Gawbridge Mill's Hole in the Wall
One of the buildings at Gawbridge Mill, which is located on the River Parrett and on the road between Coat and East Lambrook, has a round hole about 4 feet of the ground, which was built into the brick wall when it was originally constructed. According to the book Curious Somerset by Derek Warren, it is an access hole for cats, so that they could get inside the mill and kill any rats or mice: the rodents were unable to climb up the wall to get in through the hole. However the current owners of the mill have confirmed that it is in fact a "pay hole" into the pay office. Mill workers were handed their wages through the hole up until the 1950s.
The current Gawbridge Mill, which was powered by water from the River Parrett, dates from the 18th century. It was in use as a mill until the 1960s.
The pay hole is clearly visible from the public road. I zoomed in with my camera to take the photograph from the road. Grid reference: ST 443 196
Pay hole
Pay hole in context
Gawbridge Mill
We are the present owners of the mill and would like to correct the assumption that this is a cat hole, which is incorrect as this is actually a pay hole into the pay office. This was still in use upto the 1950's. The mill workers received their wages through this hole, this was confirmed by the last mill managers son who is now in his eighties and is a mind of fascinating information regarding the mill.
ReplyDeleteFor any further information please contact me on tony.holliss@btinternet.com