14 Shaun the Sheep turns 30 & launches nationwide knitting campaign To mark some 30 years of Shaun’s madcap adventures and worldwide entertainment, Aardman has teamed up with British Wool, Campaign for Wool and Craft Forward to unveil a global knitting and crafting initiative with purpose. The campaign - ‘Can Ewe Knit It?’ – is a call out to global fans and knitting enthusiasts to knit or crochet a Shaun inspired blanket square, where a public event by Craft Forward will unite every woolly wonder to create Shaun the Sheep inspired blankets for unhoused people, with wool for the event being 100 percent British Wool, donated by West Yorkshire Spinners. A spokesperson for Aardman said: “Shaun is a global and cultural icon, and to mark his 30th birthday we want to use his fame for good and connect the craft and innovation of our studio to incredible organisations that use craft to uplift communities. To take part, the ask is to knit or crochet a Shaun inspired 20cm x 20cm blanket square either by downloading one of the free pattern designs or create a totally unique project inspired by the worldwide woolly star and send to Craft Forward. The squares will form the heart of a public event where creators will come together at The Mills Fabrica in Kings Cross on 28th October 2025 to make a flock of Shaun-inspired blankets. Each blanket will be given to an unhoused person in London through Craft Forward’s ‘Blankets for London’ project, that brings warmth to some of the most vulnerable in society. Download a square pattern (or make your own) via: https://aard.mn/CanEweKnitIt and then post your 20x20cm square to: Craft Forward, 3 Space International House, 6 Canterbury Crescent, London, SW9 7QD by 30th September 2025. Spring Fair & Theo Paphitis announce 12 new #sbs winners for 2026 initiative Spring Fair is delighted to announce the 12 new winners of its continued partnership with retail entrepreneur Theo Paphitis and his #SBS Small Business Sunday initiative. Each winner will receive a free exhibition stand within the #SBS Village at Spring Fair, taking place on 1st to 4th February 2026 at the NEC Birmingham. Since launching their collaboration in 2018, Spring & Autumn Fair and #SBS have supported more than 70 small businesses by offering them vital exposure to thousands of retail buyers. The 2026 cohort of winners reflects the passion, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit that defines the UK’s small business community. Theo Paphitis, Retail Entrepreneur and small business champion, said: “When #SBS started 15 years ago, I never imagined it would grow into what it is today. Every year, we’ve been able to offer our winners more and more opportunities, and a fantastic example of one of those is the chance to win 12 free stands at Spring Fair - a great opportunity to get your small business noticed and find new paths to growth. The passion, talent, and hard work of our #SBS Small Business Sunday winners never fails to impress me, I’m so looking forward to seeing what our 12 winners this year come up with at Spring Fair 2026!” The 12 inspirational winners include: Pickle - Pickle is a charming, UK-designed clothing brand founded by mum-of-four Claire in 2016, offering stylish garments for babies, kids, and adults. https://pickle.co.uk/ Little Moments Melts - Creating calming moments through scent, Little Moments Melts offers hand-poured wax melts and home fragrances using natural ingredients and thoughtful design. www.littlemomentsmelts.co.uk Floral Lifestyle - Inspired by nature and sustainability, Floral Lifestyle curates eco-conscious gifts and lifestyle products that bring mindfulness into the home. www.florallifestyle.co.uk The Bridgefield Candle Company - Blending luxury and craftsmanship, Bridgefield Candle Co. produces hand-poured candles using vegan-friendly soy wax, with sophisticated fragrances and stylish design. @bridgefieldcandleco GoGiftid (RYG Ltd) - GoGiftid offers a QR code-based gifting experience, allowing users to pre-purchase gifts that recipients can redeem at their convenience. www.gogiftid.com Boom Sauce - This award-winning hot sauce brand is bringing flavour, fire, and personality to kitchens with its handcrafted sauces made from fresh ingredients. www.boomsauce.co.uk The Stable Soap Company - Handcrafting artisanal soaps and skincare products using natural, sustainable ingredients, The Stable Soap Company celebrates wellbeing and the English countryside. www.thestablesoapcompany.com Jo Couch - An illustrator and designer known for her playful, bold artwork, Jo Couch creates vibrant prints, stationery, and homeware full of colour and character. www.jocouch.com Handmade by Tinni - Pioneers in sustainable textile jewellery, Handmade by Tinni transforms bold colours and organic cotton into wearable works of art with a joyful, maximalist twist. www.handmadebytinni.com Marbec Village - Marbec Village create metro-themed products inspired by the dynamic urban landscapes of some of the most icon locations in the UK, each with its own distinct personality and style. Marbec Village on Etsy Lucy Miller - Lucy Miller brings together contemporary design and heartfelt messaging in her range of prints, homeware, and stationery, all made in the UK. www.lucymillershop.co.uk Nantwich Gin - Distilled in Cheshire, Nantwich Gin blends heritage with innovation, crafting premium gins using traditional botanicals. www.nantwichgin.co.uk
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