CALF HALL SHED COMPANY LTD. MINUTES PT2

Post Reply
User avatar
Stanley
Global Moderator
Global Moderator
Posts: 89683
Joined: 23 Jan 2012, 12:01
Location: Barnoldswick. Nearer to Heaven than Gloria.

CALF HALL SHED COMPANY LTD. MINUTES PT2

Post by Stanley »

January 7th 1914
T Dent chair.
Res. That Messrs Wilson and Barrett visit Burnley Ironworks with regard to the Butts engine. [They have a serious problem here. The gearing on the Musgrave was never right and things are coming to a head.]
That Haines be appointed oiler at WH Mill.
That P D Bilsborough [Coal merchant in Station Yard at Barlick. Used to be Billycock Bracewell's engineer, it could be his son that is running the firm.] be asked whether he can supply a sufficient quantity of Sharlston coal [Wakefield, a new pit sunk about 1911 finally closed in the 1990s] and that the company consider using this coal.
That Messrs King and Banks visit the tenants and obtain particulars of export taping.
That E Harrison be instructed to brick up the windows in Moorhouse's tape room as recommended by Mr Horsfield and also repair the entrance to the entrance to Exors of William Bailey's shed.
That a new plank be ordered from J R Broughton for the use of the fireman at Butts Mill.
That the WH boiler house be whitewashed and the engine house washed down within 14 months from the date of painting last year. [The interval '14 months' gives the game away here. This is evidently triggered by legislation in the Factory Acts. Where an annual inspection was mandatory, 14 months was given as the interval to give factory owners some flexibility. The same applied, and still does, to 'annual ' boiler inspections.]
That J R Broughton be instructed to board in the shaft driving the economiser at WH Mill. [HMFI again following the accident reported below.]
The following letter was received from J Bracewell, solicitor of Colne.
Dear Sirs, I beg to give formal notice that Herbert Holroyd, formerly of 24 Arthur Street, Barnoldswick, oiler and assistant fireman [WH] whilst a workman in your employ was caught by and carried round a shaft at Wellhouse Mill on Monday January 5th 1914. The accident caused a fracture of the base of the skull and the workman died on January 8th from the injuries sustained. I act for the dependants of the deceased and shall be pleased to hear that you are prepared to pay the usual compensation. Yours truly, J Bracewell.

January 14th 1914
T Dent chair.
Res. Accounts be paid.
The secretary reported the bank balance to be £1165 in credit.
Res. That the balance sheet as read be adopted subject to audit and presented at a general meeting of shareholders on Wednesday January 28th and that a dividend of 10% per annum be recommended.
It was reported to the meeting that one of the company's servants (Mr Holroyd) had died as a result of an accident at WH Mill. A letter was read thereon from the Assistant Coroner, Mr Lumb, requesting the company to take such steps as they think necessary to avoid such accidents in future. [Revolving shafts are always dangerous and it looks as though this was the shaft driving the economisers in which case anyone on top of them is in close proximity to the shafting. For this reason it was always advisable to wear tight fitting clothing with no loose ends flapping about which could get caught in the shaft. One loose thread was enough to draw you in.]
Res That Mr Wood be requested to arrange with Holgate Marsden to give the fullest possible supply from the pit [Altham Collieries] and should the pit not be able to supply all the company's mills that he be empowered to buy 50 tons per week of Sharlston coals at 13/6 per ton.
The deputation appointed to wait upon the tenants with regard to export taping reported that 55 sets had been taped during the half year which had not been reported to the secretary.

January 21st 1914
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Mr R Lowcock's account of £3-3-0 for light rails[?] be passed for payment.
Transfer of 3 shares from Earl Clark to Francis Clark sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That P P Brown be instructed to repair leakage in boiler at WH and the steam gauge to be made to register accurately.
That steam pipes at Butts be covered. [Insulated]
That the old ropes and rubber be sold.
That Stansfield be paid a full week's wage for last week (off work for one day) without prejudice to future action.

General meeting of shareholders
January 28th 1914 at Seven Stars
[Printed balance sheet reports: Balance carried forward 1/9 and half year profit gives surplus of £1696-8-2 to be appropriated. Disposition: £1519-14-0 dividend and £176-14-2 carried forward.]
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and dividend adopted.
Proctor Barrett.

February 4th 1914
T Dent chair.
Res. That the Trustees of the Bethesda Baptists be asked to share the cost of the repairs to the closet in Walmsgate Yard.
That Messrs Slater and Son and P Barrett see Mr Bilsborough re the supply of coals to CH.
That H Marsden's coal account be paid £558-11-0.
Transfer of 95 shares to Annie Baxter and 96 shares to Lizzie Alice Baxter be sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
That empty oil barrels be sold to Brooksbank's for 3/3 each.
That J R Atkinson of Colne be asked to fix a new lightning conductor on the chimney at Bitts Mill.
That Ernest Harrison be instructed to repair the paving in Butts Yard.
Mr Horsfield asked that the work requiring to be done in Moorhouse's new shed, making the door open as an exit in case of fire, be not proceeded with. No resolution was passed but it was agreed that the matter be held in abeyance until next week.

February 11th 1914
T Dent chair.
Res. That accounts be paid: Scottish Union Insurance £1-10-0. Norwich Union Insurance £1-17-6. G H Baldwin £1-10-8. Diamond Lubricating Co £3-0-10. J Heaton £12. Ridehalgh and Co £4-1-0. BUDC £10-14-7. Brooks and Brooks £75-6-2. J R Atkinson £5-19-0. W Hough and Co £1-19-6. E A Foulds £1-1-0. F Wooster £8-15-0. Colne Corporation £2-0-11. H P Cooper £3-14-3. J W Clough £13-5-0. J Bulcock £7. J Proctor 5/7. Burnley Ironworks £33-19-0. Burnley Building Society £56-14-4. Wages £86-1-4. A H Dewhurst £4-13-2. J Phelps £2-12-0. Ridehalgh and Co £12-12-0.
The secretary reported the bank balance to be £435 debit.
It was reported that the consumption of Sharlston coal at CH Shed costing 15/5 per ton delivered was, for the first week 48 tons 5cwt and the second week 49 tons 15cwt. Last year Dalton 51 tons 4cwt and Altham 55 tons. The old economisers were then in use.
Res. That the land owned by the company should be sold and that applications be sent to Mr Barrett [Norman, Proctor Barrett's son.] architect.
Res. That Sharlston coal be used at CH Shed until June 30th.
That two powerful incandescent lamps be fixed in the boiler house at Butts Mill. [These must have been an improved gas lamp. Electricity wasn't available yet.]
Res. That the chairman, Horsfield, King and Barrett be a deputation to meet the surveyor at WH Mill re the doorway recently opened in Moorhouse's shed and that they be empowered to settle the question with him.

February 18th 1914
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Henry Green's quotation for coal be sent to Burnley.
That Mr Phelp's account be paid.
Transfer of 69 shares from Ronald Bell to William Proctor and 70 shares from Geoffrey Ralph Bell to William Proctor be sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
That the fireman and oiler be paid for assisting Burnley Ironworks in chipping wheels at Butts. [It's perhaps worth mentioning that the vast majority of cast iron gears used at this time had teeth as cast, the accuracy of their form relying on the skill of the pattern-maker. They could be very good but if they were cast incorrectly they could never be right. The problem with the Musgrave gear appears to be that they were never accurate and worsened during service. The eventual cure for this was to machine cut the gear teeth after casting or, better still, to make steel gears with cut teeth. Gear-cutting was being used as early as 1850 and the design of gear tooth shapes was being improved but the technology was not used for common gears until the early 20th century. Newton Pickles knew this gearing and he said that the fault was that the original castings of the jack wheel were the wrong pitch circle diameter and that this fault could never be rectified by chipping.]

February 25th 1914
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Messrs Dent, Horsfield and King look into the water shortage to the tape room complained of by Dugdale and Dewhurst and do what is necessary to remedy the same.
Res. That D Bilsborough's offer to supply us with Sharlston nuts at 14/11 per ton up to June 30th 1914 be accepted. Delivery to be 50 tons a week direct to the boiler house. [CH?]
Transfer of 161 shares From W H Atkinson to H Clark and 200 to Emma Peel, 25 from J W Sowerbutts to E Turner and 145 from W H Atkinson to J Berry sanctioned. Seal cert etc. [Is Atkinson liquidating his shares? Worried about developments?]

March 4th 1914
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Messrs Banks and Barrett examine the notices to pave Back Calf Hall Road and also to check that the estimates are in order by checking them with the specifications at the Town Hall.
Res. Accounts be paid: Holgate Marsden coal £403. P D Bilsborough £165-3-0. P P Brown, mechanic £7-12-5
Res. That Stephen Parker fixes the gudgeon into the door jamb at Edmondson and Co's shed.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
That the question of a larger tape room for T Nutter when he moves to CH Shed be left over.

March 11th 1914
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Wages £71-7-4. H P Cooper £16-12-4. Walter Cragg £2-5-0. Joseph Petty £1-10-11. E A Foulds £4-7-0. Burnley Ironworks Co £15-11-0. Brooks and Brooks £59-10-0. James Bulcock Ltd £3-2-0. James Proctor Ltd £55-4-0. G H Baldwin £1-13-7. Diamond Lubricating Co £7-11-6. Petty and Hoskin £2-17-0. J A Redford £1-10-0. Ocean Accident and Guarantee Corporation £4-2-6. J A Nutter 18/0. Heap and Thornton £10.
Res. That two trucks of 2” limestone be ordered from P W Spencer.
That the wall on the west side of CH Shed be pointed.
HMFI sent a long letter referring to the filthy state of Messrs Waterworth and Holdsworth, alo T Nutter's tape rooms and other matters.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to reply to the letter and to request the two firms to carry out the requirements of the Factory Acts.
The secretary reported the bank balance to be £413 in credit.
The question of paving at Calf Hall be left over for further consideration.
A letter was read from the Monkswell Manufacturing Co complaining of water from the pump and steam pipes damaging cloth and the floors and that HMFI complained of the state of the wall on the west side of the shed.
Res. That a wood fence be fixed to the pump in Monkswell's portion if necessary and that the wall be pointed on day work.

March 25th 1914
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Barrett and Brooks report to the next meeting on a scheme for giving a satisfactory supply of water to Dugdale and Dewhurst's tape room.
That accident notices be procured.
That we carry out HMFI's instructions about a ladder for the oiler at WH Mill. [a shafting ladder]
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
That H Strickland be allowed 6lbs of paint for painting inside his house at Butts and that James Pickles whitewash the boiler house at CH Shed.
Proctor Barrett.

April 1st 1914
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
The secretary reported that the bank balance was £447 in credit.
Res. Accounts be paid: Holgate Marsden £512-8-0. G H Baldwin £1-10-2. South Kirby Collieries £11-4-0. Brooks and Brooks £41-11-0. Edmund Taylor £14-2-6. William Atkinson £7-5-0. H Brown and Sons £1-13-0. Burnley Ironworks £14-17-4. E Brooksbank and Co £25-7-9. Lancs and Yorks Railway Co £1-10-0. E A Foulds £5. J W Clough £1-17-6. Colledge Roy £4. Wilson and Thornber £5.
Res. That tenders for painting CH Engine house, the board room and staircase be obtained for the next meeting and that the specification for the painting and report be made by Brooks, Banks and King.
The secretary read a list of the rents outstanding.
Res. That the secretary write to each tenant informing them that the directors had made arrangements to sweep and clean the premises and asking them to clean their portions as required by HMFI.
Res. That the engine house at Butts Mill be washed down in accordance with the requirements of the Factory Acts.
Proctor Barrett.

April 8th 1914
P Barrett chair.
Res. That the managing director be appointed to carry out the requirements contained in the report by HMFI.
Res. That Messrs Barrett, Brooks, King and Wilson approach P D Bilsborough and Holgate Marsden respectively with a view to arranging that the company shall not have a large stock of poor coal in at the end of the Yorkshire coal strike.
Res. That P D Bilsborough's account be paid £179-17-0.
Res. That the attention of J Sneath at Calf Hall be drawn to the filthy conditions of sheds which should have been swept down before now and that the wheel covers have immediate attention.
Res. That E Strickland be warned of the consequences of making the yard at Butts a garage for his motor lorry. [The twentieth century is pressing in on them!]
Res. That the tender of James Lofthouse and Son for the painting of Calf Hall engine house and the CHSC office at Butts for £13-10-0 be accepted.
That E Harrison fix a new window in the company's office at Butts Mill according to the following dimensions: 3” from safe, 5ft deep and 3feet wide, window sides to be splayed and the window to be made to open, one third of which is to slide down.
Proctor Barrett.

April 15th 1914
P Barrett chair.
Res. That James Pickles whitewash that portion of the thoroughfare at Butts not done ny A Hogarth.
That E Harrison be ordered to complete the making of the doorway into the staircase at James Moorhouse's portion at WH Mill without delay.
Res. That the chairman and the managing director instruct J R Broughton to fix in the Craven Manufacturing Co's warehouse and twill shed an intervening ventilation space and screens in accordance with BUDC regulations.
That the faulty water pipe in Craven Manufacturing Co's large shed be repaired by P Brown.
Res. That the request by B&EM Holden for a larger driving wheel in the tape room be fully investigated to see if they are or not getting the same speed as the other tenants.
That a drum of boiler composition be ordered for Butts Mill.
That the secretary write to the Place Rink (Barnoldswick) Ltd re the encroachment on the bank of the stream.
Proctor Barrett.

April 22nd 1914
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
The secretary reported the bank balance to be £1081-14-8 in credit.
Res. Accounts be paid: Burnley Building Society £255. R A Tatton £21-19-9. William Proctor £103-8-10. [Mistake? Is this the wages?]
Res. That a new pulley be provided by P P Brown the drive B&EM Holden's tape.
That the fishing rent of Springs Dam be reduced to £1 for last year.
Res. That the encroachment on the company's strip of land at Butts be charged to the Rink Co at 5/- per year and that it be subject to removal on six month's notice.
Res. That all the members of the board who find it convenient to attend at Dark Hill Well tomorrow morning with a view to making more permanent the diversion of water to the company's supply at Springs Dam.
Proctor Barrett.

April 29th 1914
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: G H Baldwin £2-17-5. Fred Wooster £25. Brooks and Brooks £24-5-0. James Bulcock £1-12-6. South Kirby Coal Co £31-7-0. BUDC £9-15-2. Petty and Hoskin £5. W H Atkinson £11-11-0 and £13-13-0. Burnley Ironworks Co £5-8-3. Diamond lubricating Co £7-6-4.
Res. That Walter Dawson be appointed oiler at WH Mill. [Dead man's shoes!]
That Ernest Harrison be requested to repair the well at Dark Hill with flags and fix a grate under the supervision of Holdsworth and King.
That James Proctor Ltd be requested to attend at Barnoldswick to inspect the stokers.
The secretary read a letter from W P Brooks resigning his position as a director of the company:
Dear Mr Wood, owing to being away from Barlic[sic] a great deal now due to altered circumstances I hereby tender my resignation as director of the CHSC Ltd. I do this with great reluctance having been so long connected and having such pleasant memories for such a long time, makes it very difficult to sever myself from such respectable associates as the directors have been to me, however I from this date cease my position with kind regards and best wishes for the Co's continued success. Believe me, yours sincerely, William P Brooks.
Res. That his resignation be accepted and that the secretary be instructed to send a letter of regret and to express to Mr Brooks the high appreciation of his services during a long period of years.
Res. That Messrs Banks and King be appointed joint managing directors until June 30th next.
Proctor Barrett.

May 6th 1914
P Barrett chair.
Res. That Holgate Marsden's account be paid for coal during April £356-6-0.
Res. That George Collins have the use of the fairground from May 13th 1914. The first week to be charged at £3 and the second for £2.
That the managing directors be left the matter of the archway at Butts which was being made up. [Entrance to the culvert?]
That Mr Wood order a lubricator for the Low Pressure valve on WH engine and to get the particulars from J J Sneath.
That Messrs King and Banks engage a fireman to take the place of A Stansfield of WH Mill who gave seven days notice to cease working for the company on May 16th 1914.
Proctor Barrett.

May 13th 1914
P Barrett chair.
Res. That P Bilborough's coal account of £203-9-11 be paid.
Res. That A be engaged as oiler at WH Mill. [Another one?]
That Moorhouse's warehouse floor be repaired.
That Mr Wood request Burnley Ironworks to send a millwright to examine and report on the wheels that drive Messrs Horsfield's at Butts.
That P Brown fix the fire escape at Monkswell taping and winding room.
That Mr Wood instructs Hayfield's or any other good firm to examine and report on the leakage of one of the boilers at Butts Mill.
Res. That the application of Fred Harrison to purchase land in the Parrock be considered at the next meeting and in the meantime W Holdsworth obtains the plans of the Parrock from Mr Atkinson.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
Proctor Barrett.

May 20th 1914
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
A letter was read from James Proctor Ltd reporting on the condition of the stokers from which it appeared that CH and Butts stokers were in first class repair but those at WH Mill required overhauling.
A report from Mr Aiken upon the leaky flue at Butts Mill was read and it was resolved that the repairs be put in hand.
A report was given re the large wheels in Horsfield's premises and it was resolved that Burnley Ironworks be instructed to supply a new pair at the earliest possible moment.
That the stores required by the engineers be ordered.
A letter was read from Mr Atkinson enclosing all the plans he had in his possession relating to the Parrock and the secretary was requested to speak to Mr Atkinson and explain that there was no intention on the part of the company to sever a connection which had continued without interruption and pleasantly since the company was formed. [Old associations are coming under strain, a sign of the times perhaps.]
Proctor Barrett.

May 27th 1914
P Barrett chair.
Res. That King and Banks inform Mr Marsden that the CHSC is not open to treat for Altham coal for CH Shed until after June 30th.
That J Lofthouse and Son be instructed to colour the walls and wash down the varnished woodwork in Butts Mill engine house.

June 3rd 1914
P Barrett chair.
Res. That H Strickland be allowed 16lbs of paint to paint the inside of Butts Cottage.
That Mr Marsden's account be paid £314-19-0.
That the ashes at all the mills be advertised for sale by tender.
That Mr Wood get out the cost of extending Craven Manufacturing Co's premises for the next meeting.

June 10th 1914
P Barrett chair.
Before commencing the business of the meeting Mr Barrett made very suitable reference to the death of Mr Thomas Dent the late chairman of the CHSC and spoke feelingly of his long service as director and chairman of the company. He stated that Mr Dent was one of the promoters of the company and a founding director, a position he held ever since and until his death. As chairman he was very devoted and attentive to his duties and through many years presided over the meetings of the Board and he could not remember a single occasion when Mr Dent was not in his place. Although the directors did not always agree with him in all things he was always kind, courteous and genial with everyone he had to deal with. His death is undoubtedly a great loss to the company and as chairman he desired that a letter should be sent to the relatives expressing the deepest sympathy and condolence of the Board with the family. The resolution was duly passed.
Minutes as read.
The secretary reported on the insurance of the economisers at CH and WH Mills and it was resolved that they be insured with inspection at £300 each set with E Green and Son Ltd.
It was reported to the meeting that the Bankfield Mill Co were charging £5 for the power required for the patent twisting frame.
That the consumption of Sharlston coal at CH Shed during May was 45 tons per week at 14/11 per ton delivered.
Transfer of 38 shares from J H Edmondson to A Shepherd be sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
The secretary reported that the bank balance was £1968-3-11 in credit.
Res. Accounts be paid: P P Brown £8-1-0. Anti-Incrustation Co £12-12-3. P D Bilborough £127-15-0. South Kirby Collieries £24-16-0. W H Shaw £26-19-0. Brooks and Brooks £19-19-0. E Harrison £12-16-0. J&E Holdsworth £3-15-6. Joseph Baldwin £2. Joseph Petty £1-10-0. Walter Cragg £6-9-0. Bradshaw and Co £21-19-0. G H Baldwin £3-3-11. J R Atkinson £5-10-0. Midland Railway Co £1-10-11. J Casartelli and Son £1-2-6. J Lumb and Sons £1-5-0. Heap and Thornton £4-4-0. J A Nutter 18/-. P W Spencer £5. Burnley Ironworks £13-11-0. D McPherson £9-4-0. J W Clough £6-19-0. H P Cooper £6-0-9. A Kenyon and Co £1-19-0. Hough and Co 8/7. J Proctor £10/6.
Proctor Barrett.

June 17th 1914
P Barrett chair.
Res. That P Bilborough's offer to supply and deliver 50 tons per week of Sharlston Nuts at CH Shed until December 31st 1914 at 14/11 per ton be accepted.
Res That King and Banks arrange and fix the price of extra room required by C Johnson and Son Reed Works. [WH]
That a tin of rope compo be ordered for CH Shed from Cooper's. [Tallow and graphite]
That the ventilation window in the twill room at Butts be made to open.
That Ernest Harrison repair the wall and put down boundary stones at Ouzledale Dam.

June 24th 1914
P Barrett chair.
Res that the following tenders for ashes and flue dust to June 30th 1915 be accepted.
Ernest Harrison WH £20. J R Broughton, CH Shed £13-10-0. Muff and Randall, Butts £16.
A complaint was received from Dugdale and Dewhurst regarding the insufficient supply of water to their size beck. Messrs King, Barrett, Holdsworth and Wilson were instructed to see the same and have it remedied.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
That the cistern at Butts Mill be cleaned.
Res. That a woman be engaged to clean the office. [Now this is a sign of the times!]
That two inverted gas burners be fixed to the present gas pendant in the office at Butts.

[Assassination of Franz Ferdinand on June 28th 1914]

July 1st 1914
P Barrett chair.
Res. That the alteration to the water pipe for Dugdale and Dewhurst's be done by P P Brown.
Res. That the well at Butts Mill be cleaned out at an appropriate time.
Holgate Marsden's account be paid £348-13-0.
Res. That the fixing of rent for room and power for Craven Manufacturing Co's twisting room be left over until Mr Wood is present.

July 8th 1914
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Brooks and Brooks £32-4-0. Audit fee [R Watson and Son] £3-18-9. Directors fees £30. Dividend account £1519-14-0. Secretary's salary £60. P P Brown £9. Wilson and Thornber £4. P D Bilborough £127-2-0.
Res. That the charge for Craven Manufacturing's new premises be £21-16-6 per annum for room and £5 per annum for power.
Res. That the balance sheet as read be adopted subject to audit. A dividend of 10% per annum be recommended and that the general meeting be on July 17th 1914.
Res. That Mr Edmondson Brooks Banks be appointed managing director at £30 per annum for the ensuing year. Mr Banks signified his acceptance of the office and the remuneration.
With ref to the proposed extra stoppage due to bad trade and the tenants desire for some allowance for the savings effected:
Res. That in cases where the engine was actually stopped the savings effected in coal be allwed to the tenants.
Res. That two ropes be ordered and one cask of composition [rope grease] for WH Mill.
That the brickwork at the various mills, and floors mentioned by Mr Banks, be repaired by E Harrison and J R Broughton.
That the wheels in Moorhouse's portion of WH Mill be repaired.
The secretary reported that the cost of coal for the year ended June 30th at the various mills had been as follows:
CH, 23/6 per ton. Butts, 22/6. WH Mill, 21/6. Viaduct, 14/1.
[The discrepancy between Colne prices and Barlick is entirely due to Barlick being an outlier of the industry. There was a recognised reduction on wages in Barlick because of 'Local Disadvantage' based on this fact of life and transport costs.]
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting at Seven Stars
July 17th 1914
[Printed balance sheet reports: Death of Thomas Dent and resignation of W P Brooks. Profit carried over £176-14-2 resulting in £1860-2-0 to be appropriated. Disposition is £1519-14 for dividend and £340-8-0 to be carried forward.]
Proctor Barrett chair.
Report of the death of Thomas Dent and W P Brooks' resignation.
Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and dividend adopted, retiring directors re-elected.
Mr John Hall elected director in place of W P Brooks.
Director's remuneration and re-election of auditor approved.

July 22nd 1914
P Barrett chair.
P Barrett elected chairman, John Horsfield as vice chair.
Messrs King and Banks elected joint managing directors at a salary of £30 per annum. Mr King to take the Factory work and one third of the salary, Mr E B Banks the clerical work and two thirds of the salary.
Res. That in consideration of Mr P Bilborough reducing the price of Sharlston Nuts coal to 14/8 from September 1st 1914 we extend our present contract with him to June 30th 1915.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
Proctor Barrett.

[Great War starts August 4th 1914]

August 6th 1914
P Barrett chair.
Res. That Marsden's account be paid £246-17-0.
That BUDC gas and water account be paid £1-19-6.
Transfer of 31 shares from Mary Ellen Fawcett to Sarah Ellen Banks sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
That Anthony Carr be informed that the company cannot take the risk of running Butts engine for his looms only. [Evidently the other tenants of Butts have stopped for bad trade. I think this excuse is a red herring actually, the directors would rather have the mill stopped completely than running for one tenant. Behind it is the fact that only a very well managed engine can run safely at high steam pressures and low load, it is the ultimate test of how efficiently the governor is working. Running at low pressure is uneconomic and so stopping completely is the best course.]
Proctor Barrett.

August 12th 1914
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
[Bear in mind that in the background there is upheaval as men flood to volunteer for a war that will 'be over by Christmas'. A Man called Billy Brooks and his friend are cycling to Skipton to enlist but when they got there the queue was so long the recruiting sergeant told them to go home and come back the following day. Overnight, as Billy said “It went off me”, he never went back and served the war out in a reserved occupation at Westfield Mill. See LTP, AB series of tapes.]
Res. Accounts be paid: E Brooksbank and Co £32-19-0. H Lowes £1-5-10. G H Baldwin £34. S Parker £4-18-6. W B White 17/-. John Hartley 18/-. H P Cooper £25-3-6. P P Brown £8-1-0. P D Bilborough £102-9-0. J B Bulcock Ltd £1-12-0. Burnley Ironworks £27-1-0. J J Whitaker £2-6-0. E Green and Son 9/-. Wildman and Co 5/6. Diamond Lubrication Co £23-7-10. E A Foulds 16/2. J Lofthouse and Son £16-8-0. James Proctor Ltd 3/6. H Brown and Sons £7-12-9. J Baldwin £1-14-0. Dale Ironworks Co £1-8-6. James T Tyson 8-6-0. E Harrison £11-13-0. Brooks and Brooks £34.
Res. That the acknowledgement for the land at Ouzledale be 2/6 per annum. [Evidently the accurate survey of boundaries has revealed an encroachment on CHSC land.]
A Letter was read from Anthony Carr intimating that he wished to run his looms although the other tenants had agreed to stop.
Res. That in the event of Mr Carr claiming full rent that the allowance made to Mr Carr be deducted from the amount paid to the others, that is that the tenants of the respective mills be only allowed the savings made by the company.
Proctor Barrett.

August 19th 1914
Proctor Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Heap and Thornton do the necessary repairs to the roofs at WH and Butts mills.
That Ernest Harrison be engaged to stop the leakage of water at CH Dam.
That 24 empty barrels be sold to Brooksbank at 3/3 each.
Proctor Barrett.

August 26th 1914
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That J R Broughton supply the foot planks for Bailey's, Nutter's and J Windle's sheds. [For protecting roof slates?]
Proctor Barrett.

September 2nd 1914
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Transfer of 10 shares from E W King to J Cant sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
The secretary reported the bank account £1066 in credit.
Res. Accounts be paid: Holgate Marsden £248-1-0. Heap and Thornton £7-2-0. P D Bilborough £61-18-0. H Brown and Sons £7-7-0. P P Brown £4. T M Duché and Sons £22-18-0. Anti-Incrustation Co £12-8-3. S? Oil Co £1-8-0. J W Clough 7/5. Colne Corporation £1-8-0. E A Foulds 16/11. A H Dewhurst £4-13-9. J R Atkinson 12/1. Barnoldswick Tallow Company Ltd. £11-8-3 [Barrett's Directory for 1914 reports the Barnoldswick Tallow Company Ltd, tripe dressers, Butts. R S Windle is secretary. Tallow, refined animal fat, had many uses in the mill. Most engines had tallow cup cylinder lubricators in which tallow was allowed to melt slowly under pressure providing a constant supply of high quality lubricant.] Lancs and Yorks Railway Co £1. G H Baldwin 14/4. Brooks and Brooks £80-19-3.
Proctor Barrett.

September 9th 1914
P Barrett chair.
Res. That Phineas Brown inspects the blades in the centrifugal pump at CH Shed and reports on their condition. [Nice! The use of the forename has enabled me to pin down the 'P P Brown' who keeps appearing in the minutes. Barrett's directory for 1914 reports Phineas Brown as electrical engineer of Brick School, Fountain Street. In 1922 he is same profession and St James' Square. In December 2004 Walter Fisher told me that Brown was no relation to Henry Brown, He lived in one of the houses on Jepp Hill opposite the Cross Keys, now demolished. The St James' Square address is in the swimming baths built by Matthew Hartley but never used as such because the BUDC wouldn't install a water main for it. Phineas used it to make ice and also did minor electrical repairs. He never developed beyond being a one man band and eventually the building was used for many years as the Croft Garage.]
That old lead, copper and scrap iron be sold at the best price possible.
Proctor Barrett.

September 16th 1914
P Barrett chair.
Res. That all the fallen [sunken] flagging in that portion of CH Shed occupied by the Monkswell Manufacturing Co Ltd be raised by Ernest Harrison. [Settlement in the new shed.]
That the clock in Butts Mill engine house be repaired by Mr S Bracewell.
Proctor Barrett.

September 23rd 1914
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: J W Clough £25-15-3. J R Broughton £17-2-7. H P Cooper 15/-. Alliance Assurance Co £14-3-6. BUDC £980. Sun Insurance £56-4-0. Colne Corporation £139-18-6. Wages £102-3-0.
The secretary read a detailed bank account from July 1st to the present date and a statement of rents owing by the tenants of the company. The balance at the bank was £1489-10-6 in credit.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to ask the police to take steps to prosecute anyone found breaking glass at CH Shed and WH Mill and to take such steps as they think necessary.
Res. That the cementing of the West end of CH Shed gable to be proceeded with at once.
Res. That the engineer at CH Shed be instructed to turn the shed for Edmondson and Co. [This entry gives an insight into the affect of the war effort on the manufacturers. The most widely used explosive for military purposes was nitrocellulose and the base raw material for this was Cotton fibre. As the country geared up for war there was an immediate and serious decrease in the availability of cotton fibre for manufacturing. Evidently Edmondson's have orders and supplies of cotton and rather than stop the shed the CHSC have decided to run at reduced load.]
Proctor Barrett.

September 30th 1914
P Barrett chair.
Res. That the secretary write to Anthony Carr informing him that he has to replace all the broken glass in windows at the expiration of his tenancy.
That Phineas Brown supply two spare gear wheels (one to be a split wheel)for the twill room at Butts. [The split wheel could be mounted on the shafting without any dismantling of the shaft.]

October 7th 1914
P Barrett chair.
Res. That J R Broughton repair the sliding floor [door?] at Aldersley's warehouse.
That a gate be fixed on Horsfield's hoist so as to meet HMFI requirements.
That Ernest Harrison repair the wall in the Parrock.

October 14th 1914
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: G H Baldwin 17/6. W B White 4/-. P D Bilborough £73-16-0. James F Tyson 10/-. Brooks and Brooks £26-14-0. E A Foulds £4/10. Phineas Brown 4-5-0. H P Cooper £3-3-6. Wilson and Thornber £5-13-0. Oldham Boiler Works Co £1.
The secretary read a list of rents owed by the tenants and the bank balance. Rents owed £3665-10-11 and bank £381 in credit.
Res. That the allowance to tenants be at the rate of 4d per loom per week and £1 per week for tapes when the engine is stopped and 2d per loom per week when the whole of a tenant's looms are stopped but the engine is running.
Res. That an extension to the tape room at CH Shed be made for Thomas Nutter the new tenant providing he is willing to pay 7½% on the cost.
That W H Atkinson of Colne be requested to make the necessary drawings and obtain tenders.
Proctor Barrett.

October 21st 1914
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That King and Banks ascertain of Albert Hogarth [engineer at Butts] is leaving the company's employment and if so about what date. [I think he changed his mind, we shall see later.]
That P Bilborough be offered 8/- per ton including carting for his present stock of about 20 tons of Hulton Slack.
That Mr Wood inform Holgate Marsden that the company intend to use up their stock of coal at the wharf [Coates] and that if he cannot supply Altham coal when the stock is finished he must submit prices for coal he can supply to the directors for their decision.
Proctor Barrett.

[End of Minute Book 5. Transcribed by Stanley Challenger Graham. Completed February 28th 2011.]
CALF HALL SHED COMPANY MINUTE BOOK NUMBER 6
October 28th 1914 to June 22nd 1921.

[Transcribed by Stanley Challenger Graham. All entries in [] are notes by SCG. Transcription commenced February 28th 2011.]

October 28th 1914
P Barrett chair.
Res. That Standing Brothers [printers] be allowed to fix a bill posting board in Calf Hall Yard at a rental of 20/- per annum. [Much news was published in the form of news sheets on bill boards at this time. This may be such a board.]
Res. That E Harrison be allowed 5/- per annum off his rent if he agrees to the above mentioned board being hung on his land.
That the question of making the lodge at the East end of CH Shed into a roadway at some future time be discussed at the next meeting.
That Messrs King, Horsfield, Hall and Wilson interview William Dixon and decide whether to allow him to level his allotment for use as a bowling green or not. [I think this the piece of land in what was the Parrock on the east side of the modern ginnel down the side of the Butts Clinic. It is now part of Carlson's and has Portakabin offices on it.]
That the secretary write to William Taylor of Cecil Street and inform him that the directors have the contents of his letter under consideration.
That the secretary write to the Bethesda Baptist Church Trustees giving them permission to divert the roadway from Walmsgate to the company's cottage now occupied by Thomas Robinson. This to be allowed on condition that the company have the same rights and privileges over the proposed new road that they now have over the present roadway and also that the said trust allow the company's wall and privy in Walmsgate yard to remain where they are until the land is opened out into a street.
Proctor Barrett.

November 4th 1914
P Barrett in chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: G H Baldwin 19/-. E A Foulds 10/11. John S Prince £1-2-0. Holgate Marsden £104-19-2. Burnley Ironworks £21-4-0. E Harrison £13-13-0. James W Clough £3-5-6. P D Bilborough £94-15-0. Diamond Lubricating £3-16-1. J R Broughton £8-11-0. BUDC £1-14-0.
Transfer of 23 shares from E W King to Georgina Cant sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
The secretary reported the bank balance to be £1492-2-4 in credit.
The correspondence with Mr Taylor, builder, re the land on the east side of Butts Mill was read in which he offered 500 yards to the company to enable the Right of Light to be preserved.
Res. That Banks, Barrett and King meet Mr Taylor and report.
Res. That the secretary ask W H Atkinson to examine the plans of the CH Estate with a view to diverting the road to enable the company to have free access to the stream flowing under the shed.
Mr Wood brought forward a scheme for alterations to the WH engine with a view to reducing the coal consumption which is now about 65 tons a week. The suggestion is to speed up the engine from 62rpm to 75rpm by replacing the present second motion pulley with a larger one.
Res. That the Burnley Ironworks be requested to make a report and give an estimate for the next meeting.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
The board approved the proposal to cover in the cartway between the road and the mill at Wellhouse as an extension of Mr Brown's mechanic's shop providing Mr Brown was willing to pay a reasonable increase in rent.
Proctor Barrett.

November 11th 1914
P Barrett chair.
A letter was read from Mr Taylor offering about 500 square yards of land adjoining Butts Mill a
at 2/6 per square yard.
Res. That Barrett, king, Slater and Banks see Mr Taylor and purchase the land if they consider his price and terms satisfactory.
That J R Broughton be instructed to make and fit a new sliding door for the boiler house at CH Shed.
A Hogarth tendered his notice to cease working for the company on November 28th 1914.
Res. That Thomas Hewlett be appointed engineer at Butts Mill from November 28th.
That Mr Wood be asked what is the number of looms for which S Pickles and Sons pay rent, also if Anthony Carr has paid all rent due from him to the company.
Proctor Barrett.

November 18th 1914
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the company purchase from Mr Taylor, builder, 682 yards on the north west side of Butts Mill [ NW alters things, this is land on the boundary of the mill where it is sunk in the hillside above Butts. The houses that were built there were on Taylor Street.] at 2/- per yard on the terms in the letter read out to the meeting and that Lumb, solicitor of Barlick be instructed to make the conveyance.
Res. That Watkinson be appointed fireman at WH Mill and that Messrs Banks and King make arrangements re the oiler. [I wonder whether these are replacements for men who have volunteered to serve in France?]
A report was read from the Burnley Ironworks Co on the speeding up of the WH engine from which it appeared that the economical load of the engine as running at present was 750hp, that the full load being driven was 980hp, an overload of 30.75%. By increasing the speed from 62rpm to 75rpm as suggested by Mr Wood this overload would be reduced to 9% and a saving effected of from 5 to 7 tons of coal per week. The alterations they suggested were: one 14ft 6” second motion pulley, 40 new bolts to the flywheel, four cast iron beams, a new Whitehead governor with knock-off gear and vacuum destroyer. Their price for the work was £332, the company to provide labourers, masons and joiners and scaffolding and timber, the old material to be the property of the contractors. They undertook to do the work with one week's stoppage.
Res. That the tender be accepted and the works put in hand as early as possible in January and that the tenants be advised. [All this confirms what we have noted before. The extensions to the capacity of the sheds wasn't always accompanied by improving the engines. This wasn't just a CHSC problem, in later years a price will be paid for the extra strain being put on the engines even after modifications like this.]
Res. That in future meetings be held fortnightly on Wednesday afternoons at 2pm, the first meeting to be on December 2nd.
The secretary reported that the bank balance was £1500 in credit.
A letter was read from the engineer at CH Shed [John Sneath] asking for a new set of air pump brasses and pins.
Res. That the Burnley Ironworks be asked to report on this matter.
Proctor Barrett.

December 2nd 1914
P Barrett chair.
Holgate Marsden's coal account paid £212-6-0.
The secretary reported the bank account to be £1549 in credit.
Transfer of 13 shares from Arthur Lambert to E P Standing sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That repairs to the engine at CH Shed as suggested by Burnley Ironworks be carried out.
Res. That the tender of H P Cooper for the new ropes required at WH be accepted provided he is prepared to use as many as possible of the existing ropes and charge for the reduced number in proportion to the whole sixteen. His price for the sixteen ropes and fixing was £78. [Worth noting that here we come across anther problem when modifying old engines. At 980hp this is 61.25hp per rope. Kenyon's of Dukinfield were acknowledged as experts in the field of rope drives and their recommendation for ropes of this type was a maximum of 50hp per rope. It is almost impossible to increase the number of ropes on a flywheel constrained between two engine beds like Wellhouse so this increase has to be accepted. Splicing old ropes together to make the new drive seems to me to be false economy.]
Plans prepared by W H Atkinson were put in showing the alterations to Nutter's tape room at CH Shed.
Res. That repairs be done to Messrs Midgley and Barlow's as explained by Mr Banks and that Mr Brown be appointed oiler at WH Mill.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
Proctor Barrett.

December 16th 1914
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: J G Tate £10. William Proctor £69-11-0. P Barrett £1-4-8. Heap and Thornton £20-6-0. P D Bilborough £132-2-0. Brooks and Brooks £58-4-0.
The secretary reported the bank balance as £2059-5-9 in credit.
Res. That the size of ropes for WH engine be settled by Mr Wood in consultation with Burnley Ironworks.
That Mr King be requested to see to the repairs of that portion of the road abutting on Butts Mill and used by the weavers. [I think this will be down the side of the mill adjoining what is now the Clinic.]
Res. That a barring engine be ordered from Burnley Ironworks at a cost of £135 and that new aquariums, [oil] pumps and sight feed lubricators be ordered with BI for WH.
Res. That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
That repairs to tipplers and fall pipes be carried out.
That Burnley Ironworks be asked to inspect the air pump at Butts Mill.
Proctor Barrett.

January 5th 1915
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: W Wilkinson (gift to the Belgian Relief Fund) £5. Mrs Atkinson (gift to Relief for Soldiers) £3. Proctor and Proctor [wages?] £39-13-4.
Res. That the draft conveyance of the plot of land on the NE side of Butts Mill from Messrs Matthew Hartley, William Taylor and Henry Taylor, presented by Mr Lumb solicitor be approved.
Res. That the balance sheet as read be adopted subject to audit and the same be presented at the general meeting on January 22nd. A dividend of 10% per annum for the half year to be recommended.
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting
January 22nd 1915
[Printed balance sheet reports Balance of £340-8-0 carried over and a total to be appropriated of £2017-10-3. Disposition to be £1519-14-0 for dividend and £497-16-3 carried over.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and dividend approved.

February 3rd 1915
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Burnley Building Society £1000. P D Bilborough £151-13-10. H Marsden £314-1-0. Burnley Ironworks Co £250. Proctor and Proctor [wages?] £115-9-10. H E Holdsworth £2-2-6. Alfred H Dewhurst £4-10-3. E Brooksbank £58-13-0. Wilson and Thornber £6-6-0. James W Clough £39-14-0. Diamond Lubricating £4-15-11. Joseph Baldwin £1-4-0. H Hartley 6/6. G H Baldwin £3-2-7. H P Cooper £1-2-0. J A Nutter £1-9-0. Anti-Incrustation Co £6-2-9. E Green and Son £4-18-0. J R Atkinson 15/-. E A Foulds £5-5-9. Walter Cragg £1-13-10. Brooks and Brooks Collieries Ltd £67-16-0.
The secretary reported the bank account as £2,500 in credit.
Res. That tenders be obtained for boarding the flywheel and second motion [pulley] at WH from local joiners. [Boarding in flywheels and large pulleys became more common as it was realised that it saved a small amount of energy, kept the engine house cleaner and was generally more tidy.]
Res. That the land at WH abutting on Valley Road be offered to the Barnoldswick Working Men's Club at 4/- per yard (including paving) for a selected plot and 3/6 per yard for all the land we have to sell. That the rate of interest on any unpaid balance be 4½% less tax and that Mr Atkinson be requested to meet a deputation of directors with a view to setting out the land so that no front streets shall be abutting on the land left in the hands of the company.
The secretary reported that Altham coal had been increased1/- per ton from February 1st.
Res. That the glazing required to be done in the premises lately occupied by Anthony Carr be carried out by the company and the account sent to Mr Carr, after notice being sent to him.
Res. That the mortar pan at Viaduct Shed be sold to Mr Joseph Bullock for £12.
The secretary reported that Edmondson and Co of CH Shed had given six months notice to terminate their tenancy on July 31st 1915.
Res. That the oiler at WH Mill be given one week's notice to terminate his engagement and that the new man be retained.
Res. That Henry Brown be requested to supply two pairs of blocks of one ton and two tons respectively. [Lifting tackle]
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
Proctor Barrett.

February 17th 1915
[P Barrett chair] Minutes as read.
A letter was read from Anthony Carr complaining of the company's attitude in insisting upon the repair of broken windows at the premises lately occupied by him.
Res. That the repairs be carried out and the account be sent to Mr Carr.
Transfer of 187 shares from R Wilson to John Hall sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
A Report from the architect, W H Atkinson, was read on the condition of the engine house wall at Viaduct Shed from which it appeared that it was not in a dangerous condition. He made certain recommendations which it was thought advisable to carry out and that he would make a further inspection and report.
A letter was read from The Altham Colliery Company regretting their inability to keep up with the usual supply of fuel in consequence of men who had enlisted and other causes diminishing the output. [This is the first overt reference to the Great War and its effects.]
The secretary reported he had ordered 20 wagons of Silkstone Washed Doubles at 17/6.
The Burnley Ironworks reported on the engine at Viaduct Shed in which they stated that it was considered dangerous to run the engine with the present trip gear on the HP cylinder. They recommended a new governor and entirely new gearing. The estimate for the work was £184, the company to provide labourers and the old material to become their property. Mr Wood was instructed to see the ironworks company thereon.
Mr Lumb attended with the conveyance of the land at Butts from Messrs Taylor to the company and explained the alterations thereto made by the vendor's solicitors. Mr Lumb was instructed to adhere to the original contract made with the vendors.
Res. That the engineer at WH be paid 30/- and the fireman £1 for the extra work during the alterations.
Res. That Lambert Robinson's tender of £33 for casing the two wheels at WH be accepted.
That no objection be made to the BUDC's provisional apportionment for the paving at Butts Road.
That the brickwork of the boilers at WH be repaired by Easter.
Res. That the loan of £5000 from E W Bailey Ltd be repaid and that other sums be accepted from:
Albert Bailey £1000, John E Bailey £1000, Jane Alice Bailey £1100, Charles W Bailey £1500, Charles Watson £400.
That £50 loan be repaid to John Hall.
It was reported that W H Atkinson had offered the Barnoldswick Working Men's Club the back land adjoining WH Mill at 4/- per yard and the front land at 4/6 per yard including paving.
Proctor Barrett.

March 3rd 1915
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Marsden's and Bilborough's accounts be paid.
That the suggested alterations to the water pipes to the boiler at Butts Mill be carried out.
Res. That Messrs Nutters, who propose to build a shed at Gillians [Bancroft Shed] be informed of the company's position re water rights. [Interesting. At first sight CHSC doesn't have any rights to Gillian's Beck water beyond their customary rights at Ouzledale. I have sound evidence that the factor which enabled Bancroft to be built was an agreement between Nutters and Slaters at Clough triggered by a marriage between the two families. However, there is a growing suspicion in my mind, fed by small clues, that Butts Mill drew some water off the Gillian's Beck by arrangement with Slaters and it may be this which is referred to. In the event, Bancroft didn't start until 1920, the last shed to be built in the town.]
Res. That empty oil barrels be sold to Brooksbank's at 3/3 each.
Res. That repairs to property mentioned by Mr Banks be put in hand.
Proctor Barrett.

March 24th 1915
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
The secretary reported the bank balance to be £622-11-2 in credit and reported a list of rents owing by the tenants and stated that the present rents at Barnoldswick were 49shillings and two fifths of a penny per loom per annum and £130-10-0 for a tape machine serving 400 looms, both based on Altham coal at 15/7 per ton.
The secretary reported the coal consumption of the three mills to be as follows:
CH Shed, [Week ending] March 6th, 45 tons 16cwt and March 13th 47 tons 11cwt, both of Sharlston nuts.
WH Mill, March 6th 68 tons, March 13th, 68 tons, Altham Coal.
Butts Mill, March 13th, 56 tons 4cwt, Altham Coal.
Transfer of 35 shares from Leonard Hartley to James hacking and 144 shares from Robert Wilson to J T Ellison sanctioned.
A report was read from the BUDC sanitary department complaining of the smoke at Butts on March 17th from 3:30pm to 4:30pm, 30 minutes black smoke, 13 minutes moderate smoke and 17 minutes no smoke.
Res. That Mr Wood explain the cause to BUDC.
Mr Wood gave particulars of the coal purchased on account of the war.
Res. That the common seal of the company be affixed to the conveyance of a plot of freehold land containing five and one fifth acres or thereabouts at Butts Mill, formerly part of Wellhouse Farm from Matthew Hartley, William Taylor and Henry Taylor for the sum of £68-4-0 in the presence of two directors and the secretary and that the memorial for the Registry of Deeds also be sealed. [I still think this the land on which Taylor Street and the gardens now stands but I'm surprised by two things; the size of the plot which suggests it is all the land on which Taylor Street and its gardens now stands, the bank opposite the Model Lodging House in Butts and the fact it was formerly part of Wellhouse Farm which stood on Church Street. Perhaps part of it is sold later for housing. We shall see! (It transpires later that when the land was offered, Taylor Street was under construction.)]
Proctor Barrett.

April 7th 1915
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
The secretary reported the bank balance to be £1150-14-6 in credit.
Res. Accounts be paid: P D Bilborough £156-6-0. H Marsden £275-9-0. Earby and Thornton Gas and Lighting Co Ltd £38-1-0 [This an odd one. It can't be for gas because this is the Earby system. The most probable explanation is that they had surplus coal and CHSC have bought it from them. It should be noted that George Proctor had interests in Earby and might have been the conduit.] Brooks and Brooks £38-10-0. John Delaney £53-14-0. Diamond Lubricating Oil Co £5-10-3. H P Cooper £79-18-0 [Looks like a complete set of new ropes at WH to me. Wiser counsels have prevailed.] Phineas Brown £7-7-0. E A Foulds 19/11. W B White 1/6. H Hartley 7/6. J Bulcock Ltd £1-12-0. J W Clough £12-8-3. Burnley Ironworks £5-14-11.
Res. That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
Res. That a boat-load of coal be weighed under the supervision of the directors.
That the Angler's Association be allowed to fish Springs Dam for £1 for the following year.
That the repairs mentioned by Mr Banks to the shafting at Butts Mill be carried out by Henry Brown.
That Messrs King, Banks, Hall and Holdsworth be appointed to examine the wheel at Butts Mill as the engineer reports several new cracks. [The old problem. I suspect the defects in the shafting mentioned above stem from rough running of the gearing. The cracks are another symptom.]
Res. That three boundary stone be placed on the land recently purchased at Butts and that it be let at ½d per square yard, the tenant to do his own fencing.
That the engineer at CH Shed be asked to explain the stoppage on Thursday morning last.
Res. That Mr Wood take charge of WH Mill for the next few months with a view to bringing down the coal consumption.
Proctor Barrett.

April 21st 1915
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: William Thornton £84-15-4. J A Nutter £1-0-10. Burnley Ironworks Co £200.
The committee reported and confirmed three new cracks in the wheel but that the engineer said there was no immediate danger. [A bit optimistic?]
Res. That the Monkswell Manufacturing Co be allowed £3-19-9 for screens to windows in their shed. [Air raid precautions black out screens?]
Proctor Barrett.

May 5th 1915
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
That the bank balance was £1819-19-3 in credit.
Mr Wood reported that the boilers of the company were badly scaled and that in his opinion the price paid for cleaning, namely 3/- at Butts and 14/- at the other mills was insufficient. [I don't know what Teddy Wood's background was, all I know is that Johnny Pickles had a high opinion of him and all the evidence in future years is that when it came to engineering matters, he knew what he was talking about. As I have noted before, the technology of boiler feed water treatment was in its infancy but the rising price of coal will force innovation. The cleaning he mentions is simple blow-down and wash-out which is no cure for the cause, impurities in feed water and is also grossly wasteful because the boiler has to be cooled and reheated, this took a minimum of 5 tons of coal. He is on the right track but needs better compo!]
Res. That the increase in payment be to 6/- per boiler.
That two lights be fixed in Butts boiler house.
Mr Wood reported that the alterations had been carried out in the boiler house at CH Shed similar to those he was pursuing at WH and that there was a reduction of 5 tons per week in coal consumption. [You might wonder what he has done to make such a significant difference. I can't say what he did but I can say what the faults were that could cause increased consumption. Basic maintenance of boiler settings [brickwork] to eliminate air leakage into the flues, intelligent management of water levels to maximise the use of hot water and avoid sudden massive injections of cold water, regular attention to fires, ashing out and constant feed at low levels, keeping the fires at the optimum thickness, good monitoring of air flow through the fires to obtain the minimum of smoke using the minimum amount of draught thus reducing flue gas temperatures in the chimney and consequent wastage. Good monitoring of activity in the mill so that increases in demand can be forecast, like knowing when the tapes were going to do an extended boil in a size beck. All these and more are important and can only be achieved if you have an intelligent firebeater properly instructed and motivated.]
It was reported that Henry Brown was willing to take further space at WH Mill at £15 per annum.
Res. That he will be allowed to take the space providing that he make his own alterations and reinstates the premises at the termination of his tenancy and that he pays any increased cost of insurance.
Res. That the rent of the present premises be raised to £53 per annum.
Mr Banks' quarterly statements for the three quarters ending on March 31st 1915 were read and accepted.
Mr Wood advised the board that coal was scarcer and that the stock on hand, about one week's supply, ought to be increased. [The increased consumption due to the war effort and shortage of labour in the mines due to volunteers going to war is taking effect.]
Res. That Mr G Whitaker be instructed to repair slates on Windle's warehouse roof.
Proctor Barrett.

