Building record MLI81564 - Former Barn, Gas Works and Cornmill, Rectory Lane, Branston and Mere
Summary
Stone-built building, formerly used as a barn, but later converted for use as part of a gas works and cornmill. Converted to residential use in 1980.
Type and Period (5)
- BARN (Post Medieval to Late 20th Century - 1700 AD to 1980 AD)
- GAS WORKS (Post Medieval to Early 20th Century - 1852 AD to 1930 AD)
- STEAM MILL (Early 20th Century to Mid 20th Century - 1930 AD? to 1950 AD?)
- CORN MILL (Early 20th Century to Mid 20th Century - 1930 AD? to 1950 AD?)
- HOUSE (Late 20th Century to 21st Century - 1980 AD to 2050 AD)
Protected Status/Designation
Full Description
The substantial stone barn located off Rectory Lane was the subject of a study, conducted by Catherine Wilson in 1980, prior to its proposed conversion to housing. The building was of considerable interest since, as well as its original agricultural use, it had also been used as part of a gas works and cornmill.
The barn itself was probably built in the 18th century but its industrial activities belong to the end of the 19th century. The gas works on the site are thought to have been constructed by the gas engineer George Bower in 1852-3. White's Directory of 1892 records for Branston that 'the village is much improved during the last 20 years and private gas works were erected by the late Hon. Alexander Leslie-Melville from which gas is supplied to many of the houses.' There were few remains of the gas works noted during the site visit, with all the retorts and purifying equipment having been removed some time previously. The pits for the gas holders were, however, clearly visible as was the concrete base for the scrubber. It is thought that the gas works went out of use in about 1930, with the site then being used for cornmilling.
The cornmilling equipment consisted of two pairs of stones. It is possible that the second pair of stones was reused from a watermill. Both pairs were water-driven by a steam engine in a lean-to on the end of the barn. The surviving chimney seems to relate to this engine, rather than the gas works. {1}{2}{3}{4}{5}
Sources/Archives (5)
- <1> SLI725 Article in Serial: Malcolm G. Knapp (ed.). 1981. 'Industrial Archaeology Notes, 1980' in Lincolnshire History and Archaeology. vol.16, pp.48-9.
- <2> SLI726 Article in Serial: Malcolm G. Knapp (ed.). 1982. 'Industrial Archaeology Notes, 1981' in Lincolnshire History and Archaeology. vol.17, p.57.
- <3> SLI12242 Article in Serial: Neil R. Wright. 1972. 'Gas Works in Lincolnshire' in Lincolnshire Industrial Archaeology. vol.7, no.3, p.38.
- <4> SLI16789 Bibliographic Reference: A.T. Marks. 2019. The Gas Works of Lincolnshire. p.290.
- <5> SLI16835 Report: Historic England. 2020. The Manufactured Gas Industry. -.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred TF 01987 67268 (30m by 23m) Surveyed |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | BRANSTON AND MERE, NORTH KESTEVEN, LINCOLNSHIRE |
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (1)
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External Links (0)
Record last edited
Dec 31 2021 3:13PM
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