Castleford, The River Aire c.1955
Photo ref: C257017A
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Photo ref: C257017A
Photo of Castleford, The River Aire c.1955

More about this scene

Two mighty rivers, the Aire and the Calder, join at Castleford, and water power began the industrial revolution in this old Roman settlement. Here the Aire used to drive the grinding wheels of the Queen's Mill (centre); it was taken over in 1921 by the Natural Food Company, led by the health innovator Dr Thomas Allinson, who firmly believed that bread was better for you 'wi' nowt taken out'. The company still occupies the mill, but the water wheel that provided so much power turned for the final time in 1973. The Aire and Calder Navigation Company was formed near here in 1698, and canals opened in 1775 and 1826.

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