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Leigh skyline in 1974.

This is a list of cotton spinning mills, weaving sheds, bleachers and dyers and other textile mills in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan in Greater Manchester, England. They were in the towns, townships and villages of Ashton-in-Makerfield, Aspull, Astley, Atherton, Bedford, Leigh, Golborne, Haigh Hindley Ince-in-Makerfield, Orrell, Pennington, Leigh, Standish, Tyldesley, Westleigh, Leigh and Wigan which were historically in Lancashire but are now part of the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan since its creation by the Local Government Act 1972. The textile industry in the Wigan and Leigh areas grew out of a domestic putting-out system particularly fustians. Cotton, imported through the Port of Liverpool became more important in the late-18th century and more so after the advent of the Bridgewater and Leeds and Liverpool Canals and after that the first railways, the Bolton and Leigh and Liverpool and Manchester Railways.[1] Wigan fabric was a stout cloth made from coarse cotton.

The Wigan borough has few fast-flowing streams to provide water power and consequently there were few factories until steam power became available. In the 19th century, textile mills on the Lancashire Coalfield were powered by cheap easily accessible coal. In 1818 Wigan had eight mills in the Wallgate area and it developed as a cotton town in Victorian times. From 1889 until the First World War the largest ring spinning company in Britain was Farington, Eckersley & Co of Western and Swan Meadow Mills.[2]

After 1827 a silk industry grew in the Leigh parish and silk fabrics were woven on domestic hand looms and in weaving sheds using silk yarn supplied from Macclesfield or Leek by agents from Manchester. In the mid-19th century silk weaving employed a significant number of people. Domestic weavers travelled from the surrounding townships to and from the agents' warehouses in Leigh. At its peak in 1830 about 10,000 people, mostly domestic, were employed in silk weaving in the parish, after which the numbers declined to 8,000 in 1841 and 2,301 in 1871. By 1836 the town had 20 silk firms, 15 in 1848, five by 1876 and two in 1897. Powered weaving was introduced from the 1850s reducing the number of domestic weavers required. Some manufacturers employed weavers in their homes and in weaving sheds. Bickham and Pownall owners of Stanley Mill employed 1,000 workers of which 500–600 worked in the mill and the rest in their homes. There were nine silk weaving sheds in 1870 but most were converted as cotton took over.[3] In 1891 Samuel Brown at Brook Mill, George Griffin on Brewery Lane and Charles Hilton and Son in Charles Street, all in Bedford were manufacturing silk fabrics.[4]

In 1911 in Leigh, 6,146 people were employed in the cotton industry and from 1913, measured by the number of spindles, it was the fifth-largest spinning centre in Greater Manchester. Cotton weaving was concentrated at Kirkhall Lane Mills built in 1836 and at Jones Brothers Bedford New Mills started in 1834 which developed into an integrated mill for spinning and weaving. In the early-20th century three large weaving sheds were constructed at Foundry Street, Elizabeth Street and Etherstone Street. For cotton spinning, multi-storey mills with massive floor areas were developed. In Westleigh, the Victoria Mills (Hayes Mills) off Kirkhall Lane were built from 1856 by James and John Hayes who had three mills by 1887. By 1902 Tunnicliffe and Hampson had built the three Firs Mills. Two clusters of mills were built in Bedford, along the Bedford Brook and in the 20th century, near the Bridgewater Canal.[5][6] The design of the surviving late-19th and early 20th-century factories along the Bridgewater Canal in Bedford is an example of the peak of the Lancashire mill-building tradition. Combined Egyptian Mills, a joint-stock company formed in 1929 with headquarters at Howe Bridge Mills in Atherton, was the second largest cotton-spinning company in the world with 34 mills and 3.2 million spindles.[2]

Ashton in Makerfield

[edit]
Name Architect Location Built Demolished Served
(Years)
Makerfield Mill Ashton in Makerfield,  SJ 580,987 53°28′59″N 2°38′02″W / 53.483°N 2.634°W / 53.483; -2.634 ("Makerfield Mill")


Aspull

[edit]
Name Architect Location Built Demolished Served
(Years)
Dicconson Mill Aspull SD 630,073 53°33′40″N 2°33′36″W / 53.561°N 2.560°W / 53.561; -2.560 ("Dicconson Mill") Demolished
Notes: In 1891 John Leigh and Brothers owned the mill which contained 20,000 spindles. The last part burnt down in about 2000.[7] Now a housing estate. Electricity sub-station survives.


Astley

[edit]
Name Architect Location Built Demolished Served
(Years)
Arrowsmiths Mill Astley Green SJ 701,998 53°29′38″N 2°27′04″W / 53.494°N 2.451°W / 53.494; -2.451 ("Arrowsmiths Mill") 1833 1951 118
Notes: James and Robert Arrowsmith built the mill at Astley Green next to the Bridgewater Canal on land they leased in 1833. The mill was four storeys high with a pitched roof and a square tapered chimney. Between 1872 and 1951 the company traded as T & C H Arrowsmith Ltd.[8] In 1892 the mill had 10,000 spindles and 500 looms weaving fustians, velvets, angolas and twills.[9] In 1919 a new engine house and weaving sheds were built around the old structure. Mining subsidence from Astley Green Colliery damaged the foundations of the old mill and in 1951, it closed.[10]


