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Archiver > CHESHIRE > 2001-09 > 0999761691


From: "John Hanson" <>
Subject: [CHS] Rope Walk
Date: Thu, 6 Sep 2001 08:35:40 -0700


The following account was kindly given to my mother by Mrs Lily Bailey whose family owned and ran Ropery Farm, Barnton

Most aspiring rope makers were chosen from the labour force on the farm. It would seem, in those days, like a small step up the social ladder.

The ropes were made of cotton, but later hemp was added for extra strength. The raw materials were threaded into a type of shuttle which twisted them together, a little like the way that sheep wool is spun with wheel and spindle. Once made, the rope needed to be cut into manageable lengths according to purpose. Still in existance in Barnton, attached to Ropery Farm is Ropery Walk, the specially measured distance where the newly made rope was measured and cut to the desired length.

There were various uses the rope could be put to, such as tow ropes, or twisted and coiled to make bumpers for canal boats, or as driving belts on machinery. It was this last use where problems arose, as the rounded rope stretched and slipped on the driving wheel. With great initiative the owners of the Rope Works developed a flat rope containing a percentage of hemp, this was a great improvement.



Regards,

Elaine.

Mid-Cheshire.


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