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Summary

Former agricultural engineering works built c.1895-6 replacing an earlier smithy.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING WORKS (XIX - 1895 AD to 1900 AD)

Full description

Ordnance Survey, 1904 - 1906, Second Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch Map (Cartographic). SDV325644.

Smithy marked.

Barnett, J., 2018, Thorncliffe Works, Bishops Tawton. Heritage Statement (Report - Survey). SDV362757.

Thorncliffe Works was built on the site of a cottage circa 1895-6. A deed of 1897 refers to ‘Geo Thomas mortgage of “blacksmith’s shop etc on site of dwelling house or cottage”. George Thomas was the inventor of the Thomas corn drill. The premises was an agricultural engineering works throughout its life until its closure in the 1970s. The buildings are all currently used for storage.
The earliest structure is the five bay building at the northern end of the site to which a lean-to was added. This was extended during the Second World War. An extract from the 1957 map shows the works to have expanded to the south by this time. These later buildings comprise a series of sheds which all post date the 1930s. The 19th century Reading Room was also incorporated into the works in the 20th century. A wheel wright's tyring plate survives in the yard.

Waterhouse, R., 2021, Thorncliffe Works, Bishops Tawton, Devon. Historic Building Recording (Report - Survey). SDV366229.

A programme of historic building recording was undertaken at Thorncliffe Works and the adjoining Reading Room prior to conversion to residential use.
Thorncliffe Works was an agricultural machinery works built c.1895-6 replacing an earlier smithy and associated cottage which were built in the 1850s by the Thomas family. It manufactured corn drills, seed drills etc. As such it played an important part in the local agricultural community.
The works comprise a long building orientated east-west on the north side of the yard. It is built of machine made red brick with a slate roof. It is two storeys at the east, street end of the but as the ground slopes down to the west, it becomes three storey.
A pair of three storey, yellow brick cottages were added to the western end of the agricultural works c.1930-31, incorporating the western bay of the building.
The Works was further altered and extended during the Second World War. A two-storey lean-to was added to the centre of the south elevation c.1940 which was used as a workshop or store and additional lineshafting and machinery was added and the smithing forge was rebuilt. The 19th century Reading Room located to the south of the main works building was acquired sometime after the Second World War. An electric travelling hoist across the gap to the former Reading Room was added c.1950.
The works buildings formerly contained two phases of smithing forges at intermediate floor level and a complex internal system of lineshafts which drove machinery on the upper two floors and in the lean-to. This may have been driven by two power sources but these were removed a number of years ago. Traces of earlier structures relating to the small 1850s smithy were found within the building including a short-lived two storey workshop to the north of the project site and a possible domestic building at the eastern end.
A number of displaced elements of workshop machinery survived on site together with unused components of agricultural machinery including the Thomas Seed Drill which was patented in the late 1880s and for which the business was well known. In the works yard is a cast iron tyring plate.
Thorncliffe Works is an unusually complete and authentic Victorian engineering works with a high proportion of surviving period features. It has added historical value as the manufacturing location of a well-known, locally patented seed drill together with its association with a privately funded reading room. It makes an aesthetic contribution to the Bishops Tawton Conservation area and providing that the proposed conversion works are carried out sympathetically it is considered that the benefits of the research dividend and the continuing use of the building will outweigh any harm to the Conservation Area.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV325644	Cartographic: Ordnance Survey. 1904 - 1906. Second Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch Map. Second Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch Map. Map (Digital).
SDV362757	Report - Survey: Barnett, J.. 2018. Thorncliffe Works, Bishops Tawton. Heritage Statement. JB Architects. Digital. [Mapped feature: #115054 ]
SDV366229	Report - Survey: Waterhouse, R.. 2021. Thorncliffe Works, Bishops Tawton, Devon. Historic Building Recording. South West Archaeology. 200501. Digital.
	Linked documents:1

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV9148 - Historic Building Recording at Thorncliffe Works, Bishops Tawton (Ref: 200501)

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