About Us
The Herd
Toft Alpacas is the prize-winning herd owned by Rob & Shirley Bettinson,
which is based in the hamlet of Toft near the village of Dunchurch, in North
East Warwickshire. The Toft Alpaca herd now comprises of over two hundred
alpacas, and is an active Alpaca Stud specialising in Accoyo blood
lines and breeding Best Browns. Toft Alpacas is very much a family business
relying heavily on the keen interest and enthusiasm of their four children,
Kerry, Laura, Scott and Grant and their ruthlessly exploited grandmother
turned herdswoman, Myra. God Bless her woolly socks!
The Shop
The Toft Alpaca on-farm shop officially opened in September 2006 and
is managed by Kerry Bettinson. Every year all of the fibre from the Toft
Alpacas herd is now manufactured through to products, whether it be spun
and plied through to luxury knitting yarns or finely woven with silk
in exclusive pashminas. In order to sustain the product range and level
of business that The Toft Alpaca Shop now attracts we are pleased to start
buying in fleeces from other alpaca owners. The Summer 2008 batches will require
additional first fleeces in fawns, browns, black and greys, so if you
are close to shearing then please get in contact. Fleece price details, and
any urgent calls for specific colours or quality can be read in the
'News' section of this website.
The Ethics
From the offset The Toft Alpaca Shop has been dedicated to natural UK processing
and Fair Trade Peruvian importation. When knitting yarn is sold from the
on-farm shop, or direct through the website, it has travelled less than
50 miles from animal to point of sale. All of our UK products are made
in 100% natural British alpaca, undergoing minimum contact with chemical processing.
Our hand knitting collection is powered by our team of wonderful knitters,
working from home across Warwickshire, Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire. The
spinning of our machine knitted socks is sustainably powered by water at
Coldharbour Watermill, Devon , dedicated to environmentally-friendly textile
production. Eco-yarns and eco-knitting are proving extremely popular, with
large brands now releasing their own 'green knitting' collections. At
The Toft Alpaca Shop we do not carry one environmentally conscious yarn
line, rather ALL of our yarn and made in the UK products are ecologically
and ethically sound.
Alongside our British Alpaca range we also stock a British designed
selection of Peruvian fine knitwear. Peruvian knitters have been working
in alpaca for centuries, and their expertise in the production of luxury
alpaca garments is historical . When working with Peru we have been careful
to ensure that we are working with verified fair trade importers. Concepts
of Peru , supplier of our classic socks, and several garment designs have
been working with Peru since 1994 and Concepts of Peru was created in 2002.
They employ a team of in-house knitters and also work with independent
often family businesses or small co-operatives, carefully managing to
ensure fair rates of pay and suitable working conditions. Our fine cardigans
are knitted in Siquani, about two hours from Cusco from alpaca fibre from
the highest mountain points in Arequipa .
The Charity
The Toft Alpaca Shop is pleased to be working in association with Practical
Action, a Rugby based charity working internationally to demonstrate and
advocate the sustainable use of technology to reduce poverty in developing
countries. Along with projects in East Africa, Southern Africa and South
Asia, Practical Action works in Latin America, more specifically Peru .
The Peruvian projects coordinate from the central office in Lima working on
three main technology programmes: Productions systems, energy, and disaster
prevention. Practical Action have launched a 'Practical Present' catalogue,
encouraging people to give a life-changing gift. Amongst other animals,
people can purchase an alpaca, alpaca veterinary kit, alpaca food and
alpaca shelters. The Toft Alpaca Shop was very keen to work with a charity,
and none better than one giving back to the communities that our alpacas
originate from. Along with promoting Practical Presents, we are selling
greetings cards and alpaca finger puppets directly on behalf of Practical Action,
and have launched the ultimate ethical Knitting Kit. The Toft Alpaca
Shop will continue to work closely with Practical Action, providing
fundraising events, campaign support and local awareness.
Throughout the year The Toft Alpaca Shop has also supported many other
charities at shopping evening fundraisers, gala days, and coffee mornings.
We will maintain our dedication to Macmillan Cancer Support, Cancer Research,
Shipston Home Nursing, The National Trust, The Rare Breeds Survival Trust,
The Red Cross, Myton Hospice, Rugby Air Ambulance, Dunchurch Infant School
, Warwick Boys School and many other local Schools.
The Packaging
The Toft Alpaca Shop has made all efforts to make all of our packaging
sustainable. Both carrier bags and postage bags are all 100% recycled
and recyclable. Paperwork, knitting patterns, leaflets and business
cards all goes out on 100% post-consumer recycled paper, and excess printing
is avoided if possible.
The Future
Whatever it is you are looking for, you are sure to find originality and
unique ideas which make extra-special gifts for friends and family. Toft
Alpaca is committed to producing eco-friendly natural British handknits
both spun and knitted l ocally, and are determined to continue to provide
personal friendly service. With ever-changing unique pieces, and bespoke
services available, it's always worth coming to have a browse at the
on-farm shop- where you can enjoy the alpacas and see where your socks come
from!
If you are a textile artist or designer, knitter or weaver, and interested
in learning some more about alpaca, then do not hesitate to get in contact
with Kerry by phone or e-mail as we enthusiastically encourage new ideas
and are happy to share our knowledge of this wonderful fibre.
For more information about Toft Alpacas Click
Here