IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Bath Road, STROUD, GL6 0QN

The shape of things to come?

This wheel, once used as a prime mover to provide mechanical power for a woollen mill, but long-disused, may yet have a new lease of life providing 'clean' electricity via hydro power Image

This is the building in the background with what appears to be an asbestos cement roof. This unprepossessing, rendered L-shaped building with an attached small north-light shed has a long history. The site dates back to at least 1559 when Gigg Mill was granted to a local clothier. In 1786 the mill was being operated as both a grist and fulling mill with separate tenants. In 1850 the sale notice listed two waterwheels, two pairs of stocks (fulling stocks), gig, drums etc. In 1856 it was making flock and shoddy (waste textile products) and in 1862 the roof was destroyed by fire. In the early 20th century it was a fellmongers dealing with animal carcasses. It is now used in engineering and part of the site has a display of textile machinery demonstrated by the Stroudwater Textile Trust. In the foreground is a Severn Trent pumping station.

Former textile mill that is now a college. It has been extensively altered but has retained some of its industrial 'feel'. The pediment has been rebuilt and the cupola is new with a bell cast at the mill. There is also a waterwheel, relocated from Devon, and a microhydropower plant that I missed. The mill has variously been called Millbottom Mill, Great Mill and Leather Stiffner Works. It became Ruskin Mill in 1982 when it was reconstructed as craft workshops. In addition to its textile past it has been a corn mill, leather stiffner works and dyeworks.

Former textile mill that is now a college. It has been extensively altered but has retained some of its industrial 'feel'. The pediment has been rebuilt and the cupola is new with a bell cast at the mill. There is also a waterwheel, relocated from Devon, and a microhydropower plant that I missed. The mill has variously been called Millbottom Mill, Great Mill and Leather Stiffner Works. It became Ruskin Mill in 1982 when it was reconstructed as craft workshops. In addition to its textile past it has been a corn mill, leather stiffner works and dyeworks.

This unprepossessing, rendered L-shaped building with an attached small north-light shed has a long history. The site dates back to at least 1559 when Gigg Mill was granted to a local clothier. In 1786 the mill was being operated as both a grist and fulling mill with separate tenants. In 1850 the sale notice listed two waterwheels, two pairs of stocks (fulling stocks), gig, drums etc. In 1856 it was making flock and shoddy (waste textile products) and in 1862 the roof was destroyed by fire. In the early 20th century it was a fellmongers dealing with animal carcasses. It is now used in engineering and part of the site has a display of textile machinery demonstrated by the Stroudwater Textile Trust.

Ruskin Mill enjoys a new lease of life as a college centred on 'the education and care of young people who fall between the cracks of mainstream provision'. More here http://www.rmet.org.uk/

This unprepossessing, rendered L-shaped building (just left of centre) with an attached small north-light shed has a long history. The site dates back to at least 1559 when Gigg Mill was granted to a local clothier. In 1786 the mill was being operated as both a grist and fulling mill with separate tenants. In 1850 the sale notice listed two waterwheels, two pairs of stocks (fulling stocks), gig, drums etc. In 1856 it was making flock and shoddy (waste textile products) and in 1862 the roof was destroyed by fire. In the early 20th century it was a fellmongers dealing with animal carcasses. It is now used in engineering and part of the site has a display of textile machinery demonstrated by the Stroudwater Textile Trust.

This unprepossessing, rendered L-shaped building (part seen on the left) with an attached small north-light shed has a long history. The site dates back to at least 1559 when Gigg Mill was granted to a local clothier. In 1786 the mill was being operated as both a grist and fulling mill with separate tenants. In 1850 the sale notice listed two waterwheels, two pairs of stocks (fulling stocks), gig, drums etc. In 1856 it was making flock and shoddy (waste textile products) and in 1862 the roof was destroyed by fire. In the early 20th century it was a fellmongers dealing with animal carcasses. It is now used in engineering and part of the site has a display of textile machinery demonstrated by the Stroudwater Textile Trust.

The town is relatively isolated in its niche in the Cotswolds. The hilly terrain hereabouts made it relatively difficult to reach. There is more on the history of Nailsworth on its unofficial website http://www.nailsworth.com/