Clarence Mill Chimney, Bollington, Cheshire

Image: © Roger D Kidd Taken: 26 Aug 2007

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. 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 was broken up and the bricks tipped down the flue! Does anyone fancy a "challenging" restoration job? ;-)

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