Bent Gate

Settlement in Lancashire Rossendale

England

Bent Gate

Grane Mill, Haslingden - steam engine The 1907 SS Stott 500 horsepower horizontal cross compound mill engine that drove the mill until 1979. It is being restored by a small group of dedicated volunteers. Grane was a single storey weaving shed that was typical of this part of Lancashire. — Grane Mill, Haslingden - steam engine Credit: Chris Allen

Bent Gate is a picturesque village located in the county of Lancashire, England. Situated in the southern part of the county, it lies within the Rossendale district, nestled amidst the rolling hills and valleys of the Pennine Range. The village is located approximately 10 miles north of the bustling town of Rochdale and 15 miles east of the city of Manchester.

Bent Gate is known for its stunning natural beauty, with breathtaking landscapes that attract outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. The village is surrounded by lush green pastures and offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. It is a popular destination for hikers, cyclists, and walkers, who can explore the numerous footpaths and trails that crisscross the area.

The village itself is small and has a close-knit community, with a population of around 500 residents. It boasts a charming village center, with traditional stone cottages and a few local shops and amenities. The village pub, The Bent Gate Inn, is a popular meeting place for locals and visitors alike, offering a warm and friendly atmosphere.

In addition to its natural beauty, Bent Gate is also steeped in history. The village has a rich industrial heritage, dating back to the 18th century when it was a center for cotton spinning and weaving. Remnants of the village's industrial past can still be seen in the form of old mill buildings and abandoned factories.

Overall, Bent Gate offers a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life, with its idyllic surroundings and strong sense of community. Whether it's for a leisurely walk in nature or a glimpse into Lancashire's industrial past, Bent Gate has something to offer for everyone.

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Bent Gate Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 53.693855/-2.311189 or Grid Reference SD7921. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Grane Mill, Haslingden - steam engine

The 1907 SS Stott 500 horsepower horizontal cross compound mill engine that drove the mill until 1979. It is being restored by a small group of dedicated volunteers. Grane was a single storey weaving shed that was typical of this part of Lancashire.

Chris Allen

Grane Mill, Haslingden - boiler

One of the two Lancashire boilers that powered the mill until 1979. Fitted with mechanical stokers. It is hoped that the engine will be back in steam one day and it is being restored by a small group of dedicated volunteers.

Chris Allen

Grane Mill, Haslingden - boiler

One of the two Lancashire boilers that powered the mill until 1979. It is hoped that the engine will be back in steam one day and it is being restored by a small group of dedicated volunteers.

Chris Allen

Grane Mill, Haslingden - steam engine

Chris Allen

Grane Mill, Haslingden - steam engine

This is the Vernon & Guest of Smethwick horizontal single cylinder engine that was bought from a collector in Hampshire but had originally been used at a Derbyshire brickworks. The engine at the brickworks is seen here - SK3018 : Mansfield Bros, Albert Village. It is now being re-erected at Grane Mill by the small team of volunteers.

Chris Allen

Grane Mill, Haslingden - steam engine

Chris Allen

Grane Mill, Haslingden - Jewel No. 1 steam engine

One of several off-site engines that have been collected together in this former steam powered weaving shed. This lovely little engine was made by C H Dutton Company in Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA. This No. 1 size was the 'Diamond' and production started around 1890 although there is no exact date for this one. The engines were often re-sold by a number of different suppliers/agents and this one carries the names of Burnap and Burnap of Toledo, Ohio.

Chris Allen

Grane Mill, Haslingden - Gardner steam driven compressor

Built by the Gardner Company, Quincy, Illinois, USA. The steam cylinder is in the centre with wood lagging and the compressor is on the left. This engine was formerly at the Klondyke Mill centre in Staffordshire where it was damaged by a traction engine and lost one of its flywheels and the governor. Here is a view of the undamaged machine - SK1528 : Klondyke Mill.

Chris Allen

Grane Mill, Haslingden - W Sisson & Company steam engine

This inverted vertical compound engine was built by W Sisson of Gloucester in 1952 as No. E5566 and supplied to Westminster Technical College. The cylinders are 5" & 7" x 7.5" and it is rated at 12 horsepower. It was formerly on display at Poldark Mine - SW6831 : Poldark Mine - W Sisson test steam engine - and was then used in a canal boat before being acquired by Grane Mill. The original water brake flywheels survive and will be reunited with the engine.

Chris Allen

Grane Mill, Haslingden - Baldwin & Heap steam engine

This is an 1880s design that was built into the 1920s by Samuel Baldwin of Burnley, later Baldwin & Heap. These were typically used in weaving sheds as 'donkey engines' to keep the tape sizing machines running when the main engine stopped for lunch. The sizing machines could not be allowed to stop mid job as the warp threads would be glued together and length of warp would be ruined. This particular engine was used at Croft Mill, Cowling between Colne and Skipton.

Chris Allen

Grane Mill, Haslingden - steam engine governor

A Whitehead governor from the now scrapped SS Stott horizontal tandem compound that was at Syke mill, Haslingden. Here is an in situ picture - SD7922 : Steam engine, Syke Mills, Haslingden.

Chris Allen

Downtown Haslingden

A town scene looking up Deardengate in the Lancashire town of Haslingden

Chris Heaton

Great Wall Chinese and Thai Take-Away, Haslingden

On the corner of Deardengate and Grane Road

Chris Heaton

Back of Terraced Houses on Jubilee Road

Long row of terraced houses, seen across the now demolished site of the J H Birtwistle textile mill - having succumbed to a devastating fire earlier in the year.

Chris Heaton