Brynkir Woolen Mills

Since the 1830s the famous Brynkir Woollen Mills (in Golan, Gwynedd) have been producing woollen goods by water power.

 

Wool in the home: Designs

 

The design above is Trefriw's "F" pattern, designed by Freda Williams in the 1940s and recently discontinued. This blanket appears to be from the early 1940s. This was photographed in a historic home next to a fireplace whose supporting beam is formed from a timber salvaged from the Spanish Armada.

 

Above: at least forty years old, the owner believes it to have been made in Penmachno, though other opinion states that Penmachno did not produce this design, though Trefriw did. 

Penmachno Woollen Mill

 

Sadly, the woollen mill at Penmachno is no longer in operation, said by locals to be a matter of modern safety standards and the proximity of certain working parts to the stream. Many internet tourist sites seem to think it is still operational. Sorry! The buildings still stand in a delightful position by a bridge over the Machno River.

In the nineties it was operating as a factory and a sales outlet as well as a historical site for tourists. One unusual feature was the dummy of a man sitting on the old long drop toilet, which jutted out over the Machno River.

Trefriw Woollen Mill: In the 21st century

 

Above: Laying blend in the Mill as it is today.

1) Laying a blend. Several different types of wool are used in a blend. The quantities are weighed and are laid in layers to form a mound. Wool oil is added to help the wool pass through the machinery. The oil is synthetic and comes out when the wool is washed. 

Trefriw Woollen Mill: Days gone by

 

Above: an early photo of the Trefriw Woollen Mill, showing the fast running River Crafnant turning the water wheel and thus powering the machinery. It was originally a fulling mill or "pandy". The river water was also used to wash the wool.

Oaklands Factory

Once a factory producing Woollen Goods, here is Oaklands Factory as it looks today:

 

Gwytherin Woollen Mill

This latest addition to our Wool History page comes thanks to Heulwen Roberts, who has researched the Woollen Mill at Gwytherin.

Her essay in Welsh essay has been translated into English for our non-Welsh speaking visitors - see further below for the trasnlation