Hunt is on for Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings' bell as it reopens
A search has been launched to find the bell that has been missing from the so-called "grandparent of skyscrapers" for nearly 40 years.As Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings prepares to re-open under English Heritage's (EH) tenure on Tuesday, the charity is asking one question - where is its bell?It is believed to be about 24in (0.6m) tall and cast with the year "1791" on it. The charity believes it went missing in the late 1980s or early 1990s, when the building was derelict."Whilst it is possible that the bell could have been melted down, it is more likely that someone took it as a souvenir," said Matt Thompson, EH curatorial director.
"[It would have been when] this imposing, historic building which – at the time – looked close to ruin."As Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings begins its new incarnation as an English Heritage site, it feels like the right time to appeal for information on the bell's whereabouts so that we can restore it to its rightful place."The bell would ring out to mark the start and end of each working day at the Flaxmill and later, the maltings, EH said.
It was the world's first multi-storey, iron-frame building, and its design paved the way for modern high-rise buildings. It opened in 1797 as a purpose-built flaxmill, operating for a century under steam power to spin flax into linen thread. From 1897, the site was used as a maltings and served as a temporary army training unit and barracks during World War Two, before closing in 1987.
'Catalyst for labour reform'
The buildings were left to fall into dereliction, before EH bought the site in 2005, restoring it in partnership with Shropshire Council and the Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings."The social change brought about by this very flaxmill and the factory system in general is equally as important to British history," said Mr Thompson."The associated urban migration, long, hard working hours and exploitation of children were catalysts for labour reform movements and legislation to improve conditions, including the 1833 Factory Act for which the government received testimony from former workers at Shrewsbury Flaxmill."It would be a fitting end to the incredible story of Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings if we could find the bell and restore it to its rightful place."
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