Report - Wansbrough Paper Mill, Watchet - Jan-Feb 2016

WhoDerpsWins · Feb 14, 2016

Explored part of the site with @Seffy in January and then a lot more of it in Feb with @Boba Low & @Dempsey

I remember reading a news article about the future closure of this paper mill last summer and thought it could be pretty interesting to take a look as it must have been one of the oldest paper mills still going in the UK. The mill started out 256 years ago. Fast forward to January me and Seffy went to check out a site down in Devon which turned to her derpier than we imagined. We needed something to look at on the way back so decided to scope it out but ended up exploring a section of it too. A return visit was in order and it didn't disappoint. There is a beautiful turbine in the Power House which made the visit pretty special!

History:

Wansbrough paper mill has played a significant part in Watchet's history, having first been established as a paper mill in the 1750’s after William Wood converted an old apple-press used for making cider to produce paper. By 1840 the paper mill was held by a group of men including John Wansbrough, a papermaker and Bristol stationer, whose family continued to be involved with the mill until 1903 and gave the mill its present name. Modern factory buildings replaced the old mill in the 1850’s and by 1865 the mill employed 120 people and was steam powered. Further buildings were planned in 1878 and by 1916 a new mill had been built alongside the old, which was demolished. The paper mill was let in 1916 to the Exmoor Paper and Bag Co. and claimed to be the largest paper mill in the country producing paper bags. In the early 20th century wood pulp was imported through the harbour from Scandinavia and later Esparto grass as well as the coal to power the plant until it converted to oil probably when it was enlarged in 1935. There were several fires in the stacked wood pulp and paper waste at the harbour and in 1937 two men died from falls at the mill. By 1979 the work force numbered 280 making it a vital part of the town’s economy. The mill produced paper and cardboard from recycled materials shipping the surplus to North Africa.

Wansbrough paper mill had been operated by several companies during its years, the last being DS Smith. It was announced during the summer of 2015 that the mill was going to close later in the year. It closed down for good on 23rd December 2015 with the loss of 176 jobs.

The Power House: