SPRING MILL WEAVING SHED ENGINE CHRISTENING

[Stanley]

SPRING MILL WEAVING SHED ENGINE CHRISTENING. It is gratifying to chronicle another development in the manufacturing industry and commercial enterprise of some of the people of Earby who have within the last few years started in the line of business. For some length of time Messrs. Bailey, Watson and Berry have rented room and power from Mr. William Gill at the Grove Shed, but during the past year they have built a new weaving shed in a higher part of Earby, capable of holding 460 looms, for the manufacture of coloured goods, and they have also built commodious rooms for preparatory work, warehousing etc. The architect was Mr. W.H. Atkinson of Colne, and the following were various contractors :- Masons work Messrs. Cowgill and Wilkinson – Earby Joiners work Mr. Charles Watson - Earby
Slating Mr. William Stanworth – Burnley Plastering Messrs. Heap and Thornton – Barnoldswick Concrete Work Nuttall – Barnoldswick Glazier Varley and Sons – Colne Steam Heating Brooks – Crosshills Engine Burnley Iron Works
On Saturday afternoon the ceremony of christening the engine was commenced by Thomas Bailey who made a few remarks suited to the occasion and concluded by calling upon his daughter Miss Jane Alice Bailey to christen the engine which she named Alice Ann. After the ceremony all the work people to the number of 200 or more were provided with an excellent knife and fork tea served in the new warehouse. The following ladies presided at the tables :- Mrs. W.M. Berry Miss. Jane Watson Mrs. Charles Watson Mrs. C.W. Bailey Miss J.A. Bailey. After tea a social evening was spent over which Mr. W.H. Atkinson of Colne presided. The programme included songs by :-
Mrs. Heaton
Miss C. Brown
Miss A. Brown
Miss Tattersall
Messrs. Joseph Foulds
J. Turner
and W. Turner
Mr. John Rediough gave a recitation. Mr. W.N. Berry was the pianoforte accompanist and the Earby Brass Band played for the dancing. The entertainment proved very enjoyable.
A number of new looms are already in the shed and Messrs Bailey are engaged in removing their looms and other machinery to their new premises and the place they are vacating is to be filled with looms by Messrs Hartley.

Transcribed from Yorkshire Pioneer 1st May 1896 by Bob Abel, used with his permission.
These articles also appear on the Earby & District Local History Society web site www.earbylocalhistorysociety.co.uk