Monday 28th January 2013
Michael Portillo, in this week’s five episodes of Great British Railway Journeys (Monday to Friday, on BBC2, at 6.30 p.m), is travelling from Paddington to Newton Abbot in Devon, with his trusty Victorian Bradshaw’s Guide, comparing then with now.Â
Tonight, in the enjoyable half hour programme, he did the first stage, 99 miles from the Paddington terminus to Warminster. On the way he made a visit to the former Middlesex County Asylum at Hanwell, where he was not only able to see stored human brains (for research) but was able to handle one. After an overnight stay in Hungerford, he boarded the train again, crossing over the county border into Wiltshire, stopping at Westbury, making his way up to Bratton Castle, to help clean the Westbury White Horse. He then took the train again, to Warminster, where he paid a visit to the Malthouse at Pound Street.
Warminster Railway Station from the air.
Hillbourne Close lower left of picture.
Avenue Primary School and Central Car Park
in topright of the picture.
Michael Portillo at Warminster Railway Station.
The Pound Street Malthouse from the air.
Pound Street on the left and Pound Row
in the top left corner of the picture.
The Pound Street Malthouse is the sole surviving
working maltings in Warminster.
Robin Appel explained to Michael that the 19th
century method of malting is still continued here.
The attactive garden at the Pound Street Malthouse.
The process includes steeping the barley grain in water,
setting off the process to convert starch into sugar.
Michael wondered how anyone first thought up the process.
A chance to look at the early ledgers.
The railway was used for transporting malt.
Having heard the history it was time to
go and see the malting process.
Robin Appel explains the process to Michael.
The production of malt is manually done.
A fascinating survival of an old tradition.
Robin and Michael watching the ancient craft.
The grain is dragged through with a pronged tool.
Low ceilings and back-breaking work.
Michael had a go at “ploughing” the barley grain,
which saw him bent over and making jerky movements.
Michael Portillo on Platform 2
of Warminster Railway Station.
Leaving for Salisbury.
Warminster Railway Station from the air.
Northfield Industrial Estate in lower left corner.
Hillbourne Close in lower right corner.
Lidl supermarket in top left corner.
Central Car Park in top right corner.