BARNOLDSWICK CORN MILL 1951 ARTICLE

[Stanley]

BARNOLDSWICK CORN MILL

Craven Herald, 28th December 1951, page 7

“Fate of Corn Mill Chimney”



Summary

In an interview with J M Hoyle of C Hoyle and Sons, the article stated the following:

The old chimney is to be pulled down as soon as negotiations are completed. It has been redundant for at least 70 years. One of the towns oldest landmarks, 110` 0” high. Probably the oldest chimney in the town. Mr Hoyle thinks that it was in existence many years before his grandfather took over the mill in 1888 following a sale. Before that date the mill had been idle for about three years. Before the Hoyle family took over the mill, it was owned by Mr W Bracewell and used as a flour mill.

Owing to a slump in trade in Whitley Bridge, Mr M Hoyle moved to Barnoldswick and began working for Mr Bracewell. In 1888 the chimney went out of use as a water wheel was installed. In 1896 a turbine belt was brought into use and in that way the mill continued until 1916 when the water lease ran out and the Council took over putting certain by-laws into operation, which prevented its continued use.

That was not the end for Mr Hoyles father had a suction gas plant installed and production continued by that method until 1939. In 1939 electrification was carried out.

Mr Hoyle referred to the chimney as “derelict” and said that it was difficult to demolish due to the proximity of neighbouring houses. With a smile, Mr Hoyle said “the only use for years and years was as a corner for courting couples”.