Higherford Mill

Details

SD 84 SE BARROWFORD GISBURN ROAD

1317-17/10124 Higherford Mill

II

Former textile factory and attached sluices and head race, now workshops and shops. c.1844, incorporating elements of an earlier C19 mill, with further additions of 1882, and C20 alterations. Coursed squared sandstone, some watershot, with ashlar dressings. Stone slate and Welsh slate roof coverings. Coped gables and single ashlar chimney to east gable. The site is comprised of a 3-storey, 8-bay central range aligned east-west, This building provided office, warehouse and material preparation facilities. To the north, a contemporary 9-bay single storey north-light weaving shed. To the south, an 8-bay weaving shed of1882. To the rear of this, and linked to the 3 storey range, an altered engine and boiler house of 1882. At the north-west corner of the 3 storey range, a double sluice controlling water flow into a water wheelpit within the building. The sluice is served by a double head race; stone-lined channels linked by a stepped overflow and extending 20 metres northwards in identifiable form. 3 STOREY RANGE: east gable faces onto road, and carries most of the architectural detail present in the building. There is a wide cart entry to the right with a shallow segmental arch, quoined jambs and boarded door. This gives access to a covered loading area. To the left, a doorway within a plain ashlar doorcase, with a cornice above the lintol. Further left, a tall 2-light flush mullioned window with segmental arches to the lights. Lower versions of this window to each side of the gable at first and second floor levels, and to centre of first floor. All but one window have sash window frames. Loading doorway to centre of second floor, now a window. Windows to side walls with wedge lintols and C20 frames. INTERIOR: t1oor construction consists of timber beams spanning between the side walls with cast iron columns at mid span. Wheelpit for former breast shot wheel to basement. Roof carried on king-post trusses. WEAVING SHED TO NORTH: multi-ridged shed, L-shape on plan with tall wall to road frontage pierced by later openings. Rear wall with outlet openings for valley gutters, and cast iron launder carried on stone brackets. INTERIOR: Shed roof carried on rows of cast-iron columns with integral brackets to carry line shafting. WEA VING SHED TO SOUTH: multi-ridged shed, now reduced in length by one bay, the rebuilt front with 2 wide doorways, set back from the road frontage. South side wall with 2 plain doorways, one at each end. INTERIOR: altered to form garage service areas, but retaining cast iron supports for roof SLUICES AND HEAD RACE: The water supply for the water wheel, and later the water turbine and engine boiler was drawn from Pendle Water. A short length of a double channel head race, one from Pendle Water, the other from a reservoir, remain visible at the rear of the site. They are stone-lined channels linked by a stepped overflow, the upper level grooved for stop planks. The upper channel makes a sharp turn as it reaches the sluice gates, which are set at right angles to each other. The sluice gates are made of iron, and are set within a metal framework. They are raised by means of a wheel-operated rack and pinion mechanism. Higherford Mill is a substantially complete example of a first generation purpose-built spinning mill, with single storey weaving sheds forming the main working unit of the site. The introduction of the weaving shed into the north-east of Lancashire transformed the textile industry of the area, which became a specialist power loom weaving district. The site is additionally significant in retaining significant evidence related to the continued use of water power in conjunction with steam power until the late C19. Such sites are increasingly rare.



Listing NGR: SD8622040077

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

454564

Legacy System:

LBS

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