EDITORIAL

I hope you all had an interesting and enjoyable summer. This issue of the newsletter is a bit thin so I have filled it out with some highlights of “what I did on my holidays”. I am looking forward to the next lecture programme, particularly as once again the four lectures organised by the section are being given by section members. Although not deliberate, there is a bit of a joint theme of textiles and engineering, very appropriate for a Leeds based society. I am always impressed by the wide knowledge of section members and wish I had more time to devote to studying and researching specific topics. Details of the lectures are enclosed and I hope to see many of you over the next few months.

For the second year running I was not able to attend the AIA annual conference, which this year was held in Cambridge. The date was brought forward to August and coincided with the publication of the A level results. We all waited anxiously for son Robert’s results, which unfortunately were not good enough to get onto his first choice course of BEng/MEng (Hons) Automotive Engineering at Leeds University, but he was accepted onto their Mechanical Engineering course. So he moves back to Leeds in September – I wonder if I could persuade him to join the section!

Minutes of the March 2001 AGM are enclosed. If any members who were present have amendments, please let me have them in writing. Also enclosed is a flier advertising Industrial Heritage. Members may recall that the magazine is now being published by Hudson History. Phil Hudson is a section member, and although the section pays for a subscription for the YAS Library copy, it would be appreciated if members could consider supporting it by taking out an individual subscription.

Moving on from traditional print forms of information about industrial history, there seem to be an increasing number of internet sites covering the topic. For example, Wortley Top Forge now has its own site (www.top-forge.fsnet.co.uk), as well the larger industrial organisations and museums. One problem however is how to track them down. If members are aware of such sites, send me a message (email address at end of Newsletter) and I can publicise them in the Newsletter.

David George’s walk around Sowerby Bridge on 5 May was appreciated by the small group of members attending and I have reported on this in more detail later. David has offered to lead a walk in Spring 2002 and has suggested Little Germany in Bradford or Batley following the Section’s Industrial Walk leaflet. Let David or me know if you have any preferences.

Only one new member to report this time - welcome to Mr M Mandefield. Longer standing members will be sorry to hear of the resignation of past active member Ron Howard. Ron feels that age has finally caught with him as far as coming to Claremont is concerned but wishes the section well for the future.

I started off with saying that this issue is rather thin. Another reminder to send me any snippets of information and news you come across that has a relevance for industrial history in Yorkshire, either by post or email. Of course longer articles are always welcome. Deadline for next newsletter will be after the AGM in March 2002.

Margaret Tylee

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NEWS FROM CLAREMONT

Members may recall that the Section expressed concern at hearing news that there was a possibility of the main Society closing the Library. I am pleased to be able to report that consultation of YAS members resulted in a majority valuing the Library and Archive very highly. The YAS Council meeting on 14 July found heavily in favour of retaining the status quo i.e. keeping Claremont as its headquarters and retaining the archive at Claremont. However this does mean that the YAS will be faced with an expensive upgrading of the storage facilities to keep to the standards recommended by the Historical Manuscripts Commission.

This summer has seen difficulties in staffing Claremont due to holidays and sickness. There is an urgent need to increase the number of volunteers to help in the library. If any members can assist, particularly if you have experience of working in a library or archive, please contact the Librarian, Robert Frost or YAS Secretary Jo Heron at Claremont ? 0113 245 7910.

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HELP WANTED

Two researchers are working on a book on the Midland railway route to Scotland. They are seeking help from former railway staff and passengers of rail services through Sheffield Midland and between Chesterfield and Leeds via Rotherham and Normanton in the 1950s. They are particularly interested in the experiences of railway staff who worked in the locomotive sheds at Sheffield’s Millhouses and Grimesthorpe depots, as well as Barrow Hill, Royston, Stourton and Leeds Holbeck. They would also like to hear from anyone who worked in the passenger and freight operating departments and in track and civil engineering in the 1950s. Malcolm Grant is concentrating on motive power, train services and the routes served. Reg Davies is considering the people aspects, railway architecture, rolling stock, track and signalling.

