麻豆社

The mill in Rowsley has been there since 1874. It was built by John Cauldwell and run as a family business until it closed in the 1970鈥檚.

By 1912 the firm decided their machinery needed to be upgraded. It decided to fit plainsifters - a mechanic sieve - to allow finer grades of flour to be produced. The German firm Amme, Giesecke & Konegen were employed to do the work.

The workmen were on site by August 1914. World War One started and three German workmen were arrested and sent back to Germany. The senior men, however, were allowed to install the machinery. When the work was completed they were interned at a prisoner of war camp at the Isle of Man, returning to Germany in 1919.

Several tonnes of flour were produced daily at the mill at the time, it being a staple food for the local community.

Location: Cauldwell Mill, Rowsley, Derbyshire DE4 2EB
Image: Cauldwell Mill