Former flax factory at Metheringham Heath Lane. The complex was constructed during the Second World War to process flax that was urgently needed for the war effort. The main building was constructed of red brick, mostly laid in a Flemish bond, but had a large number of attached lean-to's and outshots constructed of corrugated iron. All of the roofs were of corrugated iron laid over steel frames. The central building housed the main factory boiler and engines, and was where the majority of the mechanical processing occurred. This processing was comprised of a number of different stages: The newly harvested crop was brought to the factory for initial cleaning and storing (the entire plant having been pulled from the field rather than cut), most likely in the Dutch barns to the immediate south of the main complex (see PRN 65853). The flax plants would then be de-seeded, most likely in the eastern part of the main complex, where seed hoppers, fans and machinery were housed. The best of the seed would have been retained to produce the next crop, with the rest being used to produce linseed oil. The de-seeded flax straw would then be taken to the nearby retting tanks for the next stage of the process (see PRN 65855). After retting and drying, the straw would return to the main complex to be 'scutched', whereby the woodier part of the straw was separated from the internal fibres by means of mechanical rollers and rotating beaters. The processed flax fibres would then be taken to the eastern Dutch barns, where they would be stored prior to shipment (see PRN 65856). These processed fibres would be used in other factories around the country to manufacture a variety of linen materials including parachute harnesses, ships canvas and hose pipes. After the end of the Second World War, many of the factory buildings here were converted to be used to process pea vines, but were largely demolished in 2015. {1}{2}