Does Sawston have an industrial past?
Sawston has a paper mill and two leather factories which have been important employers for 200 years. Sawston also had a printing works, an aerated water factory, a gas works, a papier mache fabrication factory and a unique photographic industry amongst others. The SVHS has a considerable collection of photographs and documents relating to most of these. While on the subject of Sawston industries, we also have only one of 2 purpose built leather drying sheds in the UK. Sadly, this is now rapidly falling into a near irreversible ruin while various conservation groups and local authorities are discussing what to do with it. It has a preservation order so cannot be pulled down, by man anyway!
