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Horstead Mill

1973 , Horstead (Norfolk)

Cat no. 59

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The film opens with scenes of the ruined mill as it appeared in 1973. The reporter reads from an advertisement for the mill dating from 1799. There are early stills of the mill before the film cuts to scenes from the fire of 1963. These show the fire-fighters damping down the fire the next morning. There is an interview with the owner, Mr. Read. He informs the public that the mill has been completely destroyed. It is only being held up by ice. The machinery has been destroyed. He has no idea of the cause of the fire but believes that rats may have gnawed through electrical cables. He believes that the mill was the finest example of its type in Norfolk. There is film of the mill in working order. This dates from the 1950s. The film concludes with final shots of the ruins.

Featured Buildings

Horstead Mill

Keywords

Fires; Horstead Mill; Industrial archaeology

Background Information

A mill was recorded on the site of Horstead Mill as early as the 9th century. It was owned by Reads of Norwich for the manufacture of animal feeds. This mill was built between 1780 and 1809. The actual date is unknown. It was bought by Messers. R.J. Read in the early years of the twentieth century. At the time of the fire it was still in its original condition; there had been no additional buildings. This compilation film, made by BBC East, was screened on the tenth anniversary of the fire, thought to have started due to a short in an electric motor. Horstead Mill was never rebuilt.On October 1st, 1997, it was announced by the Heritage and Lotteries Fund that a grant of £105,000 would be used to restore Horstead Mill and transform the surrounding area into a riverside park.

Manifestations

Horstead Mill

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