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Newmans
Mill near Abrams Farm (Map No2)
(now demolished)
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Built
c1819 and demolished 1917
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As the population expanded and grain production
increased, there may have been a need for an additional mill to that
at Cambridge Brook.
Detailed investigation into old manuscripts do actually reveal the presence
of a second water mill in the parish. Where was this located ?
The only source of constant running water is that of the River Stour
and a case can be made for such a siting near to the present day Staunch
Farm.
Documentation dated 1318 refers to a mill and a mill pond called Crudmelne.
It may have even existed as far back as 1200.
Evidence from several sources, indicate Crudmelne was located close
to the present day loop in the river near to the Farm. The loop contains
five acres of land called East Holmes.
The present day county boundary
can be seen on the right map marked in red. |
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A later name for Holme Island (East Holmes)
is Curdmill Meadow which suggests a cheese mill. With the arrival of
the (more efficient) Windmill during the 12th century, other uses had
to be found for the Stour Mill.
It was highly probable it may have been converted from grain milling
to cheese making.
The word `Crud or Curd` means cheese and presumably it was produced
in vast quantities, if a mill was required. However `Crud` may have
come from a surname of someone living in the vicinity.
The red line indicates the course of the old ditch
and the present day county boundary
The English Dictionary
defines `holme` as an `islet` especially in a river.
Holme being a Danish name for a grassy meadow. Because meadow land was
in great demand it is very unlikely that this island would have been
left unused.
The red line on the map indicates Wyttisham ditch, perhaps the original
course of the river, which was the county boundary many years ago, possibly
dating back to 950. This clearly leaves the island in Essex and belonging
to the parish of Mount Bures.
East Holmes to the right
of river
East Holmes,
2003 - the possible route of Wyttisham Ditch marked in red.
Long Gardens can be seen centre left, which may have been the direction
of the access road.
Why is the Manor (now County)
boundary running along this ditch and not along the river course ?
Theory No1.
Could it be because the river course has changed. Perhaps in the past,
the main river used to cut along the Wyttisham Ditch and the present
bed used to be a narrow offshoot. Old manuscripts describe the River
Stour as " the fastest flowing river in Southern England"
The Celtic word, "Stour" means fierce and violent". This
description is not compatible with its present day, slow meander.
So, perhaps the straight Wyttisham Ditch was the true path of the river,
over a period of time the route has moved to its present day location,
leaving the ditch high and dry and eventually drying out.
Theory No2
Was the present day loop in the river then man made, to provide water
for the mill ?. This would have required a massive hand digging operation
to open up this new diverted route.
Theory No3.
On the other hand, was the river as we see it today, in its original
location and Wyttisham ditch dug out for the mill ?
Conclusion:- Nobody
knows
This presents, archaeologists with a dilemma. Which came first - the
ditch or the river ?
What about access?
The monks at Stoke Clare Priory held most of the land around Bures in
the mid 13th century. Their records suggest the road leading past the
Pumping Station to Long Gardens was the track leading to the mill. At
Long Gardens the road would have veered right (Crudmelne Lane) towards
the mill.
No evidence can be seen
today of the mill or its remains. Even Wyttisham ditch has been filled
in and cannot be seen. However if you stand today and look at East Holmes,
it does look out of character with the rest of the river geographically.
It is very marshy and full of reeds, bullrushes etc, the remnants of
the island it once was.
Because it is north of the
river it should be located in Suffolk. However this is not the case,
it resides in the parish of Mount Bures. Essex.
These
meadows are private property and have no public access.
This article
gives no right of access to the area described.
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Doe`s
Mill North of Wellhouse Farm 1811 - 1953 (Map No4)
(now demolished)
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Built 1811
and survived until 1953.
Steam powered in 1886 and oil by 1929
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Ref to:-
"Mount Bures, its Lands and People" by Ida McMaster &
Kathleen Evans.
Additional info on Crudmill - The Watermill in
the Manor of Mount Bures at 1086 by S Walker (1991)
Note:- Millfield,
later Takeleys, may have been the site of a small fulling mill
