Nash Mill

Nash Mill was a paper mill in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom. The local residential area (Nash Mills) takes its name from the mill.

Early records

There was originally a corn-mill recorded in the Domesday Book.[1] This belonged in the Middle Ages to the Abbey of St Albans.

Paper mill

The mill was purchased in 1811 by John Dickinson. It had been converted to papermaking by A. Blackwell at the end of the eighteenth century and was a half mile from Dickinson's original Apsley Mill on the Grand Junction Canal. The mill-house, called Nash House, became the family home for Dickinson and his new wife Ann (née Grover) whose father Harry Grover supported this business development through his Grover's Bank. In a very few years Nash Mill was renowned for its production of tough thin paper for Samuel Bagster's "Pocket Reference Bible".

A major fire in 1813 was a setback, but, being covered by insurance, enabled redevelopment towards large scale production and by 1825 steam power had been installed, powered by coal delivered by canal. John Dickinson & Co. Ltd had their Engineering Department at Nash Mills until 1888 (managed by Leonard Stephenson), when it was transferred to Apsley Mill. The production of fine rag paper on electrically driven machines was a successful innovation at Nash.[2]

There was unrest amongst the workers in 1821 when pay was cut in response to declining trade. Local leaders of the Society of Papermakers were dismissed and replaced by recruits from Abbots Langley. The dismissed workers and their families, living in tied cottages, suffered distress and some "went on the parish". After some disruption and even sabotage, the situation calmed.[2]

In 1823 and in 1826, there were repeated mechanical problems.[2] The mill maintained its own fire brigade with steam fire engine.[3]

By the end of the nineteenth century, Nash Mill, which was small and had a reputation for independence, experienced a drop in profitability. Continuous minor changes were implemented until, in 1926 it underwent improvements with expansion, remodelling and refurbishment.

Closure and redevelopment

In 1999, the paper mills owned by John Dickinson in the Apsley area were closed and the land was redeveloped. Nash Mill, however, was sold to the international Sappi Group and continued to make paper until 2006. This mill was closed and subsequently sold; the warehouse business was relocated to Dunstable. Housing redevelopment plans were publicised in September 2009.[4] By late 2010, the site had been largely cleared, retaining Nash House, Stephenson's Cottage and a war memorial.

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References
  1. "Nash Mill".
  2. Hemel Hempstead Local History and Records Society (1981). History of Hemel Hempstead. Hemel Hempstead: Charter Trustees of Hemel Hempstead. pp. 106–107. ISBN 0-9502743-1-3.
  3. Hemel Hempstead Local History and Records Society (1981). History of Hemel Hempstead. Hemel Hempstead: Charter Trustees of Hemel Hempstead. p. 115. ISBN 0-9502743-1-3.
  4. "A flagship scheme comes to Nash Mills" (pdf). Linden Homes & Crest Nicholson. 2009. Retrieved 13 October 2010.
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