One of Britain's last traditional ropemakers, Caroline Rodgers, says she 'smiles every day' she enters her workshop in Askrigg, Yorkshire Dales. The 56-year-old is one of only 11 such craftspeople in the UK and possibly the only female ropemaker with her own business in northern England.
Ms Rodgers took over the trade after Outhwaites Ropemakers in Hawes closed in late 2022, threatening to end a century-old heritage. She bought the machines to set up Askrigg Ropemakers, describing the process as 'blood, sweat, tears, broken fingernails, a lot of swearing'.
Her workshop features a ropewalk where she uses 'hand laying' methods to create handmade ropes, dog leads and cattle halters. Unlike modern knit-braided ropes, traditional ropemaking involves walking up and down the ropewalk, with the speed of the walk affecting the rope's stiffness.
Ms Rodgers claims the quality of her ropes is superior to machine-made ones. Her business attracts local dog owners and farmers, keeping her busy 12-14 hours a day. High-profile visitors include TV presenter Helen Skelton and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, though Ms Rodgers notes the PM's rope 'wasn't so good'.