If any member is able to help, please write to Malcolm Grant, 21 Lancaster Road, North Harrow, Middlesex, HA2 7NN or Reg Davies, 15 Valley Avenue, Friern Barnet, London, N12 9PG.

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NEWS ITEMS

The National Railway Museum in York beat competition from over 20 countries to win the title of 2001 European Museum of the Year. The NRM is only the 4th British institution to win the title. It was nominated for the award following the opening of its £4 million extension The Works.

May 25 2001 saw the Chairman of British Waterways cut the ribbon and officially announce the Standedge Tunnel on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal open. The Canal was closed in 1944 and is now fully open. A £2m visitor centre has opened in the former canal warehouse at Marsden. There are free displays on the ground floor giving details of the history of the canal and its restoration which has taken 20 years. Visitors can also pay for admission to the rest of the centre, the entrance fee includes a boat trip through the Standedge Tunnel.

A new centre for the West Yorkshire Archive Service is to be situated near the Royal Armouries in Leeds. The centre will bring together all the major West Yorkshire holdings in a single building designed to provide the highest standards of archive care and an improved service to the public.

The old Templeborough Steel works in Rotherham has been transformed into Magna – the UK’s first Science Adventure Centre with the help of money from Millenium Lottery money amongst others. It opened in April and promises explorations of Earth, Air, Fire and Water. The orginal Templeborough arc furnace has been preserved and “brought back to life in a real rock and roll sound and light show”. It all sounds a bit too much, but I haven’t been so I can’t

report from any experience.

Fountains Abbey Mill has been fully restored and is now open to the public. It has been judged as one of the finest monastic water mills in the country and had been in use for more than eight centuries until 1927.

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FUTURE EVENTS

29 Sept
Tour of 18th & 19th century Leeds led by Ron Fitzgerald. Meet at corner of Foundry and David Street, Hunslet at 10am. Arranged by North West Branch of the Newcomen Society. Further details contact Bernard Champness ? 0161 980 7612

29 Sept
Sheffield History Fair, Millennium Galleries, Sheffield. 10am – 4.30pm. Admission free.

7 Oct
The Archaeology and Architecture of Skipton. An afternoon YAS walk led by Susan Wrathmell looking at the history and development of Skipton and its diverse buildings. Cost £2 booking via Janet Teague, YAS at Claremont

9 Oct
The Lost Boats of St Aidan’s. Talk by Eric Holder. 7.15, Leeds Parish Church Visitors Centre. Cost £2. Booking essential. Send cheques made payable to EYE on the Aire to EYE Office, Leeds & Liverpool Canal Office, 20 Canal Wharf, Off Water Lane, Leeds, LS11 5PS ? 0113 2346223. For those members who missed Eric’s talk to the Section in January 2000, an opportunity to hear about these fascinating discoveries.

13 Oct
The Fabric of Industry: the Archaeology of the Textile Industry in N.W. England. CBA NW IA Panel/University of Manchester Field archaeology Centre. Quarry Bank Mill, Styal. One day conference including tour of the mill. Fee for CBANW, AIA or affiliated group members (IHS is an affiliated group) is £8 for conference only or £14 lunch included. Cheques made payable to CBA North West. Details and bookings to Sue Mitchell, University of Manchester Field archaeology Centre, Architecture Building, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL ? 0161 275 2314.

14 Oct
Industry of the Carlisle Area. 3rd Annual Conference of the Cumbria Industrial History Society. Tullie House Museum, Carlisle. For details and booking send SAE to CIHS Bookings, Broombank Cottage, Lindel-in-Furness, Ulverston, Cumbria LA12 0LW.

24 Oct
A Taste of Melton. 62nd East Midlands IA Conference, Melton Mowbray. Hosted by the Leicestershire Indutrial History Society on the theme of the town’s IA and a look at its major industries- pies and pet food. Send SAE for details to Mark Sissons, 1 Far Coton, Market Bosworth, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, CV13 0TJ.

