Derelict Thursday - "The Old Mill, Jesmond Dene"

Mills may have existed here since the 13th Century, but vibrations from the heavy machinery and fire risks associated with the dusty atmosphere meant that mill buildings rarely lasted more than about 200 years before being replaced. This particular building dates from about 1800. It was used at times to grind corn, and at other times to grind flint (which was used to add hardness to clay for use in the potteries downstream).
 
Three generations of the Freeman family (all called Paddy!) ran the mill here from 1795; they also farmed High Heaton Farm (on the top of the bank behind the mill) – now called Paddy Freeman’s Park which has a boating lake, kiddies' playground and a sports field.
 
Sir William Armstrong (the inventor/industrialist, of Cragside Estate and Armstrong’s armaments factory fame) purchased the whole Dene, including the mill, in 1871 and around that time milling ceased here.
 
The Mill is now classed as a Grade II Listed Building.
 
I’ve previously blipped a close-up photo of the centre of the reproduction mill wheel here – and will probably use different views of the mill & its machinery in some subsequent Derelict Thursday blips.
 
I pondered cloning out the unfortunate graffiti but decided that would be dishonest, and anyway in some ways maybe it adds to the appearance of dereliction!