Welcome to the web site of Mellor Archaeological Trust

The 1892 Mellor Mill fire, a CGI recreation

Chris Mann, Mannmade Productions of Mellor, tells the story of the film’s inception and development.

I was approached by the late John Hearle, then chairman of the Trust to investigate the possibility of using the latest CGI techniques (computer generated Images) to recreate the fire. I was approached by the late John Hearle, then chairman of the Trust to investigate the possibility of using the latest CGI techniques (computer generated Images) to recreate the fire.

To make the CGI as accurate a reconstruction as possible, I went back to newspaper accounts of the time which established the time of day, where the fire started, how quickly it spread and its ferocity. Consulting a software star chart established there was no moon on the night of 16th November 1892.

Contemporary new reports at "Great Mill Fire at Mellor"

A Mellor Mill Weeding Party in early August 2019

August 2019

Old Vicarage Site

Mellor Mill 1792-1892

Shaw Cairn

Where is Mellor?

Now on the edge of Stockport in Greater Manchester, Mellor's location is historically important.

On the south-west and north-west, it is bordered by the two great rivers, Goyt and Etherow, which drain the SW Peak District and join to form the Mersey at the lowest point of Mellor.

On the east, a high ridge overlooks a valley, behind which is Kinder Scout. Three spurs, separated by brooks, project west from the ridge.