We've got a fair idea now of how Barlick developed up to 1914 and how the textile trade became the dominant industry but I think we ought to step back a bit and trace what the effects were on ordinary people. Like us, they had to make a living to survive and what concerned them was the impact of all these 'improvements' on their lives. One measure of the changes is population, in 1850 it was about 2,000, in 1920 it was 12,000, roughly the same as it is today.
In 1800 there were a few people working in the early mills and quarries a few traders and craftsmen but the main occupation was connected with farming. Within this broad spread there was a significant income from domestic textiles. Almost every cottage and farm was involved and it was a significant source of income to the town. The Mitchell, Slater and Bracewell families were the chief clothiers putting out raw materials and marketing loom state cloth. The trade, as ever, had seasonal fluctuations but on the whole produced a useful income. The first improvements in machinery, the flying shuttle and the domestic Spinning Jenny benefited the cottagers but the clothiers wanted more control of their labour force. We know that Slater had a 'Dandy Shop' on Barnoldswick Lane (Manchester Road) where he installed some improved looms and paid weavers to work for him. This was the thin end of the wedge and by 1840 power looms were installed in steam driven mills and the hand loom weavers couldn't compete. Piece prices of cloth fell and by 1850, though there were still a few stubborn survivors, the cottage industry was dead. There was resistance of course, political movements like Chartism and and sporadic instances of loom breaking and plug drawing. We know that Bracewell's Old Shed in Earby was one target but Barlick appears to have been relatively peaceful.
For the majority, by 1920, factory work in the new mills was the norm. As a rough guide, 300 workers were needed for every 1000 looms. With almost 25,000 looms Barlick needed about 7,500 workers directly engaged in weaving. The town hadn't got this number of workers and the shortfall was made up by itinerant weavers who lodged in the town during the week and if their home was close enough, went home for Saturday and Sunday. Every available bed in the town was full and model lodging houses were built in Butts. Ever wondered why the Greyhound pub has three floors? So, there was plenty of work but also iron discipline. Tramp weavers used to stand in the warehouse at each mill and if a set of looms wasn't manned at starting time the tackler would set one of these on to run the looms and the regular worker lost a day's work. There were strict rules imposed under which weavers could be fined for any instances of less than perfect work. Despite this, it was easy to make a living.
The Greyhound Hotel. Plenty of room for lodgers.