Richard Sims
@simsre.bsky.social
Railway and Industrial Historian, especially the sailcloth, twine and netting industry of S Somerset and W Dorset.
This Austin 7 was parked in a Bridport car park yesterday. It makes you realise just how small older cars used to be!
December 2, 2025 at 8:25 AM
This Austin 7 was parked in a Bridport car park yesterday. It makes you realise just how small older cars used to be!
The Christmas tree has gone up at West Bay, reflecting its maritime heritage. The building behind to the right was a sail loft until 1863, becoming St Andrews Mission Church, often called The Little Upper Room. It closed when St John’s church, which stands a few yards away, was dedicated in 1939
November 30, 2025 at 12:51 PM
The Christmas tree has gone up at West Bay, reflecting its maritime heritage. The building behind to the right was a sail loft until 1863, becoming St Andrews Mission Church, often called The Little Upper Room. It closed when St John’s church, which stands a few yards away, was dedicated in 1939
Came back this afternoon to find a young deer grazing on our communal land, just 20m away. It may be the same one who visited some months ago.
November 25, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Came back this afternoon to find a young deer grazing on our communal land, just 20m away. It may be the same one who visited some months ago.
@durotrigesdig.bsky.social
Forget Stonehenge? At Loders we have the sun shining through 13 pylons on the 28/9 October!
Forget Stonehenge? At Loders we have the sun shining through 13 pylons on the 28/9 October!
November 23, 2025 at 2:33 PM
@durotrigesdig.bsky.social
Forget Stonehenge? At Loders we have the sun shining through 13 pylons on the 28/9 October!
Forget Stonehenge? At Loders we have the sun shining through 13 pylons on the 28/9 October!
Researching the book on Coker Canvas we found probably the only surviving example of the cloth. Treatment of the yarn before weaving meant that it lasted twice as long as normal canvas but was more expensive. When Ld Dundonald carried out his experiments he showed that it had a lower life time cost.
November 21, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Researching the book on Coker Canvas we found probably the only surviving example of the cloth. Treatment of the yarn before weaving meant that it lasted twice as long as normal canvas but was more expensive. When Ld Dundonald carried out his experiments he showed that it had a lower life time cost.
Good decision; I walked from the Bus Station at Consett to see Hownes Gill viaduct from the ground before setting off on the walk proper.
The engine from the old Weatherhill engine house is at the NRM
The engine from the old Weatherhill engine house is at the NRM
November 15, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Good decision; I walked from the Bus Station at Consett to see Hownes Gill viaduct from the ground before setting off on the walk proper.
The engine from the old Weatherhill engine house is at the NRM
The engine from the old Weatherhill engine house is at the NRM
This one in our garden has been flowering since early summer but will end probably with the frosts.
October 14, 2025 at 7:59 AM
This one in our garden has been flowering since early summer but will end probably with the frosts.
These pin badges featuring the Skylon were made at Slape Mill, an old flax mill near Netherbury, Dorset
October 5, 2025 at 1:51 PM
These pin badges featuring the Skylon were made at Slape Mill, an old flax mill near Netherbury, Dorset
Our lunch venue today being our anniversary, as it was all those years ago!
October 3, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Our lunch venue today being our anniversary, as it was all those years ago!
West Bay’s fishing fleet tied up in the harbour.
September 20, 2025 at 8:34 AM
West Bay’s fishing fleet tied up in the harbour.
This was my take for Bubs Pool House for the Coker Book
September 5, 2025 at 10:07 PM
This was my take for Bubs Pool House for the Coker Book
The Artists of the Jurassic Coast Exhibition is on at Eype Church from tomorrow until the 28th. The photos show Marion’s work
@annadillon.bsky.social
@annadillon.bsky.social
September 5, 2025 at 4:40 PM
The Artists of the Jurassic Coast Exhibition is on at Eype Church from tomorrow until the 28th. The photos show Marion’s work
@annadillon.bsky.social
@annadillon.bsky.social
While setting up for Artists of the Jurassic Coast we noticed 7 hang gliders over Thorncombe Beacon
September 5, 2025 at 4:33 PM
While setting up for Artists of the Jurassic Coast we noticed 7 hang gliders over Thorncombe Beacon
That is Terry Stevens book on East Coker, though he draws on the work I have done for Dawes Twine works.
