Hawton Gypsum Grinding Mill, Newark, Notts, November 2017

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HughieD

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1. The History
This run-down Gypsum Grinding Mill is the last remaining remnant of the former Hawton Gypsum works. Built in the late 19th century, the works were established when the nearby Beacon Hill Quarry opened in 1881. It was linked to the quarry and to a wharf on the River Trent by a tramway. The grinding mill was an important part of the gypsum plaster manufacturing process. Although now in very poor condition, it is a rare survivor, primarily due to its Grade II Listed Building status, previously granted largely due to the completeness of the machinery. The site was in use until 1993 but after its closure the arson and metal thieves obliterated the interesting equipment, leaving an empty shell. The mill itself is a two storey linear building with semi-circular arched openings, built in red brick with blue and buff brick decorative elements. Most of the former corrugated sheet roof covering has now gone.

2. The Explore
Came here just over a couple of years ago after finding this place on the "Buildings at Risk Register". Not too much has changed since the last visit and the building remains in a critical state. Shame really as it has some nice features. It's very much open-access and a walk up. It's also a bit of a shell with little of interest 'inside' bar the three former grinding wheels. That said it's an atmospheric and quite photographic place worth twenty or so minutes of your time.

3. The Pictures

Hello old friend:

38261184751_f481f7594f_b.jpgimg3708 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Ah, and some new editions to the landscape since my last visit:

38261184071_a390bd3293_b.jpgimg3710bw by HughieDW, on Flickr

38261183551_099322dc78_b.jpgimg3711 by HughieDW, on Flickr

38261182801_c13acc7b71_b.jpgimg3714 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Not much of the roof left:

38261181791_ca7c68cd17_b.jpgimg3715 by HughieDW, on Flickr

38261181121_d4037461da_b.jpgimg3716 by HughieDW, on Flickr

This arch looks pretty precarious:

38261180131_31b2c9551f_b.jpgimg3717 by HughieDW, on Flickr

38261178991_24425da042_b.jpgimg3718 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Grinding wheel no.1:

38261178301_585a4e033d_b.jpgimg3719 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Grinding wheel no.2:

38206302886_232efd2f15_b.jpgimg3720 by HughieDW, on Flickr

38206302256_bb7699efd7_b.jpgimg3721 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Grinding wheel no.3 with tree!

38206301676_8a8c36f292_b.jpgimg3722 by HughieDW, on Flickr

38206301226_9174d533d4_b.jpgimg3725 by HughieDW, on Flickr

37550388044_8ae63fb71d_b.jpgimg3726 by HughieDW, on Flickr

37550387444_bb4f1936b0_b.jpgimg3727 by HughieDW, on Flickr

37550386874_32ec1a8571_b.jpgimg3730 by HughieDW, on Flickr

37550386064_04f184413d_b.jpgimg3732 by HughieDW, on Flickr
 
Typical of the 'Let's List It and the building will maintain itself' attitude of many so called 'do gooders'. The actual value was in the production equipment inside the building - which nobody made any effort to secure properly; not in the brick structure - this is in fact no different to a number of brick warehouses of that era, that one can find still standing up and down the country. Of course the building structure is at risk - so what? Without the machinery, it is just another derelict, roofless four walls, not worthy of listing at all! When there are so many really worthwhile structures crying out to be listed; a large brick shed that has lost the whole of what made it originally listable, does not. Listing will have placed huge cost implications on how this structure is conserved and maintained - no wonder it is falling down. That amount of money ain't there, never was.
 
Typical of the 'Let's List It and the building will maintain itself' attitude of many so called 'do gooders'. The actual value was in the production equipment inside the building - which nobody made any effort to secure properly; not in the brick structure - this is in fact no different to a number of brick warehouses of that era, that one can find still standing up and down the country. Of course the building structure is at risk - so what? Without the machinery, it is just another derelict, roofless four walls, not worthy of listing at all! When there are so many really worthwhile structures crying out to be listed; a large brick shed that has lost the whole of what made it originally listable, does not. Listing will have placed huge cost implications on how this structure is conserved and maintained - no wonder it is falling down. That amount of money ain't there, never was.

Watch the BP DS, You coming to next year's knees up, I'll bring the BOP😇
 
That 2nd bw shot with the wind turbine is a beaut! and so is the 5th shot silhouetted roof lookin into the sky. I dont like seeing these wonderful buildings becoming so neglected that demo becomes the only option as too expensive to save...enjoyed your report thanks[emoji3]
 

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