Malmesbury, River Avon And Bridge c.1960

Photo ref: M13065

More about this scene

St John's Bridge is on the left. The Avon Mill at this time was occupied by Hugh Dryden & Co Ltd, who sold antiques and works of art here until the late 1970s. In the 17th century an earlier fulling mill, called Cannop's Mill, stood on the site. This was purchased by Francis Hill who built the Burton Hill Mill (Avon Mill), which became a cloth mill producing fine broadcloth. The mill was enlarged in the early 19th century. By the 1830s the mill briefly became a corn mill (grist mill), returning to broadcloth production when the Salter family had the mill. Woollen broadcloth continued to be produced here during the 1840s, and was dyed and finished at Cowbridge Mill. Silk ribbon was manufactured when the mill was taken over by Thomas Bridget & Co of Derby in the mid 19th century; the mill continued to operate under various owners, including Joseph Davenport & Sons and the Wiltshire Manufacturing Co, and from 1923 to 1939 it was known as the Avon Silk Mill. The silk mill employed mainly women and girls. Liberty silk was made at the mill until the start of World War II. Avon Mill was eventually sold, and it was converted into flats by 1986.