Atherton

[edit]
Name Architect Location Built Demolished Served
(Years)
Atherton Mill Hindsford SD 686,022 53°30′58″N 2°28′30″W / 53.516°N 2.475°W / 53.516; -2.475 ("Atherton Mill") 1839 late 1980s
Notes: In 1839, James Burton built the Atherton Mill in Hindsford. It was the first of the group of mills he built near the Hindsford Brook. The site was later occupied by Ward and Goldstone.[11]
Victoria Mill Atherton SD 680,033 53°31′30″N 2°29′02″W / 53.525°N 2.484°W / 53.525; -2.484 ("Victoria Mill") 1860 Standing 97
Notes: Atherton Spinning Company built its first mill with a capital of £50,000 on Bolton Old Road in 1860 and two more mills were built behind it.[12] In 1891 Victoria Mill on Bolton Old Road was operated by the Atherton Cotton Spinning Company. It had 69,000 spindles.[13] The company ceased spinning in 1957 and the old mill was demolished while the other two were put to other uses.[12]
Dan Lane Mills Atherton SD 676,030 53°31′23″N 2°29′24″W / 53.523°N 2.490°W / 53.523; -2.490 ("Dan Lane Mills")
Notes: Dan Lane Mill, constructed between Dan Lane and Lee Street around 1840, was the first large spinning and doubling mill in Atherton. Dan Lane was renamed Tyldesley Road when a new road through Hindsford was built around 1899.[14] In 1891 the mill was operated by the Lee Spinning Company and had 50,000 spindles. The company had a warehouse in Mosley Street, Manchester.[13] Most of the mill has been demolished but in May 2012 some disused buildings were set alight by youths.[15]
Ena Mill G Temperley & Son Atherton SD 673,035 53°31′37″N 2°29′42″W / 53.527°N 2.495°W / 53.527; -2.495 ("Ena Mill") 1908 In use
Notes: The five-storey Ena Mill or E Mill is a Grade II listed building built in red brick with buff decoration in 1908. It was designed by G Temperley & Son of Bolton. It has a two-storey extension for carding, a tower with a flat top and an engine house and chimney bearing its name.[16] Carrington Viyella operated it in the 1980s.[17] It is occupied by retail units and the Atherton Office of Wigan and Leigh Housing.
Field Mill Hindsford SD 686,022 53°30′58″N 2°28′44″W / 53.516°N 2.479°W / 53.516; -2.479 ("Field Mill") 1863 62
Notes: James Burton's Field Mill was built in 1856 in Lodge Lane at its junction with Printshop Lane in Hindsford just north of the Hindsford Brook.[11] In 1891 Burton's mills had 157,196 spindles and 570 looms weaving fine cambrics and shirtings.[18]
Howe Bridge Mills Atherton SD 673,033 53°31′30″N 2°29′42″W / 53.525°N 2.495°W / 53.525; -2.495 ("Howe Bridge Mills") 1868 2014 97
Notes: The first of six mills for Howe Bridge Mills on the north side of Mealhouse Lane was built in 1865 by the directors of Fletcher, Burrows and Company. The company owned the collieries in Howe Bridge and Hindsford. The last mill was built in 1919. In 1929 the company joined Combined Egyptian Mills and Howe Bridge Mills became the company's headquarters. The company's name changed to Combined English Mills in 1953 and subsequently was owned by Viyella. Numbers 2 and 5 mills were demolished in 1965.[19] The Howe Bridge Spinning Company was the fourth largest such company in Lancashire in 1891 with 250,000 spindles and in 1922 had 700,000 spindles.[20]
Laburnum Mills Atherton SD 682,038 53°31′48″N 2°28′53″W / 53.530°N 2.4815°W / 53.530; -2.4815 ("Laburnum Mills") 1905 1984 79
Notes: Laburnum Mill was a twin spinning mill on Upton Road near Atherton Central Station. The four-storey east mill was built in 1905 in red brick. It was 36 bays long with large rectangular windows and had a basement and a water tower with stone decoration and a dome behind balustrades. The west mill was built to a similar design. Its engine house had semi-circular arched windows with square windows above and had a tall circular chimney. Carrington Viyella operated the mill in the 1980s.[17] Fred Dibnah demolished the mill chimney in November 1983[21] and the mill's ornate tower in January 1984.[22]
Lodge Mill Hindsford SD 685,022 53°30′54″N 2°28′34″W / 53.515°N 2.476°W / 53.515; -2.476 ("Lodge Mill") 1853 72
Notes: Lodge Mill was built in 1853 by James Burton in Hindsford, close to the Hindsford Brook on Tyldesley Road at its junction with Lodge Lane.[11]
Westfield Mill Hindsford SD 682,022 53°30′54″N 2°28′48″W / 53.515°N 2.480°W / 53.515; -2.480 ("Westfield Mill") 1853 72
Notes: Westfield Mill was the last of James Burton's mills built in Hindsford. It was next to Field Mill on Lodge Lane.[11]


