IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Lake Street, BOLTON, BL3 6NA

This was the last site in the UK to make wrought iron by the puddling process and when this stopped c1975, the works continued to re-roll scrap wrought iron until 1983. The rolls were driven to the end by one of two inverted vertical single cylinder engines built by Hick, Hargreaves & Co Ltd of Bolton in 1919-1921. This is the later engine, No. E. 8/19 and stopped first in 1976. The working engine is to its left. The cylinder was 28" x 36" and fitted with Corliss valves with crab-claw trip-gear. The engines were rated at 285 indicated horsepower at 80 rpm. The flywheels were 12' diameter and drove the rolling mills by cotton ropes. I had the great pleasure of seeing the left hand engine run several times and this picture was taken whilst the site was still hard at work. Sadly, the engine were scrapped in 1983. A little of the excitement can be recaptured on the infrequent occasions when the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust power up the ironworks at Blists Hill.

The last commercial forge to roll wrought iron. This photograph was taken during a tea break. Note the cooling water spray. The rolls were two-high, non-reversing stands driven by a 1921 steam engine.

Thomas Walmsley's after they had stopped rolling.

Thomas Walmsley - the last company to roll wrought iron using steam driven hand mills. They had stopped rolling by now and had become steel stockholders. The rolling mill area was now looking very ramshackle.

The original use of this building is unclear from old maps, but it is now occupied by a firm of moulded plastic container manufacturers who occupy part of the Robin Hood Mill on the opposite side of the road.

The surroundings are more industrial than residential - ideally suited to attract millworkers after a hard day at work! The style of the frontage suggests a rebuilding in around the 1920s. Note the painted Walker's panel on the gable wall. Walker's were a large Liverpool and Warrington based firm who took over at least one local Bolton brewery. The name reflects the presence of Robin Hood Mill on the opposite side of the road.

A pub in an area of Bolton where pubs are quite rare.

The elegant entrance to the mills that were built in 1848 and 1882. The office block matches the mill on the left while there is a clear join with different coloured bricks to the mill on the right. The site is still in industrial use. The buildings are in good repair but the most aesthetic part is this office/entrance block. Engine houses could not be seen on this elevation.

The main entrance on Lever Street with No.2 mill behind.