events

HISTORIC BUTTS

A short evening walk wit a historical theme has, for some years,
become a regular feature of the Society prior to the programme of talks

that commence in September. On the 31st August 06, in spite of wet
weather, twenty seven people came along to learn a little about

"Historic Butts."

Before commercial development began in the opening years of the 19th

century, the village green was to be found at the top end of this road. As

one walks down the hill, on the left hand side is what was probably

Hudsons Yard in one cottage of which was where the first meetings

of the Wesleyans met prior to their first chapel being built on Jepp Hill.

Almost opposite, built as an in-fill, is the wedge shaped, smallest house
in Barnoldswick, with a plaque above the door announcing the fact.

Whilst some of the earliest cottages, again on the left hand side have

been demolished, dwellings built of material in keeping with the area
have been constructed in recent years.

But it is at the bottom of Butts where the greatest diversity of history is

to be found. The recently renovated store yard owned by the Town
Council was, in earlier years, the local mortuary built on the site of what

was the village Pinfold, where stray livestock was kept until reclaimed

by the farmer. Directly opposite is a Working Mens Club, known

locally as the "Pigeon Club" but built in the 1840's as the National

School, serving as a place of education for the next 35 years.

Butts Mill was the first steam powered factory built as such in 1846 by

William Bracewell, whilst the area now occupied by the Clinic and the

offices of the present occupants of the mill has had many uses.

The Alhambra Theatre, destroyed by fire in 1927; the site used by the
visiting fair with its smoky steam tractors powering the generators for

the numerous attractios and, until the end of the Second World War, the
Thursday open-air market with its many stalls. The walk now led
towrads Valley gardens, once an area of hen pens and where, on the

right hand side, the two large structures, one a garage the other a
builders site were originally lodging houses, known as "Models",

for tramps and itinerant workers. Lastly in deteriorating weather
conditions, we took a look at the sluice on Butts Beck that

once controlled the flow of water to the mill race for the cornmill before
hurrying back to the tearoom on the Town Square for well deserved

refreshments.

D.Cairns

TOWN WALK August 2007

Our CHairman, Mr Denis Cairns, led a group pf 29 people and 1 dog on
our annual town walk. Our route took us from the town square, on
Market Street, down Phillip Street, once the longest street in the town,
to Manchester Road. Then we followed Longfield Lane to Crowfoot Row,
across the Ouzeldale Beck, which once powered the former Clough Mill
in the valley below, and up 40 (or 39) Steps to Colne Road. Our final
stop was to look at the historic houses in the Town Head area, before
adjoining for refreshments at Victoria's Tearoom.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 23rd October 2007

The Annual General Meeting and Annual Dinner were held once again at

The White Bull Gisburn. Our guest was The Mayor of Pendle, Councillor

Allan Buck, an appropriate choice, as he lives in Barnoldswick and
takes a keen interest in local history. He has done much research on
the history of his house, and has been very much involved in setting-up

the annual Beating of the Bounds walk in the town, following public
rights of way as nearly as possible around the boundary of the old
township.

Our Chairman, Mr Dennis Cairns, gave an encouraging report, thanking
officials and committee for their efforts during the year, especially the
members of the Bracewell Church working group. He stressed however
the need for younger people to be involved in the Society to ensure its
survival.