(1) MILLS ON
THE TEIGN by Martin Bodman
Martin Bodman has
been researching mill sites in the South West for
over twenty years. His previous publications
include ‘Devon Leather’ (2008), Inclined Planes of
the South West (2012) and ‘Mills on the Yeo’ (2013)
Martin’s latest
book is a companion volume to ‘Mills on the Yeo’.
It contains a gazetteer of 125 water-powered sites,
including mills and mines on the Teign and the Bovey
rivers and their tributaries, in and around
Dartmoor.
With references to
over 150 millers bakers, mill owners, iron founders,
and millwrights, with a further 48 sites listed from
the rest of the Teign catchment, including locations
in Ilsington, Newton Abbott and Kingsteignton.
This book is
essential reading for anyone interested in water
power in this region, and the book demonstrates how
to study mills of a whole area and make the results
accessible in an attractive form.
Make sure you
order soon if you want a copy, as this is a limited
edition of 300 copies and is sure to sell fast.
The book can be
purchased from Tor Mark Press, United Downs
Industrial Estate, St Day, Redruth, Cornwall TR16
5HY
price £16.00
including postage and packing.
ISBN-10: 0954875834
ISBN-13: 978-0954875831
Review by
Andy Fish
(2)
WATERMILLS AND STONEGROUND FLOUR
MILLING by
Nigel S Harris
This book presents an extraordinary
explosion of wonderful color photos illustrating
subjects as diverse as waterwheel & millstone
representations on 13th century pewter coinage, boat
mills, millstones, historic watermills, miller’s
wagons, mill gearing and all sorts of related
molinological marvels. The color illustrations and
photos are complemented by a high number of superb
black & white technical views.
These include architectural and
engineering details, diagrams, sections,
perspectives and axonometric drawings all rendered
to make the most mysterious mill subjects better
understood.
The drawings were
prepared by John Brandrick. All of the drawings in
this extraordinary volume are completely new and
previously unpublished as are most of the
photographs.
The book is a true
treasure and a major accomplishment - a visual and
verbal walk through the many parts of old
water-powered gristmills - to see how many were
commonly (and some uncommonly) designed and
operated.
Harris’s new book
is an extremely rich and finely structured resource
that covers such topics as traditional waterwheels,
gearing, penstocks, water flow, meal, bran & flour
production - and more. This volume receives an A+
rating in all respects - and is one that will
benefit all 21st
century mill buffs. It is a “Must Read” new
molinological reference.
We must also give
thanks and credit to John Bedington (former miller
of Charlecote Watermill for 34 years) who proof read
the book draft and made many constructive comments.
To obtain a single
volume or multiple copies of this book, please
consult or contact (1) Amazon.co.uk or (2)
ebay.co.uk or (3) The Mills Archive Trust in the
United Kingdom.
Review by John Goff USA
(3) FULLING
MILLS OF SUSSEX by Alex Vincent
Alex Vincent is
making a nice habit of producing and publishing
small scale mill books, for regional mill
enthusiasts. After success with books on tide
mills, he has turned his efforts to fulling mills to
great effect.
The Fulling Mills
of Sussex is in A5 format, largely in full colour
and describes with their history, 30 fulling mills
in the county, none of which any longer operate
fulling stocks and many sites in 2014 show little
above ground level. A map of the county shows the
distribution of these named mills. Sussex Fulling
Mills are rare with a further possible 25 listed as
possible sites in the county. It ends with brief
conclusions and a comprehensive bibliography.
This publication
addresses a void in our milling history which is
very welcome and most informative. With only 500
copies printed and a sale price of £3.95, it may
well sell quickly, so order your copy soon.
ISBN
978-1-989753-10-1
.
Review
by David
Plunkett
