Part of the infamous Dane Mills complex in Bosley is this small mill that sits a few hundred meters down the road.
Built in 1867 this little mill finished off its life milling mica (a silicate mineral) and is now in a real sorry state with collapsing floors and numerous holes to fall into.
The History
Bosley village has always been known for its mills which provided work for local families for centuries. There has been two mills on the River Dane at Bosley since the mid 18th century; Higher Works & Lower Works, approximately 600 metres apart. They were built to refine copper and brass that was produced at a smelting plant owned by a gentleman called Charles Roe of Macclesfield.
The 3rd Earl of Harrington (after whose family the pub is named) owned the land and leased it to Charles Roe. He had several cottages built at both works for the working families. There is also a large dwelling behind lower works mill that is known as Harrington House.
James Brindley, well known locally for his engineering works, designed the pools and weirs to drive the waterwheels which powered the engines, that in turn drove the rollers to make the sheet copper. This sheeting was used on the hulls of ships which were built of timber at that time.
In the early 19th century the mills were sold and began a period of silk throwing and cotton spinning. Mid century saw change again when both mills were converted to corn milling. There were three millers and a silk throwster recorded as working at the mills in 1860.
Goods at this time were moved by narrow-gauge tram line to a nearby wharf on the local canal which ran from Marple to Kidsgrove which had opened in 1831. Later goods were transported by a train link to join with the Macclesfield to Stoke-on-Trent line. A station was built in Bosley in 1846 at what is now known as Jubilee Shed, near Station House on Tunstall Road. The track and station were closed in 1964 as part of Lord Beeching’s cuts.
Corn continued to be milled until the 1930’s, then the works became Wood Treatment Ltd which ground wood flour, sawdust and wood shavings, then mica (at lower works mill) and coconut shell.
The Dane Mills at Bosley, were converted from corn flour to wood flour milling between 1926 and 1929. This initially was to supply the expanding linoleum industry, using the experience and machinery suitably modified. Expansion in the 1930's was undertaken to supply the growing Thermoset Plastics industry. Mica flakes and powders were added to the manufacturing programme in 1939, Coconut Shell flour in 1945, Olive Stone flour and granules in 1970, Almond Shell flour in 1986.
Wood Treatment Ltd was owned by the Thompstone family, comprising of 4 brother and a sister; all the brothers took an active part in the business. The Tug-o-War Team which took their name, was formed in 1947 and became European Champions in 1964 and later World Champions.
The wood treatment business continued under the ownership of the Boden Group since 2008 and some areas of the mills have been let to other firms, notably for granite worktops, pallet refurbishment and car repairs, etc.
In 2015 an explosion at Higher Works caused a great fire which burned for several weeks. Four people sadly lost their lives and other were seriously injured. Unbelievably the Boden group are still going today having suffered very little for the loss of life their negligence caused.
The explore
A pretty relaxed mooch really, decay wise the mill is in bad way. Sections of the roof have collapsed and running water can be heard underfoot in certain places. This put me off trying to get any closer to the mill race. The mill pond and grate for the wheel pit filled me with dread.
If the place did have a wheel at one point it looks like it has since been replaced with a turbine and generator which has sadly been butchered for scrap.
The photos
.
.
.
Maps
Old aerial photos
Today
And that's it, time to go...
Built in 1867 this little mill finished off its life milling mica (a silicate mineral) and is now in a real sorry state with collapsing floors and numerous holes to fall into.
The History
Bosley village has always been known for its mills which provided work for local families for centuries. There has been two mills on the River Dane at Bosley since the mid 18th century; Higher Works & Lower Works, approximately 600 metres apart. They were built to refine copper and brass that was produced at a smelting plant owned by a gentleman called Charles Roe of Macclesfield.
The 3rd Earl of Harrington (after whose family the pub is named) owned the land and leased it to Charles Roe. He had several cottages built at both works for the working families. There is also a large dwelling behind lower works mill that is known as Harrington House.
James Brindley, well known locally for his engineering works, designed the pools and weirs to drive the waterwheels which powered the engines, that in turn drove the rollers to make the sheet copper. This sheeting was used on the hulls of ships which were built of timber at that time.
In the early 19th century the mills were sold and began a period of silk throwing and cotton spinning. Mid century saw change again when both mills were converted to corn milling. There were three millers and a silk throwster recorded as working at the mills in 1860.
Goods at this time were moved by narrow-gauge tram line to a nearby wharf on the local canal which ran from Marple to Kidsgrove which had opened in 1831. Later goods were transported by a train link to join with the Macclesfield to Stoke-on-Trent line. A station was built in Bosley in 1846 at what is now known as Jubilee Shed, near Station House on Tunstall Road. The track and station were closed in 1964 as part of Lord Beeching’s cuts.
Corn continued to be milled until the 1930’s, then the works became Wood Treatment Ltd which ground wood flour, sawdust and wood shavings, then mica (at lower works mill) and coconut shell.
The Dane Mills at Bosley, were converted from corn flour to wood flour milling between 1926 and 1929. This initially was to supply the expanding linoleum industry, using the experience and machinery suitably modified. Expansion in the 1930's was undertaken to supply the growing Thermoset Plastics industry. Mica flakes and powders were added to the manufacturing programme in 1939, Coconut Shell flour in 1945, Olive Stone flour and granules in 1970, Almond Shell flour in 1986.
Wood Treatment Ltd was owned by the Thompstone family, comprising of 4 brother and a sister; all the brothers took an active part in the business. The Tug-o-War Team which took their name, was formed in 1947 and became European Champions in 1964 and later World Champions.
The wood treatment business continued under the ownership of the Boden Group since 2008 and some areas of the mills have been let to other firms, notably for granite worktops, pallet refurbishment and car repairs, etc.
In 2015 an explosion at Higher Works caused a great fire which burned for several weeks. Four people sadly lost their lives and other were seriously injured. Unbelievably the Boden group are still going today having suffered very little for the loss of life their negligence caused.
The explore
A pretty relaxed mooch really, decay wise the mill is in bad way. Sections of the roof have collapsed and running water can be heard underfoot in certain places. This put me off trying to get any closer to the mill race. The mill pond and grate for the wheel pit filled me with dread.
If the place did have a wheel at one point it looks like it has since been replaced with a turbine and generator which has sadly been butchered for scrap.
The photos
.
.
.
Maps
Old aerial photos
Today
And that's it, time to go...
