Richard Sims

@simsre.bsky.social

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Railway and Industrial Historian, especially the sailcloth, twine and netting industry of S Somerset and W Dorset.

An 1865 photo from the Bridport Museum collection, showing the lime kiln top centre. Most of the land to the left has been lost to the sea
Lime kiln on West Cliff, West Bay
Crewkerne station looking east
One of the informational place maps we have at Dawes Twine Works. This one explains the use of makers stamps on 18thC Navy sailcloth
St John’s Church, Chilcompton from the Holy Cow cafe in the Manor Farm Estate
One pale mallard amongst the rest
Photographs of the locations used while filming Far from the Madding Crowd. This, along with sample scripts can be seen in the foyer of Bridport Arts Centre
Minor road from Eggardon to Powerstock runs along the hillfort for a short while
Painting by Marion Taylor of Black Ven behind Lyme Regis ( ink and water colour)
Looking towards Maiden Castle from the Martinstown to Upwey road
The Seaside Boarding House on the cliff at Burton Bradstock
Seal at West Bay
Seal resting on a pontoon at West Bay
Lyme Regis with the statue of Mary Anning looking out towards Charmouth
Marion Taylor’s work at the Beaminster Gallery
OS map of Woodbury Castle hillfort
The interpretation of a weather stone
Stone wall with 15 blocked windows
View from the West of Pilsden Pen hillfort
Smishops Lane - the holloway is currently closed following a number of labdslips
The ivy covered chimney stack of an old platelayers hut, one of a number to be seen between Bridport and Maiden Newton
Details of Beaminster Gallery opening times
Cover of DAW brochure
View from Eggardon west to the hillforts of Lewesdon,Pilsdon and Lamberts Castle
Map showing Abbey silk mill, Sherborne
The 1781 sailcloth stamp of John Bullock of East Coker
The view from Eggardon Hill to the South West, showing Shipton Hillfort and the Devon Coast to Start Point
Anvil Point lighthouse with the lattice posts being the eastern end Mile Indicator Posts. One mile to the west are another pair
Summer House at Mapperton
Dawes twine works after restoration with the new visitor centre, which serves tea, coffee and cake!
Location of twine bought from Gould’s in West Cojer
The view from the restaurant over the garden to the ruins of Parnham House
The view of Shipton Hillfort from Chilcombe
OS map extract of Chilcombe Hillfort
On the skyline can be seen the hillforts of Eggardon and Shipton.
View of Chilcombe hill fort
The path to the top of Colmers Hill flanked by bluebells
The view of Eggardon Hill from the road just above Powerstock
Eype beach eastward to West Bay
Eggardon hillfort from King Johns ( motte and bailey) castle in Powerstock
A selection of Marion Taylor’s paintings at Eype
Leaflet advertising Dorset Art Weeks 2026, from 23rd of May until the 7th of June
RAF pocket book 1937, printed in India 1942
The view over Eype Beach towards Golden Cap and Lyme Regis
King’s Lane at Eggardon
Eggardon hillfort from the road
Italian garden at Mapperton created by Ethel Labouchere in the 1920s. First opened to the public in 1928 in support of Queen Alexandra Fund
Fox, Colmer’s Hill, a painting by Marion Taylor
Cliff Road, Burton Bradstock, the shallow dip is the remains of the cart road
Shipton Hillfort from the road between Burton Bradstock and Uploders
Railway incline taking stone down to the harbour
Cart tracks in the stone at Portland, Dorset, the result of many years taking stone from the quarries
Paintings by Marion Taylor at Eype Church until 19th April
Wool drying tower at Lyme Regis
The view towards Portland from Hive Beach, Burton Bradstock
A motte and bailey castle in West Dorset
The Iron Age hillfort at Eggardon is in the horizon with the remains of a motte and bailey castle, King John’s castle, in the foreground.
Incline road was once a cable hauled railway.
The view from the Seaside Boarding House along the Jurassic Coast towards Portland
Edward Prior plan of promenade at West Bay from the RIBA archivess