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Torr Vale Mill is a Grade II*
listed Listed may refer to: * Listed, Bornholm, a fishing village on the Danish island of Bornholm * Listed (MMM program), a television show on MuchMoreMusic * Endangered species in biology * Listed building, in architecture, designation of a historicall ...
former
cotton mill A cotton mill is a building that houses spinning (textiles), spinning or weaving machinery for the production of yarn or cloth from cotton, an important product during the Industrial Revolution in the development of the factory system. Althou ...
located in New Mills, Derbyshire, England on a small rocky outcrop at the bottom of the Torrs gorge in a bend of the
River Goyt The River Goyt is a tributary of the River Mersey in North West England. Etymology The name ''Goyt'' may be derived from the Middle English ''gote'', meaning "a watercourse, a stream". Derivation from the Welsh ''gwyth'' meaning "vein" has bee ...
. The mill was built in the late 1780s, by Daniel Strafford and was known as Stratford's mill. It was powered by two waterwheels to spin and weave
cotton Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective case, around the seeds of the cotton plants of the genus ''Gossypium'' in the mallow family Malvaceae. The fiber is almost pure cellulose, and can contain minor perce ...
. It was rebuilt in 1856 and a
steam engine A steam engine is a heat engine that performs mechanical work using steam as its working fluid. The steam engine uses the force produced by steam pressure to push a piston back and forth inside a cylinder. This pushing force can be trans ...
was added. It continued to be driven by steam and water till the 1940s when electricity took over. It was still in use producing towelling products until December 2000, the longest continuous period of cotton production in the UK. Since 1998 there have been various plans by the new owner, Chemquip Ltd., to renovate and develop the mill. This is now well underway and the new events floor has been used extensively by the community for a wide range of events.. The Torr Vale Mill Preservation Trust in May 2001 and The Princes Regeneration Trust has also been seeking a solution. In 2000 Torr Vale Mill was depicted on
Royal Mail , kw, Postya Riel, ga, An Post Ríoga , logo = Royal Mail.svg , logo_size = 250px , type = Public limited company , traded_as = , foundation = , founder = Henry VIII , location = London, England, UK , key_people = * Keith Williams ...
postage stamps to commemorate the Millennium Walkway in the Torrs Gorge. From this walkway, on the opposite side of the Gorge, dramatic views of the Mill may be had. In 2001 a fire destroyed one of the buildings of the mill. The mill remains in a lamentable state and, though now better secured, is at risk of further fire and
vandalism Vandalism is the action involving deliberate destruction of or damage to public or private property. The term includes property damage, such as graffiti and defacement directed towards any property without permission of the owner. The term f ...
. In 2010, Chad Bevan, a New Mills resident, won the Munro Trophy in the Derbyshire Open Arts CompetitionDerbyshire Open Arts Winners 2010
/ref> for his painting of the decaying Torr Vale Mill, the title being 'Lowes Mill'.Derbyshire Open Arts Competition 2010
Chad Bevan, Colette Payne use the mill as inspiration
The Mill is on the
English Heritage English Heritage (officially the English Heritage Trust) is a charity that manages over 400 historic monuments, buildings and places. These include prehistoric sites, medieval castles, Roman forts and country houses. The charity states that i ...
Heritage at Risk Register An annual ''Heritage at Risk Register'' is published by Historic England. The survey is used by national and local government, a wide range of individuals and heritage groups to establish the extent of risk and to help assess priorities for actio ...
of
Listed Listed may refer to: * Listed, Bornholm, a fishing village on the Danish island of Bornholm * Listed (MMM program), a television show on MuchMoreMusic * Endangered species in biology * Listed building, in architecture, designation of a historicall ...
Buildings at risk through disuse and disrepair. The local Heritage Centre Trust is actively engaged in trying to secure the future of this abandoned building.


References

{{Lists of mills in England Textile mills in Derbyshire Cotton mills History of the textile industry Industrial Revolution in England Textile mills completed in the 18th century Grade II* listed buildings in Derbyshire Grade II* listed industrial buildings New Mills