Cliffe's Mill

DEMOLISHED 1910

Cliffe's Mill was situated behind Numbers 25 to 31 West Street and was previously known as the West Street Mill.

It was originally a small bark crushing mill set up before the mid 18th century and first mentioned circa 1722. It is also listed in the Lincolnshire Archives as the West Street Mill, being part of a small tannery which existed there in the 1830s. The later name of Cliffe’s Mill was adopted after the family of nearby shopkeepers from the 19th century.

The mill had a stone-built channel which housed the wooden undershot wheel as there was very little head of water. The miller's red brick cottage, now derelict (1998) stands near the mill site and also the red brick remains of a blacksmith's shop and forge.

The mill had stopped working before being pulled down around 1910 when the miller was Richard Burchnell who had been the tenant since 1896.

A gear wheel, millstones and other remains were found by local schoolchildren engaged on the restoration of Baldock's Mill when they held a dig on the site in 1973.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

To MILLERS: To be let and entered upon immediately, all that WATER CORN MILL situate in the West Street of Bourne on the Bourne Eau River, with a regular supply of water. Apply to Mr H Dewey, builder, West Street, Bourne. - public notice from the Stamford Mercury, Friday 24th February 1843.

WATER CORN MILL, BOURNE
to be sold by auction by Mr W E Lawrence at the Angel Inn, Bourne, on Saturday the 18th day of March 1848, at 6 o'clock in the evening, subject to such conditions of sale as will be then and there produced.
THE following valuable freehold estate, consisting of a water corn mill, two stables, coach house and a small garden, adjoining Bourne Eau river, and a right of road leading from West Street. The coach house and stables are in lease to Mr W D Bell, at the annual rent of £5. The mill has undergone a general repair wherein a good business is now carrying on. The purchaser can be accommodated with a respectable house (on lease) adjoining the mill (fronting West Street), being an excellent situation for baking and retail flour business. One half of the purchase money may remain on security (if required).
Further particulars may be had on application to Mr William Dewey, the auctioneer, and of Mr William Hopkinson, solicitor, Stamford and Bourne. Immediate possession may be had. - public notice from the Stamford Mercury, Friday 10th March 1848.

REVISED DECEMBER 2013

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