Ley Wood

Dee Mill, Shaw - steam engine

Dee Mill, Shaw - steam engine

Dee Mill, Shaw - steam engine

This cotton spinning mill was one of many in Shaw and was opened in 1907 with power provided by this horizontal twin tandem compound steam engine by Scott & Hodgson of Guide Bridge. The cylinders were 18" & 42" x 5' (x2) and turned a 26' diameter flywheel driving by cotton ropes. The engine ran at 60 revolutions per minute and generated 1500 horsepower. It stopped running commercially in 1967 but was then preserved with the assistance of the Northern Mill Engine Society and was run on occasions until 1982 when the mill closed and was sold. Although the engine was made a Scheduled Ancient Monument it became very badly vandalised and was finally scrapped in 1994. This view shows the inverted vertical duplex barring engine that engaged with the gear ring on the rim of the flywheel. The wood boarding that covered the flywheel spokes is also seen. The flywheel consisted of two identical wheels running edge to edge each with its own set of spokes. This was typical of the larger wheels and the largest had three wheels set edge to edge as at Mons Mill, Todmorden. This was a lovely engine and typical of so many in Lancashire. There are now only three large spinning mill engines surviving in situ.

Dee Mill, Shaw - steam engine

Dee and Lily Mills, Shaw

Dee Mill on the right was demolished long ago but the two Lily Mills on the left are part of a huge warehouse complex. The station is now part of a Metro but was then British Rail.

Brushes Clough Reservoir

View from the Crompton Circuit trail

Remains of Rough

Quite an extensive former farmhouse site

Demolition of Lily No. 1 Mill, Shaw

The two Lily Mills were built as cotton spinning mills and later became part of a huge Littlewoods distribution centre. As far as I can ascertain this is the No. 1 mill that was built in 1904 and was powered by 1200 horsepower Buckley and Taylor inverted vertical engine. No. 2 Mill was built in 1917 and has already gone.

Demolition of Lily No. 1 Mill, Shaw

Built 1904 for cotton spinning and later converted as part of a huge Littlewoods distribution centre. The adjoining No. 2 Mill has already gone and this is well on its way down. Unfortunately it was difficult to get meaningful shots due to surrounding buildings, tree growth and the position of the sun. This was one of my better efforts.

Demolition of Lily No. 1 Mill, Shaw

Built 1904 for cotton spinning and later converted as part of a huge Littlewoods distribution centre. The adjoining No. 2 Mill has already gone and this is well on its way down.

Demolition of Lily Mill

The last part of the mill to be demolished which latterly formed the Shaw national distribution centre for Littlewoods/Very

Metrolink Lines

The tramway system towards New Hey viewed from the Linney Lane bridge

Church of St James

Manchester from Pingot Quarry

The clouds were beginning to lift after a damp and grey day. The Oldham suburb of Shaw in the foreground.

Grade II Listed Methodist chapel, Shaw

Unfortunately after decades of lying empty, the roof collapsed in 2019, putting in doubt previous plans for refurbished redevelopment of the building, and resulting in complete demolition. At the far end is the later Sunday School, included in the Listing, but of much lesser architectural interest Link .

Former Midland Bank, Rochdale Road, Shaw

A distinctive building, currently unoccupied. It opened in 1898 as a branch of the Oldham Joint Stock Banking Company, branch of the London and Midland Bank, Limited, designed by architect Thomas Taylor of Oldham.

Former Methodist Sunday School, Shaw

Built in 1871 as an adjunct to the 1863 chapel. The complete complex was Listed Grade II on the basis of the quality of the chapel, but the latter became derelict and following the collapse of the roof in 2019 has been demolished Link .