The Rope Walk

Organised by Irvin Johns – read his report here

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Dawe’s Twine Works – West Coker

Dawe’s Twineworks is a real working Victorian factory – the last surviving rural twineworks which still has its original machinery.

Explore the only surviving rural twineworks with its original machinery in England. The site, which has origins dating back over 600 years, includes machinery and fittings and represents all stages of the manufacture and finishing of twine.

Visit the Dawe’s Twine Works website

THE OUTING ITINERARY

The proposed outing to this interesting venue will commence on Wednesday 9 October, meeting at 10:00 – 10:30 a.m. for tea / coffee and cakes, followed by a tour and talk of the Rope Works. The itinery is due to conclude at approx 12:15.

There will be an additional invitation to continue on for lunch at the Haselbury Mill. This will be optional and each person is kindly asked to organise their own meal. Please refer to Irvin’s club circular for further details.

Costs for the outing are £3.00 for refreshments and a £5.00 donation to The Coker Rope And Sail Trust ( £8.00 total per person ).

The day’s events are open to club members, wives and friends.

IRVIN’S REPORT ON OUR VISIT

A Probus party of 13 including wives arrived at the West Coker works at 10.00 a.m. on Wednesday 9^th October.

We were welcomed by Ross Aitken, Chairman of the Association, with two ladies behind the kitchen counter serving teas and coffees with home made cake and biscuits which were welcomed and devoured.

Ross gave us an introductory talk over coffee about the works and how the Trust had brought the industrial area back to life. Fortunately, most of the machinery and equipment was untouched and could be reused with some loving restoration work. They had been fortunate in gaining various grants which helped fund the restoration and the Lottery grant received enabled them to complete the project with the reception rooms and kitchen we were using today. He also introduced us to Angus McFee (fellow Trust member) and Richard Sims (local author on Crewkerne and the surrounding textile industry.) Also David Lewis (Trust member) a local retired garage mechanic and engineer who maintained the engine driving the belts which powered the works.

Following this we split into two groups and were given conducted tours around the site and shown how the place operated in the past producing top quality twine and rope and it’s link to the sail cloth production. What an experience! And so much to see and take in. It needed a day to really study all that was available to us.

It was a pleasure to visit and be made so welcome. Ross emphasised how they loved to see groups from Crewkerne as the industry encompasses the factories of Crewkerne which took over many aspects of the trade. It certainly was a great morning out and we all appreciated how much time and effort went into our visit by volunteers of the Trust.

This visit was followed by a lunch stop at Haselbury Mill. Again we were made most welcome and a long table had been set up for us all. We  enjoyed an excellent lunch in a relaxed atmosphere finally departing for home at 2.30 p.m.

I.J. 9.10.19

IMAGE GALLERY

 

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