Bedford, Leigh

[edit]
Name Architect Location Built Demolished Served
(Years)
Alder Mill Stott and Sons Leigh SJ 670,996 53°29′33″N 2°29′57″W / 53.4926°N 2.4991°W / 53.4926; -2.4991 ("Alder Mill") 1907 1982 71
Notes: Alder Mill in Clyde Street, Bedford, Leigh, was designed by Henthorn Scott in 1907 in reinforced concrete.[23] It was a spinning mill of five storeys high and basement, engine house and single-story card room. Clad in red brick with decorative terracotta bands the mill was 36 bays long with arched windows and 15 bays wide. It had an ornate brick and terracotta water tower at its north-east corner. In the 1980s the mill was operated by Carrington Vyella.[24] Its matching decorative office building was left standing after the mill's demolition and is a grade II listed building.[25] The mill had a 1,800 horsepower vertical triple expansion engine made by Browett, Lindley & Co.[26] It had 122,000 mule spindles spinning fine and superfine counts supplied by Dobson & Barlow of Bolton.[23]
Bedford New Mills Bedford SD 667,001 53°29′49″N 2°30′11″W / 53.497°N 2.503°W / 53.497; -2.503 ("Bedford New Mills")
Notes: Bedford New Mills were started in 1834 by J. and G. Jones who had earlier built Tyldesley New Mill.[27] The mill was of five-storeys with large rectangular windows, a water tower with a dome and a tall circular chimney. Its engine house stood to the north and a reservoir was to the east. Bedford New Mills was operated by Jones Brothers and Co in 1891. The mill had 53,000 spindles and 970 looms weaving twills, shirtings and cambrics. The company's Manchester warehouse was in York Street.[4] In the 1980s the mill was operated by Courtaulds.[24]
Bedford Spinning Company Bedford SD 665,996 53°29′24″N 2°30′22″W / 53.49°N 2.506°W / 53.49; -2.506 ("Bedford Spinning Company")
Notes: Bedford Spinning Company was located between Avon Street and the Bridgewater Canal. It was built after 1905.
Brook Mill Bedford SD 663,002 53°29′49″N 2°30′32″W / 53.497°N 2.509°W / 53.497; -2.509 ("Brook Mill")
Notes: In 1891 Samuel Brown owned Brook Mill, a silk weaving mill on High Street with 460 looms.[4]
Brooklands Mill (Mather Lane No 3) Bedford SJ 664,996 53°29′31″N 2°30′29″W / 53.492°N 2.508°W / 53.492; -2.508 ("Brooklands Mill")
Notes: Brooklands Mill was built in brick in 1893 on the south bank of the Bridgewater Canal. It is of five storeys with a water tower, engine house and chimney. The mill was powered by a 1,200 h.p. cross-compound steam engine supplied by J & E Wood of Bolton.[28]
Brookside Mill Bedford SD 661,003 52°35′56″N 2°30′07″W / 52.599°N 2.502°W / 52.599; -2.502 ("Brookside Mill")
Notes: Brookside Mill was a weaving shed on Charles Street owned by Gamble and Smith who also owned Welch Mill. In 1891 it housed 832 looms.[4] After closing the property was used for light engineering.
Butts Mill Stott and Sons Bedford SJ 667,994 53°29′28″N 2°30′10″W / 53.4910°N 2.5028°W / 53.4910; -2.5028 ("Butts Mill") 1905 Standing 119
Notes: Butts Mill was built next to the Leigh branch of the Bridgewater Canal in 1905 to the designs of Stott and Sons, the six-storey mill has a steel frame faced with red brick and a flat roof. It has an ornate tower with a terracotta Arts and Crafts details and parapet and is topped by a copper dome and finial. The mill was used for carding on the lower three floors and spinning on the upper. The carding floors have large nine-light rectangular windows separated by narrow brick piers while the spinning floors have narrower windows and brick panels. The mill's hoist tower is a single window wide capped by the mill's name BUTTS in white tiles. It was designed as a double mill but only half was built.[29] The 150,000 mule spindles were supplied by Dobson & Barlow of Bolton and its 2500 hp engine was by Carels Frères of Ghent in Belgium.[30]
Ceased spinning in 1960, the mill was later sold to Ward and Goldstone.
Charles Street Mill Bedford,  SD 660,003 53°29′53″N 2°30′50″W / 53.498°N 2.514°W / 53.498; -2.514 ("Charles Street Mill")
Hall Lane Mill Stott and Sons Leigh SJ 663,996 53°29′31″N 2°30′32″W / 53.492°N 2.509°W / 53.492; -2.509 ("Hall Lane Mill") 1907 117
Notes: Hall Lane was a mule spinning mill started with £80,000 capital. Its 100,000 mule spindles were supplied by Richard Threlfall of Bolton. Its 1500hp engine was by George Saxon & Co of Manchester.[31]
Leigh Manufacturing Co Stott and Sons Bedford SJ 668,996 53°29′31″N 2°30′07″W / 53.492°N 2.502°W / 53.492; -2.502 ("Leigh Manufacturing Co.") 1908 116
Notes: This was Stott and Sons last weaving shed.[32] It housed1000 looms. Its 500hp engine was supplied by Yates and Thom of Blackburn.[31]
Leigh Spinners (Leigh Mill) Bradshaw Gass & Hope Bedford SJ 674,997 53°29′35″N 2°29′35″W / 53.493°N 2.493°W / 53.493; -2.493 ("Leigh Spinners Mills") 1913 Standing 111
Notes: Leigh Spinners or Leigh Mill, a double spinning mill, is a Grade II* listed building built for the Horrocks Company close to the Bridgewater Canal. The east mill, boiler house and chimney were built in 1913 to the designs of Bradshaw, Gass & Hope and the west mill was completed to match in 1923. The mill's spinning machinery was supplied by Platt Brothers of Oldham and a Yates and Thom steam engine, one of a pair named Mayor and Mayoress, survives in working order.[33]
Mather Lane Mill Bradshaw Gass & Hope Bedford SJ 663,997 53°29′35″N 2°30′32″W / 53.493°N 2.509°W / 53.493; -2.509 ("Mather Lane Mill") 1883 Standing 141
Notes: The first mill became operational in 1878, a second mill opened in 1883 and the third, Brooklands Mill, in 1891. In the 1920s the company was merged into Combined Egyptian Mills Ltd.[34] Mather Lane Mill is a Grade II Listed cotton spinning mill on the north bank of the Bridgewater Canal. It was built in 1882 to the designs of Bradshaw and Gas and notable for its severe classical elevations. It is an important early factory design by the architects and has features unusual for its date including a square plan, flat roof and a partly-internal engine house. The mill has six storeys and a basement built in brick in English garden wall bond with panelled pilasters at the corners. The three-storey carding sheds on the south side are parallel to the canal and set obliquely to main mill. Its engine house is on the north side and tower at the north-west corner is panelled with moulded string courses. It rises above parapet level where there are large lunettes below a blind arcade of round-headed arches, parapet and pyramidal roof. Its six by ten bays contain iron-framed windows. The east and west elevations have large windows with continuous central iron box columns rising through first to fourth floors. The north and south elevations have single-light windows. The interior has iron girders on Tuscan columns.[35] Its former warehouse is a Grade II listed building, built around 1882, probably designed by Bradshaw and Gass. It is a plain two-storey brick structure with three storeys overlooking the canal.[36]
Pendle Mill Bedford,  SJ 669,995 53°29′28″N 2°30′00″W / 53.491°N 2.500°W / 53.491; -2.500 ("Pendle Mill") Demolished
Stanley Mill Bedford SJ 665,997 53°29′35″N 2°30′22″W / 53.493°N 2.506°W / 53.493; -2.506 ("Stanley Mill") 1833 191
Notes: Bickham & Pownall built their silk mill and master's house on Duke Street in Bedford, north of the Bridgewater Canal in 1833. Of two storeys and constructed in hand-made brick with a slate roof, the Grade II listed mill is a rare survivor of a factory that housed hand-driven looms.[37] The silk weaving mill was later converted to cotton manufacture.[38] In 1891, it had 1,464 looms weaving muslins and shirtings. It was owned by the Pennington Mill Company.[4]
Williams Street Works Bedford,  SD 664,001 53°29′49″N 2°30′29″W / 53.497°N 2.508°W / 53.497; -2.508 ("Williams Street Works")


Golborne

[edit]
Name Architect Location Built Demolished Served
(Years)
Parkside Mills Golborne SJ 604,976 53°28′19″N 2°35′49″W / 53.472°N 2.597°W / 53.472; -2.597 ("Parkside Mills")
Notes: Owned by the Golborne Mills Company in 1891, Parkside mills was a combined mill housing 80,000 spindles and 93 looms weaving velvets, velveteens, satteens and cords.[39]
Upper Mills Golborne SJ 600,979 53°28′34″N 2°36′14″W / 53.476°N 2.604°W / 53.476; -2.604 ("Upper Mills")
Notes: 1891- Halliday and Constantine, 200 looms


Haigh

[edit]
Name Architect Location Built Demolished Served
(Years)
Haigh Works Haigh SD 582,082 53°34′08″N 2°37′59″W / 53.569°N 2.633°W / 53.569; -2.633 ("Haigh Works")
Notes: Haigh Works was a dye works.


Hindley

[edit]
Name Architect Location Built Demolished Served
(Years)
Hindley Green Mills Hindley Green SD 635,034 53°31′34″N 2°33′07″W / 53.526°N 2.552°W / 53.526; -2.552 (Hindley Green Mills)
Notes: In 1891 the mill was operated by Thomas Kirkpatrick and Sons who owned Hindsford Mill in Tyldesley, and had 66,400 mule spindles.[40]
Lowe Mills Hindley  1785 demolished
Notes: In 1891 the Hindley Twist Company had 89,980 mule spindles.[40] The mill closed in 1934.
Prospect Mill (Platt Lane Mill) Stott and Sons Hindley SD 618,042 53°31′59″N 2°34′41″W / 53.533°N 2.578°W / 53.533; -2.578 ("Prospect Mill") 1887 in use
Notes: Prospect Mill was a weaving mill built in 1887 to the designs of Scott and Sons In 1891, owned by the Platt Lane Manufacturing Co, it held 416 looms. Its 280hp mill engine was built by Douglas & Grant of Kirkcaldy.[41] In 1910 the water tower was built. It is now a business centre.[42]
Worthington Mills Hindley  demolished
Notes: In 1891 the mills were operated by Richard Pennington and contained 43,000 spindles and 645 looms.[40] In 2016 the site was occupied by Tesco.


Ince

[edit]
Name Architect Location Built Demolished Served
(Years)
Crescent Mill Ince,  SD 597,055 53°32′42″N 2°36′36″W / 53.545°N 2.610°W / 53.545; -2.610 ("Crescent Mill")
Empress Mill Ince SD 592,053 53°32′49″N 2°36′50″W / 53.547°N 2.614°W / 53.547; -2.614 ("Empress Mill") Demolished
Notes: The mill site is now an industrial estate.
Rose Bridge Mill Ince 
Notes: In 1891 Rose Bridge Spinning Company's mill housed 14,000 spindles.[7]


Orrell

[edit]
Name Architect Location Built Demolished Served
(Years)
Sandbrook Mill Orrell,  SD 526,041 53°31′52″N 2°43′01″W / 53.531°N 2.717°W / 53.531; -2.717 ("Sandbrook Mill") 1860s
Signal Mill Orrell,  SD 526,041 53°31′52″N 2°43′01″W / 53.531°N 2.717°W / 53.531; -2.717 ("Signal Mill") 1913 111


Pemberton

[edit]
Name Architect Location Built Demolished Served
(Years)
Enfield Mill Pemberton,  SD 553,043 53°31′59″N 2°40′34″W / 53.533°N 2.676°W / 53.533; -2.676 ("Enfield Mill")
May Mill No.1 Stott and Sons Pemberton SD 556,036 53°31′37″N 2°40′16″W / 53.527°N 2.671°W / 53.527; -2.671 ("May Mill") 1889 Demolished
Notes: May Mill No. 1, a ring spinning mill, was built in 1889.[43] The mill had 664 ring spindles supplied by Platt Brothers of Oldham and an 800hp mill engine by Benjamin Goodfellow of Hyde.[41]
May Mill No.2 Stott and Sons Pemberton SD 556,036 53°31′37″N 2°40′16″W / 53.527°N 2.671°W / 53.527; -2.671 ("May Mill") 1900 Demolished
Notes: May Mill No. 2, a ring spinning mill, was built in 1900.[44] The mill was 50 bays long.[45] and of triple brick arch construction housing 41,000 ring spindles and a 1200hp mill engine by Ashton, Frost & Co of Blackburn.[44] The business was bought by the Lancashire Cotton Corporation. The business was operated by Courtaulds from the 1960s until it closed in 1980.


