Understand
Cumbrian ropemaker celebrates fantastic response after crafting ropes for Celebrity Traitors
Overview
Ian Outram, a traditional ropemaker from the Westmorland Rope Company in Appleby, provided ropes used on a shipwreck for the opening challenge of the new BBC series Celebrity Traitors. Although he did not watch the episode, which was watched live by nearly nine million people, Outram welcomed the publicity for his endangered heritage craft.
Key points
- The Westmorland Rope Company in Appleby made the ropes used in the first challenge of Celebrity Traitors.
- The launch episode was watched live by almost nine million people.
- Ian Outram is one of approximately 15 traditional ropemakers remaining in England.
- Outram secured the job after receiving a message out of the blue from an old friend who is a producer on the show.
- The opening challenge involved celebrities hunting for treasure on a pirate ship secured with large ropes to win £15,000.