May 20th 1915
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
The bank balance was reported to be £355-2-5 in credit.
Res. That tenders be obtained from Mr Bilborough for the supply of coal for the next twelve months for 50, 100 and 150 tons per week.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
A Letter was read from Dugdale and Dewhurst complaining about the state of the yard and roof. It was reported that the work had been carried out.
Proctor Barrett.

June 2nd 1915
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
The bank balance was reported as £700 in credit.
Res. Accounts be paid: H Marsden £318-3-0. W Clough £7-6-0. J Baldwin 2/4. J Heaton £7-10-0. P Bilborough £156-4-0. J Proctor £1-8-0. Wilson and Thornber £19. Brooks and Brooks £43-15-0. J W Cough £5-16-0. W Cragg 18/9. G H Baldwin £1-11-9. Burnley Ironworks £119-9-0. Anti-Incrustation Co £18-13-0. T Duché and Sons £27-6-11. H Hartley 6/2. H Brown and Sons £21. Proctor and Proctor [wages?] £71-6-9.
Res. That Altham Collieries be asked to quote a price for a twelve month contract for the supply of coal to the company's three mills in Barlick.
Res. That the plans suggested by Mr King to carry rain water from the shed at Butts be adopted and that Mr Phineas Brown be instructed to do the work.
The economiser reports for CH and WH were read and considered satisfactory.
Proctor Barrett.

June 16th 1915
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: G H Baldwin £1-10-0. J R Atkinson 9/6. H P Cooper £2-14-0. Brooks and Brooks 3/2. P&P Insurance £3. Diamond Lubricating £10-4-10. J W Clough 18-1-0. Brooksbank's £70-11-10. Dale Ironworks £7-4-0. Hopkinson Ltd £2-17-6.
Tenders for ashes accepted for year ending June 30th 1916:
CH, J R Broughton £8. WH, E Harrison £12-10-0. Butts, P Barrett and Son £5-5-0.
Contracts for coal were received from Holgate Marsden for WH and Butts and P D Bilborough for CH Shed. [Worth remembering that there were severe problem in the mining industry, rising food prices triggered wage demands and strikes for a higher wage and by February 1917 there was a shortfall of 3,000,000 tons per annum. The situation was so bad that the Coalition Government under Lloyd George took over the mines from the owners, it looked like nationalisation but in the end it was rescinded after the Armistice.]
H Marsden offered a twelve month contract to June 30th 1916 @ 18/- per ton delivered at Coates Wharf on the usual terms and conditions and with the condition that there could be a reduction of 1/- per ton for each 5% off the present rate of miner's wages and it being understood that this supply be given only if the output at the colliery be kept up to its present amount. [Many miners were volunteering for the army, a big problem for the industry.]
The present prices to apply to the end of June and the carting prices be as before.
Mr Bilborough quoted for a six or twelve months supply of 50 tons per week of Sharlston Nuts @ 20/9 delivered at CH Shed and that for every advance of 5% in miner's wages an extra 6d per ton will be charged and in the event of a reduction of 5% a reduction of 6d per ton. The offer was subject to a stoppage of pits from any cause and the quantity during such stoppage to be cancelled and not held in abeyance.
Mr Bilborough attended the meeting and promised to communicate with the colliery with a view to obtaining a lower quotation.
Res. That Mr Banks be empowered to settle with Bilborough for a twelve months contract for 50 tons a week.
Mr Bilborough offered a further 50 tons a week at the same rate but the board did not see their way clear to accepting it.
Res. That the wall at WH be repaired.
Res. That the secretary be empowered to discuss with Messrs Nutter and Edmondson the question of Edmondson's termination of tenancy at the end of July.
The bank balance was reported to be £1268-1-6 in credit.
Proctor Barrett.

June 30th 1915
P Barrett chair.
Res. That Blakely and Co's tender of £72 be accepted for work of all trades connected with the extension of the tape room for T Nutter's at CH Shed.
Reported that J Sneath [engineer at CH] had tendered his notice to cease work on July 17th 1915.
Res. That Mr Crowther be appointed engineer from July 17th 1915 at 35/- per week.
H Marsden's coal account paid £589-15-0.
Res. That P Bilborough's revised contract of 20/6 delivered at CH Shed be accepted.
Res. That E Harrison be engaged to repair all faulty flues at Butts boiler house during the holidays.
Proctor Barrett.

July 7th 1915
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Proctor and Proctor £96-9-6. J D Bilborough £157-3-0. P Hoskin £5-7-0. Heap and Thornton £3-17-0. E Harrison £21-16-0. W Cragg £2-10-0.
A notice was read from C W Bailey Ltd asking the company to increase the rate of interest on their loan to 4½% the same as the War Loan.
Proctor Barrett.

July 21st 1915
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet as read adopted subject to audit and 10% per annum dividend to be recommended to the shareholders on July 30th.
Transfer of shares from McPherson and Harrison to the beneficiaries under the Will of Susannah Pickles be sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
A letter was read from Hartley and Pilgrim re Messrs Nutter's intention to build a shed at Gillians and to make a reservoir over the stream supplying Butts Mill in which Messrs Slater had instructed them [H&P] to watch their interests and take such steps as may be necessary for their protection. They enquired if the CHSC would instruct them to act along with J Slater and Sons to protect the interests of the company.
Res. That they be instructed to act for this company as suggested.
[This looks like confirmation of my theory about Butts drawing water off the Clough Mill lodge.]
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting Seven Stars
July 30th 1915
[Printed balance sheet reports £497-16-3 brought forward, total to be appropriated is £2077-7-4. Disposition is £1519-14-0 for dividend and £557-13-4 carried forwards.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet, auditor's report and recommended dividend adopted.
Retiring directors re-elected. Director's remuneration at £60 per annum confirmed and Richard Watson and Son re-appointed auditors.
Proctor Barrett.

August 25th 1915
Res. That P Barrett be chairman, John Horsfield vice chair and Messrs Banks and King be managing directors.
P Barrett took the chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Bilborough £209-16-4. R Watson and Son £3-18-9. Wages 3129-6-6. O Whitaker £68. Burnley Building Soc £36-7-11. J Bulcock £8-7-6. J Proctor 5/6. Anti-Incrustation Co£12-6-6. G W Baldwin £8-10-5. J A Nutter 18/-. James Baldwin £31-1-0. W B White 2/-. A H Dewhurst £4-7-6. H P Cooper 8/-. P P Brown £17-3-6. H Hartley 7/6. Bradshaw and Co £23. Remington 3/6. E A Brooks £99-9-0.
Res. That Mr Samuel Yates be asked to remove manure from land in Butts. [Sam Yates was a greengrocer who had a market garden in Butts.]
That the well at Butts be cleaned out and the price determined by the managing director.
That an iron barrow be ordered for Butts Mill.
That stokers at Butts and WH be repaired.
Proctor Barrett.

September 8th 1915
Proctor Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the loan of £150 from W Suthers be repaid.
Res. That Sam Yates, fruiterer, be asked to remove manure from land adjoining Butts Mill.
That the drains at CH Shed be arranged so as to take the oils away from the wells and that Mr Blakey be instructed to do the work.
Res. That 10ft of 5” double sewn, copper [riveted] belt be ordered for WH Mill.
Res. That James Proctor be instructed to repair the stokers at Butts and WH Mill and to fix coal elevators as at Butts Mill as early as possible.
Proctor Barrett.

September 27th 1915
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
The secretary read a list of rents owing by various tenants.
Res. That the thoroughfare be whitewashed.
That the lubricator at Butts be altered as suggested by Mr Wood.
That Mr Wood be exempt from attendance at director's meetings fortnightly and that he be requested to attend once a month in consequence of him being appointed Secretary of Munitions.
Res. That the stokers at Butts Mill be thoroughly overhauled by James Proctor Ltd.
That Messrs King and Banks settle the matter of wages at Butts Mill.
That Mr P Barrett's offer of 4/- per week for Coates Wharf be accepted. [I think this is for space rented by CHSC at Coates Wharf for coal storage from Holgate Marsden.]

October 13th 1915
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That director's meetings be every fortnight on Wednesdays at 2pm.
Res. That the roof over the economisers at WH Mill be re-roofed with new slate. [Coal smoke during the night when the boilers were banked was very active chemically and attacked the underside of the slates rotting them.]
Res. That the wharf at Coates taken from Mr P Barrett be given up and he will be compensated for any loss incurred. [Was CHSC thinking of more space for coal storage and then changing their minds?]
Res. That W H Atkinson be asked who is the owner of the corner strip of land adjoining Valley Road.
That Burnley Ironworks be asked to send a man to fasten keys in the Butts Mill engine flywheel. [A constant theme. Perhaps worth mentioning that I have never come across a flywheel and jack wheel that was in such bad condition and for the life of me I can't understand why the insurance company didn't force a root and branch overhaul.]
Res. That C B Merrall repair the water pipe at CH Shed which supplies water to Mr E Sutcliffe's trough.
That Mr Wood be asked what rate of interest Bailey Ltd of Earby are being paid on the loan they have in the company.
Proctor Barrett.

October 27th 1915
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
The bank balance was reported as £1075-17-1 in credit.
Res. That accounts be paid: Wages £70-9-1. J R Broughton £20-7-0.
Res. That Crowther's wage [engineer at CH Shed] be increased to 37/6 per week.
Res. That the cooler at CH Shed be enlarged. [The cooling system for condensing water?]
Res. That the tender of Superheater Units Ltd to supply three sets of superheaters to Butts Mill be accepted at £359-10-0. [Superheaters were a nest of pipes in the hot gases of the downtake at the back of the boiler through which steam, on its way to the engine, was passed to raise its temperature and dry it out. In theory this is a good way of improving the efficiency of a steam engine. However, the Musgrave engine was designed for lower temperature saturated steam which is far less aggressive in the cylinders. Experience later showed that lubricating technology wasn't good enough to prevent accelerated wear in cylinders and this would cause trouble at many mills. Looks like Teddy Wood chasing increased efficiency.]
The secretary was instructed to reclaim £36-10-1 from E Smith being apportionment of the paving account on 49ft out of the total of 411ft 10” assessed on a frontage of land in Valley Road paid for by the company but purchased by Mr Smith on exchange with CHSC on May 21st 1902.
John Horsfield

November 10th 1915
P Barrett chair.
Res. That accounts be paid: Marsden £352-19-0. Brooks and Brooks £44-13-0. BUDC £4-11-4. G H Baldwin £1-6-0. Duché and Son £28-17-10. P D Bilborough £234-10-0. H Brown and Sons £77.
Res. That Messrs Barrett, King and Banks along with Mr Wood have an interview with Altham Colliery to complain about the quality of coal they are sending us and to see if anything can be done to get a better quality of coal.
That the privy at WH be altered to the BUDC sanitary inspector's requirements. [Worth noting that improvement of the sanitary conditions in the mills was almost always neglected until forced by the inspectors. Not the highest priority!]
That a man be engaged to put steam for heating into CH Shed and Butts Mill, time of starting work each morning to be arranged with the engineer.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
John Horsfield.

November 24th 1915
J Horsfield chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid.
Res. That J Proctor's tender for elevators for two boilers at Butts Mill for £95 be accepted.
That the economisers at Butts Mill be inspected by E Green and Sons annually.
That the boiler house at WH Mill be whitewashed and the engine house painted.
Proctor Barrett.

December 1st 1915
P Barrett chair.
Res. That George Henry Watson be engaged as engineer at WH Mill at 50/- per week. [J J Sneath has evidently left.]
Proctor Barrett.

December 3rd 1915
P Barrett chair.
It was reported that George Henry Watson would not accept the position of engineer at WH Mill at 50/- per week.
Res. That he be engaged as engineer at WH on the terms of his application, being 50/- per week for six months and after that time to be increased to 55/- per week if the directors were convinced he was worth it. [Remember that labour shortages were getting acute due to the war. George Henry has the whip hand, good engineers were thin on the ground.]
Proctor Barrett.

December 10th 1915
P Barrett chair.
Mr Crowther, engineer at CH Shed tendered 7 days notice to quit on December 18th 1915 which was accepted.
Res. That Edwin Waterworth be engaged as engineer at CH Shed at 37/6 per week.
Res. That the WC in Craven Manufacturing Co's shed be plastered and all defects made good at an opportune time.
That Mr Wood be asked if T Nutter has commenced to pay interest on the cost of the extension to his tape room.
That the question of whether rent of looms be charged on the cost of coal delivered to the boiler house (As at other Room and Power mills in the town.) be deferred until Mr Wood is present.
Proctor Barrett.

December 23rd 1915
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Wages paid £70-13-6.
The question of the rents charged by the company was discussed. It was reported that other Room and Power companies in the town were charging from 1/3 to 3/- per loom more [than CHSC] based on the price of coal delivered at the mill. The matter was allowed to stand in abeyance.
The terms on which George Henry Watson were engaged were as follows: 50/- per week for six months and 55/- per week if the directors are satisfied with the results he gives. Mr Watson's letter is as follows:
E Banks Esq. Dear Sir, will you kindly drop the PS on my letter and apply this: After careful consideration I suggest that you let 5/- per week stand over for six months, to be added at that time if satisfactory as I am determined to gain your confidence. Kindly excuse me putting you to this trouble as I have not been able to get hold of you. Yours respectfully, George H Watson. 26 Federation Street. Dec. 1st.
Further:
E Banks Esq. The directors CHSC. Sirs, In regard to the slight difference between us I would like to make myself quite clear. All I want you to do is to compare next half-year's accounts with a previous corresponding half year, deduct the enhanced price of coal and allow weight for weight and if you are not convinced I am worth it, don't pay it as I do not want a penny that I have not earned. Yours respectfully, George H Watson.
The report on the economisers at Butts Mill was read from which it appeared that they were not in a satisfactory condition, the pipes being eaten away in many cases. [This is unusual in cast iron pipes and suggests that there was some chemical action, very likely connected with organic matter in the feed water.]
The secretary was instructed to ask Green's if the economisers were safe for the present working pressure of 80psi. [This has surprised me. The usual method of running economisers is that the feed water pump forces cool water (easier to pump) through the economisers where it is heated, and onwards into the boiler. Therefore the economiser has to be able to withstand maximum boiler pressure plus the differential needed to allow flow through the system. The CH boilers are fairly low pressure, 105psi I think. This means that ideally the economisers should be capable of running at about 120psi. The pressure quoted as 80psi means that there must be another feed pump between the economiser and the boiler to raise the pressure sufficiently to pass into the boiler. Perhaps this was accepted practice in the early economisers.]
Res. That the loan of £300 from Mr Admiral King be repaid.
Res. That the usual allowances be made to the carters at Christmas.
Res. That Mr J J Sneath be paid 24/- for the time spent in steaming [shed] and 15/- for oilcloth. [For the engine house? Are these his final accounts on leaving?]

January 15th 1915
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That £300 be repaid to Henry Wilson.
That the engineer, oiler and fireman at Butts be paid £8 for extra services during the past year or such sum, not exceeding £10, as the chairman and Mr Banks may think sufficient.
That T Nutter's application for an allowance for 50 looms not yet delivered at CH Shed be left with Mr Wood to deal with.
That J J Sneath be allowed to realise his stock at WH Mill and that the land be re-let at ½d per yard. [His hen pens?]
That the engineer at CH be instructed to give better attention to the lubricating of the shafting.
That Mr Wood be requested to ascertain if the proposed rope drive at Butts drafted by Mr Henry Brown is a workable scheme.
That the balance sheet be adopted subject to audit and an annual dividend of 10% be recommended to a shareholder's meeting on December 28th 1915. [See below, changed to January 28th 1916.]
Proctor Barrett.

[Worth noting that the first Military Service Act was passed in January 1916 bringing in conscription for the armed forces.]

General meeting
January 28th 1916
[Printed balance sheet reports £557-13-4 carried forward, total of £ 2195-15-1 to be apportioned. Disposition £1519-14-0 dividend and £676-1-1 carried forward.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and dividend approved.
Proctor Barrett.

January 28th 1916
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That in consequence of the serious stoppages at Butts Mill in the last six months Mr Wood be put in full charge with a view to improving the running and bringing down the coal cost and that he be given power to discharge the present engine man [I think this is still Hewlett, appointed November 11th 1914] and fireman and [to re-engage] Mr Hogarth at 45/- per week. [The return of Albert I think.]

February 14th 1916
P Barrett chair.
P Bilborough account paid £190-15-0.
Transfer of 23 shares to Susannah Harrison of 23 Clifton Street sanctioned.
The centrifugal pump at WH Mill be put in proper order.
That the Barnoldswick Angling Society be allowed the fishing rights at Springs Dam to Feb 3rd 1917 at £1 per annum.
That Mr Wood look up the lease for Springs Dam and inform the directors when it expires.
Proctor Barrett.

February 23rd 1916
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: G H Baldwin £1-14-9. G and T [?]Hall £8-15-6. J A Nutter £2-2-4. A Dewhurst £4-4-2. Smith and Smith £8-11-2. H P Cooper £4-16-8. D Hoyle £2-7-9. Heap and Thornton £8-1-0. W Whitaker £1. Brooks and Brooks £59-17-0. J Baldwin 11/-. W Cragg £1-8-0. J Bulcock £1-3-0. BUDC 15/11.
Mr Wood reported that the Springs Dam lease expires February 2nd 1921.
Res. That the account of the Baptist Trustees for arrears of rates be accepted.
Res. That Mr Wood take the opinion of Mr J Smith on the claim for paving a portion of Valley Road against Ed Smith.
Res. That Coates Wharf offered for sale by Exors of [Colonel] J Hargreaves be purchased by Mr Wood at the lowest price possible. [Evidently Holgate Marsden was renting from Exors of Colonel Hargreaves who controlled the mineral rights of the Altham coal.]
Res. That Mr Brown submit scheme for water cooling plant at Butts and elevators for WH Mill.
Proctor Barrett.

March 8th 1916
P Barrett chair.
Res. That Messrs Barrett and Holdsworth inspect the dampers at Bankfield Shed and report to the next meeting as to the advisability of adopting the same principal at our mills.
That Marsden's account £448-14-0 and Bilborough's of £214-19-0 be paid.
That Henry Brown and Sons be instructed that their scheme for cooling water at Butts Mill has been adopted and they are to do the work as soon as possible. [I detect the hand of Johnny Pickles, he was the innovator.]
That J J Sneath be notified he has to clear the garden at WH Mill by the end of March.
That the question of insurance against Air Craft [attack?] be held over until the next meeting. Mr Wood to get terms of insurance against damage and loss of rent.
That Mr Marsden's boatmen be allowed to use the company's coals in their cabin fires not exceeding ½cwt each journey. [Clearly regularising a custom of long-standing.]
That Mr Wood be prepared at the next meeting to give the solicitor's opinion on the E Smith account for the paving in Valley Road.
Proctor Barrett.

March 22nd 1916
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
The bank balance was reported to be £183-12-11 debit. Also a schedule of the rents owing by tenants.
W&J Baldwin to be paid 6/6.
Res. That the dampers at CH Shed and Butts Mill be bricked round as suggested by Mr Wood. [The sliding side flue dampers were quite difficult to make airtight and leakage into the flues could reduce the draught available at the fire as well as cooling the flue gas in the sole flue. Some were cased in Cast Iron boxes leaving only the wire rope controlling them to be sealed. The same effect could be obtained by building a brick box.]
Res. That the question of insurance against hostile aircraft be postponed until the next meeting.
Res. That the engineer at WH have his attention drawn to the fact that advances to the work-people are only to be granted by the board (Mr G H Watson having advanced the fireman's wage 3/- without the board's sanction.)
Res. That Messrs Windle and Sons' and Henry Brown be requested to remove the rubbish deposited by them at WH Mill and to make better arrangements for the future.
Mr Wood reported that he had appointed Mr A Hogarth as engineer at Butts at 45/- per week and offered Mr Hewlett the position of engineer at Viaduct Shed at 40/- per week.
Proctor Barrett.

April 5th 1916
John Horsfield chair.
Res. Accounts be paid: H Marsden £587-16-0. P Bilborough £219-5-6. Brooks and Brooks £60-18-0. Stonebridge Foundry Co Ltd £10-4-0. Dale Ironworks £30-3-0. E Brooksbank £40-15-6. Diamond Lubricating £13-4-6. Anti-Incrustation Co £12-17-3. Blakey and Co £27-9-0. Burnley Ironworks £1-1-0. H Brown and Sons £14-12-0. H P Cooper 7/7. James Proctor £1-9-0. W Kenyon and Son £43-9-0. Gandy Belt Co £3-3-6. E A Foulds £2-7-0. J Baldwin £3-3-0. G H Baldwin £1-15-8. J T Schofield £16-15-0. E Taylor £12-7-6. Lancs and Yorks Railway Co £1-10-0.
Res. That the present fireman at Butts Mill be granted 2/- per week as a War Bonus increasing his wage to 32/- per week.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
That William Bailey Ltd be allowed to move 4 yards or thereabouts of the company's shafting from Slater Brothers in order to drive their new winding frame and that they bear the whole cost of the work.
Proctor Barrett.

April 19th 1916
Proctor Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Burnley Building Society £31-17-6. Wages £74-19-1.
The bank balance was reported to be £444-14-5 in credit.
A letter was read from Messrs Smith and Smith [Solicitors at Colne] re the paving of Valley Road abutting land owned by the company in which they expressed their opinion that we had not a strong case and the case depended entirely on the legal position that the conveyance of the property had not been properly carried out.
Res. That the architect (W H Atkinson) be requested to obtain a settlement if possible with Mr Ed Smith.
Proctor Barrett.

May 3rd 1916
P Barrett chair.
Res. That accounts be paid: H Marsden £391-12-0. P Bilborough £184-10-0.
Res. That empty oil barrels be sold to E Brooksbank's for 4/6 each.
That Wallace Broome be engaged as fireman at WH Mill at 30/- per week and 3/- per week War Bonus.
That A Hogarth be given full power to engage an oiler for Butts Mill at 28/- per week.
That coal elevators be erected for the three boilers at WH Mill and that Mr Wood be asked to get quotations from James proctor at Burnley and one or two other firms.
The question of charging rent on the cost of coal in the boiler house was again raised and it was decided that Mr Wood be asked to go into the matter for the next meeting.
Proctor Barrett.

May 24th 1916
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: J R Broughton £22-1-0. Proctor and Proctor £6-5-0. Brooks and Brooks £55-5-0. Burnley Ironworks £1-12-9. E A Foulds 11/4. Walter Cragg £1-9-0. G H Baldwin £1-12-2. Anti-Incrustation Co £6-15-0. J A Nutter £1-17-4. T M Duché and Son £20-16-4. Diamond Lubricating Co £12. James W Clough £6-10-0. Wages £95-18-2.
Res. That James Proctor's tender of £155 for elevators be accepted provided that separate chutes can be provided for each boiler, the tender to be amended accordingly.
The Barnoldswick Manufacturer's Association asked a deputation of the board to meet them on the question of allowances for looms stopped in consequence of men being taken for the army. [Conscription is having an effect.]
Res. That the Association be informed that we do not feel disposed to meet them as a deputation but will meet any of the tenants of the company who wish to put their cases to the directors.
Res. That Counsel's opinion be taken on the company's position relating to the paving of Valley Road abutting on land held by Mr Edward Smith under agreement with the company.
Res. That a further supply of oil be purchased for each of the mills. [Is there a shortage of lubricating oil because of the war?]
Mr Wood gave a statement on the rents paid by the company's tenants and Mr Banks submitted a list of rents paid by other tenants in the town from which it appeared that CHSC's rents were about 1/- and over, less than other tenants. This arose due to Altham coal being charged to the company at 1/- per ton less at [Coates] Wharf than other purchases of coal, the carting not being charged to the tenants.
Mr Wood gave a statement on the Excess Profits Duty payable amounting to £514. [The government had become aware that war conditions were allowing some firms to increase their margins and this duty was an attempt to skim off some of the war-related profits.]
Proctor Barrett.

June 7th 1916
John Horsfield chair.
P D Bilborough's account paid £230-7-0.
A letter was read from P D Bilborough stating that the price of Sharlston coal would be raised 3d per ton from July 1st 1916 and that he could not contract for a specified quantity from that date but he would do his best to supply the same quantity as last year.
Res. That we accept his price and terms of delivery. [The mining industry was struggling to maintain production due to a combination of failing management of the pits and a shortage of labour exacerbated by conscription. This was to result in the Second Coalition government under Lloyd George taking control of the mining industry in September 1916.]
Res. That Messrs King and Banks interview A Marsden with a view to arranging a coal contract for the ensuing year.
Res. That Joseph Casartelli's offer to exchange a new steam gauge for an old one at 25/- be accepted.
Transfer of 1,005 shares from Exors of John Pickup to the Beneficiaries sanctioned.
Res. That Silverwood Barrett be allowed to graze his horse on Parrock land until the end of September for the sum of £2, the company reserving the right to let the ground for roundabouts etc.
Res. That Mr Wood look up the conveyance deed of Parrock land to ascertain whether the Trustees of the Baptist Church have a window right on the land.
Res. That Wallace Broome be paid one week's wage as compensation for loss of work caused by accident.
Res. That a claim for damages caused by fires at Butts Mill (Wilson's shed and partition between store-room and boiler house) be made from the fire insurance co for £10.
Proctor Barrett.

June 28th 1916
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Proctor and Proctor (insurance) £3. James Horsfield £1-1-0. J A Nutter £1-8-0. Dale Ironworks £17-9-5. Wages £95-12-0.
Res. That H Marsden's tender for coal at 20/8 delivered at Butts and 20/5 delivered at WH Mill on the terms stated be agreed.
Res. That an acknowledgement of 6d per annum be charged for light easement at Parrock by the Baptist Trustees they having no easements except over a joint right of way. [Confusing. I think that the legal situation is unclear and that CHSC is paying a peppercorn rent to avoid dispute. As we note elsewhere, much about the rights to this land was unclear and the original conveyance was deficient and gave very little help.]
Res. That Ernest Harrison be asked to remove ashes at WH Mill.
Res. That the following tenders for ashes be accepted: Butts, P Barrett, £4. WH Mill, E Harrison, £2. CH Shed, J R Broughton, £3. For one year to June 30th 1917.
The secretary reported the rents owed by tenants.
Proctor Barrett.

July 19th 1916
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet as read adopted subject to audit and a dividend of 10% recommended. General meeting to be held on July 27th.
Res. That the output of the bore hole at Wellhouse be tested and that Mr Banks and Mr King arrange for the use of the BUDC fire engine. [Is this the expensive bore at the corner of the reservoirs or the one in the Laundry sunk by Proctor Barrett for the laundry proprietors?]
General meeting to be held July 27th 1916 at 7pm.
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting
July 27th 1916
[Printed balance sheet reports: £676-1-1 brought forward, total disposable profit is £1910-9-10. Disposition: £1519-14-0 dividend, £390-15-10 carried forward.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and dividend of 10% per annum approved. Retiring directors re-elected, directors remuneration at £60 per annum approved. R Watson and Son re-appointed as auditors.
Proctor Barrett.

August 23rd 1916
Chairman, vice chair and managing directors re-elected.
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: BUDC £1-15-8. Bradshaw and Co £29-6-0. Colne Corporation £1-10-6. A H Dewhurst £3-18-4. Anti-Incrustation Co £22-3-0. N Barrett and Sons £2-7-0. W Hough Ltd £3-18-0. J Casartelli and Co £1-5-0. Blakely and Co £56-13-0. Martin and Ridehalgh £5-10-0. Wilson and Thornber £45. Walter Cragg £17-5-0. Joseph Baldwin £35. James Proctor Ltd £95-9-3. Brooksbank and Co £41. Diamond Lubricating £31-16-0. E Harrison £10-1-3. W Kenyon and Sons 19/-. T M Duché and Sons £36-2-3.
Res. That the rate of interest on the Burnley Building Soc mortgage be accepted at 5%.
That the excess water account for Butts Mill of £1-0-6 be paid.
Res. That the following grants be made to staff at Butts Mill for overtime: Albert Hogarth £5, H Hogarth £3-10-0 and the fireman £1.
That the fireman at CH Shed be granted a War Bonus of 2/- per week. [The War Bonus was a recognition of the war inflation. The reason it was described like this was that it was fully expected that at the end of the war everything would go back to what it had been pre-war and the bonuses would be extinguished.]
Res. That the £100 loan from John Hall be repaid.
Res. That the fire engine be hired at 10/- per hour to test the well at Wellhouse. [Which well?]
That Henry Brown be requested to submit a plan of the proposed extension. [To the Mechanic's Shop. I think this was the lean-to between the main shop and the road which later housed the blacksmith's department. Henry Brown and Sons were very busy on war work. Johnny Pickles was taking in a far wider range of work like making shell lathes and specialist machining and they needed more room.]
The reports on the boilers and economisers were read.
Mr Wood read a statement showing that the rent owed by tenants was £3581-3-1.
Proctor Barrett.

September 6th 1916
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
P Bilborough account be paid £264-19-0.
Henry Brown and Sons submitted plans of a proposed Blacksmith's shop on land adjoining the Mechanic's Shop.
Res. That they be given permission to erect the buildings at their own expense and that they pay all extra rates and charges.
That empty barrels be sold to Brooksbank's at 4/9 each.
That the next barrel of boiler composition for Butts Mill be ordered from Charles Southwell, 57 Dale Street, Manchester. [Southwell's were one of the first feed water treatment manufacturers to analyse the water and tailor a composition specifically for that mill. I was using them over 50 years later at Bancroft Shed and they gave every satisfaction. It will be interesting to see how they fare with CHSC. (It becomes clear that this was the only time they served CHSC. If my later experience with them is anything to go by this is a shame. They could have improved the water treatment radically.)]
Proctor Barrett.

September 27th 1916
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance reported as £879 in credit.
The secretary presented a list of rents outstanding and warned the board about the importance of keeping a good stock of coal.
Res. That the repairs at CH Shed reported by Mr Wood be carried out.
The secretary presented the deeds to Coates Wharf recently purchased by the company from Sir J O S Thursby. [The purchase included Coates House next to the road. They must have owned the interests of Hargreaves.]
Res. Accounts be paid: G H Baldwin £2-0-1. Burnley Ironworks 17/3. Brooks and Brooks £57-17-0. E A Foulds £1-8-11. J Phelps £1-14-0. Lancs and Yorks Railway Co £1. W Kenyon and Sons £2-17-0. Diamond Lubrication Co £14-7-0. J W Clough £27-19-0. Southern and Fullalove £21-15-0. E Taylor £11-6-11. B Graham £102-8-4. Royal Insurance £10-6-6 and £55-5-6. Sun Insurance £102-14-9.
Proctor Barrett.

October 11th 1916
P Barrett chair.
Res. Accounts be paid: P Bilborough £108-11-0. Superheater Units Ltd £350-10-0 [Looks as though the superheaters have been installed at Butts Mill.]
Res. That D Wolfenden loan and interest be repaid £348-18-2.
Res. That Messrs King and Banks interview Mr G Willis to fix price and terms for allowing his hens to run on Parrock Land for 12 months.
Res. That Messrs King and Banks try to secure a tenant for the land adjoining Butts Mill and that they have power to assist in the cost of fencing the land.
Res. That a plumber be instructed to do all the necessary repairs at Butts Mill to keep out the rain and that Mr Hogarth show him the places needing repair.
Res. That the complaint from Fred Suthers at WH Mill be attended to.
Res. That Mr Wood be instructed to write to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal Company informing them that the retaining wall which acts as a support for the canal bridge at Coates is coming down and therefore requires immediate attention.
Res. That the necessary repairs to Coates House be attended to.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
Proctor Barrett.

October 25th 1916
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the price [rent] for twisting machines at Craven Manufacturing Co be fixed by Mr Wood.
The secretary reported that the cost of boating Altham Coal had risen by 3/- per boat and that the rent [to the tenants] would be raised by one penny per loom per annum.
Transfer of 13 shares from the Exors of James Ridehalgh to Mr Henry Barrett be sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That tenders be invited for electric plant at Butts Mill. [The advantages of electric lighting were becoming apparent and the new mills had dynamos driven off the shafting to provide power for electric lighting. It should be noted that this wasn't modern alternating current but 110volt DC suitable only for lighting and very small electric motors such as those on Barber Knotting machines.]
A letter was read from Messrs Southern and Fullalove with reference to Coates Wharf.
Res. That the canal company be requested to send a representative to meet the chairman on site re repairs to the retaining wall. [At Coates Wharf]
Proctor Barrett.

November 8th 1916
John Horsfield chair. Minutes as read.
Coal accounts paid: H Marsden £614-9-0. P D Bilborough £190-17-0.
Res. That Messrs King and Banks interview Messrs Heywood's foreman now working at Nutter's Shed [the new Bancroft Shed at Gillians] to ascertain if they could glaze the roof of J Windle and Sons shed with patent glazing. [Bancroft didn't finally start unto 1921 but work was going on slowly during the Great War as resources became available.]
Res. That Mr Albert Hogarth be empowered to inform the tapers at Butts Mill that he will shut off the steam to the tapes if they do not close their exhaust valves when they have cleared the pipes of water. [Any range of steam pipes carries a lot of water when steam is first applied to the cold pipes. The steam trap can deal with the small amount of condensate once the pipe range is heated but it was recognised practice to fit a by-pass round the trap running to atmosphere which could be opened to allow the range to unload the excess water as it heated up. The valve controlling the by-pass should be closed as soon as steam issues but evidently the tapers were being lax and wasting steam to atmosphere.]
Res. That the price of supplying steam to Henry Brown and Sons steam hammer be left over until Mr Woods is present. [This is the new Massey hammer in the new blacksmith's shop.]
Res. That Phineas Brown's quotation for a dynamo be not considered until Henry Brown and Sons have given us a quotation for a dynamo to supply 40 lights. [It's evident that CHSC are only thinking of lighting on a small scale, probably the engine and boiler houses, not for general shed lighting.]
Res. That BUDC be requested to repair the road at CH Shed.
Proctor Barrett.

November 22nd 1916
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Scottish Union and National Insurance £7-8-10. G E Tate £10. Wages £72-17-2.
Res. That the supply of steam to Henry Brown for a steam hammer be not entertained. [Bit harsh?]
Res. That Heywood's tender of £47-13-6 for ten skylights be accepted.
Res. That the engineer's wages at CH Shed be increased to 45/- per week.
Res. That Phineas Brown's tender for a dynamo at £20 and 12/- each light extra for Butts Mill be accepted.
Res. That the house in Calf Hall Lane [Road ?] be sold and that the managing directors be empowered to dispose of it for the best price that can be got.
Mr Wood explained that the canal company did not accept responsibility for the repair of the wall abutting on the new Coates property and that it was repairable by us.
Proctor Barrett.

December 6th 1916
P Barrett chair.
Res. That accounts be paid: P D Bilborough £173-19-9. Henry Brown and Sons[?] £283-10-0. Heap and Thornton £11-17-0.
Res. That the house at 4 Calf Hall Road be offered for sale at £280.
Proctor Barrett.

December 20th 1916
P Barrett chair.
Res. Accounts be paid: G H Baldwin 18/2. Colne Corporation 18/-. J W Clough £1-4-0. H Hartley 15/-. J Casartelli £1-1-0. Claughton and Co £4-12-0. Anti-Incrustation £16-4-3. H P Cooper £11-2-0. Diamond Lubricating £27-15-0. E A Foulds £8-4-0. Walter Cragg £3-2-0. Brooks and Brooks £127-3-0. Wilson and Thornber £21-15-0. B Graham £74-3-1.
Res. That Mr J Horsfield's and Mr E Kippax's loans be repaid with interest.
Res. That the rent for J Moorhouse and Son's knitting machine be £7-10-0 per annum from Dec 1st 1916. [Not necessarily a knitting machine as we would understand it. This could be a heald knitting machine for making healds for the looms or possibly one of the new American Barber knotters for automatically doing the twister's job.]
Res. That the rent for Craven Manufacturing Co's knitting machine be increased from £5 to £7-10-0 per annum from January 1st 1917. [I'm confused, this has always been referred to as a twisting machine before, reinforces the theory it is actually a Barber knotter..]
Proctor Barrett.

January 10th 1917
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: George Proctor £60. E B Banks £30. R Watson and Son £3-18-9. B Graham £38-17-8.
Res. Balance sheet adopted subject to audit and be presented to shareholders at a general meeting on January 25th. Dividend of 10% to be recommended.
Res. That the offer of the Altham Colliery to supply coal for the year 1917 at 20/1 per ton at Coates Wharf with certain extras be accepted.
Res. That carting by Mr Bilborough be increased to 1/- per ton.
Proctor Barrett.

January 25th 1917
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Burnley Building Society £37-10-0. W H Hitchen 14/6. BUDC £9-11-9. Dividend account £1519-14-0.
Res. That we make an investment in the War Loan and that Mr Wood make enquiries as to the terms and the amount which may be obtained from the Bank of Liverpool Ltd and the Burnley Building Society. [The interest rate on the War Loan must have been higher than commercial rates for borrowing. The history of the Craven bank was: 1880: Incorporated as Craven Bank Limited. 1906: Absorbed by Bank of Liverpool Limited. 1918: Amalgamated with Martin’s Bank to become Bank of Liverpool and Martin’s Bank Limited. 1928: Name changed to Martin’s Bank Limited.]
Transfer of 63 shares from Sarah Slater to Alice Mabel Robinson and 30 shares from F Robinson to M A Hardisty sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting Seven Stars Hotel
January 25th 1917
[Printed balance sheet reports £390-15-10 carried forward, total to be apportioned £1725-17-8. Disposition £1519-14-0 to dividend and £206-3-8 carried forwards.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet, auditor's report and recommended dividend of 10% per annum adopted.
Proctor Barrett.

February 7th 1917
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: H Banks [repayment of loan and interest] £1361-7-9. B M J Graham (wages) £102-10-3 [Must be the person at P&P dealing with wage account.] New War Loan account £300. W H Dewhurst £3-15-6. P D Bilborough £213-19-10.
Res. That we invest £6,000 in the new 5% War Loan.
Res. That the company open a separate account at the Bank Of Liverpool Ltd called 'New War Loan Account' to be overdrawn from time to time to such an extent that the company may require and the bank may see fit to allow and that any two directors, with the counter signature of the secretary be and are hereby authorised to overdraw for and on behalf of the company the said account accordingly and that the Seal of the Company be affixed to the Memorandum of Pledge Form making £6,000 5% War Loan 1929/1947 a security to the bank for our New War Loan account.
Res. That the repairs to the Viaduct engines as suggested by Burnley Ironworks be carried out at the most convenient time.
Proctor Barrett.

[Typewritten copy letter inserted in the minute book: To Messrs John Slater and Sons, The Calf Hall Shed Company Ltd and The Westfield Mill Company Ltd. [not sure what their connection is] Dr Hartley and Pilgrim.
February 1917. Attending Mr Slater on the telephone, as to instructing Mr Lomax of Manchester (who was to attend at Barnoldswick to report on another matter), to report on the question of the interference by Messrs Nutter of the water rights of your respective premises, when he instructed us to do so on behalf of his firm and the Westfield Mill Company, afterwards attending the secretary of the Calf Hall Shed Company on the telephone when he concurred and asked us to instruct Mr Lomax on their behalf as well; preparing instructions to Mr Lomax, and a copy of Mr Silcock's report obtained some months ago to accompany; writing Mr Lomax therewith and thereon, perusing his report; making copies thereof and of the plan accompanying it, for you; and correspondence with you thereon, when the matter stood over for records of the flow of water to be taken. £6-6-0.]

February 21st 1917
P Barrett chair.
Res. That a pair of steel machine moulded bevel wheels 45 X 43 teeth at 2 ¾” pitch, 8” wide be ordered from Henry Brown and Sons at the price quoted, 38/- per cwt for castings only. [Interesting. The minute-taker doesn't fully understand the technology so we need to translate. These are modern gears, instead of the old CI gears with teeth moulded in casting. They are steel castings with machine cut teeth and I think Brown's are getting the castings made and doing the gear-cutting themselves. This is advanced machining and indicates how far Brown's have moved forward while doing war contracts. We know they were making specialised lathes for artillery shell-making and these required gear-cutting technology. This is the hand of Johnny Pickles at work and in later years we will see more of it. One small point, note the odd number of teeth in the gears. A pair of bevels with matching teeth wore faster that one with an odd number. One tooth difference would do it because it ensured that every tooth engaged with s different tooth each revolution. Good practice, they were called 'hunting teeth'. Crow Nest Shed, built in 1914, had modern gearing, bigger wheels (3ft diameter) and a central lineshaft in an enclosed alley. A very good drive and made old mills like Butts look hopelessly out of date.]
The engineer at Calf Hall sent in a list of repairs which he considers ought to be done.
Res. That these be attended to.
Res. That Messrs King, Hall, Baxter and Horsfield inspect the shafting at CH Shed to see if it is being properly lubricated. If they consider it is being neglected they have power to engage a man to over[see] shafting in the whole shed. [It became standard practice to have a 'shafting man' in large sheds who was responsible for inspection, lubrication and cleaning of shafting.]
That the question of arranging terms for the re-taking of Springs Dam at the expiration of the present lease be discussed at the next meeting.
Proctor Barrett.

March 7th 1917
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: B Graham (wages) £79-15-2. H Brown and Sons £56-16-0. H P Cooper 11/7. Alex Kenyon 4/10. M Cragg £2-3-0. Brooks and Brooks £69-4-0. Diamond Lubricating £16-9-6. E Brooksbank £14-17-7. Anti-Incrustation £7-19-6. P D Bilborough £202-6-0.
The engineer at WH Mill applied for 5/- per week increase on the terms of his application of December 1st 1915.
Res. That Messrs Barrett, King and Banks interview the engineer in regard to the matter.
Proctor Barrett.

March 21st 1917
P Barrett chair.
Res. That A Marsden's charge of 1/6 per ton for carting coal from the station to Butts and WH be investigated before it is paid.
Res. That the Angler's Association have the right to fish at Springs Dam to February 2nd 1918 for 20/-.
W F Suthers and Sons sent in a request to have the passage covered over so as to hold about 24 more looms. [WH Mill]
Res. That Barrett, Holdsworth, King and Banks inspect the place and report to the next meeting as to the feasibility of the scheme.
Proctor Barrett.

April 4th 1917
P Barrett chair.
A letter was read from the Barnoldswick Manufacturing Association asking, in the event of an extended stoppage at Easter, if the company would make any concession towards rent.
Res. That for the extended stoppage and subject to the engine stopping, any saving that may be effected in coal be allowed to the tenants.
Resolved that £1000 loan be repaid to W Bailey.
Accounts be paid: P Bilborough £205. Anti-Incrustation Co £17. Alfred H Dewhurst £4-5-0.
Res. That Mr Wood reply to the letter from the Altham Colliery Co and press them to supply us with as much Altham coal as possible.
Res. That Henry Brown and Sons be engaged to put in hand at once the best system to rectify the defects in the air pumps at CH Shed.

April 18th 1917
John Horsfield chair.
Res. That the Altham Colliery Co's account for March be paid. [Are they buying direct from the colliery instead of via Marsden?]
Res. That Mr Wood be informed that the Wigan Slack coal which is coming to Butts is causing trouble with our men. One firemen has left on account of it and the present fireman won't stop over on Saturday. [A sign of the times. Bad coal causing more work and fire beaters voting with their feet. Labour shortages were giving them more power, not like the 'old days' at all!]
Res. That Mr Wood informs the Altham Colliery Co that they cannot burn it and request coal of a better quality. [Remember that the government has taken over the coal industry and allocating coal. Altham seem to be acting as distributors of other collieries output and this is why the Wigan coal is coming to Barlick.]
Transfer of 20 shares from W P Brooks to Alice Proctor Carr sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
E B Banks presented his statement of invoices received and paid to March 29th 1917.
Res. That they be accepted as read.
That Mr Wood be requested to bring the lease of Springs Dam to the next meeting.
Res. That Mr Wood write to Ernest Harrison drawing his attention to the quantity of ashes in WH Mill yard which is restricting the approach to the boiler house and causing the yard to be in a very dirty condition and that he be asked to remove them forthwith.
Res. That Ernest Harrison be instructed to repair the leakage at Ouzledale Dam and to make a cement wall behind the puddle. ['Puddle' was the sand/clay mixture used to seal the interior of dams. Though waterproof it was not mechanically strong and needed support.]
Proctor Barrett.

May 9th 1917
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Wages £191-13-8½. P Bilborough £193-13-0.
Res. That meetings be held each fortnight and that notices be sent for each meeting.
The deputation appointed to meet the engineer at WH Mill reported that the consumption of coal during the year that the engineer had been with the company was ten tons more than the previous period. [Tough on George Henry! He was probably working with inferior coal. I know from other evidence that he was a top class man.]
Res. That the engineer's wages should continue as before.
Res. That the repairs needed at Springs Dam, to the reservoir at CH Shed and the culvert at CH be done at once.
Res. That the question of increasing the size of the CH reservoir be considered later.
A Letter from Messrs Hartley and Pilgrim and a report from Charles W Lomax on the water rights of Clough and Butts Mills dated March 14th 1917 was read.
Res. That in view of the erection by Nutters of a new shed on the stream above Ouzledale [Bancroft Shed, the last new Barlick shed] the company join Messrs Slaters in the erection of a Lea Recorder by paying half the cost, not exceeding £25, providing no further costs of any kind are incurred and that CHSC have a right to see the recorder. [This is further evidence that at some time during Bracewell ownership of Butts an arrangement was made with Clough for a supplementary supply of condenser water to Butts Mill most likely to the balance pond in the Parrock.]
Proctor Barrett.

May 23rd 1917
P Barrett chair.
Res. Accounts be paid: Altham Colliery Co £480-8-0. Brooks and Brooks £53-13-0.
Res. That Mr wood write to each tenant at Butts Mill requesting them to discontinue burning refuse at the place specified in a letter from J W Horsfield complaining of a nuisance.
A letter was read from P Bilborough stating that the arrangement to supply coal to CH Shed terminated on June 30th 1917 and asking if he had to continue supplying coal after that date.
Res. That he be instructed to supply 50 tons per week and as much more as possible of Sharlston Engine Nut Coal delivered at CH at 21/- per ton.
Res. That Henry Brown and Sons be instructed to supply and fit a new air pump bucket for the engine at Butts Mill. [Heavy repair, this was a big air pump. This would have been given to Burnley Ironworks in days gone by. Henry Brown and Sons are becoming a force in heavy engine repair. Still based at Wellhouse Mill.]
Res. That Messrs King and Banks should endeavour to dispose of the ashes and flue dust privately instead of advertising the same in the local papers as previously. [The building boom in Barlick has been stopped by the war and never returned. Ashes for mortar used to be widely sought after. Those days have gone, it is now a waste disposal problem.]
Res, That King and Banks interview the manager of the Co-operative Society with a view to getting them to build up the wall in Valley Road.
Res. That Mr Wood write to Messrs Bailey Ltd at WH Mill requesting them to stop running their tape machine overtime.
Proctor Barrett.

June 6th 1917
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Rushworth Brothers £1-1-0. P&P £3. B Graham wages £82-6-11. P D Bilborough £197-9-0. James Proctor Ltd 2/-. W B White and Sons 1/3. J W Clough £8-0-6. Joseph Phelps £2-8-0. H P Cooper £3-6-6. E A Foulds £1-14-0. W Hough Ltd £3-5-0. Bradshaw and Co £24-10-0. Wilson Thornber 10/-. Wilson and Thornber £1-16-0 and £1-19-0. D Hoyle and Co £4. W H Atkinson £2-12-6. Hartley and Pilgrim £14-11-3. Joseph Baldwin £6-12-0. G H Baldwin £2-19-10. H Brown and Sons £7-7-10. Alfred Marsden £19-1-0.
Res. That no tape overtime be allowed and that Messrs Bailey be asked to cease running overtime. [I think the reasoning behind this is that the steam required for the donkey engine and the tapes (assuming they had a donkey and weren't running on the engine) was uneconomical for the company as the fireman had to keep firing the boiler at an uneconomic level of efficiency.]
Transfer of shares to: Spencer Thornton 39 shares, Ada Thornton 39, Annie Thornton 39, Samuel Thornton 39. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the Craven Manufacturing Co's claim of £36 for mildewed cloth be not entertained. [Mildew in cloth was caused by heavy sizing demanded by the merchants for certain markets and was a big problem in this trade. Not unusual to have 100% and more of size in the cloth by weight.]
Proctor Barrett.

June 20th 1917
P Barrett chair.
Res. Accounts be paid: Altham Colliery £466-9-6. Alfred Marsden £17-1-0. Brooks and Brooks £47-14-4. G H Baldwin £2-6-6.
Res. That the managing directors endeavour to engage a fireman for CH Shed and use their own discretion in the matter of wages.
That a portion of wall be pulled down to make more room in the gateway between the Laundry and J Windle and Sons' office. [WH] and that they engage carters to remove ashes from the three mills if found to be necessary.
Res. That Mr Wood get a plan and scheme and prices for automatic coal elevators for CH Shed and a date when it can be erected by either James Proctor's or E Bennis and Co and to notify the managing director when they are coming to take particulars. [Easing the load on the firebeater and making the job more attractive.]
Proctor Barrett.

July 16th 1917
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: B Graham £110-12-7. G Proctor £60. E B Banks £30. R Watson and Son £3-18-9. Leeds and Liverpool Canal 2/6. W H Heywood and Co £45-6-0. Alfred Marsden £18-13-7. E Brooksbank and Co £67-19-0. E Harrison £21-14-0. Colne Corporation £3-6-9. J Greenwood and Sons £3-1-11. E A Foulds £1-6-0. Walter Cragg 9/11. F Wooster £2. F Tyson £7-10-0. William Whitaker and Co 8/8. Wilson and Thornber £9-7-8.
Res. That the balance sheet be adopted subject to audit. That a dividend of 9% free of tax be recommended. That the shareholder's meeting be held on July 26th at 6:30pm.

General Meeting
July 26th 1917
[Printed balance sheet reports: £206-3-8 brought forward, total of £1446-12-6 to be apportioned. Disposition: £1367-14-8 to dividend at 9%. £78-17-10 carried forward.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Balance sheet and dividend approved. Retiring directors re-elected. R Watson and Son re-appointed as auditors.
John Horsfield.

August 8th 1917
P Barrett chair.
Res. That P Barrett be re-elected chairman and John Horsfield vice chair. Appointment of managing directors left over until the next meeting.
Res. That P Bilborough coal account be paid £213-9-0.
That £88-8-6 be paid to Mr William Proctor for wages to August 4th 1917 subject to stating the directors would like an explanation why the wages for Viaduct Shed are so high for the last eight weeks.
Res. That an extra War Bonus of 5/- per week be paid to A Hogarth, engineer at Butts Mill and E Waterworth, engineer at CH Shed, first payment to be made on Saturday August 18th 1917.
Res. That J Proctor Ltd be asked if they will give an undertaking to erect a coal elevator at CH Shed by the end of November 1917 if we place the order with them at once.
Proctor Barrett.

August 22nd 1917
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
The accounts submitted for payment were paid.
Mr Admiral King expressed a desire to retire from the position of joint managing director with Mr E B Banks. Mr Banks expressed a desire to be relieved of his duties as the present rate of remuneration was quite inadequate for the care and responsibility now devolving on the office. The chairman expressed the high appreciation of the board for Mr King's services and for his strict integrity of character and true regard at all times for the company's interests and he desired it to be put on record that the directors tender to Mr King their sincere thanks for the valuable services which he has rendered during his years of office.
Res. That Mr King's resignation be accepted and that Mr Banks be appointed managing director at a salary of £30 per annum income tax paid thereon at the rate applicable during the year of payment.
A letter was read from the Trustees of William Thompson asking the company to agree to an increase of ½% mortgage interest on the £5,000 making 4½% nett.
Res. That the company offer them 4¼% nett which is the equivalent of about 5¾% gross with tax at 5/- as it is at present.
Res. That Mr Atkins boiler maker be instructed to carry out the repairs needed on the No. 2 boiler at Butts Mill as pointed out by the insurance company.
Res. That Messrs Proctor, stoker makers, be instructed to supply one elevator for CH Shed providing that they can give early delivery.
Mr Wood pointed out that owing to the excessive cost of re-instating premises [Due to war inflation], the present insurance on the company's premises was quite inadequate and that he had taken out cover notes pending a readjustment and re-apportionment of the amount on each mill. He suggested that Mr Jacques of Nelson be appointed to assist him on making the re-apportionment.
Res. That the suggestion be approved and that the insurance be increased to such an amount as shall be considered necessary to reinstate the premises.
Proctor Barrett.

September 5th 1917
P Barrett chair.
Res. That P D Bilborough's account be paid £160-2-6.
Res. That George H Watson, engineer at WH Mill be granted 5/- per week increase in wages. 50/- to be paid weekly and £3-5-0 by cheque quarterly.
That the oiler at WH Mill be granted 2/- per week increase in wages.
That Messrs Barrett, Holdsworth and Banks inspect the faulty pillar and gutter at Bailey Ltd warehouse and give instructions for the same to be repaired.
That the 21 empty oil barrels be sold at 5/- each to E Brooksbank and Co.
That 15 barrels of oil be ordered from E Brooksbank to the three mills:
WH Mill, 6 barrels of cylinder oil. Butts Mill, 3 cylinder and 3 engine oil. CH Shed, 2 cylinder and 1 engine oil. [There are different grades of cylinder oil and Butts, with its superheated steam, should be getting oil formulated for the higher cylinder temperatures. No evidence here that this is being done.]
Res. That the letter from the Barnoldswick Manufacturing Association be sent to Mr Wood and that he reply to the letter (or leave it over until the next meeting if he chooses) stating that the board is not favourable to any concessions being granted as all increased costs on account of the war have had to be borne by CHSC without any increase of rent to the tenants.
Proctor Barrett.

September 19th 1917
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts submitted for payment be passed.
The secretary reported the bank balance to be £122 in credit.
Transfer of 48 shares from Ellen McPherson to Donald and Ellen McPherson sanctioned.
The secretary submitted a schedule of rents owing.
Proctor Barrett.

October 3rd 1917
P Barrett chair.
Res. That P D Bilborough September coal account be paid £191-16-0.
That the circular from HMFI be sent to Mr Wood.
E B Banks presented his statement of monies received and paid to September 29th 1917.
Res. Accepted as read.
Res. That pumps and steam pipes in CH Engine house be re-covered to prevent radiation.
Res. That Mr Wood furnish the board with basis and scale and present rents per loom at Viaduct Shed and ascertain if possible what the present rental is and what the proposed increase in rental is likely to be at the other Room and Power companies in Colne.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
Proctor Barrett.

October 17th 1917
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the accounts submitted for payment be passed.
Res. That Luke Suthers be allowed to place 16 looms in his warehouse the rent to be on the same basis as the other looms in the shed with the usual extra [charge] on the tape.
Res. That as the mortgagees of the CH Shed would not allow less that 4¾% nett, that the mortgage be repaid and the deeds deposited with the Bank of Liverpool. [Presumably the bank's interest charge was less.]
Res. That Mr Wood be authorised to see the tenants at Viaduct Shed with a view to paying rent on the same basis as the other mills in the town.
Res. That ashpit dampers be fitted to the boilers at Butts Mill as explained by Mr Wood. [A heavy hinged flap that sealed the under-firebar space from the ashpit to preserve draught. It could be lifted by a chain from the front of the boiler to give access for cleaning the ashpit at the back of the bars while the fire was burning with minimum disruption to the draught. One wonders how they managed this previously.]
Res. That Messrs Horsfield, Windle and Sons and Slater Brothers be requested to replace all broken glass in view of the difficulty in keeping the premises heated.
The secretary reported the rents owing by the tenants.
Proctor Barrett.

October 31st 1917
P Barrett chair.
Res. Accounts be paid.
That the blow-off pipe on No. 1 boiler at Butts be drilled [?] or replaced by a new one if found to be necessary, to comply with the boiler inspector's requirements.
That land behind Alice Midgely's house be let to Joseph Fawcett at ½d per square yard per annum.
That Electric light be installed in the boiler house at WH Mill Providing James Moorhouse and Son will allow the company to fix a cable to their dynamo. [There is no mention of charges for dynamos driven off the shafting in the minutes but it looks as though individual tenants were installing their own plant.]
That Wilson and Thornber be instructed to rearrange steam pipes for heating Aldersley's and Horsfield's sheds as recommended by the engineer.
That the belt drive at Dugdale and Dewhurst's winding room be discarded and that Henry Brown and Sons be instructed to fix a pair of bevel wheels to take its place.
A discussion took place on the inadequacy of Henry Brown and Sons' present rent for room and power, the coal price having increased 8/3 per ton since their rent was fixed in June 1915 at £53 per annum.
Res. That the matter be adjourned for further consideration.
That one barrel of Anti-Incrustation fluid be ordered for Butts Mill.
Proctor Barrett.

November 14th 1917
P Barrett chair.
Before proceeding with the business of the meeting Proctor Barrett moved and John Horsfield seconded:
That we place on record our deep regret at the loss by death of Admiral King. Mr King has been a prominent and useful member of the board for a great number of years, both as a director and as managing director. He was always ready and willing to do his duty and I am sure you will all agree with me when I say that I do not think there has ever been a man on this directorate who has taken a deeper interest in the affairs of the CHSC and I am sure that we all think that his place will be hard to fill and that a letter of condolence be sent to Mrs King and family expressing our sympathy with them in their bereavement and of our appreciation of the willing and valuable services rendered to this company by the late Mr King.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid.
It was reported that the Exors of William Thompson had now agreed to our offer, namely to accept 4¼% nett for the mortgage on the company's premises as from July 1st last.
Mr Wood reported that the tenants of Viaduct Shed had agreed to pay the same as other tenants in Colne as from October 1st which was 63/-.
That the bank balance was £963-18-7 debit.
The question of the rent of Henry Brown's mechanic's shop was discussed and after taking into account the large increase in the plant installed [Due to war work] by Mr Brown since the premises were first taken from the company.
Res. That the rent be increased from £53 per annum to £75 from October 1st to December 31st and £100 per annum as from January 1st 1918. No additions to plant to be made by Mr Brown without first obtaining permission in writing from the company.
Res. That a new standpipe be ordered for WH Mill. [Fire hydrant]
It was reported that a fire had occurred at WH Mill but that the damage was very slight.
Res. That the large weighing machine at Viaduct Shed be moved to Coates Wharf and that Mr Steen [weighing machine manufacturers] be asked to quote for removing the same and also the best price for the old machine at Coates. [Is this a weighbridge for carts?]
Res. That Aldersley be asked to repair his tape trunk.
Proctor Barrett.

November 28th 1917
P Barrett chair.
Res. That an extra gas lamp be fixed at the entrance to J W Horsfield's and Aldersley's loading places.
That the road leading to the above sheds be paved, that Ernest Harrison do the work and that he use all the old setts from WH Mill.
That the window in Butts Yard be glazed.
That the lightning conductor on CH chimney be repaired and that Mr Wood be asked to send a man to do the work.
That the question of removing the pump steam pipe and lighting the cellar at CH engine house be left over until the next meeting.
That an expansion steam trap be ordered for Slater's dressing room from the United States Metallic Packing Co, Soho works, Bradford.
That Messrs Barrett, Holdsworth and Banks inspect the damage done by the fire at WH Mill and decide what repairs should be done. Also decide if the old hoist motion, old fire mains and the cast iron wheel in Moorhouse's should be sold for scrap.
That George Henry Watson be allowed to whitewash the boiler house at WH Mill for the sum of 10/-, the company to supply the lime.
That the sliding gates at Coates Wharf be repaired.
That Henry Brown's offer of £7 for the old lathe in Butts store room be left over until the next meeting.
Proctor Barrett.

December 12th 1917
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
The bank balance was reported to be £219-17-1 in debit.
Mr Steen advised the board not to move the weighing machine from [Viaduct Shed] Colne until the longer days come in. [We tend to forget about the disadvantages of not having portable electric light available.]
The secretary submitted a schedule of rents owing showing that only three of the tenants were four months in arrears and in each case promises had been made to reduce the amount within the next few days.
Transfer of 50 shares from Betsy and Thomas Ridehalgh to Edward Wood sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That accounts passed be paid.
That Mr Bilborough be authorised to buy sufficient coal to keep CH Shed running.
That the Calf Hall Farm be supplied with town's water at the company's cost on the basis of 3/- per head of cattle per year owing to the pollution of the water from CH Shed. [Calf Hall Farm land abutted onto the company's land upstream at the back of the shed and I suspect that this problem is connected with the re-circulation of water back to the beck/dam behind the mill for cooling purposes. It will be contaminated with oil.]
Res. That scrap be sold to Henry Brown at £5-5-0 per ton, heavy brass scrap at 1/- per lb and light brass at 9d per lb. [Remember that Henry is still in partnership with Watts at Ouzledale foundry.]
Res. That Edward Wood be appointed a director of CHSC in place of Admiral King and that he be joint managing director with Mr Banks at a salary of £80 per annum. [Significant. Teddy Wood has become a very respected man in the district on any technical question in addition to his talents as an administrator.]
Proctor Barrett.

January 2nd 1918
P Barrett in chair.
P D Bilborough's account paid, £175-1-0. R O'Neil £16-17-3.
Res. That E B Bank's accordant of money received and paid to December 29th be accepted as read.
That H Strickland's yard and coal house doors should be repaired.
That A Hogarth and his men be allowed to whitewash Butts boiler house, yard and ceiling for 40/-.
Res. That J W Ratcliffe oiler at WH Mill be granted 2/- per week making his wage 32/- per week from January 5th 1918.
Proctor Barrett.

January 19th 1918
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts presented passed for payment.
A letter was read from S Wigglesworth and Sons as to the supply of water for Calf Hall Farm.
Res. That the farm be supplied with town's water by meter at the Company's expense.
The report of Smith Brothers from Burnley on the leakage in WH dams was read.
Res. That the matter be left over for further consideration.
Mr Wood reported on the increased amount of insurance on the company's premises.
Res. That the salary of E B Banks as managing director be increased by £10 to £40 free of tax.
The question of increasing the rents payable by the tenants in consequence of the heavy increase in the cost of providing Room and Power was adjourned until the next meeting. The present rent was 58 shillings and 11 and four fifths pence per loom per annum and tapes £188 [for 400 looms].
The price of coal was: 24/5 per ton delivered at WH Mill. 24/8 ditto at Butts Mill. 24/10 ditto at CH Shed.
Res. That the balance sheet for the half year to December 31st be adopted as read subject to audit.
General meeting to be held on January 31st and a dividend of 12% per annum less tax be recommended. [Reflect on the effect an increase in dividend had on tenants who were being asked to pay higher rent. This was an irritant.]

General meeting Seven Stars hotel
January 31st 1918
[Printed balance sheet reported £78-17-11 carried over, total of £1431-14-4 to be apportioned. Disposition is £1367-14-7 for dividend and £63-19-9 carried forwards.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and dividend approved.
Proctor Barrett.

January 31st 1918
J Horsfield chair.
Res. That the rents of the company from February 1st 1918 be 63/- per loom per annum and £200 for a tape serving 400 looms based on the cost of Altham nuts and Sharlston nuts delivered in the boiler houses at the respective mills as on December 31st last with a sliding scale of 6d per loom per annum and £3-5-0 per tape per annum for each rise or fall of 5d (or part thereof) [Now that's a significant alteration to previous contracts, in other words the rent rise is triggered as soon as coal price moves upwards, not a full 5d move as previously. On the face of it this is fair because it applies to reductions as well but the underlying trend is upwards.] in the price of coal as delivered to the boiler house. [Note also that this could mean a rent rise for one mill while others remained the same.] and a sliding scale for rates based on the present rates. No allowance to made for breakdowns of less than eight hours. Tape overtime to be 2/6 per hour. The extra cost of coal or the saving effected by the use of coal other than the present source of supply to be paid by or allowed to the tenants.
John Horsfield.

February 13th 1918
P Barrett chair.
Res. That all the employees of the company (Engineers, Firemen and Oilers) wages be increased 5/- per week starting this week in consequence of the increased cost of living due to the war.
That the accounts passed for payment be paid.
John Horsfield.

February 27th 1918
J Horsfield chair. Minutes as passed.
Wages paid £192-10-4.
A letter was received from the tenants on February 25th declining to accept the terms proposed and submitting the following facts. That 30% of their machinery was stopped due to the Cotton Control during the last five months, consequently there must be a great saving of coal. That the company's premises are the cheapest, oldest and least commodious in the town. That new and more modern sheds in the town had not asked for any increase. That the activities of the Cotton Control Board will increase the percentage of stoppages to 40%. [The Cotton Control Board was only one aspect of the increased central control of allocation of resources due to the war.]
Res. That Mr Wood be requested to meet the tenants and point out the additional costs the company have been compelled to pay since the war began and that the company cannot see any way to alter the the terms proposed.
Proctor Barrett.

March 13th 1918
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That 600 square yards or thereabouts of land in the Parrock reserved for a fair ground be let to Tom Wilson at ½d per yard per annum.
That the roller shutters at CH Shed boiler house be replaced by a door and windows similar to the last one.
That Stephen Shuttleworth be informed he has no right to graze up the bank of WH dam and that he must remove his plants and trees forthwith.
Res. That the house and land at No. 4 Calf Hall Road be offered to Mr Davies for the sum of £310.
Proctor Barrett.

March 27th 1918
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts presented for payment be passed.
Transfer of shares from W P Brooks to Henry Wilson and Margaret Ann Wilson sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Bank balance reported as £368-2-4 debit.
That the engineer at Butts be allowed to clean out the well for £3.
Res. That the lathes at Butts Mill be sold for £9-10-0. [Almost certainly to Brown. In case you're wondering, an old lathe was easily refurbished by experts like Henry Brown and Sons into a very serviceable tool. One of the great advantages of the old machinery is that there has been time for residual stresses left by cooling after casting have largely resolved themselves and any subsequent light skimming of surfaces doesn't disturb this. The consequence is very accurate castings.]
That an oiler be appointed at CH Shed at 35/- per week.
The secretary reported that he had met a deputation of the Barnoldswick tenants and that he would meet all of the tenants in the office tonight.
Notice was received from the Altham Colliery Company that the price of coal, owing to the increased cost of boating, would be advanced 1/- per ton from March 1st.
Notice was also received from Holgate Marsden stating that the cost of carting coal to Butts Mill would be increased from 1/2 to 1/6 [per ton] and to WH Mill from 11d to 1/3.
Mr Bilborough also intimated that his price for carting would be increased 6d per ton from March 1st.
Mr Baldwin of Colne also intimated an increase of the cost of carting from 8d to 11d. [From Colne Station to Viaduct Shed.]
Proctor Barrett.

April 10th 1918
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid.
Bank balance £658 debit.
Mr Wood reported the results of his interview with the tenants on the proposal to revise the rents but as no reply had been received from the tenants the matter was adjourned.
Proctor Barrett.

April 24th 1918
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid.
A reply from the tenants was read requesting the directors to drop the question of the proposed increase in rent.
Res. That the terms proposed be adhered to, that the tenants be informed of this with the request that their acceptance or refusal be signified by Monday April 29th and that in the event of refusal they be given six months notice to terminate their tenancies and that the offer previously made be withdrawn. [Have CHSC offered a concession and been refused? This is a hard line but it must be remembered that at this stage there was no sign of the collapse of the German offensive on the Western Front. In business terms the company was acting responsibly given the circumstances. Regardless of the validity of some of the tenants arguments they have to trade profitably.]
Proctor Barrett.

May 8th 1918
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Altham Colliery Co £565-8-0. P D Bilborough £172-5-6. T&E Holdsworth £9-13-6.
Res. That a portion of the Parrock be let to Silverwood Barrett until the end of October for 20/-. [Summer grazing for horses]
It was reported that Henry Brown and Sons were encroaching on J Slater and Sons' land at Ouzledale foundry.
Res. That Mr Wood bring the plan of the Ouzledale Estate to the next meeting. [Interesting that Watts isn't mentioned. I know that the partnership between him and Henry Brown finished about this time but haven't got a definite date. By 1918 Ouzledale Foundry was a busy place. Apart form castings needed by H Brown and Sons for war work, they had been making donkey engines for the new mills since before the war and all the small casings needed in their general engineering business.]
That Mr Wood order 18 rubber valves 6¼” outside diameter, 1 5/8” central hole and 5/8” thick for the new air pumps at CH Shed.
Proctor Barrett.

May 22nd 1918
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Mr Wood reported the bank balance to be £2323-16-7 debit and that no rent accounts had been sent out since Jan 31st owing to the non-acceptance of the new terms by the tenants.
Mr Wood reported the result of his interview with Mr Pickles on behalf of the tenants and that the chairman of the Cotton Control Board wished to see him with regard to the tenant's application to intervene in the matter. [This would be the chair of a local committee of the CCB.] The proposed interview had been postponed.
Res. That the original terms proposed be adhered to.
Proctor Barrett.

June 5th 1918
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the accounts presented be paid excepting that of Joseph Phelps at Colne, this to be investigated by Messrs Barrett and Banks before it is paid also that J R Broughton's account be not paid until he has sent his June account and that he be informed he must present his accounts every month without fail.
The chairman ruled that it was not in order to stamp with the company's seal any share certificate without the transfer form being produced.
A letter was read from C E Ross, Secretary to the Engineer's and Firemen's Union asking for the men's wages to be increased by 18/- per week on pre-war wages. On account of the 40 hours per week coming into operation and the probability that we will have to run with less men in future it was decided to take no action in the matter. [I'm not sure where this 40 hours comes from. There was agitation in the cotton industry for a reduction from a 55 ½ hour week to 44 hours and this was to be formally requested in February 1919. Negotiations failed and on June 21st 1919 the mills closed but two days later the Cotton Reconstruction Board intervened and negotiated a 48 hour week with an increase in wage for cotton operatives of 30% on pre-war List Prices which resulted in an and to the dispute on July 19th. Since it was the cotton worker's hours which governed the length of time the mills ran, this is where the question of hours run arises.]
The plan of the Ouzledale Estate was produced which shows that on the North side [The Clough Mill dam side] the company's land extends 5ft from the present [gas] engine house wall and 10ft from the wheel race wall and that the door on the north-easterly side of the extension opens onto company land.]
Proctor Barrett.

June 19th 1918
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Messrs Barrett and Banks reported on Phelp's account for repairs at Viaduct Shed to be quite reasonable.
The fireman at Butts Mill having been called to the Colours [conscripted] it was arranged in agreement with the engine man that until a new man was found the engineer and fireman should do the work of the other man and take half his pay. [Each?]
Res. That the two main wheels on Butts Mill engine be chipped at the weekend. [That pesky gear again!]
Mr Wood reported the result of his interview with the Cotton Control Board which was fixed for Friday morning last to the effect that he placed before Sir Herbert Dixon full details of the proposed rents which was only ½d per loom per week only and that a letter had been received from the Control Board informing the company that they were quite justified in making the increases proposed.
Res. That the draft letter to the tenants as follows [be sent]:
I beg to hand you herewith accounts for rent owing by you from February 1st last on the terms proposed in our letter of February 6th 1918. I shall be glad if you will let me have your remittance of the amount by return of post in which event the sum of £---- being at the rate of 2/6 per loom may be deducted leaving the net amount £----. In the event of you not remitting the amount by June 25th it will be presumed that you do not accept the terms and that the notice to terminate your tenancy which has been accepted on your behalf by Mr S Pickles will continue to run. I am to inform you that in this event the full rent on the new basis will be payable with interest thereon at 6% and without the allowance of 2/6 per loom (which was withdrawn by our letter of April 25th) before the renewal of your tenancy will be considered. I trust you will see your way to accept our terms and to remit your cheque before the date mentioned. The question of allowance for stoppages owing to the reduction of working hours to 40 hours per week from June 15th will be considered after September 30th when the savings effected have been ascertained.
This letter to be sent to each tenant together with their account. [The 40 hours must be a temporary local agreement, perhaps connected to the bad trade due to cotton shortage.]
The bank balance was reported to be £2238-9-7 in debit.
John Horsfield.

July 3rd 1918
John Horsfield chair. Minutes as read.
Res. The accounts presented be paid together with the following loans: Charles Watson £400. Miss J A Bailey £100. J E Bailey £750.
Res. That Miss J A Bailey be informed that we cannot increase the rate of interest and that the amount will be repaid if so desired.
Res. That £1000 be lent to the Hollin Bank Room and Power Co Ltd at 6% less tax should mr Bailey decide to leave the loan in the Company at the present rate.
Mr Wood reported that the tenants had now accepted the increase in rent and that all rents owing to May 1st, amounting to £7200 were paid on Saturday last. The position at the bank was that the Ordinary account was £3592-9-7 in credit and the War Loan account (£6,000) was £5319-17-4 debit. [Game, set and match!]
The bank's cash statement for the quarter ending June 30th was read and approved.
Mr Wood reported on the proposed repairs at CH Shed and Butts Mill and also on the coal consumption at each of the mills:
CH Shed 24 tons per week. Butts Mill 26 tons. WH Mill 29 tons. Viaduct Shed 10 tons.
40% of looms stopped and mills working 40 hours instead of 55 hours.
Proctor Barrett.

July 17th 1918
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That balance sheet be adopted subject to audit, dividend of 12 and 12/29ths % less tax being 9% be recommended. General meeting on July 31st.
Proctor Barrett.

General Meeting Seven Stars hotel
July 31st 1918
[Printed balance sheet reports £63-19-9 carried forward, £2094-18-10 to be apportioned. Disposition £1367-14-8 dividend at 9% free of tax, £727-4-2 carried forward.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and dividend approved. Retiring directors reappointed and that Henry Banks be elected a director in the place of William Perry. Director's remuneration at £60 per annum approved. Richard Watson and Son reappointed as auditors.
Proctor Barrett.

August 21st 1918
Proctor Barrett appointed chairman and E Wood and E B Banks managing directors at same salary as last year.
Bank balance £1194-16-2 credit and War Loan account £5319-17-4 debit.
Res. Accounts presented for payment be passed with the exception of Henry Brown's account which was considered to be excessive. He was asked to give full particulars.
Mr Wood reported on repairs and alterations to plant since the last meeting and made a statement of rents owed by tenants which was considered very satisfactory.
John Horsfield.

September 4th 1918
P Barrett chair.
Res. Accounts be paid: J R Broughton £22-8-0. P D Bilborough £182-1-0. T and E Holdsworth £24-16-0.
Res. That Sam Bracewell be instructed to build a partition wall at Coates Wharf for the storage of Butts coal.
That Henry Brown and Sons be instructed to fix cast iron plates to the corner at Pickles' shed.
John Horsfield.

September 25th 1918
J Horsfield chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts presented be passed for payment.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: From Hannah King and Gladys May King to: Like Suthers 20 shares. Alice Mabel Robinson 75 shares. Preston Robinson 75 shares. Emily Windle 80 shares. Seal cert etc.
Mr Wood presented a statement of rents owing which was considered satisfactory.
He also gave particulars of the proposed alterations to heating at Butts Mill and CH Shed which will probably cost in the region of £350 to £500. [Condensate return system?]
Res. That the engine men be paid on the Lancashire basis which is now £3-10-6 per week with the pre-war of £2 [That is £2 plus War Bonus of 30/-. It was thought that after the war everything would go back to as it was before but of course nobody had foreseen the increase in cost of living.] and that firemen's wages be increased 6/- per week except Plummer 3/- and that 50% be paid on all extras were in accordance with the Lancashire Agreement. The Lancashire terms for firemen and oilers were not adopted as the men employed by the company were all substitutes and not trained firemen. [That is they were in place of conscripts and the expectation was that returning soldiers would get their jobs back.]
The bank balance was reported to be £950-12-0 credit and the War Loan account £5319-7-4 debit.
Proctor Barrett.

October 8th 1918
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: P D Bilborough £238-9-0. Altham Colliery Co £402-16-4. Alfred Marsden £18-18-6. Henry Brown and Sons £250-0-0. [heating alterations?]
Res. That all bare pipes at the 3 mills be covered and that Mr Wood arrange for Sutcliffe Brothers to do the work.
That Mrs E Harrison's offer to sell the company sewer rods for 20/- and her stock of flags in CH yard at 4/6 per yard be accepted. [Has Ernest died?]
A discussion arose on the question of investing £4000 in 5% War Bonds during the Big Gun Week. At the request of the directors Mr Hitchen attended the meeting and made a suggestion that the bank advance £2000 at 5% per annum on a new account called the National War Bond account and £2000 to be paid from the current account.
Res. That the company invest £4000 in National War Bonds 1928which shall be deposited at the bank of Liverpool Ltd as security for such advances and other bank accommodation as the company may require from time to time and the bank may think fit to give and that George Proctor be authorised to sign for and on behalf of the company the form of agreement required by the said bank to accompany the deposit of the said War Bonds and that Mr Hitchen's suggestion as to payment be accepted.
Proctor Barrett.

[Cease fire on the Western Front at 11am on November 11th. The Great War was over.]

November 13th 1918
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance reported to be £15206-8 in credit.
Transfer of 100 shares at £2 each from Exors of C Dixon to M Dixon sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That accounts be paid.
Proctor Barrett.

November 27th 1918
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank Balance £355-17-9 credit.
Res. That George Henry Watson, engineer at WH Mill be paid 5/- per week extra, quarterly, upon the present wage of £3-10-6.
Res. That the company find the necessary drums for alterations to Wilson's premises, Mr Wilson paying for the fixing.
Proctor Barrett.

December 11th 1918
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank Balance £473-19-10 in credit.
Accounts be paid.
That payment for steaming the mills be at 9d per hour.
Proctor Barrett.

[Worth noting that the winter of 1918/19 was the height of the Spanish Flu pandemic. Emma Clark (see LTP) said that there were queues of funerals on Saturdays. The estimated death toll for Britain is approximately 250,000. Another factor to note is that despite world upheaval there was an assumption that pre-war conditions would automatically return, specifically that the cotton trade would automatically go back to historic market patterns. With the benefit of hindsight we know that what actually happened was a re-stocking boom which lasted until July 1920 when the trade cracked. This was the start of the long painful decline in the industry and we will see mills closing down and firms going bankrupt within ten years.]

January 1st 1919
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts be paid.
Transfer of 50 shares from Frank Perry to J S Watson sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Bank balance £210-14-8 credit.
Res. That the covering of boilers and pipes at CH Shed be done by Schofield's of Burnley.
Proctor Barrett.

January 10th 1919
P Barrett chair.
Res. That Casartelli's offer to exchange a new 10” pressure gauge for an old one for 70/- be accepted. Mr Wood to order it.
That Messrs Pickles and Monkswell Manufacturing Co's 1” pipe from the boiler house for heating shed be taken out and replaced by a 2” pipe. Henry Brown and Sons to do the work.
That Mr Wood write to F Suthers and Sons informing them that the directors cannot make provision for any increased loom space at the moment.
Proctor Barrett.

January 22nd 1919
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the balance sheet be adopted subject to audit and a dividend of 10% free of tax be recommended to a shareholder's meeting on Thursday January 30th.
Res. That the tenants be allowed for stoppages during the half year ending December 31st 1918 at the rate of 5/- per loom per annum making the total allowances for the half year 7/6 per loom and that no further allowance be made from the rent accounts. [A high figure and indicative of the difficult trading conditions.]
Res. That the engine men's wages be increased £1-5-0 per week and firemen and oilers 6/-. First payment to be made on Saturday next.
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting Seven Stars Hotel
January 30th 1919
[Printed balance sheet reports £727-4-3 carried forward £2428-17-11 to be appropriated. Disposition £1519-14-0 to dividend £909-3-11 carried forward.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and dividend approved.
Proctor Barrett.

February 5th 1919
Proctor Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Letters were read from HMFI re fire escapes.
Res. That the alterations required be carried out.
Accounts to be paid.
Res. That tenders be obtained for new or second hand boilers required at Butts.
That Norman Barrett be engaged to make a sketch of the flue arrangement at Butts Mill.
Proctor Barrett.

February 19th 1919
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the alterations, repairs and additions to fire escapes and doorways as required by BUDC be carried out.
Accounts paid and Wilson Thornber paid £75 on account.
Tenders for one 30ft x 8ft 6” boiler for 160psi pressure [Butts] were received from :
Yates and Thom £1260 plus £77 for Hopkinson's fittings, £1337. [Yates and Thom, Blackburn.]
Beeley and Sons £1280 plus £56. [Thomas Beeley of Hyde near Manchester.]
Galloways Ltd £1420 plus £65. [Galloway of Manchester.]
Res. That Yates and Thom's tender at £1337 be accepted with the option to purchase another boiler on the same terms within a reasonable period.
Res. That the tender of E Green and Sons for a set of economisers with 288 pipes for £818 be accepted. [Butts. Remember that superheaters had been fitted to the old boilers, no mention of them here so we can assume that they were going back to saturated steam and possibly raising the pressure. We aren't certain what the steam pressure was in the 1890 boiler which was installed when the Musgrave engine was installed before CHSC bought the mill. At closure the working pressure was 140psi.]
Res. That the managing directors be empowered to attend the meetings of the Barnoldswick Wages Board.
Res. That the Fire Brigade be paid to assist in cleaning the dam at CH Shed.
Proctor Barrett.

March 5th 1919
Proctor Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid.
Proctor Brothers Ltd [James Proctor Burnley] quoted £100 for a new stoker at Butts.
Res. That a further tender be obtained form Messrs Leach. [The Leach fan stoker became very popular in Barlick eventually.]
Mr Wood was requested to examine the lease of Springs Dam with a view to seeing if abandonment of the lease would affect our supply of water from Dark Hill Well. [A good question. No matter who owned it, the water from Springs was going to come down the Calf Hall Beck to CH Shed anyway. When Bracewell constructed the Springs Dam to manage the water supply to his mill at Butts I think that what he had in mind was creating a reserve in the dam which could be let down during the day in low water conditions to smooth out variations in the flow. With the improvements to the dam at CH Shed the CHSC has this ability to hold a reserve at the shed. Therefore the only question that remains is how the company can safeguard the additional supply from the overflow at Dark Hill Well. I think this is what is going through the director's minds.]
Messrs Atkinson and Co of Colne [Architect.] submitted a plan of the main flues at Butts Mill from which it appeared that it would be necessary to build new flues from the boilers to the chimney.
Res. That the matter be left over until the new plan from E Green and Sons has been received. [The new economisers will have to be accommodated in any plans for the main flue.]

March 19th 1919
P Barrett chair.
Res. That R O'Neill's tender of £26 be accepted for slating the portion of the boiler house roof at WH Mill now covered with corrugated iron.
Res. That the offer from P Barrett and Son Ltd to cart away and provide a tip for all ashes and flue dust made at Butts Mill From March 19th to June 30th 1919 for the sum of £9 be accepted. [Remember when ashes were an asset? The building boom in Barlick is over and this is now a waste disposal problem. Barrett will still be using a small quantity of ash lime mortar but most will go for making paths or simply tipping as land fill. He is charging them for disposal.]
Res. That the house and land at 4 Calf Hall Road be offered first to the tenant and then to Mr Lawson for £400. [House prices have gone up as well!]
Res. That Charlie Stockdale be reinstated as firemen at Butts Mill providing he was working for the company before joining the army and Mr Wood to send Tom Wilson seven days notice that his services as fireman will no longer be required. [The demobilisation of troops after the Great War was chaotic and there were many cases like this of disruption in the work force. Remember that Russia was in a ferment of revolution and the government were very wary of triggering off anything like that in Britain. This was the origin of the famous phrase 'Homes fit for heroes' and over reactions like the movement of tanks and troops into Glasgow during agitation for the 40 hour week. The whole subject of treatment of returning troops was a very tender subject.]
The BUDC surveyor wrote saying that the council would lend the engine and the fire brigade for the purpose of flushing out the Calf Hall Lodge subject to the company accepting all liability for the silt being washed into the stream subject to the usual charges made for the engine and brigade:
Rank first hour second and subsequent hours
Captain 5/- 2/6
2nd Officer 4/- 1/9
Engineer 3/- 1/6
Firemen 3/- 1/6
Three hours are allowed for cleaning [equipment] above the time actually employed with the engine.
Res. That the engine and brigade be employed to flush the lodge on these terms. [The question of where the silt went to was always a knotty one. At Bancroft I used to open the clow in high water conditions when the beck was running cloudy anyway. I never had any complaints about this cleaning but did it fairly frequently so that not too much was sent down at any one time. I had the advantage that most of what I produced was trapped in the disused Clough Lodge.]
Proctor Barrett.

April 2nd 1919
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Mr Wood reported the bank balance to be £603-16-9 in debit.
Mr Lomas of Atkinson and Co attended with the suggested plan for the new economisers at Butts Mill.
Res. That after being modified as suggested by Mr Wood it be submitted to E Green and Sons.
Res. That the extra block for the boiler be ordered at a cost of £6-15-0. [Lifting tackle?]
Henry Brown's account to be paid.
Res. That the tender of Leach of Burnley for one stoker at Butts Mill at £75 be accepted. [Two actually, remember that the Lancashire boiler had two flues.]
Proctor Barrett.

April 16th 1919
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Tenders were received from P Barrett and Sons, Muff and Randall and Slater and Brown for time and materials for alterations at Butts Mill but as they were not clear on the point of delivery of materials Mr Lomas of Atkinson and Co was requested to obtain explanations.
Res. That Messrs Banks, Horsfield and Holdsworth be appointed to settle the tenders when amended.
Res. That Mr Wood be empowered to offer W C Dewhurst £20 per annum less tax for five years with an option of a further five years for Springs Dam. [The security of the Dark Hill supply has won the day.]
Proctor Barrett.

Special meeting
April 23rd 1919
At a committee meeting Messrs Holdsworth, Horsfield and Banks decided to accept P Barrett and Sons' contract for materials and work for the new flues at Butts Mill for the economiser and boilers.

April 30th 1919
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid.
The secretary reported the bank balance to be £60-4-0 credit and that he had offered Mr Dewhurst £20 per annum less tax for Springs Dam but that he had refused the offer and asked for £25 per annum net.
Res. That Green and Son's tender for paving WH yard at 15/- per yard for about 280 yards be accepted.
Re. That No 2 boiler at Butts Mill be offered for sale and that the secretary order one further boiler from Yates and Thom on the same terms as the last one.
That Burnley Ironworks be asked to send a man to the wheel at Butts Mill. [The jack wheel and second motion again.]
Res. That the plan of the economiser by E Green and Sons for Butts Mill be approved.
Res. That a fireman be appointed in the place of T Wills at CH Shed.
John Horsfield.

May 14th 1919
J Horsfield chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Mr Barrett be asked to add more lime to the mortar for the work at Butts Mill. [They are using ash lime mortar and the lime is what gives the mortar its strength.]
Loan of £200 and interest be repaid to Herbert Edmondson.
Mr Wood read a report from the Burnley Ironworks Co on the Butts Mill engine flywheel and the new segment recently fitted by Henry Brown and Sons as follows:
“We found when we examined the flywheel that the teeth of the new segment do not bear as they should. Some of them only 1½” at the end and others a short distance in the middle, the first tooth not at all, it is open at the joint and the fitting bits on segment to arm ends not fitting at all. The shape of the wheel seems to have been lost altogether and it is running in a very unsatisfactory state and we find we can do nothing with this segment to make a satisfactory job.”
John Horsfield.

May 28th 1919
J Horsfield chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Mr Banks be deputed to get rid of the boiler [No. 2 at Butts Mill] to the BUDC Gas Department at a minimum of £150.
Res. That the wages of Stockdale, fireman at Butts Mill be increased 9/- per week from last week. The amount to be paid quarterly.
The bank balance was reported to be £478-1-4 in debit.
Res. That the diversion of the 4” gas main [Butts] be made in view of the alterations to the economisers as suggested by the gas manager, the company to bear the cost.
Proctor Barrett.

June 11th 1919
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Mr Banks reported the results of the test on the boiler at Yates and Thom witnessed by himself, Holdsworth and Wood. [Normal procedure for the customer to witness the proof test.] The test to 260psi was satisfactory. [This is a hydraulic proof test and would be witnessed by the insurance company as well. The pressure is the working pressure of 160psi plus 50% plus 20psi. The recognised standard. The result of this test and the date would be stamped in a prominent position on the boiler, usually near the top manway together with the works number.]
Res. That Messrs Banks, Barrett and Holdsworth take in hand the cleaning out of the well and pipes at WH Mill.
Transfer of 50 shares from Theophilus Watson to Peter Robinson (at 48/6 each) sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the firemen's wages at WH Mill and CH Shed be advanced 6/- each per week.
It was reported that the alterations at Butts Mill were being satisfactorily carried out, that the new flue to the chimney had been completed, that the workmen had worked during the holidays and overtime and it was resolved that the foreman be given 10/- and the workmen 5/- each extra.
Proctor Barrett.

July 9th 1919
J Horsfield chair.
Res. That Henry Brown and Sons be informed that they have not to obstruct the thoroughfare or cause any inconvenience to J Windle and Sons' workpeople. Also to remove all their iron and materials from both sides of WH yard so that the ground can be levelled and paved.
Res. That P Barrett and Sons Ltd's offer to clear ashes and flue dust from Butts Mill for 3 months anding September 30th 1919 for £9 be accepted subject to them subject to an allowance of 13/9 per week for every seven days stoppage of the engine.
Res. That Mr Wood be asked to explain why the Vulcan Boiler Insurance are sending inspectors to inspect the boilers at WH Mill and CH Shed.
Proctor Barrett.

July 16th 1919
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Mr Wood explained that the instructions to the Vulcan Insurance Co had been given without his authority and that the instructions had been cancelled.
Res. That accounts and wages be paid.
Res. That the balance sheet be adopted subject to audit, a dividend of 10% per annum free of tax be recommended and that the general meeting be on Thursday July 24th.
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting Seven Stars Hotel
July 24th 1919
[Printed balance sheet reports £909-3-11 carried forward and £2614-13-3 to be apportioned. Disposition was £1519-14-0 to dividend and £1094-19-3 carried forward.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and dividend approved. Retiring directors re-elected. Director's remuneration at £80 per annum approved and R Watson and Son reappointed as auditors.
Proctor Barrett.

August 6th 1919
Chair, vice chair and managing directors reappointed. Mr Banks' salary increased to £50 per annum plus tax.
Res. That the Premier Appliance for boilers as ordered by Mr Banks be approved.
Res. That the question of disposing of Viaduct Shed be deferred for six months. [Cliff edge! We know with hindsight that the climate is going to worsen after July next year. Worth mentioning that many large mills, mainly spinning mills, were recapitalised at what later looked like ridiculously high figures and a lot of money flowed out of the industry in consequence. Weaving wasn't as badly affected but there was an air of speculation around in the post war boom.]
Bank balance reported as £1524-6-1 debit.
Proctor Barrett.

August 20th 1919
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance reported £3059-15-5 debit.
Mr Wood reported the cost of patent glazing to be 1/8½ per foot super less 5%, and 2/- per foot super and 5% off including top lead flashing.
A letter from Messrs Mills and Co re inspection of fire escapes was read.
A letter was read from the Ocean Boiler Insurance Co re boiler insurance.
Res. That the prices be obtained.
Mr Wood strongly urged the board to at once get tenders for repairs to the Butts Mill engine to enable high pressure (160psi) to be used.
Proctor Barrett.

September 3rd 1919
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid.
Res. That the insurance of the boilers with the Ocean Accident and Guarantee Corporation ltd be £4000 on each boiler at a cost of £6.
Res. That the oiler's wages at CH Shed be increased 5/- per week.
Proctor Barrett.

September 17th 1919
J Horsfield chair.
Res. That a second mechanical stoker for an 8ft 6” boiler exactly like the one just delivered be ordered from Leach at Burnley at the price quoted £80 subject to any increase in materials costs or wages being added.
That the increase of 5/- per week granted to the oiler at CH Shed at the last meeting be amended as follows: That an increase of 3/- per week be granted to the oiler and 2/- per week to the firemen.
Res. That the wages of the oilers at Butts and WH be increased 3/- per week.
A letter from BUDC re the fire escape was read.
Res. That Henry Brown and Sons be notified that they have to comply with the BUDC requirements and fix the fire escape to their satisfaction.
It was reported that the supply of coal from Altham Colliery was altogether inadequate, the following being the quantities supplied for 20 days August 28th to September 17th:
September 3rd 16 tons, 5th 24 tons, 10th 15 tons and 13th 20 tons. Total 75 tons.
Res. That Mr Wood be informed of the serious position we are in for coal and that he endeavours to the utmost of his ability to get us a better supply.
Proctor Barrett.

October 1st 1919
P Barrett chair.
Res. That P Barrett and Sons offer to cart ashes and flue dust from Butts Mill to December 31st 1919 on the same terms as the last quarter be accepted. [£9]
That S Pickles' request to enclose Mill Street be not agreed to.
J Livsey having not replaced the rail fencing on his land as agreed it was resolved that he be given one month's notice to terminate the tenancy of the land.
Res. That a portion of land in Parrock be offered for sale to Fred Wilson at 2/6 per yard measuring in a straight line from the barn to Parrock Street and the building occupied by Thomas Robinson, for the sum of £130.
Proctor Barrett.

October 15th 1919
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid.
Bank balance reported as £3536 in debit.
Res. That Henry Brown and Sons be requested to make good the fire escape over their premises in accordance with HMFI requirements.
Slater Brothers wrote to say that they had been fined 10/- and costs in ten cases, a total cost of £10-10-0 owing to our engine man having over-run by three minutes during the dinner hour. [July 1919 saw the settling of the negotiations which resulted in the 48 hour week in the textile industry and in the heated climate 'time cribbing' was seen as a serious matter.]
Res. That although not accepting liability in any sense we contribute half the cost and that our engine man be informed of the fact and warned that in future the company will not make any contribution towards any expense which tenants may be put to. [Even in the 1970s this was still a sensitive matter. I always made certain that the shed clocks were synchronised with the engine house clock and that I stopped and started dead on time every day.]
Transfer of 30 shares from Georgina Cant and Jane Woodward to Elsastay[sic] Bell sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Proctor Barrett.

October 29th 1919
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
It was reported that the bank balance was £4851-19-2 overdrawn, that three tenants had paid the rent due, that nine tenants owed one month's rent, Three owed two months rent and one owed four month's rent making a total of £3785-16-7. The tenants in arrears had been pressed for payment and had promised to make a remittance.
The Gledstone Estate agent wrote asking the company if they were prepared to make an offer for the small plot of land upon which the well at WH Mill stood [in Eastwood Bottoms] and for which the company pay £10 per annum.
A letter dated October 10th was read from HMFI re the heating of the sheds and it was reported that it had been passed forward to the engineers with instructions that the sheds must be kept to the [statutory] temperature otherwise the engine must be stopped.
Mr Wood reported that J W Horsfield had asked for a reduction of rent owing to the stoppage during the shortage of coal and that he had replied to say that no allowance could be made and that in all probability rents would have to be increased. [Coal production was seriously depleted and there was much unrest in the mines.]
Accounts paid.
Proctor Barrett.

Special meeting Seven Stars Hotel
November 3rd 1919
P Barrett chair. Full board present.
A desire having been expressed that the company should dispose of its Viaduct Shed property seeing that values were rising and that this appeared to be an opportune time for obtaining a good price it was resolved that Viaduct Shed be sold providing not less that £20 per loom be obtained for it.
Res. That George Proctor be empowered to negotiate the sale of the property on the above understanding and that he be paid a commission of 5% on the purchase price.
[A smart move and one detects the hand of GP here. There was an air of speculation about because the trade was booming. Many thought that the happy pre-war days were here again. They were to be disillusioned late in 1920.]
Proctor Barrett.

November 12th 1919
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid.
The bank balance was £2477-9-2 debit. Ten tenants owed one moth's rent, two tenants one and a half months, three tenants two months rent and one tenant two and a half months. Total owing £3444-7-4.
Res. That Anderton be appointed oiler at CH Shed at 50/- per week.
Proctor Barrett.

November 26th 1919
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £3297-15-5 debit.
Accounts were paid.
Res. That prices be obtained from Henry Brown and Sons and Varley's of Skipton for the engineering work required for the extension of 28 looms in Aldersley's warehouse at Butts Mill.
Res. That the whole of the Parrock, with the exception of the three cornered piece on the side of the stream be offered to the Conservative Club Barnoldswick at 5/6 per square yard the house at £130 with a proviso that no [weaving] shed be built on the land.
A Report was read on numbers 1&2 boilers at CH Shed from which it appeared that No. 1 boiler required re-plating. The work was in the hands of Yates and Thom, Blackburn.
Proctor Barrett.

December 10th 1919
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1935-16-2 debit.
Accounts to be paid.
A letter from Yates and Tom re the repairs suggested by the insurance company was read [CH].
Res. That the repairs be held over until the insurance company had indicated how best the repairs could be carried out.
With reference to the instructions to the secretary to sell Viaduct Shed:
Res. That we confirm the sale of Viaduct Shed, shops and house to Tom Hargreaves and Sons for the sum of £21,750 on the following terms of payment:
£2000 deposit. (Already paid). £9750 on January 1st 1920, £10,000 on July 1st 1920, the balance of the purchase money to be subject to interest at 6%. [Give GP his due, he doesn't hang about! Sold at the top of the market.]
It was reported to the meeting that the Conservative Club had agreed to purchase the Parrock land at 5/6 per yard as offered.
Res. That the necessary steps be taken to carry out the purchase.
Res. That the rearrangement of the company's capital be left until after the Annual Meeting.
Proctor Barrett.

December 24th 1919
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2160-13-8 debit.
Accounts to be paid except Henry Brown and Sons which be not paid until full particulars are submitted.
Res. That the circular letter submitted to the tenants fixing the rent at 104/- per loom per annum and £350 for tape machines from January 1st 1920 be approved.
Res. That from January 1st 1920 the rent for the WH Mechanic's shop to Henry Brown and Sons be increased to £200 per annum and the rent of the Laundry to be £75 per annum.
Proctor Barrett.

January 14th 1920
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Wages cheque drawn £112-11-1.
Res. Balance sheet be adopted subject to audit, dividend of 10% be recommended and general meeting to be on January 24th.
That P Barrett and Sons' tender for removing ashes from Butts Mill for three months at £15 be accepted.
Res. That the objection received from W Barrett and Sons to the increase in their rent to £75 be not entertained. [At some point Barrett's Steam laundry builds its own premises at the junction of Gisburn Street and West Close Road. Incidentally, the last factory chimney built in Barlick.]
Res. That a cheque be signed by the chairman for director's fees, salaries and commission to G Proctor on sale of Viaduct Shed.
Mr Wood reported that £11,750 had been paid to the bank on account of Viaduct Shed leaving a balance of £10,000 [on Viaduct] and that there was no indebtedness to the bank on account of War Bonds.
Res. That Mr Wood be authorised to negotiate with the Altham Colliery Co with regards to improving the supply by any method which they may suggest.
The question of paying E B Banks commission on sale of land was discussed and ut was resolved that in preference to paying him a commission he should be paid £50 for extra services rendered to the board during the abnormal times they have been passing through.
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting Seven Stars hotel
January 29th 1920
[Printed balance sheet reports £1094-19-3 carried forward and a total of £2975-5-11 to be apportioned. Disposition £1519-14-0 to dividend and £1455-11-11 carried forward.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and dividend at the rate of 10% per annum for the half year approved.

February 4th 1920
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Letters were read from the Craven Manufacturing Co Ltd stating that they were taking out 32” looms at Butts and replacing them with 36” and this would mean 18 looms less. Also a letter asking that the eight hours during which no allowance would be made for stoppage be reduced to four. Also a letter complaining of the stoppages at Butts Mill recently and asking for half rent for two weeks last year during the Railway Strike.
Mr Banks offered to measure the premises with a view to confirming S Pickles and Sons' loom space.
Mr Wood reported that the repairs necessary to avoid further stoppages except coal shortage were already well in hand.
Res. That Mr Wood meet Mr S Pickles on the points raised.
Res. That the sale to Mr William Brown, Wellhouse Works [Willy was Henry Brown's son] of the plot of land abutting on the dams [at WH] and Valley Road and containing 6574 square yards be approved the purchase price being 4/3 per yard, £1396-19-6. All water and other rights to be retained for the benefit of the company. [Henry Brown and Sons had expanded during the war and needed more space. The foundry at Ouzledale now run by them alone was over-stretched as well. It's worth noting that when Watts finished Henry Brown brought in a young ironfounder from Leeds, James Cecil Ashby as foreman, this name will become important later on. Browns bought the land at Havre Park to erect a new foundry, the sale being completed in September 1920 and the first pour of metal was in 1922. Browns kept the Wellhouse Shop and it was Johnny Pickles intention to eventually move all the machinery into Havre Park and gain independence from the CHSC. Teddy Wood was an important figure in all this as he had a very high regard for John Pickles and recommended him for heavy repair jobs at other firms he was acting for. Willy Brown wasn't too keen on moving out of Wellhouse because he feared another firm might step in and take their work. He was wrong of course but the fact that they kept both shops running raised overheads and the harder times after 1920 when the re-stocking boom dried up were to lead to trouble later, see October 1929.]
Res. That the sale to the Conservative Club of the land forming part of the Parrock and the house thereon as shown on the plans submitted for £1798-14-0 be approved and confirmed. [Bear in mind that at this time there was a general air of buoyancy in trade and expectations for the future. The war was over, trade was booming, this was a good time to sell and there can be little doubt that the wise counsels of George Proctor had a part to play, I have an idea he could see the flaws in the overheated economy.]
Proctor Barrett.

February 18th 1920
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid.
Mr Banks submitted a sketch of the premises occupied by the Craven Manufacturing Co which showed the number of looms charged at the moment to be in agreement with the space available on the 40” basis so that there seemed to be no allowance due to the tenant in changing the narrow looms to broader looms.
Transfer of 50 shares from Frank Perry to Fred Robinson sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Proctor Barrett.

[Inserted in the minute book is a quotation from E Holdsworth, carter of Gisburn Road (Formerly T&E Holdsworth) offering to cart ashes from WH Mill and CH Shed for £6 per week.]

March 3rd 1920
John Horsfield chair.
Res. That a cheque for £3026-4-8 be signed for repayment of the mortgage and interest to Burnley Building Society.
Accounts paid: P Barrett and So Ltd, J R Broughton and T&E Holdsworth.
Res. That W H Holdsworth's offer of £415 be accepted for the house at No. 4 Calf Hall Road now occupied by Thomas Barlow.
Res. That Mr Wood look up and ascertain if the Palace Skating Rink Co is paying an acknowledgement for strip of land on the dam side at Butts Mill.
Reported that H Brown and Sons had paid £60 deposit on the purchase of the land in Valley Road.
Proctor Barrett.

March 10th 1920
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Mr Wood reported the bank balance to be £3879-14-2 credit and that the mortgage with Burnley Building Soc had been repaid £3026-4-8 including interest.
The question of making a distribution of bonus shares was discussed and it was resolved that a shareholder's meeting should be called to carry out the following recommendations of the directors:
1.That the capital of the company be increased to £75,000 by the creation of 40,000 additional shares of £1 each ranking with the present share capital.
2.That Extraordinary General Meetings be called to carry this into effect and to alter the Articles of Association enabling the company to distribute reserves or accumulations of capital in the way of bonus shares and to issue one share for each share held at the time the reserve[?] shares are placed.
3.To increase the qualification of directors to ? Shares.
Res. That the secretary prepare the necessary notices and that the meetings be held in sufficient time to enable the shares to be distributed before June 30th 1920.
Proctor Barrett.

March 24th 1920
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance reported as £4317-10-4 credit.
Res. That the common seal of the co be affixed to the conveyance of the house (Parrock) [4 Calf Hall Road] to W H Holdsworth for the sum of £415.
Res. That the draft conveyance of the land, 6574 square yards, abutting on the dams at WH to W&H Brown engineers for the sum of £1396-19-6 on the conditions set out in the draft be approved.
Res. That the draft agreement for the sale of two plots of land, 5635 yards and 433 yards respectively for the sum of £1798-14-0 to Messrs B Holden Junior, Fred Wilson and Thomas Hartley as representing the Barnoldswick Conservative Club be approved.
Mr Wood suggested that the company's properties should be thoroughly repaired and that the engine houses should be decorated.
Res. That the matter be resolved until the next meeting.
Proctor Barrett.

[Inserted in the minute book is a letter dated March 18th 1920 from J W Horsfield, Monkroyd Shed [Butts] to CHSC: Dear Sirs, re your rent account. I notice that you have £4-9-11 added for increase in the price of coal. I cannot understand this as over the last 6 months we have run very little over half-time which means you have only used half as much coal. Neither can I understand why this mill runs so many less hours than CH or WH. I always understood the three mills were one company yet when this mill has been stopped, cart loads of coal have been carried past this mill to Calf Hall. This has happened more than once.
Yours truly, J W Horsfield.]

April 15th 1920
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance reported to be £4516-0-4 credit.
Res. That two loans of £1000 each be repaid.
The chairman reported in touching terms of the death, since the last meeting, of Mr Henry Banks and proposed that the deepest sympathy of the board be conveyed to his widow and daughter in their sad bereavement.
Res. That Leach's stokers be fitted to the three boilers at WH Mill and that a tender be obtained for a new economiser at WH.
Res. That the three engine houses be decorated on the lines of Fernbank Mill, Barnoldswick. [One of the new mills] Mr Banks to superintend the work.
That £1 extra be paid for office cleaning at Butts Mill for this time only.
That No. 2 boiler at CH Shed be plated during Whit week.
Res. That the chairman and managing director, E B Banks, be empowered to settle with Mr Marsden and Mr Crabtree with regard to the use of Coates Wharf for coal loading and storage. [Bear in mind that CHSC now own the wharf.]
Proctor Barrett.

April 28th 1920
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £3582-4-2 credit.
A tender was received from Mr Eccleston for painting the company's property.
Res. That the tender be accepted as follows:
Property Outside painting Engine house
CH Shed 276-5-6 57-5-6
WH Mill 462-11-6 75-3-6
Butts Mill 371-19-0 71-10-6
Totals £1,110-16-0 £203-19-6
Res. That Mr O'Neill be instructed to reinstate the shed and boiler house roof at WH Mill at a cost of £34.
That a set of economisers be ordered for WH Mill as quoted by E Green and Son at a cost of £1534. These were quoted at £910 in February 1919.
Res. That the common seal of the company be affixed to the conveyance to Blackburn Holden, Fred Wilson and Thomas Hartley of a plot of land containing 5635 square yards and another of 433 yards or thereabouts forming part of the Parrock and particularly described in the conveyance submitted by Hartley, Pilgrim and Hayman, solicitors, Colne. Sealed etc.
Proctor Barrett.

Extraordinary meeting of shareholders
Seven Stars. April 28th 1920
P Barrett in chair.
[Printed extracts inserted in the minute book showing the changes made to the Articles of Association giving powers for the bonus share distribution and raising the qualification for directors from 200 to 400 shares.]

May 5th 1920
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Mr Walter Metcalfe of Burnley Ironworks attended the meeting and pointed out the serious condition of the high pressure cylinder. [Butts Mill engine.]
Res. That he be instructed to thoroughly examine the engine and report on the necessary repairs to the next meeting. [We have had no mention, but have to assume, that the working pressure has been increased following the installation of the new boilers rated at 160psi. From other evidence I suspect that the plant was running on 140psi steam, much higher than the designed pressure in 1890. It looks as though the strain is beginning to tell and don't forget that for a long time the engine was running on superheated steam at the lower pressure. The common experience with superheated steam, especially on older engines, was accelerated wear in the cylinders due to the high temperatures attacking the crude lubricants in use. Like boiler composition, the technology was lagging behind requirements.]
Res. That an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders be called for Wednesday May 19th 1921 at the Seven Stars to be called immediately after the meeting already called for the above date and that the following resolutions be proposed:
“Res. That the company hereby authorises the directors to capitalise £30,394 being part of the appreciation in the value of buildings and plant of the company and that such sum shall be divided and distributed in the form of ordinary shares of the company (credited as fully paid up) as a bonus amongst the ordinary shareholders of the company in proportion to the ordinary shares held by them respectively (All of which are fully paid up) and accordingly that the directors are hereby authorised to satisfy such bonus by distributing amongst them, in like proportion, 30,394 unissued ordinary shares of £1 each of the company credited as fully paid up.”
Proctor Barrett.

May 19th 1920
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Mr Wood reported the bank balances being as follows: Current a/c £3804-16-6 credit. War Loan Account £5337-0-1 debit. [? I thought this had been reported as in credit.]
Res. That a cheque be drawn transferring a portion of the current account to the War Loan account.
Res. That the engine men, firemen and oilers wages be increased by the same rate as the cotton operatives namely 283% on net earnings. [Some confusion here. In the early months of 1920 while trade was good the weaver's wages had been increased by 70% on list prices. [List prices were the standard wages for weaving of different classes and was used as the base for wage agreements in the weaving trade.] This brought the weaver's wage to 215% on the list price. The 283% quoted might be a local adjudication. It soon became obvious that the trade was in trouble and by early 1921 the employers were seeking a reduction of 95% on list. Negotiations failed and on June 3rd 1921 the mills closed down and didn't resume until June 25th when an agreement of 60% reduction immediately and 10% the following December was reached. So, perhaps the CHSC are being a bit unlucky here!]
Engine men £4-15-6 to £6-2-9. Firemen £3-10-0 to £4-10-0. Oilers £3 to £3-17-6. The wage of George Henry Watson at WH Mill to be £6-9-0.
Transfer of shares: From Travis Harrison Wilson; 50 to William Frederick Suthers and 50 to Luke Suthers. Seal cert etc.
Wages paid £114-2-6.
Proctor Barrett.

Extraordinary general meetings at Seven Stars hotel
May 19th 1920
P Barrett chair.
The minutes of the last extraordinary general meeting were read and it was reported that the resolutions then submitted had been passed unanimously and it was therefore resolved that the resolution then passed be confirmed as a Special Resolution.
Immediately after the conclusion of the previous meeting it was Resolved:
That the company hereby authorises the directors to capitalise £30,394 being part of the appreciation in the value of buildings and plant of the company and that such sum shall be divided and distributed in the form of ordinary shares of the company (credited as fully paid up) as a bonus amongst the ordinary shareholders of the company in proportion to the ordinary shares held by them respectively (All of which are fully paid up) and accordingly that the directors are hereby authorised to satisfy such bonus by distributing amongst them, in like proportion, 30,394 unissued ordinary shares of £1 each of the company credited as fully paid up.

June 2nd 1920
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
A letter was read from Mr Bilborough informing the company that the Sharlston Colliery Co had disposed of their colliery and that all supplies to Barnoldswick were to be cut off. As we were receiving 50 tons per week for CH Shed the matter was considered to be serious and the managing directors were instructed to obtain coal wherever possible. [The coal industry was in a mess. Remember that it was still operating under government control and the Sankey Commission in 1919 had recommended nationalisation of the mines so that the industry could be rationalised. Therefore the owners thought that this may be on the cards and evidently some of them were bailing out. In point of fact the coalition government led by Lloyd George strung out negotiations and eventually de-controlled the mines in March 1921 returning them to private ownership. By that time the country was in recession and the owners immediately dropped wages. This resulted in a Lock-out until June 1921 and continuous disruption of supplies from then on. Coal is going to be a headache!]
Res. That sanction be given to postpone completion on the land at Wellhouse by H Brown and Sons until September 30th 1920 the interest in the meantime to be charged at 6%.
The report of the Burnley Ironworks report on the repairs necessary on the CH engine was read from which it appeared that the work could be carried out any week-end or during the summer holidays. [Butts was a bigger job and it was job number 152 on the 1921 order books at Burnley Ironworks.]
Res. That the work be carried out during the summer holidays.
Res. That the present cooling arrangements on the west side of CH Shed be altered in accordance with the drawing submitted by Mr Barrett.
Res. That Mr Lowcock be approached re the purchase of a small plot of land on the NW side of CH Shed abutting onto Calf Hall Road to enable the company to erect a cooling tower over the stream on its exit from under the shed.
Res. That the draft agreement for the allotment to Mr George Proctor on behalf of all the other shareholders of the company of £1 fully paid up ordinary shares as a bonus out of capital appreciation for each £1 share held was approved. Seal cert etc.
The share certificates for the bonus shares were sealed, certified etc.
John Horsfield.

June 16th 1920
J Horsfield chair. Minutes as read.
Mr Wood reported the bank balances to be as follows:
Ordinary account £544-3-7 credit
National War Bond account £1845-6-4 debit.
New War Loan account £521-18-6 debit.
In view of the payment of the balance on Viaduct Shed by Messrs T Hargreaves and Son on June 30th it was resolved that the mortgage of £5,000 be repaid to the Exors of W Thompson and that the amounts borrowed from the Bank of Liverpool on the War Loan be also repaid. [This explains the debit we noted.]
Transfer of 97 shares from the Exors of Alfred King to Luke Suthers and 260 shares from Exors of Henry Holdsworth to Charles Prince Waller be sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Proctor Barrett.

June 30th 1920
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank Balances reported: Ordinary account £1363-11-8 credit. National War Bond account £1845-6-4 debit. New War Loan account £521-18-6 debit.
Accounts paid.
Messrs Atkinson and Co submitted drawings for improving the cooling plant at CH Shed. Mr Wood reported that there was sufficient piping on the premises to carry the whole of the water from the hot well at CH to this cooling tower and it was resolved that the new 6” pump be transferred to CH and the cooling plant altered as per plan.
Res. That the questions of coal storage, removal of ashes and the installation of electric light at Butts Mill be placed on the agenda for the next meeting.
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting at Seven Stars Hotel
July 16th 1920
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet, dividend approved. Retiring electors reappointed, director's remuneration at £80 per annum approved. Richard Watson and Son reappointed as auditors.
Proctor Barrett.

[Bank of Liverpool commercial news: January 1920 gives good report for Barnoldswick. July 1920 report is less optimistic. By October picture is gloomy and coal strike begins October 16th 1920. By December depression is reported as acute. CHSC have rearranged the company and sold assets in the nick of time.]

August 11th 1920
Chair, vice chair and managing directors reappointed. Question of salaries left over until the next meeting.
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2584-0-6 credit.
Accounts be paid.
Res. That the house on Calf Hall Lane [?] be offered for sale at £500 and that a whitewash spraying machine be ordered at once.
Mr Wood reported that large amounts had been added to the insurance of the premises and explained the position with regard to depreciation value of the premises as affecting the insurance.
Res. That Mr J W Horsfield be informed that the directors expect the damage done to the hoist by the carelessness of his men to be made good at his expense.
Proctor Barrett.

August 25th 1920
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank Balance £767-11-5 debit.
The chairman referred to the death since the last meeting of the Vice Chairman John Horsfield who had been a board member for thirty years and had taken a keen and intelligent interest in the affairs of the company. He was a very highly respected member and we feel sure we shall miss him very much. He proposed that we place on record our deep regret at his loss and that a letter of condolence be sent to the members of his family.
Res. That the well at WH Mill be cleaned by P Barrett and Sons.
Res. That the managing director's salaries be increased to £100 each and that the secretary's salary be increased to £200, all free of tax.
Accounts paid.
Proctor Barrett.

September 8th 1920
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts presented including wages be paid.
Bank Balance £1095-17-7 debit.
Res. That Bleakley's rent of land at WH be £15 per annum and that all other ground rents be increased to a basis of about 4d per yard.
That Mr Wood take in hand the repairs to the boiler at CH Shed as set out by the insurance company and which could not be carried out at the last holidays owing to the embargo on overtime by the engineers. [Most likely the outside engineers who would be union men.]
The report on the economisers at CH was considered to be unsatisfactory.
Res. That the engineer's attention be drawn to the matter.
Proctor Barrett.

September 29th 1920
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Mr Blackwell's tender for repairs to CH chimney as follows be accepted:
Taking down top portion and rebuilding an additional 20ft in Accrington brick with one iron band at the top. £195. Pointing the whole of the chimney with mastic cement and boiled oil. Repairing the lightning conductor and fixing new copper rod. £102.
It was reported that the report on the economisers at Butts Mill stated that the foundations appear to be wet.
Res. That the interior of the economiser [chamber] be bricked by P Barrett and Sons. [Water in the foundations of boilers and economisers was always a serious matter on the grounds not only of economy but attrition to metal parts from water in the air.]
Accounts paid.
Proctor Barrett.

October 14th 1920
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1836 debit.
Mr Wood made a report on the insurance now effected on the company's premises.
WH Mill. Royal Insurance Co £16,350. Sun Insurance Co £16,350. Cover note from London Assurance Co £16,350. Ditto from Liverpool, London and Globe £16,350. Total £65,400.
Butts. Norwich Union £18,375. Sun Insurance £6,125. Cover notes as above for £18,375 each. Total £61,250.
Calf Hall Shed. Sun Insurance £11,175. Alliance Insurance £11,175. Two cover notes from London Assurance £11,175 and £22,350. Total £55,875.
Res. That the question of purchasing coal wagons be deferred pending further information as to the cost of running and the savings effected on the price of coal.
Accounts paid.
Proctor Barrett.

October 27th 1920
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid.
Bank balance £1877 debit and rents owing £7813-1-6.
Res. That the secretary press for immediate payment of all overdue rent accounts and that in future payment be made immediately on demand.
Mr Wood made a report on the Coal Emergency Order which fixed the maximum consumption of fuel at 50% of the average consumption during the previous four weeks, to commence on October 16th. The order was variable however on application to the local authority, should they, in the public interest deem it necessary, to increase the percentage of time. Such an increase had been granted to BUDC through J W Thompson the gas manager who had been appointed the Coal Emergency Officer and he had, by letter of October 26th date fixed the mill hours from 7am to 4;30pm except on Saturdays when usual time has to continue. This means a diminution of 5 hours per week only as against the requirements of the Order for 50% or 24 hours stop out of 48 hours.
A breakdown occurred at Butts Mill on Tuesday and Henry Brown and Sons were engaged in carrying out the repairs. This was approved.
Transfer of 440 shares from the Exors of Henry Holdsworth to Dorothy Agnes Reid sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That two coal wagons be purchased [railway trucks] and that the chairman, Holdsworth and Banks be appointed to inspect the wagons and purchase such of them they thought desirable.
A letter was read from the Altham Colliery Company in which they agreed not to send any further supplies of Top Bed Nuts.
Res. That Proctor Barrett and Sons be empowered to do the necessary repairs to the dam at WH Mill in order to stop the leakage.
Proctor Barrett.

November 10th 1920
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank Balance £140-8-6 credit.
Accounts paid.
The chairman reported that the deputation which visited Wakefield to inspect railway wagons had purchased four wagons at £292-10-0 each as they were assured that one wagon would make one journey per week and that two wagons would be quite inadequate to cope with the supply required for Calf Hall Shed.
Res. That the purchase be approved.
Res. That the economisers at Butts Mill be insured for damage by explosion £1300 and damage to surrounding property £1300. at an inclusive fee of £6-1-0. [Are these economisers working under full boiler pressure now plus the differential needed to force water into the boiler? Could be 200psi. A more serious explosion risk.]
Mr Wood gave a report on the rents owing and letters were read from S Pickles and Sons and the Craven Manufacturing Co intimating that money was very stringent and that they required more time in which to pay their rent account. [Times are getting hard.]
It was also reported that Moorhouse and Sons had declined to settle their account and would pay the rent when they thought fit. Mr Wood was instructed to secure payment forthwith. [!!]
Proctor Barrett.

November 24th 1920
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £894-9-11 credit.
Accounts paid.
Mr Wood made a statement of the rents owing.
Transfer of shares from Exors of Elizabeth Dent: 62 to Martha Fort. 62 to Elizabeth E Sheldrick. 62 to James W Dent. 62 to Robert Dent. 62 to Thomas W Dent. 62 to Joseph Henry Dent. 62 to Catherine J Wolfenden. 62 to Annie Waller. 70 to Margaret Wright. 62 to Isabella Campbell. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the chairman, Mr Holdsworth and Mr Wood be empowered to arrange a better scheme for disposing of the ashes from Butts Mill than at present.
Joseph Slater.

December 8th 1920
Joseph Slater chair. Minutes as read.
Mr Banks and Mr Slater reported that Mr Lowcock was not prepared to dispose of the small plot of land at Calf Hall but would put the whole farm up at a price. [Does this affect the plans for a cooling tower?]
Bank balance £2042-5-5 credit.
Proctor Barrett.

December 22nd 1920
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1263-12-3 debit.
Transfer of 350 shares from Alfred Horsfield (Exor of John Horsfield) to James Horsfield sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That J Baxter, Senior, be repaid loan and interest on December 31st.
Res. That the tender of P Barrett and Sons for ashes at Butts Mill at £25 for the quarter to March 31st 1921 less 1/- per load for ashes tipped on the Parrock be accepted. [Not clear but he is being paid for removing them.]
Proctor Barrett.

January 5th 1921
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £768 debit.
Accounts paid.
Transfer of 382 shares from Laura Hartley, The Bungalow, Gisburn Road, Barnoldswick to George Henry Ibbotson sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That one half the cost of repairing the hoist at Butts Mill in J W Horsfield's portion be paid by the company. The total amount of H Brown and Sons account being £32-9-6.
BUDC drew the attention of the company to the deplorable condition of that portion of the roadway commencing at the end of the paving in Longfield Lane (better known as Crowfoot Row) to the road leading therefrom to Ouzledale Foundry.
Res. That a letter be sent to BUDC in the following terms:
“Your letter of the 29th ultimo with reference to the condition of the roadway from the paving in Longfield Lane to the road leading to Ouzledale Foundry to hand.
I am instructed to inform you that the company does not acknowledge any responsibility for the repairing of this road. I am also to point out that the present condition of the road appears to be brought about by the drainage from the property between the Dam and the Greyhound Inn. If this was put in order the putting of the road into a reasonable state of repair would be a very simple matter.”
[Until very recently when the road was capped with limestone chippings it was very clear that the road surface was broken slag from the furnace at the foundry. It may be that the tenants of the foundry repaired the road using materials available on site for their own convenience. CHSC is naturally distancing themselves from any acceptance of responsibility for the repairs. It should be remembered that at this time there was a constant flow of requests for BUDC to adopt new roads and relieve the developers of responsibility. I can remember a time when the allocation of responsibility hinged on whether the council had lit or drained a street. This was seen as tacit acceptance of responsibility.]
Proctor Barrett.

January 19th 1921
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance reported as £672-10-8 debit.
Res. That the balance sheet be adopted subject to audit and a dividend of 10% free of tax be recommended to the shareholder's meeting on January 27th 1921.
Res. That the charge made to tenants for the five months ending November 30th for the extra cost of coal at the rate of 8/6 per loom be allowed to them. This was made notwithstanding the fact that the cost of coal during the period was more than the basis price. The allowance being made in recognition of the large number of looms standing because of bad trade.
Accounts paid.
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting Seven Stars Hotel
January 27th 1921
[Printed balance sheet reports £1629-14-6 carried forward £3462-17-6 to be apportioned. Disposition £3039-8-0 to dividend, £423-9-6 carried forward.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and dividend approved. Director's remuneration at £160 per annum approved.
Proctor Barrett.

February 9th 1921
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance reported as £5726-15-5 debit.
Accounts paid.
Res. That the quotation from Mr O'Mara for the repair of the top of WH chimney be accepted. £65 plus ½ per lb for new belts [bands].
Proctor Barrett.

February 23rd 1921
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the suggested alterations to the conveniences at WH Mill to comply with the Medical Officer and HMFI be carried out and that P Barrett and Sons draw up plans for submission to BUDC.
Proctor Barrett.

March 9th 1921.
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid.
Bank balance reported as £5351-8-9 debit.
It was reported that rents owing amounted to £8593-17-5. As several of the tenants are in arrears and as our account at the bank is overdrawn and the rate of interest was 1% above Bank Rate, namely 8%, it was resolved that the tenants be informed that in future the CHSC will be compelled to give one month's notice to charge 8% on arrears. [The bright outlook of 1919 and early 1920 has evaporated. We are seeing the start of what was to prove to be terminal decline in the weaving industry.]
Res. That the adjustment of the allowances for stoppage of looms and the credit to be given for stoppages be made at the end of the half year and that the tenants be informed of this arrangement.
Transfer of 250 shares from Alfred Horsfield and John Horsfield to Alfred Horsfield be sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the plan for the rearrangement of the conveniences [WH] be approved and that the work be carried out by P Barrett and Sons.
Res. That a new convenience be fixed in the house at Coates Bridge [wharf] and that P Barrett and Sons do the work.
Proctor Barrett.

March 23rd 1921
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance reported as £3226 debit.
Accounts paid.
Mr Wood reported rents owing as being £5000.
The letter submitted to the tenants re the allowance for stopped looms and the notice to charge interest from March 31st was read and approved.
Letters were read from Mr T Nutter, the Craven Manufacturing Co Ltd and William Bailey Ltd re the allowance for stoppages.
In the case of the Craven Man. Co. they made changes in their looms which resulted in there being 11 less looms in their premises that hitherto. The number charged for rent was 825, 280 of which were 36”, 372 41” and 162 at 45”, a total of 814 of average reed space. In the terms of the agreement of January 1st 1920 however, the total number to be paid for should be 843, namely 280 of 36” charged as 280 looms, the basis of the others being that each 40” of reed space should be charged as one loom. The Craven Manufacturing Co asked the company to reduce their charges from825 looms to 814 which is 29 looms less than the company is entitled to charge for under the 1920 agreement.
Res. That the tenants be informed that the directors are not desirous of re-opening this tenancy and that should the tenants insist upon the question being reopened the basis would be on the terms of our letter of January 1st 1920 and that the number of looms to be paid for would be 843.
Res. That the account from R Blackwell's for repairs to CH chimney, including charges for re-setting flues amounting to £575-19-5 be rejected as the charges are not in accordance with the contract. The work was not done by skilled bricklayers, the time charged had not been worked, the rates per hour were altogether too high and that the travelling charges were not chargeable to us.
Proctor Barrett.

April 6th 1921
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance reported to be £2750 debit.
Mr Wood read a list of the rents owing by the tenants showing that two tenants were five months in arrears, three were three months, five were two months and five were one month. Total arrears £8015.
A letter was read from J Windle and Sons, Wellhouse, intimating that they would claim for loss on non-delivery of 150 pieces [of cloth] owing to the company having stopped the engine for Easter Week.
The letter was laid on the table.
Mr Banks presented a report by the Sanitary Inspector [BUDC] and a letter requiring numerous repairs to the house at Ouzledale. The directors visited the house and works and it was resolved that the house be made habitable. [James Cecil Ashby, Henry Brown's foreman founder, was living there at the time. The foundry was still in full production, the first melt at Havre Park wasn't until 1922.]
E B Banks.

April 20th 1921
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank Balance reported as £2617 debit.
A list of rents owing amounted to £7241.
A letter was read from Messrs Armstrong and Taylor, solicitors, Oldham pressing for payment of R Blackwell's account for repairs to the chimney and brickwork. [CH chimney and flues]
Res. That the secretary be instructed to reply thereto.
Mr Banks reported that he had sold to the gasworks 100 tons of our stock of coal owing to the coal strike. [See My note of July 20th 1920. The mines had been de-controlled and given back to the owners who had immediately instituted a wage decrease and subsequently locked the miners out. Note also that the directors had remembered the help they got from the gas manager in October 1920.]
Res. That a further 100 tons be offered with the suggestion that it be used for household purposes. [It wasn't only the gasworks that was short, domestic coal deliveries had almost ceased.]
Res. That a bath and lavatory basin be fixed in the house at Coates Wharf and that an extra rent of £4 per annum be charged. The cost was estimated to be £50. [Times are changing, inside water closets and bathrooms!]
Proctor Barrett.

May 4th 1921
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance reported as £1885 debit.
Accounts paid.
Mr Wood reported rents owing to date as £9479. [An indication of how the tenants were suffering. A far cry from the heady days of the first half of 1920. Things were not going to get any better, what we are looking at is the long decline in the Lancashire industry.]
The chairman reported the results of the conference held at the Town Hall between the Emergency committee (Coal Control) and mill owners in the town with a view to arranging the supply of coal to the gasworks and householders in consequence of the coal strike. [The government had moved quickly to put in place administration to organise and regulate coal supplies under the umbrella of the Emergency Powers Act of March 31st. They offered a continuation of the subsidy which had been paid under government war control but this failed to bring a resolution to negotiations between the owners and the miners and the strike call which had been postponed came into effect at 11:59pm on April 15th. This was, in effect, a general strike of transport as well as the mines. Lloyd George called all representatives in for talks and managed to avert the general strike, leaving the miners to fight alone. This was 'Black Friday' seen by the miners as a betrayal and never forgotten. It is the results of the continuing action by the miners which is causing the shortage.]
The resolution passed at the Town Hall meeting was that the gasworks and householders should be supplied for the next fortnight and that it [the coal] should be obtained from those mills where the supply was the greatest and in proportion to the supplies over and above a fortnight's requirements.
It was reported that the company had allowed the gasworks to have 176 tons of coal and that we had 375 tons left.
It was also reported that two or three mills in the town had no supply of coal namely: J Slater and Sons [Clough Mill], the Long Ing Shed Company and J Nutter [Nutter Brothers had started Bancroft Shed in 1920, James Nutter and Sons Ltd were weaving at Bankfield Shed so I think this is who is being referred to.]
Res. That we allow J Slater and Sons Ltd 25 tons of coal at the same rate as that paid by the Coal Controller. [Remember that there was a relationship between CHSC and Slaters in respect of water from Gillian's Beck.]
A letter was read from the solicitors of R Blackwell again pressing for payment of his account. The correspondence with the firm was read.
Res. That the account be not paid but that we offer to pay the value of the work done as agreed by independent valuers appointed, one by each party.
Proctor Barrett.

May 25th 1921
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1654 debit. Rents owing £8301.
Accounts be paid.
A Letter was read from Messrs Holdsworth stating that their price for carting coal would be 1/- per ton less as from June 1st.
Res. That the leakage from the goyt [watercourse] at CH Shed be attended to and that Proctor Barrett and Sons be instructed to proceed with the work.
The chairman reported the result of the meeting of the Coal Emergency Act Committee which was to the effect that with the exception of two firms, the supply of coal to the mills in the town would not last more than ten to fourteen days. In the two cases referred to one firm held at least five to six week's supply and they were apparently unwilling to carry out the arrangement arrived at at the first meeting. It was resolved that no further coal be released until surplus stocks held by other firms in the town had been dealt with. [In the 1970s I used to carry ten weeks supply at winter burning rates on stock all year round. About 350 tons.]
Mr W Metcalfe of Burnley Ironworks attended the meeting after examining a crack in the cylinder at Butts Mill engine. He took a serious view of the position and stated that the company was running serious risks of breakdown. He was requested to give an estimate of the cost as soon as possible.
Proctor Barrett.

June 8th 1921
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1193-12-11. rents owing £9693.
Accounts paid.
Mr Wood and Mr Banks reported that they had an interview with Mr Blackwell re his claim of £570 for repairs to CH chimney and flues and that they had settled the claim for £460 plus £10-10-0 costs. This was approved.
Mr Metcalfe of BI attended with an estimate of the cost of supplying one new [HP] cylinder at Butts Mill in place of the cracked one as follows:
“We will undertake to supply, deliver and fix: One new Corliss HP cylinder 26” diameter by 6ft stroke prepared for separate steam and exhaust Corliss valves. The front flange to be spread out to meet the existing frame and supported by strong brackets between the flange and cylinder body the back end of the cylinder being carried on a small cross bed bolted to the stone foundations. Two new covers and polished CI, polished shell cover plates. One new piston, 26”, complete with junk cover and three Ramsbottom rings. Cylinder studded and covers fitted. Also we will skim up the old steam and exhaust valves and open out bolt holes on the bonnets to receive larger bolts. All for the sum of £756.”
Res. That the tender be accepted and that BI be also asked to supply steel steam pipes and a new stop valve. [The old ones would be CI and not fit for the higher pressures.]
Res. That the Conservative Club be allowed to draw water from the stream to water the bowling green from now until Christmas for 10/-.
Res. That Mr Wood be instructed to give information and attend at court re the thefts of coal from Butts Mill last week.
It was stated that a quantity of coal at Butts Mill had been sold to householders and that there was now no coal at any mills in the town. In addition a strike of cotton operatives on the proposal of the masters to reduce wages 95% on list, reduced afterwards to 70%, took effect from Saturday last.
Joseph Slater.

June 22nd 1921
Joseph Slater in chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid.
Bank Balance £521 credit. Mr Wood reported that £1917 had been paid since the last meeting, balance still owing £7775.
A letter was read from the Burnley Ironworks Co re the condition of the metallic packings and the desirability of having larger valve spindles fitted with metallic packings on the new cylinder.
Res. That they be instructed to put the work in hand. [Metallic packings had been so successful on piston rods that they were used on valve spindles as well. This turned out to be no improvement on the old fashioned ground faced seals. Metallic packings are fine on a sliding rod but nowhere near as efficient of the reciprocating shafts of the valve spindles. Another application where they failed was in the front glands of tandem air pumps due to the difference in temperature between the steam and condenser ends of the rods.]
A letter was read from Thomas Nutter re the stoppage of 14 days in February due to the dangers of running less that 200 looms. He claimed allowance at full rent. [The 'less than 200 looms' is a telling remark. Running at high pressure and very short cut-off for only a light load was the most severe test an engine could have. If valve settings and governor control wasn't perfect this could mean very unreliable running. Quite obviously Butts Engine wasn't up to the task.]
Res. That he be allowed whatever his lease provides. [This is slightly tongue in cheek. The lease has no provision and Thomas Nutter knows this. He is trying it on.]
Proctor Barrett.

[End of Minute Book 6. Transcription completed March 10th 2011. SCG.]
CALF HALL SHED COMPANY LIMITED
MINUTE BOOK 7. July 11th 1921 to September 19th 1928

[Transcribed by Stanley Challenger Graham. All entries in [] are notes by SCG. Transcription commenced March 11th 2011.]

July 11th 1921
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and report adopted subject to audit. Dividend of 10% free of tax to be recommended to a shareholder's meeting in the Seven Stars Hotel on July 21st 1921.
Res. That the scale of allowances to tenants for savings in coal as submitted to the meeting be approved.

General meeting Seven Stars Hotel
July 21st 1921
[No printed balance sheet inserted]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and dividend of 10% free of tax approved. Retiring directors re-elected.
The shareholders submitted a resolution that the number of directors should not be less that nine and that whenever the number falls below nine the vacancies should be filled.
Richard Watson and Son re-appointed as auditors.
Proctor Barrett.

August 10th 1921
Res. That Proctor Barrett be chair, Joseph Slater vice-chair. E B Banks and E Wood be managing directors at same remuneration as last year.
Mr Wood submitted a report on rents owing by tenants.
Res. That the offer of P D Bilborough to supply Bentley washed doubles at 44/6 per ton in our wagons be accepted for a sufficient quantity to keep CH Shed running provided he reduce the price whenever the general price of fuel of this class is reduced. [The affects of the chaos in the mining industry.]
Res. That the interest on the loan to Henry Brown and Sons be at the rate of 7% per annum from July 1st last.
Res. That the end house in Calf Hall Road be sold at the best price obtainable but not less than £425.
Res. That the waste places in Suther's portion of WH Mill be repaired.
Mr Alfred Marsden attended and agreed that the supply of outside coal should stop on Saturday next and undertook to give a continuous supply of Altham Nuts coal to WH Mill and Butts Mill from Monday next at 42/2 per ton at Coates Wharf. The carting prices be 3/6 per ton to Butts and 2/5 to WH Mill.
Proctor Barrett.

August 24th 1921
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank Balance £3835-17-11 debit.
Transfer of 182 shares @ £2-5-0 each from George Henry Ibbotson to John Duckworth. 300 shares @£2-5-0 each from George Henry Ibbotson to Alice Mabel Robinson. Seal cert etc.
Accounts paid.
It was reported that the price of Bentley coal from P D Bilborough had been reduced 3/- as from August 18th bringing it to 42/6 per ton in our own wagons. Cartage extra at 2/3 per ton [To CH].
Mr Wood submitted a report showing that the allowances for saving in coal and stoppages from January to July 31st 1921 amounted to £3,500.
Res. That the allowances be approved.
Res. That £6 be granted to E Green's men for erecting the WH economiser in good time and that the system of circulating proposed by their foreman be adopted. [Is this direct feed from the economiser into the boilers at a pressure high enough to overcome resistance in the system?]
Proctor Barrett.

September 7th 1921
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £3011 debit.
It was reported that the quality of coal now being used at WH and Butts Mills was very bad and it was essential that a change should be made in the source of supply.
Res. That prices be obtained from various agents ready for the next meeting.
Rents owing £7619.
Res. That those in arrears be asked to reduce the amount at the earliest possible moment.
The question of reduction in wages paid to engine men, firemen and oilers following the reduction of 60% [on list] in weaver's wages be left over until the next meeting.
Proctor Barrett.

September 14th 1921
P Barrett chair.
Tenders were received for a supply of coal to WH and Butts Mills in consequence of the very inferior quality of Altham coal, it was necessary to obtain supplies from other sources.
Res. That the following tenders be accepted:
P Bilborough, Bentley Washed Doubles delivered at Barnoldswick 42/- and Acton Hall 42/- at Barnoldswick. The contact to be for 12 months and at the market price at the pit.
Res. That the supply of Altham coal be stopped on September 30th and that the tender of T E Holdsworth for carting at 1/8 per ton to either WH or Butts Mill be accepted.
The other prices for carting were Alfred Marsden 2/3 per ton and P Bilborough 1/10 per ton.
Proctor Barrett.

September 28th 1921
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1633-1-4 debit.
Accounts paid.
Res. That the firemen at WH and CH change places with a view to giving Watson, the WH fireman, an opportunity to improve himself. [Gets him away from his dad?]
Statement of rents owing submitted.
Proctor Barrett.

October 12th 1921
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £5876 debit. Rents owing £8333.
Transfer of 100 shares from Frank Perry to Alice Mabel Robinson and 100 shares from Frank Perry to Ada Duckworth sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the wages of workmen from October 22nd be as follows:
Task Butts Calf Hall WH Mill
Engineer £5 £3-15-0 £5-5-0
Fireman £3-15-0 £3-15-0 £3-15-0
Oiler £3-5-0 £3-5-0 £3-5-0
Reports on the economisers at the three mills were read from which they appear to be in order.
The temperatures were as follows:
CH, flue gas 650F-410F, water 110F to 225F.
WH Mill, gas 650F -300F, water 114F -200F.
Butts Mill, gas 650F-300F, water 118F – 260F
[From these figures it looks as though Butts economiser is the only one that is running under boiler pressure. The others could be much higher. In terms of economy they are losing out here.]
Res. That the rent of the dynamo proposed to be erected by Henry Brown and Sons be £15 per annum. [This would be belt driven off the shafting.]
It was reported that a stoppage had occurred at Butts Mill owing to a shortage of water and the boilers blowing off for low water, a joint having given way in the engine house. The fireman stated that he had given the engineer ample notice of the failure of the supply [of feed water from the pump] but the engineer denies this.
Res. That a letter be sent to the engineer (Albert Hogarth) by Mr Wood placing the responsibility on him and for the future safety of the plant instructing him to report to receive instructions from the managing directors. [It was standard practice for boilers to be fitted with a Hopkinson Duplex high steam and low water valve which acted as a supplementary high steam safety valve and also as a low water warning because if the water level in the boiler reached a dangerously low level an internal float on the surface of the boiler water descended and opened the steam escape valve to relieve the boiler of strain, lower the steam pressure and give an audible warning to the firebeater (on some valves a whistle was fitted actuated by the escaping steam). What has happened here is that a joint in the high pressure main from the feed pump on the engine has given way and there wasn't enough pressure to force water into the boiler. A very dangerous circumstance and one of the most common causes of boiler explosions.]
Proctor Barrett.

October 26th 1921
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £6263 debit and rents owing £7381.
Res. That the non-supply of power to H Brown and Sons during 46 working days up to July 11th be £10. [Brown's had a back-up gas engine but were still entitled to a rebate for loss of turning power during normal working hours.]
Proctor Barrett.

November 9th 1921
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £3854-17-9 debit. Rents owing £7564.
Accounts paid.
Transfer of 520 shares from Charles and Annie Waller to Seth Mundy and Harold Mare (Representatives of the Bank of Liverpool) sanctioned. Seal cert etc. [Very likely security for a bank loan.]
Res. That the wages for extra work done by the engine men and firemen be as follows [cleaning]:
Economisers 20/6 previously, now 16/6. Flues, 50/-, now 40/-. Boiler, 11/6 now 9/6. And that the allowances for extra time put in by the workmen for warming sheds in winter be reduced to 1/6 per hour.
Res. That a runway be erected at Butts Mill to facilitate the removal of ashes.
Res. That two oil economisers be ordered for CH Shed at £8-5-0 each. [Usually filters for cleaning used oil from the crank pins so it can be re-used in the bearings or for general oiling.]
Proctor Barrett.

November 23rd 1921
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £3654 debit and rents owing £7364-8-6.
HMFI's report as to fencing of shafting, repairs to door and damp wall was placed before the meeting. As most of the work had been put in hand except for the shed wall in Wilson's portion it was resolved that the roadway outside the shed be cemented to keep out the rain.
The claim made by the Craven Manufacturing Co for repairs to the donkey engine for £20-12-3 was read.
Res. That it be not paid as the engine is their property.
Res. That a cask of Argol composition be ordered for WH Mill. [Boiler compo?]
Proctor Barrett.

December 7th 1921
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid.
Bank balance £3903 debit. Rents owing £10,170. The secretary intimated that he had written to several tenants pressing for the arrears to be reduced.
Mr Bilborough informed the company that as from December 1st the price of Bentley coal and Acton Hall to CH, Butts and WH mills would be 36/6 in our own wagons and 38/6 in colliery wagons, the carting is now 1/8 to Butts and WH but 2/3 to CH Shed.
Mr Wood reported that the new cylinder for Butts Mill engine was almost ready for delivery and that all the other fittings and pipes would be ready for completion during the Christmas week.
Proctor Barrett.

December 21st 1921
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid. Bank balance £4406 debit, rents owing £9279-10-0.
A letter was received from P D Bilborough intimating that as from today's date the price of coal would be reduced by 1/- per ton bringing the price to 35/- in our own wagons and 37/6 in colliery wagons.
Res. That cheques be drawn for directors salaries and professional fees.
Joseph Slater.

January 11th 1922
Joseph Slater chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £4003-3-9. [debit?] Rents owing £9424-9-9.
Accounts be paid and £500 be paid to H Brown and Sons on account.
Res. That the yard at Coates be rented from Alfred Marsden for £10 for the half year to June 30th 1922. [Part of Coates Wharf? CHSC own the wharf, this must be space sub-let to Marsden which is being rented back temporarily to store coal stocks.]
Res. That the fireman C E Watson at Butts Mill be discharged and paid a week's wages in lieu of notice and that Mr Banks arrange for the appointment of a man in his place. [A consequence of the low water incident? Is he related to George Henry Watson at Wellhouse?]
The balance sheet was adopted subject to audit and a dividend of 10% free of tax was recommended. To be placed before the general meeting on January 26th.
Proctor Barrett.

January 26th 1922
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read. Accounts paid.
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting Seven Stars Hotel
January 26th 1922
[No printed report inserted]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and dividend approved.
Proctor Barrett.

February 8th 1922
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid. Bank balance £4008-1-3 debit. Rents owing £7500.
The Burnley Ironworks submitted a rough estimate for a new governor and drive for Butts Mill engine £250.
Mr Wood promised to find out as to what was included in this price.
Proctor Barrett.

February 22nd 1922
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Rents owing £7019. Cheque drawn for wages.
Proctor Barrett.

March 8th 1922
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £4520 debit. Rent owing £8498.
Res. That a further allowance for stoppage at Butts Mill be granted to the tenants for January 10th as the steam pipes were not ready and the operatives would not work![sic] Messrs Aldersley and Horsfield to be two extra days. [I suspect that what has happened here is that they've had a problem with engine speed, see the quote for a new governor. It was a well known phenomenon in the weaving sheds in the early days and the weavers knew that if the shafting started to speed up you got out of the shed fast! It was colloquially known as 'running boggart'.]
Accounts paid.

March 22nd 1922
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Rent owing £7369-9-7.
A letter was read from S Pickles about rent charges.
Res. That the matter be left with Mr Wood.
A quotation was considered from the Ocean Accident for insurance of the Butts Mill engine. The amounts being: £1000 premium £45. £2000 premium £55-10-0. £3000 premium £62-10-0.
Joseph Slater.

April 5th 1922
J Slater chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts presented were paid with the exception of that of J T Schofield and that Mr Wood be instructed to settle with him on the best terms possible.
Rents owing £7153-14-4. [The tenants are struggling. Remember that CHSC are charging interest on the arrears above bank rate and they have strategies in hand should anyone fail. We shall come across these later.]
Proctor Barrett.

April 19th 1922
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £4178-14-0 debit. Rents owing £7153-14-4.
Proctor Barrett.

May 3rd 1922
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1333-11-10 debit. Rents owing £7243-3-10.
P Barrett and Sons undertook to remove all the ashes from Butts Mill free. The flue dust to be charged for. [There must be sufficient demand for ash-lime mortar to make this economical. The charge for the flue dust indicates that not a lot of flagging was being done as flue dust was a favourite bedding material for laying flags. It had very sharp edges on the grains and when under pressure locked together and was very stable.]
Res. That the wages of engine men, firemen and oilers as and from Saturday last be as follows:
Engine men £5 reduced to £4-5-0. Firemen £3-15-0 to £3-5-0. Oilers £3-50 to £2-15-0. Except in the case of WH, G H Watson to be £4-10-0. [Wage reductions on this scale were a characteristic of the times. The national economy was struggling and nobody had a cure for it.]
E B Banks.

May 17th 1922
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1995-1-7 debit. Accounts paid.
Res. That the common seal of the company be affixed to the conveyance to Henry Brown and Sons of 6474 yards of land abutting on to the reservoirs at WH Mill at 4/3 per yard. The total purchase price being £1396-19-6. [Browns have started the build at Havre Park and one problem John Pickles has had to solve is the bad bearing ground which caused CHSC so much trouble in the extensions to WH Mill earlier. His solution was to buy a lot of old wrought iron loom cranks from scrap dealers and lay them as a foundation under the footings of the brick walls. The first pour of metal was shortly after this entry and in August we shall see them casting a new piston for the Butts Mill LP cylinder. Ouzledale was redundant and young Cecil Ashby moved down to the new foundry as foreman founder.]
It was reported that a fire had taken place in Dugdale and Dewhurst's premises. The fire loss assessor had agreed with the insurance co to settle the claim for £110. [Note this is the building insurance only. The tenant would have a separate insurance.]
A letter was read from H Brown and Sons pointing out that the feed pipes at Butts Mill had only 4 x 5/8” bolts in the flanges and they did not consider them sufficient for the present pressure. [This is the boiler feed pipe which failed and caused the stoppage for low water in the boiler. The plant is working on higher than design pressure and it's interesting that Browns are advising on this. I detect the hand of John Pickles, Browns are much more than a general engineering firm now, we are beginning to see them taking on work that would formerly have gone to Burnley Ironworks. Bear in mind that this circumstance is the result of the present load overtaking the original design. This isn't the last time we will see examples of this.]
Proctor Barrett.

May 31st 1922
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance reported as £954-15-6 credit. Accounts paid.
Res. That we test S Cooke's oils at Butts Mill. [Remember we have a new HP cylinder. The question that arises in my mind is why they are trying new oils. To me, this indicates some sort of a problem. Unless the new casting was very carefully cleaned it was quite possible for small pockets of moulding sand to be left in the blind cavities in the steam passages cast into the body of the cylinder. Newton Pickles gave me one instance of this happening to him when he installed a new cylinder at Crow Nest Shed after a smash. The cure was to open up an access hole in the steam chest, tip two bucketfuls of cylinder oil in and restart the engine hoping that the oil would flush the sand out. In that case it worked.]
Res. That the alteration to the warehouse in Butts Mill used by Craven Manufacturing Co be put in hand.
Proctor Barrett.

June 14th 1922
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Transfer of 562 shares from Thomas S Willan to Proctor Barrett sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Rents owing £7,000.
A claim by B&EM Holden for damages to cloth was received.
Re. That the claim be disallowed.
Proctor Barrett.

June 28th 1922
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1921 credit.
Accounts paid.
Res. That Edward Wood be appointed secretary pro tem with authority to sign on behalf of the company all negotiable instruments usually signed by the secretary of the company.
Res. That P Barrett and Sons be instructed to find and repair the leak in the dam at Calf Hall.
Res. That the offer of P D Bilborough of 12 months contract at 29/3 per ton of Bentley Washed Nuts delivered at Barlick station and 33/3 per ton delivered at the mill be accepted.
Proctor Barrett.

July 12th 1922
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
It was reported to the meeting that Mr George Proctor, secretary to the company for the last 30 years died on July 6th 1922.
Res. That a letter of condolence be sent to Mrs Proctor and family expressing the deep regret of the board and the high appreciation in which he was held by them. [A great loss. George Proctor was a key figure and the source of much sound advice and guidance. He was not only active at CHSC but at many other mills in the district. Teddy Wood was a worthy successor.]
Balance sheet as read adopted subject to audit. Dividend of 10% free of tax recommended and date of general meeting set as July 20th 1922.
Res. That 100 tons of Bentley coal at 29/3 and 100 tons of New Monckton coal [At Royston, near Barnsley.] at 29/6 delivered at Coates Wharf be purchased and that New Monckton coal be used at Butts Mill.
Res. That the price for steam for the laundry [WH Mill] during ordinary mill hours be £4-10-0 per week and should any overtime be worked the proprietors to pay the wage of the firemen.
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting at Seven Stars Hotel
July 20th 1922
[No printed balance sheet inserted.]
P Barrett chair.
Full obituary for George Proctor. Reported as “carried unanimously, all standing”.
Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and recommended dividend approved. Retiring directors re-elected.
The vacancy created by G Proctor's death was contested by Jonathan Peel, H Clark and Luke Suthers. Jonathan Peel elected to the post.
Richard Watson and Son reappointed as auditors, fee increased to £4-10-0 per annum.
Proctor Barrett.

August 9th 1922
Res. That P Barrett be chair, Joseph Slater vice chair. Managing directors E Wood and EB Banks, remuneration as before. Jonathan Peel welcomed to the board.
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid. Bank balance reported as £699-17-6 debit.
Res. That the common seal be affixed to the Agreement for Tenancy of the Exors of W Bailey which was based on the terms of the January 1st 1920 agreement.
Tenders were received from H Brown and Sons, £150 and Burnley Ironworks £130 plus the cost of 16 drums for altering the speed of the looms in Hartley and Lawson's shed (formerly John Wilson).
Res. That we pay half the cost of the work (£75) which will be done by Henry Brown and Sons for £150. Messrs Hartley and Lawson to pay for any additional labour required, the whole of the material to be the property of the company. [H Brown competing directly with Burnley Ironworks and winning the contract despite the higher quotation, having the engineers based on site was obviously seen as an advantage. John Pickles' last job before going to H Brown and Sons as foreman was as a machinist at BI. I'll bet he was quite pleased!]
Mr Hartley attended and agreed to this proposal.
Proctor Barrett.

August 23rd 1922
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid including BUDC rates. Bank balance £1265-17-10 debit.
Transfer of 16 shares from Mary Jane Holdsworth to Tom Holdsworth and J Holdsworth sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That payments for boiler cleaning etc be as follows: Boilers 8/-. Flues and boilers £1-12-0 (Butts £2). Economisers, CH 10/-, Butts 12/6 and WH 15/-. Long Flue [From boiler house to chimney] CH 20/-, Butts 22/6 and WH 25/-.
Res. That P Barrett and Mr Banks be authorised to obtain a tender from Mr Green of Colne for Ash Felting[sic]. [Asphalting. This was new technology at the time.] Calf Hall Road and that they be empowered to put the work in hand. [Evidently still unadopted by BUDC]
Proctor Barrett.

September 13th 1922
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1234-4-8 debit. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 138 shares from Mary Crabtree deceased to Samuel Crabtree sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Quotations were received for Ash Felting Calf Hall Road from James Green and Sons of Colne, £328-4-7, the cost of any improvement to the bottom to be extra. A private note from BUDC gave the cost as £235-14-0.
Res. That BUDC be asked to do the work.
Further discussion took place as to the basis of rents. The usual custom of reducing the rents by 6d for each 5d alteration in coal price has been continued as in times past but Mr Banks reported that some of the other Room and Power companies in the town were only allowing 5d for 5d alteration in coal price and making no reduction for Tape rent.
The feeling of the meeting appeared to be that it is advisable to reduce the rents as quickly as possible owing to the bad state of trade and to consider additional charges or reductions for saving in coal or increased cost of coal at the end of each month as has been the custom since 1920 when rents were increased 21/- per loom. [I'm slightly confused by this minute. I think what they are saying is that before making any changes they need to consider the matter further bearing in mind that any increase in the present state of trade may not be productive. It could well be that they knew how close to the wind many of the tenants were sailing.]
The secretary reported that rents owing was £6652.
Proctor Barrett.

September 27th 1922
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid. Bank balance £480 debit. Rents owing £6095-8-10.
Res. That the tender of H Hogarth of £12-10-0 for four electric lights and one set of accumulators for the boiler and engine houses at Butts Mill be accepted. [This is low voltage DC current.]
Proctor Barrett.

October 11th 1922
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £62-5-3 credit. Rents owing £6550.
Proctor Barrett.

October 25th 1922
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £593-19-0 debit. Rents owing £6200.
Res. That P Barrett, Banks and Holdsworth be deputed to see to the repair of the ventilator on CH engine house.
Reported that BUDC had agreed to do the repairs to Calf Hall Road.
Proctor Barrett.

November 8th 1922
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1583-4-7 credit. Rents owing £6400.
Owing to the reduction of 10% on the standard rate for operatives in the cotton trade:
Res. That the wages of our employees be as follows:
Engine men £4 per week, WH £4-5-0. Firemen £3. Oilers £2-12-6. That the rate of overtime for heating sheds be ½ per hour, for boiler cleaning 7'6 each, flues 30/- for each boiler, and long flues as follows: CH, economiser 9/- and long flue 18/9. Butts 11/3 and 21/-. WH 13/6 and 23/3.
Proctor Barrett.

November 29th 1922
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2133-1-5 credit. Rents owing £5507-16-5.
The chairman reported the death since the last meeting of Mr James Horsfield and proposed that condolences be sent to Mrs Horsfield and the other members of the family.
Res. Supported by Mr Slater and passed unanimously. [Interesting that this wasn't the first item on the agenda.]
Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares: 520 from Seth Mundy and Harold Marc [Representatives of the Bank of Liverpool], to Charles and Annie Waller, they retaining 390 and transferring 130 to Ada Whitaker Slater and Hilda M Greenwood sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the wall at WH reported to be dangerous be rebuilt. [More settlement, the ground at WH was bad.]
E B Banks.

December 13th 1922
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid. Bank balance £3381-3-9 credit. Rents owing £6190-7-0.
Proctor Barrett.

January 3rd 1923
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £4581-15-1 credit. Rents owing £6942-8-1. Accounts paid.
It was reported that the Exors of William Bailey were in difficulties and the secretary paid a visit to the mill but found Mr Ellis away. The matter was left in the hands of the managing directors.
Proctor Barrett.

January 17th 1923
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid. Bank balance reported as £5080-17-9 credit. Rents owing £6018.
Balance sheet as read adopted subject to audit and dividend of 10% recommended. Date of general meeting to be January 26th 1923.
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting Seven Stars Hotel
January 26th 1923
[Printed balance sheet reports £2038-1-11 carried forward, total of 5862-18-3 to be appropriated. Disposition £3039-8-0 to dividend and £2823-10-3 carried forward. (I can't help reflecting that these healthy figures in a time of economic uncertainty would not have been too welcome by struggling tenants. Of course we don't know how many of them were shareholders.)]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and recommended dividend approved.
Res. That there should be recorded in the Minute Book the shareholder's appreciation of the services rendered to the company by the late Mr James Horsfield who died on November 18th 1922 in his 77th year and that the secretary be instructed to inform Mrs Horsfield of the resolution of appreciation and sympathy.
Proctor Barrett.

February 7th 1923
Proctor Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
The bank balance was reported to be £3214 credit and rents owing as £6336-19-6.
Res. That we insure the economiser at WH Mill with E Green and Sons at a premium of £4-13-0.
Res. That we accept F Suthers and Sons Ltd as tenants for 160 looms now the property of William Bailey (Barnoldswick) Ltd. [In 1912, Bailey and Roberts which became William Bailey Ltd had 192 looms at WH Mill. I think this is the transfer of the business to F Suthers and Sons. I have no explanation for the discrepancy. (See February 28th)] and that the division of warehouse space be approved by the managing directors and also providing that the rent now due and accruing since be paid in full. [The sanction the company had was that they could annexe the plant and machinery as payment for the unpaid rent if necessary but there was no need to voice this.]
Res. That a sum of £10 be allowed for stoppage of tapes due to fire at Dugdale and Dewhurst's Ltd.
Proctor Barrett.

February 28th 1923
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1094-15-0 credit rents owing £5503-15-4.
Mr Wood reported that acting as liquidator he had sold 160 looms recently belonging to Willam Bailey Ltd to W F Suthers and Sons Ltd the rent to commence on March 1st 1923.
Res. That the liquidator of W Bailey Ltd (Mr E Wood) be authorised at his discretion to allow one month or six weeks rent to the prospective purchaser of the 416 looms still remaining in the estate of William Bailey Ltd.
Transfer of shares from the Exors of Sarah Crook (Slater Dugdale and Heber Crook) to the following were sanctioned.
Nancy Dugdale 42 shares. Mary Horsfield 43. Harry Crook 43. Emma Horsfield 43. Rebecca Moore 43. Jane Carr 42. Elsie Crook 21. James Crook 21. James Crook 42. Heber Crook 42.
Seal cert etc.
Proctor Barrett.

March 14th 1923
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2411-7-8, rents owing £7303-15-11.
Mr Wood informed the meeting that he had sold the 416 looms lately the property of William Bailey Ltd to the Wellhouse Manufacturing Co Ltd subject to the company accepting them as tenants.
Res. That they be accepted as tenants providing the rent be paid in full to March 19th 1923 and that the rent to be paid by the new company starts on May 1st 1923. [You may be wondering how it was that new tenants could be found in a time of bad trade. The explanation may be in the bargain price for plant and machinery which allowed the new owners to start with much lower capitalisation.]
Res. That the dam at Calf Hall be cleaned out by the fire brigade.
Res. That tenders be obtained for the use of the fire pump.
Proctor Barrett.

March 28th 1923
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £4511-9-1 credit, rents owing £4090-4-5. Accounts paid.
Mr Bilborough advised that the price of Bentley washed doubles would be increased 2/10 per ton from April 1st and Acton Hall 2/4.
Proctor Barrett.

April 4th 1923
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Mr Wood be asked to send to E B Banks before the next meeting full particulars and plans of fire insurance. The amount each room (as numbered on the plan) is insured for and the rate per cent for each room.
Res. That Mr E B Banks see J Green and Son of Colne and ascertain if there is any alteration in the price quoted on August 28th 1922 for making the roadway at Calf Hall Shed.
Res. That Midgely, fireman at Butts Mill be paid up to Saturday week, April 21st 1923 and that he cease work for the company at once. [They are not having any luck with firebeaters at Butts!]
Proctor Barrett.

April 25th 1923
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £5908-11-2 credit, rents owing £4162-3-2. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares from Exors of Robert Clark to: Herbert Clark 192. Francis Clark 48. Isabella Walker 12.
From Frank Perry to Ada Whitaker Slater 100 shares and Joseph Slater to Ada Whitaker Slater 10 shares.
All seal cert etc.
The question of insurance of the premises was discussed. The present amount on the premises is £128,512-12-10 being equivalent to £21-11-7 per loom. [Approximately 5980 looms in total]
Mr Wood pointed out that in his opinion the premises were not adequately covered, that the amount should be increased and the premises revalued in view of the serious changes which have taken place lately under the New Tariff Scheme.
A tender was received from J Green and Sons to repair the road at CH for £287-12-7. Mr Banks was requested to communicate with them with a view to reducing the cost. [Evidently BUDC didn't do the job.]
Res. That the charge for cleaning the economisers at all the mills be increased to 15/-.
The meeting was notified that the increase in the price of coal quoted at 2/10 last week had been reduced to 2/-.
A letter was received from H Brown and Sons was read asking that the rent of their premises which are now £200 per annum should be considerably reduced. [Remember that the Havre Park foundry is in use now and some functions like the pattern shop have been moved. John Pickles eventual intention was to move all the plant to the new building.] Consideration of the matter was held over.
An account was received from Watson and Son for wheel guards fixed in Hartley and Lawson's premises.
Res. That it be sent to Hartley and Lawson for payment in accordance with the arrangement made on August 9th 1922.
Proctor Barrett.

May 9th 1923
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £6797-10-0 credit, rents owing £5486-14-0.
A letter was read from Hartley and Lawson in which they declined to entertain payment of the account for wheel covers for alterations to the premises.
Mr Banks stated that he personally pointed out this expenditure to them at the time the matter was originally discussed.
Res. That the account be returned.
The tenants made application dated May 5th through the secretary of the Barnoldswick Manufacturers Association for a reduction of rents on the grounds that the tenants are doing extremely badly at the present time. [As trade worsened the manufacturers made increasing use of their local association. Later on we will see that the room and power operators formed their own association as well but they were late in the field.]
Res. That the directors cannot see their way to reduce the rents or alter the basis as the rents of this company are lower than any other Room and Power company in Barnoldswick but that in view of the present state of trade they are willing to allow one half the rent in cases where the whole of the tenants of any one or all of the mills are stopped for not less than one week in consequence of bad trade.
Proctor Barrett.

May 23rd 1923
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £6702-3-8 credit and rents owing £4515-4-9. Accounts paid.
It was reported that the engine man at Butts Mill, Albert Hogarth, was intending to send in his resignation of Friday [May 25th] to terminate his connection with the company by one week's notice. [Finish on June 1st]
Res. That his resignation be accepted and that Charles Watson be appointed engine man in his place at the same wage. George Henry Watson, his father [engineer at WH Mill], attended the meeting and undertook to be responsible for his son's behaviour. [The long laid plan has come to fruition and young Charlie has got the plum job. It's obvious that the directors have had some reservations as they have sought assurance from George Henry that he will keep an eye on his son. Difficult to see how he can do this beyond offering advice as he can't supervise his son when he is running his own engine. You can't leave an engine while it is running to pop across the town to Butts Mill! Remember that there was no recognised qualification for running an engine, you learned by watching an expert at work, preferably running the engine alongside him. We shall see how he goes on! Watch this space, we haven't seen the last of Albert.]
A letter was read from the tenants in reply to our letter of May 14th intimating that we cannot reduce the rent and asked for reconsideration of our decision in view of the fact that we are the leading Room and Power Company in the district and that other companies followed our lead. [CHSC were reputed to be the biggest shed company in the NW] They also stated that trade was bad and it was impossible to take advantage of the offer of half rent during the stoppage of the engine owing to small orders being obtained and wanted quickly. [This was increasingly becoming the classic dilemma of the manufacturers. As orders shrank and pressure on the merchants grew, they wanted quick turn round of small orders. Remember that because of the efficiency of the market system based on the Manchester Exchange, the industry had got used to very competitive trading based on speed and low profit margins protected by tight contracts. This was fine when trading volumes were high and looms fully occupied but a major disadvantage when volumes dropped was that the overheads of running the mill hardly reduced at all, the only savings were minimal on amounts of coal burned. We shall see this problem grow.]
Res. That the tenants be informed that after careful consideration the directors cannot see their way to vary the decision in the letter of May 14th and that in their opinion no useful purpose will be served by meeting them to discuss the matter and that the directors do not consider it correct to state that other Room and Power companies followed our lead as:
1.Our rents are lower and have been lower for the last three years than any other company in Barlick.
2.We have carried out the agreement of January 1st 1920 both in letter and spirit.
3.We have made considerable allowances beyond the terms of the agreement.
4.Our charges are below the present market price of Room and Power in Lancashire.
Proctor Barrett.

May 28th 1923
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Also present; Mr Lomas of Atkinson and Co. Mr Pearce of Watson, Landless and Pearce. Mr E Wood, secretary.
It was reported that a fire had occurred at midnight on Saturday May 26th in the warehouse of E Aldersley and Co at Butts Mill and adjoining the warehouse occupied by J Horsfield, that the premises were completely gutted but very little damage done to J Horsfield's warehouse. There was some damage to shed lights and warps in Aldersley's shed. The warehouse was insured with the London Assurance Co for £5416.
Res. That Messrs Watson, Landless and Pearce be appointed assessors on behalf of the company. Messrs Atkinson and Co as architects for the reconstruction and that Messrs Lomas and Wood endeavour to obtain from the neighbouring landowners their price for a strip of land to enable the approaches to Aldersley's and Horsfield's warehouse to be improved.
Proctor Barrett.

June 6th 1923
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £8722-8-3 credit, rents owing £6586-2-8. Accounts paid.
The Monkswell Manufacturing Co asked for provision of a waste storage building. [Was the Aldersley fire cause by spontaneous combustion of dirty sweeps?]
Res. That consideration of the matter be deferred.
Mr Wood read a letter from the Exors of John Hargreaves quoting special prices for delivery at Barnoldswick station for Low Bed Nuts at 27/9 per ton and Top Bed Nuts at 25/9.
Res. That Low Bed Nuts be tried for two weeks at WH and a further two weeks with Top Bed Nuts.
Mr Lomas attended and explained that Messrs Lowcock, the owners of the farm abutting on Butts Mill were not disposed to sell a portion of their farm but were inclined to dispose of the whole of their interest and would attend at the Mill on Wednesday next.
Proctor Barrett.

June 20th 1923
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £8093-7-7 credit and rents owing £5173-11-0. Accounts paid.
Proctor Barrett.

July 11th 1923
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £10,737-15-6 credit. Rents owing £5332-12-6.
Res. That balance sheet as read be adopted subject to audit, a dividend of 15% free of tax be recommended (making, with the dividend paid in January last) 12½% for the year. That the general meeting be on July 19th 1923.
Transfer of shares from Robert Dent: 32 shares to Luke Suthers and 30 shares to John and Margaret Ann Sneath sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res That the solicitors to Mr Lowcock be informed, re the proposed purchase of land at Butts Mill, that unless something be definitely settled within the next three days the board will consider that they have no desire to sell and will proceed with the re-erection of the premises burnt down.
The secretary reported that Messrs Matthew Watson, Landless and Pearce had arrived at a settlement with the insurance company for the damage caused by the fire in the Aldersley portion of Butts Mill. The amount agreed to be received is £7093-15-0 irrespective of the amount due for loss of rent. [They appear to be insured for loss of profits as well but of course this won't be clear until the mill is up and running again.]
Res. That accounts be paid including those for fees connected with the fire and Director's remuneration etc.
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting Seven Stars Hotel
July 19th 1923
[Printed balance sheet inserted reports £2823-10-3 carried forward, total of £6881-7-7 to be apportioned. Disposition £4559-2-0 to dividend, £2322-5-7 carried forward.]
A director's meeting preceded the general meeting. P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Mr Norman Barrett attended the meeting and produced a plan showing a proposed scheme for rebuilding the portion of Butts Mill destroyed by fire.
Res. That he obtain estimates for the cost of the scheme and present them to the directors on Wednesday week.
Accounts paid.
Messrs Lowcock intimated that they were not prepared to sell any land at Butts Mill.
Proctor Barrett.
[The general meeting of shareholders followed:]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and recommended dividend approved. Retiring directors reappointed.
A poll was conducted to fill the vacancy on the board caused by the death of James Horsfield.
The result of the poll was as follows [note that the number of shares held by the voters was used] Richard Jacques 10,857. Slater Dugdale 7,993, Herbert Clark 3,413.
Res. That Richard Jacques be elected to the board.
Director's remuneration at £160 per annum approved. Richard Watson and So reappointed as auditors at £19 per annum.
[No signature]

August 1st 1923
Officers re-elected as last year. Remuneration the same.
P Barrett took the chair. Minutes as read.
Mr Lomas of Atkinson and Co, architects, attended with the plans for the new warehouse for Aldersley's at Butts Mill recently burnt down. These were approved with slight alterations. Mr Lomas promised to have tenders ready for the next meeting on August 22nd.
Accounts paid.
It was reported during the meeting that Butts Mill engine was stopped for breakdown. That the Wellhouse engineer [George Henry Watson father to young Charlie at Butts] be asked to take charge at Butts and that his son be transferred from Butts to take charge at WH. [The minutes don't mention this again but I know from the evidence of Newton Pickles that what had happened was that Charlie Watson had been careless and got a slug of water in the engine which cracked the LP piston. This was 56” in diameter, a big lump weighing two tons and he was fortunate it didn't smash the cylinder as well, a very serious mistake. Henry Brown and Sons were given the job of making a new piston and installing it. It was the biggest casting they had poured at Havre Park up to then and Newton remembers his mother taking him to the foundry at 2am to see it poured. The glow in the sky was mistaken for a fire and the fire brigade turned out. Dennis Pickles (No relation) turned the piston and it was installed successfully. This was a major step forward for H Brown and Sons, they had proved that they had the skill and resources to rectify a major breakdown.]
Proctor Barrett.

August 22nd 1923
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid. Bank balance £11,994-3-6, rents owing £6175-9-1.
Mr Lomas attended with tenders for the erection of the new building at Butts Mill. The chairman opened the tenders and it was resolved that the following be accepted:
Mason, R H Bleakley £2340. Joiner J R Broughton £230. Ironfounder W Roberts and Sons £243-2-1. Plumber R Hartley £196-15-7. Slater Nuttall and Co 116-15-7. Total £3126-13-3.
Mr Lomas pointed out that in addition to the above there was the cost of the hoist, girders and some patent glazing which he estimated at about £700 making a total of £3876-13-3.
Res. That the payment for [cleaning] the long flue at Butts Mill be increased from £1 to 30/-.
Proctor Barrett.

September 5th 1923
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: P D Bilborough £688-12-0. P Holdsworth £46-12-3. C Roberts and Co Ltd 1/6.
Bank balance £11,903-19-0 credit, rents owing £5726-0-4.
Res. That the tender of Bleakley the builder for ashes for one year be accepted. The prices are WH £6, CH and Butts £5 each.
A letter was read from P D Bilborough to the effect that from September 1st the price of Bentley Washed Doubles and Acton Hall Mixed Nuts will be reduced 6d per ton until further notice.
Proctor Barrett.

September 26th 1923
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Mr Barrett welcomed Richard Jacques to his first board meeting.
Bank balance £5526-14-2 credit, rents owing £5058-16-4. Accounts passed for payment.
The secretary reported that £6000 5% War Stock had been purchased at a cost of £6131-13-0.
It was reported that the contractor who was re-erecting the premises at Butts Mill was not making satisfactory progress. The secretary was instructed to write to Messrs Atkinson and Co on the matter.
A letter was read from Messrs Hartley and Lawson requesting the company to make them allowances owing to bad trade and suggesting that half rent should be charged for all looms stopped.
The letter was left over for further consideration.
Proctor Barrett.

October 10th 1923
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Transfer of 218 shares from the Public Trustee to Mr E Wood. Seal cert etc.
Bank balance £7208-1-11 and rents owing £6121-3-2.
The question of allowances to tenants for looms stopped due to bad trade was further considered.
Res. That an allowance of 6d per loom per week for all looms stopped in excess of 5% of the looms upon which rent is paid from July 1st to December 31st 1923 it being understood that this allowance should be in lieu of allowances for reduction in wages and saving in coal due to looms stopped during the bad trade and in especially in consideration of the present bad trade.
The question of further allowances after January 1st 1924 to be considered later.
Res. That we contribute £5 to the fire brigade in recognition of the invaluable services rendered at the recent fire at Butts Mill.
Proctor Barrett.

October 31st 1923
Mr Wood expressed on behalf of the board condolences with the chairman on the death of his wife since the last meeting. The directors expressed their sympathy by standing.
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £7405-19-10 rents owing £3676-3-11. Accounts paid.
Res. That the tender of W H Heywood and Co of £90 for the patent glazing required at Butts Mill be accepted.
Res. That tenders be obtained for boring out the air pumps and fitting new buckets at WH Mill from H Brown and Sons and Burnley Ironworks Co. [Not a minor job!]
Proctor Barrett.

November 14th 1923
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £8,968-8-8, rents owing £ 5,890-8-11. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 42 shares to Slater and Nancy Dugdale sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the chairman, Mr Banks and Mr Holdsworth be deputed to examine the staircases in Messrs Holden's and Pickles' warehouses leading to the winding room with authority to make them quite safe.
Res. That prices be obtained for patent glazing at WH Mill.
Res. That a store room be built over the present pump room adjoining the engine house at Calf Hall and that a tender be obtained for the whole of the work.
Tenders were received for boring out the two air pumps at WH Mill. Burnley Ironworks quoted £60 and H Brown and Sons £57-17-6.
Res. That Brown's tender be accepted. [A big job, H Brown and Sons are a major resource in the town. Remember they were working for all the other mills as well as manufacturing donkey engines, valves and other CI goods.]
H Brown and Sons quoted £16-16-0 for 8 side plates for the [crosshead] slides at CH Shed.
Res. That the tender be accepted.
Res. That 10lbs of Victory Bearing Compound be ordered at 20/- per lb. [Victory compound is a specialised fine grade of soft abrasive which can be introduced into a bearing that has run hot to polish the bearing surfaces without becoming embedded in the bearing material. It can be a way out of a difficult situation but will not cure the underlying cause of the heating in the first place. Newton Pickles reckoned it was finely ground rotten brick and he used that as substitute at times on very big slow running bearings like waterwheels.]
Mr Wood explained re sprinklers at CH Shed that the cost to install them would not be more than £2000, that the saving certified by the insurance company was £140 to £150 per annum and that the income tax on the depreciation allowed would be a further £22 per annum which was equivalent to a return of 8% on the investment. [The fire has concentrated the company's collective mind!]
Mr Wood also explained that he had interviewed the tenants with a view to them contributing 2/- per loom per annum which was a portion only of the amount that would be saved by the installing of the sprinklers but they had not yet agreed to this proposal and counter-offered half the interest on the purchase price.
Res. That Mr Eli Johnson be allowed to erect a small garage opposite the boiler house at WH Mill at his own expense.
Tenders were received for electric plant and accumulators at CH Shed from Phineas Brown £60 and from the Barnoldswick Welding Company £32.
Res. That the matter stand in abeyance.
Proctor Barrett.

November 28th 1923
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £8,106-11-5 credit and rents owing £5,397-11-0.
Tenders were received for the new store room adjoining the engine house at CH as follows:
L Robinson £94-10-0. Barrett and Sons £106. Broughton £112.
Res. That L Robinson's tender be accepted.
Res. That a relief valve be fitted to the engine at CH Shed. [This is a valve on a cylinder or steam receiver set to unload at a pressure below what is dangerous should there be a slug of water in a cylinder. Usually one at each end of a cylinder so I don't understand 'a relief valve'. Did Butts LP cylinder have relief valves?]
Mr Bilborough intimated that the price of Bentley coal from January 1st next would be 6d per ton less and asked for a contract for six months.
Res. That a contract be not entered into.
Mr Wood reported that Room and Power companies in Burnley, Nelson, Colne, Earby and Kelbrook [For whom he was almost certainly acting] had agreed, in consequence of the state of trade, to allow 13/- per loom per annum and £70 per tape per annum for the half year ending June 30th 1924.
Res. That we make an allowance to tenants of 10/- per loom per annum and £50 per tape per annum from the rent from February 1st 1924 to June 30th 1924 owing to the rents at CH [CHSC?] being lower than other mills in Barlick and the other districts. The rebate being deducted from the rent when paid.
Joseph Slater.

December 12th 1923
J Slater chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £9,159-11-6 credit and rents owing £7,408-16-4. Accounts paid.
Res. The loan of £50 due to Mr T Dent be paid.
Res. That the secretary be authorised to take such steps as he may deem necessary to secure the rent owing by the Wellhouse Manufacturing Co.
Res. That the secretary ask Mr E H Taylor, agent for Colonel A H Royd, if he is disposed to sell the ground rent of £23-5-0 and the lowest price he is willing to take.
Proctor Barrett.

January 2nd 1924
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £11,693 credit and rents owing £5,780. Accounts paid.
The Standard Patent Glazing Co quoted £69-14-2 for supplying and fixing new patent glazing per bay of 172ft x 4ft 4½” at WH Shed.
Res. That two of the worst bays be repaired by this glazing and that the chairman and Mr Banks decide which two bays should be repaired.
In Reply to the request for Col. Royd's price for the ground rent of £23-5-0 per annum, his solicitor, Mr E H Taylor of Rochdale, stated that as Col Royd is only a life tenant of the estate he would only sell the ground rent at 22 year's purchase. [£511-10-0]
Res. That the matter be left over.
Mr Wood brought to the notice of the meeting the fire engine offered for sale by the Burnley Corporation in view of them having purchased petrol engines at the very low price of £75. As the pump would be available for boiler feed, fire purposes etc. and as its erection would result in a saving of 10% of the insurance premium of £25-14-0 it was resolved that the engine be purchased. [Butts Mill]
Mr Wood reported that he had advised the tenants that unless they send in their returns of looms stopped to the end of December within seven days the directors would reserve the right to accept or reject each tenants claim received after that date.
He also submitted a list of claims received up to September on the basis pf 26/- per loom per annum for looms stopped which amounted to £246-14-0.
Mr Banks' statement of receipts and payments showed: Receipts including rents £63. Payments £45-5-11.
Res. That the account be accepted. [I think this is for rents of land let by CHSC.]
A letter was read from BUDC in which they enclosed a plan showing the proposed improvement line on Skipton Road. [This will be at Wellhouse opposite the gas works.]
From the plan it would appear that the council are requiring 241 yards of the land forming part of the yard at WH Mill.
Res. That the matter be further considered.
Mr J W Horsfield requested an allowance in consequence of the inconvenience caused by the fire at Butts Mill and the expense of carrying goods to his warehouse in consequence of the cart road being closed.
Res. That Mr Banks enquire into the matter.
Res. That the company purchase £4,000 5% War Loan.
Proctor Barrett.

January 16th 1923
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £7,554-12-0 credit, rents owing £4,994-4-0.
Res. Balance sheet adopted subject to audit, dividend of 15% for the half year recommended.
Mr Wood reported that the allowance of 6d per loom per week for looms standing during the bad trade July 1st to Dec 31st was £555-11-0 allowed and £500 reserved.
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting of shareholders Seven Stars Hotel
January 25th 1923
[Printed balance sheet reports £2322-5-7 carried forward, total of £6957-19-4 for appropriation. Disposition £4599-2-0 to dividend, £2397-19-4 carried forward.]
Proctor Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts, report and dividend approved.
Proctor Barrett.

February 13th 1923
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2,599-5-8 credit, rents owing 5,214-18-9. Accounts paid.
Mr Wood reported that allowances made to tenants up to the end of December were £601-13-6 had been deducted from the rent up to that date.
A sketch of the arrangement of pipes to the new fire pump at Butts was submitted.
Res. That a price be obtained from Mr Henry Brown for the work exclusive of mason's work and that the chairman and Mr Banks be empowered to put the work in hand if the price is satisfactory.
Proctor Barrett.

February 27th 1924
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1634-5-10 credit, rents owing £5016-15-0.
The secretary reported that one month's notice was given to Mr Taylor, tenant of 682 yards of land to terminate his tenancy on March 31st. This notice was given because a portion of it had been used to provide a thoroughfare to land other than the company's. [Avoiding the creation of a right of way.]
Res. That we purchase 200 tons of Sharlston Nuts from Mr Bilborough.
Res. That H Brown and Sons' tender of £190 in connection with the piping described in his letter for fire purposes, cooling plant and boiler feeding be accepted. It was understood that the total cost when completed would probably be between £300 and £400. [Acceptance of such an imprecise tender shows a degree of trust between the company and Henry Brown. This is very clear from other evidence. Brown and his men, particularly John Pickles had very good relations with the firms they worked for and competing firms like BI. This was essential when they were called in to a breakdown which had to be rectified in the shortest possible time, effective action was more important than the paperwork.]
Proctor Barrett.

March 13th 1924
P Barrett chair.
Bank balance £3753-3-1 credit, rents owing £ 5737-10-3. Accounts paid.
Tenders were received for the hoist at Butts Mill to replace the one lost in the fire.
Holt and Kippax £160. S Baldwin and Heap £145. Dent and Holt £170. William Wadsworth and Sons Ltd £243. Baldwin and Heap tender accepted. [The hoist referred to is the outside cat head. I say this because Baldwin and Heap specialised in this type of hoist at that time.]
It was reported to the meeting that a breakdown had occurred at CH Shed on Thursday February 28th at 3pm. The crank pin of the high pressure side having broken off and smashed the slides of the engine [crosshead slide] and the piston, that the repairs had been done by H Brown and Sons and that the engine had started this morning. [Remember that the engine had been fitted with a new HP cylinder in 1916 by BI. It was running at almost twice the designed load but with the original bed and motion. Newton Pickles told me that it was the HP crank pin that broke, the piston smashed the back cover of the new cylinder and in Newton's words “catched the engine driver on the arse and cut him”. When Johnny Pickles got to the engine he told Edwin Waterworth he was bleeding because he was in shock and hadn't noticed. Here's Newton's description of the damage as recorded in the Lancashire Textile Project tape 78AG03:
“The crank pin broke off and the piston came flying out through the cover and catched the engine driver on the arse and cut him. Me father went up and he said Edwin [Waterworth] were walking about and he says Eh, Edwin, thart bleeding someweer, it’s all running out of your shoes. He says Oh, has it ruddy well cut me! So he pulled his pants down and he had a ruddy great gash in his arse, he’d to go and have about twenty stitches in it. The piston were broke into six pieces, just like a Kraft cheese in a box. Piston rod had come right through the piston and split it and it never hurt the cylinder. It rove of the cover, breaking all the studs. Aye, crank pin dropped off so you can tell the load it had on. It smashed the slides out, which were open slides, not like Bancroft with a centre slipper, they were outside slippers. It smashed the ends off and I think in our shop today there’s one of the straight pairs that we use for a mandrel block. And me father made all new patterns for to make them slides, new slippers, new piston, new rod and took the old crank pin out and put a new one in and we were running in eight days.”
This was a big job and a good illustration of how far Henry Brown and Sons had developed, largely as a result of the influence of Johnny Pickles. It also demonstrates the hidden problem of engines being operated far beyond their design load, this became more frequent as the years went on. The CHSC had all the engineering resources they needed in the town and made good use of them. Bear in mind that Brown's were serving all the other mills in the district as well.]
Proctor Barrett.

April 2nd 1924
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £4182-4-6 credit. Rents owing £5881-13-5. Accounts paid.
Mr Wood produced a plan of the land adjoining Butts Mill containing two roods upon which ground rent was paid to Colonel Royd through Mr E Taylor, solicitor of Rochdale. [This was a small plot on the NE corner of the mill opposite the Model Lodging House which was an intrusion between the mill and the land bought from Hartley and partners, originally part of Wellhouse Farm.]
The question of widening Skipton Road a portion of which abuts on our premises at WH Mill was discussed. Mr Barrett and Mr Banks were requested to see the surveyor with regards to the scheme.
Transfer of shares from Exors of W T Suthers, 512 shares to: Jane Suthers 74 shares. [all the following Suthers got 73 shares each] Luke, Clarence, Harcourt, Frederick,Ethel, Winifred. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the offer of a conversion of £12,000 War Stock @ 5% to 4½% 1940/44 be not accepted.
E B Banks.

April 16th 1924
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £4225-2-9 credit. Rents owing £5512-8-1. Accounts paid.
A Letter was read from Bracewell and Cleaver, solicitors, Barnoldswick to the effect that their client, Rupert Holt, is mortgaging a workshop erected on part of a plot of land in Wellhouse Road to the Keighley Building Society and desired an assurance from the directors that the trade carried on is not considered to be noisy, noisome or detrimental to the neighbourhood.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to write that the directors do not consider the trade of carriage painting to be noisy, noisome or detrimental to the neighbourhood.
E B Banks.

April 30th 1924
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2953-9-0 credit, rents owing £4223-6-4. Accounts paid.
Res. That H Brown's tender for new cast iron pipes for stokers at WH at £30 be accepted.
Res. That old CI pipes at Butts Mill be sold to H Brown and Sons at £3 per ton in present position.
Proctor Barrett.

May 14th 1924
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £3832-13-3 credit. Rents owing £6016-1-8. Accounts paid.
Res. That the tender of H Brown and Sons tender for the shafting required in the new portion at Butts Mill at £187-10-4 be accepted.
It was reported to the meeting that Messrs Wigglesworth solicitors, Manchester, representing Messrs Lowcock would suggest to the possible purchaser of the land abutting on Butts Mill the granting of the tenancy of a portion shown on the plan submitted to the meeting for the purpose of improving the road approach to Messrs Aldersley's and Horsfield's portion of the shed.
Transfer of shares [All at £1 each and from Exors of James Dixon Roberts to]:
J W Broughton, 25 shares. Edgar Barrett 200. Carry Broughton 10. Harriet Dewhurst 12. Jane Suthers 26. Luke Suthers 32. Patrick Kelly 50. Victor Wood 53. Ada Whitaker Slater 100. All seal cert etc.
Proctor Barrett.

May 28th 1924
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2974-0-3. Rents owing £5841-4-3.
A plan prepared by BUDC re the improvement of Skipton Road abutting onto the yard at WH requiring 241 square yards to be conveyed to the council to make the improvement was submitted.
Res. That the amended plan showing in green the new building line be approved and that the land be given to the council on the following conditions; Subject to the random [stone] from the walls, gate posts and iron rails remaining their property [CHSC] and to the usual adjustment of levels to the entrance and any substituted buildings.
Res. That Atkinson and Co be instructed to see that the new premises at Butts Mill are ready for occupation by the tenants on July 1st and that Messrs Aldersley's be informed that the premises will be ready on that date.
Proctor Barrett.

June 11th 1924
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £4903-4-9. Rents owing £6001-7-5. Accounts paid.
Res. That the new premises at Butts be whitewashed, ceilings skimmed and all new woodwork painted and that Atkinson and Co be instructed to get prices.
Proctor Barrett.

June 15th 1924
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £4398-12-4. Rents owing 5526-2-4.
Res. That payment of rates be held over.
Transfer of 250 shares from Exors of Agnes Atkinson to Nancy Jane Bailey sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That Atkinson and Co be requested to make a new street plan of the land abutting on Butts Mill showing the diversion of the present Calf Hall Road and the land required by the company to improve the approach to Butts Mill.
Res. That the chairman and J Slater be authorised to approach T J Slater with a plan of this land with a view to ascertaining his position and the likelihood of his disposing of sufficient land to carry out the improvement.
A successful test was made of the new fire pump at Butts Mill after the meeting.
Res. That P Barrett be instructed to repair the dam at WH Mill.
Res. That the chairman and Mr Banks be authorised to consider tenders and to let the painting of the new part of Butts Mill.
Proctor Barrett.

July 9th 1924
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £5430-3-5. Rents owing £6412-14-0.
Res. That the letting of the tenders to paint the new part of Butts Mill be approved.
That P Barrett and Sons be instructed to repair the flags in the warehouse at Craven Manufacturing Co during the holidays.
Balance sheet adopted subject to audit and a dividend for the half year at 15% per annum free of tax be recommended to the shareholders.
Proctor Barrett.

July 14th 1924
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £4013-13-6 credit. Rents owing £6482-13-9.
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting at Seven Stars Hotel
July 17th 1924
[Printed balance sheet reports £2397-19-4 carried forward, £6564-16-4 for appropriation. Disposition £4599-2-0 to dividend, £2004-14-4 carried forward.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and dividend approved. Retiring directors re-elected. Richard Watson and Son reappointed auditors at £12 per annum.
Proctor Barrett.

August 20th 1924
Proctor Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £228-14-0 credit. Rents owing £6577-9-8.
Transfer of 275 shares from Mary Smith Hartley and Fred Hartley to Mary Smith Hartley sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Atkinson and Co submitted a schedule showing the cost of rebuilding Butts after the fire was £3941-18-9. [Not bad, the amount received from the insurance company was £ 7093-15-0!]
Res. That the payment of rates be held over.
A statement was submitted by the secretary as owing the total allowances for stoppages owing to the fire at Butts Mill last year to be Aldersley and Co £668-10-3. Craven Manufacturing Co £1-18-7.
Accounts paid.
Proctor Barrett.

September 3rd 1924
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2696-5-4 credit. Rents owing £6636-6-10.
Tenders were received from Henry Brown and Sons and Burnley Ironworks quoting prices for independent boiler pumps. The matter was postponed until the next meeting. [This either steam driven or shafting driven feed pumps which will give a back-up feed should the engine mounted pumps fail.]
Res. That Atkinson and Co be asked to attend at Butts Mill to make a sketch and plan for a building to enlarge the warehouse space of the Craven Manufacturing Co by extending the present warehouse over land abutting their premises and also setting out a deviation of the road to meet the requirements of Mr Taylor the original vendor of the land. [It looks as though at long last CHSC have got hold of enough of what was Lowcock's land to improve access at the back of Butts Mill from Calf Hall Road.]
Res. That William O'Mara of Burnley be requested to give a report and an estimate for repairing Butts Mill chimney.
Proctor Barrett.

September 17th 1924
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1368-5-6. Rents owing £6636-6-10. Accounts paid.
A tender was received from William O'Mara steeplejack quoting £90 for pointing and repairing the chimney at Butts Mill. With the addition of hooping etc at 6d per lb.
Res. That the tender be accepted but that five hoops be fitted on the stonework in place of ten as suggested previously.
That a telephone be fixed at Mr Banks' private address.
It was reported that a new set of brass steps had been ordered by the engineer at WH Mill for the crank [flywheel] shaft without consulting the managing director and that he had been running hot, using water [to cool] on the bearings for a week previously. [This is young Charlie Watson in trouble again. These are big lumps of brass.]
Mr N Barrett attended with plans showing the extension of the warehouse at Butts Mill which will provide 365 square yards of floor space at an estimated cost of £1,900.
Mr Wood the secretary promised to see the Craven Manufacturing Co re the extension and their contribution towards the cost by the cessation of the present allowance fot inefficient warehousing etc.
Proctor Barrett.

October 1st 1924
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2342-11-3 credit. Rents owing £7008-14-9.
Res. That land at Calf Hall Farm which had been let to Mr Sutcliffe be now let to Mr R Hendson[sic] at a rent of £6-10-0 per annum.
Transfer of 250 shares from Exors of Leonard Holdsworth to Mrs Polly Earnshaw sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the tender of Briggs and Duxbury for carting ashes and flue dust be accepted for the next half year as follows: CH Shed £6. WH Mill £7. Butts Mill £8-5-0. A total of £21-5-0.
Res. That three new feed valves at £13-10-0each and two blow-off valves at £12 each be ordered from Henry Brown and Sons for WH Mill.
Following tenders for supplying gas and water pipes to the new warehouse at Butts Mill were considered: H Brown and Sons, £40-12-0. P Wilson and Son £39-13-3.
Res. That H Brown's tender be accepted. [H Brown favoured again even though not the lowest tender.]
Proctor Barrett.

October 15th 1924
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1028-10-10 credit. Rents owing £6759-1-2.
Res. That the land at Butts Mill abutting on Craven Manufacturing Co's warehouse be railed off.
Res. That a supply of Glass Houghton coal be obtained at 22/5 per ton and tested at Butts Mill for a fortnight and that Mr Bilsborough be requested to cease supply during that period.
Res. That land at Calf Hall required by Mr Hodgson be offered at 2/3 per square yard.
Proctor Barrett.

November 5th 1924
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £3432-15-9 credit. Rents owed £6093-18-1.
It was reported that some of the tenants at Butts Mill were taping for looms other than their own. The secretary said he would make enquiries and communicate with the tenants.
Res. That the test of Glasshoughton coal at 22/5 per ton be continued for a further two weeks at Butts Mill.
Transfer of shares from T W Waddington, administrator of Margaret Emily Waddington sanctioned to: Elizabeth Jane Atkinson 12 shares. Caroline Parker 12. Thomas William Waddington 12. Henrietta Walker 12. Nary Hannah Anderson 15. Seal cert etc.
Proctor Barrett.

November 26th 1924
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £3022-18-8 credit. Rents owing £5094-18-7.
A letter was read from J Slater and Sons offering two plots of land abutting on the N and NE side of Butts Mill containing 765 and 1330 yards respectively at the price of 2/- per square yard.
The offer and plan submitted were carefully considered and the matter was postponed for further consideration at the next meeting.
Res. That the offer of Mr C E Aldersley of about 200 square yards of land on the NE side of CH Shed near the water intake at 5/- per yard be accepted.
A letter was submitted from Hartley and Pilgrim re the company's right of way over a plot of land on the N side of CH Shed in which they say, that if their client buy he would not intend to make the proposed street at all, and that inasmuch this company only has right of way over such street, if and when made, they would be glad to hear that we had no objection to the abandonment of the scheme to make the street.
Res. That we agree to abandon the scheme.
It was reported that the engine man at WH Mill [Young Charlie Watson, George Henry's son, George now running Butts Mill] was not giving satisfaction and that at a meeting of tenants the secretary had been informed that the engine had not been running at proper speed for some time.
During the meeting it was reported that WH mill was stopped due to want of steam. [The last straw.]
Res. That the engine man be discharged forthwith and that the managing directors be authorised to engage a new man at a wage of £4-5-0 per week and that the engineer's wage at CH Shed be increased to £4-5-0.
Res. That in the meantime H Brown and Sons be requested to take charge of the running of WH mill engine. [This was a regular function of the firm, supplying engine men at short notice. Note that during this time John Pickles would be in close attendance and would soon recognise the faults on the engine and what needed to be done to put it right. We can expect some recommendations from him in the near future perhaps.]
Mr Pickles [Johnny] attended on behalf of H Brown and Sons and undertook the management.
Proctor Barrett.

December 10th 1924
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £4977-4-20 credit. Rents owing £5806-11-6.
A letter was read from C Watson asking for a week's wage in lieu of notice.
Res. That he be informed that no wage was due to him as he was discharged on account of incompetence. [One wonders what George Henry had to say to Charlie!]
Res. That the charge for taping be passed at 12/6 per 20,000 yards. [Taper's beam length of yarn. Quite a normal length for one set of beams.]
Res. That Harley and Pilgrim be instructed to prepare a conveyance of the land at Calf Hall Farm from Mr C E Aldersley.
It was reported that a large number of applications had been received for the post of engine man at WH. The managing directors were authorised to ask Mr W Watson of Rochdale to take the position, failing him Mr King of Colne or Mr Lancaster of Burnley.
Mr Wood reported in detail upon the very bad state of repair of the WH engine. [He's been consulting with Johnny no doubt. Apart from mutual respect, they were good friends.]
Res. That repairs pointed out by him be carried out including metallic packings for the two LP cylinders. [Remember that Teddy Wood had a very high regard of Johnny Pickles abilities and I have no doubt that they have got their heads together and decided what needed to be done to get the engines back into good condition. You couldn't have found two better men for the job.]
Proctor Barrett.

December 24th 1924
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £4166-16-6 credit. Rents owing £5629-13-5.
Res. That the appointment by the managing director of Mr William Watson of 57 Halifax Road Rochdale as engine men at WH Mill at £4-5-0 per week be confirmed. [Billy Watson was to prove a brilliant appointment and was at WH until 1940 when he left to go back to a Rochdale engine and Tom Marshall took over. Newton Pickles learned his engine tenting from Billy, he was eight years old in 1924 and he called in at WH engine house every morning on his way to school, Billy soon had him running the engine and starting it after breakfast time. If he was valve-setting in an evening Newton was with him. WH is in good hands!]
A letter was read from C Watson, late engineer at WH Mill, asking for one weeks wage in lieu of notice. Resolved that the letter be laid on the table.
Reports having come to the directors that tenants were taping for looms other than their own it was resolved that where taping is used for less that 400 looms it be allowed to run the proportionate number of hours per week and that any additional overtime be charged at the same rwte per hour as the previously mentioned period and that Messrs Aldersley, Dugdale and Dewhurst and James Moorhouse be informed that this will come into operation on January 1st next.
Proctor Barrett.

January 14th 1925
P Barrett chair.
Bank account £6224-10-11 credit. Rent owing £6637-19-6.
Balance sheet adopted subject to audit. Dividend of 15% free of tax to be recommended. General meeting to be held on January 23rd.
Res. That we purchase from F H Slater the two plots of land abutting on Butts Mill and containing respectively 765 and 1330 yards at the price of 2/- per square yard.
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting Seven Stars Hotel
January 23rd 1925
[Printed balance sheet reports £2005-14-4 carried forward £7291-14-6 for appropriation. Disposition £4559-2-0 to dividend, £2732-12-6 carried forward.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and dividend approved.
Proctor Barrett.

February 11th 1925
P Barrett chair.
Before starting the business of the meeting the chairman stated:
“I desire to refer to the loss we have sustained through the sudden death of Mr T Baxter and to propose that a letter of condolence be sent to Mrs Baxter and family expressing our deep sympathy with them in their sad and sudden bereavement. Also to express our deep regret at the loss of so useful, straight-forward and agreeable a member of the board who has served the company faithfully for more that thirty years.”
Res. That such a letter be sent.
Minutes as read.
Bank Balance £700-7-1 credit. Rents owing £5893-7-1.
The secretary submitted an account received from C Aldersley for £3-6-1 for the extra cost of carriage and re-cartage of goods delivered to him by motor.
Res. That he be written to saying that the company could not accept responsibility for the extra charge.
A letter from E Green and Sons re the economisers at CH Shed and suggesting that certain sections be replaced was left over for discussion at a future meeting.
Proctor Barrett.

February 25th 1925
P Barrett chair.
Res. That a draft conveyance of land to BUDC for the widening of Skipton Road be approved subject to the council keeping the causeway [footpath] on a level with the threshold of the present buildings.
Res. That Messrs Bracewell, Lever, solicitors, Barlick be appointed as solicitors to convey the land purchased from Fred H Slater to the company.
Res. That J R Broughton be instructed to purchase patent glazing bars, fittings and glass and replace the rotten window frames with patent glazing as informed by Mr E B Banks.
Proctor Barrett.

March 11th 1925
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1829-5-1 credit. Rents owing £5874-6-5. Accounts paid.
Proctor Barrett.

March 25th 1925
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2995-7-11 credit. Rents owing £6269-19-10. Accounts paid.
A letter was read from London Assurance re the attention required to fire doors and shutters in order to retain the present reduction in premium on Butts Mill.
Res. That the matter be left in the hands of Mr Banks.
Messrs E Green having refused to renew the insurance on the economisers at CH Shed it was resolved that the policy no. 109 be allowed to lapse and that arrangements be made for E Green and Sons Ltd to make periodic inspection and reports on the economisers at Butts and CH. The economisers at WH were already subject to inspection and report only.
Joseph Slater.

April 22nd 1925
Joseph Slater chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1375-7-9 credit. Rents owing £6069-19-10. Accounts paid.
Res. That repairs to WH engine be carried out during Whit week.
Proctor Barrett.

May 6th 1925
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Transfer of 76 shares from Annie Shepherd to Edna Dugdale sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Bank balance £3862-12-7 credit. Rents owing £6091-18-2. Accounts paid.
Proctor Barrett.

May 20th 1925
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £3149-6-0 credit. Rents owing £5770-6-4.
Res. That the common seal of the company be affixed to the dedication of land in Skipton Road to BUDC.
The conveyance of land at Calf Hall Road from Charles E Aldersley to the company for the sum of £50 was passed to the chairman for verification.
Res. That the repairs to the air pump at CH Shed as explained by Mr Wood be carried out during Whitsuntide.
Transfers of shares sanctioned from Exors of Thomas Baxter sanctioned to: Margaret Robinson 43 shares. Alice Deakin 43. Fred Baxter 43. William Baxter 50. James Baxter 50. Seal cert etc.
Along discussion tool place re the erection of a warehouse at Butts Mill for the Craven Manufacturing Co Ltd which when previously discussed was about £1900.
Res. That the matter be further discussed at the next meeting to be held on June 8th and that at the same meeting the question of the distribution of the reserve fund be also discussed.
Proctor Barrett.

June 8th 1925
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £4891-16-11 credit and rents owing £6953-3-9. Accounts paid.
Res. That the common seal of the company be affixed to the conveyance of a plot of land about 200 yards abutting on the N corner of CH Shed from Charles E Aldersley for the sum of £50 and that the document be signed by two directors and the secretary.
Messrs Pilgrim and Hayman [Hartley?] stated that the clause relating to the free passage of water and soil would not be detrimental to the company's interests in any respect.
Mr Wood gave a report on the analyses of the engine and cylinder oils at Butts Mill. The cylinder oil was considered to be good but the engine oil was of poor quality. He said that he would communicate with S Cooke and Co on the matter.
Res. That a set of S Heaton's fire bars @ 22/6 per cwt delivered and fixed be supplied to WH Mill. [Billy Watson starting to make his mark?]
Res. That the shareholders be recommended to pay a bonus dividend equivalent to the last year's dividend in addition to the usual dividend for the half year to June 30th.
A letter was read from P D Bilborough quoting a reduction of 2/9 per ton in the price of coal; the price from July 1st to December 31st being 24/5 for Acton Hall Washed doubles. 25/5 for Bentley Washed Doubles.
Mr Wood intimated that he would inform the tenants of the reduction.
Proctor Barrett.

June 24th 1925
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £5470-11-1 credit. Rents owing £6169-0-10.
Res. That Mr Joe Bullock's offer of £30 for the old boiler at Butts be accepted.
Res. That the chairman and Mr Banks be deputed to see Messrs Bracewell and Leaver re Mr F H Slater's desire to rail off the street forming part of the land purchased from him.
Proctor Barrett.

July 16th 1925
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank Balance £5610-16-10, rents owing £6348-10-10. Accounts paid.
The secretary read a letter from Pilgrim and Hayman stating that the purchase of land from Aldersley had been completed and that the documents of title had been placed in their strong room.
Res. That these documents of title be obtained from Pilgrim and Hayman and placed with the company's other securities at the bank.
Res. That a new plan be obtained of the land which it is proposed we purchase from Mr F H Slater.
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting at Seven Stars Hotel
July 16th 1925
[Printed balance sheet reports £2732-12-6 carried forward making a total profit of £7600-18-5 to which the directors propose to add £3950-18-3 from the reserve account making a total of £11,551-16-8 to be appropriated. Disposition is £3559-2-0 to pay a dividend of 15% per annum for the last half year, £ 3559-2-0 to pay a special bonus at the same rate and £2433-12-8 carried forward.]
P Barrett chair.
The chairman referred to the death of T Baxter.
Minutes as passed.
Balance sheet and dividends approved. Retiring directors re-elected.
A ballot was held to elect a director to replace Mr T Baxter. Result was: Slater Dugdale 17832 votes, Luke Suthers 2489 votes, H Clarke 2183 votes. Slater Dugdale declared a director of the company.
Director's remuneration as last year. Richard Watson and Son reappointed as auditors. Fee of £6 for the half year.
Proctor Barrett.

[Bear in mind what was happening nationally. The Tory government, in the pursuit of 'sound money' returned to the gold standard at what was seen in retrospect as too high a rate. Coal exports plummeted, the mine owners responded by imposing wage reductions in July 1925 and triggered strikes. The transport workers supported their claims and the government averted this by continuing the subsidy to the owners until May 1st 1926. The withdrawal of this subsidy was to trigger the General Strike. CHSC may be doing well but nationally the country was entering even deeper recession.]

August 12th 1925
Officers re-elected. P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid. Bank balance £1517-19-6 debit, rents owing £6464-19-5.
Res. That Mr W F Suthers application for two additional windows in his warehouse be not agreed to.
Res. That the BUDC account for repairing the road abutting on the gates at Butts Mill be returned with an intimation that the company did not order the work to be done nor does it accept liability for the road as it is a public thoroughfare to Taylor's property, that it abuts on other properties including a club, a working men's home and the council's own property, lavatories and a mortuary.
Res That C E Aldersley be required to clear the upper portion of Mill Street abutting on the company's land forthwith and that he be informed that we cannot allow him to interfere with our right of access to our land abutting on the cottage in Calf Hall Road.
Res. That the chairman, Messrs Banks and Holdsworth form a committee to oversee the decoration of the engine house at WH Mill and the ventilation and decorating of the company offices at Butts Mill.
Res. That the secretary inform G H Watson, engineer at Butts Mill that whilst they fully appreciate his services to the company, The directors cannot see their way to depart from the present standard wages of engine men serving the company.
Proctor Barrett.

August 26th 1925
Proctor Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2267-2-5 debit, rents owing £6246-4-7.
The secretary reported that he had written to Mr Aldersley re the right of way at CH and Mr Aldersley was waiting for a response from his solicitor.
Transfer of shares from Polly Sowerbutts sanctioned to: Proctor Barrett 250 shares. James Edgar Barrett 250. Robert S Windle 2 shares. Seal cert etc. [R S Windle is interesting. Founder of the modern Barlick accountants Windle and Bowker, he was a share dealer and the 2 odd shares look like a fee to me. We tend to forget that there was a healthy trade of shares in the local economy.]
Res. That the purchase of a boiler feed pump for CH Shed at £30 be approved and that the purchase of 15 ventilators at 17/6 each be also approved. [Looks like Teddy Wood and Johnny Pickles making sure that the mills have more than one way of feeding water to the boilers. Almost certainly a Weir pump from Glasgow and a good safety measure. This was becoming standard practice.]
Res. That a new set of Heaton [fire] bars be ordered for WH Mill.
Proctor Barrett.

September 9th 1925
Proctor Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £385-13-4 debit, rents owing £6931-13-3. Accounts paid.
Res. That rates totalling £1951-12-2 be now paid subject to Ouzledale Foundry being empty during the past year. [Remember Brown's had opened their new foundry at Havre Park next to WH Mill and Ouzledale was now redundant. Cecil Ashby has moved with them as foundry foreman.]
Tenders were received for the flooring with patent composition of the WH engine house from:
The Hardman Company £84. Terradura £65. Stockdale £61.
Res. That if the work of Stockdale be found to be satisfactory the tender be given to him. [New technology, a fine asphalt composition, often coloured, that was becoming fashionable. Bancroft engine house was floored with it in 1920.]
Tenders received for painting the engine house at WH:
Gornet, £33 and £5 for wheel covers. Eccleston £57-11-0 and £7-10-0. Simpson Brothers £37-10-0 and £11-5-0.
Res. That Simpson Brothers tender be accepted. [In these hard times they have given the work to a local firm.]
Res. That Norman Barrett be requested to prepare alternative schemes for improving the yard at Butts Mill by taking down, or otherwise, the old boiler house wall.
Res. That the shed wall adjacent to the engine house at CH be stayed [?] by P Barrett and Son.
Proctor Barrett.

September 30th 1925
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank Balance £2845-11-2 debit, rents owing £5406-15-3. Accounts paid.
Res. That the floor of the WH engine house be floored with Terradura as mentioned in the last minutes.
Norman Barrett attended and submitted alternative schemes for improving the yard at Butts Mill by taking down the old boiler house wall.
Res. That the plan which opened out the yard completely be adopted and that P Barrett and Sons do the work including the covering of the whole yard with asphalt.
Res. That P Barrett and Sons' tender for ashes be accepted:
Butts £10, CH £8, WH £12. Total £30. For the year ending September 30th 1926. [For carting ashes away.]
Proctor Barrett.

October 21st 1925.
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1258-10-6 debit, rents owing £6383-6-0.
Reports of black smoke were read re CH and WH. WH regarded as very bad.
A letter was read from S Pickles and Sons requesting a reduction of rent.
Proctor Barrett.

