Papermaking Equipment for Sale or Disposal: Hollander beaters and small paper machines.
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Papermaking Equipment for Sale or Disposal: Hollander beaters and small paper machines.
As you may know the famous Springfield Mill, Maidstone is closing at the end
of June 2015. Springfield was probably the first mill in the world to be
built on site that did not rely on either waterpower or windpower as it had
one of the first six James Watt steam engines ever to be made. William
Balston built a completely pioneering mill which even had a laboratory. In
many ways it is the prototype for all modern paper mills.
The mill has flourished and more recently survived for 200 years. Although
hand-made production ended in the 1950s and mould made art paper production
ceased in the 1960s, the Mill is still making the famous Whatman filter
papers which are almost as good as Green filter papers were!
The machinery at the mill is for sale through John Willkie a per the
attached schedule. Sadly no firm offers have been received as a result of
which some excellent beaters and unique high quality paper machines may be
scrapped. The current owners will be off site by the end of August which is
the final deadline for equipment to be removed.
Whilst this equipment may be entirely wrong for most people on my address
list, pleased do pass it on to specialist papermakers who may be interested.
All enquiries should be sent to John Willkie at wilkiem...@aol.com and
not to me.
Time is short; please do not waste people's time by enquiring if you do not
have the capability to make a quick removal. Price may not a major issue -
but only if removed in time.
Springfield Mill will be redeveloped. What use may be made of the site is
yet to be determined but some buildings are protected by English Heritage
and there is a very slight possibility that the original loft, current
housing Cornwall machine, could become some sort of history centre.
Unfortunately some wild unfunded ideas are being promoted which may raise
hopes and irritate the owners but which could never happen.
If you would like to see some sort of modest history centre and if you think
you could help, please let me know and I will pass your interest on.
Regards
Simon Barcham Green
9, Lancet Lane, Maidstone, ME15 9RX, UK. 01622 743194