Visited one red hot day in June with @Ojay we were at a loose end so decided to have a quick poke around.
Bit of a trashed smacked but mills is mills, n we like mills.
History
This mill complex is situated east-north-east of the centre of Bradfield. The first mill to be established here in 1815 was steam-powered worsted-spinning mill. Early buildings included a four-storey, timber-floored mill (with internal end engine house) and a number of warehouses. The warehouses were later extended and in 1852 a new four-storey mill with basement and attic designed by W Metcalf of Bradford was also added. Then, in 1870, the largest building on the site, Barkerend Mill, was built. It boasted six storeys and was constructed so it was fireproof mill. Designed by Bradford-based Architects Milnes and France, the mill showed evolution of a transmission system from upright shaft in shaft tower to a rope race. At it’s peak it provided employment for in excess of 400 workers.
Barkerend mill was Grade II listed on 9th August, 1983. In 1987 a fire damaged much of the North Mill building. Mill operations finally ceased in 1996, bring to an end over 180 years of continuous working on the site. Since then the buildings have been used for storage and the manufacture of aquariums, before being left empty in 2017 and slipping into dereliction. The second of two major fires in the site occurred in leaving the North Mill without a roof.
Pics
Judging by the SD1 and Mk1 transit I’d say this is late 70’s early 80’s
the same floors in 1952
As you can see the pace hs had several fires over the years
Looking down the rope race
At the bottom of the rope race
Bricked up walkway to one of the other mill buildings. We went inside but I didn’t take any pictures, it was dark, damp and devoid of anything interesting really.
Cast iron bearing box in the rope race, wit a small work shop area
Looking out of the top of what I presume was the engine house, converted to toilets at some point.
Some guy making wicker baskets back int day
Cheers
Bit of a trashed smacked but mills is mills, n we like mills.
History
This mill complex is situated east-north-east of the centre of Bradfield. The first mill to be established here in 1815 was steam-powered worsted-spinning mill. Early buildings included a four-storey, timber-floored mill (with internal end engine house) and a number of warehouses. The warehouses were later extended and in 1852 a new four-storey mill with basement and attic designed by W Metcalf of Bradford was also added. Then, in 1870, the largest building on the site, Barkerend Mill, was built. It boasted six storeys and was constructed so it was fireproof mill. Designed by Bradford-based Architects Milnes and France, the mill showed evolution of a transmission system from upright shaft in shaft tower to a rope race. At it’s peak it provided employment for in excess of 400 workers.
Barkerend mill was Grade II listed on 9th August, 1983. In 1987 a fire damaged much of the North Mill building. Mill operations finally ceased in 1996, bring to an end over 180 years of continuous working on the site. Since then the buildings have been used for storage and the manufacture of aquariums, before being left empty in 2017 and slipping into dereliction. The second of two major fires in the site occurred in leaving the North Mill without a roof.
Pics
Judging by the SD1 and Mk1 transit I’d say this is late 70’s early 80’s
the same floors in 1952
As you can see the pace hs had several fires over the years
Looking down the rope race
At the bottom of the rope race
Bricked up walkway to one of the other mill buildings. We went inside but I didn’t take any pictures, it was dark, damp and devoid of anything interesting really.
Cast iron bearing box in the rope race, wit a small work shop area
Looking out of the top of what I presume was the engine house, converted to toilets at some point.
Some guy making wicker baskets back int day
Cheers
