Trefriw Woollen Mills facts for kids
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 Location in Conwy
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| Built | c. 1825 |
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| Location | Trefriw, Conwy, Wales |
| Coordinates | 53°09′03″N 3°49′29″W / 53.150780°N 3.824695°W |
| Industry | Textile manufacturing |
| Products | Woven wool |
Trefriw Woollen Mills is a special place in the village of Trefriw, Conwy, in northern Wales. It's a wool factory that has been making beautiful wool products since about 1825.
Contents
History of the Mill
The business of making wool products was once very important in Wales. It helped the country's economy a lot.
Early Days and Growth
The Trefriw Woollen Mill started around 1820. It was first called the Vale of Conwy Woollen Mill. This first mill was built a bit higher up than the one you see today. It stood on the banks of the Afon Crafnant river.
In 1859, a man named Thomas Williams bought the mill. He helped the business grow even more. The wool products made here were sent to the coast. They traveled from a special dock in Trefriw using the River Conwy.
How the Mill Was Powered
At first, a very large water wheel powered the mill. This wheel was about 36 feet (11 meters) wide. It was an "overshot wheel," meaning water flowed over the top to make it turn. This big wheel helped power machines called "spinning mules" and "jennies." These machines turned wool into yarn.
After the yarn was made, workers used hand looms to weave it into cloth. A smaller water wheel, about 7 feet (2 meters) wide, powered another machine. This machine was a "fulling mill." It washed the cloth and pressed it with wooden hammers. This made the cloth thicker and stronger.
Around 1900, the water wheels were taken apart. The mill then started using its first "hydroelectric turbine." This machine uses the power of moving water to make electricity.
Modern Power and Machines
Later, in 1942 and 1951, two special "Pelton wheel" turbines were added. These were put in an old flour mill building. They made 60 kilowatts of power for the mill's machines. These turbines get their water from a dam built in 1952. The dam is about half a mile (0.8 km) upstream and 125 feet (38 meters) higher up.
Most of the machines used at the mill today were bought in the 1950s and 1960s. The main building you see now was built around 1970. It has three roofs that are not very steep. Behind this main building, you can find several older mill buildings. You can reach them from the mill yard.
Awards and Recognition
Workers from Trefriw Woollen Mills even won awards! In 1918, they took part in the National Eisteddfod of Wales. This is a big festival of Welsh culture. They won prizes for things like fine cream cloth, white baby blankets, and two large blankets.
Trefriw Woollen Mills Today
Today, Trefriw Woollen Mills is one of the few wool factories still working in Wales. The Williams family still owns and runs the mill.
What They Make
The mill starts with raw wool. They clean it, spin it into yarn, dye it with colors, and then weave it. They make many beautiful things, like:
- Tapestry bedspreads
- Tweeds (a type of rough wool fabric)
- Traveling rugs
The mill is especially known for its traditional "double-weave" blankets. These blankets are extra warm and cozy.
Visiting the Mill
Trefriw Woollen Mills has a shop where you can buy their products. It is also open for visitors at certain times. You can learn how wool is turned into fabric.
There is also a lovely garden at the mill. In this garden, you can see plants that are used to make natural soaps, dyes, and fibers. In the summer, you might even see people showing how to spin wool by hand or how to make rag rugs.
