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Wheelwright

1978 , Lowestoft (Suffolk)

Cat no. 275

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A look at the traditional skills of an old craftsman - a wheelwright.

The film shows Mr. S.W. Wright, a wheelwright of Lowestoft, building a wooden wheel and fitting an iron tyre. The film was shot by his son-in-law, (who also provides the commentary) when Mr. Wright was aged over 80. He retired soon after. Mr. Wright's son-in-law describes the film as a portrait of dad, one of the old craftsmen. His obvious affection for his father-in-law makes this a moving film as well as a record of an old craft. The film shows the exterior of Mr. Wright's yard near the centre of Lowestoft and then Mr. Wright arrives in his forty year old Morris 8, ERA 381. Beautifully preserved, he was very proud of it and it becomes a prominent feature of the film. The interior of the car and its engine (Mr. Wright prided himself in getting a first time start) are filmed before attention switches to Mr. Wright's skill as a wheelwright. The various stages involved are shown carefully. The wooden parts (hub, spokes and felloes), are assembled. The wheels is measured with a traveller and cut to size. The iron tyre, which was used forty to fifty years before the film was made, is heated in the forge and rewelded before being fitted to the wheel on the wheelwright's plate. Mr. Wright pours water on the tyre to cool it. In its heyday, ten rims would be heated in the forge at the same time. At the end on the film, Mr. Wright leaves in his car.

Featured Buildings

Mr. Wright's wheelwrights yard

Background Information

The wheel in this film was made purposely to record the work involved. Some details of Mr. Wright's premises are given in the 1979-89 Annual Report (Vol. 19) of the Lowestoft Archaeological and Local History Society

Manifestations

Wheelwright

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