Solva Woollen Mill - History
In 1900 there were 26 woollen mills in the county of Pembrokeshire. Moved to its present site from St. Davids in 1907 by Tom Griffiths, the new purpose built factory was powered by a 10' overshot water-wheel. Equipped with the machinery to process fleece into fabric, a number of small powered looms and a hand loom for weaving stair carpet, cropping machine and flannel press.
Warping was carried out on a peg frame. The finishing of the cloth was initially carried out at a local fulling mill before the mill invested in its own fulling machine. Producing tweeds, flannel, blankets, hand woven stair carpets and wool for knitting the mill was kept busy supplying both local demand and visitors from further a field; In 1929 the then Prime Minister the Rt. Hon J. Ramsey MacDonald MP had a suit woven from Middle Mill tweed.
In 1944 Betty, Tom's daughter married Eric Hemmingway, a colour matcher trained in a Cleckheaton worsted spinning firm, whom she had met whilst he was stationed at St. Davids airfield during the war. When Tom Griffiths retired in 1950 Betty and Eric took over the running of the Mill. Eric soon recognised the market for weaving and fitting carpets and transferred carpet production to the powered looms. They expanded the factory re-equipping with larger looms and a more modern warper. The water-wheel was replaced with a 'Ruston' oil fired engine.
The introduction of mains electricity in the early 60's saw another weaving shed being built the looms again being replaced. In 1968 it is recorded that the mill was equipped with 1 small willeying machine, a carding set consisting of a hand feed, 48-inch two-part scribbler, Apperley intermediate feed, 48-inch two-part carder with single rubber condenser giving twenty-two good threads. One 80 spindle hand mule, Super-cop weft winder, hank making machine, 152" warping mill and creel, four large powered looms and 1 small 48" loom.
More stringent health and safety regulations saw the scrapping of all the carding and spinning plant, it being more economical to buy in ready spun and dyed yarn. The finishing was once again done off site. By the 70's most of the mills production was carpeting and the Mill had a shop in St.Davids catering to the evermore important tourist trade.
In 1986 Betty and Eric decided it was time to retire, having no immediate family to continue the business, the Mill was sold to the Grime family,Eric stayed on as a consultant passing on his many years of experience to the new owners. Cynthia, Robert and their son Tom were determined to maintain the reputation that the mill had for quality woven goods.
A steady programme of refurbishment saw the connection of mains water and a telephone for the first time. More looms were purchased, and part of the old mill converted into a Tea Room. A new larger car park with footbridge over the river was constructed.
The Mill was taken over by Tom and his wife Anna in 2006. To celebrate the mills centenary in 2007 the original waterwheel was restored and along with a new outdoor seating area provides another attraction at the mill.
Ongoing projects include the construction of a new, larger weaving shed and the conversion of the original mill into a new shop.
Solva Woollen Mill is now one of two remaining working woollen mills left in Pembrokeshire