RootsChat.Com
England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Nottinghamshire => Topic started by: Jane Eden on Monday 30 May 05 11:26 BST (UK)
-
I went to Ruddington Framework Knitters museum yesterday. This is a unique surviving example of a purpose built framework knitters yard from 1829. There are dwellings and workshops on site. I took loads of photos as they will be interesting to anyone interested in:
Framework knitting
Circular knitting
Victorian life - 1900s cottage with contents
1850s cottage with contents
A stocking worn by Queen Victoria
I have put the photos on the following link. Please enjoy and copy them if you like.
http://photobucket.com/albums/y277/swanjane/
Jane
-
Hi Jane
Thanks for those pictures of the Framework knitters tools etc and the building.
It looks very very much like 'Hardys Yard' in Sutton Bonington where my ancestors on my mothers side were all framework knitters and believe it or not were named Hardy.
There were several Hardy families in the village who carried on that trade.
As I now live in the South, it brought back some memories
Chris in 1066
-
Chris
Does Hardys Yard still exist or are you describing photos you have? I am very interested in the life they led as lots of mine were FWK in Mansfield, Caythorpe and Nottingham. Sutton Bonnington is not that far away for me as I am in Beeston.
Jane
-
Hi Jane
yes, as far as I know Hardys yard, just off the main street in Sutton Bonington still exists. The buildings are arranged exactly as they are in your pictures of Ruddington.
Incidentally, I was born and bred in the next village of Normanton on Soar
Chris in 1066
-
Chris
Thanks. I must go and have a look. Its a small world my other half learned to sail on the river at Normanton in the 1960s, they had one of the chalets there. Nice part of the world.
Jane
-
Hi again
We had friends who owned one of hose chalets and used to visit them often when they down at the chalet.
My dad learnt me to swim in that river back in the 1950's - he just chucked me and my brother into the river when I was about eight saying 'everyone can swim' - I needless to say - I swam using a doggy paddle to the bank.
Ahhhh, happy times
Chris in 1066
-
Hi Chris
A bit of nostalgia for you, your favourite river in the 1960s.
Jane
-
Jane
Ohhhhhhhh, the charms of the banks of the Soar.
Zouch and the Weirs were our favourite spot
Chris in 1066
-
Thanks for the lovely pictures. Canyou tell me the opening hours for the museum? Are the cottages inthe museum?
Gerald
-
Gerald
Here is a link to the web site
http://www.rfkm.org/index.html
The museum is a quadrangle with the cottages & reception/shop, the frameshop, the griswold room and the video, the outhouses and toilet! It is only a small museum in a village. There may be other museums in the Nottingham area but I haven't investigated yet. I do know there used to be lace machines, like the ones in Grandpas factory, at the industrial museum at Wollaton Hall. There is also the Lace museum but although I live in Nottingham I haven't been there. Shameful!
From your profile you are in Spain. If you have a specific interest in Nottingham and FWK let me know if I can help you.
I am glad you enjoyed the photos. This is not an advert but I have a book 'As Poor As A Stockinger' by Christopher Weir from the Nottm Fam Hist Soc. It describes framework knitting and the Luddites in Nottinghamshire. It really sets the scene.
Jane
-
Jane wrote
I do know there used to be lace machines, like the ones in Grandpas factory, at the industrial museum at Wollaton Hall.
They still have the lace machines etc, i was there a couple of weeks ago.
You can really imagine how noisy and dusty it would have been.
Steve.
-
Hi Steve
I remember going to the factory which was Oakleas Mill in Long Eaton about 1959. The machines were huge, though I was only 4, and I was fascinated with the punch cards which had the pattern on it. They made lace edging for alot of M & S underwear etc. It was amazing to see such huge machines with just a 'ribbon' of lace coming off them. They were really noisy. I was shown the different designs and then told about the menders who corrected any flaws by hand.
The photo show Grandpa with Sir Stafford Cripps on a visit to the factory.
Jane
-
Hi Jane, They have got a few Jacquard loom's which accept the punch cards at the museum.
They also have a Lever's loom there and a bit more work on my part and i hopefully will be able to say my children are related to the inventor :)
Steve.
-
Steve
I've not been to Wollaton Hall Industrial Museum since the kids were small. It must be 10-15 years. Disgusting as I pass it on the way to work every day. I must go there.
If you are related to THE Lever you should be living in Wollaton Hall not visiting it!
Jane
-
Hi Jane, Many thanks for the info. I am a Notts lad and went to the Univeristy opposite Wollaton Park. Sutton Bonnington to me is the Agricultural Department.
My ancestors in Mansfield, Southwell, and Horsley (DBY) include KWF workers. My daughter lives in Whitwick so we can go there next we go to England. I shall have to join Notts FHS again as I have many more surnames to chase.
The Wilkinson's originate in 1850s from Wrecclesham in Surrey from whence they came to Whitwell and Mansfield.
Again thanks alot
Gerald