Mill Openings

The season began with the official opening of Gigg Mill by our Patron, Dame Margaret Weston. As a former Director of the Science Museum and the founder of the National Railway Museum in York, among other achievements, Dame Margaret is a keen supporter of our activities, particularly the restoration and demonstration of machinery. The support of Ruskin Mill, who provided the room and refreshments, was greatly appreciated. After the speeches visitors progressed to Gigg where the machinery was demonstrated and appreciated.

To see the Dobcross loom busily picking away is a marvellous sight. Happily there are local people who still know how to run and maintain them. The skill of Desmond Young has been successfully married to the enthusiasm of members to get it running smoothly. During the winter some members, skillfully led by Robin Mitchell and Terry Eldridge, prepared a warp for the loom. This was a cheerful if amateurish undertaking. Terry, Robin and finally Des had to overcome the warp’s shortcomings to make it run in the smooth way that it does. Still this is our first warp and the Weaving Shed is much appreciated by visitors – including the local papers which gave it good publicity.

Dunkirk was also attracting increasing numbers of visitors when it was interrupted by the floods. Although they just failed to breach our defences the huge amount of water meant we could not risk running the wheel. Sadly a visit to St Mary”s also had to be cancelled; the mill was fine but travel for the visitors looked dire. Then two weeks later the wheel jammed. Inspection revealed a small wedge of wood stuck between the wall and the wheel. It also revealed large quantities of flotsam caught in the chamber under the floor. This was threatening to block the culvert carrying away the water. Much work was required.

We are very grateful for the support that the owners of St Mary’s and Stanley have given us in allowing us to continue to open their mills. Also the work of the residents of Dunkirk has been much appreciated.