Bank Bottom Mill

The history of the origins of Bank Bottom Mill have been confused by the fact that the Crowther family initially began their textile manufacturing in Marsden by leasing the old Lower Bank Bottom Mill and this mill has been assumed by writers to be the site of the present Bank Bottom Mill.

The Crowther dynasty is well known in the village. Over the years they were major employers and benefactors of village amenities. Their connection with textile production in Marsden began in 1870 when John Crowther, a textile manufacturer from Golcar rented Lower Bank Bottom Mill. His three sons, Joseph, William and Elon ran the business until 1874 when William and Elon left and stayed briefly in Marsden before moving to Slaithwaite where they independently built their own mill. The Crowther business began trading as the Marsden Mill Co. and, in 1876, invited tenders for a new five-storey mill measuring 60 x 30 yards which was to be built on the site of Ottiwells.

Bank Bottom Mill c1905
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Bank Bottom Mill remained in the ownership of the Crowther family throughout its existence. Consequently there are no auction catalogues to illustrate the progress of growth to its present-day state. The 1895 O.S. map shows the extent of Bank Bottom Mill at that time and the Huddersfield Weekly Examiner frequently reported incidents and developments as they took place.

In May,1878 power looms, scribbling and spinning machinery were ordered. In August the newly erected mill chimney was christened St. Thomas according to the custom in the village of christening chimneys after apostles. In October an engine naming ceremony took place. It was called 'Hopeful' and was to drive machinery in a mill 22 yards wide and 5 storeys high. In 1879 the Examiner described the 'large new mill at Ottiwells' and in, 1901, the mill was known as Bank Bottom Mill for the first time.

Bank Bottom Workers c1905
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Other developments were made to improve conditions for the workers. In 1905 they were provided with a 'dining room' on Mount Road opposite the mill with cutlery and the mill name stamped on the crockery and a workers' bowling green was created on the site when Ottiwells House was demolished. The six storey mill building was erected in 1910. John Edward Crowther was running the business when, in 1919, he was described as a 'Fancy Woollen and Worsted Manufacturer'.

In addition to Bank Bottom Mill, he also extended his ownership to Ready Carr Mill, Fall Lane Mill and New Mills. Bank Bottom Mill experienced the hardship of the economic depression of the 1930s and, along with most other mills, had to impose short-time working. This was relieved by the outbreak of war in 1939 when the mill was fully employed making cloth for army, navy and air force uniforms.

The textile industry as a whole experienced a decline in the later 1970s onwards. Crowthers changed from cloth making to carpet yarn spinning but eventually closed production at Bank Bottom Mill in 2003 with a loss of 200 jobs and the subsequent deterioration in the fabric of the buildings. It is a sad demise for the Crowther business that, at its height, was claimed to be the largest privately owned textile company in the country.