The residential properties
in Nayland Rd now stand on a site which began life as a Maltings (date
unknown). The owners were `Freeman - Rodwell`, there was no connection
with the Maltings in Station Hill.
We know from local information that it must have been in business until
the 1920`s. The Factory chimney was built in 1924, not only to provide
draft for the boilers but to vent the smoke away from the village.
It was then the main dying and fabric finishing works for material that
was knitted at Cornard Mills. Both the sites were owned by Melsos. The
local factory here was known as the `Stour Valley Dyeworks`
For something like 30 years Chambers had a contract with the factory
to transport anthracite from the railway station to the factory (and
also the Mill) to fuel the boilers. Transport in those days was by horse
and cart.
In later years the boilers were converted to oil, happily for the residents
this brought and end to the black dense smoke and smuts which belched
from the chimney. The chimney was now redundant, but it continued in
use to vent the boilers.Shortly after the second world war the chimney
was struck by lightening. Large cracks appeared and for safety reasons
the height was lowered and metal bands fitted for support.
During the 1960`s it was taken over by Vyella Coates.
January 1964 gutted by fire. The glow of the fire could be seen approaching
the village at the top of Wormingford Hill.
Re-built a year later and re-opened as a dye works once again. Work
was subsequently transferred to the Manchester area.
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Later sold to Swifts an American based company as a Cheese Factory,
processing waste cheese from retail outlets. Lorries from such stores
as Tesco`s, Dairy Crest etc and delivered the cheese which was then
reconstituted and resold.
A large quantity of cheese was packaged in large tins for the army as
well as cheese slices.
It employed a large number of villagers some estimating as many as about
60 employees.
Some names which were remembered:-
| Ethel Staples |
Freda Garrad |
Joyce Norris |
Bernie Clampin |
Doreen Warden |
Mable Hume |
| Pearl Cousins |
Janet Dolland |
Betty Wilkinson |
Joan Baldwyn |
Eileen Joyce |
Dick Kemp |
| Maureen Row |
|
|
|
|
|
Can you recall anymore ?
During lunchtime the "Three
Ways Cafe" over in Bridge Street was a popular venue for refreshments
It is well remembered, because of it`s very characteristic pungent smell
of boiled-up cheese, which drifted across the village!
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After its closure it was left unoccupied for several years eventually
becoming an eyesore in the heart of the village. Despite many plans
for the building nothing ever materialised.
Finally in Feb 1995, the chimney was demolished and work started on
the construction of a new housing development.
