Ditherington Mill and the Industrial Revolution by Colum Giles

Ditherington Mill and the Industrial Revolution by Colum Giles

Ditherington Mill is rightly celebrated as having the first iron-framed building in the world. Its highly innovative structure provided a fireproof environment for industrial processes and is a predecessor of the technologies that today pepper our cities with skyscrapers. Around the Spinning Mill other early buildings have also survived, which together make the complex a remarkable example of a textile mill from the new generation of steam-powered factories that were changing the face of Britain at the close of the 18th century. The conversion to a maltings in 1897 gave the mill a new lease of life and added further significant buildings to the Shrewsbury skyline. When malting ceased in 1987 the future of the site became an issue of great concern, not only to students of industrial architecture but also to local people who had worked in the maltings or for whom the site had become a familiar landmark in their everyday lives. Historic England believes that a detailed understanding of Ditherington Mill’s past should be a cornerstone of its future conservation and adaptation. Since its closure archaeologists and historians have examined every aspect of this internationally significant industrial site. This research has investigated the innovative technologies employed to create the factory’s buildings and has cast light on the people – some of national renown, others now all but forgotten – responsible for the mill’s construction and operation. The story which has emerged is a rich one and is summarised in this book, the publication of which is a further demonstration of a collective commitment to securing the site’s future.

The text is well-written and a pleasure to readThe 118 high quality illustrations include recent and historic photographs, historic plans and illustrations together with clear and informative line drawings. a technical glossary, chapter references and extensive bibliography complete the scope. ... will be of great interest to a wide range of conservation professionals, and to both specialist and amateur historians.
Ken Moth, Context

Author and architectural historian, Yorkshire. Author and Investigator at Historic England.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9781848021181
ISBN 10	1848021186
Title	Ditherington Mill and the Industrial Revolution
Author	Colum Giles
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Hardback
Publisher	Historic England
Year published	2015-10-15
Number of pages	172
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.