What
we
do

Image Credit: ‘Brimscombe Port c.1795, unknown artist. STGCM 1961.24 © Museum in the Park, Stroud’

The Stroudwater Textile Trust is a Registered Charity run entirely by volunteers. The Trust was established in 1999 by local people wanting to promote awareness of the historic woollen industry in the Stroud valleys, to preserve some of its important machinery and to celebrate contemporary textiles.

The Trust runs a fully-accredited museum at Dunkirk Mill in Nailsworth with a working waterwheel, and also a weaving shed at Gigg Mill nearby, which has a recently-restored vintage power loom.

We also arrange visits to St Mary’s Mill in Chalford from time to time, where there is a Tangye steam engine. Dunkirk Mill and Gigg Mill are open regularly through the spring and summer months.

Book A Visit
The Trust organises walks and talks, runs numerous events, produces an annual journal Warp & Weft, publishes books and pamphlets, and arranges workshops on textile skills. We also have an extensive archive of textiles, and a considerable amount of other material relevant to the historic textile industry of the Stroud Valleys.
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Membership is open to everyone. You may have an interest in the history of textile production and the local mills, or textile art and craft, or simply be curious. You may just want to join a group that works for the community of the Stroud Valleys. Members qualify for free admission to Dunkirk Mill Museum and Gigg Mill Weaving Centre, receive a copy of Warp & Weft, and are able to join all our other events either free of charge or at discounted prices. Membership costs £15 for an individual or £20 for a family. It’s free for full-time students.
Join us
We also have a lively community of volunteers. Our volunteers help to look after visitors on our open days, welcome people at our exhibitions, and even demonstrate weaving techniques on our looms. We are currently working with a team of volunteers to restore some historic mill machinery, and we are planning some try-out sessions on our Dobcross power loom at Gigg Mill. We offer training, of course, and you can commit for as much or as little time as you like.
Volunteer

For more information, please email info@stroudtextiletrust.org.uk

Registered Office: Upper Mill House, Millswood Lane, Chalford, Stroud GL6 8FY
The Trust is a Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee
Registered Charity No: 1078398   Company No: 03792787