Kirkstall Forge Forge Buildings With Helve Hammers, Slitting Mill Machinery

LEEDS

SE2536 ABBEY ROAD, Kirkstall 714-1/18/889 (South side) 26/09/63 Kirkstall Forge: forge buildings with helve-hammers, slitting mill machinery (Formerly Listed as: ABBEY ROAD, Kirkstall (South side) Forge Buildings cont'ning Helve-Hammers, Slitting Mill etc...at Kirkstall Forge)

GV II

Forge complex, remains. Buildings probably late C18 for the Beecroft and Butler families, machinery possibly earlier. Earliest remains with helve-hammer in roofless building of coursed squared gritstone with round-arched openings and standing over the former mill goit. The later wheel and hammer are housed in the attached block to NE: round-arched and flat-headed openings, roofed over with corrugated asbestos. This building also contains 2 c1850s drop-forge stamps, steam driven to Naylor's Patent, one larger than the other. HISTORICAL NOTE: a bloomery to transform iron ore to wrought-iron was established by John, Lord Savile c1590. In 1618 the complex, with water courses, was leased out and by 1690 the new weir was built at Newlay and the improved forge was part of the Spencer group of iron works. In 1779 control passed to the Beecroft and Butler families and extensive building work undertaken, including slitting mills, workshops, cottages, chapel, shop, brewhouse; small items were made for the urban market, from shovels to pudding dishes. Steam power was introduced 1835-45 and larger objects were made, steam engines, cranes, pumps etc. The Beecroft and Butler involvement came to an end in 1878. The forge continued making railway lines and axles and in the C20 a change was made to motor vehicle axles. In 1974 the firm was taken over by GKN Axles. (Brears P: The Leeds Heritage Trail: 1993-).

Listing NGR: SE2502836512