The "gripple" is a wire-tensioning device that was invented in Sheffield in 1986. Surprisingly, the little company that produce the "gripple" is also called "Gripple" The device is now exported worldwide and when we were in New Zealand in 2012, I saw hundreds of "gripples" on farm fencing. "Gripple" is a Sheffield success story.
Their works are in The Don Valley industrial area. I have driven by their headquarters hundreds of times, often promising myself that I would stop there one day to snap some pictures. And why? Because there's a great big stainless steel spider climbing up the side wall on a web that has been tensioned with dozens of "gripples".
Yesterday I kept that promise. October afternoon sunlight was illuminating the side wall very nicely and so I snapped a bunch of pictures which I am now ready to share with you. I bet you cannot wait to be so delighted:-
Also on the side of the "Gripple" works is this plaque that recalls the important role that Sheffield steelworks played in wartime during the twentieth century:-
Love the spider! But what's up with the bicyclist...on a fork??
ReplyDeleteThe cyclist has been told to fork off Steve!
DeleteProbably added to the spider in recognition of Le Tour de France that began in Yorkshire last year and passed through Sheffield.
I have thousands of gripples...but I spell them "gripes"! :)
ReplyDeleteThat's an interesting plaque...particularly in regards to the Enfield rifle.
You have gripes Lee? I would never have guessed. I thought you were a Zen Buddhist - all peace and harmony.
DeleteFascinating! I am sure I have come across gripples, too, but they are the typial bit people like me tend to take for granted without ever inquiring where they come from.
ReplyDeleteMama Spider has some little ones with her, nice. I wonder whose idea the web and spider family were.
I don't know Miss Arian but it was a good idea - as art and to demonstrate the wire tensioning ability of the gripple.
DeleteWhat a nice little company, and an example of what an asset companies like that can be to a community. Here in the U.S., no one starts a company in the hopes they'll be in business for 50 years. They do a startup and sell out to a bigger company as soon as they can. Often the startup and its employees are ditched, the bigger company just didn't want their competition.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that all is fair - not just in ,love and war but in the pursuit of profit too.
DeleteNow you've got me curious. I will have to look for Gripples here.
ReplyDeleteI am confident that there will be many gripples in Canada Red!
DeleteThank you for bringing the gripple to us via your blog.
ReplyDeleteDo you take readers' requests for places to visit?
If readers pay for my travel and hotel costs I will go just about anywhere for them, take photos and then blog about the experience...but please don't ask me to go to hell Carol!
DeleteBut, how does a gripple work, Mr. Pudding?
ReplyDeleteThat's like asking me how a television works Mama Thyme! It's magic.
DeleteAwful !
ReplyDeleteYes. I know I am Helen but I can't help it.
DeleteGripples, they're new to me - I had a quick look on the no-nothing internet and we don't seem to have that same product Down'Ere.
ReplyDeleteThe web, spider, shadow, fork photo gets the Soup Ladle award this week; an award which is a virtual award... in other words totally meaningless.
I do have a knife Made in Sheffield , a relic from my grandparents time in the first half of the last century.
Ms Soup
Thank you for the virtual soup ladle Alphie. I shall use it to serve up a bowl of virtual soup.
DeleteQuote from Wikipedia - "Thousands of Gripple wire joiners hold together the Great Dingo Fence in Australia, the world's longest fence."
Isn't it a wonderful word? This company is a success and deservedly so. I believe it is run as a sort of cooperative.
ReplyDeleteI understand that the company has an embracing attitude towards its staff - especially at Christmas parties!
DeleteYes "gripple" is a great word. It sounds like a cartoon being in a new series - "The Gripples" with voice-over by Adrian Ward.
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