TWYFORD LOCK

1884 Report: ''In bad condition generally, upper and lower gates very old, but in fair repair.  Brickwork bad repair, side piles bad also.  Forebay good, will require an expenditure of £400 within a short time, depth over sills sufficient''

1901 Report: ''In bad condition generally. Upper and lower gates very old, 1848.  Brickwork, bad repair, side piles bad also. will require an expenditure of £500.  (Both sills) should be lowered 1 foot''

The name came from Twyford Mill, derived from the two fords which were next to the mill, the Stort and the Latchmer Brook, a small stream rising in Birchanger.

Records of a mill on the River Stort at Twyford go back as far as the 1086 Domesday Book.  By 1900, Twyford Mill was converting farm produce such as grain, peas and beans into animal feed.

In 1909 the Lee Conservancy Board were in negotiations to take over the Stort Navigation. As part of the new agreement they sought to eliminate the millers' rights to tolls for traffic passing through adjoining locks (6d). The Board also wanted to regulate a consistent and overall 12" drop in water level as the boats passed through all their rivers' locks. Three of the mills, including Twyford, held out for the existing lesser 9" fall in level in order to maintain a higher constant flow though their water wheels. The miller, Mr Lawrence, and the owner, Mr Frere, were described in the transfer proceedings as being 'obdurate'. It took two more years of negotiation before an agreement could be reached.

The Mill ceased operation in the late 1940's and was later converted into residential accommodation.

The turf sided lock is pictured here on a card posted on July 13^th 1913.  The head stream to the mill is just visible in front of the trees on the left.