Erbistock Mill is a four storey corn mill and weir on The River Dee. It is believed to have existed on this site since the 11 century.
The weir is 72 m long and was built to provide water to power the mill.
The present mill dates from 1603 and the weir with it was re- built in the 20th century when it was also required to drive the turbine that provided electricity for Llangollen.
Flintshire Records Office at Harwarden yielded an advert in the Leeds Mercury for Millers to apply to rent The Mill in 1913.
No less than 11 letters in application were to be found in the records office in response.
These were from:
Mobberley, Cheshire
Liverpool Rd. Whitchurch
Wellington, Shropshire
Water Mill, Llangefni
Nannerch, Mold
St. Martins, Oswestry
Kingsland, Herefordshire
Willenhall, Bewdley
Old Trafford, Manchester
Abbey Dore Mill, Hereford
The Mill, Horthen
There was also a letter from a Mrs. Wills from Rose Hill, Erbistock, asking if there was a possibility to rent the land.
One of the letters, interestingly, states that the scale of the operation was too much for him, with 5 sets of grinding stones and he apologised for any inconvenience in applying.
Water Mill at War- Everyday Life at Erbistock Mill, Near Ruabon, Denbighshire, Wales, UK, 1944
Mill-stone dresser Alfred Peate (aged 67) at work on one of the mill stones at Erbistock Mill, near Ruabon. Mr Peate is re-chipping ridges into the stones (made of French burr), which have worn smooth with use. According to the original caption, “Mr Peate lives at Glyn Ceiriog, fifteen miles from Erbistock but cycles there and back every day when he is chipping”.
1944 photos by the MOD.
The estate has, from 2019, resisted pressure from the NRW, (Natural Resources Wales), to tamper with this ancient monument, but they have been determined to push through their plans.
The result is the present upheaval, (late June 2024 for 15 weeks), to the site and its surrounding river banks.
They are using EU financing, (£500,000- £750,000) to take away part of the structure which they say will make it easier for the fish to travel upstream.
The fish have always used the fish slide to the side in times past and they also wait for the suitable conditions to help them make the journey.
We suggest that diminished fish stocks are not due to the weir but other factors, not least river pollution.
The photos below we credit The Mill Archive who gave permission for these to be used. They were taken in the 1950’s.
(Photo credit The Mills Archive)