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'{{Use British English|date=November 2015}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}} {{Infobox historic site | name = Whitchurch Silk Mill | native_name = | native_language = | image = Whitchurch Silk Mill - geograph.org.uk - 329609.jpg | caption = | type = [[Fulling mill]] Silk mill | locmapin = Hampshire | coordinates = {{Coord|51.22753|-1.33975|source:geograph.co.uk_region:GB_type:landmark|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | gbgridref = SU4625247901 | location = [[Whitchurch, Hampshire|Whitchurch]] | area = [[Hampshire]] | built = 1800 | architect = | architecture = | governing_body = | owner = Hampshire Buildings Preservation Trust | designation1 = Grade II* | designation1_offname = Whitchurch Silk Mill | designation1_date = 10 Jan 1953 | designation1_number = {{Listed building England|1092645}} | designation2 = | designation2_offname = | designation2_date = | designation2_number = | designation3 = | designation3_offname = | designation3_date = | designation3_number = | designation4 = | designation4_offname = | designation4_date = | designation4_number = | designation5 = | designation5_offname = | designation5_date = | designation5_number = }} '''Whitchurch Silk Mill''' is a [[watermill]] on the [[River Test]], located in the town of [[Whitchurch, Hampshire|Whitchurch]], [[Hampshire]], [[England]]. It is a Grade II* [[listed building]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Whitchurch Silk Mill|url=https://www.historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1092645|website=Historic England|accessdate=22 May 2017}}</ref> ==History== The mill was constructed in 1815 by Henry and William Hayter on a plot of land known as Frog Island. Originally it was a saw mill and foundry. In 1817, it was bought by William Maddick, a London Silk Manufacturer who changed its operation to throw [[silk]]. In 1844 it was sold to Alexander Bannerman and John Spencer, merchants of Manchester. William Chappell, the manager of the mill, purchased it from them in 1846 and so began the most successful period in the mill's long history. At this time the mill employed 108 staff, including 39 children under the age of 13.<ref name="HBPT">{{cite book|title=Whitchurch Silk Mill|publisher=Hampshire Buildings Preservation Trust Ltd}}</ref> By 1887 the mill had passed into the ownership of the Hide family with whom it remained until the death of James Hide in 1955. The Hide family were related by marriage to Thomas Burberry, founder of the famous fashion house and in the early years of the 20th century the Silk Mill was weaving the silk fabric for the linings of the famous Burberry raincoats. The Mill was then sold to Stephen Walters & Co. silk manufacturers based in Sudbury Suffolk and then passed to [[Ede and Ravenscroft]] who operated it up to 1985, producing legal and academic gowns. It was then acquired by the [[Hampshire Buildings Preservation Trust]] who, after renovation works, opened it to the public in 1990.<ref>{{cite web|title=History|url=http://whitchurchsilkmill.org.uk/mill/index.php/history-of-the-mill|website=Whitchurch Silk Mill|accessdate=22 May 2017}}</ref> In December 2012, the Trustees recommenced silk production.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://whitchurch.org.uk/2012/06/is-whitchurch-silk-mill-at-risk/|title=Is Whitchurch Silk Mill at risk|date=June 1, 2012|publisher=Whitchurch.org.uk|accessdate=June 26, 2012}}</ref> ==Ownership and Management== The building is owned by the Hampshire Buildings Preservation Trust and leased to a dedicated [[Trust law|trust]], the Whitchurch Silk Mill 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: {{Quote|"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."<ref>[http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/Showcharity/RegisterOfCharities/CharityWithoutPartB.aspx?RegisteredCharityNumber=900621&SubsidiaryNumber=0 UK Charity Commission information about the charity no.900621, Whitchurch Silk Mill]</ref>|}} Local organisations, including the Town Council,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://whitchurch.org.uk/2012/06/the-silk-mill-support-urged/|title=The Silk Mill – support urged|date=June 19, 2012|publisher=Whitchurch.org.uk|accessdate=June 26, 2012}}</ref> and the public offered support to the Silk Mill so that weaving activity was restored to the Mill. ==Machinery== [[File:Whitchurch - Silk Mill - geograph.org.uk - 1424204.jpg|thumb|Weaving machines]] The mill was powered by a low [[breastshot]] water wheel, {{convert|5|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on}} in diameter driving the machinery through [[line shafting]]. There are currently 15 looms in total, 10 Tappet looms dating to 1890–1932, 3 Dobby looms dating to the 1950s and 2 1960s Hattersley looms acquired in 1972. These days the looms are powered by individual electric motors. In addition there is a warping mill and winding frames also dating from the 1890s.<ref name="HBPT" /> ==Public Access== The mill is open for commissions and visitors, there is a gift shop and tea room on site. ==See also== {{Commons category}} * [http://www.whitchurchsilkmill.org.uk/ Whitchurch Silk Mill official website] * [http://whitchurch.org.uk/2010/01/whitchurch-silk-mill/ Description of Silk Mill on town's official website] * [http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk 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). ==Notes== {{reflist}} [[Category:Watermills in Hampshire]] [[Category:Museums in Hampshire]] [[Category:Grade II* listed buildings in Hampshire]] [[Category:Textile museums in the United Kingdom]] [[Category:Silk mills]] [[Category:Textile mills in England]] [[Category:Whitchurch, Hampshire]] {{UK-museum-stub}}'