Houses at Cumledge Mill, Duns

Image: © Jennifer Petrie Taken: 21 Oct 2020

There has been a working mill here using the waters of the River Whiteadder for several centuries. In 1854 it was a water driven spinning mill manufacturing hosiery. The owner William Laidlaw then changed to making woollen blankets. He found his business to be thriving and by the early 1900's he was employing 100 people. By 1933 it became known as LAIDLAWS BLANKETS and TWEED MILLS. It had gained an international reputation especially in Canada and USA. During WWII they became the main supplier of blankets to the armed forces. Overall they had supplied them with over one quarter of a million blankets. Unfortunately in the Great Floods of 1948, when the flood waters rose to 8', they suffered great loss and damage. Production never really recovered to its former high levels. The demand for blankets had fallen and then the duvet arrived so the mill closed in 1972. Nothing now remains. While it was being demolished, this poem was discovered in the wall of the weaving shed. "Not till the loom is silent And the shuttles cease to fly Shall God unroll the canvas And explain the reason why The dark threads are as needful In the weaver's skillful hand As the threads of gold and silver For the pattern He has planned." Anonymous

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