IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Rood Hill, CONGLETON, CW12 1LG

A row of three, three storey weavers' cottages with top storey multi-light loom shops. On Rood Hill by the junction with Royle Street. There are two collections of weavers' cottages within a few hundred yards in Congleton.

Former fustian cutting mill alongside the River Dane. Brick built three storey range of the 1870s (to the rear in this view) Later 20 the century flat roofed and concrete and steel framed ranges of 2 and three storeys to the west and south.

Early 19th century silk mill overlooking the River Dane with a central pediment and clock. Now owned by a furnishing company. The wall on the left that incorporates window sills is the demolished Dane Bridge Mill. The bridge over the river is in the foreground. The Mill Chippy is evocative but I've no idea of the quality of the produce.

Built in 1889 of cast iron with stone buttresses, the Dane Bridge carries the A54 over the River Dane. There is a bench mark on the buttress on the other side of the road from the camera (Image).

A former fustian cutting mill. This shows the three storey brick built block of the 1870s. At the far end is a 20th century flat roofed, concrete and steel framed range. This is one of several remaining former silk and cotton mills in Congleton. Fustian cutting was using a sharp blade to cut through the loops of various types of fabric (usually cotton) to produce the high pile required for velvet, moleskin and corduroy. Between 1860 and 1950 fustian cutting was Congleton's dominant industry and took place in reused silk mills and in new build premises.

On the left is the River Dane while on the right the wall marks the remains of Dane Bridge Mill with the sills of the ground floor windows visible in the wall. The guide book I have lists this as a former silk mill of 1875 with three storeys and in a ruinous condition. It has obviously been demolished and is now overgrown wasteland. An earlier view is seen here - Image Despite the loss of two large old mills in recent years, Congleton still has many links to its textile past.

One of several former mills in Congleton that are going derelict and, hopefully, waiting for a developer. Although with today's economic climate it could be some time. This mill is located by Image

Originally painted red, this sign is fixed to the wall of the Image and would have provided information for the fire brigade.

Attached to the outside wall of the Image is what looks like an old fire alarm bell. The clapper under the bell would have been turned by handle on the inside.