History
This cotton mill was built in c1829 for Charles Stott. The main range is made up of 4 linked buildings which stand on the narrow strip of ground between the River Roche and a large reservoir (now filled in). The site was owned by the Kenyon family in 1761 who had a water powered fulling mill. In the late 1820s Charles Stott built the present mill for cotton spinning and in the 1850s it was converted to steam power. In 1859 the Kenyons bought the mill back. Following the cotton famine - 4 years when supplies of raw cotton were not available due to the American Civil War - he converted the buildings into an integrated woolen plant. In 1924 a detached engine and boiler house were built. In 1970 the Kenyons left and the premises were taken over by Roeacre Dyeing and Spinning. It then became a bleach works. The site is special for the continuity of occupation and longevity of the Kenyon firm.
Explore
Was in the area with @host and thought whilst passing I’d grab a few externals, turned out there was a way in. I’d tried this one a few times over the years and always failed, it’s always been well sealed, other than the ground floor damp section. The usual ways all bricked up. It’s pretty empty now and in a very bad way the roof has collapsed at the South end of the mill and the floors are sketchy to say the least throughout. Still it’s a mill, and one I’m still glad to have seen inside.
Pics
Old aerial photo from David Arnfield showing an overview of the mill site. The red brick building centre left is the additional engine house, where the Musgrave & Sons Uniflow engine was. This was scrapped around 1963 and the engine house demolished some time after.
This was the above mentioned engine (photo from David Arnfield)
A picture of the main mill I’m guessing around the 60’s (photo from David Arnfield)
Another in 1999
This is how it currently looks. Engine house in the centre with the tall curved window. This housed an early Benjamin Hicks Beam engine which was installed between 1830-1850 and remained in use until 1925. Some longevity for an engine that!
Loading bay and hoist
North end of the mill showing the Down & Taylor Co of Manchester water tower on top
Rear of the mill showing the chimney
Starting off on the ground floor of the northern building attached to the main mill
Good to see some line shafting still in situ
Remnants showing some of it’s former use
Moving on to the main mill ground floor
Ground floor of the beam engine house
Moving on to the 1st and 2nd floors of the beam engine house
Various plinths, ironwork, bearing boxes as expected
Still has a couple of enamel lamps in the engine house, pretty cool.
The Benjamin Hick Beam engine (photo from David Arnfield)
This cotton mill was built in c1829 for Charles Stott. The main range is made up of 4 linked buildings which stand on the narrow strip of ground between the River Roche and a large reservoir (now filled in). The site was owned by the Kenyon family in 1761 who had a water powered fulling mill. In the late 1820s Charles Stott built the present mill for cotton spinning and in the 1850s it was converted to steam power. In 1859 the Kenyons bought the mill back. Following the cotton famine - 4 years when supplies of raw cotton were not available due to the American Civil War - he converted the buildings into an integrated woolen plant. In 1924 a detached engine and boiler house were built. In 1970 the Kenyons left and the premises were taken over by Roeacre Dyeing and Spinning. It then became a bleach works. The site is special for the continuity of occupation and longevity of the Kenyon firm.
Explore
Was in the area with @host and thought whilst passing I’d grab a few externals, turned out there was a way in. I’d tried this one a few times over the years and always failed, it’s always been well sealed, other than the ground floor damp section. The usual ways all bricked up. It’s pretty empty now and in a very bad way the roof has collapsed at the South end of the mill and the floors are sketchy to say the least throughout. Still it’s a mill, and one I’m still glad to have seen inside.
Pics
Old aerial photo from David Arnfield showing an overview of the mill site. The red brick building centre left is the additional engine house, where the Musgrave & Sons Uniflow engine was. This was scrapped around 1963 and the engine house demolished some time after.
This was the above mentioned engine (photo from David Arnfield)
A picture of the main mill I’m guessing around the 60’s (photo from David Arnfield)
Another in 1999
This is how it currently looks. Engine house in the centre with the tall curved window. This housed an early Benjamin Hicks Beam engine which was installed between 1830-1850 and remained in use until 1925. Some longevity for an engine that!
Loading bay and hoist
North end of the mill showing the Down & Taylor Co of Manchester water tower on top
Rear of the mill showing the chimney
Starting off on the ground floor of the northern building attached to the main mill
Good to see some line shafting still in situ
Remnants showing some of it’s former use
Moving on to the main mill ground floor
Ground floor of the beam engine house
Moving on to the 1st and 2nd floors of the beam engine house
Various plinths, ironwork, bearing boxes as expected
Still has a couple of enamel lamps in the engine house, pretty cool.
The Benjamin Hick Beam engine (photo from David Arnfield)
