James Dyson Ltd (Hoyle Ing Dyeworks), Linthwaite - 2012-14
This report is just an update really as the majority of this former dyeworks has recently been demolished to make way for housing - so I thought I may as well stick my photos up. A couple of the blocks have been retained and will be worked into the scheme. The brick chimney is also staying as I'm guessing it's a listed structure.
As well as the old mill buildings, there is also a pumping station and a wagon garage over the road which seemed to have been missed in previous reports. There are a couple of water tanks too, these are painted with scenes of the wool trade - the story I've been told is that due to their proximity to the road they needed to be painted to prevent the reflecting sunlight from blinding oncoming vehicles. They're in a conservation area too, so I imagine this played a part also. The tanks will be pulled down as well to allow for an uninterrupted view of the Colne Valley for Linthwaite's newest residents.
History
James Dyson Ltd were a loose stock dyer of wool and all types of synthetic fibre for the carpet, upholstery and apparel sectors, and before closure, the factory was capable of dyeing 95 tonnes of material per week. The main mill building has a date stone of 1908, but I always questioned that date as the adjacent Hoyle Ing Working Men's Club (also derelict) dated back to 1875, and on further digging, the company (originally named James Dyson and Sons) was indeed founded in 1860.
Dyers and finishers don't seem to get nearly the same historical documentation as the textile mills they served, but I did however stumble upon this eye-opening letter that was quoted in parliament in February 1995 by the local Colne Valley MP regarding Yorkshire Water's increased charges for the release of effluent into the sewers for businesses.
Although the firm survived for another decade, many of the valley's dyeworks have long since stopped trading so it's clear a once thriving local industry was falling on hard times.
Just a few hundred meters further down Manchester Road used to sit George Cock Dyeworks, and although I can't remember the dates, I know the two companies had occasionally stepped in and helped each other out when times were hard. Clearly, the latter decades of the century were a devastating time for dyeworks in the region.
I spoke briefly to a fella I know whose Dad used to work at the factory, and he kindly offered up some great intel from his father's stint with the company from it's final days at Linthwaite:-
Indeed it does, Paul. Indeed it does.
In August 2013, there was a fire at the dyeworks. Coincidentally, there was also a fire the evening before at Colne Mills (Sybro Spinning) just down the road in Slaithwaite. Needless to say, both sites were being earmarked by developers at the time - the site of Colne Mills is now an Aldi.
By the time I got inside here (albeit pre-fire) the factory was pretty empty and had suffered the usual ransacking from metal thieves and vandals. The garage photos were shot on Ilford PanF 50 black and white film that drhowser gifted me. So in love with that film!
Derp.
This report is just an update really as the majority of this former dyeworks has recently been demolished to make way for housing - so I thought I may as well stick my photos up. A couple of the blocks have been retained and will be worked into the scheme. The brick chimney is also staying as I'm guessing it's a listed structure.
As well as the old mill buildings, there is also a pumping station and a wagon garage over the road which seemed to have been missed in previous reports. There are a couple of water tanks too, these are painted with scenes of the wool trade - the story I've been told is that due to their proximity to the road they needed to be painted to prevent the reflecting sunlight from blinding oncoming vehicles. They're in a conservation area too, so I imagine this played a part also. The tanks will be pulled down as well to allow for an uninterrupted view of the Colne Valley for Linthwaite's newest residents.
History
James Dyson Ltd were a loose stock dyer of wool and all types of synthetic fibre for the carpet, upholstery and apparel sectors, and before closure, the factory was capable of dyeing 95 tonnes of material per week. The main mill building has a date stone of 1908, but I always questioned that date as the adjacent Hoyle Ing Working Men's Club (also derelict) dated back to 1875, and on further digging, the company (originally named James Dyson and Sons) was indeed founded in 1860.
Dyers and finishers don't seem to get nearly the same historical documentation as the textile mills they served, but I did however stumble upon this eye-opening letter that was quoted in parliament in February 1995 by the local Colne Valley MP regarding Yorkshire Water's increased charges for the release of effluent into the sewers for businesses.
Although the firm survived for another decade, many of the valley's dyeworks have long since stopped trading so it's clear a once thriving local industry was falling on hard times.
Just a few hundred meters further down Manchester Road used to sit George Cock Dyeworks, and although I can't remember the dates, I know the two companies had occasionally stepped in and helped each other out when times were hard. Clearly, the latter decades of the century were a devastating time for dyeworks in the region.
I spoke briefly to a fella I know whose Dad used to work at the factory, and he kindly offered up some great intel from his father's stint with the company from it's final days at Linthwaite:-
I know my dad started there in 1983 when still owned by the Dyson family. Then around 1988-ish I think they were all made redundant, but luckily the company was bought by the 2 directors Howard Gledhill and Melvyn ? (Can't remember his last name), and the name was changed to James Dysons Ltd instead of James Dysons and Sons Ltd. Later, in the late 90s, Melvyn retired and Howard Gledhill bought him out. Trading continued until 2008 when they amalgamated with Huddersfield Dyeing (formally Brook Dyeing) on Leeds Road. Work ceased at Hoyle Ing Dyeworks in December 2007, but my Dad still ran out of there and at the time was the only person going in and out of the building until he finally moved down to Leeds Road in May 2008 (he was the Wagon driver). He retired in 2014. Huddersfield Dyeing are still going ....hope this helps
Indeed it does, Paul. Indeed it does.
In August 2013, there was a fire at the dyeworks. Coincidentally, there was also a fire the evening before at Colne Mills (Sybro Spinning) just down the road in Slaithwaite. Needless to say, both sites were being earmarked by developers at the time - the site of Colne Mills is now an Aldi.
By the time I got inside here (albeit pre-fire) the factory was pretty empty and had suffered the usual ransacking from metal thieves and vandals. The garage photos were shot on Ilford PanF 50 black and white film that drhowser gifted me. So in love with that film!
Derp.
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