There is a public footpath that goes through the archway
of the mill and up through the fields to join Binns Lane. From here continue
on the left side of the road to the Old Hall.
Note
the name is also taken by the estate of semi-detached houses on the left. Glusburn
Old Hall is first recorded as being the dwelling of John Scarborough, the Lord
of the Manor in 1379. It is believed he lived in a former building on this site.
Later it has been owned by the Pearson family who ran the Corn mill. Note the
features typical of the 16th and 17th centuries. Go on to the junction with
Green Lane. At the bottom of this lane is Smithy Cottage
which is where the old Smithy used to be. Horses were shoed here, ready for
the long trek up the hills over to Colne. Before 1823, they would have to go
up by Malsis, Cowling Hill and then onto Colne, mainly for the Cloth market
there. Then the Blackburn and Addingham Cocking End, Turnpike Road was built,
which made the journey easier.
The
row of cottages further down Colne Road, are again some of the oldest in the
village. In the past a baker and a shoemaker lived in those at Harrison
Place. Continue down Colne Road to the Telephone Kiosk. Look across
the road and you can see the stone marking the Turnpike
Road on the side of the stone wall. Also the house is the former
lodge of Hayfield House.
This
was built around 1885 for the Horsfall family and was situated by the lake at
the back of the mill. The family moved out in the 1930 's and the house was
sold in 1938. During the Second World War it was used for billeting soldiers
and after this, it was pulled down. As you pass the first row of terrace houses
note that they are built back to back. Their water supply originally came from
the beck, having been extracted by the mill and their power was from the Kildwick
Gas Company. Continue on down the road to Glusburn
School. This was opened in 1874 for children first up to the age
of 12 and then later 14 years of age. In 1953 South Craven Secondary School
was built and then Glusburn became a Primary School for children up to the age
of 11 years. In 1974 the school was greatly extended and then in 1990 the nursery
was opened for children from the age of 4 years.
Further Reading
Glusburn, 'The Old Community ' by Alec Wood
'T'Institute' by Winifred Harrison
'South Craven In Old Picture Post Cards' by Alec Wood & Peter Whitaker volumes 1, 2