A Visit to Whitchurch Silk Mill

In the Summer, members of the High Wycombe Society had the opportunity to join a coach trip to visit a Silk mill in Whitchurch.

A guided tour of the mill included detailed explanations of the various processes involved in taking silk from a coccoon through to the final production of fabric, processes which involve exceptional eyesight, sustained concentration and supreme patience.   Many of our party enjoyed refreshments and succumbed to temptation in the mill shop before  lunch.

In the afternoon, in complete contrast, we visited Sandham Memorial chapel.   Recently reopened by the National Trust, this chapel contains large-scale murals by Stanley Spencer commemorating the “forgotten dead” of the First World War.   Extraordinary artwork which took six years to complete, Spencer drew on his own experiences of the war.

An account of the day will be included in our Winter newsletter.  In the meantime, this second picture captures the vibrant colours of the silks at Whitchurch mill.