November 4th 1925
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £96-8-6 credit, rents owing £7336-7-11.
Transfer of shares from Luke Suthers sanctioned to:
John Whitfield Overing 30 shares. J J Sneath 150 shares. Herbert Clark 58 shares. Minnie Windle 12 shares. Also 376 shares from Edward Aldersley to Edward Wood. Seal cert etc.
Norman Barrett attended and explained that the patent flooring at WH had not been successful and that the portion near the engine had been taken up and that a small portion was under test, being heated in a different way. [Almost certain that the problem is lack of adhesion to oil-soaked stone flags. The best way to ensure a good job was to lay direct onto a screed of new concrete.]
Res. That the matter be postponed and left in the hands of the directors appointed.
Res. That the offer from P Barrett and Sons of 10/- per load of bricks and 30/- for corner stones etc be accepted.
Proctor Barrett.

November 18th 1925
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £9-8-11 debit, rents owing £6821-10-9.
Transfer of shares from Luke Suthers sanctioned to:
Jane Sneath 200 shares. Mary Ann Cowgill 50. Mary Cowgill 50. John and Mary Sneath 50. John William Broughton 100. Francis Clark 14. Leonard Windle 6. Ruth Berridge 50. Charles E Sneath 30. Elizabeth H Ibbotson 17. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the fire doors at Butts Mill which are not accepted as satisfactory by the insurance company be not reinstated, the extra cost in the insurance [premium] being £4-13-10 per annum and the expected cost of putting new doors in about £100.
Res. That we supply Henry Brown and Sons with a clutch at an estimated cost of £12.
Res That the purchase agreement submitted to the meeting and discussed, re the plot of land on the NE side of Butts Mill, recently purchased from F H Slater be accepted subject to emendation of a clause relating to the right to supply water to their trough for all time being amended to read 'until the making of the street'.
Proctor Barrett.

December 2nd 1925
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2080-10-7 credit and rents owing £6946-6-10. Accounts paid.
Res. That the charge for tape overtime to J W Horsfield and Hartley and Lawson be allowed in view of the stoppage of looms and in view of the fact that outside taping had been done.
Transfer of 97 shares from Luke Suthers to Elizabeth Hannah Ibbotson sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the common seal of the company be affixed to the conveyance of 2095 yards of land on the W side of Butts Mill recently purchased from F H Slater and that a cheque be drawn for the purchase price of £209-10-0.
Res. That we purchase from P D Bilborough for the six months from January 1st 1926 to June 30th 1926: Bentley Washed Doubles @ 23/5 and Acton Hall Washed Mixed Nuts @ 22/8. Delivered at Barnoldswick station. Providing that the quality of the fuel is maintained as at present supplied.
Proctor Barrett.

December 16th 1925
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1922-19-0 credit and rents owing £6555-14-3.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to take what steps he deems necessary to obtain payment from E Aldersley of the account re tape charges.
Res. That the roof of T Nutter's shed be underdrawn with match boarding.
Considerable discussion took place re the method of paying director's fees in view of the fact that the Inspector of Taxes now insisted on each director paying his own tax and this would result in each director claiming a remission of tax on one sixth of the gross amount of his fee, it was thought that as this was a personal allowance the tax should be paid by the company on the full amount of the fee but as the resolution passing the salaries was worded “free of tax” it was thought that the resolution be amended at the next general meeting.
Proctor Barrett.

January 6th 1926
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £3541-9-4 credit, rents owing £7310-2-0.
Tenders were received for carting [coal]:
J Crabtree and Sons 1/6 per ton for all mills. E Holdsworth 1/6 per ton for WH and Butts and 2/- per ton for CH.
As the carting done by Holdsworth had been considered satisfactory it was resolved that the work by him be continued. [It's perhaps a sign of the times that certainty becomes a greater factor than raw price.]
Balance sheet as read adopted subject to audit. Dividend of 15% per annum for the half year be recommended and that the general meeting shall be on January 21st.
The correspondence with Mr Aldersley was read and approved.
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting Seven Stars Hotel
January 21st 1926
[Printed balance sheet inserted reports £2433-12-8 carried forward, total to be apportioned £7638-5-2. Disposition £4559-2-0 to dividend at 15% per annum for the half year. £3079-3-2 carried forward.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and dividend approved.
[No signature]

February 10th 1926
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That coal and carting accounts be paid.
Res. That Mr Wood reply to H W Fenton, clerk to BUDC, stating that the company is willing to sell Bridge House and Coates Wharf for £1250.
A discussion took place re Mill Street, CH Shed.
Res. That Mr Wood be requested to send on the deeds for CH Shed so as to ascertain what rights the company has over the street.
Proctor Barrett.

February 24th 1926
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Before commencing the meeting the chairman said: “I am very sorry to report the death of our esteemed vice chair Mr Joseph Slater. … Mr Slater's long experience as a mill owner [Clough Mill] and manufacturer fitted him particularly well as a director of a company such as ours. He always took a reasonable view of matters arising between the company and the tenants. We shall not only miss his good counsel but also his kindly and genial disposition which endeared him to all with whom he came into contact. I beg to move that a letter of condolence be sent from the meeting to Mrs Slater and family expressing our deepest sympathy with them in their sad bereavement.”
Mr Wood supported the motion and the members expressed their approval by standing.
[This eulogy was no exaggeration, Joseph Slater was one of the founding manufacturers in Barlick going back to the time of the Bracewell hegemony. He married Billycock's daughter and lived with her in Newfield Edge. I have many pieces of evidence of his good works and the general regard in the town for him. Vast experience and wise counsels, he will be missed.]
Bank balance £2802-19-2 credit, rents owing £6628-3-5.
The secretary reported that he had taken over the premises of W F Suthers and Sons on February 3rd for rent arrears of £1000-9-1, that he had been appointed liquidator and that there were sufficient assets to meet the claim. [You will have noted the share sales by Luke Suthers. He was 55 years old and followed his father, also named Luke, into the business. He eventually died in 1930 at Hutton near Preston. Over the next two years Luke and his brothers attempted to start up again in a corrugated iron shed at Coates under the title of the Ghyll Manufacturing Company but failed again, he left Barlick in 1927. There will be more such victims, these were hard times.]
Mr Wood also reported that he had taken possession of E Aldersley's [plant] at Butts Mill in accordance with instructions from the board for £332-8-2 arrears. Mr Aldersley's solicitor had objected to the distress on the grounds that there was no penalty in the agreement for default on the part of Mr Aldersley.
Res. That Mr Wood be authorised to settle with Mr Aldersley if they would pay for the export taping done during the period at the rate of 12/6 per set [of taper's beams]. [The directors have lost patience with Aldersley and though only a small matter this demonstrates the power that CHSC held over their tenants under the common law governing the landlord/tenant relationship without the sanctions of contract law as applied to the agreements. We shall see this power being used more and more to safeguard the company's interests.]
Res. That cheques be drawn to repay loans owing by the company.
Transfer of shares sanctioned. These are all in favour of Seth Mundy and William A Adney [Of the Bank of Liverpool. Luke perhaps thought he was ring-fencing the shares by transferring them before the failure of the firm but evidently not.]
Jane Suthers 74 shares. Luke Suthers 105. Ethel Suthers 73. Harcourt Suthers 73. Winifred Suthers 73. Frederick Suthers 73. Clarence Suthers 73.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to get the terms for insuring the engine at Butts Mill to enable Hartley and Lawson to take out a policy for insurance against loss of profits through engine breakdown. [This Loss of Profits insurance became standard practice.]
Res. Accounts be paid.
A letter was read from the Monkswell Manufacturing Co Ltd asking that the basis of rent be reduced. The secretary informed the meeting that he had replied that the rents in Barnoldswick had been less than those in Burnley for many years and were now at about the same level. [Remember that from the tenant's point of view this was a company paying 15% dividend as a matter of course and had distributed accumulated reserves as well.]
Proctor Barrett.

March 10th 1926
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1417-19-4 debit [Repayment of loans?] and rents owing £6747-0-8.
Letters were read from BUDC intimating that they are not prepared to give £1250 for Bridge House and Coates Wharf.
A further letter was read from BUDC re the widening of Skipton Road [At Coates bridge] in which they ask for a small deputation of the directors to meet members of the council.
Res. That the chairmen, Mr Banks and Mr Holdsworth be appointed a deputation to interview the council with authority to reduce the price of the house and wharf to £1150. It was thought advisable not to dispose of part of the land or a strip but to sell the whole property.
A quotation was submitted by the London Assurance for the insurance of Butts Mill engine.
Res. That nothing further be done.
The secretary read the correspondence with Mr Edward Aldersley's solicitor which was to the affect that they demanded the return of the amount for which we had distrained and stated that Mr Aldersley claimed he was at liberty to do outside taping and that he was not precluded from doing this by his agreement. In consequence of this statement the actions of the chairman and managing directors in agreeing to refund the amount was approved.
Res. That immediately this question has been disposed of Mr Aldersley be served with six months notice to terminate his tenancy. [I get the impression that the directors have no confidence in the state of Aldersley's business.]
Transfer of 10 shares from Harry Broughton to Ethel Broughton sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Accounts paid.
Res. That H Brown and Sons be instructed to examine the fly wheel at Butts Mill. [That gear again!]
Proctor Barrett.

March 24th 1926
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2128-11-7 debit and rents owing £6445-6-8.
The deputation appointed to meet BUDC re Bridge House reported that the councilwere desirous that the company offer them a strip of land passing in front of the house to the canal and their surveyor had suggested that they would make a plan and submit the same to the company. The deputation did not mention the question of price but intimated that they wished to dispose of the whole of the property.
Res. That 4 wheel covers be ordered with Messrs Mudd for CH Shed.
It was reported that there was a lock-out in the town which commenced on March 15th 1926 and that it had not been settled but it was hoped a settlement would be arrived at on Saturday. [Unfortunately not. The manufacturers were desperate to find ways of reducing costs and the wages paid to the operatives was the easiest target. Fining workers for bad work etc had long been a bone of contention between the unions and the manufacturers so when the numbers and severity of fines was increased tensions rose. Another route to increasing margins was use of lower grades of yarn which reduced costs but also increased the fines as weaving was more difficult. The workers at Edmondson's Fernbank Shed walked out claiming compensation for 'bad stuff'. Nobody would give way so the manufacturer's association locked the whole town out and this lasted for three weeks.]
Res. That the tenants be allowed the cost of coal (Which is rather more than the savings effected owing to the stoppage.) and that the amount be at the rate of 7d per loom or 30/4 per loom per annum.
Proctor Barrett.

April 14th 1926
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance reported as £1035-19-9 debit, rents owing £7868-9-9.
Several tenants wrote objecting to the allowance made for the stoppages and stated that half rent had been allowed by some mills in the town. The secretary said that he would obtain particulars.
Transfer of shares from Exors of James Windle sanctioned: 76 to Minnie Windle and 76 to Margaret Kelly. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that the strike at Barnoldswick was settled on the 26th of April and that work re-commenced on April 29th. [Must have been inserted later]
Proctor Barrett.

April 22nd 1926
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance reported as £1428-3-8 debit and rents owing £7861-1-3.
Mr Wood reported that the committee of inspection of W F Suthers and Sons Ltd (In liquidation) had decided to dispose of the plant by public auction as no reasonable offer had been received. [A bad time to sell!]
The amount distrained for rent arrears was £1000-9-1 and the February and March accounts amounted to £302-11-2. The number of looms owned by Suthers was 376 38” and 40” reed space.
The feeling of the meeting was that the looms should not be allowed to leave the premises as the very bad state of trade and the excessive cost of new plant would make it difficult to obtain a new tenant with sufficient capital to re-instate the machinery in the premises should the looms and preparation machinery be taken out.
Res. That we offer the committee £3 per loom and make an allowance from the February and March rents of one half which would be equal to the purchase price of the plant. [Smart thinking. There are other costs involved as well such as loom shifting and spacing and commissioning of new looms. This way the company have a weaving unit ready to be stepped into at a very low capital threshold.]
Res. That Mr Moses Horsfield be appointed a director of the company in place of Mr Joseph Slater deceased and that the chairman interview him on the matter of him taking the position.
Proctor Barrett.

May 5th 1926
[The General Strike started on May 1st 1926]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank Balance £32-14-0 credit. Rents owing £7119-12-5.
The chairman reported that he had seen Mr Horsfield re the position of director but had not yet received his decision.
Res. That a cheque be drawn for £1128, the purchase price for 376 looms from the Liquidator if W F Suthers and Sons Ltd. The amount to be repaid to the company on account of rent owing.
Transfer of shares sanctioned: 500 shares from Polly Earnshaw and G H Midgely to Edward Wood. 57 from Alfred Marsden to Sarah A Howarth. From Exors of J Marsden to: Alice Wallbank 57. Rebecca Strickland 57. Margaret Croft 57. Luke Suthers to Elizabeth H Ibbotson 32. Seal cert etc.
Accounts paid.
It was reported that the coal strike commenced on May 3rd and that we had about four weeks stock.
Proctor Barrett.

May 20th 1926
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Mr Barrett welcomed Mr Moses Horsfield on his first meeting as a director.
Bank balance £449-11-9 debit. Rents owing £6740-12-4.
Res. That the fireman at CH Shed be warned that he is not giving satisfaction and that the company would be glad if he will look for a fresh situation.
Reported that application had been made by Harry Barrett of Lockfield House, Coates, to become tenant of the yard abutting on Coates House.
Res. That he be informed that the company is not prepared to let any portion of the premises but are willing to negotiate for the sale of the whole.
Res. That O'Mara be instructed to repair the lightning conductor at CH.
Re. That the LP valves be faced at CH Shed. [These were large slide valves and this will be refacing the valves and seatings to make them more efficient.]
Mr Wood reported that the Coal Controller had given permission to run next week providing ths mill is stopped on Whit Monday. [The emergency measures first put in place in 1921 for the coal strike had been a useful rehearsal for the General Strike. The government was going to run the country under emergency powers.]
Proctor Barrett.

June 2nd 1926
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £213-3-9 credit, rents owing £8465-1-9.
Mr Wood reported that two boats of coal were coming to Barlick from the Exors. [of Colonel Hargreaves]
Letters were read from BUDC complaining of black smoke at Butts Mill. This appears to have been brought about by the change of fuel.
Res. That the next meeting be held on June 23rd and the general meeting of shareholders on July 15th.
Proctor Barrett.

June 16th 1926
P Barrett chair.
The meeting was called specially to discuss the question of the supply of coal during the strike, the mills having stopped on Saturday noon last week owing to shortage of coal, the stock having been used.
Mr Bilborough attended and placed before them an offer he had received by phone of Sicilian [Silesian actually] large round coal over 2” at 42/6 per ton at Hull, railway carriage 10/5 per ton and wagon charges 1/6 per ton. [54/5 per ton]
Res. That we order 500 tons and that a cheque be drawn for £400 on account.
Minutes as read. Bank balance £1755-2-3 credit and rents owing £6626-6-2.
Res. That the healds and reeds and hooking [looming] frame at Suthers be not sold.
Proctor Barrett.

July 15th 1926
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
A full report on the position re coal was given at the meeting to the effect that 500 tons of Silesian coal had been purchased from Mr Bilborough and that it was fairly good fuel.
Res. That a further 500 tons be ordered.
The bank balance was £1862 credit and rents owing £6045, together with £1220 [rent arrears] by J W Horsfield upon whose premises distress has been levied and Mr Wood is Liquidator.
It was reported that distress had also been levied on Messrs Dugdale and Dewhurst for £880.
Accounts paid.
Messrs T Nutter and Co applied for a three months tenancy in place of the present six months tenancy.
Res. That he be informed that the directors regretted their inability to comply with their request.
P Barrett.

General meeting Seven Stars Hotel
July 15th 1926
[Printed balance sheet inserted reports £3079-3-2 carried forward making a total of £7038-18-0 to be appropriated. Disposition £4599-2-0 to dividend of 15% per annum for the half year and £2479-16-0 carried forward.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the director's remuneration be at the rate of £160 per annum plus the tax which would be paid as a gross sum having a net amount of £160 leaving the directors to pay the tax on their fees.
Balance sheet and dividend approved.
Moses Horsfield to replace Joseph Slater deceased. Retiring directors reappointed. Richard Watson and Son reappointed as auditors at £6 for the half year.
The chairman referred in appreciation to the late Joseph Slater. The meeting expressed their approval by standing.
Proctor Barrett.

August 4th 1926
Officers reappointed.
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2960-2-1 debit. Rents owing £7279-18-11. Accounts paid.
Res. That the purchase by Mr Banks of 150 extra tons of coal be approved.
Res. That the company offer £880 for the 270 odd looms and stock now in the hands of Ramsbottom and Heap, Receivers for Dugdale and Dewhurst providing he pays rent to 31st July.
Res. That if the offer be accepted the secretary be instructed to weave out the warps in the looms. [Interesting entry. I had never thought about the warps in the looms in a sudden cessation of trading. CHSC become a temporary manufacturer!]
Proctor Barrett.

August 18th 1926
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1937-4-10 debit. Rents owing £5879-18-10.
A letter was read from J Windle and Son claiming £677 in alleged overpayment under lease which they say was signed on December 12th 1913 for seven years. The secretary was asked to look intoi the matter and report.
Mr Wood reported that T Nutter and Sons had seen him and requested that their terms of tenancy be reduced to three months notice. Mr Nutter intimated that some of the other mills in Barnoldswick were considering the matter and it was agreed for this to stand over until a settlement had been arrived at with the other mills. The feeling of the meeting was that no alteration should be made in the terms of the agreement of six months notice from the first day of any month.
Reported that we had 314 tons of coal in stock.
Res. That we purchase a further 150 tons.
A schedule of the stock on the premises of Dugdale and Dewhurst was submitted, as Receiver, by R S Windle. The total value placed on the stock was £649-3-6.
Res. That the offer of last week for plant and stock be increased to £1000, being £880 rent distrained upon and £120 for a further months rent. [Until the firm had been liquidated the rent carries on mounting up.]
Res. That the tenants be informed that the directors are prepared, as from July 1st, to bear a proportion of the extra cost of dear coal which is about 1/- per loom per week and are prepared to charge only 6d per loom as from that date although the stock of coal was finished on June 11th.
Res. That the usual charges be made to the end of June and the usual allowances for stoppages.
Res. That should the tenants agree to stop at any of the mills and the engine is entirely stopped, an allowance of 7d per loom per week be made for a full week's stoppage. These terms are based on the present price of coal. If the price of coal varies the directors reserve the right to vary the charge.
Proctor Barrett.

September 1st 1926
[Miners were starting to drift back to work during this month, the ultimate end of the stoppage was in November]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2827-14-10 debit. Rents owing £7411-3-7.
Res. That one bay of the roof at WH be repaired with patent glazing as suggested by Mr Banks.
Res. That Fred Pickles on behalf of a new limited company should be accepted as a tenant of the company in the space recently occupied by J W Horsfield at Butts Mill whose machinery he had recently purchased from Mr Wood the Trustee and that the rent commences from January 1st next. [Three months grace. We shall see the grace period being used more and more to encourage new tenants.]
Res. That the rent of the premises to the Trustee of J W Horsfield cease as of June 30th 1926.
Res. That the partition in the loading space of the premises taken over be renewed and the floor repaired.
Mr Wood reported that the Wellhouse Manufacturing Company were anxious to see him re their position.
Res. That as the Receiver of Dugdale and Dewhurst would not accept the price offered for the plant and stock the question of the purchase be left in the hands of the chairman and managing directors.
With reference to Windle and Sons' claim for £677, the secretary reported that the lease mentioned in their correspondence had never been completed by the company and he was advised by the solicitors to the company, Messrs Smith and Smith, that the claim was not in order as the terms proposed in the draft lease had been varied by notices accepted and payments made and that their tenancy continued.
Res. That Windle and Sons be informed that their claim cannot be admitted.
Tenders were submitted by Henry Brown and Sons for taking out the old CI pipes and fixing 2” wrought iron pipes in Windle and Sons' shed for £23. And also taking down old CI steam pipes and replacing with 2” wrought iron pipes in the Wellhouse Manufacturing Co's shed at a cost of £69.
Res. Tenders accepted, scrapped CI pipes to remain the property of the company.
Tender received from E Green and Sons for the replacement of the 10th to the 24th sections of the economiser at CH Shed for the inclusive price of £416.
Res. That this tender be laid on the table.
Proctor Barrett.

September 15th 1926
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2511-4-0 debit, rent owing £6408-7-4.
Mr Wood reported that it had been necessary to take possession for rent at the Wellhouse Manufacturing Company Ltd as they had decided to go into voluntary liquidation with Mr Wood as liquidator. [See minutes for March 14th 1923 when they took over the 416 looms of William Bailey Ltd.]
Mr Wood also reported re Dugdale and Dewhurst that the Receiver was not prepared to dispose of their assets excepting by payment of £440 which was the equivalent to accepting 10/- in the pound on the amount levied for distress up to the end of June and payment of July and August rent in full. The assets were valued at £1140 and the amount agreed to be accepted for rent was £700 leaving a balance of £440 to pay.
Res. That a cheque be drawn for R S Windle the Receiver for the debenture holder.
The correspondence with J Windle and Sons re their claim was read and approved.
A Letter was read from Thomas Nutter (Barnoldswick) Ltd dated August 24th giving six months notice to quit the tenancy of CH Shed from August 31st.
Res. That a further 250 tons of coal be purchased and that the 150 tons ordered last week be confirmed.
A letter was read from BUDC intimating that they are applying for a Special Order authorising them to distribute electricity and asking of the company would be customers. [The power was to come in from Keighley where a large generating station had been built.]
Res. That the council be referred to the tenants.
A circular letter was read signed by all the tenants:
The tenants of the CH, Butts and WH sheds whose signatures are here attached desire to bring before the directors the opinion that the time has arrived when consideration as to times [length?] of tenancies, rents etc should be given and new agreements drawn up consistent with conditions today. The main points we wish to draw your attention to are: Rents are too high. Half rent required on both looms and tapes for stoppages due to breakdowns, holidays, strikes, lockouts, bad trade etc. No eight hours to be deducted from the above. No extra charge for coal during present coal strike. One third rent to be allowed for single places [tenancies] stopped. Definite agreements required as to terms of tenancy.
We shall be pleased if you can arrange a meeting with us to discuss the matter.
Res. That they be informed that the next meeting of directors will be held on Wednesday September 29th at 2:30pm.
A letter was received from S Pickles and Sons and the Craven Manufacturing Co [remember that the latter is a Pickles firm.] drawing the company's attention to the extremely difficult trading conditions during the last five years and pointing out that so far there was no sign of improvement. They could not afford to pay the present rent and informed us that unless we could make proposals for bringing the terms of rental more into harmony with the state of trade they would be obliged to give formal notice to terminate their tenancy.
Res. That the chairman and managing directors be authorised to deal with any applications for space and that authority to dispose of plant held by the company at such price as they mey deem reasonable , to give such grace as they may find necessary in order to secure tenants for the premises at present unoccupied. Namely: W F Suthers and Sons 376 looms. Wellhouse Manufacturing Co 416 looms and Dugdale and Dewhurst 276 looms.
Proctor Barrett.

September 29th 1926
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2813-8-4 debit. Rents owing £6051-10-3. Accounts paid.
A postcard was read from J Windle and Son asking for a reply to their letter.
Res. That no reply be sent.
Immediately after the meeting the tenants of the company attended and requested the company to reduce the rent in accordance with their application on the grounds that the rents are too high and they cannot carry on with these at the present rate. They requested that they be adjusted in order to be more in keeping with the present bad state of trade. They also stated that there was no prospect [of improvement] for the next two or three years and they would like the directors to suggest some variation of the terms which would make it possible for the tenants to carry on as they could not compete with the owners of their own premises.
The deputation was informed that the points brought forward by them would receive consideration and that the directors would come to some decision at their next meeting and inform the tenants of their reply immediately afterwards.
The meeting was informed that S Pickles and Sons and the Craven Manufacturing Co had given six moths notice to terminate their tenancy.
Mr Wood informed the meeting that he had instructed Mr Robinson to distrain on the property of the Wellhouse Manufacturing Co on September 3rd, that he was appointed to liquidate the company on September 13th and that the assets were not likely to realise more than sufficient to pay the rent owing.
After the meeting notice was received from Edward Aldersley giving six months notice to terminate their tenancy.
E B Banks.

October 13th 1926
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read. Present Holdsworth, Hall, Peel, Jacques, Slater Dugdale, Moses Horsfield and E Wood, secretary.
Bank balance £2782-11-3 debit. Rent owing £7230-10-7.
The secretary reported he had sold 216 of the looms recently owned by W F Suthers and Sons for £540 to Peterson Ltd, Long Ing Shed and that they had agreed to take a tenancy of the premises containing 376 looms from January 1st 1927. £140 paid, balance due on January 1st.
Res. That the balance of the looms be disposed of by tender.
A letter was read from BUDC to the effect that in view of the serious depression in the cotton trade an Investigation Committee had been appointed and the company was requested to send a representative to a meeting to be called.
Res. That no representative be sent. [Apart from the fact that the BUDC initiative is an indication of awareness of the state of the industry I don't know what to read into this. On the face of it this is a blunt response. It may be that local politics are involved here, there was much unrest in the town at the time.]
The question of the tenant's application discussed at the last meeting came up for further discussion.
Res. That a letter drafted ny the secretary be approved, adopted and a copy affixed in the minute book.
Res. That no allowances be made to tenants who had given notice to quit tenancies. Aldersley's, S Pickles and Sons Ltd and T Nutter Ltd.
[Copy of the letter referred to:
From Edward Wood, Secretary, Proctor and Proctor, Chartered Accountants, 3 Grimshaw Street Burnley (and at Mansfield Chambers, 17 St Anne's Square, Manchester.) Partners Edward Wood FCA and William Taylor ACA.
October 15th 1926.
Dear Sirs,
CALF HALL SHED COMPANY LIMITED.
My directors have carefully considered your application of September 14th and the arguments in support which were fairly stated by your representatives Messrs Holden and Pickles at the conference on September 29th.
They request me to say that they have a great deal of sympathy for the tenants who find themselves so seriously affected by the present deplorable state of trade. They are in a position to understand your difficulties because they are seriously affected by it themselves. They have, at the moment, no income from 1475 loom spaces and this loss of income seriously affects their own position. In addition to this, the company has voluntarily accepted the greater share of the burden of the cost of dear coal since the Coal Strike began in May last by charging the tenants a nominal amount of 6d per week only. Up to the present moment this cost is about £1250 more than has been charged to the tenants.
Further, the rents charged by this company have been several shillings per loom per annum and tape rents many pounds per annum lower than mills in Burnley, Nelson, Earby or Barnoldswick during several years and more substantial allowances have been made than by other companies in the town.
However, in view of the present state of trade and the fair way in which your case was presented, the directors feel that they cannot refuse your request entirely, and although they cannot see their way to vary any of the conditions of your tenancy, which are common to all Room and Power tenancies in the district, they are prepared to make a further concession, solely on account of bad trade, from October 1st 1926 to March 31st 1927 of a discount from the rent accrued in these months at the rate of 10% which may be deducted at the time of the payment of each of the above-named months rent providing all rents owing as per account rendered be paid before the end of November next [1926?] and that each of the six months rent ne paid before the end of the month following that in which it was accrued.
They sincerely hope that these concessions, which, under the circumstances, are made at great sacrifice, will enable you to tide over the present difficulties of the trade.
Yours truly, Edward Wood, Secretary.
[So far so good but remember that from the tenant's point of view they are dealing with a company which is paying 15% dividend free of tax per annum in a deep depression. It can be argued of course that this dividend is based on previous successful trading and isn't an indication of present conditions but the question is will the tenants be so objective?]
Proctor Barrett.

October 27th 1926
P Barrett chair. Banks, Holdsworth, Hall, Peel, Jacques, Slater, Horsfield and Edward Wood.
Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2937-18-5 debit. Rent owing £6530-10-7.
The secretary reported that he had disposed of the plant of the Wellhouse Manufacturing Co to Mr Herbert Whipp on behalf of a limited company; the terms being that possession should be given on December 1st 1926 and that rent commence on April 1st 1927. [Four months grace on looms bought at a knock-down price. This was the New Mill Manufacturing Co (Barnoldswick) Limited and in March 1927 it was reported that they had failed to complete the purchase.]
The secretary reported that Hartley and Lawson Ltd had passed a resolution to wind up [their company] without informing him and that in consequence the CHSC priority claim for rent of £1381-14-6 had been jeopardised. He had however distrained on October 19th and he explained the circumstances under which it might be possible for the rent to be paid in full.
Res. That the distraint be confirmed.
Res. That the 160 looms lately the property of W F Suthers and Son be sold to Messrs. Rushworth of Colne at 34/- each less 1/6 for each loom which had not a beam. [Rushworth's at Colne were nominally an engineering company but in truth were more active as scrap merchants. In the later days of the industry they scrapped almost all the mills. However at this point it is debatable whether these looms are being scrapped or exported to developing countries like India. The clue is in the reduction if beams were absent. A scrap price wouldn't depend on a piece of wood and one has to suspect that these looms are intended for resale but bought at scrap price so that there was another way out. In later years under government sponsored scrapping schemes there were some very suspect dealings in looms that were supposed to have been scrapped. Ernie Roberts, a tackler in such a mill, told me that a favourite ploy was to crack the main castings at each end of a loom, remove them, weld the cracks and sell a serviceable loom. While this was being done a government inspector arrived on the scene and insisted that the breaking up be properly done. Remember that apart from dodgy firms who were prepared to buy looms with welded castings cheap, there was a thriving export trade in second-hand looms to places like India and China.]
A letter was received from in the following terms from certain of the tenants:
“The following are the terms under which we can continue our tenancy:
1.Looms 67/6, tapes £148.
2.Half rent only for stoppage caused through holidays, strikes or lockouts.
3.No rent to be paid for stoppages not caused by the tenants.
4.No eight hours deduction from the above.
5.No extra charge for coal during the present coal strike.
6.One third rent to be allowed for single place stoppage by the tenants.
7.Definite agreement required as to terms of tenancy.
8.No extra charge for tape overtime except in the case of outside taping.
Res. That the secretary inform the tenants that the directors regret that no further allowances can be made than the amount already suggested but they are willing, at the end of six months, should trade continue in its present state, to again consider the question of allowances based on the merits of the case.
E B Banks.

November 10th 1926
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1559-13-11 debit. Rents owing £7659-13-4.
A letter was read from BUDC intimating that the CHSC offer to sell Coates Wharf would be placed before the council.
A letter was read from T Nutter Ltd apologising for non payment of rent but they understood that some negotiation was continuing for a reduction. [A bit of a lame excuse.]
The secretary gave a full report on the position of Hartley and Lawson to the effect that at the meeting of creditors the Liquidator, Mr E Smith put before the meeting a Statement of Affairs showing that the assets would realise more than sufficient to cover the Debentures of £3,600 and that the unsecured creditors were about £15,000. [As I understand it, rent counted as a debenture, that is it is regarded as secured.]
Mr Pearce's valuation of the plant and stock was considerably less than this figure and it was resolved that the secretary be empowered to take such action as he may deem necessary to enforce the claim of CHSC for preferential treatment of the rent owing.
Res. That the secretary be empowered to take possession [of the plant] on behalf of CHSC and to take any action, whenever he may deem it expedient in the interest of the company so to do.
The secretary intimated that he had let to Messrs M Horsfield and Sons space for 400 looms now occupied by T Nutter and Sons Ltd at CH Shed.
An offer for the looms belonging to the company and rented in the space previously occupied by Dugdale and Dewhurst was placed before the meeting and also an offer to occupy the premises.
Res. That the Executive Committee be empowered to get the best terms possible.
E B Banks.

November 24th 1926
[Bear in mind that the wider national tragedy is still unfolding, 1,759,000, 9.6% of workers, are unemployed. The beaten miners are mostly back at work. There is no prospect of improvement.]
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £909-8-6 debit. Rents owing £6644-17-4.
A letter was read from BUDC re Coates Wharf and house stating that the council do not propose to negotiate for the purchase of this property. [It was not until the 1950s that this widening scheme and the rebuilding of Coates Bridge finally happened.]
The secretary reported on his interview with five of the tenants re the director's refusal to reconsider the offer of an allowance at 10% from which it appeared that they asked for the allowance to be not less than 20% and that no charge should be made for the extra cost of coal.
The tenants present were Blackburn Holden, Alfred Horsfield, Windle and Moorhouse.
Res. That no further allowance be made than that already granted as the company's losses during the half year were very serious, £2000 for extra cost of coal, £1000 for allowance of 10%, £2750 for loss of rent on 1472 loom spaces empty and £1400 Hartley and Lawson rent.
Mr Wood reported the result of his interview with Mr Fred Pickles on behalf of Craven Manufacturing Co and S Pickles and Sons who gave notice to terminate their tenancies on September 30th to be effective on March 30th 1927. He intimated that they would leave the premises unless the following matters received attention and that if we would carry out, in a reasonable way, the suggestions he had to make they would remain tenants of the company.
1.To make the premises into a habitable and reasonable place of business.
2.Lavatories.
3.Warehouse accommodation.
4.Office.
5.Looms (paying for 11 more than there was reasonable room for).
6.Water leaking in through roof.
After considerable discussion it was resolved that we grant the conditions specified and that they be informed of this decision and that the allowance of 10% made to the other tenants be applied to these two. [It didn't need a lot of discussion! This is acceptance of the inevitable and effectively the end of the negotiations.]
Mr P D Bilborough quoted as follows for the supply of coal: Acton Hall washed doubles 25/- per ton and Bentley washed doubles at 25/8.
The above prices being subject to a definite contract being entered into for a period of 12 months.
Res. That the purchase of coal under these terms be deferred.
E B Banks.

December 8th 1926
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £394-12-0 credit and rents owing £7756-17-8.
Res. That a contract be entered into with Peter Bilborough for the supply of coal for the six months ending June 30th 1927 at the following prices: 25/- per ton for Acton Hall and 25/6 for Bentley. Acton Hall in our own wagons 1/6 per ton less and Bentley 1/2 ditto. Subject to quality being maintained.
A letter sent by the Executive Committee to Craven Manufacturing Co Ltd and S Pickles and Sons agreeing to their terms provided that notice to terminate tenancies be withdrawn was read and approved.
Res. That Norman Barrett be requested to attend with plans at the next meeting.
Res. That the sale of plant at Wellhouse Mill lately the property of Dugdale and Dewhurst to Messrs Richardson, Horsfield and Dewhurst for the sum of £550 and rent to commence on April 1st 1927 be approved.
Proctor Barrett.

December 22nd 1926
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1393-18-5, rents owing £7374-1-7.
Res. That in view of the fact that the estate of the Wellhouse Manufacturing Co Ltd is not in a position to to pay rent after September 30th up to which date distress was levied, that no allowance be made to the Liquidator of that company.
Messrs S Pickles and Sons and the Craven Manufacturing Co Ltd wrote asking for further allowances and also that the cloth valued at £250 now under distraint in the premises of Hartley and Lawson for rent owing by them be handed over to them. [Had Hartley and Lawson been weaving for the Pickles firms on commission? A common circumstance if a firm was short of orders. This is what happened when I was engineer at Bancroft Shed, we kept the mill going by taking commission weaving of very difficult cloths at a low profit margin, better than stopping.]
Res. That provided they withdraw the claim for allowances and differences mentioned in the letter the cloth be released to them.
A letter was read from the New Mill (Barnoldswick) Co intimating that as they had filled their looms much more quickly than they expected and not realised the private assets, that they were not in a position to pay the Liquidator and secure possession of the looms. [Even though they had work, cash flow had beaten them. These were hard days.]
Res. That the CHSC purchase the plant and effects from the Liquidator providing the New Mill Co pay the liquidator £536 on account of the purchase price.
Mr Norman Barrett attended the meeting with plans for the proposed increase in warehouse accommodation, offices and conveniences for the Craven Manufacturing Co. Mr Barrett stated that the estimate of cost was £2000 and that there would be added about 400 square yards of warehouse space.
Res. That Mr Barrett be instructed to obtain tenders for the work in accordance with the plans subject to the various suggestions that had been made.
Mr John Pickles attended on behalf of Henry Brown and Sons with suggested alterations for the drive for Horsfield's place and Aldersley's the estimated cost of which was £137-10-0.
Res. That the work be put in hand.
P Barrett.

January 5th 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1011-7-3 debit and rent owing £8255-10-5 including amounts owed be Hartley and Lawson £1549-0-1 and Wellhouse Manfg Co £1586-15-4. Accounts paid.
The secretary gave particulars of the realisation of [the assets of] Dugdale and Dewhurst showing receipts of £1259-0-5, payments £1140 leaving a balance of £120.
Res. That the balance be paid to Mr Wood for his services to the company during the last half year due to the coal strike and the letting of empty space.
The secretary reported that Mr Whipp who purchased the plant at WH lately belonging to W F Suthers had not yet paid for the same.
A tender was received from H Brown and Sons for a dynamo and fixing to light the premises recently taken by Messrs Peterson's Ltd. Dynamo £20,Fixing £20-5-0. Lamps and wiring extra.
Res. That the tender be accepted.
E B Banks.

January 19th 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £3433-7-3 debit, rents owing £6020-14-9.
Res. That the balance sheet as read be adopted subject to audit. A dividend of 15% per annum for the half year be recommended and that the general meeting be on January 26th.
Res. That Mr Edward Wood be authorised to deposit with the Bank of Liverpool and Martins Ltd the stock receipt relating to £6000 5% War Stock 1929/47 as security for the payment on demand of the balance which on the current account of the company with the said bank shall for the time being be owing, including interest with half yearly [interest] commissions and other lawful charges and also for the payment and discharge of all obligations and liabilities to the said bank matured and unmatured to which the company shall from time to time be subject, either alone or jointly with any other company or person, and whether principal or surety and that the said Mr Edward Wood be further authorised to sign for and on behalf of the company the form of agreement required by the said bank to accompany the deposit of the said Stock Receipt.
Mr Norman Barrett attended re the extension of the warehouse at Butts Mill and submitted tenders for the various contracts. (See list attached.) [A typed list of all the tenders is inserted in the minute book.]
Res. That the following tenders be accepted with the addition of £108 for patent glazing, the total cost being £2388.
Excavating, mason and bricklayer's work, William Taylor of Barnoldswick, £1450.
Carpenter's and joinery work, Mr Feather of Earby, £236-9-8.
Ironfounder's work, H Brown and Sons, £344.
Plumbers and glazier's work, C A Merrall, Barnoldswick, £115-10-0.
Plastering, Mr R O'Neill, Barnoldswick, £135.
Patent Glazing £108.
Total £2388-19-8.
[Give CHSC their due, this a brave investment considering the state of trade.]
E B Banks.

General meeting Seven Stars Hotel
January 26th 1927
[Printed balance sheet inserted reports: due to coal strike and vacant space there is a loss of £1436-14-2 on the half year's working. £6,000 has been brought in from reserves and after including £2479-16-0 brought forward there is a total of £7,043-1-10 to be appropriated. Disposition £4599-2-0 to dividend of 15% per annum for the half year and £2483-19-10 carried forward.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and dividend approved.
Proctor Barrett.

February 9th 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £5939-6-0 debit. Rent owing £2995-4-1.
Transfer of 91 shares from Robert H Tillotson to Proctor Barrett sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the tender of £10 for electric lighting in Peterson's portion of WH Mill be accepted.
Res. That Edward Aldersley be reminded that his tenancy terminates on March 31st 1927.
Proctor Barrett.

February 23rd 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £6801-17-6 debit and rent owing £ 2787-9-1. Accounts paid.
A letter was read from P D Bilborough giving copy letters from the Railway Company re the extra charges for coal in view of the increased rates of the Railway Company.
Transfer of 10 shares from Ethel Broughton to John William Broughton sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the account from Edward Aldersley for tackler's time changing belts be held in abeyance until the settlement of the tenancy. [This is a funny one. It was always accepted that the drive to the loom was the company's responsibility. However, the mounting and dismounting of drive belts could be seen as a grey area. It looks as though Edward is pushing his luck!]
Mr Wood reported he had seen Mr Aldersley and he had stated that if the CHSC were not prepared to allow for two or three months rent the tenancy would terminate.
Res. That no allowance be made.
A letter was read from the London Assurance Co intimating that they could not agree to more payment in Watson's case than £12-10-0. [An accident claim? See March 9th minutes.]
Res. That Heywood's tender for patent glazing at 1/4¼ per square foot less 10% for Craven Warehouse be accepted.
Letter were read from the Craven Manufacturing Co requesting the use of the space occupied by the tape recently the property of Hartley and Lawson. The secretary promised to see Messrs Pickles with a view to [them] taking the space.
Res, That Charles Aldersley be allowed to straighten his land abutting on our land at Coates Wharf providing he pays the sum of £5 and rebuilds the doorway abutting thereto and pays the cost of the transfer.
Res. That the 57 4” and 12/18 2” cast iron pipes be offered to the Earby Gas Company at £7 per ton.
Proctor Barrett.

March 9th 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £5615-8-9 debit. Rent owing £3385-4-1.
Transfer of shares from John and Alfred Kidd be sanctioned to: John Kidd 125 shares. Alfred Kidd 125. Elizabeth Wilson 125. Annie Louisa Dent 125. Seal cert etc.
Res. That a cheque for £12-12-10 be made payable to Frank Watson in lieu of compensation in respect of his accident and to be paid to him subject to the conditions laid down by the London Assurance Co.
Res. That a cheque be made payable to the Craven Manufacturing Co Ltd for £2-15-0 in payment for their claim for cloth spoiled etc.
Proctor Barrett.

March 23rd 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £6806-6-0 debit, rents owing £2866-4-6. Accounts paid.
A letter was read from Edward Aldersley offering certain plant and asking permission to leave it on the premises after the termination of his tenancy.
Res. That we do not purchase the articles mentioned but allow them to remain on the premises for a reasonable amount of time.
He also asked that the price of £5 for the plot of land at Coates Wharf be reduced to £3.
Res. That the offer be not reduced.
The New Mill (Barnoldswick) Ltd having failed to complete the purchase of the plant lately the property of the Wellhouse Manufacturing Co.
Res. That the company purchase the same from the Liquidator for the sum of £500 and that it be let to the tenant for £52 per annum.
Res. That the space to let be advertised.
Proctor Barrett.

April 6th 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank Balance £4621-13-5 debit. Rent owing £2742-5-8.
Transfer of 50 shares from Annie L Dent to Edith M Dent sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
The notice re black smoke at WH Mill for 35 minutes on March 25th was read. The secretary said that this was due to having to run with one boiler as the water feed pipe on the other one was choked.
E B Banks.

April 27th 1927
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £5638-12-5 debit. Rent owing £1650-19-1. Accounts paid.
The secretary reported that the amount of rent owing by the Wellhouse Manufacturing Co was £741-19-9 and had been paid over.
Proctor Barrett.

May 11th 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £4608-17-7, rents owing £2245-405.
Messrs T Nutter and Sons asked for the 10% allowance granted to the other tenants but not allowed to them owing to their tenancy ceasing.
Res. That no allowance be made.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to obtain from Aldersley the rent owing, £47-16-7.
A letter was read from the tenants as copied below:
May 6th 1927.
Dear sir, At a meeting of The CHSC tenants held on Wednesday May 4th a resolution was passed that we remind you of your promise in your letter of November 3rd 1926 that should trade be no better by the end of March 1927 you would consider our position again.
We sincerely hope that it will only remain for us to point out to you that the cotton trade is certainly no better than it was when we wrote you in the first instance, but in our opinion, worse.
Under the circumstances we feel that we are justified in asking for a continuance of the 10% rebate for say the next six months, the matter to come up for consideration at the end of that period.
Awaiting the favour of your reply, we are, yours faithfully,
for James Moorhouse and Son Ltd; A E Stagg, Sec.
Monkswell Manufacturing Co Ltd; A Horsfield, Sec.
J Windle and Sons Ltd; S H Windle.
B&EM Holden
S Pickles and Sons
Craven Manufacturing Co Ltd. S Pickles.
After considerable discussion it was resolved that the tenants be offered for 12 months from April 1st 2½% discount on all accounts paid on or before the 14th day of the month following the month in which the rent had been accrued and that they be informed that this is the utmost allowance that can possibly be made.
Proctor Barrett.

May 25th 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £5272-19-3 debit. Rent owing £1891-0-5.
A cheque was received from E Aldersley. However, it was for less than the amount due.
Messrs Nutter's informed the secretary that the cheque for the balance of rent had been posted.
Mr Banks reported on the repairs being carried out at Horsfield's portion at CH Shed.
A Letter from Windle and Sons was read stating that the premises were not in an tenantable condition and that they had offers from three mill companies at very reduced terms.
Res. That the repairs described by Mr Banks be carried out.
Transfer of shares from Robert and Minnie Singleton to William Barry Singleton be sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the next meetings be on June 15th, 29th, July 20th and annual meeting on July 28th.
Proctor Barrett.

June 15th 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2190-9-0 debit and rent owing £954-11-1.
A letter was read from the tenants of CHSC suggesting that if the directors would allow a reduction of 5% instead of 2½% they would pay each month's rent on the last day of the month in which it had accrued.
Res. That an allowance of 5% be made on these conditions.
Res. That wagon no. 9 be repaired at a cost of £7-15-0.
P D Bilborough quoted for Acton Hall at 22/- and Bentley at 23/- per ton from July 1st to December 31st 1027 and 1/2 per ton less in our own wagons.
Res. That prices be obtained for spot lot of 500 to 1000 tons, immediate delivery and storage.
Res. That the tape room of B&EM Holden be extended to enable them to put in a larger tape.
Mr Norman Barrett attended and estimated the cost at about £112.
Res. That the chairman and vice chairman examine the tenders and let the work to be proceeded with.
Proctor Barrett.

June 29th 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2729-6-6 debit, rent owing £2043-7-11.
Transfer of 382 shares from David Woffenden to Jane Woffenden; 250 from Exors of Elizabeth Watson to Charles William Watson; 50 from ditto to Bessie Snell Grigg. All sanctioned, seal cert etc.
Several suggestions were made for the supply of 500 to 1000 tons of coal, the matter being left over for the time being.
A letter dated June 28th from the BUDC Sanitary Inspector re the black smoke at WH Mill was read and the secretary was asked to forward a suitable reply to him.
Proctor Barrett.

July 20th 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank Balance £1840-5-8 debit. Rents owing £150-6-4.
Mr O'Mara's report on WH chimney was submitted.
Res. That his tender for repairing the chimney for £60 be accepted.
Balance sheet as read adopted subject to audit. Dividend of 15% free of tax recommended. General meeting to be on July 28th.
Proctor Barrett.

July 28th 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance after payment of dividend £4713-1-10 debit. Rents owing £25-13-0.
Res. That the cheque for BUDC rates be held back for a short time.
The secretary produced O'Mara's report on WH chimney.
Res. That the work be put in hand for £28. [He has found some extras when he has laddered the chimney no doubt.]
[No signature]

General meeting
July 28th 1927
[Printed balance sheet inserted reports: net profit of £1192-14-7 for the half year. £1968-2-9 brought in from reserve account plus £2483-19-10 carried forward, total of £5,644-17-2 to be apportioned. Disposition is £4559-2-0 for dividend of 15%, £1085-15-2 carried forward.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet, dividend and unchanged director's remuneration approved.
Retiring directors re-elected and R Watson and son reappointed as auditors at £6 for the half year.
Proctor Barrett.

August 10th 1927
Officers reappointed. Minutes as read. P Barrett chair.
Bank balance £7360 debit less rates held back £2091-12-8 net £5268-16-2, rents owing £430-14-7. Accounts paid.
A letter was read from Stephen Pickles and Sons requesting that the road leading to Butts Manufacturing Co be repaired as the cloth had been tilted off the wagons. The chairman and vice chairman were requested to look into the matter.
Res. That the purchase of 98 looms at £3-5-0 per loom from J Pickard be confirmed. The looms to be put in the premises recently occupied by Aldersley at Butts Mill.
Proctor Barrett.

August 24th 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £8791-18-1 debit, rents owing £43-11-4.
Transfer of 91 shares from Robert H Tillotson to Herbert Clark and 50 from Exors of Elizabeth Watson to B S Grigg sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
A letter was read from the tenants: “Since our last communication with you re rents we are sorry to say that things in the cotton trade have gone from bad to worse and at the present time we are at our wits end to know how to carry on. We are therefore desirous of calling your attention to the fact that at least three shed companies in the town have granted a permanent rebate of 10% on rents, they have also conceded that in the event of any stoppages of more than four hours duration, caused by breakdowns, strikes, lock outs or other causes, the whole of such stoppage shall be allowed [at] half rent until work is resumed. Further, that there shall be no increase in rent or any alteration of rates without further consulting the tenants, the same to be mutually agreed by both parties. Besides previous concessions, these alterations and allowances to be retrospective and date from April 1st last and we strongly urge you to put us on a level with the other tenants from that date. Yours faithfully, H W Moorhouse for James Moorhouse and Son Ltd; A Horsfield for Monkswell Manufacturing Co Ltd; B&EM Holden; D H Windle for J Windle and Son Ltd; S Pickles for S Pickles and Sons Ltd.
Res. That they be referred to our letter of May 17th when the offer of 5% was made and that they be requested, for their own information and the information of the directors to provide evidence of the correctness of the statements made in their letter.
Res. That we purchase from Peterson's Ltd their office for £50 and we charge them rent of 5/- per month.
Proctor Barrett.

September 14th 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance [no figure] rents owing £5002.
The letter sent to tenants on August 30th was read and approved.
The secretary said that no rely to our letter asking for confirmation of the statements in their application had been received.
The secretary read a letter of proposal for a tenancy to L Greenwood of Barley of the premises recently occupied by Aldersley which was approved.
Res. That the windows, doors and ironwork at the new extension in Butts Mill be painted and the other woodwork be sized and varnished; that gas and water be connected to their office and an iron rail fixed to the coping stones.
Res. That the well at WH Mill supplying water to the reservoir be cleaned out at a favourable opportunity.
Proctor Barrett.

September 28th 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £7496-15-5 debit, rents owing £2157-7-11.
Norman Barrett attended with tenders for paining the new extension at Butts Mill.
Res. That the tender of £37-3-5 from D McPherson be accepted.
Res. That the tender of P Barrett and Son for removal of ashes and flue dust for the year ending September 30th 1928 be accepted. WH £6, Butts £5, CH £4.
A letter was read from the tenants dated September 23rd 1927 as follows:
In reply to your letter of August 30th we have to say that we are surprised at the contents. As regards the reductions in rent which have taken place it is well known to everybody who the companies are and also that the reductions and conditions are permanent as to any further reductions in rents rates and stoppages. As proff of this we beg to direct your attention to the enclosed advertisement from the Herald of September 17th 1927. The rent basis was, and is, the same as that of your company but what we are concerned with is that you should object to at once putting us on equal terms since April 1st as our competitors. We have paid these high rents and submitted to onerous terms right down through seven years of bad trade. When they were imposed we were told by the late George Proctor that when trade came bad they would be reduced to meet existing conditions. Still we went on hoping against hope that trade would mend but instead of improving it has gone from bad to worse. It has come to the point when the trade can no longer pay these high rents and we therefore ask you to cede what we have asked you to do and to let us have a reply at once. [Same signatories]
Res. That the tenants be referred to previous correspondence on the matter and that the secretary be instructed to express the regret of the directors that they could not see their way to make any further reduction than those granted but they are willing to continue the allowances from October 1st 1927 to March 31st 1928 and to allow the discount provided the amount of each month's rent be paid within 14 days of the end of the last month instead of the last day of the month.
Proctor Barrett.

