Monument record MDO19926 - Bridport Tannery, Ropewalks, Bridport

Bridport Tannery was constructed or extended in the 1830s, by George Edmunds and continued in use into the 1950s, though tanning ceased about 1925. It was destroyed by fire in the early 1980s. It lay to the rear of 20 South Street, accessed through a passageway between Nos. 20 & 22 South Street and also from Rope Walks. The tannery comprised a 40-50 wooden tanning pits, drying sheds along the northern boundary of the plot, a gloving house to the south and a bark store at the west end. The former tannery buildings were demolished in the late 1990s without any archaeological recording. However, a number of features associated with the tannery were recorded in 1998 during redevelopment of the site. These included two walls, a cellar, the remains of a tank or pit, and the elm floor of another tank with an elm conduit, among other features.

Bridport Tannery was constructed in the 1820s and continued in use into the 1950s, though tanning ceased about 1925. In the 1960s it was used as a printing works. It was destroyed by fire in the early 1980s. It lay to the rear of 20 South Street, accessed through a passageway between Nos. 20 & 22 South Street and also from Rope Walks.

The date of construction of the tannery is not known, but its form and location suggest a relatively early date. It was founded or extended by George Edmunds in the 1830s. He is listed as a tanner in South Street in 1844 (3). George Edmunds & Co. is described in the 1855 Post Office Directory as "saddlers, harness makers, tanners, curriers, fellmongers, wholesale & retail glove & gaiter manufacturers, South Street" (4). The Kelly's 1915 Directory lists Charles Edmunds (exors. of) "tanners, curriers, fellmongers & leggings manufacturers, 22 South St & Church St" (5).

The tannery was entered through the passageway between Nos. 20 and 22 South Street, which were used as a shop, office, warehouse and accommodation. The tanyard centred around 40-50 wooden tanning pits, over which were built the drying sheds along the northern side of the site. Opposite the drying sheds on the south side was an old stone cottage used as a gloving house. At the western end of the site on Ropewalks was the Bark shed. (6)

The former tannery buildings were demolished in the late 1990s without any archaeological recording. However, a number of features associated with the tannery were recorded in 1998 during redevelopment of the site (1) (2). The south wall of the tannery building and one other wall was recorded. Both were of limestone, bonded with cement. A cellar was found in the northern part of the site, within one of the former small buildings of the tannery. Towards the western end of the tannery, part of a probable tank or pit with a mortar base was revealed. At the other end, near the eastern limits of the tannery buildings, the remains of a brick and stone structure, perhaps some sort of shaft was found. Immediately to the west was found the elm floor of a wooden tank sunk into the ground, with a drain hole in the corner. Several lengths of wooden conduit (also elm) were found running westwards, then southwards from this tank. This wooden conduit may have joined another similar conduit found running further to the west in the area of the tanning pits shown on the 1880s 1:500 Ordnance Survey map. This conduit had a junction with another conduit running N-S which connected with a vertical wooden conduit within one of the tannery buildings. Along the northern side of the tannery were a number of shallow features or disturbances in the ground, including a shallow pit filled with offcuts of leather. To the south of the tannery buildings was a cobbled courtyard. The remains of a brick and limestone conduit was found running E-W beneath the courtyard.(1)

<1> Brading, R, 1998, Summary Report on an Archaeological Watching Brief at Bridport Tannery, Rope Walks, Bridport, Dorset, June 1998 (Unpublished document). SWX8607.

<2> Brading, R, 1998, 'Bridport Tannery' Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society (Article in serial). SDO10481.

<3> Pigot & Co, 1844, Pigot & Co.'s Royal National and Commercial Directory and Topography (Monograph). SDO10482.

<4> 1855, Post Office Directory of Dorsetshire (Monograph). SDO10483.

<5> 1915, Kelly's Directory of Dorsetshire (Monograph). SDO10485.

<6> Sims, R, 1999, The Tanneries of Bridport (Monograph). SDO10561.

Record last edited

Aug 30 2024 11:17AM