SPINNING A YARN
And so I must because this is a remarkable place. Here I have found quite an antidote to the turmoil of the modern world. As I write the Summer Solstice is just dawning. I was here yesterday, at the end of a week of political 'argy bargy,' and to step back into this anachronistic place was a pleasure. Do come here if you find yourself with a couple of hours to spend. You will not be disappointed. It's only a ten minute drive off the M5, Junction 27. Do read on if you want a deeper dive into the curiosities.
Well the 'welcome' positively wasn't. This was 'executed', the most appropriate word I can think of, by the curious, verbose, Karin, one of the volunteers. There is only one person on a salary here, by the way, and I was to meet her, Meg, later.
So what was Karin's problem? Me. She said, 'You can't come in on that ticket. It is not valid for today.' When I eventually managed to get a word in, with her in full flood, I ventured, 'but…but I have just bought this ticket for £15.40 on your website.' 'I don’t care the museum is closed today. It is a 'field day' for the local community.' Later Meg, the shy manager, was horrified and was sincerely apologetic. Now this need not bother you my interested reader as the website will happily sell you a ticket on a normal open day which is Tuesday to Saturday.
After my wife and I had a light lunch, available from the little café, which we enjoyed whilst looking at the duck house on the tinkling mill stream, my wife went to look at the 'field day' and I wandered around the back of the mill building being nosey.
To my surprise I found the entrance to the mill itself wide open. Signs pointed up and down. I was now feeling welcome. In I went and was soon being given a personal tour of all the silent, sleeping machinery by Peter, who specialised, as a volunteer, in keeping things working as best he could with very limited resources. 'Do remember that the raw material here is wool. It's easy to forget that.'
We got along very well and we talked like a pair of old hens, about the industrial revolution, why I am a proud racist (do look it up in OED), the steam engine, Trevithick, why the canon was so important; the barrel was bored through a solid block of metal. He knew everything there is to know about this mill and others like it across the midlands. This was quite the best conversation I have had for some time. He even knew about Anthony Trollope's Barchester, and the 'wool carders' thereof, of which I am also a fan. That's a great BBC Drama available on DVD.
Finally I need to conclude with my interesting conversation with the rather retiring and shy 'manager', Meg. She revealed that she doesn't like to think of herself as a 'leader', more as an 'encourager'. Is this a bit of PC, typical of the present culture, or is she really walking on eggshells? It's a bit of both I think. She is a charming, articulate lady and she was upset that things had gone wrong for us at the beginning and pleased that Peter had given me such an impressive tour of the mill. Everyone here, including Karin, has the best interests of the place at heart. I suppose leading a team of two hundred volunteers is a bit like herding cats.
We have been here before, a few years ago, and we hope to return later this year, next time on a 'Steam Day'. Do check the website for open days and events. I understand that the engine will be in steam in August, October and on New Year's Day.
Parking, including Blue Badge' is free and plentiful, but there may be a bit of a crush on 'Steam Days'.
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