Richmond, The Falls c.1960
Photo ref: R32044
Made in Britain logo

More about this scene

This photograph shows the remains of the weir added across the top of the waterfall to increase the power to the nearby Castle Mill, which was extended by the paper maker James Cooke in 1865. A great flood destroyed the paper mill on 29 January 1883, and without maintenance the weir deteriorated. In 1972 Richmond Borough Council rebuilt half of the weir in their part of the River Swale; the rest beyond the Borough boundary was never completed. The Batts was opened up, and the riverside area was improved as a leisure attraction, which the falls already were, as we can see in this summer view.

Buy a Print

Unframed, Mounted, Framed and Canvas prints in a range of sizes and styles.

View Sizes & Prices

A Selection of Memories from Richmond

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our website to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was, prompted by the photographs in our archive. Here are some from Richmond

Sparked a Memory for you?

If this has sparked a memory, why not share it here?

I attended the Frenchgate School (1954). The head mistress was Nan Woodwark, a tall Viking of a woman who would oftentimes speak of her Norse heritage. I managed to find her obit on a website I came across. She lived to the age of 96 and was buried at a cemetery in Darlington. Apparently her parents had been missionaries in the Far East. It has been my fate to live my life in America, although I ...see more
you would struggle to get this clear view today as the number of parked cars etc.would obscure the view the chuch is now home to the Green Howards regimental museum
I was born in Richmond the year 1945 attending the Convent from 1950 till 1959. The street I grew up on was named Westfields and it looked down over the fields right onto the school. My brother has added some of his memories below Bill Mather. My name is Anne Mather-Alsip
My mother, was born in 8, Millgate in 1908. In this image, the lady is standing in the doorway of the house is my grandmother, Elizabeth Smith and the man standing outside may possibly be my grandad, David Smith. My family still lived in that house in the late 60's - my mother's sister Mildred Brown (nee Smith) and her husband Fred Brown. I live in hartlepool, I went there with my sisters when we were young.