Staverton Mill Then and Now 3.

We continue with another look at Staverton Mill.

Staverton today is probably best known for being the location of the Nestle milk factory, now named for 'CPUK' (Cereal Partners UK). But in previous years it was a textile mill a large employer from workers both in the village and Holt as well as Trowbridge.

It was the largest mill in the area and known as the Staverton Superfine Woollen Manufacture. The six floored building had a central bell tower and built over a mill stream. Water was important in the manufacture of the finishing of cloth

By 1816 it employed 273 men and women and steadily grew and by 1824 the mill employed over 1500 people.

It was demolished by fire in 1825 was rebuilt and continued to prosper till 1847

The six storey building has a stone phoenix rising from the flames on top of the building.

Following the downturn in the textile trade the Mill was bought by the Anglo Swiss Milk company in 1897 for £6,000 starting a new chapter in its history