'Mills Transformed'

Following on from my little 'history of wool textiles' series, I managed to catch an exhibition I've been meaning to see for a while at Bradford's Industrial Museum. (It closes on 2 February.) Called 'Mills Transformed', it's a project by photographer Neil Horsley to document the many former textile mills that still survive in our landscape, in particular to explore how they have been transformed and repurposed in a variety of ways. He says: 'Across the north of England mills dominate skylines and define communities. Mills are as an important a part of our national heritage as churches, cathedrals and country houses. Local people often have an emotional bond to mills as nostalgic connections to their childhood, places where members of their family once worked and monuments to long gone industries and trades.'

It's true that they are everywhere, in our towns and in our rural valleys, and so much part of the scene that it's easy to overlook them, ignoring both their rugged grandeur and the part they've played in our history. Those that have been repurposed range from the hugely significant - my local Salts Mill being at the forefront - to the relatively mundane: small mills that have been revamped as residential units. 

Most of those pictured were familiar to me. Some, like those in my first photo, are still falling into dereliction and awaiting their various owners' ingenuity, money and persistence if they are to be saved. From L to R: Dalton Mills in Keighley, Midland Mills in Bradford and Temple Works, a former flax mill in Leeds. 

The second photo shows Bents Mill at Hallas Bridge and Old Town (Mitchell) Mill at Pecket Well, both residential conversions. 

The third image shows Legrams Mill, now student accommodation, and Douglas Mill, now a school, Dixons Sixth Form Academy. Both are in Bradford.  

I found the exhibition very interesting, reminding me of the gritty beauty of these buildings and the fascinating heritage we have access to. 

There's a comprehensive website on Neil's project HERE and a book about to be published. I might be persuaded to treat myself! It would provide me with some inspiration for a few more exploratory adventures. 

Edit: I did treat myself to the book, a signed copy from Salts Mill bookshop. The photos are wonderful and the text most readable and highly educative. For example, I have learned that the term 'family heirloom' derives from the practice of families passing on their most valuable possession - their weaving loom - to their descendants. Neil is, apparently, a member of Bingley Camera Club. He must be pleased with his new publication, the product of what must have been hours and hours of work, planning, research, organising, interviewing people, in addition to the actual photography. (I did note a few small errors - like 'overlockers' houses' in Saltaire that should read 'overlookers' ie: the mill's foremen.)  I highly recommend the book, especially to local folk interested in our heritage.