Back of New Mills by John Crome c.1790
Records of mills on this site go back at least to the 14th century Formerly known as Chese's, Bumpstede's and the Appleyard's Mills, they became known as the "New" Mills after being rebuilt in 1430. The building was funded by the then mayor and other well to do citizens, such as Robert Baxter, at a cost of £211 5s 7d. The bequest of a coronet to Norwich by the late King Henry V provided 200 marks towards the costs. The actual builders or carpenters were William Cok and John Arnold, who were paid 100 marks. At this time, in the reign of Henry Vl, the city of Norwich had been without corn mills for some 12 years. New Mills was set up to evade the costly milling that was provided by the Abbot of St. Benet's in the Home.
New Mills by John Crome c.1815
Corn was ground at New Mills up to and during the 19th century but in 1897 Norwich Corporation erected the present building as an Air Compressor Station. Downstream from here the river level is tidal; but the upstream level is maintained by gates on the other side of the building. At low tide, a sufficient head of water could drive turbines set in the arches under the building. The turbines could then drive the air compressors. At times when there was no head of water, steam was generated in an adjacent building (destroyed during the war) using the City's rubbish as fuel, to drive a steam engine connected to the air compressors.
The compressed air was piped underground around the City and used for a variety of purposes such as driving lathes and other machinery in the City Technical College (later the Art School) and other Council workshops. However its main use was to power eight 'Shones Ejector' underground sewage pumps, located around the City. This unique system was closed in 1972.
New Mills South side 1933. Photo George Plunket.
Onto the cache , the area can be busy at times so stealth maybe required. Be careful not to drop it in river. Please bring a pen and tweezers maybe needed.