October 12th 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £6022-2-3 debit, rents owing £335-1-0. Transfer of shares sanctioned from Lizzie Alice Baxter to Thomas Lee, 25 shares, Margaret A Lee, 50, William Baxter 80. Annice Baxter to Thomas Lee, 25 shares. Margaret A 50. H K M Whipp, 25. Wallace Horsfield 120. From Exors of Isabella Broughton to Richard Broughton, 62 shares. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the allowance for insufficient warehousing at Craven Manufacturing Co be discontinued from October 31st as new warehouse is ready for occupation.
A letter was read from the tenants:
We have considered your letter of October 3rd 1927 and we are not satisfied with the attitude you have taken up and we cannot agree to the conditions named. Your statement that our allegation of lower rented sheds in Barnoldswick cannot be substantiated is incorrect. We suggest that you give us the opportunity of discussing this important matter with you in your office in Manchester next Friday at 12:30. [Same signatories]
Res. That Mr Wood interview the tenants and hear what they have to say.
A letter was read from the Craven Manufacturing Co re raining in.
Res. That the chairman and Mr Banks examine the same and carry out such alterations as they may deem necessary.
The secretary reported that in his opinion the old side of the WH engine needed renewing and that if a larger cylinder were placed in lieu of the present one and of a newer type considerable economy would be effected.
Res. That he be asked to get a report from Burnley Ironworks.
The reports on the economisers at Butts and WH were read.
Res. That H Brown and Sons be instructed to supply plant for providing electricity for boring out the economisers with the electrical machine owned by the Marsden Mill Co Ltd. [For de-scaling the interior of the economiser elements.]
Proctor Barrett.

October 26th 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £6694-10-3 debit, rents owing £90-8-4.
Transfer of shares sanctioned, Seal cert etc. Both from Exors of Elizabeth Watson. 20 shares to William Baxter and 30 to Wallace Horsfield.
Tenders received for repairs to Butts roof.
Res. That the chairman and vice chair settle the matter.
The secretary reported on his meeting with tenants and their application for an increased allowance from rents in reply to our suggestion of October 12th.
Res. That the allowance be increased from 5% to 7½% from October 1st until March 31st 1928 with the usual proviso and that the following letter read to the meeting be approved:
“A full report of our interview was was submitted to my directors on Wednesday last and I am instructed to say that in view of the continued state of bad trade they will increase the allowance from each monthly rent account from 5% to 7½% from October 1st 1927 until March 31st 1928 and that each month's rent be paid within 14 days.
The directors are making this reduction at great sacrifice and they cannot, in the interests of the shareholders, consider any variation from this, their final offer.
In addition to the above I am pleased to be able to inform you that the directors have been successful in getting a reduction in the price of coal delivered in the boiler house from November 1st of 1/8 per ton which means a reduction in rent of 2/- per loom per annum and £13 per tape per annum. The combined reductions will thus be equivalent to about 7/7 per loom per annum from October 1st and 10/3 per loom from November 1st.”
Tenders were received from P D Bilborough for a contract for coal Jan 1st to June 30th 1928 as follows: Acton Hall washed nuts 20/6 per ton. Bentley washed doubles 21/6. South Kirby washed small nuts 21/3. Allerton Bywater doubles 21/6. Manvers Main 22/6. All delivered at Barnoldswick station.
Res. That we offer 20/- for Acton Hall washed nuts and 21/- for Bentley washed doubles for 8 months from November 1st. [I think this is the first mention of an offer being made for coal at less than the price quoted. Evidently the CHSC wants Bilborough to share the pain.]
Proctor Barrett.

November 9th 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £6339-17-3 debit. Rent owing £1876-6-5.
The letter to the tenants dated October 31st 1927 re the reduction of rents was read and approved. [Terms of letter reiterated]
P D Bilborough wrote confirming the settlement and acceptance of the coal contract from November 1st to June 30th 1928 at the following terms. Acton Hall Washed nuts 20/4 per ton delivered at Barlick station. Bentley washed doubles 21/6 ditto subject to the usual clauses.
Res. That the settlement be confirmed.
H Brown and Sons wrote requesting the directors to consider a reduction in the rent of the Mechanic's Shop at WH and the power which was £200 per annum.
Res. That the allowance of 7½% be made from October 1st until March 31st 1928.
The chairman and vice chairman reported that the lowest tender for repairing the roof at Butts Mill was By J Broughton, £58 including all trades except glazing and Heywood for the glazing at £24-15-0 less 5%.
A report was submitted from Burnley Ironworks on the engine at WH. By adopting scheme 1 in their report of November 8th a saving of 10 tons of coal per week could be effected and by adopting scheme 2 a saving of 9 tons per week. The two schemes are set out as follows:
Scheme 1. Converting the engine to cross compound installing steel steam pipes, superheater and valves, extensive alterations to foundations and stopping the mill for about 3 weeks. The saving of coal estimated is about ten tons per week but the cost is prohibitive for the small extra advantage over scheme 2.
Scheme 2. Modernising the left hand engine, new steel pipes, superheater and valves and a stoppage of about ten days. Saving of coal estimated at 9 tons per week and approximate cost would be £2,400. They also point out that the present arrangement of steam pipes is very faulty and results in serious waste and recommend the steel pipes and superheaters.
Res. That the secretary obtain from BI a firm offer for the job to be presented at the next meeting.
Proctor Barrett.

November 23rd 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank Balance £6806-19-6 debit. Rents owing £1209-18-6.
Transfer of 100 shares from Charles William Watson to Edward Wood sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
A letter was read from the tenants dated November 11th asking for:
1.A 10% reduction in the present rent basis (not a rebate) and not to be altered without agreement which means 6 months notice on either side.
2.No alteration in rates to take place without agreement.
3.That a stoppage from any cause shall only be charged half rent if it exceeds four hours
The letter was signed by tenants of 38 years standing.
Res. That the 7½% discount proposed in our letter of October 31st be increased to 10% and that an alteration of the rent basis be not considered. That no alteration in the discount be made until after three months notice by either side. Any changes in the rate be charged on the same scale as hitherto. Providing the whole mill be stopped, half rent be allowed the whole time if it exceeds four hours. Any stoppage of four hours or less not to be allowed for.
Res. That this allowance to be made for all tenants of the company.
Burnley Ironworks submitted a firm tender for the alterations under scheme 2. Full details of the specification were submitted and the offer was to do the engineering work for £2400.
Mr Metcalfe, manager of BI attended and he was asked to give a tender for all trades, that is, their own work as set out in the specification dated November 22nd and any other trades such as joiners, masons, pipe coverers and brick setters, that is to complete the whole works. He offered to do the whole for £2550, the company to find three men only [as labourers].
Res. That the work be put in hand if they will accept an offer of £2500.
Proctor Barrett.

December 7th 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
The letter sent to the tenants was read and confirmed and the reply of the tenants dated December 5th was received as follows:
“At a meeting held today, December 5th 1927, your tenants decided for the present to accept the terms of your letter of November 29th 1927 and they will forward cheques fro all rents on Friday December 9th. They are however going further into the question as it is the basis on which the rents are calculated which is altogether unsatisfactory.”
Bank balance £6202-18-2 debit. Rents owing £2965-6-8.
The secretary reported that the BUDC sanitary inspector had complained about the emission of black smoke at Calf Hall and Wellhouse on November 29th.
Mr Wood stated he had taken the matter up with the engine men and they complained that the fuel supplied was dirty.
Res. That Mr Bilborough's attention be drawn to the matter.
Proctor Barrett.

December 21st 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £5501-6-1 debit. Rents owing £329-3-4.
The secretary reported that a letter had been received from J Moorhouse and Sons Ltd giving notice of the termination of their tenancy at WH Mill on June 30th 1928.
A letter was read from Peterson's Ltd asking for financial assistance in order that they may be able to carry on their business.
Res. That in order that they may be enabled to carry on as tenants £750 be advanced to them at 4% interest on condition that they agree to pay at least the equal of one month's rent each month and that such amount be treated as repayment of the loan, the rent during this period being allowed to accrue. [Rent arrears safer in law and more easily recovered than a debt.]
The secretary was instructed to inform them of these conditions.
Res. That three coal wagons be disposed of if a suitable price could be obtained and that the secretary was instructed to obtain offers.
Proctor Barrett.

January 4th 1928
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £5296-2-11 debit. Rents owing £2555-3-11.
A letter was read from the tenants giving three months notice that it was their intention to raise the matter of the reduction of rents on March 31st next.
The secretary reported that Peterson's scheme had gone through and all creditors had assented.
Res. That 5% war bonds. Of which the company owns £4,000, repayable September 1st 1928 be not converted in accordance with the offer of the Treasury as the money will probably be required at that date.
Proctor Barrett.

January 18th 1928
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £4640-0-10 debit. Rents owing £1059-2-9. Accounts paid.
The secretary reported that Peterson's had paid the last two month's rent and that a cheque for £750 had been forwarded to them as arranged.
Res. That £4,000 National War Bonds 1928 (3rd series) be sold.
Res. That the balance sheet be adopted subject to audit, a dividend of 15% be recommended and the general meeting be on Friday January 27th.
Proctor Barrett.

January 27th 1928
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £5072-10-1 after realizing £4,000 war bonds and paying dividend. Rents owing Craven Manufacturing Co Ltd December warehousing £2-10-0.
Res. That the new warehouse at Butts Mill be attended to and the pair of wheels complained about being noisy be repaired by the substitution of a mortice wheel.
The New Mill Manufacturing Co having applied for assistance from the board it was resolved that their deposit on purchase of plant of £500 be repaid to them and CHSC resume ownership of the machinery.
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting Seven Stars hotel
January 27th 1928
[Printed balance sheet inserted in minute book reports: net profit an half year of £4237-12-6 plus £1085-15-2 carried forward making a total for appropriation of £ 5323-7-8. Disposition £4559-2-0 for dividend of 15% per annum for the half year and £764-5-8 carried forwards.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet etc and dividend approved.
Proctor Barrett.

February 15th 1928
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £6544-14-6 debit. Rent owing £1048-10-2.
A letter was read from James Moorhouse and Sons asking what the lowest terms the company would be prepared to make with a view to them deciding to allow their plant at Wellhouse to remain as it is after the end of June next until the space is let, or if they decided to sell or if in the event of an improvement in trade they decide to restart the plant.
Res. That they be offered the same terms as any other manufacturer in the town and that they be allowed to leave the looms on the premises on payment of their proportion of rates which in their case would be £238-19-0 per annum, the tenancy to be subject to one month's notice.
Res. That Messrs Brown and Sons supply a new valve chest cover for the LP cylinder at CH Shed.
Proctor Barrett.

March 21st 1928
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £5055-6-3 debit. Rent owing £581-8-3.
Transfer of 30 shares from Charles Sneath to Elizabeth Mary Bracewell be approved. Seal cert etc.
The secretary reported that James Moorhouse and Sons were not satisfied with the charge for warehousing their looms at WH Mill.
Res. That for six months from July 1st to December 31st 1928 no charge be made providing the looms and plant are left on the premises subject to the premises being let to another tenant, looms sold or the plant restarted.
Accounts paid.
Res. That the insurance of the engines and boilers at the various mills be considered at the next meeting and cover obtained in the meantime.
E B Banks.

April 18th 1928
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £3739-6-2 debit. Rent owing 753-19-0.
Reports re black smoke were read and it was reported there had been difficulty obtaining the usual supply of coal and that three qualities were in use at the time the report was made.
A Letter was read from J Moorhouse and Sons applying for allowance for looms stopped from March 1st till the end of June when the [tenancy] terminated.
Res. That the offer to charge them no rent from July 1st until December 31st was based on the fact there would be a saving of coal during the latter portion of their tenancy and we cannot see our way to increase the allowance.
A letter was read from the Hospital Fund Committee and it was agreed to ask the workpeople to contribute 1d per week each.
Application for further reduction was made by the tenants of CHSC in the following terms:
“At a meeting held today March 21st 1928 your tenants decided to press for an additional 105 reduction on present rates making in all 20%. In comparison with another company in this town we find that loom for loom we are at present 15% over their basis.”
Res. That we inform the tenants that we cannot accede to their request.
Proctor Barrett.

May 16th 1928
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £3933-0-1 debit. Rents owing £1527-4-8. Accounts paid.
A letter was read from James Moorhouse and Son intimating that they had two or three people interested in their looms at WH Shed and asking the CHSC if they would be interested in making an offer for the looms.
Res. That the matter lie on the table until the next meeting. [Devious stuff going on here. The tenant knows that ideally CHSC will want the plant to remain in the shed so as to be able to offer a potential tenant a ready made unit to take over. Doubtful in view of the state of trade if James Moorhouse has received any meaningful offers for his looms. I think he's flying a kite.]
Res. That a cheque for J R Broughton for £155 be made payable to his personal representative.
Res. That P D Bilborough tender for Bentley washed doubles @21/6 per ton and Acton Hall washed small nuts @20/6 per ton be accepted for six months to December 31st next.
Res. That a banking account be continued for the company with Martin's Bank at their Barnoldswick branch and that the same bank be and is hereby empowered to honour cheques, Bills of Exchange and Promissory Notes accepted or made on behalf of the Company by any two directors and countersigned by the secretary and to act on any instructions so given relating to the account or transactions of the company. [This is due to an organisational change, the Bank of Liverpool and Martin's Bank has become Martin's Bank.]
Res. That the company's account at Martin's Bank be overdrawn from time to time to such an extent as the company may require and the bank see fit to allow and that any two of the directors, countersigned by the secretary be and are hereby authorised to overdraw for and on behalf of the Company the said account accordingly.
The secretary reported the result of the interview with the tenants which they had asked for in order to discuss the question of their application for a 20% reduction on the basic rent instead of the 10% and after careful consideration of their arguments it was resolved that they be informed that the directors cannot alter their decision. [I know that this is pure horse trading and that some of the tenants were actually doing quite well and survived for another 30 years but one has to recognise that what they see is a company paying a solid 15% dividend every half year.]
Proctor Barrett.

June 20th 1928
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank Balance £2372-10-8 debit, plus rates of £2269-17-2, rents owing £1339-14-8.
Transfer of shares sanctioned, seal cert etc. From Mary Smith Hartley to William Hartley 50 shares. Ditto to Fred Hartley 125 shares.
A letter from James Moorhouse and Son Ltd was submitted asking for a reply to their enquiry as to whether CHSC would make an offer for the looms at WH Mill.
Res. That they be informed the directors are not prepared to make an offer for the looms at WH Mill at present.
Res. That £1000 be paid to the Burnley Ironworks on account of work done on alterations to the engine at WH Mill. [BI order number 165/1927]
The secretary reported the very bad state of the roof in Matthew Horsfield's portion. [CH]
Res. That a price be obtained for patent glazing ready for next week.
Proctor Barrett.

July 11th 1928
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet as read be adopted subject to audit. Dividend of 5% to be recommended at a meeting on July 19th.
Tenders from Messrs W H Heywood and Co, £458 and The Standard Patent Glazing Co, £704, for patent glazing 16 bays of CH Shed roof were submitted.
Res. That Heywood be instructed to proceed with the work.
A Letter from Slater Brothers (Barnoldswick) Ltd was read asking for a reduction of rent due to a number of looms having been sold.
Res. That Mr Banks look into the matter and report to the next meeting.
Res. That £5,000 of the company's 5% war stock be realized at the best possible price.
Proctor Barrett.

July 19th 1928
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Mr Banks confirmed that Slater Brothers (Barnoldswick) Ltd statement that their looms had been reduced by 16.
Res. That as from July 1st 1928 rent shall be charged to them on 220 looms in place of the 236 until such time as further looms be installed.
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting Seven Stars Hotel
July 19th 1928.
[Printed balance sheet inserted reports: profit of £1828-7-210 for the half year plus £764-5-8 carried forward, total to be apportioned £2592-13-6. Disposition is £1519-14-0 to dividend of 5% per annum for the half year and £1072-19-6 carried forward.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and dividend approved. Retiring directors re-elected. Richard Watson and Son reappointed as auditors.
Proctor Barrett.

August 15th 1928
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank Balance £744-10-0 debit. Rent owing £2261-10-10.
Res. That the additional insurance on Butts Mill be left with the secretary to arrange with Mr Pearse.
The secretary read a letter from the tenants:
“We have your memo of July 29th to hand and after full investigation of the various points you raise we find it to be a deliberate evasion of our statement of June 18th 'That the present basis of our rents is the same as the 'boom period' and we take this opportunity of correcting your erroneous idea of the cheapness of your charges for Room and Power and your generosity.
One. Your basis is the same as other companies in the town. Some pay less rent owing to cheaper coal and have better accommodation.
Two. The allowance made by other companies in the town for the lock-out was half rent. Your allowance was one third rent. For the Coal Strike other companies allowed, after stocks were exhausted, one month's running without extra charge to the tenants, afterwards half the extra cost was paid by the companies. Your allowance after stocks of coal were exhausted was nothing.
Three. On capital inflated 300% the interest is not less than that obtainable from any other source.
Four. The Assessment Committee of the Guardians do not insist on any rates being paid on empty space the company installing looms and again incurring rates is not a reasonable excuse for refusing to reduce the rent.
In view of the above and the appalling state of the cotton trade, and your secretary knows how bad it is, We confidently ask for a further reduction of 10%.
How can you expect to pay large dividends on a capital which has grossly inflated? [Echoes here of the major problem in the spinning industry in the heady days of 1919/20 when mills were re-capitalised at grossly inflated valuations. Rather unfair in the case of CHSC as the increase in their capital was driven by general inflation. However, we see here the basic problem of high shed company dividends in times of bad trade being voiced openly.]
PS. A reply is requested by August 31st 1928.
Res. That the 10% allowance now granted for payment in fourteen days be withdrawn as from August 31st and that from September 1st next the allowance from rent be increased to 12½% on payment within 14 days subject to the following conditions:
That any variations in this allowance except that in case of liquidation, bankruptcy of change of tenancy, the allowance shall be discontinued as and from the resolution to wind up, the Receiving Order or the date of receipt of notice from any tenant to terminate their tenancy.
Proctor Barrett.

September 19th 1928
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £416-1-9 debit. Rents owing £2559-5-0.
Res. That the two bays furthest away from the warehouse in each of the sheds occupied by B&EM Holden and Messrs Pickles and Sons at CH Shed be repaired with patent glazing by W H Heywood provided he accept the contract at the same price as last tendered.
An application was received from the New Mill Co for assistance. It was pointed out that the rent was £513-4-1[?] in arrears and that it was impossible to make any advance.
Res. That they be allowed to exchange their 79 38” for 79 41” looms, the property of the CHSC and now at Butts Mill.
The secretary reported that a letter in the following terms had been sent to the tenants and that one or two had expressed themselves grateful for the increased allowance.
“I am instructed by my directors to inform you that the allowance of 10% now made in consideration of payment within 14 days will cease on September 31st all rent paid at that date and within 14 days will of course be subject to this allowance.
In view of the present state of trade they have decided to allow a deduction of 12½% (about 12/8 per loom) from monthly accounts submitted from September 1st provided each month's rent be paid on or before the 14th day of the succeeding month. The allowance to be discontinued as and from the date of receipt of notice from any tenant deciding to quit his tenancy.”
The secretary reported that S Pickles and Sons require alterations to the present tape room to allow two new tapes to be erected and that the roof should be of the shed roof type.
Res. That the work should be carried out and that the chairman and vice-chair put the matter in hand with Mr Norman Barrett forthwith.
Proctor Barrett.
[Light relief! (And God knows we need it!) In the back of the minute book there is an undated anonymous note reading as follows: “Gents, Having worked a few years at CHSC keep your eye on all pipes, elbows, grease and oil etc as the Motor Garage staff is never away. One who has worked for the company.” Whistle-blowers are not only a modern phenomenon.]

[Transcription of Minute Book 7 finished on Friday 18th of March 2011. SCG.]
CALF HALL SHED COMPANY MINUTE BOOK NO 8.

October 17th 1928 to May 20th 1943.

[Transcribed by Stanley Challenger Graham. All entries in [] are notes by SCG. Transcription commenced March 18th 2011.]

[This volume is quite depressing! Apart from WW2 we are getting an inside view of the gathering decline.]

October 17th 1928
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £325-8-4 debit. Rents owing £2809-13-4.
A letter was read from B&EM Holden in which they state they are paying £150 on account as they have not yet accepted the last offer of a reduction of 12½%.
A letter was read from J Windle and Sons intimating that they had two offers from other Room and Power companies to take space and desiring the directors to meet with them and discuss the question.
Mr Wood reported that he had seen Windle who, 'so they said', had received offers of 12 month's grace [no rental charges] to remove to other premises. They claimed £900 under the lease which they said expired in 1921 and six months grace, about £1800.
Res. That the chairman, vice chair and Mr Wood be empowered to deal with the matter. [It's hard to distinguish what is happening here. Teddy Wood evidently has his doubts 'so they said'. What I do know is that grace periods of 12 months became quite common as mills tried to keep their space full, they knew that if they didn't the standing charges like rates etc. on each loom would increase, and therefore the profit potential fell. I interviewed Victor Hedges, one time senior partner at Proctor and Proctor (He married Teddy Wood's daughter) as part of the Lancashire Textile Project and specifically asked him about this. He said I was quite right in my suspicion that this was perhaps the single most important factor in profitability. In the end it this was the Achilles Heel of the industry.]
The secretary reported that last week he had appealed against the rating of empty space before the Assessment Committee but had not been successful in obtaining a reduction.
Plans were submitted showing the alterations to the tape room of the Craven Manufacturing Co which had been prepared by Atkinson and Co.
Res. That they be approved and tenders invited for the work which Messrs Pickles and Sons had requested should be postponed until Spring.
Res. That H Brown and Sons tender for rearranging and adding to the heating system at WH Mill for £105 be accepted. [Almost certainly the hand of Johnny Pickles. He was a great advocate of condensate recovery systems to eliminate the waste from allowing the pure hot water condensate to go down the drains. His scheme, which eventually became standard practice in well run mills was to pipe all the hot condensate back to the boiler feed circuit.]
Proctor Barrett.

November 21st 1928
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £578-7-3 credit. Rents owing £3027-11-10.
The secretary reported that he had come to an agreement with Windle and Sons re their tenancy. They had agreed to continue the tenancy as from July 1st last for two years providing we allow them £1150. [In effect giving in to blackmail but the priority was to keep loom numbers up and apportionment of fixed costs down.]
Res. That the settlement be agreed to.
A tender was read from P D Bilborough for undertaking to continue the supply of coal for a further six months January to June 30th 1929 at the same price as before: Acton Hall 20/6 and Bentley washed doubles 21/6.
Res. That the contract be confirmed.
Res, That the engine house at Butts be distempered [A form of water based paint] and that CH engine house be washed down as required by HMFI.
It was reported that the Conservative Club, who had purchased the land on the Parrock from the company, had allowed their tenant to erect a garage on that portion of the land which is our right of way into Calf Hall Road.
Res. That they be asked to pay an acknowledgement of 5/- per year.
The secretary reported that he had, from time to time in connection with some of the companies with whom he held the position of secretary or manager, that in cases where the rent of a tenant was in arrears it was sometimes necessary for the protection of the interests the owners that, without loss of time, a distraint should be levied on the goods of the tenant whose rent was in arrears. He recommended the directors to give him authority in all cases in which the rent owing by a tenant was in arrears for more than two months to cause to be levied at his discretion for and on behalf of the company a distress for the rent in arrears with power to withdraw the distress with or without any payment being made on account of the rent so in arrears or security given, he undertaking not to levy any such distress without first consulting the chairman or, if the chairman cannot in the opinion of the secretary be consulted without loss of time or if in the opinion of the secretary it is not desirable to acquaint the chairman then at least one other director and to report to the board at the earliest opportunity.
It was moved by Mr Barrett and seconded by Mr Banks and resolved that the recommendations of the secretary be adopted and that he be, and is hereby, authorised in the cases mentioned and subject to the conditions suggested by him, to levy from time to time at his discretion on behalf of the company a distress or distresses on any tenant whose rent is at least two months in arrears.
[This is pure landlord/tenant law and outside any matters of contract between the CHSC and the tenant. It is a well-tried procedure and cannot be defended by a tenant who is in arrears. A powerful tool.]
Proctor Barrett.

December 19th 1928
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1456-5-6 [credit?] and rents owing £2966-7-2.
The secretary was instructed to ask P Barrett and Sons Ltd to render their accounts quarterly in future, the last accounts submitted being for work done commencing in 1927.
Res. That the engine house at CH Shed and Butts Mill be cleaned down with [? Looks like a proprietary cleaner] at a cost of £13 and £18 each respectively.
Proctor Barrett.

January 16th 1929
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1269-10-10 debit. Rents owing £3977-5-0.
Balance sheet adopted subject to audit and dividend of 7½% be recommended to a shareholder's meeting on Wednesday January 23rd at 7pm.
Res. That a new dynamo be purchased for Peterson's at WH Mill, £24 less £4 for the old machine.
The net rateable values of the mills were reported to be as follows:
CH Shed old £915, new £992, 11/11 per loom.
Butts Mill old £900, new £1374, 14/5 per loom.
WH Mill old £1196, new £1505, 12/6 per loom.
38 Calf Hall Road £10-10-0, £12.
Ouzledale Foundry, no old figure, new £1. [Unoccupied of course at the moment but watch this space.]
Ouzledale Cottage, old £7-10-0, new £9. [Probably still occupied by James Cecil Ashby]
Butts Cottage, old £7-10-0, new £8.
Res. That in the view of the de-rating of mills by which 75% of the rates would be allowed as from October 1st next and in view of the fact that, on average, the three mill assessments are similar to those of other mills in the town, they be not appealed against. [We don't have figures for the number of looms in the various mills but the range of rates per loom give a clue to the penalties of under-use of space.]
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting
January 23rd 1929
[Printed balance sheet inserted in minute book reports: half year profit of £1694-18-5 plus £1072-19-6 brought forward gives a balance of £2767-17-11 to be apportioned. Disposition £2279-11-0 to dividend. £488-6-11 carried forward.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and reports and dividend approved.
E B Baxter.

February 20th 1929
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2602 debit and rents owing £2929.
Res. That the coal wagons be disposed of at the best price obtainable. £55 to £60 if possible.
Proctor Barrett.

March 20th 1929
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1899-9-9 debit. Rents owing £3421-16-0.
Transfer of 6 shares from Leonard Windle to Herbert Clark sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the offer of £50 for the rail wagons by William Jonas be not accepted.
Messrs Matthew Watson, Landless and Pearse quoted £126 for revaluation of three mills for insurance purposes.
Res. That the matter be left over.
Accounts paid.
It was reported that Messrs Richardson who were owing the company £900 for rent and Mr Richardson was personally indebted to the company for £300 had taken Premises at Coates latterly occupied by Luke Suthers.
Res. That Mr Richardson be requested to pay rent owing at once and he be required to deposit security for his [personal] debt.
Proctor Barrett.

April 17th 1929
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2120-0-2 debit. Accounts paid.
Mr Wood gave a report on [rail] wagon earnings which showed that for six years the average was £61-3-7 repairs £27-16-11 making the net earnings for four wagons £33-6-8 or £8-6-8 per wagon.
Mr Wood reported that the Conservative Club had not acknowledged his request for an annual payment of 5/- for infringement of our right of way on the Parrock.
Res. That they be requested to remove the garage erected on the land forming the right of way.
Proctor Barrett.

May 15th 1929
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1262-2-3 debit, rents owing £3826-15-1.
A letter was read from P D Bilborough offering coal at an increase of 6d per ton for 6 or 12 months contract.
Res. That settlement of the contract and price be left with Mr Banks.
Reports on smoke at Butts and CH Shed were read.
It was reported to the meeting that the Conservative Club have now agreed to pay 1/- per annum for infringement of right of way on the Parrock. [The amount is immaterial of course, it is the legal admission of the existence of the right of way.]
A statement of wages at CH Shed compared with Wellhouse Mill was read for the half year ending December 31st 1928.
Res. That the road at Butts Mill leading to the premises of the Butts Man. Co be repaired with tar macadam by P Barrett and Sons. [No mention but delivery by motor transport was becoming common.]
A letter was read from James Moorhouse and Son offering the 650 looms and plant at WH Mill for £2,200.
Res. That the matter be considered later.
Res. That the offer by Messrs Beadman[sic], Sons and Co of Keighley to keep in first class repair our four railway wagons for a term of seven years at £4-10-0 per wagon [per annum?], to be repainted twice during the currency of the term be accepted.
Proctor Barrett.

June 19th 1929
P Barrett in chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £834-5-2 credit. Rents owing £3115-16-1.
The agreement with Messrs Beadman for the repair of wagons was produced and approved.
Res. That we enter into a 12 month contract with P D Bilborough from July 1st for:
Bentley washed doubles @22/- per ton. Acton Hall washed small nuts @21/-.
Delivered at Barnoldswick station, providing the quality continues as hitherto.
Proctor Barrett.

July 10th 1929
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £653-14-8 credit. Rents owing £4535-16-7.
Res. That the balance sheet be adopted subject to audit. Dividend of 5% to be recommended to a shareholder's meeting on Thursday July 18th at 7pm.
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting Seven Stars Hotel
July 18th 1929.
[Printed balance sheet inserted in minute book reports: net profit of £1154-10-0 plus £488-6-11 carried forward, a total to be apportioned of £1642-17-0. Disposition is £1510-14-0 for 5% dividend and £123-2-0 carried forward.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and dividend approved. Retiring directors re-elected. Richard Watson and Son reappointed auditors.
Proctor Barrett.

August 21st 1929
Officers reappointed.
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1161-13-1 credit and rents owing £3215-6-9.
Mr Wood reported that James Moorhouse and Sons Ltd had sold their plant to Mr H Atkinson of Todmorden; that Mr Atkinson was willing to dispose of the same to the company with the exception of 24 x 45” looms for £1700.
Res. That they be purchased at that figure and a cheque drawn for that amount.
Res. That an account be sent to J Moorhouse and Sons Ltd for £260-5-0 for rent of their premises from January 1st 1929 to the end of July.
The secretary reported that on July 17th he had distrained on the plant of Messrs Richardson (Barnoldswick) Ltd at WH Mill for £1054-17-10 being rent owing to July 31st 1929.
Res. That his action be approved.
Accounts paid.
Proctor Barrett.

September 18th 1929
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1501-7-3 debit. Rents owing were Richardson's distress £1054-17-10, others £1210-17-9. Accounts paid.
Res. That the following reductions of wages be confirmed:
Engine man £4-5-0 to £4. Fireman £3 to £2-16-0. Oilers £2-12-6 to 2-10-0.
The secretary reported that the sale at Richardson's had realised £1000 and that he had drawn £160 for cloth. There would be a small balance for creditors after paying costs. J Pickard having purchased the plant offered, 276 looms and preparation for £750.
Res. That 3 directors inspect the plant and report to the next meeting. [With a view to purchase.]
A letter was read from J C Waddington solicitor stating that J Moorhouse and Son had engaged Mr John Taylor solicitor to act for him.
Res. That ashes from the three mills be sold to P Barrett and Sons for 12 months from October 1st 1929 to September 30th 1930. [By 'sold' I suspect they mean they are paying for them being taken away.]
A letter was read from the Liquidator of Richardson Ltd (T Harrop) asking the company to make some allowance from the amount distrained for and stating he finds there is some dispute as to the correctness of our claim.
Res. That no allowance be made and that he be informed that the claim is strictly in order in accordance with the statements submitted monthly to the tenant and with agreements between us.
The draft letter submitted by the secretary was approved.
Transfer of shares sanctioned, seal cert etc. 262 shares from James Hacking to Edna May Hacking and 192 shares from Exors of John William Elsworth to Mary Elsworth.
Proctor Barrett.

October 16th 1929
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1092-17-2 debit. Rents owing £2821-10-7. Accounts paid.
It was reported that H Brown and Sons had filed their petition in bankruptcy. The rent owed by them had been cleared by contra account. [Set against work done and owed for.]
[This is an important event and triggers actions by the CHSC which had massive implications for the local economy. Please forgive me for imposing the following extract from my history of the firm on you. It fills in many of the blanks and gives a good understanding of how CHSC operated.
'In October 1929 the unthinkable happened. The Calf Hall Shed directors were informed on the 16th that Henry Brown and Sons were filing for bankruptcy. They saved the Earby workshop and carried on there but their days as Barnoldswick engineers were over. When the dust settled the Official Receiver paid out 19/6 in the pound, an indication that there was actually no need to finish, they were almost solvent and could have worked their way through the difficulty. Newton said that the problem was that the building society who had financed the building of the foundry forced the matter by foreclosing on Browns. I would give a lot of money to be able to have been a fly on the wall while all this was happening. I have an idea that if Johnny had any say in the matter the liquidation would never have happened but we have to ask ourselves whether he was even consulted. I think it may have been seen as a family matter and Johnny was presented with a fait accompli. Whatever, he was about to demonstrate his character and how well thought of he was in the town.
Johnny got busy and what happened is a good indication of his standing as an engineer and his confidence in his own abilities. The day after the closure was announced Johnny went down to Kelbrook and borrowed £500 off an aunt. He and Stanley Fisher went to Keighley and bought a 12 feet bed, 10 inch screw-cutting centre lathe and got permission from the Calf Hall Shed Company to set it up in Moorhouse’s old warehouse at Wellhouse Mill. They brought a six inch treadle lathe out of Johnny’s workshop at Federation Street, Fred Windle at the Vicarage Road garage lent him a gas engine and welding set, Watson, another garage proprietor lent him a pillar drill and Fred Holt who was the blacksmith at the end of Wellhouse Road lent him a portable forge. Johnny started paying Stanley Fisher immediately and a week later re-engaged Dennis Pickles (no relation) and Leonard Parkinson. The same week, Crampton Hoyle at the Corn mill gave them their first job, re-cogging the bevel wheel at the bottom of the vertical shaft in the Corn Mill. They were back in business!
There was another significant development that week, Johnny told his son Newton it was time he started work and set him on doing odd jobs, he was almost 14 years old. In November the Receiver had arranged the sale of the machinery at Wellhouse shop. Teddy Wood came down to Federation Street and had a word with Johnny, he told him that apart from the Calf Hall Company, he couldn’t let the resource that had been Henry Brown and Sons go out of business. He told Johnny to go down to the shop and mark up all the machines he needed and the Calf Hall Company would buy them. Johnny grabbed a piece of chalk and with Newton in tow went up to Brown’s old shop, they put a cross on every machine they wanted and on the 20th of November the Calf Hall Shed Company bought the contents of the Wellhouse Machine shop off the Receiver, R S Windle, for £425. Johnny took the Mechanic's Shop at the same rent as Browns, £25 a year.
That same week they moved into Wellhouse and started trading officially as J A Pickles and Son, Engineers and Millwrights, Wellhouse Machine works. Another chapter was about to be written. But they were short of a foundry.
Less than a month after Henry Brown and Sons collapsed, the Calf Hall Shed Company had got a competent engineering firm working out of Wellhouse shop again, J A Pickles and Son. They had a consummate craftsman in charge, Johnny Pickles and he had three good men, Stanley Fisher, Dennis Pickles, Leonard Parkinson and an apprentice, William Newton Pickles. Helping the firm to get set up wasn’t charity, it was self interest, it was an asset to the shed company. Newton told me that when Edward Wood went to see Johnny he said “Now then Johnny, we can’t do with you out of business and all these mills stopped.” When Teddy said this he was acting for the Calf Hall Company. This applied even more so to Proctor and Proctor’s interests because they were managing other shed companies as well. Both he and the company were aware that one piece of the jigsaw was missing, they hadn’t got an ironfounder in the town, an essential element in maintenance engineering. However, the Calf Hall Company owned a foundry, the one that had originally been run by Henry Brown and they knew where there was a competent founder who had been made redundant when Havre Park closed. [And he's still living in the cottage behind the foundry!]
James Cecil Ashby had come into Barlick sometime just after the Great War when Watts dropped out of the Dale Ironworks leaving Henry Brown as tenant. It looks as though he had been encouraged to come to Barlick by Henry because he gave him the job of foreman at Dale Ironworks at Ouzledale on Longfield Lane. Harold Duxbury told me that James Cecil worked there and lived in the cottage at Ouzledale. What we know for certain is that there is written evidence that James Ashby was in business at Ouzledale Foundry in 1932 as a tenant of the Calf Hall Company and trading as Ouzledale Foundry. Anecdotal evidence and Harold Duxbury says that he re-opened Ouzledale as a foundry immediately after the closure of Havre Park where he was also foreman. I once asked Harold why there was no mention in the Calf Hall Company half yearly accounts or the minutes of the Board of Directors about this tenancy and Harold just laid his finger along the side of his nose and smiled. Harold used to do this to me when I asked him a question he didn’t want to answer or, being a wily old bird, when he didn’t know the answer but wanted me to think that he did. However, there is one concrete piece of evidence, in the half year Profit and Loss account for the Calf Hall Company for the six months ending 30th June 1929 there is an item for Ouzledale Income of £2-11-3. For a while there is almost no income but in June 1931 Ouzledale brings in £48-2-2, a full income from the foundry. (See 'Brown and Pickles' the story of a Pennine Engineer' by SCG. Available on Lulu.com)
CHSC had salvaged a viable engineering form and a foundry out of the wreck of H Brown and Sons Ltd. J A Pickles and Son went on the become Henry Brown Sons and Pickles and were in business longer than CHSC. Cecil Ashby made a success of the foundry and eventually relocated it to Long Ing where it is in business today (2011). Sorry about the length of that but you will now be better able to join the dots of information in the minutes.]
Res. That J Pickard's offer of £750 for plant at Messrs Richardson's be not accepted and that we offer them £450.
The secretary reported that Messrs Moorhouse and Sons had offered to pay the rates on the premises occupied by them from January to August amounting to £133.
The secretary reported that the Liquidator of Richardson's had asked for particulars of the rent distrained for.
Mr Barker made application for the terms for renting and using the looms and plant in Moorhouse's shed.
Res. That the terms be fixed at 1/9 per loom per week including the use of the looms and 2/- per loom per week for rent and use of power and use of the looms and the tape.
Res. That seven roof ridge tiles be fixed on M Horsfield's premises at Calf Hall Shed.
Res. That the foundry in the Dale be re-roofed and glazed at a cost of £54. [There you are, you know why they are spending money on a disused property with no income!]
E B Banks.

November 4th 1929
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £678-10-5 debit, rents owing £3779-14-9.
The secretary submitted particulars of the de-rating of the mills showing that the rents had, from October 1st, been reduced by 6/8 per loom per annum.
Res. That we accept Mr Moorhouse's offer to pay the rates on the premises amounting to £133-14-8.
A letter was read from S Pickles and sons asking for certain repairs to be carried out.
A letter was read from S Pickles and Sons, the Craven Manufacturing Co and the Butts Manufacturing Co giving six months notice to terminate the tenancy in view of the possible trouble anticipated with the operatives re the 5% deducted from wages for Local Disadvantage. The operatives having given notice to the manufacturers to have this reinstated. [The manufacturers were trying every route to lowering costs and this imposition was one of them. [This was one of the consequences of the findings of the Arbitration Court in Manchester chaired by Justice Rigby-Swift in August 1929. It led to a strike ballot on November 11th in favour of a strike but in view of the low turn-out and the number of spoiled voting papers the larger action was dropped. More importantly, is that the manufacturers were experimenting with eight slowed down looms per weaver in an effort to reduce costs. This was the start of the More Looms system and disputes. We shall hear much more of these.]
A letter was read from the Barnoldswick Manufacturers Association asking a representative to attend their meeting on Wednesday morning at 10:30am.
The secretary reported the various conversations he had had with members of the Manufacturer's Association re the application of the weavers union for payment of the standard prices [on Blackburn List] paid by other districts.
Res. That in the event of a strike, for three weeks after the commencement of the strike to allow full rent for all looms stopped as a result of the strike for such time as they may be stopped during this period. For the following three weeks to allow a reduction in rent of 1/- (one shilling) per loom per week for all looms stopped as a result of the strike. In the weeks following and until the termination of the strike, the total saving of coal effected in consequence of the strike which will be as follows: In sheds where the engine may be stopped at the rate of 6d per loom per week (or 26/- per loom per annum) and in mills where the engine may not be stopped, at the rate of 4d per loom per week (or 17/4 per loom per annum.)
Proctor Barrett.

November 20th 1929
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £580-2-6 credit and rents owing £2095-7-0.
Mr Wood reported that a writ had been served against Mr J J Richardson for the debt amounting to £308-14-9 being loan and interest and that judgement had been obtained. A Letter from Mr Richardson was read saying that he had nothing.
Res. That no further steps be taken in the matter. [No point trying to get blood out of a stone.]
The secretary reported the results of an interview with Peterson Ltd when they asked for assistance carrying on their business.
Res. That they be allowed to increase the arrears of rent owing to £1000.
Res. That the plant recently in the ownership of H Brown and Sons (In bankruptcy) be purchased from R S Windle, the trustee, for £425 and that it be loaned on hire purchase to a company to be formed, at 6% instalments to be paid monthly over a period of five years. [Johnny had a stroke of luck shortly after starting on his own. Here's the relevant section from my history of Brown and Pickles: “Newton said that shortly after they got back into Wellhouse, Anthony Carr the owner of Crow Nest Mill in Barlick came into the shop and gave Johnny an order for 2000 pairs of ten inch loom pulleys. The More Looms System was coming in and one essential element in making it work was to slow the looms down. The easiest way to do this was to put larger driving pulleys on them. This was a big order and came at exactly the right time. Johnny made some wooden patterns and took them up to Ouzledale for James Cecil to cast four sets of aluminium patterns, on a big production run these were more durable than wooden ones. [Concrete evidence that despite there being no mention in the accounts the foundry was up and running again in 1929] Once made, two sets of patterns were sent to King’s foundry at Skipton and two sets left at Ouzledale. Both foundries started to make castings and Newton said they were getting 90 pairs a day in the shop at Wellhouse. Johnny had made the patterns so that they were easy to mount on a fixture on the faceplate of the lathe once they were bored. Turning rough castings straight from the foundry is hard on cutting tools which have to deal with hard metal and embedded sand. Johnny had been reading his engineering journals and knew about some new German cutting tools called ‘Wimet’ which were tipped with Tungsten Carbide, apart from diamond this was the hardest substance known to man. He sent off for four Wimet tools and they started making pulleys. Newton was 14 years old and he said he turned pulleys until he dropped so the date was 1929/30. Some days they worked from half past seven in the morning until half past nine at night. The Wimet tools only needed sharpening once a fortnight. They got another order from Blackburn for 1000 pulleys and in the end made over 13,000. Newton said that Johnny had £1,000 in the bank at the end of that job, serious money in 1930 and a valuable kick-start for the new company.]
Res. That accounts be paid.
The secretary reported the serious increase in horse power at CH Shed and that it was essential for economy and safety to that a new Low Pressure cylinder should be installed as a first step towards securing economy and that following that, at some time in the near future, a higher pressure boiler be installed.
Proctor Barrett.

December 18th 1929
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1218-3-5 credit, rents owing £2248-18-0. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 200 shares from Harriet Dewhurst to Seth Mundy and W A Adney [Martin's Bank reps] and 200 from same reps to Edward Aldersley be sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Reported that J Pickard offered the tape, winding frames and other plant at WH Mill for £100 but Mr Banks, having inspected the plant, being of the opinion it is not worth this figure, it was resolved that the same be not purchased.
Proctor Barrett.

January 15th 1930
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1522-0-10 credit, rents owing £3271-5-11.
Balance sheet as read adopted subject to audit. Dividend of 5% recommended. General meeting to be on Wednesday January 22nd.
A letter was read from S Cooke and Son intimating an advance in the price of oil of 4d per gallon.
Res. That the matter be left in the hands of the secretary.
Transfer of 6 shares from John William Clark to Herbert Clark sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
The secretary reported on the application of Peterson's Ltd for deduction from their rent in view of the serious situation they find themselves in. He had offered to allow them one month's rent for each payment of one month's rent for sic months but this they had declined.
Res. That the matter be left in his hands to deal with as he may deem fit in the interests of the company.
The secretary reported he had received an application for space for 400 looms and also for renting a similar number of 40” looms. He had offered to rent the space and looms for the first twelve months at 50/- per loom and £100 for the tape, per annum, and the second 12 months at 70/- per loom and £200 for the tape.
Res. That he be allowed to vary the terms at his discretion to secure occupancy of the space.
[No signature]

January 22nd 1930
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1842 -18-0 debit. Rents owing £2610-10-4.
Mr Wood reported the results of his arrangements with Messrs Peterson's Ltd as follows:
1.That ten payments of £100 each are made during the year.
2.That a credit of £50 be granted for each of the first five payments and of £34 each for the second five; The first five payments to be made January to May and the second five during August to December.
The secretary reported that Messrs Kempton and Co who were contemplating taking the space occupied by J Moorhouse and Son had written expressing their regret that the premises are not suitable.
E B Banks.

No general meeting minuted
However, printed balance sheet in the minute book reports: net profit for the half year of £1454-6-8 plus £123-3-0 carried froward, total of £1577-9-8 to be apportioned. Disposition, £1519-14-0 for half year dividend of 5% and £57-15-8 carried forwards.

February 19th 1930
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1905-7-10 debit, rents owing £2993-13-6.
The secretary reported he had (under general authority given by resolution of the company) instructed Mr Banks on February 12th to levy a distress on behalf of the company on New Mill (Barnoldswick) Ltd for rent accrued due to January 1st 1930 of £1489-11-7.
Res. That the levying of the distress and the action of the secretary be approved and confirmed.
Res. That a cheque for £24-0-6 be drawn for wages due to the operatives at New Mill for cloth woven since the distress. [CHSC as manufacturers again. In effect they are acting as liquidators.]
Res. That the tender of William O'Mara for repairs to the lightning conductor at Butts Mill chimney be accepted at £4-10-0.
Accounts paid.
The secretary reported that Messrs Holden wished the company to erect humidifiers for them, the cost being £300.
After discussion it was resolved that the matter be deferred until a later date.
Proctor Barrett.

March 19th 1930
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £833-6-9 debit, rents owing £740-0-3.
The secretary reported re New Mill (Barnoldswick) Ltd that distress had been levied on February 12th for £1489-11-7, that the sale took place this morning, and that the amount realised up to the present was £637-14-0. It was estimated that the total net amount would be £1000.
Accounts paid.
The secretary reported that Messrs B&EM Holden were still asking for humidifiers to be erected by the company. He gave particulars of Jackson's Humidifier made by the Airton Engineering Co of Bell Busk and the horse power required for driving purposes would be 6hp per 400 looms and about 16 gallons of town's water per hour and that the steam required would be very small indeed.
Res. That a plant for 400 looms would cost about £300 and that in one instance near Barnoldswick the landlords had agreed to pay half the cost, the plant immediately becoming the property of the landlord.
Proctor Barrett.

April 30th 1930
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £244-2-4 debit, rents owing £1108-4-11.
The secretary reported that the rent owing by the New Mill Company had been paid.
Reports on black smoke at CH Shed on March 6th and the secretary's reply were read.
A letter was read from Slater Brothers giving notice to terminate their tenancy on September 30th.
The secretary reported that the present rents were: Loom rent 84/11 and three fifths of a penny, less 12½% 74/4 and one tenth of a penny. Tapes £238-15-11 less same allowance £208-8-6.
and that in his opinion the notices from most of the tenants had been given with a view to a reduction in the rent and the basis price. He reported that the rents in Nelson had been reduced to about 66/6 per loom and £210 for tapes.
Res. That on May 1st the rents of the premises be on a new basis as follows: Loom rent, 70/-, if paid within one month less 5%, 66/6. Tapes £210, if paid within one month £199-10-0.
Based on the present rates and price of coal. But that this be not allowed to any tenant who does not withdraw notice to leave the premises.
Proctor Barrett.

May 21st 1930
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £240-1-2 credit, rents owing £1237-8-0. Accounts paid.
Res. That a contract be entered into with P Bilborough for the continuation of supply of coal for one year from July 1st 1930. Acton Hall washed nuts 21/- per ton. Bentley washed doubles 22/-. Both delivered at Barnoldswick station.
A letter was read from M Horsfield asking the directors to make allowance for looms stopped in view of the continuation of bad trade.
The secretary reported that S Pickles and Sons, Craven Manufacturing and Butts Manufacturing had intimated that they were not prepared to continue after the notice expires on the terms proposed.
Messrs Holden had also interviewed him with a view to obtaining allowances for looms stopped. They had at present only 50 looms running out of 416. [A precise indicator of the severity of the depression.]
Res. After considerable discussion that the tenants be allowed, as from May 1st 1930, 6d per week (26/- per loom per annum) for all looms stopped. These to be counted every Monday morning, certified by the manager and countersigned by the engine man at each mill.
Proctor Barrett.

June 18th 1930
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £479-9-0 credit and rents owing £1699-16-11. Accounts paid.
Proctor Barrett.

July 10th 1930
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet adopted subject to audit. Dividend of 2½% to be recommended to a shareholder's meeting on Wednesday July 16th.
Proctor Barrett.

No minute of general meeting.
Printed balance sheet inserted reports: net profit for the half year of £721-12-6 plus £57-15-8 brought forward, total of £779-8-2 to be appropriated. Disposition £759-17-0 to dividend of 2½% per annum for the half year. £19-11-2 carried forward.

August 20th 1930
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read. Bank balance £373-4-0 credit, rents owing £2035-17-5.
A letter was read from Slater Brothers intimating that owing to serious depression in the trade they were unable to keep all their looms running and proposed that as from August 31st they should pay rent on a minimum of 140 looms.
Res. That the matter be left in the hands of the secretary to investigate and report.
The secretary reported that J Windle and Sons had given notice to terminate their tenancy on ? [no date minuted]. Mr Wood reported that he had interviewed their representative and he explained it was a family matter and that in all probability they would continue as tenants. [We often forget the strains and tensions the depression caused in families. All of these manufacturing firms were family concerns and there must have been many a discussion over the dinner table as to whether it was worthwhile struggling on. I often wonder at what stage the manufacturers realised that this was not a cyclical depression but a huge structural fault in the industry.]
Mr Wood reported that he had not been able to come to a settlement with S Pickles and Sons, Craven Manufacturing and Butts Manufacturing [all Pickles family concerns]. He had offered 2½% in addition to the present 5% but this was not accepted.
It was proposed that he offer them an additional 4% on the net amount of rent after deducting 5%. [What often strikes me when I see these counter offers by CHSC is that they always have to be examined very carefully. This is a case in point. Note that they are not offering a straight deduction of 9%, the extra allowance is on the net rent after deduction of the 5% and is therefore slightly less. Smart, if not slippery actions. It brings home the basic fact that they are not manufacturers but purely investors in property.]
Res. That one man be discharged at each mill owing to the number of looms stopped. WH Mill, Stockdale. CH Shed, Anderton. Butts, Baines.
Proctor Barrett.

September 17th 1930
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £480-11-7 credit, rents owing £1304-9-10.
The secretary reported on his interview with Slater Brothers.
Res. That they be charged on the actual number of looms running with a minimum of 140 subject to a months notice on either side from September 1st.
The secretary reported he had received a letter from S Pickles and Sons stating that they were terminating their tenancy at CH Shed at the end of October next and would be clear of the premises by then. Mr Wood said that he had been unable to persuade Mr Fred Pickles to alter his decision. [Pickles were smart operators and survived until the bitter end of the industry. What is going on here is that the pattern of tenancy in the town had been shattered and an opportunity had arisen for Pickles to move to Long Ing Shed [A rival shed company in the town] and eventually they bought it. There was more than one way of escaping the shed companies! You may wonder how Stephen Pickles managed to do this when we know how widely the CHSC shares were scattered, obviating any buy-out. The Long Ing Shed Company had always been owned by a small number of shareholders with large holdings and over the years only sold interests to their fellow directors. This meant that eventually Stephen Pickles could become owner of all of them.]
Res. That the wages of the firemen at each mill be put on the common basis of £2-16-0 per week.
Res. That the payment of £20 for sewer easement at the canal wharf be accepted subject to BUDC agreement to connect Bridge house to the main sewer free of charge.
Proctor Barrett.

