A new information board looking at the history of Low Mill in Addingham has been unveiled.
About seventy people attended the unveiling of the board. which has been created by the Heritage Group of the Addingham Civic Society and funded by Addingham Parish Council.
Located at a prominent location by the weir, the board can now be enjoyed by everybody walking through Low Mill village as well as walkers on the Dales Way.
At the ceremony, Ian Cameron, chair of the Heritage Group described key moments from Low Mill’s history since it was built in 1787. These included being the world’s first mill to successfully spin worsted yarn and so contributing to the story of the Industrial Revolution. There were also darker moments, when 150 rioters attacked the mill in 1826 with aim of destroying the new power looms that threatened the jobs of hand weavers. Much later, the mill contributed to the war effort in the Second World War by building carburettors for engines in Spitfires, Hurricanes and Lancaster bombers.
However, Ian Cameron also said: “As you walk through Low Mill up till now, where do you find out about these wonderful stories? By having this new display, we want to share the remarkable history of Low Mill to residents and visitors”.
Gill Battarbee, Chair of Addingham Civic Society said that this initiative was part of the local contribution to Bradford City of Culture 2025 which has as it’s aim to have a network of walks across the district.
The unveiling of the board was undertaken by Simon Tennant, chair of Addingham Parish Council who said: “This is another excellent example of close working between the Parish Council and the Civic Society for the good of Addingham”