Middleton Tape Mill (Derbyshire)
This was a smallware mill at Middleton-by-Youlgreave, south of Bakewell.
Location
This O.S. map shows a small 'Tape Factory' a short distance east of Middleton Hall. It is adjacent to the River Bradford, and is served by a track leading to a Corn Mill. The date is unclear. The title states: 'Surveyed: 1837 to 1838, Source mapping to: ca. 1863, Printed: 1880'. However text on the map states that it was published in 1840.
The 1878 O.S. map here shows that the site was occupied by an Engine House. By this time the water management arrangements had been altered, by constructing a series of dams and sluices, evidently in connection with trout fishing. Another edition of the map here shows 'Engine House (Pumping) at this location.[1]. This was almost certainly for the domestic water supply referred to in the 1877 article below.
Events
1835 Mill occupied by Tetlow (Tatlow?) and Fletcher, tape manufacturers [2]
1836 Partnership dissolved: J. Tatlow and G. Fletcher [3]
1840 Sale notice: 'Middleton by Youlgreave.
SIXTEEN TAPE LOOMS, Materials, STOCK-IN-TRADE, including five Wheels, three Winding Machines, ten Baskets, Beam, Scales and Weights, about one thousand Bundles of Tape, quantity of Cotton, three Bundles of Linen, and a variety of other effects,
TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION, Free from Auction Duty, On the Premises of Messrs. George and Charles Fletcher, Middleton Tape Mill, near Youlgreave, Derbyshire, on Wednesday, March the 4th, 1840, sale to commence at 11 o'clock.'[4]
1863 'On the 4th April, Geo. Fletcher, manufacturer, late of Middleton-by-Youlgreave, Derbyshive in his 79th year; at the residence of Mr Chas. Fletcher, chenille manufacturer, Leicester.'[5]
1877 'OPENING OF THE MIDDLETON-BY-YOULGREAVE WATER WORKS. .... It has hitherto been customary—in fact compulsory —for the fill to fetch what water they required from the brook which Hows down Middleton Dale, a distance of quarter of a mile, thereby entertaining a vast amount labour, besides occupying considerable time, and a change in this state of things was therefore highly desirable. Seeing then how matters stood, a feeling of compassion for his fellow villagers and employes, T. W. Bateman, Esq., of the Hall, nobly came forward and took upon himself the entire expanse of providing them with the means of obtaining water in a much easier manner. In the Dale and near to the hill out of which the spring flows, hydraulic pumps have been erected, by means of which the water is forced up, with 27 horse power engine, through main pipes of four inch bore, into a reservoir capable of holding 20,090 gallons, situate at the top end of the village, and three public taps having been constructed the water conducted to them by service pipes from the reservoir. By this means pressure has been obtained of 300lbs. to the square inch, the water capable of being thrown upwards of 120 feet high (or the roof of the hall) by hydrants in case of fire. Mr. Bateman has had the water laid into his residence with pipes of about one inch bore, and the majority of the inhabitants intend losing no time following his example, now that an opportunity is so generously afforded them. The whole of the works have been designed Mr. Bateman himself and carried out under his directions at a cost of something like £1100, and so highly did the villagers appreciate the invaluable boon thus conferred upon them, that they determined to celebrate the successful completion of the work with great rejoicings .....'[6]
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ [1] National Library of Scotland: Old Maps: Derbyshire Derbyshire XXVIII.7. 'Surveyed in 1877. Revised in 1902', See bottom L.H. corner of map
- ↑ Pigot & Co's Commercial Directory for Derbyshire, 1835
- ↑ Gloucestershire Chronicle - Saturday 24 September 1836
- ↑ Derby and Chesterfield Reporter - Thursday 27 February 1840
- ↑ Codnor Park and Ironville Telegraph - Saturday 18 April 1863
- ↑ Derbyshire Times - Saturday 8 September 1877