Fletland Mill

Fletland Mill was built for grinding corn on the banks of the River Glen on the outksirts of Greatford, near Bourne, reputedly in 1759. It is no longer a working water mill and in recent years it has been converted for use as a holiday home.

The mill house has been Grade II listed since 1987 although a later date of construction is given. The description states:

"Mill house, circa 1840. Squared limestone rubble with ashlar quoins and dressings, hipped slate roof with lead dressings, two wall stacks, one brick, the other ashlar. 20th century ridge brick stack. Parallel ranges, two storey, three bay front having ashlar plinth, moulded string course, overhanging eaves, two central and two corner ashlar pilasters with moulded heads. Central six panel door with traceried overlight having flat ashlar hood on brackets, flanked by single lights, and beyond are single tall glazing bar sashes in moulded surrounds. To first floor are three glazing bar sashes in plain stone architraves; the centre one having moulded stone architrave and apron."

Fletland Mill is situated off the old Roman road known as King Street and although within the parish of Greatford, albeit on the very edge, it is often mistakenly described as being in Baston.

The miller in 1841 was William Munton who was declared bankrupt and the mill was sold to settle his debts. His son, Robert Nicholls Munton also went bankrupt in 1842 at the age of 23 which indicates that that the entire family may have been in serious financial difficulties.

The mill was subsequently acquired by George Royce whose residence was brief. He was, however, an enterprising businessman and in 1847 he travelled to London to appear before a House of Commons committee convened to determine the route for the new railway line between London and the north, now known as the east coast main line. Royce wanted it to be built close to his property in order to secure a trading advantage over his competitors through the speedier movement of supplies but in the event it was decided to route the line further to west through Peterborough and Grantham.

Royce was a bachelor who employed a housekeeper to look after him. But by 1851, he had left the mill and the contents dispersed at public auction. The sale of “valuable furniture and effects on the premises of Mr Royce who is changing his residence” was held on 3rd November 1851 and the items listed in the catalogue indicates that he had been living at the mill in the style that befitted a country gentleman of the period. They included:

A mahogany four-post and tent bedsteads with crimson and dimity hangings, excellent feather beds and bedding, mahogany and wainscot chests of drawers, painting dressing tables, wash-stands and crockery, Washington glasses and the usual bedroom furniture, set of mahogany dining tables, handsome mahogany sideboard (6 feet by 2 feet), two mahogany sofas, handsome Brussels carpet (18 feet by 15 feet), chimney glass in gilt frame (plate 48 inches by 29 inches), mahogany sofa table, six imitation rosewood chairs, Pembroke table and cover, two mahogany bookcases, six framed birch chairs, wainscot dining tables, wainscot bureau and bookcase, stair carpets, cast iron fenders and fire irons, set of china, capital eight-day clock, excellent mangle with drawers, dairy utensils, iron safe, and a quantity of good kitchen requisites and effects. Also a horse, gig and harness, a very handsome pony and chaise with plated harness complete (nearly new) narrow wheel wagon, two horses and two sets of cart tackle.

Royce appears to have moved to Market Deeping where he died in 1855 and Rolls-Royce historians are currently researching his life in the hope that he may have been an ancestor of Henry, later Sir Henry, Royce, one of the co-founders of the motor car company. Henry was born at Alwalton, near Peterborough, and in his youth he worked for the Great Northern Railway at New England, later moving to Manchester where he set up his business in 1884 as F H Royce and Co.

The search has been confused by another man with the same name, Henry Royce, who is recorded in the 1841 census as living at Baston with his son Allen (1836) while the 1861 census records his brother, George, as also being born in the village. Hudsons's Mill, built in 1806, is situated in the village but there is no record in the county directories of Henry Royce being the proprietor although he may have been a mill worker rather than an owner in which case he would not be listed.

WRITTEN SEPTEMBER 2012

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