Millstones Stanage Edge

by sandinista

These abandoned Millstones lie beneath Stanage Edge in the Derbyshire Dark Peak District.

Millstone production, along with lead mining was one of the main medieval industries of the Peak District and the two main centres of production were above Hathersage and Baslow. Production is believed to have started as early as the 14th century, reaching its peak in the late 16th and 17th centuries. It was a huge industry.

Traditionally the stones were quarried by individual stone masons, each making about 16 pairs per year up on the hillside near to where the stone was quarried. They would then be transported down the hill and taken away by road or river. Peak District Millstones found their way all over the UK.

It is thought that the market for Peak District millstones disappeared very suddenly mid-18th century when white bread became fashionable. The gritstone of which they were made turned flour a grey colour, whereas it was found that French millstones were capable of producing white flour.

Dozens of millstones in production in the Peak District couldn’t be sold and still lie today exactly where they were produced – up on the hills below the gritstone edges. Unlucky for the masons' who's livelihood depended upon the market for the stones but a wonderful bequest for the modern photographer to be able to capture the brooding intensity of the abandoned stones.

The Millstone is now the symbol of the Peak District National Park. Enter the park on a main road and that chances are that you will see a great millstone standing on a stone mount indicating that you are now entering the Peak District.
Uploaded08/01/2014 - 19:52
CategoryLandscape / Travel
Shutter Speed1/15
Aperturef/16
LensN/A
ISO160
Focal Length10mm
Views/Likes98/0

GIULIO57
Posted 08/01/2014 - 20:06 Link
Good compo
PPG
Teaka53
Posted 08/01/2014 - 20:52 Link
I love this, the colours, the textures, the shadows, the imposing sky, best large
Malc
carmagw
Posted 08/01/2014 - 21:04 Link
Very nice Jim and I enjoyed the written information. Always wondered why there were so many of these left behind.

Regards

George
AndrewA
Posted 08/01/2014 - 21:09 Link
Great shot and info too!
Andrew

"I'm here because the whiskey is free" - Tyla

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Dodge69
Posted 08/01/2014 - 22:49 Link
nice colour palette here
Pentax pour des images riches en détails!
bwlchmawr
Posted 09/01/2014 - 07:08 Link
No one better illustrates the importance of a strong foreground than you, Jim.
Best wishes,

Andrew

"These places mean something and it's the job of a photographer to figure-out what the hell it is."
Robert Adams
"The camera doesn't make a bit of difference.  All of them can record what you are seeing.  But, you have to SEE."
Ernst Hass
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iangilmour
Posted 09/01/2014 - 07:19 Link
Excellent shot Jim. Very informative description too.
Best wishes
Ian
pauljay
Posted 09/01/2014 - 11:29 Link
Interesting tale and a nice portrayal!
Paul.

Photography is not a sport. It has no rules. Everything must be dared and tried! (Bill Brandt)
PPG
Blaze
Posted 09/01/2014 - 12:16 Link
Interesting history of millstones - always nice to learn something about a photo.
Glorious view and sky !
mohammad
Posted 09/01/2014 - 12:42 Link
Interesting work.

Regards
tyronet2000
Posted 09/01/2014 - 14:23 Link
Blaze wrote:
Interesting history of millstones - always nice to learn something about a photo.
Glorious view and sky !

I agree with this and the other comments
Regards
Stan

PPG
autumnlight
Posted 09/01/2014 - 15:15 Link
Smashing info. and a great shot.
Northgrain
Posted 09/01/2014 - 15:55 Link
This and the grouse trough shot make a great duo

Characteristically clever composition and a great sky.

Any more strong keepers like this from your visit????
Posted 30/01/2014 - 09:58 Link
Super shot lovely dramatic feel to this and thanks for the history...Alan

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