Automatic warping at Weavercraft, Bradford

Gelatine silver print entitled 'Automatic warping at Weavercraft, Bradford' by Ian Beesley. Signed in pencil on the back. Produced for the commission 'Through the Mill: The Story of Yorkshire Wool in Photographs', 1985-1987.

Before the weaving process can begin the warp threads running vertically up and down the looms have to be wound tightly and side by side on to a horizontal roller called a warp beam. Each thread is passed through the eyes of the healds dependent upon the required design of the finished cloth. This was once a time consuming operation for the old handloom weaver but today's automatic warping machines have the job quickly done.