Pennington

[edit]
Name Architect Location Built Demolished Served
(Years)
Avenue Mill Pennington SJ 656,004 53°29′56″N 2°31′05″W / 53.499°N 2.518°W / 53.499; -2.518 ("Avenue Mill")
Notes: William Guest owned Avenue Mill on Bridge Street, (now Leigh Road on the site of the Thomas Burke public house). In 1891 the mill housed 16,000 spindles.[4]
Etherstone Mill Pennington SJ 670,996 53°29′38″N 2°31′41″W / 53.494°N 2.528°W / 53.494; -2.528 ("Etherstone") 1914 110
Notes: Etherstone Mill or Lilford Weaving Mill was a single storey weaving shed was built south of the Bridgewater Canal off Etherstone Street. Construction started in 1914 and the shell of the building was used in 1915 as a camp for German prisoners, many of whom were captured in the Battle of Mons. Whilst in use as a prisoner of war camp, a prisoner was shot trying to escape. Machinery was installed in 1920 and the mill began production. In 1954 it became part of English Sewing Cotton Company. The mill specialised in industrial cloths.[46]
Knott's Mill Pennington SJ 640,980 53°28′41″N 2°32′35″W / 53.478°N 2.543°W / 53.478; -2.543 ("Knott's Mill") 1858 72
Notes: John Thorp built the first storey of the mill in 1858 and Joseph Knott completed it. In 1880 the company traded as John Knott and Sons. The Knotts disposed of it in 1892 when it was known as Buckleys Ltd. It became the Pennington Spinning Company and, in the great depression it was closed for many years. The mill closed in 1930, when the machinery was dismantled and the premises used for light engineering.[47]
Rose Mill Pennington SJ 657,998 53°29′38″N 2°31′05″W / 53.494°N 2.518°W / 53.494; -2.518 ("Rose Mill")
Notes: Originally a silk mill, Rose Mill on Ellesmere Street, north of the Bridgewater Canal was later owned by Leigh Friendly Co-operative Society Ltd. It was a weaving shed with 578 looms producing fine shirtings and cambrics.[4]
Welch Hill Mill (Welch Mill) Pennington SJ 653,999 53°29′42″N 2°31′30″W / 53.495°N 2.525°W / 53.495; -2.525 ("Welch Hill Mill")
Notes: Welch Mill or Welch Hill Mill is situated west of Leigh Bridge on the Leigh branch of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and started as a silk weaving mill. As the silk industry declined, the mill stood empty until taken over and converted to cotton weaving by Gamble and Smith (owners of Brookside Mill in Bedford) who manufactured fine cottons. It has been converted to other uses.[48]


Standish

[edit]
Name Architect Location Built Demolished Served
(Years)
Bradley Mills (Douglas Mill) Standish SD 572,112 53°35′46″N 2°38′53″W / 53.596°N 2.648°W / 53.596; -2.648 ("Bradley Mills") 1906 standing 118
Notes: In 1950 Carrington and Dewhurst occupied the premises. In 2016 the mill was used for storage.
Standish Bleachworks Standish SD 579,101 53°35′10″N 2°38′13″W / 53.586°N 2.637°W / 53.586; -2.637 ("Standish Works")
Notes: Standish Bleachworks by the River Douglas, a former paper mill, was bought by T Taylor and Co and commenced bleaching operations in 1884. It was taken over by the Bradford Dyers' Association Ltd in 1899, and dyeing was introduced but discontinued in 1907. The bleachworks used the Mayflower as its trademark. The works closed in 1998 and the site was used by small businesses. It was demolished and replaced by a housing estate in 2006. Some historic features including the engine house, electricity sub-station and a section of wall have been retained.[49]


Tyldesley

[edit]
Name Architect Location Built Demolished Served
(Years)
Barnfield Mills Bradshaw Gass & Hope Tyldesley SD 689,022 53°30′58″N 2°28′12″W / 53.516°N 2.470°W / 53.516; -2.470 ("Barnfield Mills") 1896 1993 95
Notes: Barnfield Mills was a complex of six mills on either side of Union Street H P Barton and Caleb Wright built the first Barnfield Mill with 20,000 spindles on the west side of Union Street on a field known as Barnfield in 1851. By 1866 Wright had new partners, Peter and Charles Eckersley, and they built the second mill. In 1870 Caleb Wright and Company had a third spinning mill. Three more mills were built and the company employed 800 workers.[50] Barnfield No 6 was built on the site of Resolution Mill in 1894. After Wright's death, the company was acquired by the Fine Spinners and Doublers Association and subsequently by Courtaulds. Barnfield No 6 was built in brick with large rectangular windows and was six storeys high with a water tower with a dome at its south east corner. Its ornamental single-storey office block fronting onto Shuttle Street.[51] When built, No 6 Mill used the latest developments, it had concrete floors and was built to house self-acting mules, though it used the engine house from the old mill which powered the machines via a rope race. Ring spinning machinery was installed in the 20th century.[52] The last of the mills, No 6, was demolished in 1993.[53]
Hindsford Cotton Mill Tyldesley SJ 686,021 53°30′54″N 2°28′22″W / 53.5150°N 2.4728°W / 53.5150; -2.4728 ("Hindsford Cotton Mil")
Notes: Hindsford Cotton Mill was situated in Tyldesley by the Hindsford Brook on Little Factory Street. It was owned by Thomas Kirkpatrick and Sons who also had a mill in Hindley Green and in 1891 had 19,120 spindles.[18]
Hope Cotton Mill Tyldesley SJ 686,020 53°30′51″N 2°28′28″W / 53.5142°N 2.4744°W / 53.5142; -2.4744 ("Hope Cotton Mill")
Notes: A mill on James Street was built by Joseph Wilson in 1836. It was later acquired by Thomas Clegg who extended it and raised it by a storey. In 1853 it was known as Hope Mill.[54] In 1883 the spinning and doubling mill, manager's house, cottages in Clegg Street, Blenheim Street, James Street, Charles Street, Cross Street, Elliott Street and Factory Street were offered at auction. Its machinery was made by Dobson & Barlow, Platt Brothers, Howarth and Cryer and included 21 pairs of self-acting mules, 20 ring and 64 flyer doubling frames. Water to fill its lodges was obtained from wells on the premises.[55] Seven years later, building materials and machinery for part of the mill were offered at auction. The machinery included a horizontal high-pressure steam engine with a 28-inch cylinder by J & E Wood of Bolton, a low-pressure beam engine with a 43-inch cylinder, electrical apparatus by Siemens Brothers of London and shafting by Mather & Platt.[56] The spinning mill with 40,000 spindles was owned by Robert J. Clegg in 1891.[18]
Parr Bridge Mill Mosley Common SJ 714,016 53°30′38″N 2°25′56″W / 53.5105°N 2.4322°W / 53.5105; -2.4322 ("Parr Bridge Mill") 1859 165
Notes: Parr Bridge Mill, a weaving shed by the Honksford Brook in Mosley Common was built in 1859. It had several owners; Richard Farnworth in 1865 and John Jackson in 1869. Jones & Company who had a warehouse in Fountain Street Manchester owned it in 1872 and William Porritt in 1876. In 1879 Samuel Middleton had 150 looms there and an office in New Brown Street Manchester. Subsequent owners were the Forsyth Brothers and, after being disused for some time, in 1920 it was acquired by Robert Farnworth of Bolton. In its later years it made rayon fabric.[57]
Resolution Mill Tyldesley SD 689,022 53°30′58″N 2°28′12″W / 53.516°N 2.470°W / 53.516; -2.470 ("Resolution Mill") 1823 Demolished 68
Notes: Thomas Kearsley built Resolution Mill in 1823 at a cost of £5,000 and added to it by 1826 so that the mills took the shape of a letter L. It was located east of Union Street between Shuttle Street and Ellesmere Street. In 1838 Resolution Mills were the highest rated and most important in the town. By 1853 the mills were in the control of James Bayley and James Knott and Caleb Wright acquired them in the 1880s. They were destroyed by fire on 26 September 1891.[54]
Tyldesley Mill or New Mill Tyldesley SJ 687,021 53°30′54″N 2°28′22″W / 53.5150°N 2.4728°W / 53.5150; -2.4728 ("Tyldesley Mill or New Mill")
Notes: Tyldesley Mill or Tyldesley New Mill was an early cotton spinning mill built for John Jones and Richard Jenning Jones on Castle Street and Factory Street.[58] James Burton was a partner in 1838 and took charge when the Jones brothers left to open a silk mill in Bedford.[11] Caleb Wright worked at the mill before starting his own venture. The site was used for the Majestic Cinema and after that Tyldesley Pool.


