EDITORIAL

Another summer has passed and here is the Autumn Newsletter and details of the 2003/4 Lecture Programme. Spending two weeks in Devon and Cornwall at the end of June gave me an opportunity to visit some interesting industrial sites, including a Newcomen Engine in Dartmouth, the remains of a Serpentine processing works on the Lizard Peninsula and the Eden Project which has been built in a disused china clay pit near St Austell. Nearer to home I spent a pleasant day walking around the Magpie Mine in Derbyshire.

I am looking forward to the Lecture Programme arranged by David George. David has reminded me that he will be resigning as Lecture Secretary at the 2004 AGM so we are looking for a replacement for the 2004/5 programme. Please consider seriously whether you can take on this role if only for a couple of years. As usual also enclosed are the minutes of the 2003 AGM. If a member who was present has any corrections please let me know before the next AGM. You will note from the minutes and from the last Newsletter that the Section has been asked to give a donation to the fund for the refurbishment of Claremont. There will be a brief special business meeting on 4 October preceding the lecture to consider this request. A sum of up to £500 has been suggested. A good turnout from members would be appreciated to consider this request – and of course to listen to the lecture from section member David Perrett.

I am pleased to report that David Cant has revised the two Hebden Bridge Industrial Archaeology walks leaflets. These leaflets have proved very popular and since the original print run had all been sold, additional photocopies had to be provided. Sales were mainly through the Tourist Information Centre in Hebden Bridge. We were conscious that updating was necessary with several changes to be made, including a clearer map. We will have copies available for members and for sale by the end of September.

A couple of years ago to coincide with the 50th issue of the Newsletter, I mentioned my intention to produce a list of the short articles that have appeared in the Newsletter since the first issue in 1974. Due to lack of time I never managed to start this but fortunately David George had the same idea and more importantly has actually produced it! For ease of reference I have reproduced the list as a separate annex to this Newsletter. I think it makes interesting reading and in particular shows the wide range of lectures that the section has heard over the years.

While on the topic of articles, it was disappointing to read in the latest issue of the magazine Industrial Heritage that the editor has a shortage of articles and if none are forthcoming soon, he will have to cease publication. Members may recall that the magazine was rescued some years ago by the present editors Phil and Rita Hudson and it would be a pity to see it cease publication again.

I was sorry to hear of the death of longstanding section member Douglas Wemyss in the spring. Douglas, from Glasshouses near Pateley Bridge, was a regular attendee of lectures and excursions until the last few years. I sent my condolences to his widow on behalf of the section. Only one new member since the last Newsletter, welcome to Ms Wendy King. Members are reminded that membership leaflets are still available from Claremont and new members are especially welcome.

I hope to be able to produce an early Spring Newsletter again around February 2004, so let me have those articles and news items by the end of January.

Look forward to meeting many of you at the forthcoming lectures.

Margaret Tylee

NEWS FROM CLAREMONT

The Librarian has reminded members that suggestions for additions to the YAS Library are always welcome. If you use the Library and have a particular expertise or have researched a subject and feel there are books which the Library should have contact Robert Frost or Janet Senior at Claremont with the details. Robert and Janet will also be happy to advise on the Library’s collection policy.

At the YAS AGM in June, the YAS Treasurer Walter Bentley tendered his resignation due to ill health. The Society is therefore looking for a new Treasurer and initially seeking a volunteer from the membership. Ideally the person needs to live close enough to be able to visit Claremont on a regular basis, use a computer and be familiar with financial software. If you think you can help please contact the YAS Secretary, Jo Heron at Claremont.

The Claremont Development Fund is growing slowly, the total so far is around £5,500 but further donations are still welcome. A donation from the Section funds will be considered at the first meeting on 4 October.

HELP WANTED

2003 is the bicentenary of the birth of Sir Joseph Whitworth. The Whitworth Society is in the process of compiling a database of Whitworth artefacts and would be interested to hear from anyone who has information about the existence and whereabouts of any tools or equipment. The Institution of Mechanical Engineers is planning to combine the presentation of Whitworth Awards and Scholarships at the North West Region’s Annual Dinner in Manchester on 21 November. Any member who can help or would like further information should contact Geoff Ward, Margalla, Higher Gunnville, Milborne Port, Sherborne, Dorset, D19 5AW. Email address is GEOFFREYWARD624@aol.com

The Council for British Archaeology (CBA) is asked to advise on applications for listed building consent in England as one of the designated national amenity societies. It is currently notified of over 4500 applications each year. Some applications can be hard to assess without local knowledge or the opportunity for a site visit. There are many areas of the country where the CBA does not have access to individuals who can assist with these assessments and they have put out a call for volunteers in several local authority areas including Yorkshire. If you would like to know more about being a voluntary CBA historic building correspondent please contact Lynne Walker, Historic Buildings Officer, CBA, Bowes Morrell House, 111 Walmgate, York YO1 9WA or email buildings@britarch.ac.uk

The magazine Industrial Heritage that was previously saved from closure by Phil and Rita Hudson is reporting difficulties in finding enough material to fill its pages. The latest issue (Summer 2003) was 4 pages short and includes a plea for more material. If none is forthcoming the magazine will have to cease publication at the end of the year. It struck me that over the past few years we have heard some excellent talks from section members, perhaps here is the opportunity to see the results of your research in print. If anyone has short or long articles can you contact Industrial Heritage, Proctor House, Kirkgate, Settle, North Yorkshire, BD24 9DZ. 01729 825773.Email Hudson-history@daelnet.co.uk.

NEWS ITEMS

The South Yorkshire Industrial History Society is holding a series of events in 2003 to celebrate its 70th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of its purchase of Wortley Top Forge. The Society was founded in 1933 as the Society for the Preservation of Old Sheffield Tools and Machinery. It then became the Sheffield Trades Historical Society and has recently taking on the current name since it reflects more accurately the coverage of the society which is wider than just Sheffield. The Society will be holding a special exhibition at Kelham Island Museum, Sheffield from 12 October to 27 November which will reflect its history, activities and interests as well as information about the four sites it owns – Wortley Top forge, Rockley Furnace, Hoylandswaine Nail Forge and Bower Spring Furnace in Sheffield. The Museum is open Monday-Thursday 10-4 and Sunday 11-4.45. (Note not Saturday). There is an admission charge.

Also in Sheffield, at the new Millennium Galleries, there is a major exhibition on Sheffield knives and cutting tools called “A Cut Above the Rest”. The free exhibition runs from 23 August to 26 October and draws extensively on the collections of Ken Hawley MBE, who for many years was the Custodian of Wortley Top Forge. You might think that an exhibition devoted to knives etc would be of limited appeal, but having seen it for myself I would recommend it. The displays are well laid out and show the vast range of implements once produced by Sheffield companies. My only criticism was that some of the captions, although stylish, were difficult to read. The Millennium Galleries are situated in the centre of Sheffield, open 10-4 every day except Sunday when they open at 11. They are well worth a visit and you can combine the visit with the new, structurally interesting, temperate greenhouse which is just adjacent to the Galleries.

Coal shutes and a tramway at Alder Street, Hillhouse, Huddersfield have been recently listed as Grade II. They were built in 1900 by the London and North Western Railway for the Huddersfield Corporation Tramway. There are 40 chutes of timber, iron and blue brick with ashlar dressings.

Just across the border into Lancashire, the Ellenroad Engine House is the home of the world’s largest working steam mill engine. The mill was built in 1892 and rebuilt in 1921 after a fire in 1916 with the present 300hp-twin engine. The engine flywheel is 28 feet in diameter and weighs over 80 tons. The mill was electrified in 1975 but only survived until 1985 when it was demolished. However the engines, boiler house and chimney were saved and the Ellenroad Trust was set up to restore the boilers and engine. The Engine House is situated just off junction 21 of the M62 and a few minutes walk from Newhey railway station. It is open and in steam on the first Sunday each month except for January. Opening times are from 12 to 4pm. For more details including how to become a “Friend”, contact Ellenroad Engine House, Elizabethan Way, Milnrow, Rochdale, Lancashire OL16 4LG. There is a website at www.ellenroad.org.uk.

English Heritage has recently published their Buildings at Risk Register 2003. The Register is published annually and brings together information on all grade I and II* listed buildings and scheduled ancient monuments that are known to be ‘at risk’ through neglect, decay or vulnerable to becoming so. It is intended to keep attention focused on neglected historic buildings and monuments rather than as a criticism of the buildings’ owners. Industrial examples from the Leeds list are the first Leeds White Cloth Hall, 98-101 Kirkgate, grade II* described as being in very bad condition; Temple Works gate lodge, Marshall Street, grade II* in poor condition and Hunslet Mill, Goodman Street, grade II* in very bad condition. The full list, including photographs, can be viewed on the English Heritage website www.english-heritage.org.uk.

The autumn issue of Industrial Archaeology News contains details of four industrial archaeological investigations that have been undertaken in Yorkshire recently. The first three listed below were prior to housing development.
Mill House Farm, Ackworth, West Yorkshire. An investigation on the site of a corn mill known to have been in existence from 1774 and converted from water to steam power by 1850. Extensive and substantial 19th century remains were found. The likely locations of the boiler house, engine house and chimney were identified in the south eastern part of the site. In the north western part of the site were found remains of the water power and milling buildings.
Britannia Car Park, site of the York Town Gasworks, York. The gasworks were the first to be constructed in York. They were known to have been in existence since 1823 and were subject to considerable alterations during the 19th and 20th centuries before going out of use in the 1970s. Investigations revealed the surviving remains of the 19th century gasworks underneath destruction debris. Underground remains included brick culverts, tanks and underground services. Other structures included gas holding tanks, a benzene plant, coal gas purifiers and a chimney.

Stanningley Engineering Works site, Town Street, Stanningley, West Yorkshire. The site has buildings dating from the early 1850s. The site is important because it is thought to be the last surviving bridge-building works from the mid to late 19th century in the country. The standing remains chart the shift from industrial bridge building materials from cast to wrought iron.
The Electric Press site, Leeds. The Electric Press building was constructed in the late 1860s, principally as a warehouse, but was altered in the late 1890s to house a printing works. It retains features from both periods of use and appears to have received little further alteration. The Stansfeld Chambers immediately to the west of the Electric Press formed the core of a mid 19th century carriage works. It was converted to offices in the 1920s but still retains features of its original construction.

There have been various plans over the past few years to re-use Manningham Mills in Bradford. These renowned mills built in 1838 by Samuel Lister and rebuilt in 1871 following a fire were the largest textile mills in the north of England. The sheer size was clearly a potential problem for any subsequent re-use, however the Manchester based group Urban Splash have put forward a £85 million plan to convert the site into housing, shops and community facilities. Work is expected to start later this year.

The 3rd International Early Railways Conference is being held 16-19 September 2004 at the National Railway Museum, York. The call for papers has now been issued. Researchers into the history of early railways (defined as being railways that were pre main line in concept) who would like to present their findings at the conference are invited to indicate their intention to the Conference Editorial Panel. Proposals for papers which may be on economic, business and social history aspects, as well as technical subjects should be sent to Michael Bailey, ‘Ferroquin’, 14 Winton Road, Bowdon, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 2PB or email m.r.bailey@talk21.com. Details of the conference can be obtained from the Early Railways Conference Office, National Railway Museum, Leeman Road, York YO26 4XJ.

 

NEWS FROM THE NORTH EAST INDUSTRIAL ARCHAEOLOGY PANEL

 

Spring Meeting

The spring meeting of the Panel was held at Cragside, a National Trust property in Northumberland. Following the Panel meeting we were given a guided tour to see some of the items of industrial interest. These include the water-driven turbine that powered the electricity supply, a cast iron bridge and a collection of turbines, generators and associated equipment from elsewhere. The estate at Cragside was developed by the Armstrong family, who incorporated advanced features such as hydraulic power, particularly for electricity generation, in their country retreat. Their engineering works on Tyneside were responsible for significant developments in the application of hydraulics to cranes and the building of large bridges including the Tyne Swing Bridge and Tower Bridge in London. At Cragside there are displays on their industrial achievements and you can easily spend a day visiting the large mansion and surrounding estate and garden.

At the Panel meeting we discussed the continuing need for vigilance by everyone concerned on the impact of proposals for new buildings, roads and other developments. Although the Council for British Archaeology (CBA) should receive notification of any demolition affecting a listed structure, not all local authorities send their details. Furthermore most industrial sites are not listed. The Association for Industrial Archaeology (AIA) has appointed Dr Mike Nevell as their Threatened Site Officer and he can offer advice (? 0161 2752314). Both the CBA and AIA emphasis the important role that can be played by local people in notifying and better still recording threatened sites, even if it is only a photographic record, which can then be deposited in their local Sites and Monuments Record.

Reports received from Panel Members

Dales National Park
Lime industry: Langcliffe work completed and trail opened, new scheduling proposed
Ingleton complex scheduled
“Limestone Industries of the Dales” published
Lead: Gunnerside site consolidated
Kettlewell recording work underway
Workshop/seminar being held in October
Quarrying: Buttersett survey in progress
Dentdale marble survey
Roofstone Proposed survey
Gayle Mill, Hawes will benefit from a major grant for restoration from the NE Civic Trust

Tyne & Wear Specialist Conservation Team
Their Annual Report 2001/2 included reports on a number of industrial sites including Turnbull’s Warehouse, Newcastle and the Old Brewery Warehouse, North Shields both converted into flats; the recording of Stephenson’s cottage, Killingworth prior to conservation; the restoration of the engineering shop at the Bowes Railway and a recording and archaeological assessment of the port of Sunderland. The bicentenary of the birth of Robert Stephenson will be celebrated with a number of events in September and October.

South Yorkshire
Impact of the Sheffield Inner Ring Road on the Wicker Iron Works and the scheduled Bower Spring cementation furnace.
Cementation furnace revealed at the Neepsend Rolling Works, Sheffield,
Excavation work at potteries in Rotherham
Winterbottom’s Wire Mill, Barnsley which was the last wire mill in the area, has closed.
Elsecar Powerhouse housing displays of interactive science has closed to become an antiques centre.

Recent publications – Archaeology in South Yorkshire (published by South Yorkshire Archaeology Service) and Historical Archaeology of the Sheffield Cutlery and Tableware Industry 1750-1900 (published by ARCUS)

Exhibition ‘A Cut Above the Rest’ at the Millennium Galleries, Sheffield, 23 August to 26 October and associated day school on 20 September.

70th Anniversary of South Yorkshire Industrial History Society being celebrated with a series of events including a members-only lecture from Sir Neil Cossons on 30 October.

National Trust
Report on major programme on water infrastructure including detailed recording work. Work carried on Souter Lighthouse, South Tyneside includes disabled access.

National Association of Mining History Organisations
A recent survey of the Kettlewell Smelt Mill, which was active 1699-1887, has been carried out. Map evidence suggests another site nearby.
Funding secured to survey mining remains around Greenhow Hill between Pateley Bridge and Grassington. There are documented sites from medieval period and finds with Roman inscriptions. Complex water management features have been identified.

Next Meeting – and how you can help

The next Panel meeting is on Saturday 22 November at the YAS in Leeds. One of the agenda items is the production of a guide to sources that could assist people researching industrial history in the north of England. A draft list, including local journals, periodicals, specialist libraries and archives, has been compiled by Helen Gomersall. This already includes items like our own newsletter and that for Cleveland Industrial Archaeology. However if you have any suggestions of more obscure sources (for example in the Halifax/Bradford area An Illustrated History from Hipperholme to Tong by James Parker published in 1904 contains contemporary details of the Low Moor Ironworks and other foundries), please send me details of the title, publisher, date(s), ISSN/ISBN, a short description and availability. I will then collate and pass them on to Helen

I will be pleased to receive any comments from members or answer any questions about the Panel and its work.

David Cant

FUTURE EVENTS

11 Oct
The Underground Archaeology of Mining: a Hidden Resource. A seminar organised by NAMHO and supported by the Yorkshire Dales National Park. To be held in Grassington. Details from Martin Roe, 7a Moor Close Parade, Queensbury, Bradford, BD13 2JG

11 Oct
Kirkburton &Newton Goods Branches. Railway Ramblers 7.5 linear walk with pub lunch on paths close to the line. Meet 9.12am Huddersfield Station for bus to start. Details from Jane Ellis ?0113 2494644.

17 Oct
EMIAC 66: The Show Must Go On. The 66th East Midlands IA Conference on the History and Buildings of the Entertainment Industry. Hosted by the Derbyshire Archaeological Society and the Ilkeston & District Local History Society. Held in Royal Regency Banqueting Hall, Ilkeston Co-op Department Store. For details send a SAE to M Sissons, 1 Far Coton, Market Bosworth, Nuneaton, CV13 0PJ.

19 Oct
Master of Them All – Iron and Steel in Cumbria. Day conference organised by the Cumbria Industrial History Society and the Historical Metallurgy Society. Hundith Hall Hotel, near Cockermouth. Conference fee £17.50 inclusive of coffee, tea and lunch. Details and bookings from Mrs J Bennett, CIHS Bookings, Broombank Cottage, Lindal-in-Furness, LA12 0LW

21Oct
Not Sprung from Princes: Thomas Wright of Mulcture Hall and the domestic system of clothmaking. Talk by Stephen Caunce. Halifax Antiquarian Society. Halifax Central Library. 7.30pm

1 Nov
Barnsley Local History Fair 10am – 3pm Central Library, Barnsley

18 Nov
Mills of the Luddenden Valley. Talk by Eric Webster. Halifax Antiquarian Society. Halifax Central Library. 7.30pm

24 Nov
Leeds & the Industrial Revolution. Talk by Ken Biggin. East Leeds Historical Society. Methodist Church Hall, Austhorpe Road, Crossgates, Leeds. 8pm.

2 Dec
Wainstalls Waifs: life and early deaths of orphans at Calverts Mill. Talk by Mrs K Wynn. Halifax Antiquarian Society. Halifax Central Library. 7.30pm

3 Feb 04
The Steam Engineering Heritage of Leeds. Talk by Derek Rayner. Thoresby Society. Friends Meeting House, Leeds. 7.15pm

14 Feb 04
Yorkshire Cotton. Talk by George Ingle. YAS Family History Society, Claremont. 11am

Below is the 2003/4 Winter Lecture Programme of the South Yorkshire Industrial History Society. The lectures are open to non-members of the SYIHS who will be asked to pay a minimum admission charge of £1. Apart from where indicated, all lectures are at Kelham Island Museum, Sheffield and will begin at 7.30pm

15 Dec
Pleasley Colliery: past, present and future – Bob Metcalfe
19 Jan
The Work and History of the Sheffield Assay Office – David Jarvis
9 Feb
Silkstone and its Waggonway – Jim Ritchie 7pm Central Library, Shambles Street, Barnsley
16 Feb
History under the Arches: the River Don and its crossings in Sheffield – Simon Ogden
21 Feb
Rotherham Steel United: Park Gate and Steel Peech 1940-1995 – Trevor Lodge
10.30am Rotherham Central Library and Arts Centre
9 Mar
Davy: the history of a Sheffield engineering firm – Michael Steeper
13th Dr Kenneth Barraclough Memorial Lecture. 5.30pm for 6pm at the Holiday Inn Royal Victoria Hotel, Sheffield.
15 Mar
Monk Bretton: from the monks to the present time – John Hislop
Joseph Bramah Lecture, 7pm Cooper Gallery, Church Street, Barnsley
19 Apr
John Fell & Co. of Sheffield, ironmasters – Peter King
17 May
The History of Rivelin Chase and Stanage Moors – David Hey

Dates for your diary in 2004
As a follow up to the January 2004 lecture by David Cant and Clive Lloyd on the History of Castle Carr, David and Clive are organising a visit to Castle Carr on 27 June 2004 starting at 2.30pm. This will be in conjunction with the Todmorden Antiquarian Society and the Mytholmroyd Local History Group. The estate is not normally open to the public but we would be able to visit the ornamental water gardens, the reservoirs built for Halifax Corporation in the 1860s, the site of the Castle, the remains of the Victorian gasholder and the works, which are now converted into a dwelling. More details will be provided in the next Newsletter.

FOR YOUR BOOKSHELF

 

Henry Maudslay & the Pioneers of the Machine Age. Edited by John Cantrell and Gillian Cookson. Published by Tempus. 2002. 192pp. £16.99

A welcome new book on the engineers and engineering businesses of the Industrial Revolution and after. It consists of nine fully referenced essays by different authors together with an introduction by section member Gillian Cookson. Partly the study is to compensate for the lack of coverage given in Smiles (the edition I have is that of 1905) to Roberts and Whitworth in particular and to correct some of his priority claims. Apparently these arose from Nasmyth’s antipathy to Whitworth in advising Smiles. John Cantrell writes about Maudslay himself and Angus Buchanan contributes a very readable chapter on Whitworth. The London Engineering Industry at the Time of Maudslay by A P Woolrich breaks new ground and for the first time, there is a full treatment of William Muir by Tim Proctor; Muir was an important Manchester manufacturer of machine tools whose Britannia Works was extensive and continued to operate until 1932.

What is clear from the accounts is that most of these engineers devised their own versions of planning, slotting and drilling machines, screw cutting and other lathes which they also exhibited and offered for sale. Thus it is virtually impossible to say who first invented what. Also that although Maudslay employed several pioneers, they in turn contributed to improvements in his workshops whilst there as pupils, draughtsmen or journeymen. The book includes some interesting episodes or case studies in the lives of the engineers, such as the involvement of Clement over many years with Babbage’s first calculating machine. Clement produced many of the drawings, designed special tools and fabricated parts for what was always going to be a loss making enterprise for both Clement, when Babbage consistently disputed his costs, and for the Treasury which was part funding the work. Another example is the considerable time and expense made by Whitworth to make and test an improved rifle and later naval cannon, only to have them rejected by the War Office and Admiralty in favour of, in the latter case, Armstrong’s version.

Where known, there is some discussion of shareholding, profit and loss and industrial relations in the enterprises of the engineers but on the latter topic, readers will find much fuller accounts in F W Kingsford’s book “ Engineers, Inventors and Workers” published in 1964. Academics may also remember Gregory’s 1971 book “History and Development of Engineering” in which he attempted a synthesis in a number of chapters, for example ‘Mechanical Engineering’ in 7 pages and ‘the Development of Machine Tools’ also in 7 pages. This was aimed at students with a limited knowledge but does present an interesting contrast to the approach taken here.

Now for some minor criticisms. The spelling of Maudslay is not consistent, sometimes he appears as Maudsley, which he altered after his marriage- but that is no excuse. Then there is Edmondson (not Edmondsen p 149 etc.), the designer of the first railway ticket machines who incidentally seems to have persuaded a number of engineering firms to manufacture the machine, perhaps when they were short of orders. Lastly those writers who concentrate on the innovations to the various machine tools ought really to provide lettered diagrams if the reader is to understand what action is being discussed. It is not enough to reproduce old prints however interesting.

A D George
May 2003

Steeped in History: The Alum Industry of North East Yorkshire. Edited by I Millar. Published by the North York Moors National Park Authority. 2002. 145 pp. ISBN 0907480942. £15.

I have not seen this book but it sounds very interesting. The following review appeared in the Summer issue of Industrial Archaeology News.

This A4 paperback is a collection of nine chapters from eight authors with a glossary. The chapters include an introduction the alum industry, a historical overview and an account of the manufacture of alum from shale. Three chapters look at specific sites – Peak, Carlton and Boulby; two examine shipping and local anchorages; a concluding chapter from the editor collates the evidence and suggests a future agenda for research. There are five appendices that include notes on the relevant chemistry of the process and a gazetteer of 16 coastal sites. It is well illustrated and a useful publication on an early chemical industry.

*****