Report - Knoll Mill / Wellington Mill, Greenfield, July 2019

[tarkovsky]

If it’s not Drains on Film then it has to be Mills on Film... Bit of a delay writing this one up, just out of laziness really, but as there’s not been a report from here in years I think it’s worth an update...

History

This bit is ‘borrowed’ from a 2011 report by @The Lone Ranger (thanks!):

Wellington Mills in Greenfield, Saddleworth was built in 1852 for Shaw, Son and Lees cotton Spinners who traded until 1858 and were the succeeded by N Broadbent and Sons until 1932 after which the buildings were left unused for 6 years. 1938 saw part of the buildings used as a general engineering works and in 1941 the rest of the premises were opened up with the installation of 362 looms by the fabric weaver B. Kershaw.

In the years up to 1946 the engineering section of the mill produced engine parts for bombers after which it became first a naval store and then a store for the British Wool Board. In 1946 the buildings and land were purchased by William Oddy who transferred their woolen carding and mule spinning operations form Shipley to the mill. This was the birth of the Knoll Spinning Company.

And a few more recent updates...

The mill complex used to be a lot bigger but the majority of the site was demolished in 2010 to make space for a big Tesco.
There’s a report (including pics) on a fire at the mill in 1955 where a firefigher lost his life: https://www.ife.org.uk/Firefighter-Safety-Incidents/1955-wellington-mill/39793

Article about the Mill’s potential (unknown) future: https://saddind.co.uk/whats-next-for-knoll-mill-as-vandals-target-building/

Here’s a property guide advertising the mill for sale for development for £650 000: https://wtgunson.agencypilot.com/st...3_rk7jrm3a568z503e.pdf?agtype=7&agkey=311+291

Mills on Film

And some digital pics

A couple from the roof

And just when I thought I was done I decided to have a rummage in the filing cabinet that lay on the floor in the corner of the basement... documents dating mainly from 1982...

And finally, the obligatory... Suspicious Mill P0rn...

​

 

[tumbles]

Yes to film and urbex porn

 

[Calamity Jane]

Loving the film

 

[mockney reject]

good ole Fiona

 

[Camera Shy]

Vintage spaff mag. Winner

 

[Five.Claws]

The Fiona Cooper mag says 2001 yet looks like it's from about 1975. Odd.

Film shots are wonderful, I need to fire up the film camera and waste £15-- uh, I mean, have another go at film photography.

 

[albino-jay]

luvvly jubbly

 

[tarkovsky]

Thanks all for the comments.

The Fiona Cooper mag says 2001 yet looks like it's from about 1975. Odd.

Indeed. Although 2001 feels recent, 19 years ago is sometimes like a different world.

I need to fire up the film camera and waste £15-- uh, I mean, have another go at film photography.

this lockdowns a good time for a practice.

 

[Five.Claws]

this lockdowns a good time for a practice.

Not sure I want to waste film on pictures of the furniture though!

 

[tarkovsky]

Not sure I want to waste film on pictures of the furniture though!

haha! Well that pretty much describes what I’ve been doing since lockdown.