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Pleasley Vale Mill No.2

In 1784, a partnership of five men including Henry Hollins bought what was initially, Pleasley Forge in Pleasley, Derbyshire from a Mr. Thornhill and transformed it into a cotton spinning mill. The forge was previously used to remove chemical impurities from pig iron using a water powered mill.

 

The location of the Lower Mill (No.1) close to the River Meden and the ability to use some of the forge machinery for cotton spinning made it a strong new venture.

 

The mill was water powered until 1803 when it was replaced by steam, steam later generated electricity for use on the mill. Gas lighting was used at the mill from 1839 to allow the working of night shifts. The Upper Mill (No.3) was built in 1847 to increase the cotton production and the Middle Mill (No.2 pictured) was added in 1913 for woollen products.

 

The world's first branded material, Viyella, was invented here in 1893 by James Robert Sissons and was made from 55% Merino wool and 45 % cotton.

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Uploaded on July 19, 2020
Taken on July 19, 2020