A successful week of showing and telling

07 May 2008

Bank holiday Monday saw the unpacking and restocking of the Toft Trailer upon its return from Badminton. The Toft Alpaca Shop had a very successful long weekend selling alpaca products alongside Ashcroft Alpacas at the horse trials. It was a fantastic opportunity to be able to take Toft products to Badminton, and we went down a storm. I had some fantastic conversations with customers at the trade stand; alpaca breeders, llama owners and newbie alpaca converts alike. Anyone who missed us on our visit south should catch us at The Royal Bath and West or The Cotswold Show later this season.

I have given three talks to local interest groups this week. Tuesday morning I made a visit to a ladies group in Coventry, who thoroughly enjoyed a 45minute run through about how to keep alpacas and how to spin and knit alpaca products. The Rugby Retired Teachers Association were very lucky to have a glorious Wednesday on which to come for a farm walk. Although booked in months ago, the group couldn’t have picked a better day and all loved a short walk and introduction to our expectant mothers and this year's cria. This afternoon took me to Willougby Mothers Union or Ladies Fellowship Group where I enjoyed meeting a small but enthusiastic group eager to find out more about alpacas.

If you are a member of a local group and would be interested in a farm visit, or one of us to visit as a speaker, please contact us to book a date in the diary. We really enjoy spreading the word about alpacas, and it gives you a great chance to get a feel for our products and business.

The trailer has been washed down and re-packed to head off to Newark on Friday. The British Alpaca Society National Show has been cancelled due to Blue Tongue complications, but there will still be a small display of alpacas at the event. We are taking four boys up to the show: two suri alpacas and a pair of brown huacayas. My tradestand will be located just off the main shopping aisle.

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