a Tartan separatist you can make no contribution and your efforts must be denigrated. I used to work in the Mill in town I’m now in the office beside the mill – and it is fantastic seeing workmen getting the place back up and running.
Having a team of able people at Shawbost will be fantastic for weavers and for the islands economy – and pathetic nats will do nothing to destabilise their efforts.
Can I pose the question the Stornoway Gazette will no longer print – when I send them letters. Can someone tell me how many jobs Angus Brendan MacNeil has managed to attract or create in our islands. "Mind you knowing him he will be trying to claim credit for Harris Tweed Hebrides" We also know of all the jobs he’s managed to prevent being created by his anti wind farm posturing. And as for our MSP – did anyone see his “performance” on Newsnight last week.
By the way where is the referendum on windfarms he promissed or did he mean a neverendum.
Congratulations to all posters for turning this fantastic news for the Western Isles into yet another pathetic political rant.
Can we not just pass on our best wishes to ALL concerned and give the slaggings a break.
Very best of luck to Harris Tweed Hebrides.
sunny side up - well.... the goose has got fat
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