Nash Mills
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Nash Mills, originally a corn-mill recorded in Domesday and belonging in the Middle Ages to the Abbey of St Albans, was purchased in 1811 by John Dickinson. It had been converted to papermaking by A. Blackwell at the end of the eighteenth century and was a half mile from Dickinson's original Aspley Mill on the Grand Junction Canal. The mill-house, called Nash House, became the family home for Dickinson and his new wife Ann (nee Grover) whose father Harry Grover supported this business development through his Grover's Bank. In a very few years Nash Mills was renowned for its production of tough thin paper for Samuel Bagster's "Pocket Reference Bible". A major fire in 1813 was a setback, but, being covered by insurance, enabled redevelopment towards large scale production. John Dickinson & Co. Ltd had their Engineering Department at Nash Mills until 1888, when it was transferred to Apsley Mill. The production of fine rag paper on electrically driven machines was a successful innovation at Nash.
By the end of the nineteenth century, Nash Mills, which was small and had a reputation for independence, experienced a drop in profitability. Continuous minor changes were implemented until, in 1926 it underwent improvements with expansion, remodelling and refurbishment.
In 1999 the paper mills owned by John Dickinson in the Apsley area were finally shut down. The mill at Nash Mills however was sold to the international Sappi Group and continues to make paper.
The area is home to the Paper Trail, a museum which incorporates a narrow-boat ride along the Grand Union Canal and the River Gade to Frogmore Mill, viewing of a working paper machine, producing recycled board and paper, as well as handmade papermaking and paper sculpture.
See also
External link
The Apsley paper trail Museum (http://www.hemelhempsteadtoday.co.uk/mk4custompages/CustomPage.aspx?PageID=4740)