Our History
A History Spanning Nine Decades
A Continuing Island Heritage
A Mill has been on the Pan site since 1290 by grant of Countess Isabella de Fortibus (or Forz).
James Byers Thomas born at Chelsea - Educated at a Private school in Taunton
Newport Pan Lane Station opened in on 11th August 1875 as the northern terminus of the Newport Junction Railway. It was opened without Board of Trade approval and was ordered to close again eventually reopening with authority on 6th October 1875.
The station was only a temporary terminus and was closed on 1st June 1879 when the line was extended northwards to join the Ryde and Newport Railway at Newport Station. A private siding served the adjacent Pan Mill but this was taken out of use in the 1930s.
Leigh Thomas Born at Ventnor IOW and moved to Carisbrooke at an early age
James Thomas moved to IOW as a representative of the old firm of Messrs. Dear and Morgan, of Cowes
The present brick-built mill is largely the result of modernisation and expansion begun by James Thomas in the 1880’s, when he greatly enlarged the mill and added what is known as the Jubilee Wing. It is probable that at this time the undershot wheel was removed from the wheel space, and a turbine inserted in its place.
The Jubilee Wing contained a plant installed by Simon of Manchester, and this is where flour was ground between rollers. These were driven by the turbine and a series of shafts and belts.
On the death of Mr. Frank Ash, James Thomas became a partner with Mr. William Ash in the business of Messrs. Ash and Thomas
Of James Thomas and Co Ltd... "There were seven original share-holders, of whom the presiding director was James Thomas of 20 High Street, Newport. A few years later he was joined by his son, Leigh Thomas, who also became a director (succeeding as chairman in 1919)"
James Thomas started his public life and joined the County Council
James Thomas was appointed one of the senior Newport Justices
James Thomas was rewarded by elevation to the aldermanic bench
James Thomas became vice-chairman of the County Parliament
James Thomas became Chairman of the Higher Education Sub-Committee as well as a member from its commencement of the County Education Committee
At the annual meeting of the Corporation in the same year he failed to secure election both as alderman and mayor, by the casting vote of the presiding alderman, whose vote resulted in the re-election of the late Ald. C. Salter, J.P., to the Mayoralty.
James Thomas sought election as a member of the Newport Town Council, and tied with another candidate, who was returned by the deciding vote of the returning officer
Leigh Thomas married Nellie Marion Pollard at Christchurch Congregational Church in Penarth, Wales. Mr Clive Thomas (Brother of LT) was best man. A special hymn was composedfor the ocassion by the organist (Mr Norman Kendrick). Switzerland was the honeymoon destination.
Leigh Thomas moved to "Five Ways" West Street, Ryde and lived there until his death (1958)
Leigh Thomas succeeded his father (James Thomas) as Chairman of the company
James Thomas retired from County Parliament, the Aldermanic bench and the Education Committees
These two businesses ("James Thomas and Co Ltd and Arnells" Ed.) resolved to sell their properties to Thomas, Gater, Bradfield & Co., and four years later they both went into liquidation, transferring their remaining assets to the Company.
James Thomas handed over the managing directorship to his son, Mr. Leigh Thomas, under whom, latterly the great extension of the firm’s business has been emphasised by the addition of new directors, and the alteration of the style of the firm to that of Messrs. Thomas, Gater, Bradfield and Co., Ltd
A memory (aged about 7, at Pan mill) of standing at the level crossing above the mill and watching the trains from Shanklin and Ventnor passing by, also of the presence of a branch line into the back of the mill from where the company had in earlier times, not only exported flour but imported hard wheat, more suited to flour making than the locally grown soft wheat.
31st March
Retirement of Company Secretary "Mr E. J. Wilstead, secretary of Messrs. Leigh Thomas ad Co is retiring on March 31st. He has been secretary of the company since its incorporation, having been engaged with this firm and its predecessors, Messrs. Thomas, Gater, Bradfield and Co., and James Thomas and Co., for 30 years. The best wishes of the firm and his numerous friends go with him in his retirement. Mr Vivian Thomas has been appointed to succeed him.
June
Staff Outing: "On Monday the staff of Messrs. Leigh Thomas and Co Ltd held their annual outing, when a visit was paid to the Thames Valley, the journey from Portsmouth being made by coach via Reading and Marlow. The party was joined at Cosham by members of the Nursling, Southampton branch, and at Marlow by members of the Emsworth branch. From Marlow the excursionists went by river steamer to Windsor, lunch being served en route. After a short stay at Windsor tea was taken before the return journey. The party, totalling 140, was accompanied by Mr. Leigh Thomas (chairman) and Messrs. N.L and V.L Thomas (directors)
The warehouse of Crown Wharf on the River Itchen at Southampton was also purchased.
Leigh Thomas was also chairman of the Vectis Shipping Co., Ltd.(which became Vectis Transport), which originated with Thomas Gater Bradfield.
Leigh Thomas farmed Great Pan Farm for many years during and after the war.
