Whitchurch Silk Mill are pleased to offer three, six week Heritage Skills Student Weaving Placements from 4th July to 12th August 2023 at their mill.
Whitchurch Silk Mill invite applications from those studying woven textiles or anyone with experience or interest in working with textiles to apply for a six-week placement.
On the Weaving Placement, you will:
- Learn about the care and operation of their Victorian machinery, including waterwheel, winding frames, creel and warping drum, and tappet and dobby looms.
- Learn about the weaving capabilities. Depending on where the mill is in their programme and progress, you will have the opportunity, when required, to assist with specific tasks. For instance, threading up a loom, winding bobbins and pirns, warping and the art of hand twisting.
- Learn about the brand, explore the archive and develop ideas for the development of Whitchurch Silk.
- Discover how a working museum and visitor attraction operates, including meeting and guiding visitors, retail, catering, answering queries and devising activities for families and visitors.
- Whitchurch Silk Mill are committed to ensuring that you have a great experience but must stress that while you receive training and instruction, this is, in part, a self-led learning experience. It is a work placement to give you an overview of working within a heritage weaving attraction.
How many placements are on offer?
There are a total of 3 placements on offer.
Placement Duration: 6 weeks, Tuesday to Saturday, 4th July to 12th August 2023.
Hours: 9.15 am to 5.15 pm 5 days per week, including Saturdays; some time will be spent working on the demonstration looms and interacting with visitors.
Experience to be gained
- Gain great work experience to add to your CV and a good reference;
- Learn about winding, warping and weaving on Victorian and early 20th-century looms, and the care that they take of their heritage machinery;
- Apply the theory and practice learnt during their studies in a working environment;
- Practice organisational, management and personal skills;
- Discover more about the silk industry at one of only three silk mills in the country;
- Experience working life in a busy working museum;
- Gain valuable experience of dealing with visitors, customers and answering enquiries;
Bursary
£500 bursary per placementPast placement students reviews
“One of my favourite and most interesting placements I completed at Whitchurch silk mill. I was at the mill for ten weeks. I had a very hands-on and exciting experience.” Loughborough University Student 2015
“During my work placement, I learned a lot about how the mill operates now and how it has changed over time. I learnt some of the skills involved and had the opportunity to operate some of the machinery, including the power looms. This led to me gaining a job at the silk mill.” Winchester School of Art Student 2014
How to apply
Send your CV and a cover letter, including details about your interests, objectives and studies, to weavers@whitchurchsilkmill.org.uk by 15th April 2023.
Please do not send a design portfolio, but please share links to your professional social media profiles if you want to.
Interview date
Wednesday, 26th April 2023, we hope to hold these in person.
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