Reported several times from 2010, but not since 2014 so I think it's time for an update. The old building is still there but most of the out-buildings round the back have now been demolished and most of the milling machines have been sold and removed. What little equipment remain still have lot numbers attached and I assume did not sell at the auction. A word of warning to anyone visiting: entry involves potentially getting covered in a lot of anti-climb paint.
Visited with @Oort
HISTORY:
Plagiarized, with apologies, from Clebby's report who came up with the most detailed history:
"Tewkesbury has a history of flour milling spanning many centuries. Monks from Tewkesbury Abbey used to produce flour at a watermill on the Avon, but by far the most substantial mill was just upstream from here at the massive Healings Mill complex, built for Samuel Healing in 1865. It did not start out that big, but bits were added here and there over the years and it grew into a sprawling tangle of different aged buildings. Luckily, the handsome 1865 buildings survive today.
When built, it was considered to be the largest and most modern flour mill in the world, producing 25 sacks of flour an hour in 1892. It has had, in the course of it's history, three means of transport in and out of it. It had road access via a handsome cast-iron bridge, rail access via the Tewkesbury to Upton-upon-Severn railway line, and canal / river barge access via the Avon. Barges were used right up until 1998, as the mill had two barges named Chaceley and Tirley which transported grain to the mill from Avonmouth and Sharpness.
The mill was purchased by Allied Mills in the 1970s, and was completely refurbished and fitted out with brand new machinery. It was in turn taken over by ADM Milling, but in 2006 they announced the closure of the mill and the loss of around 40 jobs. It milled flour for the last time on October 20th, 2006, ending 140 years of milling on that site."
REPORT:
There's two old buildings here. The one of the right carries an 1865 datestone and marked as "Borough Flour Mills", it is interlinked by a high bridge walkway to a building on the left that carries an 188? datestone. This left building is now covered in building ties and reinforcement bars. In old reports is was subsiding. In between is a cast-iron road bridge purposely built for the mills.
Round the back the out-buildings have been demolished
We start on the roof of the 1865 building with views across the River Avon of Tewkesbury. Within the town only Tewkesbury Abbey is taller than this mill. The roof is collapsed in places and water leaks into the mill building
Generally the photos tour the building from the top down. No idea what I'm looking at - I'm not a miller.
Lot numbers seen on the remaining machines
Crossing into the other building and this seems to have been the packing area. The building is dominated by huge silos.
Anyways thanks for reading. I assume Oort will come along soon who will up much better photos than the rubbish posted above.
Visited with @Oort
HISTORY:
Plagiarized, with apologies, from Clebby's report who came up with the most detailed history:
"Tewkesbury has a history of flour milling spanning many centuries. Monks from Tewkesbury Abbey used to produce flour at a watermill on the Avon, but by far the most substantial mill was just upstream from here at the massive Healings Mill complex, built for Samuel Healing in 1865. It did not start out that big, but bits were added here and there over the years and it grew into a sprawling tangle of different aged buildings. Luckily, the handsome 1865 buildings survive today.
When built, it was considered to be the largest and most modern flour mill in the world, producing 25 sacks of flour an hour in 1892. It has had, in the course of it's history, three means of transport in and out of it. It had road access via a handsome cast-iron bridge, rail access via the Tewkesbury to Upton-upon-Severn railway line, and canal / river barge access via the Avon. Barges were used right up until 1998, as the mill had two barges named Chaceley and Tirley which transported grain to the mill from Avonmouth and Sharpness.
The mill was purchased by Allied Mills in the 1970s, and was completely refurbished and fitted out with brand new machinery. It was in turn taken over by ADM Milling, but in 2006 they announced the closure of the mill and the loss of around 40 jobs. It milled flour for the last time on October 20th, 2006, ending 140 years of milling on that site."
REPORT:
There's two old buildings here. The one of the right carries an 1865 datestone and marked as "Borough Flour Mills", it is interlinked by a high bridge walkway to a building on the left that carries an 188? datestone. This left building is now covered in building ties and reinforcement bars. In old reports is was subsiding. In between is a cast-iron road bridge purposely built for the mills.
Round the back the out-buildings have been demolished
We start on the roof of the 1865 building with views across the River Avon of Tewkesbury. Within the town only Tewkesbury Abbey is taller than this mill. The roof is collapsed in places and water leaks into the mill building
Generally the photos tour the building from the top down. No idea what I'm looking at - I'm not a miller.
Lot numbers seen on the remaining machines
Crossing into the other building and this seems to have been the packing area. The building is dominated by huge silos.
Anyways thanks for reading. I assume Oort will come along soon who will up much better photos than the rubbish posted above.
