| The Spring Mill | ||
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In 1875
a new steam-powered factory was built in Penygreen Road at Highgate, Llanidloes.
Because it was completely powered by steam it did not need to be situated
near the river. |
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| The
photograph above shows the interior of Spring Mill. It was taken about 1890
and gives us a good idea what these factories were like. The wheels
on the ceiling were attached to long axles which were powered by steam engines.
Belts coming down from the wheels would
power the looms. These could produce cloth at a fantastic rate but working
on them could be unpleasant. The factories were noisy places and the workers
became good at lip reading! Some handloom weavers who had to give up their trade and work in the factories said they had changed from being craftsmen to being slaves to a machine. .
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