Liflad’s overall purpose is to develop strategy and practice to enable low energy, local livelihoods rooted in nature and community. To the end of November 2024 the following activities took place towards this aim: We researched, wrote and published several reports about the development of localised fibre and textiles infrastructure and supplies chains for the UK. This included flax (linen), hemp and wool. We developed and launched www.bastfibrecommons.org to share research and learnings about bast fibres across Europe. We also managed the UK Bast Fibre Network, a group of practitioners who regularly meet and digitally exchange information about this newly developing subject. We launched a substack and developed a website to communicate the work we are doing. www.liflad.co.uk We also spoke on various podcasts and talked at events such as Groundswell and Land Alive. We hosted 4 placement students for Schumacher College to support students on the Ecological Design Thinking MA. We held a session for SW England Fibre and textile stakeholders to assess stakeholder feedback and how to best support the region. A report on how to best distribute funding from the Trellis Foundation was produced. These activities have benefited the newly developing fibre and textile community in South West England and the UK.

Although our remit is quite broad, specific stakeholders of Liflad could be broadly defined as the fibre and textile community of the South West England and those who work with bast fibres and more specifically flax. On November 26th 2024, stakeholders from across the South West were brought together by Liflad in Exeter to discuss how to support fibre production and processing in this region with an aim to distribute funding from the Trellis Foundation. All participants understand that there is a lack of fibre processing capacity, particularly in relation to hemp and flax. They also understand the value and potential of wool. Participants were invited to consider how they would like to see the region develop in relation to fibre processing – for example, through cooperative infrastructure or facilities for developing innovative, exemplar products. We also sought understanding around priorities, communicating visions for the future, and developing collaborative enterprise that can harness the very particular land-related, ecological energy of the South West. Outcomes from the stakeholder meeting, mapping of existing capacity, combined with extensive prior research into small-scale bast fibre bioregional activity and innovation has produced a set of recommendations that will be supported to progress in 2025. The long-term intention is to provide a replicable bioregional material development model that could ultimately support fibre stakeholders in other areas across the UK. We also consult members of the UK Bast Fibre Network on a regular basis, informally via a Signal group to inform our priorities.

The aggregate amount of emoluments paid to or receivable by directors in respect of qualifying services £481. There were no other transactions or arrangements in connection with the remuneration of directors, or compensation for director’s loss of office, which require to be disclosed.

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration