Friday 10 April 2015

Antoine's Weaving Workshop




 Weaving is one of the world’s oldest trades, and its simple process of interlocking two distinct sets of yarn or thread at right angles to create a piece of cloth is so perfect, it hasn’t changed in over 9,000 years.

Around the world, cave paintings, Egyptian hieroglyphs, and scraps of fabric preserved in time, have revealed that the weaving of yarn and thread doesn’t only predate civilisation, it even predates history – with many historians and archeologists believing the craft to be over 12,000 years old.

Here in Malta, the first known piece of weaving discovered dates back to around 800BC, to the time when the Phoenicians ruled the island. As with many other crafts, we embraced it and, 3,000 years on, we still produce fabrics and cloths using this ancient method.

Having said that, the manual process has all but become extinct thanks to the industrial revolution that literally mechanised the exact same action that has been used for millennia. Now, Antoine tan-Newl and Merill have joined forces to use the technology that threatened to destroy the local, manual craft to help safeguard it.

Who is Antoine?

Antoine Vella, known affectionately as Antoine tan-Newl, first began learning the art of weaving when he was just eight years old, and it took him over eight years of constant practice to get his skills up to scratch. “I’ve always been absolutely fascinated by the different kinds of weavings that exist, and it was my dream to learn how to create a piece of fabric myself,” he tells us.


Today, Antoine runs his own weaving workshop, which hand-produces carpets, blankets, cushion covers, and an array of paraphernalia for the dining room and the bedroom. “In the past, however, almost all fabrics and clothes were created by hand using this process, including the ghonnella, flannel shirts, and even underwear,” he adds.


How is Merill involved?

Through the Merill Rural Network, Antoine has been entrusted with a spinner (a machine that spins wool into yarn; a job traditionally done by hand by unmarried women who were considered to be past their eligibility, hence the term ‘spinster’) and a carder (a toothed machine that opens and cleans wool), which were purchased through funds granted by the EU’s LEADER programme.

These two pieces of equipment will give Antoine the opportunity to mechanise two of the most time-consuming parts of the process of weaving, allowing him to create a larger volume of work. On top of that, the spinner will make use of Maltese-produced wool that is often discarded or burnt; leading to a product that is 100 per cent local and that is still hand-made.
Antoine has also received training in a wide range of topics, including health and safety measures to be taken when using these two machines and when welcoming visitors to his workshops, as well as in risk management. “Learning makes life interesting, and I was stunned by the amount of new developments – and even older ones – which we were exposed to,” explains Antoine. “It’s definitely bettered our process and business!”



written by WriteMeAnything.com


A visit to Antoine tan-Newl’s workshop can be organised upon request. For more information you can send us an e-mail at info@merill.com.mt or call us on 99443118.






Monday 6 April 2015

Tan-Nixxiegha Olive Grove


At the limits of Mgarr lies a path that is lined with the most mouth-watering of scents. Take it, and you will soon discover the majestic-yet-subdued beauty of the Tan-Nixxiegha Olive Grove, a haven for indigenous and endemic flora that has found a home amid the rugged landscape.

It is hard to believe that, not very long ago, the patch of land that makes up the Tan-Nixxiegha Olive Grove was derelict and in ruins. The rubble walls had been damaged for years, leaving much of the soil to the mercy of the elements, the flora had been replaced by weeds, and it all just seemed like another stretch of uncultivated land.

What Happened Then?

Thankfully, two amazing farmers called Charlie and Ray bought this piece of agricultural land; and, through their hard work and determination, they turned it into their very own Garden of Eden.  They restored the rubble walls and returned the grove to its terraced past, they planted windbreak trees to provide shelter to the then newly-planted olive trees, and allowed rosemary bushes and endemic plants to grow, thus providing a safe haven to many species of birds and insects.

Since then, the olive trees have grown strong and now yield olives that make some of the tastiest olive oil in the country. Tan-Nixxiegha has also been opened to be public, allowing many to catch their first glance of the Widnet il-Bahar (Malta’s national plant), to smell the scent of wild thyme and rosemary, and to be left breathless by the stunning views of the countryside that surround it.


How is Merill Involved?

Tan-Nixxiegha was one of the first places that became part of the Merill Rural Network and, since 2011, we have brought many local and foreign groups to this ‘beautiful’ and ‘friendly’ grove – as the comments and mentions on TripAdvisor put it.

Over the years, the range of things you can do at Tan-Nixxiegha has doubled, and we now offer:

Tasting Sessions – where you can sample the deliciousness of fresh Maltese produce, including extra virgin olive oil, wine and jams.

A Nature Tour – where you can see and smell the countryside like never before and become familiar with the many endemic types of flora that add to the natural beauty of the grove.

Sales of Local Produce – which is just what it says on the tin! Visit us to buy fresh and delicious produce, including estate-fresh, cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil produced by Charlie and Ray themselves. Limited quantities are available, but they are incredibly high in quality.



written by WriteMeAnything.com 

Would you like to organise a scrumptious tasting session or a nature tour at the Tan-Nixxiegha Olive Grove? Then drop us a line at info@merill.com.mt or call us on +356 9944 3118.





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