Bourton Mill

I worked at Bourton Mill from 1979 until 1995 (about two years before it's final closure). During this period it was operated as Unigate Foods, Summit Food Group and finally Freeman Foods.

The site had a long history dating being mentioned in the Domesday Book. In the 18th century it began operating as a foundry and at the beginning of the 20th century was owned by Hindleys. They built and exported heavy engineering plant around the world and even built a steam powered lorry. Power to the plant was provided at this time by what was reputed to be the largest water wheel in Europe. This wheel was removed during WW 1 presumably for it's value as metal for the war.

During it's time as a food factory it changed from collecting milk from the farms and distributing it to various dairies for bottling and doorstep delivery to predominantly a processing plant to dry and granulate milk. The milk dryer was installed in approximately 1936 and the fact that it remained working until the factory closed was testimony to the German Engineers who built and installed it.

I first took photographs of the factory in 1995 as I was leaving but upon it's closure I have been fascinated by the decline into dereliction. Subsequent photographs were taken in 2005, 2007 and 2011. Where possible I have tried to show this deterioration of specific areas or machinery. I have also tried to briefly explain how some of the machinery worked.

Process Room 2004. This was where the liquid milk was processed prior to being pumped to the Condenser and Dryer.


Process Room 2011.


The Condenser Plant 1995. This was steam powered and condensed milk prior to being pumped to the Dryer


Condenser in 2004. The plant has begun to be dismantled for its stainless steel.


Condenser in 2011. All the stainless steel has gone, leaving just the platform to the graffitti artists


Dryer Heater in 1995. Hot air was blown through the vents and liquid milk was pumped onto a metal disc on the top. Spinning the liquid out into the heated chamber caused it to instantly turn to powder which was scraped around the floor, though a hole in the floor and onto a conveyor chain below. The pipe in the photo is attached to circulate cleaning fluid prior to fitting of the disc.


Dyer Heater in 2011. Disc is just visible on top.


Powder that was blown upwards was collected in approx 160 long cloth bags still in place in 2011.


Powder was periodically shaken from the bags by this mechanism sitting on top of the dryer chamber.


This is the top packing line room. The oldest part of the factory and already collapsing in 2004.




Dryer Controls 2007



Boilers in 2011


Dryer Fan Motor


Dryer Tower 2011. This was photographed from a packing line area and was originally a roofed area.


Exterior view of lost packing line area roof 2011. Higher level is the condenser area.


Water Wheel

Very nicely done, its that little personal touch that got me interested in this field

That's a great report, thank you.

Thanks for taking the time to explain things.

A good report

Great report..

I like how polite the graf is "your mum is overweight" well, not polite but could be a lot worse!

mersonwhoopie said:

I like how polite the graf is "your mum is overweight" well, not polite but could be a lot worse!

Click to expand...

Yes that was one of my favourite bits too.

I love the brickwork showing in the dryer fan motor pic

Nice thread,,, thanks

nice.

I love seeing places being taken over by nature.

I worked here when it was unigate foods, around 1977/8. Shame to see it so derelict.

Very interesting report,particularly like the "before and after" touch that you have put in.

Nicely documented over the years

Great report, Java. Love seeing the pics from various years, seeing what was once there, and how it's gradually become more derelict. Excellent stuff.

Thanks, I really enjoyed this one!
I was there back in the summer, it's nice to have all the workings of it explained.
Was the derelict site on the other side of the road part of the mill too?

Thanks for comments. I think you must mean the old car park area which is to your rear as you face the main factory entrance. There used to be some bike sheds and a few small red brick buildings and a vehicle wash area. I believe they used to have their own sewage treatment plant there but way before my time. The main entrance of the mill would probably date from the 1930's when the dryer was built but if you follow the road up the hill this takes you to the older part of the site which is falling down quite badly now. As far as I know a development company now own the site but cannot do anything as much of it is listed.

Great work very well done