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View Full Version : Griffe Mill, near Haworth 02-01-2009



andym
11-01-2009, 06:58 PM
This was a re-visit of a site I went to have a look at a few months back. I first spotted this place earlier in the year when I was driving back from Ivy Bank Mill in Haworth. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of a chimney, way down the bottom of the valley. Having nowhere to stop as it was a narrow road, I thought I’d look for a road at the bottom of a steep valley, but there wasn’t one, just a stream.

Anyway, later on I checked out Google earth and found what looked like a ruin, so I went to have a look. It's right down the bottom of a valley which means it's a walk down a steep hill from where ever you park your car. The first visit was cut short due to lack of access - not so much finding access, but whenever I stepped inside, there was an almighty buzzing noise from what sounded like a million wasps :eek::eek: So I decided to come back when it was a bit colder, and they'd all died.

History – the mill was built in the early 19th century and by 1850 was a worsted mill. The mill shut in 1928, and appears to have been derelict ever since. Mind you when you consider the lack of access (down a steep path that is now a field), it’s probably no surprise as getting coal and wool to it must have been fraught with difficulties, especially in winter. The weaving shed at the side was more recently used by a shooting club who built a small breeze block structure to shoot out of.

This is how it used to look. I don't think it's possible to take this picture any more as the trees by the river hide the building from view.

http://www.haworth-village.org.uk/history/history-pics/large.asp?pic=122

External from within the weaving shed
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3268/3171914710_8d1e8fd671.jpg

Iron pipe - this was obscured from view on the first visit - not sure if it was for taking steam up from the boilers, or for taking water down from the mill pond above, down to the water wheel / turbine. The wheel was at some time replaced by a water turbine. Some steam power was added about 1895 but water power was used to the end. A gas engine had been put in by 1923. This was apparently fed from a mains supply at Oldfield not from the mill's own gas plant - the remains of the gas holder can still be seen.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1149/3171911800_2341cb2f84.jpg

'Internal' shots

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1341/3171086235_27b3a94b93.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3260/3171085527_d860528859_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1181/3171915462_caae0020be.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1156/3171082539_c6d6226039.jpg

And back outside
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3104/3171913796_03383db073.jpg

The area to the right of this picture was once the mill pond. This was fed by a goit from the river.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3102/3171083527_1d1b04139a.jpg

My rather poor attempt at a landscape shot - not easy as the place is kind of obscured by nature
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3245/3171084559_7b2f83d7c6.jpg

boxfrenzy
11-01-2009, 07:21 PM
That looks a great place. Nice photographs and almost looks like a Constable landscape on the penultimate one.

mickeylove
11-01-2009, 11:21 PM
nice pictures mate your second pic is ace , it amazes me where trees will grow:thumb

KingElvis
12-01-2009, 08:40 AM
Lovely stuff mate, could you by any chance PM me a location.

Nice photos and a great location.

Neil
12-01-2009, 01:16 PM
Nice pics mate..
And I don't blame you with the wasps the first time round, I HATE them!
I'd be out of there in a shot if I saw just one!

Muse
12-01-2009, 10:01 PM
Well done spotting the chimney.

Nice report and pics