Site Record

The establishment of Cambrian Woollen Mill in the mid-nineteenth century, using power-driven weaving looms, contributed to the destruction of the livelihood of the handloom weavers in Newtown. Reputedly the largest woollen mill in Wales, it was badly damaged by a fire in 1912, thus marking the end of wool as a major industry in the town. Following the first World War, the buildings were converted for use as a Government Instructional Factory, training former soldiers in building trades. The mill is shown on the Ordnance Survey 25in map of 1902 but had been demolished and built over by the time of the 1938 6in map.
B.A.Malaws, RCAHMW, 25 January 2012.