Get
Weaving
at
Whitchurch
Silk Mill!
Following on
‘the grapevine’ news that weaving has
re-commenced, this Press Release has been
received from the Silk Mill’s Trustees:
New Manager at Whitchurch Silk Mill
Whitchurch Silk Mill has appointed an interim
Manager to guide the Mill and develop it as a
heritage site while the trustees build a
strategy for the future. The appointment is for
an initial five months, after which the trustees
expect to create a permanent managerial position
with a view to leading the Mill to a successful
and sustainable future.
Sue Tapliss,
who until recently was the Curator at the Willis
Museum in Basingstoke, has been appointed with
effect from 13th November, following
the departure of the Mill’s General Manager,
Stephen Bryer, last week. Sue has a proven
track record of delivering museum services and
projects that engage visitors and increase
footfall by using collections and sites in
innovative ways, and says that she prides
herself “on running welcoming historic buildings
and on being an effective leader of staff and
volunteers. The key to success is to engaging
people, and that means both visitors and the
people who are working on site.” Prior to
working at the Willis Museum, Sue was Curator at
Eastleigh Museum and has previously been Curator
at Priest’s House Museum and Garden in Dorset.
Sue, who took up her post on 13th
November, continues: “The Trustees of the Mill
have already set good things in place that
should enable me to get started immediately. I
hope to have more good news to announce very
soon.”
Keith Watts, Chairman of Whitchurch Silk Mill
Trust said, “We are fortunate to have been able
to draft in someone with Sue’s experience and
skills at short notice, and very much look
forward to working with her to develop the Mill
as a vibrant visitor attraction dedicated to
silk weaving.”
For more information
Contact Sue Tapliss at the Mill 01256 892065
Hampshire
Mills Group members will join me I’m sure in
welcoming Sue and wishing her well in all her
endeavours – which we shall watch, and support,
very closely. - Ed.
Whitchurch Silk
Mill held a series of events throughout the
summer where visitors could engage with the
variety of demonstrators of spinning, weaving
and silk bookbinding, all providing an array of
colour and artistry. One of our members,
Mariana Zoupanos, is also a member of the
Hampshire Spinners, Weavers & Dyers and was one
of the first to be showing her spinning skills,
followed a week later by Debbie Cook displaying
the traditional Japanese silk bookbinding
techniques she learned from a master of the art
in Japan. At another time The Kennet Valley
Weavers held centre stage to demonstrate their
craft.
Check out the
mill’s website for forthcoming events:
www.whitchurchsilkmill.org.uk. There’s
always something happening.
My thanks to
Whitchurch Silk Mill Trustees Phil Turner and
Claire Isbester for sharing the news.
Sheila M Viner
