DINERS in noisy restaurants can hear more clearly now thanks to the latest in wool technology made by a firm from Milverton.

Woolly Shepherd purchases lower grade fleeces and coloured wools, mostly from smallholders, and converts them into a range of felts designed to maximise the wool’s acoustic properties.

Managing director Tim Simmons, who runs the business with his wife and fellow director Marty, said: “Our fluffy clouds are hung from the ceilings of restaurants and they allow diners to hear each other clearly, even if they are sat next to a very jolly group or one that might just be super chatty.”

The wool boards in the shape of clouds absorb the sound twice, once from below and then again as it bounces off the ceiling.

Tim added: “Natural wool has better sound acoustic properties than man-made foam, which is usually used for these types of baffles, particularly at the frequencies of the human voice.

The sustainability of this product is a big plus, too.”

The award-winning Clavelshay Barn Restaurant at the foot of the Quantocks has installed the fluffy wool clouds on its ceiling.

Co-owner Sue Milverton said: “Some people thought we were baaarmy but we are delighted with our acoustic baffles. We knew we had to do something as we’d had a lot of customer comments about the noise on our feedback forms.

“These days I don’t notice the acoustics, whereas before I was very aware that some customers found it too noisy, now they no longer have to raise their voices in order to be heard by members of their own party or the waiting staff. Initially we trialled them for the makers, the Woolly Shepherd, and, in fact, we were the very first restaurant in the country to have their acoustic clouds – so we’re trailblazers. They have been so good for the ambience of the restaurant that we have decided to install them permanently.”