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Portrait of
a Parish - Page 17
Monkton Combe Mill
Down at the bottom of Mill Lane beside the Midford Brook
there are sluice gates and a millpond, serving a group of
buildings that comprise the last mill on this site, which was
owned by the Freeman family, who also had mills at Freshford and
Avoncliffe, equipped to manufacture flock. There is also a
substantial house, much altered since the 16th century, but then
described as being a "messuage" with pools, warrens, gardens and
orchards. These no doubt contributed to the income of Humphrey
Colles who received the land after the Dissolution of the
Monasteries. In time, it became the mill-owner's house.
The Monkton Combe mill was by the station and in the early
1900's was well placed to import its rather insalubrious raw
material, old clothes from the rag and bone trade and old
uniforms from Holland, to turn into flock for use in the
upholstery trade. Waterpower drove the turbine operating the
heavy beaters which broke up the old clothes into fibres. These
were then sterilised in ovens heated by a steam engine and the
chimney of this engine is still standing. But by the end of
World War 11, "Dunlopillo" had replaced flock for mattresses and
in 1951 the mill was up for sale. It remained empty for many
years until it, and its surrounding weaving sheds were sold.
Part of the Mill as it is today
Although the industry is different, nowadays the closed down
weaving sheds have become a mini enterprise zone. The sheds are
packed with furniture and carpets offered for sale by
Critchcraft Furniture, who employ several part-time and casual
staff, who come and go, moving around and transporting large
stocks of furniture which is sold at discounts to individuals
and businesses over a wide area. Next door there is a discount
carpet warehouse, Remnant City. Continuing the household theme,
behind those are the workshops and showrooms of the Mendip
Fireplace Centre supplying and installing fireplaces made by
local craftsmen, from local stone, for architects and individual
clients. Yet another is used for the care and restoration of
Morris Minor cars. The mill-owner's house has had several owners
and currently offers bed and breakfast accommodation.
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