Go back through the Car Park and out of the main gate and look at the Mill.
The
first weaving shed was built here by John William Hartley in the early 1800
's. John Horsfall came over from Oxenhope and married John Hartley 's daughter.
He then became a partner and later sole owner of the company. He became very
successful and added new buildings to the mill, then houses for all the new
workers he required, a house for his family, Hayfield Hall and lastly the Institute
and Park. In 1972 the mill was sold to Sirdar Wools. It was at this point that
the Institute, the bowling green and the housing which were all interdependent
on the mill, had to be separated off. Sirdar traded with declining success,
mainly concentrating on dyeing knitting wools, until they closed the mill in
1995. In 1997/98 it was bought by a family owned, engineering company from Harden,
Ellison's Holdings plc. which produced circlips, rings, clips and fasteners
for the automotive industry.
In 1999 they were bought out by an American Company TransTechnology(GB)Ltd.
Currently they are expanding with new buildings and increasing their workforce
to over 300. In its heyday as a textile mill, it employed about 500 workers.
Turn left and walk up Institute Street, until you reach a T junction, Black
Abbey Lane. Note the change of housing from back to back terraces to the 1960
's semi-detached housing. Cross over the road and turn right for about 20m.
Take the footpath to the left then keep right past Rycroft
farm and cottages. These are some of the oldest buildings in the
area. After coming to a gate, turn left and keep along the side of the field.
The footpath comes out almost opposite the Park
entrance in Park Road.
Go into the Park and enjoy the lovely view over the Aire Valley. Note the remains
of a very old cross and also an old drinking
fountain. Leave the Park and retrace footsteps to the fork in the footpath.
Take the right fork to Ryecroft Road and come out onto Green Lane.
Note the old properties that have now been modernised. There are many interesting date stones and other features. At this point you can either return to Glusburn School by descending Green Lane to the left and go down the hill, until you reach a T junction with Colne Road, or it is possible to extend the trail by about 3/4mile, 11/2 miles or 2 miles at this point.