"Big blaze at Newport Mill" Fire brigade’s effective work. "Fire appliances from Bembridge Sandown Shanklin Cowes and East Cowes were called out to help the Newport section on Wednesday afternoon, when the provender Mills of Messrs, Leigh Thomas and Co. at Pan, Newport, were extensively damaged by a blaze in the top story of building. A big crowd watched the hard and dangerous fight by the Firemen, in which one man was injured, before they succeeded in subduing the outbreak, less than three quarters of an hour after the alarm was raised..."
About the fire: "Newspaper reports mentioned the heat being so great that icicles were formed from melting window glass. The building itself remained intact so machinery and grain storage inside was replaced but sadly the trade in provender products declined in subsequent years"
In Sept 1957 came the great flood when a high spring tide coincided with excessive rain in the Medina valley and the lower part of Newport flooded so badly that the water level in the High Street nearly reached the steps of County Hall. Ground floor offices at Pan Mill were awash and many samples of grain stored in paper bags sank without trace, however some samples in newly commissioned plastic bags stayed afloat and were thus saved
Leigh Thomas died (Aged 76) - internment was at Carisbrooke "Mount Joy" Cemetery on 5th Feb 1958, in plot V-47.)
"...Messrs. Leigh Thomas and Co Ltd (Pan Mill) have given the utmost co-operation in the operation of their sluice gates..." to assist with the lowering of the river bed following the flooding. Tonnes of river bed were removed around the pier of the former railway viaduct.
A W (Bill) Peck became a director of Leigh Thomas and Co Ltd. Mr Peck had been with the company for almost 30 years following war service as a pilot in the RAF. As a director he will maintain his existing farm connections
Leigh Thomas and Co Ltd acquired the horticultural wholesale business operated from Ryde by Graham Tatford and Co. Ltd. The business is to be transferred to Pan Mill on November 30th and will be carried on under the style "Leigh Thomas Horticultural". Graham Tatford and Co Ltd continue to operate their main business as wholesale pharmaceutical distributors.
Protests over dumping on carpark. Following industrial action which halted refuse collections "Two newport councillors have protested to Medina Borough Council over the emergency plan for the town's refuse to be dumped on the coppins bridge car park, next to houses on the Pan council estate." "Mr Barton said the plan was 'plain stupid' and Mr Wigley said the health of the town should come first, and rubbish should be dumped out of town" "...all the town's refuse will be left very close to houses, the Leigh Thomas flour mill, the Pan water source, two schools and old people's homes." "...rubbish will end up blown all over the town centre..."
Safe is Raided. "Thieves stole about £150 in cash from Leigh Thomas and Co Ltd, grain merchants, Pan Mills, Newport, on Wednesday night. The raiders entered the building through a rear window and found a duplicate key to open a safe"
Boys Break windows. "Two newport boys have admitted jointly damaging six windows at a grain merchant's warehouse in the town. "...causing £50.60 worth of damage..." "All the boys had been apprehended by police while climbing over a wall near the warehouse..." "A 15-year-old was made the subject of a two-year supervision order, and ordered to pay £12.50 compensation"
Leigh Thomas leaving the Old Mill. "One of Newport's best known businesses moves to new premises in January. "...considering the move for years..." "Company chairman Mr Vivian Leigh Thomas, 72, said 'Our present vertical mill does not fit in with the use of vehicles like fork-lift trucks, and pallets'."
Upmarket offices plan for mill site. "...£1.5 million development project is due to be submitted to the planning authorities, aiming for a construction start by March." "...the mill, occupying a key site near the multi-million pound Church Litten redevelopment, will be turned into more than 22,000 square feet of offices" "...the empty building vacated by agriculture merchants Leigh Thomas earlier this year would not be demolished" "We are planning a total furnishment but retaining the original water mill and mill house as part of the development's character" "Also in the pipeline is a revised application from the B and Q giant DIY chain for a superstore near Pan Mill"
Evidence of the scale of trading on the Island is today seen by the existing painted signage for Leigh Thomas & Co Ltd. At various times between the 1880’s and the mid 20th Century, they operated Home Mill and Westminster Milll in Newport, and at one time operated Pan Mill as well as two other mills. On the mainland they owned Longstock Mill at Stockbridge, West End Mills at Southampton, and a mill at Emsworth.
The Mill continued to be an active commercial concern throughout the 20th Century, and was substantially modernised and improved during the 1980's to accommodate the modern business premises found here today. The Victorian mill workings were completely rebuilt during the restoration and comprise a traditional wooden wheel powered from the stream diverted from the nearby River Medina.
Traffic Report. "...Possible roadwork delays. Blackwater - A3020 Balckwater Road (outside Leigh Thomas). Temporary traffic lights at times from Monday until early February."
Former Manager wins £1000 over dismissal. "The former transport manager for feed and seed merchants Leigh Thomas abd Co has been awarded more than £1000 in compensation by an industrial tribunal after being unfairly dismissed.
Pan Mills in the Spotlight — 1908
