A TRIP to a museum opened the way to a woman writing a short, but fascinating, book about making rope mats, about growing up in Appledore and about a way of life that is fast disappearing, if it has not already gone.

Ann and George Wells were in Falmouth last September for the Funchal 500 Tall Ships Regatta. At the National Maritime Museum they asked about rope mats. They found there were no written records about this, and advised to fill that gap!

They did. The result is a delight. Between the pages of "how to" is the nub of the history of rope mat making, and living in the riverside village.

There is the glorious tale of poaching salmon, living off the seashore, how to read the tides, or gathering samphire, glasswort or tabby grass as it was known locally.

About how the plant acquired the name "glasswort", and how families would gather laver, the pebble pavements that have disappeared, and skills that are barely surviving.

At the back is a useful list of where materials for making rope mats can be found. At £4.50, Appledore Rope Mats is a brilliant book that could easily tempt one to have a go at rope mat making, but is just as good as a book to dip into. ISBN 978-0-9562279-0-4. Available through The Book Shop at 100 High Street, Crediton.