Mine is more focused on the industry in the area.
Dawes is open on the 13 and 14 Sept for Heritage week and again on the 27th.
The Coker book is available from me if anyone is interested
Mine is more focused on the industry in the area.
Dawes is open on the 13 and 14 Sept for Heritage week and again on the 27th.
The Coker book is available from me if anyone is interested
September 5, 2025 at 1:47 PM
That is Terry Stevens book on East Coker, though he draws on the work I have done for Dawes Twine works.
Mine is more focused on the industry in the area.
Dawes is open on the 13 and 14 Sept for Heritage week and again on the 27th.
The Coker book is available from me if anyone is interested
Mine is more focused on the industry in the area.
Dawes is open on the 13 and 14 Sept for Heritage week and again on the 27th.
The Coker book is available from me if anyone is interested
We had supper there a year or so ago. Complete with yoga class on the cricket pitch and passing hot air balloon
August 24, 2025 at 9:41 PM
We had supper there a year or so ago. Complete with yoga class on the cricket pitch and passing hot air balloon
Marion Taylor’s ceramics form part of an #art-exhibition at Sou Sou West Gallery in Symondsbury until the 30th of August. @annadillon.bsky.social
August 21, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Marion Taylor’s ceramics form part of an #art-exhibition at Sou Sou West Gallery in Symondsbury until the 30th of August. @annadillon.bsky.social
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
A curiosity in our garden, this Giant Echium appeared last year. Although covered the apex was damaged by the one hard frost we had. As a result it now has FIVE stems growing out!
A curiosity in our garden, this Giant Echium appeared last year. Although covered the apex was damaged by the one hard frost we had. As a result it now has FIVE stems growing out!
August 9, 2025 at 8:10 AM
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
A curiosity in our garden, this Giant Echium appeared last year. Although covered the apex was damaged by the one hard frost we had. As a result it now has FIVE stems growing out!
A curiosity in our garden, this Giant Echium appeared last year. Although covered the apex was damaged by the one hard frost we had. As a result it now has FIVE stems growing out!
Sign on East Bridge, Bridport. Dorset County Council was formed in 1888 and Fooks was their first clerk
July 29, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Sign on East Bridge, Bridport. Dorset County Council was formed in 1888 and Fooks was their first clerk
We are fortunate to have a shaded lane by us which runs by the River Asker. This has proven very useful the past few days. Someone has provided a seat by the river for reflection.
July 12, 2025 at 6:21 PM
We are fortunate to have a shaded lane by us which runs by the River Asker. This has proven very useful the past few days. Someone has provided a seat by the river for reflection.
This magnificent foxglove growing in our garden
July 6, 2025 at 8:31 PM
This magnificent foxglove growing in our garden
Tomorrow at 7.30 pm I am talking on the origins and early days of the Bridport Railway
@adamchapman.bsky.social
@adamchapman.bsky.social
July 2, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Tomorrow at 7.30 pm I am talking on the origins and early days of the Bridport Railway
@adamchapman.bsky.social
@adamchapman.bsky.social
Loders has been trying to get a safe active transport solution to Bridport. Currently there is recent footpath to the north of the road but nothing for cyclists. If only there was another potential route!
June 30, 2025 at 7:13 AM
Loders has been trying to get a safe active transport solution to Bridport. Currently there is recent footpath to the north of the road but nothing for cyclists. If only there was another potential route!
Model power boat racing came to West Bay yesterday. The photo shows a practice run in the morning. The stationary biat was reconnecting with its model boat whilst overtaken by another.
June 16, 2025 at 7:11 AM
Model power boat racing came to West Bay yesterday. The photo shows a practice run in the morning. The stationary biat was reconnecting with its model boat whilst overtaken by another.
Bridport’s East Street Band playing to an appreciative audience in the town’s Bucky Doo Square this morning
June 14, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Bridport’s East Street Band playing to an appreciative audience in the town’s Bucky Doo Square this morning
#Martime Two traditional boats at West Bay yesterday, the #Belle #Bessie and the recently restored #AthloneCastle
June 9, 2025 at 12:21 PM
#Martime Two traditional boats at West Bay yesterday, the #Belle #Bessie and the recently restored #AthloneCastle