Hi George,
Thank you for your permission to reproduce your fine photos so they are easier to view.
I haven’t had time just yet but will get to it shortly.
In the meantime I will put one of my own on here at the end of this post.
The first foundations were dug on 7th August, 1865.
So I suppose the factory had a pretty good run all things considered.
Weaving started on 12th February 1866 so they didn’t mess about with building the place.
From John Warren’s Diary:
15 Mar 1869 Mr Robert Ashworth became manager.
27 May 1869 A strike at the weaving shed on account of 5 per cent being taken off.
19 May 1870 The weavers at Goyt Mill burned the effigy of the manager, Mr Ashworth, at Bingswood cottages.
31 Jul 1871 Mr Robert Ashworth, the late manager at Goyt Mills, removed his furniture from Whaley Bridge.
Now then the above may be of interest to certain people on another thread on the other side of the forum (Yes you Fedup):
Burning effigies can get rid of people in authority and I am definitely not going to mention any single person on the Council or even all of them.
I didn’t even know they burnt effigies in 1870 perhaps we should revive that custom today.
Right let’s forget that then and carry on.
Business was bad and the factory had to close its doors on 16th April, 1872.
Again from John Warren’s Diary:
18 Jun 1872 Damage of the Goyt Mill caused by a severe flood.
Press Report:
revival of trade. We have been informed on good authority that the weaving sheds at the Goyt Mills, Whaley Bridge, are to resume work in the first week of the new year. It is stated that the works will be carried on by the owners of the property, Messrs Dilworth & Son. If the report proves correct some good will be done for the trade of the locality.
Now is it just me or does that sound a bit like an insurance scam?
Photo of Goyt Mill:
Still very scary memories for me the back of that place.
R. S-S