27 Oct
Local and Family History Day organised by the West Yorkshire Archive Service. 10.30am – 4pm. Methodist Mission, Lord Street, Huddersfield.

10 Nov
Barnsley Local History Fair Central Library, Shambles Street, Barnsley.

18 Nov
Heptonstall. A full day YAS outing led by section member David Cant walking around this fascinating hilltop village, looking particularly at its vernacular architecture. Cost £4 booking via Janet Teague, YAS at Claremont.

8 Dec
The Archaeology of Waterways and Canal Boats. Jo Bell. Talk organised by YAS Harrogate Group. More details from Mr P Eaton, 51 Wayside Walk, Harrogate, HG2 8NW.

6 Jan 2002
The Archaeology of the A1/M1 Road Link. Ian Roberts, West Yorkshire Archive Service. Talk organised by the Huddersfield & District Archaeological Society. 7.45pm. Town Hall, Ramsden Street, Huddersfield.

12 Jan 2002
Caphouse Colliery: The Making of a National Museum. Dr Margaret Faull. YAS talk at Claremont. 2pm.

11Feb 2002
From Coals to Optic Fibres: Our Canals from 1700 to the 21st century. David Blackburn. Talk organised by the Upper Wharfedale Field Society. 7.30pm. Town Hall, Grassington.
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Mar 2002
Industrial South Yorkshire. A full day YAS outing led by Derek Bayliss of the South Yorkshire Industrial History Society (and a section member). Date and cost to be confirmed nearer the time.

Railway Ramblers – Yorkshire Branch
Future dates
7 Oct
Lake Lock Rail Road. 7 mile linear walk. Meet Wakefield Westgate station 10.30am.

20 Oct
Worth Valley Railway Enthusiasts Day + GNR Lees Moor Tunnel. 5 mile linear walk + walk through the tunnel. Meet Oxenhope Station 10.15 am.

27 Oct
Video Day at York Railway Institute from 11am. £2 admission.

15 Dec
GNR Batley to Birkenshaw. 6 miles linear. Meet Batley Station 9.30am.

Group meets on the 1st Tuesday in each month at 8pm in Beckett’s Bank pub, Park Row, Leeds. Details from Jane Ellis ? 0113 249 4644

Thoresby Society
The object of the Thoresby Society is to cultivate an interest in the history of Leeds and its neighbourhood. The lecture programme covers all aspects of history but the 2001-2002 programme contains the following lectures that may be of interest to industrial history section members.

6 Nov
Aviation History in and around Leeds and Hull-Pioneers, Personalities and Politics 1885-1955. Professor Robert Blackburn will talk about Blackburn Aircraft and the work of his grandfather, the founder Robert Blackburn. 7.15pm, Friends’ Meeting House, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds

8 Jan 2002
Corn Mills, Corn Exchanges and the Leeds Grain Trade c 1700-1900. Kevin Grady 7.15pm, Claremont, Clarendon Road, Leeds.

5 Mar 2002
The Delf’oles of Leeds, the Sandstone quarries of the Leeds Area. Murray Mitchell. 7.15pm, Friends’ Meeting House, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds.

The Society is anxious to increase its membership. Each member may bring one guest to a lecture evening, but after two such visits guests wishing to continue to attend must apply to join the Society. Membership details from The Thoresby Society, Claremont, Clarendon Road, Leeds, LS2 9NZ.

