Level 4 Historic Building Recording & Structural Watching Brief of High Mill, Shaw Mills, Bishop Thornton Y654/23
Year: 2024
Type: report
Abstract: The three historic buildings (Mill, North Annex, and South Annex) were surveyed to a Historic Building Recording survey, commensurate to Historic England's Level 4 standard. The two 20th century buildings (North Addition and East Addition) were surveyed commensurate to a Level 2 standard. Photographic Record An external photographic record was made of all sides of each building, as near parallel to the elevations as possible within the constraints of the site. General external photographs were taken, including several oblique views, showing the site and buildings in their wider setting. An interior photographic record was made of all spaces and features that were accessible, which were illustrative of the buildings current and past uses. The buildings were examined for any dated inscriptions, signage, Baltic marks, carpenters' marks, makers' marks, and graffiti that would contribute to an understanding of their development. A photogrammetric record was created of all external elevations of the Mill and Annexes. Drawn Record The drawn plan of the site, created by Studio Map and supplied by Ridge and Partners , was deemed sufficient to show its plan form. Plans were later altered accordingly by CFA Archaeology to identify areas of interest and are reproduced in the report. Detail drawings of three examples of Baltic shipping marks were created by digitally tracing face-on photographs. Written Description A written description has been produced of each building. The sections have been separated to describe each building as follows: the Mill; the North Addition; East Addition; the North Annex; the South Annex. Each section begins with general information, an external description, followed by an internal description. Where there are multiple floors, internal descriptions are presented from the ground floor up. Description of any attics or sub-terrarium levels are presented last. Historic Research Historic research was conducted through secondary sources to review the history of High Mill and textile manufacturing in the civil parish of Bishop Thornton. This research specifically considered the development and adaptation of High Mill to reflect changes to Yorkshire textile industries from the early 19th to mid-20th centuries, including technological advancements such as steam power. The historic building survey recorded three early 19th century buildings and two 20th century additions which were part of a large mill complex. The mill complex also included a heckling building, workers housing (surviving and demolished), the mill owner's house, water management systems for at least two mills, and other demolished buildings of unknown functions. Most of the areas within the Mill have evidence of their early functions, however, the North Annex and South Annex retain little surviving evidence of their original functions.
Source: Archaeology Data Service
DOI: 10.5284/1131073
Authors: Noga, Carley, Greaves, Freya
Language: English
Subfield: Archeology (arts and humanities)
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W6950444331