Hampden Mill 001

Hampden Mill, Darwen.rnConstructed 1860-62 by Joseph Leach, a partner in Vale Brook Mill. In 1864 the weavingh shed contained 186 looms. Leach failed in 1874 and the Hampden Mill Company was constituted to continue working the shed. By 1878 the mill had been leased to E.F Bleakley of Clitheroe. In 1880 the property was purchased by J and R Shorrock, iron founders and machinists. Willime Grime and Comapny took over in 1885 and ran the mill untill their failure in 1901. A second Hampden Mill Company Ltd was registered in the same year, with Samuel J Lord as a principal shareholder. The mill closed about 1933, and in 1935 the Company went into liquidation. Following various uses the mill was reopened in 1946 by Alexander Carus and Sons Ltd, Hoddlesdon. rnMike Rothwell.