Outbuilding To South Of Blackland Mill

The outbuilding to the south of Blackland Mill was built around 1810 and is constructed of red brick with a slate roof. It features square openings on the first floor at each end of the west front, along with ground floor double doors, larger double doors, a door with a cambered head, and a window to the right. Inside, it boasts a remarkable patent fireproof roof made of wrought-iron strip, also known as 'hoop iron', which was commonly used in cooperage. The roof has a closely spaced grid of vertical and horizontal strips, with the strips notched together and secured by patent metal clips. There is a densely spaced trussing of similar strips, with tie pieces rising to pendant strips hanging from the ridge, and the tie pieces are overlaid longitudinally with notched strips. This roofing system was invented by Mr. Pearsall of Willsbridge, near Bristol. Trade particulars from 1812, related to a large roof erected in the East India Docks in London, mention five roofs already constructed in the Bristol region, making this outbuilding the only known surviving example. It is an exceptional instance of early use of iron in roof construction.