The Deeping water mills

The River Welland through the Deepings has not only provided an essential trade link for cargo boats in past times but has also powered several water mills devoted to various commercial activities, mainly grinding corn.

A water mill is a building alongside a waterway which uses moving water as its power source for milling, sawing or hammering, depending on which trade is being pursued in the production of goods and materials such as flour, paper, wood and textiles.

When the Domesday Book was compiled in 1086 there were 5,624 watermills in England alone but over the next two centuries this number had risen to between 10,000 and 15,000. Their demise in recent times has been equally swift and although most have been demolished many have survived as museums or as tasteful conversions into private homes.

The Deepings had a river trade from the earliest times but this was given added impetus in the early 17th century when it was opened up from Stamford to the sea, bringing added employment and prosperity during its lifespan from 1673 until 1863 when it was probably the earliest post-Roman commercial canal in England.

There were eventually eight water mills along this eight mile stretch of waterway between Market Deeping and Stamford, namely Thorpe’s Mill, (pictured above but demolished circa 1935), Molecy Mill, Hudd’s Mill and King’s Mill, together with the mills at Maxey, Lolham, Tallington and West Deeping.

These mills have had chequered histories and in the winter of 1800, threatening letters were sent to the millers at Molecy and Lolham complaining about the prices being charged saying that “if you don’t [reduce your flour] next Saturday to 3s. 6d. per stone we will [pull] your mill down over your head and take your [flour] away”, although in the event the protest came to nothing after being reported to the King.

Then shortly before Christmas 1880, Lolham Mill was badly damaged by fire together with large stocks of flour and corn, despite valiant attempts by villagers and the Deeping St James fire engine over a period of ten hours to bring the flames under control although a west wind helped to save the house and other adjoining buildings.

The picturesque 18th century Molecy Mill on the outskirts of Market Deeping dates from 1773 but with later alterations and is now attractively modernised as a private residence. West Deeping mill dating from the early 19th century has been similarly preserved and both Grade II listed buildings are much admired by tourists and visiting photographers.

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