Westleigh

[edit]
Name Architect Location Built Demolished Served
(Years)
Firs Mills Westleigh SD 642,005 53°30′00″N 2°32′28″W / 53.500°N 2.541°W / 53.500; -2.541 ("Firs Mills") Demolished
Notes: Firs Mills were built by Tunnicliffe and Hampson. In 1891 they had 105,000 spindles.[59] The last mill was built in 1902, it was of four storeys with a water tower with four clock faces.[60]
Kirkhall Lane Mills Westleigh SD 652,009 53°30′22″N 2°31′08″W / 53.506°N 2.519°W / 53.506; -2.519 ("Kirkhall Lane Mills")
Notes: William Hayes, brother of John and James, was a partner with Henry Isherwood in Kirkhall Lane Mills. After Hayes' death in 1869, his son, Thomas Travers Hayes, succeeded him and became sole owner in 1874. In 1849 the mill was known as Westleigh New Mill. Its steam engine was started up on Good Friday 1836 and the mill ran full-time through the cotton famine.[61] The mill had 44,748 spindles in 1891.[4] The mills were renamed Carrington Mills.
Victoria Mills (Hayes Mills) Westleigh SD 657,012 53°30′14″N 2°31′30″W / 53.5038°N 2.525°W / 53.5038; -2.525 ("Victoria Mills") Demolished
Notes: James and John Hayes built the first of the Victoria Mills off Kirkhall Lane in 1856. A second mill built soon after was ravaged by fire in 1864 and rebuilt in 1887. The fourth mill was dated 1878. The Hayes brothers were the first firm in Leigh to use long-stapled Egyptian cotton. In 1947 J. & J. Hayes amalgamated with Greenhalgh & Shaw of Bolton using the name Hayeshaw Ltd.[62] In 1891 the mills belonging to J. & J. Hayes housed 216,518 spindles.[4] The oldest mill was of 24 bays long and four storeys high, it had rectangular windows with stone lintels and an internal engine house.[60]


