Textile Mills Of South West England
- The first study of textile mill buildings across the South West region- Explains the great influence of textile mills on the development of towns and countryside- Heavily illustrated and includes a list of sites which are open to the publicThe textile industry has been one of the most prolonged and widespread influences on the development of historic buildings in the South West. The regional industry pre-dated the classic period of the Industrial Revolution by several centuries, resulting in distinctive types of vernacular buildings, industrial buildings, townscapes and landscapes, all contrasting with those in other areas.This book provides a wide-reaching analysis of historical context, an account of the origins and development of each of the industries, an interpretation of the distinctive features of the buildings, a clarification of the historical importance of South West textile mills and clear statements on the benefits of their conservation.A range of topics is introduced to enable the reader to appreciate the national significance of the regions textile industries, including a general introduction to textile processes and the historical importance of the factory system, together with an initial overview of the main industries. The core of the book deals with the industries in detail, each chapter providing historical context followed by an account of the distinctive features of the buildings based on descriptions of representative examples. The final chapter emphasises the tradition of re-use and conversion in the South West textile industries, encourages the continued adaptation and conservation of both mills and related townscapes, and concludes with new statements on national significance and comparisons with other regions.About the AuthorMike Williams is an Investigator with English Heritage. His other publications include Bridport and West Bay:The buildings of the flax and hemp industry (English Heritage, 2006) and Cotton Mills in Greater Manchester (Carnegie Publishing,1992)ContentsAcknowledgementsForeword1. Introduction2. The Gloucestershire Woollen Industry3. The Wiltshire and Somerset Woollen Industry4. The Serge Industry of Devon, Somerset and Cornwall5. The Flax and Hemp Industry6. The Silk Industry7. The Lace, Hosiery and Cotton Industries8. The Legacy of the South West Textile IndustryA Selection of Historic Textile Industry SitesGlossary of Textile TermsNotesList of ReferencesExtent: 256ppIllustrations: 357 illustrationsPub Date: August 2013