Whitchurch Silk Mill

Silk Mill at Whitchurch.

Whitchurch Silk Mill.

Whitchurch Silk Mill is a watermill on the River Test, located in the town of Whitchurch, Hampshire, England. The mill was constructed in 1815 on a plot of land called Frog Island. The mill is probably on the same site as one of the four mills recorded in the Domesday Book. Originally it was a fulling mill (part of the finishing process of cloth weaving). Some years later, during the 1830s, it was bought by the Hide family who changed its operation to weave silk.

In December 2011, the Trustees overseeing the Mill stopped the production of silk fabrics due to financial constraints.

The mill remains open to visitors, as does its gift shop.

Ownership and Management

The building is owned by the Hampshire Buildings Preservation Trust and leased to a dedicated trust to ensure preservation. The Trust operates as a registered charity and two registered companies.

The Whitchurch Silk Mill states on the UK Charity Commission website: "Whitchurch Silk Mill Trust weaves silk on victorian machinery in the Georgian watermill of Whitchurch Silk Mill, Hampshire. The mill is open to the public who come from across the UK and abroad. The charity educates visitors about silk, retains and develops the skills of silk weaving and restores its historic machinery."

As of December 2011, the Trustees ceased weaving activities at the Mill due to financial constraints.

Local organisations, including the Town Council, and the public are offering support to the Silk Mill in the hope that weaving activity can be restored to the Mill.

See also

• Whitchurch Silk Mill official website
• Description of Silk Mill on town's official website
• UK Charity Commission information about the charity no.900621, Whitchurch Silk Mill
• Companies House: The Registrar of Companies for England and Wales. The two companies operating the Silk Mill are nos.02506000 (the Trust) and 01968546 (for trading).