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- Jan 6, 2013
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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:
img3708 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Ah, and some new editions to the landscape since my last visit:
img3710bw by HughieDW, on Flickr
img3711 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img3714 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Not much of the roof left:
img3715 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img3716 by HughieDW, on Flickr
This arch looks pretty precarious:
img3717 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img3718 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Grinding wheel no.1:
img3719 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Grinding wheel no.2:
img3720 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img3721 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Grinding wheel no.3 with tree!
img3722 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img3725 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img3726 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img3727 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img3730 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img3732 by HughieDW, on Flickr
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:
img3708 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Ah, and some new editions to the landscape since my last visit:
img3710bw by HughieDW, on Flickr
img3711 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img3714 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Not much of the roof left:
img3715 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img3716 by HughieDW, on Flickr
This arch looks pretty precarious:
img3717 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img3718 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Grinding wheel no.1:
img3719 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Grinding wheel no.2:
img3720 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img3721 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Grinding wheel no.3 with tree!
img3722 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img3725 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img3726 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img3727 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img3730 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img3732 by HughieDW, on Flickr