South Yorkshire Industrial History Society

Section members are welcome to attend SYIHS lectures. Progamme is as follows:

Sheffield programme held at Kelham Island Museum, Sheffield at 7.30pm

19 Nov
The Sheffield Outrages – Joan Unwin
10 Dec
The Industrial Archaeology of North Derbyshire – Dudley Fowkes
21 Jan
The Chesterfield Canal: archaeology guides the restoration – Chris Drage
18 Feb
Ganister Mining especially around Worrall and Wadsley – Ray Battye
2 Apr
11th Dr Kenneth Barraclough Memorial Lecture – Raking over the Ashpit: recent excavations into the Industrial history of Sheffield – Andy Lines. Joint meeting with SMEA. 5.30pm for 6pm at the Holiday Inn Royal Victoria Hotel, Sheffield.
29 Apr
Tunnels and Tunnelling – Paul Sowan
20 May
The Sheffield – Chesterfield – Derby Turnpike – Howard Smith

Barnsley programme

26 Nov
Joseph Bramah Lecture. Henry Maudsley: Bramah’s pupil or master?- Professor Francis Evans
7pm. Cooper Gallery, Church Street, Barnsley.
11 Mar
Black Diamonds to Bakelite: Barnsley’s coking and byproducts industries. – Trevor Lodge
7pm. Barnsley Central Library, Shambles Street, Barnsley

Joint Meeting with Rotherham Local History Council

8 Dec
Early Industrialists: the Cistercians and other monks – Professor Francis Evans
10.30am. Rotherham Central Library and Arts Centre.

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FOR YOUR BOOKSHELF

Or more accurately for the only item – for your computer via the internet.

Halifax: a study in Industrial Archaeology (www.mroe.freeserve.co.uk/halifax.htm)
Lead mining in the Yorkshire Dales (www.mroe.freeserve.co.uk)

Both are the subjects of web pages produced by Martin Roe. Members may recall I included a reference in the last newsletter to a CD-ROM on the Cononley Lead Mine produced by Martin Roe. This time Martin has made information available on the web. Martin Roe graduated from the University of Leicester with a first class BSc in Archaeology, he is currently studying for an MSc in Archaeological Prospection at the University of Bradford and is a member of several mining history groups.

The Halifax site aims to be a broad introduction to some of the interesting sites that have remained in the Halifax area. The site is still being developed but already includes information about textiles, coal and clay mining and quarrying.

The Lead Mining site is an extensive site with maps, photographs and text. The website provides an introduction to the mining process and the archaeological features which have remained. The main headings are: Where are the Mines; Brief History of Lead Mining in the Yorkshire Dales; Virtual tour of the Mines. Both sites are well worth a look and I feel point the way to information in the future.

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REPORTS OF LECTURES/VISITS

Industrial History Section visit to Sowerby Bridge, 5 May 2001
Margaret Tylee

David George led a small party of nine members and friends around Sowerby Bridge pointing out many of the interesting industrial features of the town as well as sites where industry has long gone. We followed approximately the free leaflet published by Calderdale Council – Sowerby Bridge Discovery Trail. We met at Tuel Lane Lock and Tunnel on the Rochdale Canal. The new No. 3 lock and its tunnel combined the original locks 3 and 4 and were opened on 3 May 1996. The restoration saw the re-joining of the Rochdale Canal and the Calder and Hebble Canal after they had been separated in 1969 by filling in the canal. Sowerby Bridge was an important trans-shipment point between the two canals that was necessary because the locks on the two canals were different sizes. Tuel Lane lock is one of the deepest in the country at 30’ deep and the lock keeper was kind enough to let us walk down to the lock edge to view the drop at close quarters. Alongside the Rochdale Canal, now a supermarket car park, is the site of the Bank Foundry founded by Tim Bates in 1786, later to become the firm of Pollit and Wigzell. From 1834 onwards, mill engines were made here. These were mainly beam engines until 1870, then horizontal tandem and cross compound types with slide, Corliss and drop piston valves. The last steam engine was made in 1923 and the works closed in 1931. In Tower Hill we paused to view the Corporation Mill of 1848 a worsted spinning mill owned by William Morris. The Sowerby Bridge Council Offices, Old Fire Station (1904), Swimming and Slipper Baths (1877) and Carnegie Library (1905) are together in Hollins Mill Lane. Further along Hollins Mill Lane we reached the curiously named Puzzle Hall Inn, originally a gatekeeper’s lodge. Across the river Calder was the site of Crossley’s Mill dating from the mid-19th century but demolished in 1980. Originally there was a footbridge across the river at this point. The site of the former railway sidings is now occupied by Fielden Engineering. Retracing our steps to the river we passed the Town Hall with an elegant clock tower. It proved to be too expensive for the town council to pay for in 1857 and was never used as a town hall. It became the Liberal Club and is now a bank. The County Bridge has been an important crossing point since medieval times. The current bridge was added to in 1632 and 1875. In 1738 there were 13 water wheels on the river here serving woollen factories, engineering works, printers and bookbinders.

After lunch the group resumed their walking tour from County Bridge to look at the original site of the railway station (1840) in Sowerby Street, where Branwell Bronte was a clerk. We crossed the river Ryburn at Stirk Bridge another important medieval crossing and viewed William Eddlestones Ltd, past manufacturers of ladies’ coatings from camel hair, wool, alpaca and mohair. All the processes were carried out here with a tall spinning block and previously extensive weaving sheds. The group explored the remains of the sheds in the mill yard, now mostly derelict. Crossing the Ryburn again at Victoria Bridge, we noted from the plaque that the bridge had been opened in 1864 by Mayor R Stansfield and erected by F Berry & Sons of Sowerby Bridge. In Station Road we looked at the old police station and post office. There were some fine coal drops and storage bins for loading beneath the goods viaduct which deserve restoration. The present railway station was built in 1872 and we observed the ornate portal of the tunnel entrance to the now disused branch line to Ripponden. We then crossed back over the Calder and walked along the route of the original 18th century turnpike road. Straddling the road is Greenups Mill, built in 1792 and now converted into flats, this was Yorkshire’s first integrated woollen mill, all of the textile production processes were brought together under one roof. Waterwheels provided power for scribbling, fulling and dyewood grinding. Spinning and weaving were accommodated in adjacent buildings and a dyehouse and drying house were sited at one end of the yard. The mill is referred to in Anne Lister’s diaries and latterly was driven by two vortex water turbines powering 100 looms. The remains of red bricked Longbottoms Mill stood alongside and further on Carlton Mill built in 1850 and powered by steam, now flats, offices and an adult education centre. We ended the walk at Canal Basin with its impressive collection of canal warehouses and colourful boatyard. We obtained permission to view the inside of the Salt Warehouse built in 1796 and now used for boat building and restoration. There was an interesting arrangement of roof timbers and hoists used to move material around in the building. Warehouse No.1 (1770) is now The Moorings pub and Warehouse No. 2 (1788) houses various craft businesses. The area is well worth a visit, particularly on a sunny day.

Thanks to David for an enjoyable and informative walk.

Yorkshire Classic Car Club Rally held at Hebden Bridge, 5 August 2001
David George

Some years ago the section visited Hebden Bridge in the Calder Valley. Through David Fletcher and Pennine Heritage, Hebden Bridge was the pioneer of regeneration through arts, leisure and tourism as well as mill conversions for these and other purposes such as small businesses and alternative employment. The restoration and servicing of historic vehicles is one of these outlets and each year in Calder Holmes Park, the Town Council and local Business association sponsor a Sunday show for the public.

This year produced a wide range of entrants in both the car and commercial classes and the event was favoured with sunny weather. Local products were to be seen in the shape of a Jowett 4-seater saloon, a Bradford van and a Brough Superior limousine of the 1930s which must be quite a rarity. Your reporter was also taken with a 1936 14 h.p. Armstrong Siddeley. A 14/40 Swift of 1926 and a Railton coupe. In the commercial class, the oldest was the Belsize (Manchester) van K.471 owned by Bob Barker of Trawden. Others of interest included an Austin pickup truck, a Ford Model T van belonging to Hebble Auto Sales and a Fordson van which I always associate with travelling fishmongers. There were also Morris light vans in Post Office and GPO telephones liveries. The majority of the entries were fully restored with one or two recently discovered awaiting attention. My nomination for the prize was the elegant Daimler saloon ( pre- selector gears and fluid flywheel) showing a strong influence of Frederick Lanchester their one time designer and pioneer of car construction.

Mills and More Mills – or What I did over the Summer
Margaret Tylee

I had several breaks over the summer, a long weekend in North Wales, a week in the Orkney Isles, days out in Derbyshire and a few days in the Home Counties and London. None of them especially IA orientated but I still managed to visit some interesting sites.

While in North Wales I picked up an informative leaflet produced by the Welsh Mills Society listing details of mills open in Wales. The nearest one to where we were staying in Porthmadog was the Brynkir Woollen Mill at Golan. The mill was originally a corn mill and was converted to woollen manufacture about 150 years ago. Since then it has been in continuous production in the same family. The water wheel still turns but the power for the processes is electricity produced by a water turbine, supplemented by mains electricity. Visitors are able to see the machinery being operated (unless you arrive at lunchtime). These include carding machines, spinning mules, doubling and hanking machines, cheese and bobbin winders, warping mill and looms. There was even a link to Yorkshire in that the weaving looms were made by Goldthorpe and Co., Black Rock Works, Linthwaite, Huddersfield. All the products on sale in the shop had been carded, spun and woven on the premises. There were few visitors when we were there and most went straight to the shop. Worth a visit if you are in the area.

Moving on to a completely different type of mill, this time in Orkney. The Click Mill near Birsay is the only Orkney example of a horizontal waterwheel, a type which is very common in Shetland and Scandinavia (often called a Norse mill). In this mill, a turf covered structure built in 1823, a small stream powers a small set of horizontally mounted millstones by means of a small wooden wheel or tirl connected directly to the upper stone. The Mill is in the care of Historic Scotland and sits rather desolately alone in the middle of a field.

The only working watermill in Orkney is Boardhouse Mill built in 1873, powered by an overshot waterwheel. 110,00 gallons of water per hour from nearby Boardhouse Loch flow over the wheel to grind the grain. There are three sets of millstones: the shilling stones separate the husk from the grain, the oatmeal stones made from French burr and the beremeal stones made from local Yesnaby stone. Bere is a type of barley grown locally and used to make beremeal for making bannocks. There was an excellent guide who took visitors through the various processes and we were able to purchase the finished product at the end. From 1873 until the mill stopped commercial production in 1982, there had been only 5 millers. The son of the miller who worked between 1941 and 1972 returned in 1998 to be the miller for the Birsay Heritage Trust who have now assumed operating responsibility for the mill. There was an earlier mill on the site sited downstream called Barony Mill, which had an undershot wheel to produce meal and in a separate farm building, a large waterwheel drove threshing machinery. Both of these latter wheels were derelict. Taken as a whole the site was very interesting.

Finally closer to home, I visited Cauldwell’s Mill on the River Wye at Rowsley near Matlock. This is a fine example of an early water turbine driven roller mill. The present four storey structure dates from 1874, although there is evidence of earlier mills on the site. The mill was operated by water power until 1978. It was restored by volunteers and is maintained by a Trust. The mill orginally had two breast wheels driving eight pairs of stones for flour and three for provender (animal feed). These were replaced by roller mills in 1885 and 1914. The waterwheels proved inadequate and water turbines were installed in 1887 and 1896. Inside the entrance to the mill can be seen an underfloor Archimedean screw which transported the wheat from outside into storage bins. There are two water turbines, one used to work the provender mill making animal feed and the other driving the flour mill. Roller mills produce finer milled flour much more quickly. The wheat is first broken between fluted rollers rotating at different speeds, then transferred to smooth rollers to reduce the grain to smooth flour. Purifiers were once used to separate bran and germ from the endosperm to make white flour, but these are left in for wholemeal flour. The mill is one of the few working water powered rolling mills in Britain. Visitors can take a self guided tour and there is plenty to see with good signage and displays. At the end you can buy the output from the mill in the form of various types of flour and oats.

Margaret Tylee

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