Rock Mill, Llandysul
| Rock Mill Llandysul Welsh: Melin Wlân | |
|
Cardiganshire | |
|---|---|
 Rock Mill | |
| Type: | Watermill |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SN45054225 |
| Location: | 52°3’25"N, 4°15’41"W |
| Village: | Capel Dewi, Llandysul |
| History | |
| Built 1890s | |
| Watermill | |
| Information | |
| Website: | rockmillwales.co.uk |
Rock Mill is a water-drive mill standing in Capel Dewi, Llandysul in Cardiganshire, and which is reckoned to be the last woollen mill in Wales to be powered by a water wheel.
This is a two-storey mill, built of stone, with flagstone floors and low ceilings.[1] It has been operated continuously by the same family since its foundation as a spinning and weaving mill. Few changes have been made in that period.[2]
Location
The Mill stands in the narrow valley of Afon Clettwr, a tributary of the River Teifi, on a minor road about 500 yards south-east of the church of St David in Capel Dewi,[2] a hamlet about two and a half miles east of Llandysul.
The mill is powered by water carried to the wheel along a short leat from a weir on the Clettwr. [2]
History
During the Industrial Revolution the Teifi Valley became the centre of the woollen industry, employing thousands of weavers, spinners, dyers, knitters, drapers and tailors.[1] The river and its tributaries powered dozens of mills, and sheep in the surrounding grassland supplied fleeces to be made into woollen products.
Rock Mill was built in the 1890s by the great grandfather of the present owner.[2]
The mill is now the only commercial woollen mill powered by water that is still operating in Wales.
Operation
The mill is powered by the original double cast-iron overshot water wheel made by the "Bridgend" foundry of Cardigan. The wheel is 12 feet in diameter and 7 feet wide.
The wheel drives line shafting through the mill which supplies a direct drive to the carding and spinning machines, and drives an electrical generator that powers two looms.[2]
The mill is open to visitors from spring to autumn, and has a shop where textiles are sold.
The mill makes blankets with traditional "tapestry" (double-woven) designs. Other woven or knitted products made from yarn produced in the mill include throws, rugs and shawls.[3]
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Rock Mill, Llandysul) |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 About Rock Mill
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Rock Mill / Melin Wlân – Welsh Mills
- ↑ Rock Mill, Capel Dewi – Teifi Rivers Trust.
- Rock Mill, Capel Dewi – Teifi Rivers Trust