Our Quest
1. Revive the growing of hemp for textile in East Anglia
2. Create luxurious colourful pattened hemp fabric
3. Work in community to connect people, land and materials
Revive the industry
Hemp growing in East Anglia
Before imported cotton, poly cotton and polyester and fleece the people of this nation wern't walking about naked, no, they were clothed in the natural fibres and textiles produced right here. Textiles woven from wool, from flax and from hemp. Wakelyns is located in the centre of the historic hemp growing area, we are bringing back this once thriving and economically important indistry.
Create luxurious fabric
Showcase the wonders of hemp textile
There's nothing wrong with plain hemp textile, its soft, hard wearing, practical. Contemporary Hempery is here to showcase what else hemp can be, with colour pattern and joy.
Connect people with each other, and with the land
Soil Soul and Society
In the words of the great Satish Kumar, soil is the orign of everything, we need to put soul back in to our world and create a loving society.
Who We Are
Contemporary Hempery is Chapel Hall Creative C.I.C project
Kitty Wilson Brown
Textile Artist - Weaver - Natural Dyer
Radiating love for the natural world and the joy of colour, Kitty is a walking rainbow with a wealth of knowledge for fibre
Claire O'Sullivan
Hemp lover - Enthusiast - Creative Entrepeneur
Claire loves materials and process, how will we get from here to there? How can one thing make another? How can we have more fun doing it?
The Retreat Runs Again!
22nd - 24th August 2025
Join us for a weekend of connection with the land and with the hemp. A gathering of peace lovers, fed by Wakelyns Bakery with produce straight from the farm. Expect creativity, music dancing and fun.
"the best three day party of the year"
(Allan Brown)
We have the most exciting line up for the retreat this year!
Talks, films, demo's, live music, delicous food, hands on harvesting the hemp,
dancing in the funky barn, workshops - learn to spin, use natural dyes and weave, net making with natural fibres, hemp construction workshop and more.
Dawn chorus walk with Harry Read and closing gong ceremony sound jouney with Sally Cradock.
Your ticket is all inclusive - everything is included (except alcohol)
Hemp Harvest Retreat
All The Glorious Detail for 2025👇🏼
we have a fantastic programme of speakers and demonstrations from the UK's leading natural fibre practioners - can't wait to have all these incredible people together at Wakelyns!!
Your ticket is all inclusive
Hemp Harvest Retreat
ALL INCLUSIVE TICKETS! ALL THE FUN AND ALL THE FOOD!
Gallery
HEMP HARVEST RETREAT 2023
Gallery
Accomodation and the Farm
down the lane to the farm
summer kitchen
summer kitchen
fireplace in the farmhouse
slightly on the huh
attic triple bedroom
ensuite for the attic bedroom
twin room in the farm house
wiggly stairs to the attic
a very old door !
bar in the funky barn
peaceful pods in a ley alley
Pod kitchen
pod
Pod mini kitchen
shower block
Gallery
Cultivation and Processing
considering the drill
tiny baby hemp plants
Hemp forest 2022
Harvesting Hemp the Hugo way
drying the straw in stooks
Happy hemp farmer
Beautiful golden hemp fibre
weaving with the hemp yarn
Only Connect
anyway you like
Facebook
contemporaryhempery
Instagram
@contemporaryhempery
Email
hello@contemporaryhempery.com
Phone
07789 854029
Linkedin
Claire O'Sullivan
Kitty Wilson Brown
