| Description | Hewenden Mill, Wilsden.
The original paper record relating to Hewenden Mill is copied below [Original entry into digital HER record in 1995]:
'Hewenden Mill. Marked as corn and worsted mill on OS 1st edn 6 map [1848. Sheet 201]. Part used as a tannery in the ?late 19th century. Converted to skating rink/dance floor in the early 20th century. WYAS field visit in the first instance'.
(Old WYAS SMR card. No further information).
Hewenden Mill was the subject of an archaeological assessment by Helen Gomersall (WYAAS) in 2008. The structure investigated by Gomersall is a detached building situated at the centre of the former mill complex between the main mill body and mill pond. The assessment was undertaken in order to write a specification for building recording with regard to a planning application (Bradford Council planning reference number 08/03626/COU. 'Submission of details to discharge all planning conditions of planning permission 08/03626/COU dated 04/09/2008: Conversion of former mill and derelict cottage into three dwelling houses'). The photographic images produced by the assessment are held in the WYAAS digital image archive (Gomersall, H. (WYAAS). 2008. \\WYJS HER FS01\HERPhotos\Wilsden\Hewenden Mill PRN 6131). The section of the report regarding the building's description is transcribed below:
'A Early 20th century extension; converted 1990s.
B Warehouse or general purpose workshop. Substantial alterations including inserted doorways/stairways, columns introduced from non industrial site (railway station or similar?)[these are cast iron columns supporting wooden floor joists], rebuild of south wall. Only indication of purpose [is the] inserted bearing box to west of south wall, apparently related to electric motor to adjacent truss.
C Mid? 19th century cottage derelict and partially rebuilt
No further mitigation required'.
(Gomersall, H. (WYAAS). 2008. Wilsden. 'Hewenden Mill. Hewenden Bridge. Haworth Road'. Fieldwork report).
Gomersall's photographs indicate that the mill may contain fragments of a earlier structures. This is with reference to a particular image of a gable wall which contains four three light mullion windows with flat faced narrow mullions and surrounds, the two windows on the upper storey have recessed surrounds, and there is a pigeon/dove columbaria set in the gable’s apex. The structure shows clear signs of having been rebuilt. This is described as Building C in the report and is situated to the south of the range investigated by the assessment. The structure shows clear signs of having been extended. These architectural features have a late 18th to early 19th century appearance with a possible agricultural or semi domestic function. |