Friday 22nd February 2019



The fog first thing this morning was so thick you could see no more than 50 yards. A harbinger of a nice day it turned out.

We were on the move by 8am for the mile run-in to Atherstone and we moored just before the top lock near a road bridge that is very convenient for the town.

We are opposite the derelict factory of Wilson and Stafford. This was a felt hat making enterprise that made hats that were exported all over the world until closure about 35 years ago. Apparently, slaves on the West Indies sugar plantations all wore hats made in Atherstone. The factory is a blight on the town. It has been sold several times for housing development and would make desirable apartments. The frontage of the building is listed but the problem lies inside. There are many chemicals absorbed into the fabric of the building including mercury, a heavy metal used in the making of hats and asbestos. It would cost a fortune to demolish or develop, including closure of the canal while work was ongoing.



    
                              

 



Wilson and Stafford Hat Making Factory



After breakfast we did two shopping runs into town, one with the dog and one without, visiting the market which was a disappointment, only two stalls, a butcher and a grocer. I then went back out to buy a keep net and some wood at a nearby timber yard. I have not seen anything quite like this yard. Sykes’ started off their timber business in Birmingham in 1862, supplying many hard and soft wood timbers from around the world. It is still owned by the same unbroken family line today. They moved to a 10-acre site in Atherstone in 1966 where they have mills, seasoning sheds and offices.




              



At reception they directed me to a shed where they had offcuts of all types of timbers, most I had not heard off. The shed was a fascinating place with a chained-off museum part displaying all manner of old woodworking tools and machinery. Unfortunately, I didn’t find what I wanted.

Brenda then went out for another run and to pick up her prescriptions. On her return, we had had enough and so adjourned to the front cratch.

We had dinner of chilli salmon and steaks. We do eat well.



Weather: a beautiful day.



Day Total: 0 locks; 1 mile; 0 Tunnels; 0 Swing Bridges; 0 Boat Lift; engine running hours 1.3                                                                                                                   

Overall Total: 331 locks; 734 miles; 32 tunnels; 7 Swing Bridges; 2 Boat Lifts; engine running hours 462.4








Comments

  1. EleishaFebruary 24, 2019 at 12:46 PM

    Facinating , who knew hat making used such harmful substances. Hope you have enjoyed the lovely weather over the weekend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. nb Bridge StreetFebruary 27, 2019 at 7:08 AM

      Hi Eleisha
      Enjoying the weather very much, although it's about to break they reckon.
      The term "mad as a Hatter" refers to the mercury making them mad, it affected the brain.

      Delete
    2. EleishaMarch 1, 2019 at 1:44 AM

      I did not know that ! I like to know where sayings come from too.

      Delete

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