In the 17th and 18th century, most villages in rural Carmarthenshire would have had several cottages where wool was spun by hand. Banyfelin was no exception. The drawings are based on the research by Mr Bruce Wallis  a local historian who's spare time is devoted to the history of the Bancyfelin area See the end of the page for details of his publications

My drawing of the original single story mill overlaid onto a current photo

Before the pounding the cloth was washed in a tub with fuller’s earth (a soapy clay) or stale urine, an early form of chemical cleaning. This took out grease and dirt. It was customary at that time for carts to make regular visits to farmhouses and cottages in the village to collect urine in casks, and then to sell it to the fulling miller. Someone who did this work were often called The Night Man

 Once the cloth was woven it was treated in a fulling mill (also called a Pandy, or Walk mill.) The process closed the weave to make the cloth more durable. Depending on the time it was being beaten it produced either Ladies cloth or Mans cloth. Ladies was softer Mens more durable and hard wearing

In the mid-late 1800’s a second floor was added to the mill It was registered as a wool mill and new machinery was installed

When the fulling was complete the cloth was secured onto the top and bottom rails of the tentering frame to dry and avoid shrinkage

More to be added later - Ran out of time