|
Brindley Water Mill
history of the mill |
| Millers have been grinding corn for eight centuries on the River Churnet near the town of Leek. In the early 13th Century, we are told, Earl Ranulph gave the corn mills at Leek and Hulme to the monks of Dieu la Cresse Abbey, but we do not know exactly where these were. In 1539-40 two mills in Mill Street, Leek, were among the assets of the nearby abbey. |
|
|
The present mill was built just over two centuries later, in 1752, almost certainly by James Brindley, the great canal builder, who is known to have set up his workshop in Mill Street, ten years earlier. |
| In the 19th Century the mill formed part of the Leek estates of the Earl of Macclesfield. Subsequently it had the same owners as neighbouring textile mills. The tenant millers turned their hands to whatever business was in demand. Flour milling, production of animal feeds and finally sawmilling were done here. |
|
Unfortunately, more than a third of the mill was demolished in 1948, when the Macclesfield Road was straightened. The lost part of the mill probably housed the drying floor.
After nearly two-hundred years in operation the mill had become derelict, and a part of Leek's heritage was almost forgotten. But in the 1960's Dr Cyril Boucher, an expert on the early engineers, made a detailed study of the mill. He was satisfied that a great deal remained of Brindley's work as both engineer and architect. |
|
| A charitable trust was set up in 1970 to purchase and restore the Brindley Mill, with a view to celebrating the life and work of one of the most remarkable men of his time. What remained has been returned to working order, mostly in its original state The mill was opened to the public in 1974, and with the completion of the museum in 1980 the great scope of Brindley's achievements can be illustrated. |
|
|
millers 1818 to 1940 restoration and maintenance 1965 to 2001 virtual tour of Brindley Mill |
|
| the 'lost' part ····· | ····· the 'saved' part of the mill |
| top of page |