Forest of Dean FHT Forum - Bill Mills, Pontshill

Bill Mills, Pontshill (reply)

slowhands — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 09:00:30 +0000

I known its splitting hairs , but !

I would have said west of Pontshill following the stream - hence the old Grist mill, rather than Weston u Penyard or Hope Mansell ( the parishes come together in this area - so technically it is in WuP parish !)

The "pop " factory refers to its time as a Dayla soft drinks unit.

Shown as "works" near Parkfields on the OS map
http://getamap.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/getamap/frames.htm?mapAction=gaz&gazName=g&...

a good history of the site is here :-
http://www.tvas.co.uk/reports/pdf/BMR05-101bs.pdf

http://www.westonnews.co.uk/walks/jubilee_walk_south.pdf

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/177712

25th March 1851

Description:
Parchment : 1 sheet 58cm x 76cm with 2 wax seals, 2 signatures and revenue stamp.

Summary of contents:
PARTIES
George RUDGE of Hope Mansell, Herefordshire. Farmer.
Thomas BRIGHT of Bill Mill, Parish of Weston under Penyard, Herefordshire. Mealman.

SUBJECT
George Rudge is mortgaging property in Hope Mansell to Thomas Bright for £370. It consists of:

1. The freehold of a recently erected dwellinghouse and one-and-a-half acres of land at The Kiln in the Parish of Hope Mansell.

2. 5 acres of copyhold land in the Manor of Hope Mansell called The Kiln Piece close to (1) above.

In order to complete the contract, George Rudge undertakes to surrender the copyhold land to the Lord of the Manor.

Western-under-Penyard location (reply)

Kimbad — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 08:42:19 +0000

I am descended from A. J. Wintle (and other Wintles) who owned and operated Bill Mills for several generations (never heard it called a Pop Factory!) but yes, water then steam bottling lines for beer (other Wintles brewed in Mitcheldean, Forest Brewery) and mineral water, etc. Fascinating site, possibly saxon mill with addition after addition. Will post a photo of it taken in 2003 to the Forest of Dean site. It's now being developed for housing. Regards, Amanda Woolley

Western-under-Penyard location (reply)

unknown — Sat, 01 May 2010 19:17:56 +0000

re Bill Mill.

I have walked around that area and its commonly known as Bill Mills home Of Wintles pop factory. The factory almost took over the hamlet and many of the properties and are now renovated and for sale. Not sure if the pop factory is still in operation.
I Googled 'Bill Mills Ross' and it comes up with properties for sale and many other sites with possible info you may find helpful

Weston-under-Penyard location (reply)

billingham — Sat, 01 May 2010 13:28:39 +0000

Thanks to all that have viewed this post I have located what I believe is the possible location of Bill Mill Cottage, which is on the western, side of the Hope Mansell valley, Knacker's Hole, occupying the end of a ridge above the buildings called Bill Mill, was formerly a detached part of Lea Bailey tithing. In 1812 it contained three cottages,one on the crest of the ridge and the others presumably lower down to the north-east, where three cottages, including a pair, stood in 1840

From: 'Forest of Dean: Settlement', A History of the County of Gloucester: Volume 5: Bledisloe Hundred, St. Briavels Hundred, The Forest of Dean (1996), pp. 300-325. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=23266 Date accessed: 01 May 2010.

Weston-under-Penyard location (reply)

billingham — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 16:55:50 +0000

I have found reference to Bill Mill here http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/records.aspx?cat=044-w21&cid=-1#-1

Wintle Alfred John, miller, maltster, and corn merchant, Bill mill

he also appears to have produced and bottled mineral water. I hope this further information is of help.

Western-under-Penyard location

billingham — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 16:33:41 +0000

Does anyone know where Bill Mill Cottage, Western-Under-Penyard was or if it is still there. I believe it may be close to Palmers Hill but am unsure on that fact.
George ABELL lived at the above location on the 1861 Census after moving to the area from Painswick. George was the former Inn Holder of the Royal Oak, St.Mary's Street, Painswick.