Reply To: Keynsham Paper Mill (Bristol)

Thanks Jeff

Your memories are very interesting, showing that even in 1974 some mills were dependent on hard manual labour in situations where a small capital spend would have produced much improved working conditions. I remember much manual handling in several Reed mills in this era although not lifting the pulp over the edge. Broke was a different matter.
It is significant that these worst of these mills were the first to close.
In fact, 1974 was the start of the decline in Paper employment; 1974 64,741 employees in 143 mills declined to 1986 31,860 employees in 89 mills.(1)

Keynsham is a mill with few records we have listed- anything further will be welcome.

(1) British Paper & Board Reference Tables 1986. Quoted in Papermaking in Britain 1488-1988 Richard L. Hills