by Mildred Cookson, The Mills Archive, UK
An article in The Miller of November 7th, 1887 celebrates the erection of JB Whitworth's new roller mill following a disastrous fire two years earlier. The name Whitworth had for three generations been associated with the Turvey mills of Bedford where Mr Whitworth "was conspicuous for the success and enterprise he displayed in conducting his business and his readiness to adopt any new machinery which he saw would improve the quality of the flour manufactured in his mills".
Unfortunately, on the night of Friday 13th November 1885 the flour mills at Turvey were totally destroyed (The Miller 1885, vol 11, p 718).
An article in The Miller of November 7th, 1887 celebrates the erection of JB Whitworth's new roller mill following a disastrous fire two years earlier. The name Whitworth had for three generations been associated with the Turvey mills of Bedford where Mr Whitworth "was conspicuous for the success and enterprise he displayed in conducting his business and his readiness to adopt any new machinery which he saw would improve the quality of the flour manufactured in his mills".
Unfortunately, on the night of Friday 13th November 1885 the flour mills at Turvey were totally destroyed (The Miller 1885, vol 11, p 718).
"Nothing left but the bare walls"
The mill was at work at the time and the fire discovered at 19:45pm by a miller in what was termed the old water mill. Becoming aware of the smell of fire, he called for help from the adjoining building, known as the new roller mill.
A second miller promptly appeared, and the two men proceeded to the wheat cleaning department, which was located on the first floor of the old mill. Here everything was alright but looking to the upper floor they found the roof was ablaze.
Mr Whitworth, who lived only a quarter of a mile away, was informed immediately and came right over to see if he could save his mills. Soon three fire engines arrived but to no avail, and at 12.15 am, about an hour and a half after the fire was discovered, the overhanging roof of the lofty roller mill took fire and the conflagration began to gain the upper hand in every direction, till both buildings were completely burned out with nothing being left but the bare walls.
The old millstone mill was entirely worked by waterpower. However, in 1884 Mr Whitworth decided to convert to roller mills and built the new mill alongside the old, fitted out with a roller plant worked by a steam engine. The old mill continued to be used for cleaning and screening the wheat.
The fire was thought to have been caused through friction among the elevator heads. The mill was insured for UK £8,500, but the insurance only just covered the damage.
Read more HERE.
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