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Before electricity or steam power, watermills used the natural flow water to turn giant wheel that were used to provide power to machines to grind corn, rye or wheat to make flour. Water rivers or streams would be diverted and held in a millpond, and then released in a steady flow into a channel – called a mill-race – that powered the water-wheel. Every river and stream in Birmingham had several mills along its length, and because each mill held back water in their millpond, the next mill along the river had less water to power its machines – a situation which got worse the further along the river you went. Mill ponds also tended to collect waste and pollution that flowed down the river, eventually becoming incredibly dirty and toxic.As technology progressed, some of the mills were redeveloped so that the machines powered by water were used in the metal-working industry. Hazelwell Mill was used by sword cutlers and gun barrel manufacturers, and later became a rubber factory, remaining as such for much of the twentieth century.
The name Hazelwell, which is mentioned in documents from the year 1325, suggests that there was once a well or natural spring in an area dense with Hazel trees. When an area was settled, the Lord of the Manor tended to build his house on higher ground because it was dry and would not flood when the inevitable rains came. In contrast, watermills needed to be built close to the water, in the marsh and mist of the often-flooded meadows. It was said that water-millers were morose and lonely men, from years of living in damp valleys, whereas wind-millers were brisk and cheerful!’
This blurred photo of Hazelwell Mill was taken in the early twentieth century after it had ceased to be used to grind grain or turn the machines used in the metal industry.