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Wensley is quite some
way from Grassington, but it seems that the nearest
traditional candlemaker is here. I met Mick and Jen
White, and their daughter Rachel who have been using
the traditional method of candlemaking since 1971.
The family run business of White Rose Candles was established
in Leeds in 1971, and moved to their present workshop
in Wensley in 1978. They have always taken pride in
producing their own long lasting, smokeless candles
in a wide variety of colours and designs.
Mick's background as a research chemist and scrapyard
inventor, is responsible for the high quality of the
candles and the innovative equipment used. Rachel and
Jen concentrate on design and colour. They produce candles
for the home, garden, weddings, etc.
They also supply the more traditional market of restaurants,
churches and cathedrals.
Although this is a compact little workshop, it is a
hive of activity, and visitors can watch the various
processes involved in the making of candles. These include
traditional dipping techniques and casting methods.
The candles are made from bees wax and paraffin wax,
with a variety of traditional and modern methods using
unusual and interesting equipment which is designed
and made by Mick.
The building housing the workshop was a 19th century
water mill - the water wheel still exists and mills
have been recorded on this site since 1203.
White Rose Candle Workshop
Wensley Mill
Wensley
Leyburn
North Yorkshire
DL8 4HR
Tel 01969 623544
website: White
Rose Candle Workshop
email: whiterosecandles@freenet.co.uk
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