Woodend Mill Brunswick Mill Hollins Mill

Woodend Mill

Manchester Rd, Mossley,
Tameside

This cotton mill is located on the south-east side of Manchester Rd (53.52055, -2.03541) alongside the river Tame and the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and it was built and operated by Robert Hyde Buckley (1812-1867). It is notable for being an early combined cotton mill that from the outset incorporated both spinning and weaving facilities.

Woodend Mill viewed from a weir across the river Tame. The weaving shed in the foreground has a roof with a north-light or sawtooth design. The steeper (approx. 46°) side of each tooth faces north and is glazed while the shallower (approx. 25°) south side is covered with opaque material to shield the interior from the sun. This ensures consistent good-quality light needed inside for the weavers operating the looms.

The mill was erected in several phases between c.1830 and 1840 and it was built with coursed and squared stone rubble exterior walls, and slate roofs. The floors are of fireproof construction supported by cylindrical cast-iron columns. It was expanded in 1862/64 when a larger mill building was added. By 1891 the company had become incorporated and was styled Robert Hyde Buckley & Sons Ltd.

Woodend Mill is listed Grade II, List Entry No. 1268030.

Brunswick Mill

Staley Rd, Mossley,
Tameside

This former cotton mill was located in the Micklehurst District of Mossley on the south side of Staley Rd on the corner of Cheshire St (53.513, -2.035). Although its origins date back to 1839/40, a large range was built by the Brunswick Cotton Spinning Co Ltd in 1886/87, which is sometimes referred to as Albert Mill. At this time the mill had a capacity of 87,000 spindles producing fine twist (warp) and weft yarn. The mill is notable for being one of the earliest mills in the district to introduce electricity to drive textile machinery.

Brunswick Mill viewed from a small reservoir off the north side of Staley Rd. The terraced houses on the left are on Staley Rd.

After the Great War the cotton industry experienced a brief boom during 1919/20 but in early1921 there was a crash that marked the beginning of a terminal decline in the industry. Demand for cotton plummeted in a single season and cotton imports into Liverpool dropped by 50%. However, the Brunswick Cotton Spinning Co Ltd must have been experiencing difficulties prior to this and the London Gazette recorded in Mar 1920 that the company was to be liquidated. Somehow, the mill remained open throughout the interwar and post WWII eras but following the sharp post WWII decline of the cotton industry, operations eventually ceased in the 1960s.

The London Gazette records that over the period 1967/70 the mill was occupied by the Mossley Wool Combing & Spinning Co Ltd*. Subsequently, it was used for light industry and as a music rehearsal space but it was demolished in 1990 to make way for housing development. This housing estate was named ‘The Spindles’ in remembrance of the former Brunswick Mill.

Hollins Mill

Micklehurst Rd, Mossley,
Tameside

This stone-built woollen mill was located on the south side of Micklehurst Rd (53.51419, -2.03142), bordered by the modern Cocksfoot Drive and Earnshaw Clough. It was erected in 1864 by John and Samuel Buckley, members of a local textile manufacturing family that included the above Robert Hyde Buckley of Woodend Mill, Mossley.

Hollins Mill.

Later, ownership passed to Robert Radcliffe & Sons (Robert Radcliffe (1862-20 Oct 1914)), who also owned the nearby Squire Mill (53.51471, -2.02740) on the south side of Micklehurst Rd. The two mills were about 300 yards away from each other. The first mill to be operated by Robert Radcliffe & Sons was Carr Mill (53.50731, -2.01987) in neighbouring Carrbrook.

Commercial operations at Hollins Mill concluded in the latter half of the 20th century and it became derelict before demolition in 1993.