River Alne
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The River Alne is a tributary of the Warwickshire Avon and has its headwaters to the north of Wootton Wawen.
The River Alne is sufficiently large when it reaches Wootton Wawen to have provided the source of power for a mill (now disused) near the village of Great Alne. Four storeys with wooden lucam (covered sack hoist); mostly 19th cent. No water wheel remaining; power supplied by turbine of German origin installed before 1914, replacing the wheel and installed in wheel pit. Grain elevator and some flour dressing plant still remain but roller mills have gone. Supplementary power at one time supplied by steam engine which was replaced by a 2 cylinder oil machine; latter removed when mill closed. Spencer family (later Spencer Son and Hancox) had the mill from the 1870’s (D);in heyday employed 15 people, supplying flour to bakers and biscuit makers as far as Weston-Super.’ Mare. For local deliveries firm had own vans. Specialised in pig food and pigs kept in pigsties(still present) to test the products. Ceased operation 1966;latest owner plans to restart milling using stones,not rollers.
Hoo Mill is also on the river between Great Alne and Alcester SP 107578 The most complete traditional water-mill in the area stands by river in Haselor parish; stone lower courses, brick above. Internal waterwheel still in place and operational; complete set of grinding machinery remains although this has not been used for corn grinding for many years;other machinery (kibblers,etc) still in place and used occasionally as well as ex ternal drive pulley which powers circular saw. Three pairs of stones remain and a rare type of sack hoist mechanism with device to disconnect drive if sack attempts to overrun; flour dresser and oat crusher still present. The mill built 1810;at one time used for needle pointing but not for scouring;from 1850’s mill held by Morris family from whom present owner, John Stewart, is descended he still generates own. electricity with a turbine.
The River Alne flows generally southwards before joining with the River Arrow at Alcester, which itself joins the River Avon near Salford Priors.
