Clough Lee Mills

Clough Lee Mill was originally a small cotton spinning mill erected in 1798 although there may have been an earlier mill on the site; parish registers in 1792 refer to 'Clowley Mill' and in 1794 to 'Cloughlee Mill'. There are also references to 'Fell Mill', or Woodhead's Mill.

In 1810 'Cloughley' Mill was up for sale or let described as a 'three storey cotton mill: water wheel formerly driving 3,200 spindles: three large carding engines. Owner John Parkin of Marsden.' At this time it is likely that, in common with other Marsden mills, cotton spinning was no longer financially viable.

It was rebuilt 1841 after being unoccupied for several years and in the 1850s was owned by Sam Bower and John Bower Robinson. The 1854 Ordnance Survey map shows Clough Lee Mill as a woollen mill. In 1856 Richard Beaumont became manager of Robinson Bros and remained in post for 47 years.

In July 1872 the mill was partially flooded and the wooden bridge between two parts of the mill, which was dilapidated and due for repair, was swept away. In 1882 a new shed was erected and, to celebrate, the Robinson brothers held a 'rearing party' for 200 workpeople and contractors in the grounds of Robinson's house at Inner Hey. An obituary writer later recollected 'Clewly Mill parties, where the workpeople were put entirely at their ease by the Robinson family's kindly recognition and especially, Arthur's wit and bonhomie as he attended to everyone's comfort'.

In 1923 Clough Lee Mills were taken over by Whitwams of Golcar, and in 1934 by Bailley-Ancions of Belgium for wool scouring and carbonisation.

On 26 October 1941, there was a large fire at the mill. It was rebuilt after the fire, which had cost £50,000. In 1946, the MD, J D Bailley was appointed Belgian consul for the West Riding of Yorkshire, so Marsden was home of the Belgian Consulate!

In 1949 they set up a bus service to bring in workers from Oldham. Despite its success, trade declined in the 1980s, until it was closed in the 1990s. The Mill was demolished in 1997 and a small housing development, now called Clough Lea, was built on the site. The mill chimney still stands, though much reduced in height, next to Manchester Road.