Jewel Mill, Robinson Lane, Reedley, Burnley

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iBase ID

304389

Reference identifier

ENE-N17-M31-1-1

Title

Jewel Mill, Robinson Lane, Reedley, Burnley

Place

Reedley

General notes

A water-powered woollen mill erected c1780 by Henry Greenwood, and later worked by Holgate, Massey and Company, cotton and worsted spinners, and bankers of Burnley. The mill was probably sublet to John Moore, who may have introduced cotton waste spinning.

Following the failure of Holgate's Bank in 1823, little is known about the site until the middle of the nineteenth century, although it was reconstructed, and probably enlarged about 1849. At this date, the property included ten cottages with an integral warehouse to the rear, and upper floor.

In 1853 the mill was leased by Robert Shaw of Colne for cotton spinning. Following Shaw's death the mill closed in 1886. A year later it was leased to Henry Hartley of Settle, who was running 3,328 mule spindles by the 1890's. The mill produced 4s/8s condenser weft for the domestic trade. Towards the end of the century a section of the mill was sub-let to Edwin Holdsworth who installed 56 looms to weave ticks and stripes.

Around 1900 the factory was taken over by the Union Mill Company Limited of Sabden. In 1903, Thomas Lockwood, one of the company's debenture holders acquired the business and it was reconstituted as Lockwood and Buckley Limited.

Renewal of the machinery included the installation, in 1906, of a 400 ihp horizontal, tandem engine, 14" + 30” x 42" stroke, by Cole, Marchant and Morley Limited. Additional power was available from an older, 90 hp 'Trent' turbine by Gilkes of Kendal. Two dynamos, one by Royce Limited, were later purchased to produce electric light.

During the 1920's, 8000 mule spindles were working, producing coarse yarns for towelling and domestic goods. Much of the mill's yarn was woven at the company's Sabden weaving shed. After the Second World War, the business was purchased by John Barnes and Sons Limited of Preston, but continued to trade as Lockwood and Buckley. In 1965, 7440 spindles were in use, making 6s / 10s condenser yams.

About 1968 the mill was sold to Westwill Limited, who operated a small waste spinning plant at Ramsbottom. The Hargreaves family, of Padiham Cotton Waste, also had an interest in the mill. Some ring frames were installed, and in 1970 machinery included 5160 condenser mule and 1800 ring spindles. Spinning ended in December, 1971, and the mill remained empty until 1977-78 when it was demolished to make way for the M65 motorway.

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Medium

Photocopy

Colour

Monochrome

Year of image

1977

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Subjects

Place Names > Brierfield

Place Names > Burnley

Place Names > Nelson

Place Names > Reedley

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