A group of thirteen club members visited the historic Whitchurch Silk Mill. Located on the River Test it’s the oldest silk mill still operating in the country.
The mill was built in 1813 originally as a saw mill but then converted to a silk mill in 1817. It has had various owners over the years but was famous around the turn of the twentieth century when they made the silk lining for the Burberry jackets and coats worn by the military. At its peak it had nearly 100 workers but that shrunk to eight by 1901. 1985 saw the Building Preservation Trust buy the property which is now a working museum open to the public.
Our visit started with a nice buffet lunch followed by a tour with a very knowledgeable guide around the property inside and out. Everyone enjoyed the experience along with seeing the large trout in the very clear river along with the ducks and swans who were 
out to greet us.
