GB0LSM - Lymm Slitting Mill
Introduction
The mill just north of Lymm village has recently been reopened.
It had been closed since 2005 while it underwent archaeological
excavation and improvements to make it more accessible to the
public. The mill dates back to the 18th century and was used to
cut iron bars into rods that were that were used for a variety
of purposes including nailmaking and cooperage (barrel making).
Slitting mills consist of two pairs of rolls turned by water
wheels. Flat bars of iron about three inches wide and half an
inch thick were heated in a furnace and then then passed
between flat rolls which made it into a thick plate. It was
then passed through the second rolls (known as cutters), which
slit it into rods. The cutters had intersecting grooves, which
sheared the iron lengthways.
The rods where then passed to nailers who made them into nails
by giving them a point and a head.
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In the 19th century it was converted into a textile mill. This
probably involved the addition of several storeys to the main
mill building, implied by the discovery of load-bearing walls
across the original rolling and slitting floor. The textile mill
appears to have required one water wheel to power its machinery
as one of the wheel pits was abandoned during the conversion.
The excavation has researched the remains of the mill and
uncovered more about it's history. Visitors can read the new
information panels to discover the details. Restoration has been
carried out to allow parts of the mill to be left open, so as
much of it is on view to the public as possible. The improvements
also include better access from the north and south entrances to
Slitten Gorge.
More information can be found in a new booklet on the mill and
local slitting industry, produced by Oxford Archaeology North as
part of their archive work. For details contact local Ranger
Tim Baker on 01925 758195.
Lymm Slitting Mill reopens, May 2007
Lymm Slitting Mill, Cheshire Archaeology Day, June to July 2005
National Mills Weekend
National Mills Weekend is held on the second weekend of May each
year. The weekend is organised by the SPAB Mills Section of the
Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings. As many wind and
water mills as are able to will be open on one or both of the two
days of the weekend.
The Denby Dale Radio Club coordinates the Amateur Radio activities for the
Mills Weekend and the list of registered stations is here.
The next event will take place on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th
May 2009.
Some mills work as commercial businesses, while others are run by
enthusiastic volunteers. Fifty years ago, the windmills and
watermills of this country were thought to be in terminal decline,
but now there has been a renaissance in these wonderful reminders
of our past.
Wind and water are sustainable energy sources and were used by mills
for centuries in Britain for the production of natural food.
Over 100 mills are still working to produce stoneground flour and
many of these will be open to the public during National Mills
Weekend. In addition over the weekend, some will be activated by
amateur radio stations and many will be welcoming visitors.
GB0LSM - Special Event Station 2008
Operated from our Club Station, 10th - 11th May 2008
Due to the location of Lymm Slitting Mill being outdoors and in
a location not too conducive to radio operation, the special
event station, GB0LSM, was operated from Warrington Amateur Radio Club's club station
2.5 miles west of the mill.
The station was operated on both days of Mills Weekend by a number
of our club members and a total of 291 QSOs were made on 80m and 40m,
both SSB and CW.
Search the 2008 Log and Print Your QSL Card
We have created an electronic log and uploaded it to our web site for visitors to peruse. Enter your callsign in the box below and click search to see if you're in our log.