Mill Group Visits | Stroudwater Textile Trust

Mill Group Visits | Stroudwater Textile Trust
Group
visits
for
schools
Planning your group visit
What to expect
Nothing compares to the excitement of coming face to face with the sheer force of the water wheel as it starts to turn! Our mill visits are tailored to the appropriate age-group and include some hands-on activities to bring alive the story of cloth-making in the Stroud Valleys. Visits to our mills are led by trained, experienced volunteers with an education and/or a textiles background.
What learning experiences do we offer?
The Stroudwater Textile Trust operates two mills: Dunkirk Mill Museum and the Gigg Mill Weaving Shed (more information below). Teachers are advised to contact Jane Ford to discuss requirements in detail; email
education@stroudtextiletrust.org.uk
. A pre-visit to the mills is also recommended if possible: book through this website, via the
Visits & Events drop-down menu
.
School groups can visit either mill or visit both sites on the same day. Allow one hour at each site and it is possible to walk between them (the distance is approximately 1.5 km, mostly along a cycle path).
A maximum of 16 pupils can be accommodated at each site, so a large group or class may need to be divided.
Dunkirk Mill Museum (Dunkirk Mill, Stroud Road, Nailsworth GL5 5HH)
Housed in what was once an extensive mill complex, Dunkirk Mill Museum is open from Easter to the end of September. It has a working water wheel which powers historic textile machinery. We demonstrate and explain the processes whereby woollen cloth was ‘finished’; there is also a short, guided walk with a quiz-sheet focusing on the historical aspects of the site.
Gigg Mill Weaving Shed (Old Bristol Road, Nailsworth GL6 0JP)
Our weaving shed is home to a variety of weaving looms, from simple hand-looms to a 1950s power-loom. Visits focus on spinning and weaving, with practical demonstrations and hands-on activities.
Bookings
Please email us at
education@stroudtextiletrust.org.uk
in the first instance. We shall then contact you to fine-tune arrangements, including intended learning outcomes, access and timings. We will send you a copy of the agreed timetable and our Risk Assessment for school visits.
Charges and payments
Visits comprising both mills: £5 per child
Visits to one mill only: £3 per child
There is no charge for accompanying adults.
Following the visit, an invoice will be sent to the school. Payment can be either by cheque or BACS (details on the invoice).
From time to time, grants to support your visit may be available; please enquire when you first make contact.
Access and transport
Dunkirk Mill Museum
is fully accessible from the A46, and coaches can drop off at the bus stops just outside the Mill.
For
Gigg Mill
, coaches can pull off the Old Bristol Road (B4058).
After drop-off (either mill) coaches should park in Nailsworth Bus Station.  If it is essential to bring a car, it may be possible to arrange one or two parking spaces if we are notified in advance.
The walk between the two mills
goes through Nailsworth and along the cycle track between Egypt Mill and Dunkirk Mill. Approximately 700 metres along the cycle path from Egypt Mill there are steps which lead down to a short tunnel under the path into the Dunkirk grounds.
Please ensure that there are sufficient adults to supervise children during the walk between sites, which does involve crossing roads (refer to the Gloucestershire County Council guidelines for advice). There will always be adequate supervision from experienced volunteer guides within our sites.
Facilities
Toilets
:  there are 2 unisex toilets at Dunkirk, one of which is suitable for disabled use. There are also toilets at Gigg Mill.
First aid
: both sites are equipped with First Aid boxes, suitable for treating minor injuries.
Lunch break
: we can arrange space nearby where packed lunches can be eaten. Please discuss this prior to your visit.
We carefully tailor group visits to the age of the children concerned, in consultation with teachers.
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Donate to Stroudwater Textile Trust
The Stroudwater Textile Trust is reliant upon donations to help us keep our museum and mills open and the heritage of Stroud’s textile industry alive. All donations are most gratefully received.
Please enter the amount you would like to donate in the field below.
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Home
About
What We Do
Brief History
Our People
Watch our videos
Visits & Events
Mill Visits
Dunkirk Mill Museum
Gigg Mill Weaving Shed
St Mary’s Mill, Chalford
Book A Visit
Events
Mill Walks
Education
Group visits for schools
School workshops
Discovery walks
Research
Articles
Mills
Alan Postlethwaite Collection
Shop
Join Us
Membership & Renewals
Volunteering
Contact
Donate To Stroudwater Textile Trust
The Stroudwater Textile Trust is reliant upon donations to help us keep our museum mills open and the heritage of Stroud's textile industry alive. All donations are most gratefully received.
Please enter the amount you would like to donate in the field below.
Donation
£
Make A Donation
Your Items
Home
About
What We Do
Brief History
Our People
Watch our videos
Visits & Events
Mill Visits
Dunkirk Mill Museum
Gigg Mill Weaving Shed
St Mary’s Mill, Chalford
Book A Visit
Events
Mill Walks
Education
Group visits for schools
School workshops
Discovery walks
Research
Articles
Mills
Alan Postlethwaite Collection
Shop
Join Us
Membership & Renewals
Volunteering
Contact
Donate to Stroudwater Textile Trust
The Stroudwater Textile Trust is reliant upon donations to help us keep our museum and mills open and the heritage of Stroud’s textile industry alive. All donations are most gratefully received.
Please enter the amount you would like to donate in the field below.
Donation
£
Make A Donation
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