Canal and Clarence Mill near Bollington, Cheshire

Image: © Roger D Kidd Taken: 5 Sep 2014

From a distance of about 150 metres, the magnificent mill chimney dominates the view from northbound boats. At the mill's busiest there were three chimneys, the only remaining one dating from 1914. It became in a dangerous condition by 1977, and as the cost of demolition was too high, the top few feet were broken up and the bricks tipped down the flue! Do any maverick building restorers fancy a job? The first mill by Clarence Road dated from between 1834 and 1838. It was extended along the canal to the north-west in 1841, and again to its final length in 1857. In 1877 the original mill was demolished and rebuilt, higher and more than double the width, and forming two current two section configuration. (Source https://happyvalley.org.uk/?page_id=3946 ) It was built, like the other mills in Bollington, to spin cotton. The raw cotton was brought from Liverpool docks up the River Irwell to Manchester then along the Rochdale, Ashton, Peak Forest and Macclesfield canals. Cotton spinning ceased in 1970. It is now converted for use by many small businesses and enterprises.

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