Wigan

[edit]
Name Architect Location Built Demolished Served
(Years)
Actons Mill Wigan,  SD 584,051 53°32′28″N 2°37′44″W / 53.541°N 2.629°W / 53.541; -2.629 ("Actons Mill")
Britannia Mill Wigan SD 576,053 53°32′35″N 2°38′28″W / 53.543°N 2.641°W / 53.543; -2.641 ("Britannia Mill")
Notes: The mill on Wallgate was operated by W. and R. F. Hopwood in 1891 and contained 6,740 spindles.[7]
Gidlow Mill (Pagefield Mill) George Woodhouse Wigan SD 579,065 53°33′11″N 2°38′13″W / 53.553°N 2.637°W / 53.553; -2.637 ("Gidlow Mill or Pagefield Mill") 1865 159
Notes: Gidlow Mill, to the north of Mesnes Park, was built in 1865 to designs by George Woodhouse for John Rylands and was once the centre of his extensive business. It replaced an earlier mill. The complex, which includes the spinning mill, weaving sheds engine house and chimney is a Grade II listed building. The mill is constructed in red brick with details in blue and white brick which was unusual for its date. Its roof has multiple ridges covered in Welsh slate. Its floors were supported on cast iron columns.[63] The mill was of fireproof construction. Cotton was received into the upper levels of the spinning mill and progressed downwards in contrast to other mills.[64] There are proposals to convert the building for residential use.[65] It had two 460HP twin cylinder J. Musgrave engines with 40in cylinders and a 6ft stroke running at 42rpm on steam at 80psi. The 19ft flywheel drove geared drives. It was converted by Sharples to a 140 psi triple expansion engine in 1900 possibly when the mules were replaced by ring frames.
Pennyhurst Mill Wigan,  SD 576,053 53°32′35″N 2°38′28″W / 53.543°N 2.641°W / 53.543; -2.641 ("Pennyhurst Mill")
Princess Street Mill Wigan,  SD 582,051 53°32′28″N 2°37′55″W / 53.541°N 2.632°W / 53.541; -2.632 ("Princess Street Mill")
Swan Meadow mills Wigan SD 577,050 53°32′24″N 2°38′24″W / 53.540°N 2.640°W / 53.540; -2.640 ("Swan Meadow Mills")
Notes: Swan Meadow Mill was built by James Eckersley in 1827 and became an Old Mill when a new, larger mill was built in 1838. It was demolished in 1960 followed in 1963 by the larger mill. James Eckersley and Sons had three four-storey mills by 1880.[66] Musgraves of Bolton supplied a tandem compound steam engine in 1884.[67] Eckersleys ran six spinning mills and two weaving sheds in the town, Swan Meadow Old, Swan Meadow large, Water Heyes, and Western Mills No.1, No.2 and No.3. The mills housed a total of 236,572 ring spindles, 14,554 mule spindles and 1687 looms.[68]
Trencherfield Mill Potts, Son and Hennings Wigan SD 578,051 53°32′28″N 2°38′17″W / 53.541°N 2.638°W / 53.541; -2.638 ("Trencherfield Mill")
Notes: Trencherfield Mill on Wallgate was a cotton spinning mill built in 1907-8 to designs by Potts, Son and Hennings in an Edwardian Baroque style. The four-storey mill has an iron and steel frame clad in red brick with buff coloured terracotta details. The main range has 15 bays demarcated by brick pilasters each with two windows up to the third floor and three-light windows with mullions on the fourth. The top floor has a sillband decorated with terracotta. Its original 4-cylinder triple-expansion tandem steam engine by J & E Wood of Bolton remains in situ in working order. The mill has been altered and converted to workshops, warehouses, apartments, offices and a museum.[69] In 1891 William Woods and Son operated the mill which housed 48,000 spindles and 420 looms.[7][70]
Victoria Mills (Taylor's Mill) William Fairbairn Wigan SD 576,053 53°32′35″N 2°38′28″W / 53.543°N 2.641°W / 53.543; -2.641 ("Victoria Mills") 1840 184
Notes: Victoria Mill was built around 1840 by William Fairbairn. In 1891 it was occupied by Thomas Taylor and Brother with 171,224 spindles and 1,605 looms. Only a part remains.[70]
Western Mills Nos.1, 2 & 3 (known as Eckersley Mills Stott and Sons Wigan SD 576,050 53°32′24″N 2°38′28″W / 53.540°N 2.641°W / 53.540; -2.641 ("Western Mill No.1") 1883 Standing 141
Notes: Western Mills is a group of mills close to Wigan Pier, all designed by A H Stott for ffarington Eckersley and in deteriorating condition.

Western No 1 is an integrated mill with a spinning block with integral engine house, chimney, reeling and winding rooms, weaving shed and warehouse. It is dated 1884 on the parapet above the entrance bay. The spinning block is built in red brick with a plinth of blue engineering brick and sandstone dressings. It is a Grade II listed building.[71] Possibly already demolished.

Western No 2, dated 1888 is an integrated mill comprising a spinning block with boiler house, engine house and chimney, winding and beaming rooms. Its weaving shed has been demolished. The four-storey spinning block is built of common brick with sandstone dressings and has a concealed roof. Its two-storey winding and beaming rooms have a deep basement. Its chimney has a plinth of blue engineering brick and tapered octagonal shaft. It is a Grade II listed building.[72]

Western No 3 Mill, dated 1900, is a spinning mill with a boiler house, chimney and engine house, and a beaming and reeling block. The mill is used as a warehouse. The four-storey mill is built of common brick with sandstone dressings and has a concealed roof. It has a square tower rising above the parapet.[73]

Altogether Eckersley's mills housed 236,572 ring spindles, 14,554 mule spindles and 1687 looms.[68]
Wharfe Mill Wigan,  SD 582,051 53°32′28″N 2°37′55″W / 53.541°N 2.632°W / 53.541; -2.632 ("Wharfe Mill")
Whittaker's Mill Wigan,  SD 579,065 53°33′11″N 2°38′13″W / 53.553°N 2.637°W / 53.553; -2.637 ("Whittaker's Mill")
Wood Street Mill Wigan,  SD 584,051 53°32′28″N 2°37′44″W / 53.541°N 2.629°W / 53.541; -2.629 ("Wood Street Mill")


See also

[edit]

References

[edit]

Citations

[edit]
  1. ^ Freeman, Rodgers & Kinvig 1968, p. 67
  2. ^ a b Wigan, Spinning the Web, Manchester Library and Information Service, archived from the original on 24 December 2012, retrieved 10 July 2012
  3. ^ LeighTownTrail Part1 (PDF), Wigan.gov.uk, pp. 14–15, archived from the original (PDF) on 29 September 2011, retrieved 9 July 2012
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i Leigh and Bedford Leigh (p111), Grace's Guide, retrieved 27 June 2012
  5. ^ LeighTownTrail Part1 (PDF), Wigan.gov.uk, pp. 18–19, archived from the original (PDF) on 29 September 2011, retrieved 9 July 2012
  6. ^ Leigh Town Trail Maps (PDF), Wigan.gov.uk, retrieved 9 July 2012
  7. ^ a b c d 1891 Cotton Mills in Wigan, Grace's Guide, retrieved 18 April 2016
  8. ^ Lunn 1971, p. 76
  9. ^ Cotton Mills in Leigh and Bedford Leigh 1891 Astley 3 miles E. from Leigh (p111), Grace's Guide, retrieved 16 June 2012
  10. ^ Lunn 1971, p. 85
  11. ^ a b c d e Lunn 1953, p. 114
  12. ^ a b Lunn 1971, p. 178
  13. ^ a b Atherton. 2.5 miles N.N.E. from Leigh (p111), Grace's Guide, retrieved 25 June 2012
  14. ^ Lunn 1968, p. 194
  15. ^ Mill fire danger, The Leigh Reporter, retrieved 27 June 2012
  16. ^ Historic England, "Ena Mill, Flapper Fold Lane (1253159)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 16 June 2012
  17. ^ a b Ashmore 1982, p. 80
  18. ^ a b c Tyldesley. 2 miles E.N.E. from Leigh (p113), Grace's Guide, retrieved 27 June 2012
  19. ^ Lunn 1971, p. 180
  20. ^ Williams & Farnie 1992, pp. 32–33
  21. ^ McEwan 2008, p. 27
  22. ^ McEwan 2008, p. 31
  23. ^ a b Holden 1997, p. 240
  24. ^ a b Ashmore 1982, p. 103
  25. ^ Historic England, "Alder Mill Office, including entrance gate to west (1309364)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 3 July 2012
  26. ^ Browett, Lindley and Co, Grace's Guide, retrieved 15 July 2012
  27. ^ Lunn 1958, p. 261
  28. ^ Ashmore 1982, p. 104
  29. ^ Historic England, "Butts Mill (1253426)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 26 June 2012
  30. ^ Holden 1997, p. 1242
  31. ^ a b Holden 1997, p. 243
  32. ^ Holden 1997, p. 118
  33. ^ Historic England, "Leigh Mill, Park Lane (1253119)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 16 June 2012
  34. ^ Lunn 1958, p. 268
  35. ^ Historic England, "Mather Lane Mill (1356246)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 3 July 2012
  36. ^ Historic England, "Former warehouse immediately north west of Dick Mather Bridge, Mather Lane (1261878)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 5 July 2012
  37. ^ Historic England, "Stanley House and attached mill (1253218)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 14 February 2016
  38. ^ Lunn 1958, p. 267
  39. ^ Cotton Mills in Golborne 1891, Grace's Guide, retrieved 14 February 2016
  40. ^ a b c Hindley. 3 miles E.S.E. from Wigan, Grace's Guide, retrieved 23 May 2016
  41. ^ a b Holden 1997, p. 228
  42. ^ Pevsner, Pollard & Sharples 2006, p. 200.
  43. ^ Holden 1997, p. 227
  44. ^ a b Holden 1997, p. 237
  45. ^ Ashmore 1982, p. 148
  46. ^ Lunn 1958, p. 293
  47. ^ Lunn 1958, p. 93
  48. ^ Wigan Pier to Leigh Bridge (pdf), Manchester's Countryside.com, retrieved 16 July 2012
  49. ^ Mayflower, Standish Conservation Area Appraisal April 2010 (PDF), Wigan.gov.uk, p. 13, archived from the original (PDF) on 10 October 2012, retrieved 16 September 2012
  50. ^ Lunn 1958, p. 141
  51. ^ Ashmore 1982, p. 144
  52. ^ Historic England, "Barnfield Mill (1302494)", Research records (formerly PastScape), retrieved 17 September 2012
  53. ^ McEwan 2008, p. 5
  54. ^ a b Lunn 1953, p. 107
  55. ^ "Sales Auction, POSTPONED TO MONDAY, 3rd SECOND SALE. ft ...". Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser. British Newspaper Archive. 1 September 1883. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  56. ^ "Safes ftp on View This Day. Hill.—Sale Capital ...". Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser. British Newspaper Archive. 3 May 1890. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  57. ^ Lunn 1953, p. 128
  58. ^ Why did Tyldesley cotton spinners go on strike in 1823?, Tyldesley and District Historical Society, archived from the original on 22 May 2003, retrieved 7 July 2012
  59. ^ Leigh and Bedford Leigh (p111), Grace's Guide, retrieved 12 February 2016
  60. ^ a b Ashmore 1982, p. 105
  61. ^ Lunn 1958, p. 176
  62. ^ Lunn 1958, p. 183
  63. ^ Historic England, "Pagefield Building of Wigan College of Technology (1384455)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 14 September 2012
  64. ^ Pevsner, Pollard & Sharples 2006, p. 674.
  65. ^ Pagefield Building, Wigan, Architectural History Practice, retrieved 14 September 2012
  66. ^ Eckersley Mill's, savewigan.co.uk, retrieved 15 September 2012
  67. ^ Ashmore 1969, p. 320
  68. ^ a b Eckersleys
  69. ^ Historic England, "Trencherfield Mill (1384508)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 15 August 2012
  70. ^ a b Pevsner, Pollard & Sharples 2006, p. 675.
  71. ^ Historic England, "Swan Meadow Western Works Number 1 Mill (1384527)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 15 September 2012
  72. ^ Historic England, "Swan Meadow Western Works Number 2 Mill (1384528)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 15 September 2012
  73. ^ Historic England, "Swan Meadow Western Works Number 3 Mill (1384529)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 15 September 2012

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Ashmore, Owen (1969). Industrial Archaeology of Lancashire. David & Charles.
  • Ashmore, Owen (1982). The industrial archaeology of North-west England. Manchester University Press. ISBN 0-7190-0820-4.
  • Freeman, T.W.; Rodgers, H. B.; Kinvig, M. A. (1968). Lancashire, Cheshire and the Isle of Man. Nelson.
  • Holden, Roger N. (1997). Stott ansd Sons Architects of the Lancashire Cotton Mill. Carnegie Publishing. ISBN 1-85936-047-5.
  • Lunn, John (1971). A short history of the township of Astley. Lunn.
  • Lunn, John (1968). Atherton, Lancashire, A manorial social and industrial history. Atherton District Council.
  • Lunn, John (1958). History of Leigh. Leigh Borough Council.
  • Lunn, John (1953). A Short History of the Township of Tyldesley. Tyldesley Urban District Council.
  • McEwan, Alan (2008). Fred Dibnah's Chimney Drops. Sledgehammer Engineering Press. ISBN 978-0-9532725-1-8.
  • Pevsner, Nikolaus; Pollard, Richard; Sharples, Joseph (2006). Buildings of England: Liverpool and the southwest. Yale University Press. ISBN 0-300-10910-5.
  • Williams, Mike; Farnie, Douglas Anthony (1992). Cotton Mills of Greater Manchester. Carnegie Publishing. ISBN 0-948789-69-7.
[edit]
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