On Saturday 19th November, Whitchurch Silk Mill was taken over by 1st Whitchurch Guides as part of Kids in Museums' Takeover Day. The theme for the day was wellbeing, so we set the Guides the challenge of seeing how they could complete the 5 steps to wellbeing at the Mill. 

Welcome to episode 6 of the Whitchurch Silk Mill podcast, hosted by Zoë Umpleby. After spending the last 5 episodes discovering all about how we weave silk here at the Mill, today we are going to bring it all together and talk about keeping up traditions.     

Back with us we have Shannon Bye and Olivia Goldsmith, from our weaving team and they are going to tell us a  little bit more about working with the Mill as a student weaver and why they think it is so important that the weaving traditions are kept alive.

We’re back for episode 5 of the Whitchurch Silk Mill podcast and this time we will be talking all things ribbons! Shannon Bye will be joining us again to explain how ribbons are made here and we have not one, but two special guests to share the ribbon love later in the episode. Robert Ely weaves ribbons using Jaccard looms based in his studio, Papillionacious in Devon. Jo Willis is a milliner specialising in period millinery for film, television and theatre.

In Episode 4 of the Whitchurch Silk Mill podcast we focus on the loom.  Our host Zoë Umpleby talks to our Weaver/Tackler, Shannon, about choosing a loom,  setting it up and looking at how the warp is going  joined on. We also chat to Ellie Fisher from ELKA Textiles about working on a modern hand loom and how this compares to our traditional machines.

In episode 3 of the Whitchurch Silk Mill podcast, we speak to our Weaver Tackler, Shannon, about warping and the design process at the Mill. We also speak to Ellie Fisher from ELKA Textile about her design inspirations and her approach to sustainable weaving. 

Episode 2 of the Whitchurch Silk Mill podcast, hosted by Zoe Umpleby. 

This episode takes a look at the first stage of the silk-making process - bobbin winding. Listen to our weaver Shannon Bye talk all about how those threads are prepared ready to create a warp using our 19th century winding frame.  Plus we speak to Nick Traylen from Uppingham Yarns about the pros and cons of weaving with silk. 

Episode 1 of the Whitchurch Silk Mill Podcast, hosted by Zoe Umpleby.

This episode takes a look at the history of the Mill, what there is to see and do for visitors, and  the different skills that go into the weaving process.

Zoe talks to weaver/tackler Shannon Bye about what it's like to work in a small team at the Mill and how the role of weaver has changed over time. Trainee Olivia Goldsmith also talks to Zoe about how she is enjoying her time as part of the weaving team.