We’ve enjoyed a fair few historical happenings lately, starting with Bridgwater Council Leader Brian Smedley’s rip-roaring account of anti-Slave Trade campaigner John Chubb, which led to a poll on the town’s most radical campaigner, chosen from Brian’s top ten contenders (and the winner was… Robert Blake!). Then local historian and farmer David Baker gave us a great talk on the history of dairy farming in Somerset, and his ancestors’ lives at the family farm in Meare. David still farms today, and his profession has clearly been an all-consuming passion since starting out in the late 70’s; weathering the ups and downs, adapting to change and pioneering the organic movement. As ever, there were many fascinating facts and figures along the way – did you know that Meare Cheese was once second only to Cheddar? And most recently group member Louise Gaunt researched and presented a fantastic hands-on talk about industries arising from sheep farming in Somerset – see the main article below to find out more! The group is taking a break for Summer, in the meantime if you’d like to get involved please contact history@shapwick.org or find us on Facebook - there’s some lovely old Shapwick photos recently added to check out. Finding it hard because the photos a bFlack and white? Find a flourition of Shapwick News at: https://www.shapwickparishcounci l.org.uk/parish-newsletters/ 6 SUMMER I S SUE | J ULY 2 0 2 4 Shapwick History Group goes Radical JOHN ANDERSON The Woolly Detective - A investigation into what sheep brought to Somerset LOUISE GAUNT As an active spinner and weaver, anything related to wool processing attracts my attention, and the research behind this talk was prompted by seeing, on a house in Wells, a plaque related to wool combers in the 18th Century. My talk ranged from early sheep in the bronze age through to modern times with reference to Clarks shoes and Morland sheepskin products. Somerset was a very wealthy county between the 13th - 17th centuries, wealth mainly from sheep and their wool. Cloth production, knitted hosiery and leather all contributed to that wealth, both for the clergy and lay people. Before the industrial revolution, many of the processes involved were carried out, all by hand, using simple tools, the same as those used today by hand crafters and artisan weavers. Various tools were passed around the audience during the talk, including hand cards, drop spindles and small wool combs, plus a sock being knitted on four needles. Woollen hosiery formed a significant contributor to the wealth of Somerset, with hand knitting centred on Wells, Shepton Mallet and Glastonbury. Knitting was often done by women and children as a way of supplementing the family income from home. I looked too at the leather and glove making industry in and around Yeovil utilising the skins from the wool industry. Again, this provided a significant income to the merchants of Somerset, plus employment within towns and villages. Clarks shoes grew out of the sheepskin industry, beginning with slippers made from off cuts from tanned skins, rapidly expanding to be the worldwide success we know today. At the end of the evening the audience had the opportunity to see spinning in action, using my own wheel and drop spindles. We’re keeping Tracey very busy, but she hopes to be back in Shapwick News soon! Nothing from the Horse’s Mouth this time? Baaaa! Cluck!! Määh!!! On a serious note... Shapwick News addressed this in January 2023 but it is still a problem. Footpaths are a wonderful right, but farmers shouldn’t have to put up these notices. So dog owners, please pick up after your dogs!
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