Blackburn

We spent a couple of days visiting Cousin Mike and his wife Dott in Blackburn. The poor things were in the midst of major renovations and I am sure we must have added to the stress. But they were lovely and hospitable and we ironed out the details of our joint France trip.

We were able to catch up on washing and haircuts.

Mike took us to the Helmshore Mills which had working textile machinery.

Helmshore Mills lies within Helmshore, a village in the Rossendale Valley, Helmshore straddles the River Ogden a tributary of the River Irwell. It was in a unique position because it had water to drive the wheel and to bring up goods and it was situated next to the railway as well.

We had a tour of how they processed wool and cotton and it was very interesting. We also saw some of the old machinery working. The spinning mule was quite incredible to watch being operated.

We had a nice tea out in a little pub closeby.