Gillians Lane, Barnoldswick. BB18 5QR

BANCROFT MILL ENGINE museum Gillians Lane, Barnoldswick. BB18 5QR

STEAMING ON 17th MAY

Doors open from 11.00am Engine runs 1.30 - 4.30pm

The Bancroft facilities will be open and available, our mill tours, boiler houses and the Bradley Engine rebuild included. 11.00am Cafeteria opening be a little delayed ONLY for this steaming.

Entertainment by the ever popular

Derek Gifford

with folk music and maybe songs with a maritime flavour

BANCROFT MILL ENGINE museum News News News News

Bancroft HP cylinder

Throughout the last steaming season (2014) we had concerns about the alignment of the Roberts HP cylinder, its crosshead and tailstock (or tailrod support).

Following the fitting of new Hoerbiger glands the matter of alignment is being examined in order to try establish the facts about this cylinder and its supports. An early supply of steam on 26th April's steaming gave an opportunity to make tests.

Tony N and your scribe set up d.t.i. checks to establish the apparent vertical displacement of the tailrod whilst we had steam and were able to bar the engine prior to opening for you, our visitor. The photograph shows the set-up. We shall probably need at least one further measurement session and hope to do this and report in the next six weeks' time.

NEWS FROM STEAMING ON, SUNDAY 26th April 2015. Following a visit by Ian to St Joseph's School in Barnoldswick to give a talk during its 2015 Science Week William Heys (6), brought his parents along to see the engine run and was delighted to get the opportunity to start it, his sister is next in line we hear! Bancroft has had a policy of hosting schools for over twenty years both at the museum and by giving talks in school.

Visiting schools have included many from around Pendle but also from as far away as the Home Counties. If you think that your child's school could benefit from a visit please ask the school to get in touch with Ian, details on last page or via the website. The engine would

not normally run for these tours but we usually demonstrate our Lancashire loom weaving tea towels.

St Joseph's School last had a talk from us and a visit to Bancroft on the same day a couple of years ago, on page 3 are the children with their teacher on the control platform. A happy crowd with many questions to ask and who went away knowing much more about what life was like in the early 20th century.

Earlier St. Joseph's visit to Bancroft

Library picture

BARLICK MILL OWNERS

Our photograph from the last newsletter shows the Sheldon family from Bradley who have direct links back to James Nutter and the Slater family. The Slater family were well- 4

known as manufacturers in the town, they had operations in Barnsey Shed, Clough Mill, Wellhouse Mill and Salterforth Shed. We are looking into these links along with Mrs Sheldon's parents and with the help of our member David Steele, Chairman of Barnoldswick History Society. It appears that there are many such links as the manufacturing families tended to marry amongst their peers. We hope to uncover more links in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile we expect to identify all persons on a 1940's wedding photograph, we already know that the couple on the front left of this photograph are Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Nutter and there are two RAF uniforms on the back row, worn by their sons. Vernon Nutter, well respected in the cotton trade, managed Bancroft Mill for many years.

HIGHERFORD MILL, BARROWFORD This Pendle mill is now a creative industries centre with craft, artist, glass, pottery, print, jewellery, textile and engineering workshops. The HQ offices of The Heritage Trust for the North West which owns the mill are on the top floor. It will be open to the public on 10th May from 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm. Originally 5

a Georgian water-powered cotton spinning mill dating from 1824, the wheel pit will be open to view. In 1832, a beam engine was installed to assist the waterwheel to drive early power looms. After 1848 the north light weaving shed was built which may now be the earliest in existence. Find summary details about Higherford and other mills on the National Mills website at: http://www.nationalmillsweekend.co.uk/pages_water/higherford.htm

The mill stands upright after all these years and is a Grade II listed building, more than can be said for the listing lamp-post!

HIGHERFORD MILL, Gisburn Road, Barrowford, NELSON. BB9 6JH Contact for Higherford Mill: Anthony Pilling, [email protected]

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David Normanshire We are sorry to have to report that David, a founder member, suffered an accident a few days ago whilst at Harewood. Presently he is in Leeds General Infirmary, we hope for a full recovery for him and send our best wishes. 6

SUBSCRIPTIONS are due for 2015, BANCROFT you may pay these at the mill reception desk and get your card MILL ENGINE on the spot or via the Hon. museum Secretary, J. Gill, Mean Moss Farm, Gillians Lane, Barnoldswick. BB18 Trawden, Colne, BB8 8ST. 5QR Steaming Sundays:Open from 1100, Engine runs 1300 -1630. Cafeteria open from 1100 with limited service, shop open from 1300

The museum is also open on Saturdays excepting at Christmas and the New Year, 1100-1500hrs. These are workdays and the engine/s will not be running.

STEAMING DAYS 2015 15 March 16 August 05 April 12 September (SATURDAY)* 26 April 13 September* 17 May 04 October 07 June 15 November 26 July 08 December ENTRY CHARGES Adults £5.00 Concessions £4.00 Children 6 -16 £4.00 MEMBERSHIP Adult annual: £12.00 Concession (Senior or Student): £10.00 Child (6 – 16): £6.00 Life membership: £120.00

Application forms for membership are available from reception, can be downloaded from the website or from Jim Gill, Mean Moss Farm, Trawden, Lancs. BB8 8ST. With postal remittances, membership cards are posted with the Hon. Secretary's Quarterly Newsletter. www.bancroftmill.org.uk https://www.facebook.com/BancroftMill?fref=ts for current newsletter Facebook: www.facebook.com/BancroftMill Ian: 01695 424166