Frogmore’s Values

 
At Frogmore Paper Mill we celebrate the huge contribution that paper has played in shaping the world in which we live today.
 
Frogmore Paper Mill is operated by the Apsley Paper Trail, a charitable trust founded to conserve the unique industrial heritage of this site and its neighbouring paper mills. This stretch of the Gade River was the site chosen by  the Fourdriniers, The British Paper Company and John Dickinson, to establish businesses that were to change the locality and have international impact.
 
In 1803 Frogmore Paper Mill was the place selected by Henry and Sealy Fourdrinier as the location of their newly patented paper machine. Thus began the paper’s industrial revolution leading to the cheap, plentiful paper products that we use every day. In 1809 john Dickinson acquired Apsley Mill to install his Cylinder Mould Machine.
 
Frogmore is still a working paper mill also operated by the charity, as a visitor, education and community hub too. The trust is entirely self-financing and, of course, is not-for-profit with all proceeds from its activities being re-invested in the repair, maintenance and development of the mill and its historic equipment.

The absolute joy of a visit is you can see these guys operating Fourdrinier machines from the last century still making paper with the same process as the century before that. 

Anon, Visitor

heritage & preservation

The Apsley Paper Trail is dedicated to preserving the remarkable heritage of the Gade Valley for all to enjoy. The key players, inventions, artefacts and buildings within our care, contribute to the story of mechanised paper production, which transformed the local area. Local paper mills gave the world plentiful paper with which to convey ideas and share knowledge. This is a growing collection, displayed for public consumption and participation, for now and for the future.

Education & Learning

The charity was formed to share the museum’s knowledge base both formally and informally. We offer workshop sessions to schools, youth groups, adults and casual visitors, also academic research opportunities and fact finding through our talks programme. We cover a breadth of subject matter incorporating, science, history, creativity local history, sustainability and paper past, present and future.

Creativity & Craftsmanship

Paper production and its associated industries highlight the peril in which heritage crafts find themselves. The Apsley Paper Trail aims to do all it can to preserve paper related endangered crafts. These include handmade paper production and traditional paper production techniques, bookbinding and letterpress printing. We engage with other preservation associations and craft practitioners and offer workshop opportunities to keep these skills alive.

Community Engagement & Inclusion

The Frogmore Paper Mill site aims to be truly embedded in the community. Our heritage is a local community story of a workforce grown and expanded to support local invention, which in turn expanded local infrastructure.  We wish local people to participate in the development of the museum and feel a sense of pride in their heritage. We aim to offer opportunities to all age groups and abilities, to visit, participate and volunteer, to foster a sense of belonging and connection.

Sustainability & the environment

Paper is recognised as one of the foremost sustainable industries and at Frogmore, we are committed to sustainability in all of our operations. The team are working towards utilising site infrastructure to move towards more sustainable energy supply. Through education and community engagement, we encourage sustainable practice. The charity also proudly protects site natural environment and our rare chalk stream habitat.

Collaboration & Impact

The Apsley Paper Trail values the power of collaboration with local authorities, businesses, other charitable organisations, museums and the paper industry. By working together, we can aid each other, create more impactful change and futureproof all.