00:01Established in 1829, Sunnybank Mills in Farsley is a unique heritage site.
00:06Once a global producer of fine worsted suiting, the site is now a thriving cultural and creative destination with a
00:13national profile.
00:14It's just been awarded £243,449 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to deliver Dyevolution, an ambitious three-year project
00:25that will uncover, preserve and share a remarkable and little-known chapter of Britain's textile history.
00:32At the heart of the project are six dye ledgers, dating from 1888 to 1908, which are fragile, hand-bound
00:39books containing samples of dyed wool fibres.
00:42These rare volumes capture a pivotal moment in industrial history, the shift from natural dyes to the early use of
00:50synthetic colour, a transformation that reshaped textile manufacturing worldwide.
00:55The Dyevolution project will bring these objects into the spotlight, revealing the experimental processes and innovations that defined a turning
01:03point in the industry.
01:05Sunnybank Mills Heritage Director Rachel Moby says the dye ledgers are exceptionally fragile, yet offer an extraordinary snapshot of dyeing
01:14practices at a time of huge technological change.
01:18Through Dyevolution, the team will conserve and digitise these volumes, ensuring they are safeguarded for future generations.
01:25The project will be delivered with support from the British Museum.
01:28The project will be delivered with support from the British Museum.
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