A HISTORIC Whitchurch tourist spot has received a helping hand in its efforts to pass on skills to the next generation.

The Rotary Club of Basingstoke and Deane donated a design loom to Whitchurch Silk Mill at the end of April.

As well as going on display for visitors to the Mill, the design loom will also be used to train summer placement students.

Four students will shortly be recruited for summer placements at the Mill.

New trainee weaver Hannah Futcher will then use the new loom to teach the students the skills of the Mill’s senior weaver, Marie Page, ensuring her knowledge is passed onto the next generation of weavers.

Sue Tapliss, Mill Director, said: “We can’t do all this alone, we are so grateful that the Rotary Club of Basingstoke Deane and its likeminded and dedicated members are helping us to celebrate our heritage craft skills and safeguard them for the future”.

She added: “There’s no way we could have afforded a design loom with that capability without their support.

“Shortly we will be advertising for four student placements for a placement at the Mill and they will be using that loom.”