Abstract: A winding device for a flexible cable. The device includes a housing and a cable winding spool rotatably mounted within the housing. An opening formed through the housing to allow a cable to be wound on the spool and a spring applies torque to the spool in a cable-winding sense. The spool has a cylindrical winding surface and a flange projects radially from the winding surface part-way between the axial ends thereof. A cable hook is formed in the flange, whereby a loop may be formed part-way between the ends of the cable and that loop may be passed through the opening to engage with the hook of the flange so that rotation of the spool under the action of the spring will wind the cable onto the spool, to both sides of the flange.