History of Bosley Mills
Bosley village has always been known for its mills which provided work for local families for centuries. There has been two mills on the River Dane at Bosley since the mid 18th century; Higher Works & Lower Works, approximately 600 metres apart. They were built to refine copper and brass that was produced at a smelting plant owned by a gentleman called Charles Roe of Macclesfield.
The 3rd Earl of Harrington (after whose family the pub is named) owned the land and leased it to Charles Roe. He had several cottages built at both works for the working families.
James Brindley, well known locally for his engineering works, designed the pools and weirs to drive the waterwheels which powered the engines, that in turn drove the rollers to make the sheet copper. This sheeting was used on the hulls of ships which were built of timber at that time.
In the early 19th century the mills were sold and began a period of silk throwing and cotton spinning. Mid century saw change again when both mills were converted to corn milling. There were three millers and a silk throwster recorded as working at the mills in 1860.
Goods at this time were moved by narrow-gauge tram line to a nearby wharf on the local canal which ran from Marple to Kidsgrove which had opened in 1831. Later goods were transported by a train link to join with the Macclesfield to Stoke-on-Trent line. A station was built in Bosley in 1846 at what is now known as Jubilee Shed, near Station House on Tunstall Road. The track and station were closed in 1964 as part of Lord Beeching’s cuts.
Corn continued to be milled until the 1930’s, then the works became Wood Treatment Ltd which ground wood flour, sawdust and wood shavings, then mica and coconut shell. Wood Treatment Ltd was owned by the Thompstone family, comprising of 4 brother and a sister; all the brothers took an active part in the business. The Tug-o-War Team which took their name, was formed in 1947 and became European Champions in 1964 and later World Champions.
The wood treatment business continues under the ownership of the Boden Group since 2008 and some areas of the mills have been let to other firms, notably for granite worktops, pallet refurbishment and car repairs, etc.
In 2015 an explosion at Higher Works caused a great fire which burned for several weeks. Four people sadly lost their lives and other were seriously injured. It is not yet known the cause of this tragedy; an investigation is ongoing at the time of this article.
The 3rd Earl of Harrington (after whose family the pub is named) owned the land and leased it to Charles Roe. He had several cottages built at both works for the working families.
James Brindley, well known locally for his engineering works, designed the pools and weirs to drive the waterwheels which powered the engines, that in turn drove the rollers to make the sheet copper. This sheeting was used on the hulls of ships which were built of timber at that time.
In the early 19th century the mills were sold and began a period of silk throwing and cotton spinning. Mid century saw change again when both mills were converted to corn milling. There were three millers and a silk throwster recorded as working at the mills in 1860.
Goods at this time were moved by narrow-gauge tram line to a nearby wharf on the local canal which ran from Marple to Kidsgrove which had opened in 1831. Later goods were transported by a train link to join with the Macclesfield to Stoke-on-Trent line. A station was built in Bosley in 1846 at what is now known as Jubilee Shed, near Station House on Tunstall Road. The track and station were closed in 1964 as part of Lord Beeching’s cuts.
Corn continued to be milled until the 1930’s, then the works became Wood Treatment Ltd which ground wood flour, sawdust and wood shavings, then mica and coconut shell. Wood Treatment Ltd was owned by the Thompstone family, comprising of 4 brother and a sister; all the brothers took an active part in the business. The Tug-o-War Team which took their name, was formed in 1947 and became European Champions in 1964 and later World Champions.
The wood treatment business continues under the ownership of the Boden Group since 2008 and some areas of the mills have been let to other firms, notably for granite worktops, pallet refurbishment and car repairs, etc.
In 2015 an explosion at Higher Works caused a great fire which burned for several weeks. Four people sadly lost their lives and other were seriously injured. It is not yet known the cause of this tragedy; an investigation is ongoing at the time of this article.