HOLCOMBE BROOK MILL
Bolton Road West – next to Holcombe Brook Methodist Church. (From map of Ramsbottom Mills Ramsbottom Library – used for RHS Exhibition 1989). This was probably the new mill built in 1923. Original Mill was at the back of the Hare & Hounds public house.
Kate Slingsby passed on some information to me marked ‘James Holden & Son Limited, Holcombe Brook Mills – found with Kenneth Beetsons papers’ In this he states that the old mill was behind the ‘Hare and Hounds’ at Holcombe Brook. The article gives a brief history of the firm:
‘James Holden & Son Limited are believed to be the oldest established company in Ramsbottom. Records show that they were engaged in manufacturing in 1875 but, they were first registered in 1889. The founder, James Holden of 288 Bolton Road West started as firebeater and became the owner, founding the company in the old mill behind the ‘Hare and Hounds’ at Holcombe Brook.
James and his wife, Mary had two sons, John and Samuel. John, however, died before his father – James himself dying in August 1897, leaving Samuel to carry on the business.
1910 Samuel Holden – weaving shed Holcombe Brook [Valution List PUB 8/161 Bury Archives]
A new mill was started (the present one) and in 1923 Samuel died leaving only the four outside walls built. His son, William, was then left and the new mill was completed that year.
In 1930 the Preparation Room was added and in 1938 a Warehouse and new Offices were built.
William died in December 1963 leaving three sons and one grandson in the business. The eldest son, Fred Holden is now Managing Director and Chairman, his brother Kenneth J. Holden a director and J. Stuart Holden, being fifth generation, is the Manager.
The firm is privately owned and although at one time employed 150 people, now employs approx. 45. [No date for article but after 1963].
The following text is from The Official Guide to Ramsbottom c 1935. It gives a comprehensive history of the firm:
The firm of J.R. Seddon & Holden Limited, Turkish towel specialists of Ramsbottom & Manchester have recently reverted to the original title of the Holden family and now trade as James Holden & Son Ltd. This particular concern was founded at Holcombe Brook by James Holden in 1890 making honeycomb and huckaback towels which soon found a ready market at home and abroad, particularly China. In 1896 James Holden, founder of the firm died and his son Samuel carried on together with William, son of Samuel and in 1921 the firm converted to a private limited company as James Holden & Son (Holcombe Brook) Limited. The progress and development of the business justified them, in 1923, building an up to date mill equipped with modern machinery for making Turkish towels. During this period Samuel died and left William as sole governing director andin 1926 he had devoted himself entirely to the production of Turkish towels for the manufacturing trade.
HOLCOMBE BROOK MILL
In 1930 the Holden family incorporated with them J & R Seddon Ltd, a forty year old Radcliffe establishment. Under the new title J.R. Seddon & Holden Ltd they have catered for the wholesale and shipping trade. In 1931 the Holcombe Brook Mill was extended to take over the machinery from Radcliffe. The Seddons interest having become extinct, the firm have reverted to the original title – Mr William Holden being Chairman and Governing Director.
In the same book there was an advertisement – ‘James Holden & son Ltd makers of white and coloured fancy Turkish towels and towelling bath gowns, terries guest sets, bath sheets and mats and honeycomb towels. Holcombe Brook Mills, Ramsbottom and 41 George Street, Manchester.
In 1881 James Holden and George Alty were the new owners of Hope Mill , Edenfield manufacturing towels [Simpson page 103]. According to the Trade Directories they operated at both mills.
1887 Holden & Alty, Holcombe Brook and Edenfield Mills- 177 looms – towels. [Worrall]
In 1888 Holden & Alty are listed as towel manufacturers, Holcombe Brook Mill and Shuttleworth and James Holden is listed as towel manufacturer (Holden & Alty) Holcombe Brook. George Alty lived at 300 Bolton Road West (Holden & Alty – towel manufacturers. [Slater]
By 1891 George Alty had sole charge of Hope Mill, Edenfield. [Simpson page 103] It would appear that the partnership broke up – James Holden then ran a business at Holcombe Brook leaving George Alty to run a business at Edenfield.
The 1892 Poor Rate Assessment Book [PUB/11/30] lists James Holden – owner/occupier of weaving shed at Holcombe Brook.
There is another article in the Ramsbottom Festival 1951 Souvenir Handbook –
‘The firm of James Holden & Son Ltd was started in Holcombe Brook by James Holden, grandfather of the present Governing Director. In 1923 a new mill was built on Bolton Road West and this formed part of the present building. From the manufacture of honeycombe towels etc production as changed, in 1926, to that of cotton Turkish towels in which they now specialize and supply an ever increasing number to all parts of the world. Planned progress together with the well being of their employees have ever been and will continue to be the chief aim of the company’.
The new mill built in 1923 on Bolton Road West was situated where there is now a small housing development at Moray Avenue.
Believe Holdens closed in 1976. [Date of Build Register]
From Kate Slingsby 2008 said to be found with Ken Beetsons paper – date not known.
James Holden & Son Limited are believed to be the oldest established company in Ramsbottom. Records show that they were involved in manufacturing in 1875 but were first registered in 1889. The founder, James Holden, of 288 Bolton Road West started as a firebeter and became the owner, founding the company in the old mill behind the Hare and Hounds. James and his wife Mary had two sons, John and Samuel. John however died before his father, James himself dying in 1897 leaving Samuel to carry on the business. A new mill was started and in 1923 Samuel died leaving only the four outside walls built. His son, William was then left with the new mill which was completed later that year.
In 1930 the Preparation Room was added and in 1938 a warehouse and new offices were built. William died in 1963 leaving three sons and one grandson in the business. The eldest son, Fred Holden, is now managing director chairman, his brother Kenneth J. Holden a director and J. Stuart Holden being fifth generation is the manager. The firm is privately owned and although at one tie employed over 150 people, now employs approx. 45. They manufacture multi coloured terry towels for sal to the wholesale textile trade, local government an industry.