What’s on

Seventy-two years of the Tarrow Valley Railway, from the first train to the guard who took his lamp home. Tickets, timetables, uniforms and photographs.

Lionel Brack started on the walk at 15 and was there when it closed. He explains how raw hemp became a rope, and what the job did to your hands.

Handle six objects that are usually in the store, with gloves and a volunteer who knows their stories. Ten places only.

A 2.4 km guided loop along the river from the ropewalk and back, past the old wharf, the ferry steps and the site of Kitto’s Snag.

A small-group look inside the collection store, then tea, a slice of cake and this year’s new arrivals in the Hemp Store.

Children aged 5 to 12 make a 2-metre skipping rope on our replica rope-walk jack, then test it in the yard. Every child takes their rope home.

Meet the volunteers, see the parts of the building visitors don’t, and find out what each role involves. No commitment, and there is tea.

The town photographer’s own camera, and 90 new prints from the 3,100 glass plates she left the society in 1965. Many have never been shown.