The Stroudwater Textile Trust was established in 1999 as successor to the Friends of Stroud Museum Textile Group. A group of local people wanted to promote awareness of the past importance of the woollen industry in the Stroud Valleys and to celebrate contemporary textiles.

Historically woollen cloth manufacture has been important in the Stroud valleys since medieval times. The local streams are dotted with mill sites and their courses have been straightened and interrupted with weirs and millponds over the ages. Towns like Stroud and Nailsworth developed because of the industry while more ancient foundations like Cirencester, Dursley, Painswick, Tetbury and Wotton under Edge prospered. Besides British markets the cloth was sold to Europe, the Native Americans and Asia in such large quantities that at one time there were over 170 mills working.

There are a number of opportunities to visit the Weaving Shed at Gigg Mill and experience weaving through the centuries from simple handloom to flying shuttle to power loom. All the dates are Saturdays from 10 am. to noon. You need to be there by 11.00am to fully appreciate the experience:

• 14th November 2009
• 9th January 2010
• 13th February 2010
• 13th March 2010
• 10th April 2010

New members are always welcome! Benefits include the annual news-sheet Warp & Weft which features items of textile industry interest; advanced notice of events run by the Trust; some reduced fees and the opportunity to become involved in the Trust's projects. The Trust promotes awareness both of the long established industry that shaped the communities and landscape of these beautiful valleys and of contemporary textiles.

Our membership includes people who worked in the industry, textile artists, historians and people who are simply fascinated by the story that can be told. There is the opportunity to run machinery, demonstrate your own textile skills, learn and research the history of the area and to share in the activities of an active and innovative group.

For more details see under "About Us" from the main menu.

Dunkirk Mill Centre visits

The Trust places great value on its educational role. Special visits for school parties can be arranged to the Dunkirk Mill Centre through the spring summer and autumn. There is material in the engineering, history and gallery sections of the site which may be helpful in the preparation of project work on the Stroudwater woollen industry or the industrial revolution more generally.

For more details about school visits please contact Ian Mackintosh. using the details to be found under "Contacts".