Fountains Abbey Mill.
By bloomer
15 comments
Nestling in the Skell Valley,by the ancient Abbey ruins,it is the only 12th century Cistercian Cornmill in Britain.it was built originally as a huge monastic watermill and granary,but it has also been a sawmill,stone mason’s workshop,and generating station for electricity,and has three storeys.It has been in use for over 850 years.It has remained in the same ownership as Fountains Abbey,and was spared at the Dissolution,because it was able to generate an income for the estate of £3 per year !
The Mill would have ground wheat,oats and barley,to feed the whole community on the estate,and the needy,bread being the basis of every meal.In the middle of the mill,two parallel undershot wheels turned,each powering a pair of grindstones,and the grain was stored above,on the top floor.It continued to grind corn till 1927,but no original machinery survives today.
This would have been the dining area,and is used for the museum now.
A pedestal base,made by the stone masons
There were lots of things on display in the museum.
One of the plates the monks would have used,and a ring,engraved with the letter H,presumed to belong to the Huby family who owned the land.
In the 1840’s an external wheelhouse was built,to house a new waterwheel which provided power for the sawmill.,until the 1930’s.The wheel still exists,and is 17 feet in diameter.Sadly it was too dark and murky to get a photo.
Back outside,and I just had to have a go at this..for whom the bell tolls ?
Somewhere to sit and ponder,and to take in the wonderful views.
After saw milling ceased,it continued to be used in many ways.It was used as a dairy operation in the early 20th century.During the second world war,it housed refugees,and in 1953,the top floor was used to celebrate the Coronation of our Queen.
A major restoration project began in 1993,funded jointly by the National trust and English Heritage.The millpond was cleared out,a new generator installed and the old turbine restored.Electricity can be generated again and the 19th century waterwheel was restored on site.The word ‘cistern’ was derived from The Cistercian monks,as they were experts in all things to do with water.
Here endeth the History lesson,hope you haven’t found it too boring,but it is a favourite subject of mine…I promise I won’t be ‘asking questions’:o))
23 Apr, 2011
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Comments
Fascinating ... nice to see the photos of the historical objects...
23 Apr, 2011
Thank you Hywel.I knew you would enjoy it.You do get a feeling of what it must have been like then..and how hard life must have been for them.
Thanks Terra,there were lots to look at.A little iron trowel,amongst them,a bit like our garden ones,which they used for the mortar.Amazing how many things survived,for us to see.
23 Apr, 2011
A very interesting place to visit, Bloomer...and you've managed to track down some of the history of the Mill too.
I imagine working there would have been cold, hard work.
23 Apr, 2011
Great history building built strongly to last as like the tools etc amazing what wealth there was then while others suffered a bit like to day no change I realy enjoyed this tour on how life was and the bread making. Shame most of the machinery had gone we could learn a lot from their works. Beautiful photos Sandra.
23 Apr, 2011
Lovely blog B. most interesting what a wonderful place I love the old stone work. I must say you get out and about in your mad half hour, no need for us to go anywhere as we are transported daily with peoples blogs!! Brilliant. Thanks. x
23 Apr, 2011
An aspect of Fountains Abbey I didn't know anything about. Lovely informative read - thanks, bloomer
23 Apr, 2011
Not at all, very interesting indeed! Lovely place isn't it....thank you for sharing.
23 Apr, 2011
enjoyed the history lesson sandra, i love these places.
23 Apr, 2011
lovely blog - I love visiting places like this - a few over in Norfolk - well a lot really , a few old barns and buildings to view and creepy ghost stories with them :-O
23 Apr, 2011
Thanks, Bloomer, a very interesting history lesson which I would not have paid attention to in school! You can add campanologist to your qualifications now you've rung that bell ... lol!
23 Apr, 2011
Incredible, that a building could be in use for 850 years! I love the simplicity of the architecture - it's so clean & airy looking.
24 Apr, 2011
Thankyou all,for your nice comments.I didn't remember all this off the top of my head ..there were some information leaflets available,so just did my interpretation of it..sorry to spoil the illusion ! Lol...and how much more interesting history is,since schooldays :o).The Monks were also a non speaking brotherhood,which would have made it difficult for them too..Imagine not being able to say," tear me another slice of bread,brother "! haha.
As for the Campanologist Shirley...more like " schools out forever" ..was it Alice Cooper who sang that ? Lol.
Glad you all enjoyed it..
24 Apr, 2011
Lol Sandra yes it was Alice Cooper the american who sand Schools out for summer you were just hopeing it was for ever when a kid lol.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbNEOJMGFAo
24 Apr, 2011
Thought it was,6d, ..and I wished all the last couple of years away ,at school .I loved it up till then..
24 Apr, 2011
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30 Dec, 2011
Very interesting. You know how I love old historical places. I could sense a wonderful atmosphere there. Interesting to note all the various uses the place has had over the years, and I'm glad it has survived, and is now being looked after.
23 Apr, 2011