Report - Reins Mill, Huddersfield - October 2013

[tweek]

Reins Mill, Huddersfield - October 2013

Visited solo

At first, the mill seems rather empty. But on closer inspection, it's actually full of interesting little details and remnants of ancient kit... after a decent rummage around, I found Reins to be full of detail and charm.

History

Built in 1847, Reins Mill was occupied by Charles Dean in 1866 operating as a Fancy Woollen Manufacturer. A year later, Dean started a partnership with John Hey that would last until Hey's retirement in 1883. By 1889, Joseph Dean, son of the original founder, started at the company and from then on the company was known as Charles Dean & Son. The company would continue to operate from Reins right up to the end of the nineteenth century.

The Reins Mill reaches to a height of three storeys, and is entirely lighted by the electric light, and is not only large and commodious in construction, but has been appointed throughout with machinery and appliances of the most approved character, and in complete and thorough suitability for the work engaged in. There have been laid down here four sets of carding and scribbling machinery, four spinning machines, and two thousand spindles, in addition to other requisite plant, and the propulsion power is supplied by two boilers and engine. In addition to the mill is an extensive weaving shed, and two sheds of smaller dimensions. The complete processes of manufacture are carried through here, including both dyeing and finishing, and a stock of exceptional extent and high commerical value is kept by Messrs. Charles Dean & Son in fancy woollen, tweeds, cheviots, wool-dyed meltons and beavers, worsteds, army cloths, the entire productions of the firm holding a high position in the market, in consequence of their excellent finish and reliability... ...The operations of this firm engage the services of a staff of one hundred and twenty hands, a widespread and prosperous trade being conducted among a valuable and influential connection both at home and abroad. The warehouse is situated at Nos. 2 and 4 Lancaster's Yard and is in thorough keeping with the superior tone of the other departments of this business."

NB: For any Huddersfield people wondering where this Yard was, it was known as Lancaster's Yard between 1850 and 1910, but by 1917 it had been renamed Laycock's Yard and is situated on Cloth Hall Street in the centre of Huddersfield. It would have stood opposite the Cloth Hall which was demolished in 1930. The central Clock Tower was relocated to Ravensknowle Park. If you ever go there, I strongly recommend going inside the Tolson Museum.

Josiah France's Queens Mill in the foreground, with Reins Mill just visible in the top left, 1929...

David France & Co were at Reins Mill at the turn of the century, and would have likely been present at the time weavers here went on strike in 1902, when looms were speeded up, and wages for the fast loom weavers reduced while the slow loom weavers were kept idle waiting for warps. Incidentally, I don't believe there is any family connection between David France and Josiah France of Queens Mills (pictured above), despite both running mills in Honley.

By 1950, Reins Mill was occupied by Marsden, Sykes & Co and N Marsh Ltd. A decade later, the Holme Valley Rug Company was set up, lasting 15 years until 1975. Documents for which still reside in the mill. In 1973, another company called Holme Valley Patterns Ltd was incorporated, and it seems they stopped trading here around 2001-2003. As others have stated, it appears to have been used as a MOT testing garage in more recent times.

Earlier this year, the Huddersfield Examiner reported the site was to become a new Morrisons supermarket.

Huddersfield = Endless Win

tweek
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