Woodside Mill Darwen 002

Woodside Mill Darwen.rnOne of Darwen's larger weaving sheds, started 1850-51 by doctor Graham, a tailor and draper, Henry Green, overlooker, Walmsley Preston, Thomas Fish and John Kay. The mill was enlarged at leat twice during the 1850's and by 1864 contained 520 looms. further sheds were built in the 1870's and in 1881, increasing looms to 945. Power was provided by a beam engine and a horizontal, noth both by Yates of Blackburn. The mill wove mainly for the India and china markets, and employed 470 operatives. The partmership changed as the founder members withdrew or died and by 1875 the principal partner was Graham Fish, son of Thomas Fish and nephew of doctor Graham. Henry Green had left the firm in 1866 to run a number of mills in Blackburn. Graham Fish retired in 1899 and Woodside Mill Company was formed by J.F Leach and others to run the business. Leach had previously been principal clerk at the mill. In 1915 a Uniflow, by John Musgrave and Son Ltd, Bolton, replaced the older engines. The latter years of the mill were disrupted by strikes and in 1925 manufacturing ended. Although there were attempts to restart weaving in 1927, this failed and the buildings were pulled down during the 1930's rnRemains: the site has been landscaped. A high mound towards the north-west marks the position of the engine and boiler houses. A little perimeter wall reamins at the rear of the landscaped area. Woodside House, once the home of the Fish family, survives above the mill site. A seperate stable and coach house is situated opposite the house on Tockholes Road. rnMike Rothwell.