Goodbye to Staups Mill

West Yorkshire has many places to explore no more so than through Jumble Hole Clough. During my life one of my favourite walks has been through this hidden valley where towards the top end there has always been a surprise discovery of the ruined Staups Mill. The mill was a small early water mill (date stone 1812) which I think processed cloth woven by the hand loom weavers living on the tops. One of the early features that you could still see were the open fire places on each floor. I photographed it on several occasions because there was a particular atmosphere surrounding this spot and the remains acted as reminder of the busy early industrialised period that this valley is famous. The mill had been in ruin for many years before I first came upon it but there was still enough left to give the imagination something to build upon. Over time the remains of the mill have gradually fallen and it is fair to say that neglect did leave it in a perilous and dangerous state.

Well no more - the new owners have taken it down. They are not prepared to be held responsible for its upkeep and they will re-use the stone (a previous attempt to have it listed was turned down). I’m sad to see it go.