Weekend trip to Stratford-upon-Avon and the Forge hill Needle Museum, Redditch - July 2015

We arrived at the hotel on Saturday lunchtime and departed by coach for Stratford-upon-Avon where we given a guided tour of the theatre, generously sponsored by Liveryman Bryan Knight. We learned a great deal about the history of the theatre and what happens behind the scenes and were regaled with some captivating tales about famous actors past and present. Afterwards we had dinner in the rooftop restaurant.

On Sunday morning we drove to the Museum and were very lucky to have the Curator Jo-Ann Gloger as our guide, as she has an amazing knowledge of the industry. The water wheel which powers the scouring mill was started and we were led through the entire manufacturing process and learned what an unhealthy and dangerous trade it was – even to relatively modern times.