End of an Era
The announcement earlier this month of the closure of the Standish 'Bleach Works' at Worthington marks the end of an era of industry on the site that goes back to the Middle ages. It is known locally as the Bleach Works but no bleaching has been done on the site since 1907. The earliest mention of a mill at Worthington comes from the 14th century when a water mill (most likely for corn) is referred to in Standish family settlement deeds. Kuerden mentions it in 1690 and it also appears on Yate's map of 1786. At that time the Clayton family were proprietors and James Radcliffe was tenant. Towards the end of the 18th century the mill was converted for making paper by Robert Crompton, whose family was already making paper at their mill in Farworth. The Crompton family tried to sell the mill in 1840 with an advert in the Wigan Gazette. It described the mill as having seven paper engines, three turned by water and three by steam of 20 horsepower. Also for sale was the iron water wheel. Paper making ceased in 1883 and the following year bleaching was started by T Taylor & Co. Dyeing was also introduced in 1899 when the works was taken over by Bradford Dyers Association. The current factory is owned by Courtalds and the land is to be developed for housing.
Latest from Egypt
A few weeks ago came news of another "solar boat" uncovered near the Great Pyramids at Giza. Like the previous one discovered in 1954, this had been dismantled in antiquity and rapped in linen. The authorities have resealed it until they can arrange resources to deal with it. Meanwhile here is news about further work being carried out by the Oxford Expedition.
Maidum
This area 100 km south of Cairo is extremely important as it contains some of the earliest, (2500 BC), fully decorated chapels and tombs to have survived from ancient Egypt. After their discovery in 1870 the paintings were persistently vandalised and eventually in 1910 the reliefs were smashed and dispersed to various museums around the world. In 1987 the Expedition embarked on a long-term project of piecing them back together in order to trace the history of the tombs and chapels they decorated.
Pyramid-Causeway
In the Old Kingdom pyramids and mortuary temples were linked to the Nile valley by a long causeway. Of all the existing causeways the most complete is the 600 meter one of King Unas (5th dynasty). It lies south of the famous Step Pyramid of Zoser at Saqqarra. Since before the 2nd World War various attempts have been made to excavate and record the blocks that make up the causeway. For the last 10 years the Expedition has carried out a systematic programme of photography and recording, the results of which are now ready for publication.
Chapel of Izezi-ankh
This tomb lies half-buried in the sand also near the Step Pyramid at Saqqara. It was uncovered in 1980 and then abandoned for some unknown reason. Since then the wall paintings have been left to fade, to the extent that they are now barely visible. Fortunately in 1994 members of the Expedition were able to photograph and record them before they became too indistinct, hopefully when published, preserving the name of Izezi-ankh. By the way, John Johnson is returning Luxor again in November. He says there are still some places left if anybody is interested.
Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Society will be on Wednesday 6th May at the history shop at 7.30 pm as usual. Change of plan this month. Instead of Ian Rogers, who has emigrated to Australia (not much Roman activity there!), Gifford & Partners have arranged for Darrel ?? to come and talk to us about the Bronze Age site recently discovered at Manchester Airport's second runway development.
Hope to see you there - B.A.