We joined with Sutton and Cheam Probus Clubs on a guided tour of the Whitchurch Silk Mill which is a gem of our industrial heritage. On arrival by coach we were greeted with coffee and biscuits followed by an hour and a half tour of the mill covering the history, how the raw silk skeins from China are processed and rewound onto bobbins into usable yarn of various deniers. The mill was originally fully driven by a water-wheel coupled with layshafts and using the river Test as the power source but now this only powers some of the machinery and looms. Following the he tour we were presented with an excellent sandwich buffet followed by tea, coffee and cakes. The mill supplies silk in required colours and patterns to many organisations throughout the world.
After lunch we boarded our coach for the short drive to the Bombay Sapphire Gin Distillery where we were given a talk on the origin of the distillery and the range of botanicals which are infused into the gin as well as juniper, which is legally an essential ingredient. This was followed by sampling one of the three current products. Our Banstead Coach driver, Chris, had to be satisfied with a non-alcoholic version.
This was followed by a display of the raw botanical ingredients followed by a talk on the stills named “Thomas” and “Mary” which are the smallest of the four stills and their operation. starting with raw 95% methanol spirit, distillation, infusion with the selected botanicals to end up with the final product which is transferred to the bottling facility. for the USA the product is exported in bulk.
A most enjoyable day despite the torrential rain.
Ewell Probus 
Leave a comment