Dove Cottage Mill Darwen 004

Dove Cottage Mill, Darwen.rnBuilt in 1862 by Joshua Baron, calico printer of Dob Meadows. the mill which held 216 looms, was leased to Henry, Timothy and Roger Lightbown, Unlike the majority of Darwen manufactuters, Lightbown were mainly weavers of linen for the Irish market. The mill employed a workforce of 75 during the 1880's. In 1883, following their purchase of Brookside Mill, Lightbowns formed the Brookside Weaving Company Limited to continue their business. Between 1897 and 1899 a second shed was erected, increasing looms to 282, and a new engine installed. The Brookside weaving Company Ltd closed the mill in 1933 and the building was taken over by Robert Leach of the adjacent Barley Bank Mill. Weaving comtinued until 1969, Amongest the machinery sold after closure were 148 Northrop looms. rnMike Rothwell.