cow lane mill
Cow Lane Mill Archaeological Investigation
The work carried out by the KRIV Project in partnership with Matrix Archaeology at Cow Lane Mill, Rainow was completed in 2008. This diary records the work that went on and documents the different phases of the investigation. A full archaeological report on the mill is available for you to read in the Documents section of this website.
Overview of the mill after 2 weeks of the community investigation
Overview of the site after the mechanical investigation
A - Site of Byewash Channel for drainage of millpond beneath mill
B - Foundations of stair tower, probably added after mill built
C - Site of privy turret, also added after mill built
D - Remains of boiler house, added to provide steam for the beam engine
E - Remains of mid C19 beam engine house, constructed within the original 1789 waterwheel pit
F - Remains of 1803 wheelhouse, which housed a secondary 25ft (8m) diameter waterwheel
Day 8 - 3.30pm, 27 July 2007
The site of the original wheel pit. Later it was filled in and a beam engine placed over the pit to power the mill. The top right of the photo is a depression in the stone this is where the crank shaft has worn a groove in the stone.
The final day of site excavation. If you scroll down to day 1 you will notice a difference between the two photographs. The site was cleared of debris and safety fencing erected around the wheel pit. Now we are waiting for the sunshine and community dig to start in August.
Day 7 - 1pm, 26 July 2007
A final wet day on site with the machinery. The team have done a great job clearing the site under awful weather conditions. With a little more preparation the site will sonn be ready for the community dig starting on 14 August.
A different angle of the site. The tree stump in the foreground is growing out of the mill's privy tower (toilet). This will be a good area for research during the community dig.The large flat stones in the wall next to the tree stump are part of the back entrance to the mill.
Day 6 - 3.30pm, 25 July 2007
The footprint of the mill is now clearly visible. The main channel for water to the original water wheel was discovered today. Again in a position it was not expected. This all promises to make the community investigation very interesting.
Day 5 - 2.55pm, 24 July 2007
The site on day 5. Finally a dumper truck that works. A large amount of spoil has been moved today which has allowed some secrets to be unearthed. With further investigation we will know exactly what these are over the next few days.
Mark is uncovering a large block of stone with a cast iron bar fixed to it. The thought is that it is either a support for the drive from the engine or a cast iron support for the roof.
Day 4 - 3.34pm, 23 July 2007
A slightly different angle today to show the unearthing of another boiler house in the foreground. It was thought it was a wheel pit before work began. The dumper truck has given up the ghost and the mechanic did not hang around long to fix it. It is hoped another one will be supplied tomorrow so work can truely begin.
Day 3 - 3.30pm, 20 July 2007
We were lucky with the weather on site today as the rain held off until late afternoon. The good news was that the dumper truck turned up today, but missing first gear. The engine room was unearthed today and is now visible to view from the footpath. The KRIV volunteers were also helping on site today rebuilding a dry stone wall along the river bank. They are doing a terrific job and hope to have it finished next week.
Day 2 - 4pm, 19 July 2007
Today was dominated by the requirement to fell two trees that were growing in the wheel house of the mill. These have been successfully felled. Unfortunately the hire service for the site dumper truck has been a disaster as it failed to turn up. This has slowed down the site clearance work. We hope for a better day tomorrow.
Day 1 - 2.15pm 18 July 2007
Archaeological investigation work gets underway at Cow Lane Mill after 12 months of planning. Mark Fletcher (Matrix Archaeology) and his small team began work today clearing felled trees and digging to expose the structure of the mill.
The team have reached down to what would have been the floor of the mill, which is thought to have been a flagged floor.
History of the Mill
Cow Lane Mill was built in 1789 and began life as a cotton mill and is thought to have previously been named 'Tower Hill Mill'. In 1817 the mill turned to silk manufacture.
In 1868 records mention a steam engine, connected to a square stone chimney in the north west of the mill by an underground flue. This chimney was demolished in 1991.
After 1874 the mill was used as a bleachworks until 1907, when it became disused and began to decay. This summer, 100 years after the mill was vacated, the KRIV project is completing some investigative work and conservation.
The KRIV volunteers have already completed several volunteer task days at the mill to clear the stream and waterfall of debris. They have also started to repair the dry stone walls around the watercourse, in order to help protect the banks against the heavy winter flows and help the stream to maintain its course. Pictures of the waterfall improvements can be viewed on the gallery page.
A full archaeological report is available in the Documents section of this website.