34 NEW HALL FARM FEB / MAR 2023 • farmers-mart . co . uk
TIME TO GET BACK TO BLANKETS AND JUMPERS
Richard Haigh talks farming , farm shops & how going back in time might be a warm move for wool
TAKING a step back in time and rediscovering the benefit of the good , old fashioned blanket is something that selfmade farmer , farm shop owner , property owner and entrepreneur Richard Haigh of New Hall Farm in Lower Hopton believes could be worth considering in today ’ s economic climate .
Richard ’ s thoughts have moved that way since purchasing the site and buildings of an old woollen mill , Holme Bank Mills part of James Walker Textiles , on the other side of River Calder from New Hall Farm , which specialised in manufacturing blankets .
“ I bought the site three years ago ,” says Richard . “ James Walker Textiles is still in the textile trade and the same family has been in business since they started manufacturing blankets on an industrial scale in 1820 .
“ James Walker ’ s ancestors were handloom weavers weaving blankets in Heckmondwike and carrying the finished blankets to Leeds in the early 19th century before the Industrial Revolution started . Manufacturing blankets was a big thing back then . This was in the time way before duvets and central heating , and it is how this area got the name Heavy Woollen because of what it was manufacturing .
“ Heckmondwike had its own Blanket Market and its own Blanket Hall
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Proud to be associated with Richard Haigh of New Hall Farm and wish him con�nued success for the future