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Newmillerdam
By Frank A Wilson
 Newmillerdam, like the villages of Wortley, Hoylandswaine and Cawthorne, is one of the many attractive settlements situated relatively close to our large towns and cities. There is however, one distinct difference; whereas it is possible to identify a number of reasons why many of the other villages in South and West Yorkshire became permanent settlements, Newmillerdam appears to exist for one reason only.
Obvious as it seems, without the dam there would have been no mill, and without the mill there would have been no Newmillerdam. Although once known by its old Norse name of Thurstonhaugh the area took the name Newmillerdam when a ‘new’ corn mill was built towards the end of the 13th century.
The early mill was probably situated close to the site of the present boathouse and appears to have been rebuilt a number of times before it found its final position on its present site in 1663 after the size of the dam had been increased in order to provide enough head water to feed the water wheel. The building we see today on the left hand side of the A61 when travelling towards Wakefield before reaching the Dam Inn was built in the 1820’s.
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 In feudal and in medieval times the ‘soke mill’ was of great importance as it provided the means by which locally produced grain could be converted to produce the key ingredient of a main part of our staple diet. ‘Give us this day our daily bread’ was not said lightly in times when hunger was potentially just around the corner, communities were relatively isolated and communications were poor.
The feudal and manorial power of the local (land) lord was reflected in a sustained process whereby the local lord of the manor constructed mills to which local tenants and those with the right to grow grain in nearby lands had, perforce to come for milling. The typical pattern was for the lord to take a share of the grain or ‘mulcture’ in payment for the service. In Newmillerdam, in line with practice elsewhere, the running of the mill was passed to a specialist miller who paid rent to his landlord and took over the right to levy local producers through taking a share for himself. Only in 1853 were the ‘soke rights’ purchased by the local authority on behalf of its citizens. After that the charge for milling was based on a competitive rate no doubt partly made possible by improved communications allowing local farmers to travel further afield with their grain.
Newmillerdam had its corn mill until 1960, although the mill building of that time was partially destroyed by fire in 1975. Members of the locally well-known Bramald family operated the mill and owned the milling business for many years and were the last millers in the village. The reconstructed mill building now houses a ladies only fitness and beauty centre – a substantial and perhaps significant contrast to hundreds of years of dusty toil.
In the early days Newmillerdam was simply a hamlet or collection of hamlets of workers’ cottages, and only in the 19th century as communications with Wakefield improved, were a few larger houses built. In more recent years there has been a considerable increase in the housing stock, as the village has become an increasingly attractive place to live. The local seat of the Nevile family, Chevet Hall once stood to the east of what is now the Country Park. At its peak the estate included the dam and surrounding parkland extending to almost 2350 acres and including much of the villages of Crigglestone, Sandal and Walton. After the Pilkington family purchased the estate in 1765, the parkland and dam on the Owler Beck continued to be used for hunting and fishing. Local poachers were harshly dealt with and Lionel Pilkington constructed no less than nine lodges for his game-keepers – with two of these built in the 1870’s, standing at the park gates either side of the embankment.
 In 1954 the park was sold to Wakefield Council and shortly afterwards it was opened up for all to enjoy as a major amenity in the area. Suffering heavily from mining subsidence, Chevet Hall was demolished in the 1960’s.
The Pilkington Estate had an active policy of purchasing available properties in Newmillerdam. These included Rock Cottage in 1872. The agent of the estate first occupied this but it was later to become the home of Miss Mary Pilkington, the elder daughter of Sir William. The Pilkingtons, in the style of other local landowners from time to time turned their attention to the needs of the less-advantaged members of local society.
A school erected in 1849 had well over one hundred pupils in regular attendance at the turn of the century. Something of the flavour of the time is conveyed by the following extract from the 1867 Trade Directory:
 “There is in Newmillerdam a Reading Room erected and supported by Miss Pilkington of Chevet for the working classes, in which both sexes are taught, newspapers and books provided and lectures and concerts given by the same benevolent lady”
By the early nineteen hundreds Newmillerdam had what appears to be a relatively thriving and diverse local economy. Within or close to the village, there was both a boot maker and boot and shoe repairer, a rope and twine maker, a saddler, three joiners and plumber and of course the miller (J Fisk and Sons in 1908).
In addition to the two publicans there was a post office keeper and stationer, and two other shopkeepers. Remarkably no less than five butchers are recorded in the 1908 Trade Directory and perhaps an early indication of local tourism by groups brought out in wagons and later charabancs from Barnsley and Wakefield and despite the inaccessibility of the park, is given by the record that one (William Oxley) also had a refreshment room.
 A local colliery, Nineveh, opened up in 1922 and from small beginnings became a significant local employer. By 1939, 132 men were employed at the pit, which continued to increase production after nationalization. At the time of its closure in 1982 when workable reserves became too expensive to exploit, 200 men were employed. Some were re-deployed to Calder Drift and others, in a way that became the pattern in West and South Yorkshire, moved into other work.
Newmillerdam never had an Anglican church within the village although the vicarage for Chapelthorpe parish was within the settlement until it was sold in 1898 and the funds used to build a new vicarage nearer to the church. The local Methodist Chapel was built on its present site in 1898. It remains an active place of worship to this day but in 1988 the sturdy well-constructed building was adapted for use as a local community centre. Close to the chapel is a brick built structure bearing all the signs of once being a cooperative store but which became the base for local scouting activity in recent years. The two pubs either side of the embankment continue to provide a service to both locals and visitors as do a small number of local specialist businesses. Los Suenos restaurant provides attractive food with a Spanish flavour and the Beuley Café is bright, cheerful and good value. The village now has a gallery recently set up by Carol Elsip, bringing a welcome artistic element into the local community.
 As for the Country Park, under the care of Wakefield Metropolitan District Council’s Countryside Service, this has developed into a substantial local visitor site. Whereas once managed by the previous owners for game and forestry (including pit props for local collieries) it is now managed in the interests of wildlife conservation integrated with public access. A large car park has been built and there is excellent signage and interpretation. The large area of water is an important breeding site for grebe and herons feeding in the shallow water. Amongst the many birds to be seen in the park are owls, sparrow hawks and the ever-busy long-tailed tits.
Many people come to Newmillerdam to walk the many different routes both around the extent of the dam and also in King’s Wood, Lawns Dyke and Bushcliffe Wood further afield in the Country Park. The line of the old Chevet branch railway line used for freight and occasional passenger services between 1909 and 1968 is now a footpath and bridleway partly in the park. The path alongside the water and via Long Plantation takes the walker to the Boathouse. This was built by William Pilkington and is first shown on a map drawn in 1826. Although much used by the Pilkington family in days gone by, the Grade II listed building fell into disrepair over the years. It has recently been renovated with the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and the European Regional Fund and is now a very effective and attractive visitor facility and meeting room.
In short, Newmillerdam is a fine place to live and a very interesting place to visit. Things have certainly changed a great deal since the high days of the Pilkingtons. What was once the preserve of the wealthy and well connected is now available to all. If you have not already visited then I recommend that you do.
Published Spring 2006. All information correct at time of print
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