I find it often happens that way. You're looking for nothing in particular and
then you stumble across something which you instinctively know is going to take you on
a journey of discovery. Hi... I'm Mike De Greasley...
Now I'm not an Historian or an Archaeologist, but I do tend to carry out a lot of historical
research as a Graphic Artist, 3D CGI Developer and Documentary Video Maker.
During the course of 2014, I'm gathering material for a project I'm working on -- to produce
an Independent Video Production entitled: 'The Salt Revolution'.
Now in this short video, I'm going in search of the water mills of Shipley as described
by Bill Hampshire... So why not join me.....
The River Aire forms the Town of Shipley's Northern boundaries.
Today, Saltaire village and Salts mill occupies a goodly part of that area.
Now everyone's heard of Salts Mill -- but what about Dixons Mill,
Hirst Mill or even New Hirst Mill?
Well there have been mills on this stretch of the river since the 13th century -- and
it may well be -- that their presence lead towards Shipley becoming one of the most industrious
towns in Britain during the Industrial Revolution. I'm starting my journey where Dixon mill once
stood -- Over there where Titus Salts New Mill stands today.
It's the mid 1850's and after over 200 years the old mill has come to the end of her working
life as a corn and fulling mill. Fulling Mill... I'll explain later.
The mill was built in 1636 by William Dixon -- and remained within the family until its
purchase in 1712 by Sir Walter Calverley of Esholt.
Now I'm only picking snippets about these mills from Bill's booklet -- but for a more
fuller and detailed explanation -- you can visit the Saltaire Village website and download
a free pdf copy for yourself. In this 1846 Tithe Map we can see the basic
footprint of Dixon mill. We can also see the Hippings -- or stepping
stones -- once used to cross the river. Now in 1843, a local poet -- John Nicholson
-- probably worse for wear after visiting the local ale house -- met with an unfortunate
accident. He slipped and fell into the raging river.
He managed to get to the bank but was exhausted. His moans and groans were heard by a boy going
for milk early the next morning. Scared by the noises the boy ran off -- telling
no one at the time.... Within the hour Nicholson's dead body was
found by another early riser. He was buried in Bingley churchyard.
From Dixon Mill I'm going to make my way along the Leeds & Liverpool canal to Hirst Lock
and simply drink in the early morning views along the way.
From Hirst Lock -- it's just a short distance to Hirst Mill.
In 1086, the Manor of Shypley was classed as waste and valued at 10 shillings per annum.
Following the death of Sir Theobald le Buteller -- the late Lord of the Manor in 1249, it
would seem that Shypley was now worth a little bit more..... £8 -- 13s -- 10d per annum.
In addition to there being a Big Hall (Capital Messuage), 14 free tenants -- 9 cottars and
small wood -- there was also a mill -- worth 20 shillings per annum.
But we have to wait until 1696, before we hear of two Fulling mills with a dwelling
house, barn and croft being commonly called Hirst Mills.
And there's that word again..... 'Fulling'.
Fulling is basically -- hammering the hell out of woollen cloth to both clean it -- and
bulk it up.... In this illustration we can see the basic
set-up ... A water wheel as the power source.
In this instance we have three tappet wheels on the axil beam and they in turn work the
hammers in the stocks. Inside the bucket - seen here in cross section
-- we see a small amount of liquid -- this cleaned or bleached the wool.
Now before the introduction of 'Fuller's Earth' added to water, this liquid would have been
stale human urine which -- believe it or not -- was taxed.
Now as good as my animated illustrations are -- I did come across this little gem on the
BBC website. [Narrator] With the cloth finished, Ruth needs
to take it to the monastic mill for a finishing process known as Fulling.
The Monasteries had invested heavily in water mill technology.
And for cloth production, the Fulling Mill represents the first transition from a domestic
craft to a factory industry. Miller Dowey Jones is in charge of operating
the machinery. [Ruth] So this needs fulling... What exactly
is it that Fulling does? [Miller] Right well what will happen now...
If we were to go outside and hold this up against the light, you would see the light
coming through the cloth. After Fulling, what will happen is the cloth
will tighten down and there will be no light coming through and it fats it up. Gives a
nice softer effect to it. [Ruth] So it changes something that looks
almost like sacking into something that looks like this.
[Miller] Yeah.. probably over time.. Yeah... will turn it into that.
[Ruth] You do it by bashing it with hammers. [Miller] These two hammers here will do the
work for us. Just make sure we don't get our hands caught.
It's like this effect... Up and Down... It's a bit noisy... It's quiet at the moment, but
with the water going through and the hammers working it will be quite noisy.
[Narrator] A water wheel is used to power the stocks.
Ruth has soaked her cloth in stale urine. Full of ammonium salts, the urine will clean
and whiten the cloth. [Ruth] Right... Ready!
[Miller] Quite lively! [Ruth] It's a really violent process isn't
it.... I mean... Having put so much work into spinning and weaving that cloth this is a
bit terrifying frankly. [Miller] It is a bit, but the end results
will be nice. Worth the effort. [Narrator] But using the Fulling Mill didn't
come free. The Monastery would have charged its tenants.
[Ruth] As a Tennant of the Monastery we were required to use their mill.
They had something of a monopoly. If we want our cloth fulled.... We have to bring it to
the monastic mill. Mills therefore, were a really important source
of income for the monasteries. It's another way I suppose of taxing your
tenants. [Narrator] For centuries, Fulling was the
only mechanised part of cloth production. Wool would go on being carded and spun by
hand until the 18th century.
In 1771 - the mill now being somewhat derelict - the then owner - widow Martha Thornton -- by
Indenture of Lease and Release enabled one -- Joseph Overend of Horsforth to bring a
new industry to Shipley -- Paper making. There's an awful lot of interesting history
connected with this mill -- and it still continues -- in 1972 the mill was converted into flats.
From Hirst mill it's then on through Hirst Woods and to the ruins of New Hirst Mill -- enjoying
the scenery as I go. Once you've reached the weir... You know you're
at what remains of New Hirst Mill. New Hirst fulling mill was built in 1745 by
Samuel Denison -- who -- by 1747 was declared bankrupt.
There are tantalising remnants of the old mill and cottages existing at ground level
-- seen from above, only the old weir is a clue to the mills former existence.
However, an Ordinance Survey Map from 1906 provides us with some clues as to the location
and footprint of both the mill and cottages. Both the mill and cottages were demolished
in the early 1920's -- about 180 years after building first began.
Bill's booklet not only provides us with a fascinating account of the mills history and
of the people who were involved with it -- but it also provides a pretty good written description
of the mill itself -- couple that with the 1906 OS map and I felt able to create a CGI
representation of what the scene may have looked like back then.
There's something about here that seems to pull at the very sinew of the soul -- not
so much magical as mystical -- gritty -- haunting -- all the senses seem sharpened to the events
of the moment and those of the past. Sit a while -- close eyes for a moment and listen
to the wooden hammers in the stock beat as the heart of industry. Now listen to the voice
of the river -- for here she speaks with constant determination..... as though in protest at
man's attempts to bridle her spirit and impede her journey back to the sea -- and amidst
natures beauty stagnant pools writhe with life to plague both man and beast.
Well... I right enjoyed that.... Oh... and by the way.... The field which looks as though
it's a solar farm is the fulled cloth, known as Tenter hanging out to dry on wooden frames
studded with hooks -- known as Tenter-hooks. Well you learn something new every day.
I'll catch you later.