Monument record MDO20140 - William Gale's Twine Works, 36-38 St Michael's Lane, Bridport

There had been spinning walks behind 36-38 St Michael’s Lane from the early 19th century. In 1877, the site was purchased by William Gale and a series of covered and open ropewalks, together with a twine store and other sheds and workshops was built on the site. It became part of the larger netmaking works of William Gale & Sons in the early 20th century. Manufacturing ceased in the mid-1960s. A number of industrial buildings are on the site, but it is unclear whether any are part of the original twine works.

William Gale owned premises at 36-38 St Michael’s Lane, purchased from Walter Powell in 1877. The property included a dwelling house to the east on the street frontage and booking house and combing house to the west. Both Nos. 36 and 38 St Michael’s Lane had spinning walks dating from the earlier part of the 19th century. (1) (2)

In 1845, the Bridport Tithe map and apportionment lists No. 36 as ‘House, Path, etc’, owned by Josiah Crabb and occupied by Edward Whitley and No. 38 as ‘House & Spinning Path’ owned by Sarah Powell and occupied by Edward Joy (3).

A 1905 plan of the property shows the site to be a typical long narrow spinning walk, with both open and covered walks. Behind the buildings on the street frontage was a twine store with a long corrugated iron covered walk behind, stretching almost the complete length of the property. Along the south side were a series of small buildings and sheds with an open walk behind. At the western end of the site was a winding shed. (4)

The works were originally a twine works, but in the early 20th century with the expansion of William Gale & Sons over much of the area to the north of the site, became part of a much larger net making works. Manufacturing ceased in the mid-1960s. (2)

A number of industrial buildings are on the site, but it is unclear whether any are part of the original twine works.

<1> Bone, M R, 1985, 'The Bridport Flax and Hemp Industry' Bristol Industrial Archaeological Society Journal, 25-6 (Article in serial). SWX1452.

<2> Sims, R, 2006, The Rope, Net and Twine Industry of Bridport. 2) Factory Mills (Monograph). SDO10541.

<3> James, R, 1845, Bridport, Dorset, 1845

Bridport, Dorset, 1845, plots 10 & 11 (Map). SDO10499.

<4> 1905, Plan of property of William Gale, St Michael's Lane, Bridport, Dorset, Twine Manufacturer (Unpublished document). SDO10554.

Record last edited

Aug 30 2024 11:19AM