STUBBINS LANE MILL
Stubbins Lane
Also known as BENT MILL, FLOCK MILL and HILLS MILL
1867/71 Built [Date of build register – Kate Slingsby] The land was owned by Ashtons of Ramsbottom Mill.
1871 Thomas Hill, Cotton Spinners & Manufacturers at Stubbins Lane Mill. [Worrall]
1876 Valuation Lit Index Stubbins Lane Cotton Mill – occupier Thomas Hill – owner: Exors of Betty Rostron.
1883 John Schofield & Co cotton manufacturer, Stubbins Lane Mill.. [Barrett]
1888 The mill was owned by Isabella Lawson (Deeds) In this year the Lease for the Mill and Land sold to Thomas Horrox. Up until 1888 Only Section A and the chimney existed. – (A) is the section of the mill closest to the road. (Plan with deeds) [Information from Kate Slingsby]
1892 Edmund Hill bought the Lease for £100 [Information from Kate Slingsby – Deeds]
In 1888 Edmund Hill is listed as a flock manufacturer at John S. Hill, Fletcher Bank, Walmersley. He lived at 42 Manchester Road, Walmersley.
1892 Owner/occupier Edmund Hill – Flock Mill, Stubbins Lane. [1892 Rate Assessment PUB/11/30]
By 1893 another section had been added to the mill [1893 Map]
By 1908 the mill had been extended again [1908 Map]
1908 Building and chimney shown on 1908 map and 1939 map but un-named.
1909 [Kelly] Edmund Hill flannel blankets & woollen flock manufacturers, Stubbins Lane Mill
1922 Death of Edmund Hill – the mill was inherited by John & Fred Hill. By family agreement, the Lease as taken over by John & Oswald Hill [Information from Kate Slingsby – Deeds]
In 1924 Edmund Hill is still listed as a flock manufacturer, Stubbins Lane. [Kelly ]
1937 Map The mill looked the same as in 1908 i.e. Sections D & E had not been built. [Slingsby]
1953 Bought by Thomas Manning & Co Ltd [Slingsby – Deeds]
1953-1976 For unknown period owned by Cadbury Schweppes Ltd of Bourneville Birmingham [Slingsby – Deeds]
By 1971 the mill buildings were complete – as they are today. However the Car Park had not been built and think goit still existed [Slingsby – Deeds]
1976 Bought by A.B. Hardman Engineering Services Ltd for £25,000 [Slingsby – Deeds] Building not changed since 1971 [ibid]
1995 Holcombe Sheet Metal/Hardman’s Engineering [Around Ramsbottom]
1996 Bought by John Parrott of Aspull Engineering [Slingsby – Deeds]
1997 Bought by Alan Green of Auto Rescue [ibid] The Car Park was later concreted.
2008 No external changes to building.
The Flock Mill is also mentioned in the book Around Ramsbottom:
– ‘now Holcombe Sheet Metal/Hardmans Engineering, where cotton waste-filled pillows and mattresses were made’. (1995) [RHS Todd page 111]
A local resident refers to this mill as ‘Hills Mill’ – a flock mill. [RHS exhibition notes 1989].
Janet Smith suggests that this mill could have been part of VICTORIA MILL but I have found no evidence to support this as yet.
Building extant 2009 and used as an MOT/Vehicle Recovery specialist. (Auto Rescue)
Flock Mill or Bent Mill, Stubbins Lane. Base of chimney at roof height. Not in conservation area [information from Kate Slingsby]