Second Coppice Wheel (Rivelin Waterpower Sites)

Location/Address

200m downstream of Rails Road Bridge, Rivelin Valley, Sheffield S6 5SH

Type

Other site, structure or landscape

Assets that cannot fit any of the other categories. This category includes sites of archaeological interest, where the original form and function may not be apparent without the use of archaeological techniques and interpretation.

Description

Former water-powered grinding Wheel and water management system. One of the Rivelin Waterpower Sites. Also known as "Middle Coppice" or "Darwen" Wheel. Second Coppice Wheel and associated water management system are the remains of a water-powered site that was in use from mid-18th century until the early 20th century. It was mainly used for grinding knives, scythe blades and saws, as well as wire drawing. In 1852 the site included a grinding hull, a wire-drawing mill, shops and dwellings. Some overgrown walls of the buildings are still evident. The Second Coppice water management system extends to the north-east and south-west of the site of the former mill buildings. There is no weir at Second Coppice – water feeds into the head goit directly from the tail goit and overflow of Upper Coppice Wheel (next upstream) thereby linking the two sites directly. The mill dam holds water but is very silted. The tail goit can easily be traced to the river by the large retaining wall; this emerges just above the weir of Third Coppice. The site of the Second Coppice Wheel lies to the south of Rivelin Valley Road, about 300 m downstream from Rails Road. The site is owned by Sheffield City Council and there is open access. A public footpath (the Rivelin nature and heritage trail) passes the site between the mill dam and the river. The trail can be accessed from various points along Rivelin Valley Road, and surrounding footpaths. A marker post installed at the site by Rivelin Valley Conservation Group gives a brief history and links to a website where further information and pictures can be found. Upper Coppice Wheel is one of the 20 water-powered mills built in the Rivelin Valley. This sequence of Rivelin mills and mill dams forms an essential part of Sheffield’s heritage. They also have a broader national and even international significance in relation to the history of the Industrial Revolution in Sheffield. Further information and pictures of Second Coppice Wheel and other sites in the Rivelin valley can be found at https://rivelinvalley.org.uk/rivelin-trails-2/. See also the books ‘Walking the Rivelin’, by Sue Shaw and Keith Kendall (6th edition, 2019, Rivelin Valley Conservation Group) and ‘Water Power on the Sheffield Rivers’, by C. Ball, D. Crossley, N. Flavell (Editors), (2nd Edition (2006), South Yorkshire Industrial Society).

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Statement of Significance

Age

Built after lease of 1736. In use from mid-18th century until the early 20th century.

Rarity

This asset is an integral part of an especially rare system of waterpowered sites, described in more detail in the Rivelin Waterpower Sites asset.

Architectural and Artistic Interest

This site is one of a group that collectively and individually demonstrate the construction techniques and interrelationships of waterpowered sites, described in more detail in the Rivelin Waterpower Sites asset. There is no weir at Second Coppice – water feeds into the head goit directly from the tail goit and overflow of Upper Coppice Wheel (next upstream) thereby linking the two sites directly. This is a technique used to enable high density exploitation of a river that is especially characteristic of upland streams such as those in Sheffield during a period of unprecedented industrialisation.

Group Value

This site contributes to the significance of the Rivelin Waterpower Sites asset and to the waterpower sites on other rivers in the city, and is integral to an understanding of the role and impact of waterpower in Sheffield. Upper Coppice and Second Coppice Wheels have additional group value, owing to the use of a single weir for both sites.

Historic Interest

This site is of historic interest in its illustration of the uses of waterpower, central to the reputation fame and identity of Sheffield; the many and varied uses for waterpower; the industrial development of the area; the impact of communications and topography; the lives and trades of working people; and the practice and policy of landowners, This is described in more detail in the Rivelin Waterpower Sites asset.

Archaeological Interest

This site has the potential for underground remains that with further investigation could reveal their development over time, including changes of use and the evolution of industrial processes and construction techniques. Because the sites were not overtaken by later industrial development, any remains are likely to be relatively intact.

Landmark Status

The Rivelin Valley is an extremely popular leisure destination for local people, largely defined by its waterpower remains, including this site.

Images and Documents

Photo

Second%20Coppice%20Wheel_2016-08-01_08_31E-scaled%20(RVCG).jpg

Second Coppice Wheel mill dam

Date Listed

15 Aug 2022

Last Updated

19 Apr 2022