Sara's Foundry, Town Mill

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SW 64 SE 5/311

REDRUTH TOLGUS PLACE (west side) Sara's Foundry, Town Mill

GV II*

Iron foundry and engineering works. C19 and C20, with earlier core. Some coursed granite rubble, but mostly corrugated sheet cladding on timber framing; roof damaged. The earliest part is the former corn mill, a small rectangular stone structure at the west corner, built into the bank below the goit, with a small water wheel attached to its west (or rear) wall; the north side wall continues to the east, with two larger water wheels, one 16 feet in diameter and the other 32 feet (this dismantled at time of survey 1988, following storm damage).

The exterior of the rest of the building, which covers an approximately rectangular area, is of less interest than the internal plant and machinery: this includes reduction gearing for generators, a diesel engine, belt drives, timber cranes, a 40-foot lathe (apparently manufactured on site), massive pillar drills, shaping machines, etc., together with rock-drills made by the foundry, and a very large quantity of associated tools. Although rusted by disuse, most of this equipment is basically in the same working order as it was when work ceased 20 years ago, and some items are believed to be rare survivals.

History: original corn mill known as Town's Mill; foundry believed to have been established by Sara brothers c.1850.

Forms group with associated dwelling, Foundry House (q.v.).

Listing NGR: SW6914142586