Built about 1773 by Messrs Peel & Yates as a calico printing works. [Spinning the Web]
Closed 1978.
Chimney demolished 1984.
In 1812 Peel & Yates sold Brooksbottom Mill to Messrs Hardman, Norris & Hamer and in 1824 Richard Hamer bought out his partners’ interests for himself and his son Daniel. However in 1829 Richard Hamer then sold the mill to Thomas Kay, who also owned Longholme Mill at Rawtenstall. Thomas Kay had bought the mill for his son’s
(John Robinson Kay) 21st birthday. Shortly afterwards, Thomas Kay rebuilt the mill.
John Robinson Kay married Mary Hamer, daughter of Richard Hamer, in 1834. Their daughter became the second wife of Isaac Hoyle, son of Joshua Hoyle, a pioneer of the cotton trade in Bacup. John Robinson Kay died in 1872 and Messrs Joshua Hoyle & Sons took over Brooksbottom Mill. [Further Rossendale Rambles page 13 and page 38].
Isaac Hoyle was the Member of Parliament for Heywood/Ramsbottom from 1885 until 1892.
Edward Hoyle rebuilt Brooksbottom Mill on a grand scale in 1876, with a classical/Italian influence in the south elevation, which can be seen today.
There is an interesting article about the company in the Ramsbottom Festival 1951 Souvenir Handbook:
‘ Brooksbottom Mill, Summerseat, was built during the years 1873 to 1876, on the banks of the River Irwell and is now completely driven by electricity.
Approximately 630 persons are employed, and are engaged in Spinning, Doubling and Weaving cotton piece goods for the Home and Export markets of the world. The chief cloths woven are Drills, Duck Cloths, Sail Cloths, Plain Cloths and Poplins.
The departments are made attractive by air conditioning, modern lighting and painted walls. Amongst the amenities provided for employees are: Coach transport from Bury and Ramsbottom districts, free of charge, Canteen open 24 hours per day. Day Nursery, Modern Surgery and Welfare Departments. Mill Laundry for use of employees.
It is the aim of the Directors to produce at all times the fine cloths for which the firm has become famous and whilst keeping before them the trademark of the firm ‘NO TEST LIKE TIME’ they intend to keep abreast of modern inventions and improvements.’
In 1921 Joshua Hoyle & Sons became a limited company and the link with the Hoyle family was broken when James Hoyle retired from the management in 1927. By 1969 Brooksbottom Mill was part of the Illingworth-Morris Group. In 1978 the mill closed thus ending Brooksbottom’s long association with the textile industry [Further Rossendale Rambles page 13].
(Note Kath – J. H listed as JH & Sons Ltd 1880 onwards!)
The mill soon became derelict. The weaving shed and part of the spinning section were demolished and in 1984 the chimney was felled. There was a £1.5 m conversion to fifty luxury flats in the ‘listed’ section of the building (The Spinnings), with a car park on the demolished site. The two storey canteen building is now The Waterside Inn. (closed at time of writing this – KH August 2008). [Further Rossendale Rambles page 38].
Brooksbottom Mill is listed in the 1833 Irwell Reservoir Scheme: Thomas Kay & Son. Waterwheels: 1) 18ft 5ins wide with diameter of 20 feet. 2) 13 feet wide with diameter of 24 feet.
Listings in the Trade Directories:
1841 Pigot & Slater – Thomas Kay & Son cotton spinners & manufacturers.
1850 Heap Trade Directory – Thomas Kay & Son Brooksbottom Mill and 27 Cannon Street, Manchester
1861 Drake Trade Directory – Brooksbottom Mill and Wood Road Mill, Summerseat.
1871 Worrall Trade Directory – Brooksbottom Mill, Summerseat, cotton spinners & manufacturers.
1880 Barrett Trade Directory – Joshua Hoyle & Sons Ltd – Brooksbottom Mill, cotton spinners & manufacturers.
1888 Slaters Trade Directory – Joshua Hoyle & Sons Ltd cotton spinners & manufacturers, Brooksbottom and at Bacup & 41 Mosley Street, Manchester.
They are also listed under Cotton Spinners & Manufacturers on the 1908 map.
Information gathered from RHS documents from Civic Hall (Feb 2009).
- The building which is now converted to apartments and named ‘Victoria Lanterns’ was once the ‘Brox. Railway warehouse’.
- John Robinson Kay was born in Burnley 20.6.1805. He died 25.3.1872 at Walmersley House and his remains are interred at Rowlands Wesleyan Chapel, Summerseat. After his death, the old mill ran for a further 19 months, ceasing production 18th October 1873 - it was then demolished except for No:1 shed which was kept as part of Hoyles Mill. (see photo).
- Joshua Hoyle set up business in about 1834 in partnership with John Maden, Daniel Baron and Richard Bridge at Midge Hole Mill, Bacup. This partnership was dissolved. Joshua Hoyle built Plantation Mill in Bacup in 1841 and his sons carried on the business.
- In 1951 Joshua Hoyle & Sons had 16 mills.
- The winding, doubling and beaming section of the mill is a four storey structure and the windows on each floor are of a different design.
- In the section which was known as No:5 weaving shed, the leaching and dyeing of cops was done and there is even now a section known as ‘The Well Hole’. Bleaching and dyeing was later abandoned due, we are told, to a lack of water and the Northrop Automatic Looms were installed in 1905.
- In 1876 working hours were 6am - 6pm and until 1pm on Saturdays.
- The company owned most of the property in the village and tenants had to be employees.
- In 1969 - 22 persons were employed at the mill. Cloths produced included drills, plains, duck cloths and cellular, chiefly for the home market.
- There is a brief Family Tree of the Hoyle family dated 1994:
Abraham Hoyle married Sarah Fielden in Rochdale 2.4.1793
Children: Abraham, Isaac, John, Sarah,
Betty who married John Ashworth
Joshua b. 1796- married Elizabeth Bentley
Children of Joshua & Elizabeth:
James 1819-1870
Abraham b. 821
John b. 1823
Sarah - married ? Todd
Alice b. 1831
Edward born 1834
Isaac 1828-1895 married Elizabeth Smallpage 1854 and then Mary Hamer Kay 16.10.1872
There are a lot of documents in the RHS Archive relating to Brooksbottom Mill including brochures for the Northrop machines installed at the mill, items from a display and a booklet entitled ‘History of Summerseat Village 1830-1900 by Jean Price. (May 1987)
There is an interesting article on the internet – Summerseat – mills of Summerseat.
Other mills in Summerseat – Robin Road Mill, Upper Mill, Twist Mill & Wood Road Mill. All run by Hamer family and his descendants. I have not covered these separately but there is reference to them in the documents mentioned above.