At the early years of Queen Victoria's reign the actual weaving of the woollen flannel cloth was still being done on hand-looms. This was done by skilled weavers in cottages and farmhouses across the area in the winter. The weavers would then earn a living on the land in summer.
As the industry began to grow in
the area, weaving began to be done in Llanidloes itself with weavers'
cottages built specially.
The building of the canal up the Severn valley to Newtown meant that Llanidloes
flannel would only have to be transported there instead of all the way
to Shrewsbury. This was another important development for the industry.
These
houses in Highgate near the Short Bridge, Llanidloes had large open workshops
on the top floor and living space for the weaver and his family below.