October 15th 1930
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £386-18-0 credit, rents owing £1887-17-11.
The secretary reported that he had agreed with the district valuer to accept easement of £20 for the Coates Bridge sewer and that the matter of connecting Bridge House with the sewer was in the hands of BUDC.
The secretary reported that Horsfield and Son at CH Shed requested their tenancy to be reduced to half the number of looms owing to the state of trade. They offered to pay the rates on the looms stopped.
Res. That the request be accepted from November 1st 1930.
The secretary reported he had several interviews with Fred Pickles representing the three family companies re the rent of their premises and that he [Fred Pickles] had stated definitely that they [S. Pickles and Sons] were leaving CH Shed. Even though he [Mr Wood] had offered to put them on the basis of only paying for looms running they were not prepared to consider it but were determined to clear out on October 31st as per their letter submitted to the last meeting.
Mr Wood had a further meeting with Fred Pickles last week when he [Fred Pickles] insisted on a revision of terms for Butts Manufacturing and Craven Manufacturing [Both at Butts Mill]. Mr Wood had, with a view to retaining them as tenants and after consultation with Mr Banks, offered them a reduction of 10% on the amount paid at the end of August 1931 and a letter was sent from them accepting this offer and intimating also that in view of this arrangement they were reconsidering retaining the tenancy at CH Shed and would let them know their decision in a few week's time. [I suspect that at this point Fred Pickles goes back to the Long Ing directors, who are equally desperate to fill their shed, and asks for a reduction in terms, a better offer than that from CHSC.]
Res. That the action of the secretary in this matter be confirmed and that confirmation [of the terms] be sent to the tenants.
E B Banks.

November 19th 1930
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £997-18-6 credit, rents owing £1687-4-1. Accounts paid.
Res. That where minimum rents are charged no allowance be made for looms standing below that number.
The secretary reported that Mr Fred Pickles had made application for space previously occupied by Aldersley capable of holding 262 looms and that he had offered to allow them 3½ months grace and the same terms as for their other premises. The feeling of the meeting was that further grace should be allowed in order to secure the tenancy. [I often wonder about the security of decisions inside the board room. It would be very handy for Fred to know about this resolution. How close were personal relationships? Membership of the Masons or other bodies? All right, I know, I'm a cynic, but these things happened.]
Res. That Martins Bank be authorised to accept the lithographed signature of the Company and its agents only authorised to sign cheques.
A schedule of repairs required to be done at the Craven Manufacturing Co was submitted and passed forward for attention.
Proctor Barrett.

December 17th 1930
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1473-3-1 credit, rents owing £1699-14-1. Accounts paid.
Messrs M Horsfield and B&EM Holden requested the company to grant them three months' tenancy and to charge on looms running only.
Res. That no further allowances be made with regard to rent and allowances.
Res. That the terms offered to Messrs Peterson for the year ending December 31st be continued to June 30th 1931, namely, five payments of £100 and five credits of £34 each.
Proctor Barrett.

January 22nd 1931
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £480-17-10 credit after paying the accounts. Rent owing £1565-19-2.
Res. That the common seal of the company be affixed to the agreement for sewer easement on the sewer passing under the canal and Coates Wharf.
The request of the Monkswell Manufacturing Co to place them on on a minimum of 100 looms instead of 200 was not acceded to.
Slater Brothers applied for two days allowance for stoppage at Xmas.
Res. No further allowed be made.
Mr Horsfield gave notice to terminate his tenancy on June 30th and intimated to the secretary that they wished to be charged on the number of looms running only.
Res. That this request be not conceded.
J Windle and Sons also requested that they be charged upon the number of looms running only subject to three month's notice, the notice to terminate on June 30th 1931.
Mr Wood was requested to interview them again with regard to the matter.
Correspondence re the smoke nuisance at WH Mill was read and approved.
The balance sheet for the half year anding December 31st 1930 was read showing a profit of £47-5-2.
Res. That £750 be transferred form reserve to the credit of the Profit and Loss account and that a dividend of 2½% free of tax for the half year and no general meeting be held.
Accounts paid.
Proctor Barrett.
[The following copy letter to shareholders is inserted in the minute book:
From Edward Wood, CHSC secretary, as from Proctor and Proctor at Burnley.
Dear sir or madam,
CALF HALL SHED COMPANY LIMITED
The trading result for the last half year ended December 31st 1930, after making a transfer from the Reserve Fund enable the directors to declare a dividend at the rate of 2½% per annum free of tax for the half year.
The directors decided not to hold the usual Interim Half Yearly meeting and I therefore enclose cheque and certificate for the amount due to you.
Yours truly, Edward Wood, secretary.]

February 18th 1931
Proctor Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £150-17-1 debit. Rent owing £1345-14-5. Accounts paid.
The secretary reported that on the morning of February 5th he was informed [by whom?] that the bank had given notice to Messrs Petersons Ltd to pay off their overdraft (secured by debentures) before the end of the day and he had immediately got in touch with Mr Banks who had arranged to distrain at once for rent owing of £621-14-4.
Res. That this action be confirmed.
The secretary reported that Mr R S Windle had been appointed Receiver and had, through Messrs Pilgrim, Hayman and Badgery, taken exception to the Distress. This letter was read to the meeting. [I'll bet they did!]
Messrs B&EM Holden made verbal application to be charged on looms running only which was considered.
Res. It be not acceded to.
A letter was read from Slater Brothers (Barnoldswick) Ltd re the continuance of the tenancy on the existing agreement, i.e. on a minimum of 140 looms subject to one month's notice.
Res. That they be informed that the tenancy may be continued on a minimum of 140 looms subject to three months notice in future.
Messrs M Horsfield and Sons' application to pay rent on looms running without a minimum was again considered.
Res. That their request be not acceded to as they were under notice.
The secretary reported he had had further interviews with J Windle and Son re the expiration of their tenancy on January 1st and they had demanded a definite decision before January 31st and that after consultation with Mr Banks he had agreed that on condition of their withdrawing their notice thay be charged on looms running only for three months.
Res. That the secretary's action be confirmed.
A list of looms running was as follows:
Actual number running and date.
Tenant total looms minimum Jan17 24 31 Feb7
Holden 414 207 172 172 202 194
Horsfield 414 207 65 54 64 43
Monkswell 413 200 169 140 114 121
Pickles & Sons 416 416 416 416 416 416
Windle & Sons 401 actual 241 196 240 291
Slater Brothers 220 140 205 170 170 180
Petersons Ltd 376 376 290 260 277 260
Craven Manfg 814 814 814 814 814 814
Butts Manfg 407 407 407 407 407 407
It was reported that the payment of £20 from BUDC for easement at Coates had been received and BUDC had agreed to connect Coates Cottage to the sewer free of charge.
The question of appeals against the assessment of the mills was considered.
Res. That the secretary goes into the situation and appeals if he thinks this is desirable.
Proctor Barrett.

March 18th 1931
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £272-12-7 [credit?], rents owing £1655-1-7. Accounts paid.
A letter was read from Slater Brothers accepting the tenancy on a minimum number of 140 looms and three months notice.
Res. That the request of the Monkswell Manufacturing Co for the minimum to be reduced from 200 to 100 be not acceded to.
The Secretary reported that B&EM Holden had again applied for payment to be made on looms running with no minimum.
Res. That their request be not acceded to.
A letter was received from BUDC surveyor re repairs to the roadway at Butts.
Res. That the matter be left over.
The secretary reported that Mr Windle of J Windle and Sons had seen him and agreed to a minimum of 200 looms for April, May and June and payment of 2/6 per loom per annum for looms not running.
The question of assessment for rates was discussed and it was decided they not be appealed against.
The secretary laid a letter before the meeting from Messrs Pilgrim, Hayman and Badgery re the distress levied on Messrs Petersons Ltd and reported on interviews he had had with Mr Duckworth, thbe representative of R S Windle the Receiver, and Mr Mellin of Martins Bank.
Res. That Mr Wood inform Mr Duckworth that the company would agree to the taking over of the plant together with payment of £150 in full settlement of the rent distrained for and rent outstanding by the Receiver made up as follows:
Distress 621-14-4.
February rent 126-2-4
Total 747-16-8
376 looms @30/- each 564-0-0
Balance of 183-16-8
Say 150-0-0.
[Not a bad deal. CHSC get the plant and £150 to settle the debt. They have a lettable weaving unit in place in the mill complete with all plant and stock.]
Proctor Barrett.

April 15th 1931
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £378-13-2 debit, rents owing £1233-1-6. Accounts paid.
The secretary reported on various interviews he had had with the Receiver of Petersons Ltd re the rent distrained for and read a letter from Pilgrim, Hayman and Badgery the solicitors to the Receiver confirming an agreement to settle the matter on the following basis:
Rent distrained for 621-14-4
February 120-0-0
March 120-0-0
Total 861-14-4
Less sale of 376 looms, preparation machinery and all accessories:
761-8-0
Balance 100-6-4.
CHSC therefore taking over the plant and receiving a payment of £100 in full settlement.
Res. That the secretary's action be approved and confirmed.
The secretary reported that he had received notices from B&EM Holden and the Monkswell Manufacturing Co to terminate their tenancies on September 30th 1931 and that he had also had interviews with J Windle and Sons Ltd and M Horsfield and Sons regarding their request for rents to be based only on looms running.
After considerable discussion it was unanimously resolved that the tenants be informed that the company agree to the tenancies being varied as follows:
Rent to be on the basis of the actual numbers of looms running; the tenancies to be terminable at three months' notice from any Quarter Day; all looms stopped to be paid for at the rate of 2/6 per loom per annum to cover rates etc. These terms to be applicable only if notice is withdrawn where it has been given, full rent to be charged until the end of the tenancy [in such cases].
Proctor Barrett.

May 20th 1931
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £98-18-7 debit, rents owing £1155-4-11. Accounts paid.
Reported that Windle and Sons had accepted the new terms of tenancy but that B&EM Holden, Horsfield and Sons and Monkswell Manufacturing had asked for further modifications in the terms.
Res. Unanimously that no further modifications be granted. [Pencil note 'See June 17th 1931 minutes' when they are amended.]
A letter from S Pickles and Sons was read re the state of the roof in Butts Mill and it was reported that it was receiving attention.
Res. That the coal contract as at present be continued to June 30th 1932 at an increased rate of 3d per ton.
Proctor Barrett.

June 17th 1931
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £292-19-8 credit rents owing £1025-11-5. Accounts paid.
Reported that notice of a proposed increase in assessments for Land Tax on property of the company had been received.
Res. That the Land Tax now payable be redeemed on the basis of the present assessment.
Res. That the terms of tenancy set out in the Minutes for May 20th 1931 be amended as follows:
Rent to be based on the actual number of looms running and tapes in proportion. Tenancies to be terminable at three months notice. All looms stopped to be paid for at the rate of 2/6 per loom per annum to cover rates etc.
Proctor Barrett.

July 8th 1931
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £428-17-11 credit. Rent owing £1077-19-7. Accounts paid.
Res. That the depreciation for the year ending June 30th 1931 be postponed, that the balnce sheet be adopted subject to audit. That a dividend of 2% be recommended. General meeting to be held on July 16th 1931 at 7pm.
Proctor Barrett.

July 16th 1931
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £765-16-1 after paying dividend, rents owing £1021-2-6. Accounts paid.
The secretary presented a cheque from the Revenue for repayment of £895-5-6 Income Tax.
Proctor Barrett.

No general meeting minuted.
Printed balance sheet reports: Trading profit for the half year of £343-9-1 After charging expanses there is a loss for the year of £171-2-8. However the charge for depreciation has been postponed thus making a balance for the year of £1378-17-4.
A dividend of 2½% per annum was paid for the half year to December 31st 1931 absorbing £795-17-0 and the disposable balance is £638-11-6. Your directors recommend a dividend for the half year of 2% absorbing £607-17-7 making a dividend for the full year of 2¼% and leaving a balance of £30-13-11 to carry forward. Signed P Barrett and E Wood, Burnley July 9th 1931.

August 19th 1931
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1073-8-9 credit, rents owing £609-18-9. Accounts paid.
Res. That the request of BUDC for permission to erect a pole for electrical transmission wires at an acknowledgement of 1/- per annum be acceded to and the common seal of the company affixed to the agreement. [The power was generated in Keighley and had reached Barlick. A new age dawns!]
Transfer of shares from Exors of J W Smith. 30 shares to Martha Ellen Smith, 30 to John Smith, 30 to George Sanderson, 30 to Isabella Laycock and 30 to Ellen Parker. Also 191 shares from Exors of Jane E Mitton to Richard Mitton. Sanctioned, seal cert etc.
Proctor Barrett.

September 16th 1931
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £694-1-11 credit, rents owing £1024-9-2. Accounts paid.
The secretary reported that he had received notice from S Pickles and Sons dated August 24th to terminate their tenancy at the end of September 1931 and that he had replied pointing out that six months notice was necessary. The notice had therefore been amended to terminate the tenancy on February 28th 1932. Mr Wood further stated that Mr Fred Pickles had raised the question of conditions for a further tenancy of the Butts Mill Co and the Craven Manufacturing Co as the previous agreement had terminated at the end of July. The secretary was empowered to see Mr Pickles and negotiate with him for a continuance of these tenancies for a further twelve months on the same terms and also to discuss the matter of S Pickles and Sons' tenancy.
Res. Further that the Butts Manufacturing Co be allowed to use part of the empty warehouse space previously occupied by Aldersley free of rent subject to one month's notice and also that the Craven Manufacturing Co be allowed to move 96 looms out of the 'Pigeon Hole' to part of the premises recently occupied by Aldersley subject to one month's notice. They to agree to return the looms and resume the original tenancy should Aldersley's space be required by a new tenant.
Res. That S Pickles and Sons be allowed the use of the Plaiting machine purchased by the company from Moorhouse's at WH Mill free of charge for the time being. [The Plaiting machine is a piece of warehouse machinery used for inspecting, measuring and folding pieces of cloth from the roller out of the loom so that it can be bundled for shipping out.]
Transfer of shares from G W Watson, 125 shares to A G Petty and 125 to A Jackson sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Proctor Barrett.

October 21st 1931
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £645-8-5 credit, rents owing £1029-6-7. Accounts paid.
The secretary reported that Fred Pickles had seen him re the tenancies of the Butts, Craven and S Pickles and Sons companies but that no definite proposals had been made. The conversations were postponed.
Res. Transfer of shares from Exors of Jane E Proctor, 296 to Ernest Proctor and 296 to John Proctor; 37 shares from Lizzie A Baxter and 46 from Annice Baxter to Seth Mundy and W A Adney (Martins Bank) sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Proctor Barrett.

November 18th 1931
Proctor Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £770-1-6 credit, rents owing £1138-7-5. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares from the Exors of Alice Mabel Robinson, 215 shares to Ada Duckworth, 215 to Preston Robinson and 216 to F Robinson the executor sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Reported that Mr Dearden had approached the CHSC and asked for terms of tenancy at WH Mill and that it was suggested that he be allowed to use the plant acquired from Messrs Petersons Ltd free of rent for two years, the tenancy to be two years certain, six month's grace to be allowed, the tenancy to be on the CHSC terms now in operation but so far no reply had been received from Mr Dearden.
Res. That the action taken by the secretary and Mr Banks be confirmed.
Proctor Barrett.

December 16th 1931
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1034-9-9 credit, rents owing £1331-16-9. Accounts paid.
The secretary reported he had received a letter from BUDC announcing their intention to dismantle the fire siren at Butts Mill.
Transfer of 126 shares from Exors of Robert Clark to Richard Jacques sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Proctor Barrett.

January 20th 1931
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
The chairman, in referring to the death of Mr Hall stated that he had been a very valuable member of the board for 17 years and it was unanimously resolved that a sincere vote of sympathy be conveyed to the widow and family.
Bank balance £118-2-6 debit, rents owing £1390-1-0. Accounts paid.
Balance sheet adopted subject to audit. Dividend for half year of 2% recommended. [No date set for general meeting.]
Proctor Barrett.

[Copy of a letter from Edward Wood to the shareholders inserted in the minute book.
Dear Sir or Madam, CHSC Ltd. The trading result for the interim half year ending December 31st 1931, after making a transfer from the Reserve Fund, allows the directors to declare a dividend of 2% free of tax for the half year and I therefore enclose a cheque and certificate for the amount due to you.
Your directors regret to announce the death of Mr J Hall who had been a valued member of the board for 17 years.
Signed, Edward Wood, secretary.]

[1932 is going to be a disastrous year. The More Looms disputes are ripping the industry apart with strikes, agitation and police reaction to protest marches. Nutter Brothers at Grove Shed Earby liquidate. Self-help sheds (cooperatives) start at Victoria Mill Earby and Sough Bridge Mill. James Nutter takes over the Nutter Brothers' shed at Bancroft and moves out of Bankfield into there. Bankfield Shed closes in 1934. Coates Mill has already closed. Just some of the events which make up the climate in which the CHSC is operating.]

February 17th 1932
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £350-14-4 debit, rents owing £1380-13-2. Accounts paid.
A letter was read from Mrs Hall expressing her thanks for the sympathy of the board.
Transfer of 126 shares from George Mitchell deceased to Leonard Mitchell, his administrator, sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
An application from the Monkswell Manufacturing Co for the temporary loan of 7 45” looms was received.
Res. That this be granted subject to them agreeing to return the looms whenever required by the company and at their cost.
An application from Mr Heaton for the painting of the outside of the house tenanted by him was received.
Res. That this be done.
The secretary reported an application from S Pickles and Sons that their tenancy be on one month's notice was received.
Res. That this be not granted and it remain on six month's notice.
An application from Mr J Standing for space on which to stand [park] a van was received but not granted.
Res. That the secretary write to BUDC asking them to take steps to cope with the overflow of surface water from Taylor Street. [This is the piece of land behind Butts mill and when Taylor and his partners sold the land to CHSC they must have retained enough to build the row of houses known as Taylor Street.]
Res. That the space previously occupied by Messrs Moorhouse containing 45” looms be advertised.
Proctor Barrett.

March 16th 1932
Proctor Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £170-5-0 debit, rents owing £1491-1-4. Accounts paid.
A letter from BUDC dated February 18th 1932 was read re the liability for the repair of Calf Hall Road. This was discussed.
Res. That the matter be left over while the secretary obtains further information.
Mr Wood reported that the Monkswell Manufacturing Co [CH] had called a meeting of creditors with a view to entering voluntary liquidation and that a distraint had been levied dated March 10th 1932 for the rent owing, £522-2-1.
Transfer of shares from the Exors of William Perry sanctioned. 200 shares to Geraldine G Perry and 400 to Harold Perry. Seal cert etc.
The secretary reported that Messrs J Windle and Sons had applied to rent extra looms in the space previously occupied by Petersons and that he had made arrangements for this to be done. Rent to be payable on the looms running at the same rate as those in their own occupation but they to have the use of the looms free for three months. [Far better for disused looms to be used and running as this halted deterioration.]
It was reported that W B Barritt had asked that the length of notice required to terminate their tenancy be extended. [A piece of land rented from CHSC?]
Res. That the tenancy be a yearly one terminable on December 31st in any year by notice given not later than June 30th in that year.
Proctor Barrett.

April 20th 1932
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £124013-11 debit. Rents owing £1420-0-4. Accounts paid.
The secretary reported that the economisers at Butts Mill required attention.
Res. That the matter be left over until the next meeting. [Pencil note reads 'leave over for a time'. I think the directors can see what is coming. The question in their minds is 'How long will Butts be running?']
A further request was received from the Town Clerk BUDC re the liability for the repair of Calf Hall Road.
Res. That the secretary see Mr J C Waddington re the reply to be sent.
Mr Wood reported that the plant at Monkswell Manufacturing Co (in liquidation) had been offered for sale.
Res. That CHSC make an offer for the plant and it be left to Mr Banks and Mr Wood to enter into negotiations at a price of approx. £750.
Transfer of 100 shares from Harold Perry to John Vernon Patrick sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that an enquiry for space at WH Mill had been received from Mr A Pollard for 150 45” looms and 50 36” looms and from 40 to 50 62” looms, the looms to be provided by the company.
Res. That we inform Mr Pollard that CHSC are not prepared to buy 62” but would be agreeable to enter negotiations with him for the tenancy of 45” and 36” looms already on the premises belonging to the company.
Res. That the ashes from CH, Butts and WH Mills be offered to the council from May 1st to October 31st for the sum of £5, the council to remove the ashes. [This is a payment for the ashes. Happy days are here again!]
Proctor Barrett.

May 25th 1932
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £148-17-1 credit. Rent owing £1464-16-3. Accounts paid.
It was reported that BUDC had accepted the offer of ashes (to be carted by them) for the six months ending October 31st 1932 for £5.
The secretary reported he had received a reply from the Town Clerk re the surface water from Taylor Street stating that it was not the custom of the council to deal with surface drainage water until the streets were made up under the Private Streets Works Act 1892.
Res. That Mr Taylor be written to re the matter. [The developer who built the street.]
Further correspondence from BUDC re the liability to repair Calf Hall Street was read.
Res. That the matter be left over.
It was reported that a quotation from P D Bilborough for the supply of coals similar to the current contract had been received. The prices were: Bentley Washed Doubles 22/3 per ton. Acton Hall Washed Nuts 21/3 delivered at Barnoldswick station (in the CHSC wagons).
Res. That the contract be continued until June 30th 1933.
Transfer of 143 shares from Ellen Patrick to John Vernon Patrick sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Proctor Barrett.

June 15th 1932
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £430-13-7 debit. Rents owing £1507-12-7. Accounts paid.
Res. That the purchase from the Liquidator of Monkswell Manufacturing Co of the plant formerly the property of this company for £700 be confirmed.
A letter was read from Taylor Brothers re the CHSC complaint about water overflowing from Taylor Street stating that they do not accept any liability for water from Taylor Street and pointing out that they had sold all the houses bar one. [Interesting that in a time of deep recession new houses could be sold.]
Transfer of shares sanctioned. 60 shares from Midland Bank (Branch Nominees) to John Vernon Patrick and 143 from Ellen Patrick to Mary Isabel Bannister. Seal cert etc.
Mr Wood reported that Mr Fred Pickles had asked that the firms in which he was interested should be put on one month's notice.
Res. That this application be refused and it was pointed out that extra time was being now run of 2 hours 20 minutes per week. [Some sections of the trade were experiencing increased demand as many firms went out of business. This is not a new dawn.]
Res. That John Vernon Patrick be elected a director to fill the vacancy created by the death of John Hall.
In connection with the transfer of shares from the Midland Bank (Branch Nominees) Ltd a request was received from the manager of the Midland Bank in Barnoldswick that the registration fee be reconsidered.
Res. That it remains at 1d per share as hitherto.
Proctor Barrett.

[On July 11th 1932 there was a very severe storm on Weets Moor resulting in extensive flooding in the town and much damage to property, largely due to enormous amounts of water running off the moor and overwhelming the watercourses.]

July 13th 1932
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1483-11-3 credit. Rents owing 976-14-5. Accounts paid.
A petter was read from O/Mara re WH chimney. [Lightning strike?]
Res. That the damaged hoop only be replaced.
A complaint was received from J Windle and Sons re broken windows. Mr Banks stated he was attending to the matter. [One of the freak events reported at the time was exceptionally large hailstones over 2” in size.]
Res. That the holding of £11,000 of 5% War Stock 1929/47 be converted to 3½% War Stock in accordance with the government's offer and that the common seal be affixed to the necessary form.
Balance sheet for half year adopted subject to audit. Dividend of 2% free of tax to be recommended. No General Meeting date set.
The damage cause by the July 11th floods was discussed.
Res. That the secretary go into the question of a claim on the insurance company.
Transfer of 98 shares from the Exors of Grace Anderson to Mary Ellen Green be sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the Ouzledale Foundry, damaged by lightning and flood on July 11th, be rebuilt, that Norman Barrett be asked to obtain estimates and that the matter be left in the hands of Mr Banks and Mr Wood. [Cecil Ashby is paying rent now. Remember that this is the only foundry in the town and is very busy. We know that J A Pickles and Son, tenants of the Mechanic's Shop at WH Mill are getting all their castings made there and are also very busy, mainly on making new loom pulleys to slow the looms down for the More Looms system. We aren't seeing detailed accounts in the minutes but Pickles and Son are doing all the CHSC engineering and millwrighting.]
Proctor Barrett.

No general meeting minuted but printed balance sheet inserted in the minute book reports:
Statement of accounts for the year ending June 30th 1932. Trading profit for the three mills is £372-13-0 for the year. After expenses etc £122-17-8 net. Depreciation charge once more postponed making an available balance of £1622-17-8. Disposition as follows:
From last account 30-13-11
Add balance as shown above 1622-17-8
Total 1653-11-7
Last Half year dividend at 2% per ann. 607-17-7
Balance 1045-14-0
Half year dividend of 2% 607-17-7
To carry forward 437-16-5.
John Vernon Patrick elected as director in place of J Hall.
Signed at Burnley, July 14th 1932 by P Barrett and E Wood.

August 17th 1932
Officers re-elected. P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1735-16-4 credit, rent owing £929-9-3. Accounts paid.
Correspondence was read from Messrs M Horsfield and B&EM Holden re stoppages caused by the flood stating that although some looms had warps in they had been unable to run these because of the flood.
Res. That Horsfield's be allowed a fortnight's rent (Their stoppage having been three weeks but one of these was a holiday week) and That B&EM Holden be allowed a day free of rent. [CH Shed was badly affected. The sheds at the back of the mill were flooded when the beck broke up out of the culvert beneath the floor. Evidence of Ernie Roberts, LTP, who was working there at the time.]
A letter was received from BUDC dated August 5th re the rebuilding of the wall fencing the beck off from the Ginnel between Butts and Calf Hall Lane damaged by the flood.
Res. That the matter be left over for the present time.
A letter was read from J Slater and Sons, Clough Mill, re the cleaning of their dam of debris washed down by the flood from Ouzledale Foundry. The matter was discussed. [Much of this debris actually came from the garage of Wild Brothers, haulage contractors who had a garage on the top side of Bancroft Shed where weft boxes and skeps were stored outside.]
Res. The matter be left over.
The secretary reported the receipt of £338-2-6 from the London Assurance in settlement of a claim for damage by lightning on July 11th 1932 to the wall between Monkswell and M Horsfield's which collapsed. [CH]
Mr Wood reported that this amount would have been £80 more if the shed had been fully covered and that he was of the opinion that the insurance on CH Shed should be revised.
Res. That the matter be left over for further consideration.
A quotation was read from E Green and Son for the replacement of the economisers at Butts Mill of 256 tubes of 9ft each at a cost of £448. The secretary impressed on the board the necessity for doing this at once, first that they were dangerous and second that the investment would save at least £150 per annum. [Remember that we know these are operating at full boiler pressure, at least 160psi.]
Res. That this matter be considered at the next meeting.
Res. That the secretary write to the BUDC asking for their intentions re the repair of the road against Butts Mill leading up to S Pickles and Sons warehouse which had been damaged by the flood.
Mr Norman Barrett attended and submitted six tenders for the rebuilding of Ouzledale Foundry.
Res. That Mr F Bleazard's tender of £185 be accepted and the work be done forthwith.
Proctor Barrett.

September 21st 1932
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1324-8-4 credit. Rents owing £862-5-9. Accounts paid.
A letter from Butts Manfg Co was read alleging defects to the shed roof. Mr Banks said he was attending to the matter.
A letter from BUDC Town Clerk was read requesting that the company should make good the wall fencing off the beck from the ginnel between Butts and Calf Hall Road.
Res. That as there was considerable doubt whether the company was liable for the repair of the wall no action be taken and the matter reconsidered at the next meeting.
Correspondence from BUDC re the condition of the road from Butts Mill to Butts Field was read.
Res. That if no satisfactory reply be received from the council MR Banks should see Mr Barrett with a view to making good a portion of the road up to Messrs Pickles' warehouse door.
Res. That a new economiser be installed at Butts Mill and that the secretary see E Green and Son Ltd and endeavour to get them to reduce their tender of £448. It was also resolved that a circulator be installed at the same time. [Circumstances have forced them to bite this bullet on the grounds of safety.]
It was reported that there had been further correspondence with M Horsfield and So re the allowances for stoppages after the flood.
Res. That the matter be postponed for further consideration.
Mr Wood reported that he had received a request from S Pickles and Sons and the Butts and Craven Manfg companies for an allowance of 10% for the year ending July 31st 1932 which Mr Pickles had declined as being insufficient on two occasions last year in September and October. As Mr Wood was expecting to receive a visit from Mr Fred Pickles it was resolved that consideration of the matter be deferred.
A letter was read from J A Pickles and Son, Wellhouse Machine Works, asking for a temporary reduction of rent owing to the bad state of trade.
Res. That the rent be reduced by £50 per year for the time being.
The question of the allowance for rent to be made during the strike [More Looms dispute.] was discussed.
Res. That the matter be postponed for further consideration. [The directors were in unknown territory here. The More Looms dispute and associated matters were so serious that trade was virtually at a stand still. Waiting to see if there was any definite information as to the length of the strikes and lockouts was probably the wise thing to do.]
Transfer of 300 shares from Harold Perry to Victor Hedges sanctioned. Seal cert etc. [Victor Hedges is to become a significant figure in the minutes. He married Edward Wood's daughter and eventually became senior partner at Proctor and Proctor. See his evidence in the Lancashire Textile Project, tape 81/VH.]
Res. That the secretary obtain offers for the looms taken over from Hartley and Lawson which had suffered considerable damage during the flood.
Res. That the secretary write to John Slater and Sons re the sale of the Lea Water recorder towards which CHSC had contributed part of the cost and suggesting that John Slater and Sons should refund to CHSC a proportionate part of the proceeds of the sale. [Evidently not seen as useful now and could it have been damaged during the flood? This measuring device is almost certainly connected with the extraction of overflow water from Clough Mill lodge for use at Butts via the balance pond in the Parrock.]
Proctor Barrett.

October 19th 1932
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £973-13-2 credit, rents owing £686-2-6. Accounts paid.
The question of allowances on rent during the strike period was considered.
Res. That rent be charged on half the looms running in the week previous to the strike. [The main strike had been a withdrawal of labour by the Amalgamated Weavers from August 27th to September 27th. An agreement was reached on December 17th 1932 which settled the More Looms matter but as employers rushed in to implement the new system many more local disputes broke out. The secretary of the Amalgamated Weavers said at the time that “the future is very black”. The trade wasn't out of the wood yet.]
A Letter was read from Craven Manfg Co claiming half of the loss of £1250 said to be suffered by them owing to the damage after the floods.
Res. That the secretary write expressing sympathy but stating that the company could not accept any responsibility.
Mr Wood reported he had obtained offers of 10/- [each] for the narrow looms and 12/- for the broad looms in the place formerly occupied by Hartley and Lawson which had been damaged in the flood. [For scrap.]
Res. That this offer be not accepted and that the looms be allowed to remain on the premises.
The secretary reported that Mr Horsfield of M Horsfield and Sons had seen him re various matters connected to his tenancy and that Mr Horsfield had said that the main gutter was inadequate for purpose and that the drains in Mill Street were still blocked up. It was left for Mr Banks to go into the question of the gutter and for the secretary to write to BUDC re the surface water drains in Mill Street.
The secretary reported that he had received a letter from the clerk to BUDC re the repair of the road leading from Butts to Butts Field stating that the matter had been left over for further investigation by the council.
The secretary reported he had received further correspondence re the repair of the wall along the ginnel on the left hand side facing Calf Hall and that after consulting with Mr Banks he had replied that CHSC could not accept responsibility for the wall. [This ginnel no longer exists, it was extinguished as a right of way when Carlson Ford extended over the beck. It used to run up the side of Butts Mill from Butts to Calf Hall Road.]
Proctor Barrett.

November 16th 1932
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £162-8-6 debit. Rent owing £1737-2-0. Accounts paid.
Quotations for the insulating of the new economiser at Butts Mill were read:
Davidson and Co, £16-3-3. William Kenyon and Son Ltd £14-19-6.
Res. That the matter be postponed for the time being.
A letter from BUDC dated October 21st was read in which the council stated that they could not accept responsibility for the gulleys in Mill Street.
Res. That as Mill Street had not yet been adopted by the council the matter could not be pressed further. Mr Banks said however that there was only one gulley to clear and that he would see it was done.
The secretary read a letter from Fred Pickles re the loss sustained through the flooding of the shed and enclosing six months notice from S Pickles and Sons, Craven Manufacturing and Butts Manufacturing to expire on April 30th 1933.
Mr Wood reported that he had seen Fred Pickles twice but that Mr Pickles simply stated that they were determined to leave.
Res. That Mr Wood see Fred Pickles again to see if some arrangement could be made to retain them as tenants.
A Letter from Mr Broughton, agent for Col. Bairstow was read drawing attention to the state of the road at Calf Hall Shed.
Res. That the secretary reply that CHSC were not responsible for the condition of the road or its repair.
E B Banks.

December 14th 1932
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £44-15-8 credit. Rent owing £849-16-2. Accounts be paid.
The secretary reported that he had seen Fred Pickles again but Mr Pickles had said they had made definite arrangements to move to Barnsey Shed. [S Pickles and Sons eventually owned both Long Ing and Barnsey sheds and survived until the end of the industry.]
The secretary reported that he had received a request from S Pickles and Sons for the allowance of 10% discount for their three firms from the rent up to date and that he had written back pointing out that the agreement for this allowance terminated on July 31st 1932.
Correspondence thereon was read and the secretary's action was approved and he was empowered to take any further action necessary.
The secretary reported that he had received an enquiry from Messrs Widdup re space at WH Mill and had forwarded details. He had written to Mr Widdup again and endeavoured to see him but he had nothing to report. [J Widdup and sons had a large tenancy at Moss Shed and eventually owned it. With hindsight we can see that there are signs that the trade situation is easing, Widdups had orders for more looms than they could operate in Moss and wanted extra capacity.]
The secretary reported receipt of a letter from Messrs Horsfield re a suggestion that CHSC should insure them against flood and that the London Assurance had stated that the flood insurance could only be effected by the company who carried the Fire Insurance.
Transfer of shares sanctioned. From Seth Mundy and W A Adney; 46 shares to Annice Baxter and 37 to L A Baxter. Also 625 shares from Eliza M Dewhurst to Seth Mundy and W A Adney. Seal cert etc.
The secretary reported receipt of a letter from the London Assurance regarding the fire insurance for Ouzledale Foundry requesting that certain open gas jets should be protected by metal shields. Mr Banks said the matter would receive attention. [Useful evidence that electricity hadn't reached so far.]
E B Banks.

January 18th 1933
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1165-8-6 debit after payment of the accounts. Rent owing 1889-14-2.
Res. That the balance sheet for the half year ended December 31st 1932 be adopted as read and an interim dividend of 2% free of tax be paid.
[No printed balance sheet in the minute book.]
Res. That the tender of Mr Lewis Mayfield for a new lightning conductor on WH chimney for £4-10-0 be accepted.
A letter from M Horsfield and Sons dated January 2nd was read. They stated that they had made enquiries of the insurance company re insurance against flood and had been quoted a premium of £40 but as they considered this too high they asked that CHSC should accept responsibility for damage due to the flood.
Res. That the CHSC could not admit any liability for damage by flood and that Mr Wood should see Mr Horsfield and inform him to this effect.
Further correspondence from S Pickles and Sons, Craven Manfg and Butts Manfg was read.
Res. That the action of the secretary be approved and that he be instructed to press for all rents outstanding.
Transfer of 30 shares from Isabella Laycock to James Edgar Bennett sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
E B Banks.

February 15th 1933
Mr Banks referred with sincere regret to the death of Proctor Barrett. He was one of the promoters of the CHSC, an original director and chair for 19 years. He had taken an active part in the early development of the company and maintained a keen interest in its welfare until his death. He was a thorough business man with wide experience and his practical ideas were greatly appreciated by the board. [A long eulogy follows and the directors stood in silence as an expression of their sympathy.]
Res. Unanimously that E B Banks be elected chairman and R Jacques as vice chair.
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1162-3-10 debit. Rents owing £2702-15-0. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares: From Exors of Mary H Anderson to; Robert Anderson 23. Joseph Anderson 23. Rennie Anderson 23. Rebecca Waddington 36. Ivy Nicholson 36. From Mabel Pickup, executrix to: Mabel Pickup 95 shares. George Pickup 95. Vera Pickup 96. Seal cert etc.
Reported that an offer of £40 had been received from Mr Pickard For healds and reeds at WH Mill.
Res. That Mr Heyron Hartley be asked to make an offer and the matter be left in the hands of Mr Banks.
Reported that Messrs Widdup had seen the premises at WH Mill lately occupied by Dewhurst and also Moorhouse. They were going into the possible tenancy of one of the two.
Correspondence from the clerk to BUDC was read.
Res. That the Clerk be informed that CHSC are willing to agree to the suggestion of BUDC to their suggestion that they put the roadway at Butts into a temporary satisfactory state of repair, they to provide half the cost and CHSC the other half. It to be understood that this was done without prejudice or any admission to liability on the part of CHSC to repair the road which is an old occupation road and that the CHSC contribution should not exceed £10.
Also Res. That BUDC be informed that CHSC are willing for the council to repair the wall alongside the ginnel from Butts to Calf Hall Lane and that the CHSC would bear their share of the liability provided the other owners agreed to do the same.
The secretary reported that he had received cheques from Messrs Pickles purporting to be full and final settlement of all rents outstanding but that he had refused to accept them on this basis. He had as yet received no reply.
E B Banks.

March 15th 1933
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1440-2-11 debit. Rents owing £3295-4-3. Accounts paid.
The secretary reported he had received a request from B&EM Holden for the installation of humidifiers and that he had received an estimate from the Ayrton Engineering Co [Bell Busk] of £210 for two machines and that the fixing would cost about £40.
Res. That the humidifiers be installed provided that Holden's are willing to pay 5% of the cost, the total not to exceed £250.
A further letter from M Horsfield was read re the application that CHSC should either insure them against floods or indemnify them for any loss that might arise and pointing out the difficult position they were in due to the position of their shed.
It was felt that CHSC should accede to their request and that the secretary should see Mr Horsfield and arrange with them about insurance against flood.
The secretary reported that he had seen Widdup again re the tenancy at WH Mill, that they were considering the matter further and that he was to see them after the present meeting.
The secretary reported that as no reply had been received to our letter of February 8th to S Pickles and Sons he had consulted with Mr J C Waddington, solicitor, and on his advice a letter was sent on March 3rd to S Pickles and Sons stating that unless a satisfactory reply was received payment of the rent owing would have to be enforced. Messrs Pickles had then requested an interview and the chairman, vice chair and secretary had met them that morning when Mr Fred Pickles had asked the board to give him favourable consideration and had also mentioned the possibility of continuing as tenant at CH Shed. [Really? Why do I suspect that this is yet another diversion?]
Res. That if Messrs Pickles were agreeable to continue either at S Pickles and Sons, Craven Manfg or Butts Manfg favourable consideration would be given to an allowance re whichever tenancy they would agree to continue providing they remain for a period of not less than two years.
E B Banks.

April 12th 1933
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £618-18-1, rents owing £2524-12-2. Accounts paid.
A letter was read from B&EM Holden agreeing to pay 5% on the cost if installation of humidifiers.
The secretary reported that he had arranged provisionally for J Widdup and Sons Ltd to take a tenancy of the room at WH Mill lately occupied by Richardson Ltd at a rent of 68/5 per loom to include the tape, this rate being the basis rent of 70/- per loom and £210 per 400 looms both less 5% for cash and less a further 10% allowance in lieu of an allowance for stopped looms. To sell them 256 looms at £2 per loom to include tape and other plant. Three months grace to be allowed and the next twelve months at half rent.
Res. That the secretary's actions be confirmed. [In the circumstances this is a good move but it demonstrates how the balance of power has moved from the CHSC to a manufacturer with a full order book.]
The result of interviews re the deduction of rent made by S Pickles and Sons was reported and it was stated that Messrs Pickles had eventually agreed to pay £1000.
Res. That this be accepted.
Res. That the looms belonging to CHSC and now in Butts Mill should be removed by April 30th. The broad looms to be cleaned up and stored in WH Mill and the narrow looms to be sold.
E B Banks.

[The minute books make no direct reference to the engine at Butts being stopped but from other sources it is clear that Fred Pickles moved the Pickles firms out of CHSC to Barnsey and this last reference to £1000 being paid looks like the removal. We know that Butts Manufacturing had 407 looms and Craven Manufacturing 814 in Butts so I think we can date the closure to April 1933. The mill never ran again. We shall shortly see the new economisers and the higher pressure boilers (At least one) being moved to CH Shed by J A Pickles and Son.]

May 17th 1933
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £352-14-6 credit, rents owing £310-2-7. Accounts paid.
Share transfers sanctioned: From the Exors of W H Holdsworth; 120 shares to T Holdsworth and 280 to W H E Holdsworth. From the administrators of M J Holdsworth; 20 shares to T Holdsworth. 35 to E Steele. 35 to W H Dixon. 30 to F G Hoyle. Seal cert etc.
The secretary reported an application from J Widdup and Sons re electric lighting. [Moss Shed had DC electric lighting from its opening in 1903. Widdup's knew the advantages and wanted the same at WH.] They suggested that electric lighting should be installed and half the cost should be borne by CHSC and half by them, the installation to become the property of CHSC.
The position was discussed and as in any case their would be considerable expense incurred in removing the present gas lighting to the new position of the looms [With the new More Looms system the looms had to be re-spaced in eight sets.] it was resolved that J Widdup and Sons be approached with the suggestion that the CHSC would be willing to provide power for the lighting free of charge providing they bear the cost of putting in the electric installation with dynamo. If however they prefer their original suggestion the CHSC would agree to it. [It surprises me that nobody is looking into the possibility of using the new AC public supply. Perhaps it wasn't advanced enough to accommodate large users. See minutes for July 5th 1929 when a sub station was built at Wellhouse for the new supply.]
The secretary reported that he understood Mr T Proctor of Proctor and Sons Ltd, Bankfield Shed was considering moving.
Res. That the secretary be empowered to offer them the same terms as recently arranged with Widdups. [Bankfield Shed was in trouble. One large tenant, Bradley Brothers with over 900 looms had failed in the late 1920s, James Nutter with another 900 was shortly to move out and take Bancroft Shed over from the failed Nutter Brothers. Bankfield was to close down in 1934 and by that time Proctors were in Westfield Shed.]
The question of the coal contract from June 30th 1933 was discussed.
Res. That a contract to June 30th 1934 be arranged with P Bilborough; Bentley washed doubles 21/2 per ton. Bentley washed singles (1” x ½”) 19/10.
E B Banks.

June 21st 1933
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £731-18-3, rents owing £302-12-4. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares sanctioned, all from the Exors of Proctor Barrett. 414 shares to Jessie W Barrett. 413 to James E Barrett. 413 to Norman M Barrett. 413 to Stuart P Barrett. [Norman Barrett is the surveyor we see mentioned frequently in the Minutes and later he is described as architect.] Seal cert etc.
The secretary reported that he had received a letter from M Horsfield and So Ltd asking if the company would agree to the exchange of 50 of his 40” Cooper looms for 50 41” Cooper looms from WH they to pay the removal costs.
Res. That this request be acceded to. [The trade is changing and loom width is increasing to cope with popular orders. This was not necessarily for wider cloth but to cope with shrinkage in width in the loom of more complicated weaves like twills. One point to bear in mind is that thousands of looms were moved around the town and reset. There was also the re-spacing of looms for the More Looms System. There were recognised loomshifters who catered for this need and I have often thought that the sight of looms being moved around the town must have been commonplace.]
Mr Wood reported re the lighting arrangements at WH Mill for Widdups. He had received a further suggestion from them that they pay half the cost of the installation of a dynamo and electric lighting and that CHSC pay the other half and provide the power for turning the dynamo. [By belt from the shaft in the shed.]
It was felt that the suggestion made at the last meeting would be better for CHSC. The matter was left for the secretary to discuss with Messrs Widdup.
E B Banks.

July 12th 1933
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1490-10-11 credit. Rent owing £148-0-2. Accounts paid.
Balance sheet read and approved. Dividend of 2% to be recommended. Shareholder's meeting to be on July 26th. Director's report approved.
Reported that J Widdup and Sons had decided to use gas in their premises and that a pressure Gas Plant would be installed and lighting completed by the weekend. [A device for boosting gas pressure above mains pressure to cope with the length of gas pipes in the shed? I haven't come across this before but it makes sense.]
Mr Banks reported that Matthew Horsfield had exchanged 52 looms from WH and returned 50.
E B Banks.

No minutes for general meeting
Printed balance sheet inserted in minute book reports: Trading loss for the year of £1763-9-3 but after crediting investment income, taxes reclaimed and deferring depreciation for the year there is a nett profit of £1356-13-0. Disposable balance and disposition:
From last account 1045-14-0
Less July 1932 dividend 607-17-0
Balance 437-16-5
Add profit this year 1356-13-0
Balance 1794-9-5
Less dividend December 1932 607-17-0
Disposable balance 1186-11-10
June 30th 1933 half year dividend @2% 607-17-0
Carried forward 578-14-3.
Signed E B Banks and E Wood at Burnley July 18th 1933.

August 16th 1933
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £476-16-8 credit, rents owing £184-15-0. Accounts paid.
An application from J Windle and Sons for the exchange of 38 43” looms owned by the company at WH Mill for the equivalent number of 40” looms at present run by Windle's was considered.
Res. That Windle's be allowed the use of the 38 43” looms free of charge for the time being and the equivalent number of 40” looms at present run by Windle's to remain in WH Mill.
Res. That M Horsfield and Son be informed that the board do not feel they can insure them against flood but are agreeable to indemnify them from damage arising therefrom providing they would undertake to pay the first £50 of any damage. Mr Horsfield had agreed to this proposal.
E B Banks.

September 27th 1933.
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £418-6-8 credit, rents owing £236-18-7. Accounts paid.
The Secretary reported that he and the chairman had completed negotiations with Messrs Horsfield (Bankfield) Ltd for them to take up the tenancy of CH Shed and that the removal of looms [400] was completed on September 25th. The rent to be 70/- per annum on looms running and £210 per tape per 400 looms both less 5% for cash, the cost of removal to be borne by CHSC. Three month's grace to be allowed from October 1st 1933 and the next twelve months to be at half rent. One tape to be supplied by CHSC and jointly owned by them and Horsfield's. Horsfield's to pay the amount received by them for the sale of their half of the tape at Bankfield Shed.
Res. That these terms be confirmed.
The secretary reported that he had received an application from Slater Brothers (Barnoldswick) Ltd for the exchange of 20 45” looms from the space previously occupied by Moorhouse's for 20 40” Keighley Cross Rod looms belonging to them.
The secretary had seen the chairman and had provisionally agreed to the exchange of these looms, Slater Brothers to pay30/- per loom and the cost of removal.
Res. That this be confirmed.
Res. That Mr Wood write to the Town Clerk BUDC regarding the flooding at WH Mill on September 20th due to storm water from Wellhouse Road overflowing and running down into the boiler house and also into the premises occupied by Pickles and Co the engineers.
E B Banks.

October 18th 1933
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £87-01 debit, rents owing £291-15-9. Accounts paid.
Res. That a further exchange of 32 of Messrs Slater Brother's 40” Keighley Cross Rod looms for 32 45” looms from Moorhouse's space be confirmed. Slater Brothers to pay 30/- per loom and the cost of removal and to endeavour to fill up the full amount of space occupied by them as soon as possible.
An application for the use of Butts Mill as a social centre for the unemployed and the distribution of free meals was read and after lengthy consideration it was resolved that the objections to the scheme were insuperable and that the secretary be instructed to reply accordingly.
E B Banks.

November 15th 1933.
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £110-12-5 debit. Rents owing £318-11-1. Accounts paid.
In Mr Banks interview with the council surveyor re flooding at WH Mill the surveyor intimated that there was no cure for the overflow of water onto our property except by making [up to council standards] the streets above our property and there was no chance of doing this as tenants [frontage holders] were not in a position to pay for the cost of paving, sewers etc.
Res. That the request of Harold Strickland to have his name entered [on the share register] as a member of the company in place of being mentioned as executor of Rebecca Strickland be granted.
E B Banks.

December 20th 1933
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £141-7-7 debit. Rent owing £224-5-7. Accounts paid.
E B Banks.

January 17th 1934
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £572-0-3 debit, rents owing £361-11-6. Accounts paid.
Reported that B&EM Holden had given three months notice to terminate their tenancy to expire on March 31st 1934. [They moved into Moss Shed]
Transfer of 126 shares from Leonard Mitchell to Victor Hedges sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Accounts and balance sheet for half year ending Dec 31st 1933 approved as read.
Res. No interim dividend be paid and that the secretary write to the shareholders stating that it had been decided to postpone the question of a dividend until the end of the company's year on June 30th 1934. [A copy of this letter is inserted in the minute book.]
E B Banks.

February 21st 1934
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £641-6-0 debit, rents owing £283-16-11. Accounts paid.
A Request by Mr Roy Green, administrator of Mary Ellen Green that a new share certificate be granted to him for the shares held by Mary Ellen Green was approved.
A letter from Robinson Brooks, Westfield Shed asking for permission to view the vacant space at CH Shed was read and it was resolved that all necessary particulars be given to him. [This is an interesting one. If my memory serves me correctly there was a family dispute at Westfield at the time and moving to CH Shed with a grace period and reduced outgoings was attractive enough to move him. This applied to quite a few of the moves we are seeing.]
E B Banks.

March 21st 1934
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £780-18-10, rents owing 247-1-4. Accounts paid.
Res. That a new share certificate be issued under the common seal of the company to Samuel Crabtree in place of the previous certificate which had been inadvertently destroyed, the usual form of indemnity having been completed.
Res. That an exchange of approximately 50 more 45” looms in place of 41” looms be made with Slater Brothers, they to pay 30/- per loom in addition to the exchange.
An application from Lomas and Barrett regarding the tenancy of the warehouse extension at Butts Mill was considered.
Res. That they be informed that CHSC were prepared to accept a rent of £65 per annum, the landlords paying the rates (providing de-rating was obtainable) the tenants to brick up the opening between the warehouse and the main body of the mill. It was stated that no power would be required.
Reported that B&EM Holden felt they could not reconsider their decision to terminate their tenancy on March 31st.
Res. That their plant consisting of 414 looms of 38” to 40” together with the tape, preparation machinery, healds and reeds, used stores etc be purchased from them for £700.
Reported that Robinson Brooks had made an enquiry about the temporary running of looms in WH Mill but that so far nothing had come of the application.
E B Banks.

April 18th 1934
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1545-5-2, rents owing 290-3-6. Accounts paid. [Bear in mind the number of looms running on grace terms.]
Transfers of shares sanctioned:
From Exors of Edwin Slater: 191 shares to Norman H Slater. 191 to Clifford C Slater.
From Exors of William H Atkinson (the original architect to CHSC) to: Mary ann heap 175 shares. Lucy Manning 175. Edith Hully 175. Jane Atkinson 175. Gertrude Brown 175. Florence M Atkinson 175. All seal cert etc.
Reported that a letter had been received from Lomas and Barrett re the proposal for a tenancy of the warehouse extension at Butts Mill. Saying that their client did not regard the premises as being very suitable and that the matter was being dropped for the time being. [Lomas and Barrett are evidently the agents, anything to do with Norman Barrett?]
It was reported that negotiations had commenced with Mr Ellison, representing E C Hulme and Co re a proposed tenancy for about 70 looms at WH Mill.
Res. That the following terms be offered: Rent to be 70/- per loom per annum per 40” reed-space less 5% for cash and payable on looms running only with a minimum rent of half the number of looms installed. 2/6 per loom per annum to be paid on stopped looms to cover rates etc. CHSC to arrange for the removal of 41” cross rod looms from the Throstle Nest Loom Co of Nelson in exchange for the plain loose reed looms from WH Mill on the basis of three loose reed looms for two cross rod looms. ['Loose reed' looms were the most common type and those with fixed reeds were often referred to as 'bang-up' looms by tacklers because of their more robust beating action on the weft. These bang-ups were able to weave much heavier cloths like canvas as well as the finer sorts.]
Rent to be payable from the time warps are put in the looms and half rent only for the first twelve months.
Looms to be provided by CHSC and no charge to be made for the use of them for the first twelve months. The tenancy to be subject the three months notice from the first day of any month.
[The shed companies had always provided a low threshold of entry into manufacturing and the stringent trading conditions have forced them to make entry even easier. A good sign of the state of the industry. In earlier times, periods of bad trade were always followed by recovery, since 1920 it has slowly become obvious that the good old days had gone, never to return. Remember that CHSC were not alone, New Coates Mill had closed, Bankfield was on the verge of closure, Butts is empty and individual firms are going to the wall. There will be a small number of survivors but even they were on notice.]
E B Banks.

May 16th 1934
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1326-11-10 debit. Rents owing £323-17-6. Accounts paid.
Reported that E C Hulme and Co had taken possession of the portion of WH Mill arranged to be let and were going to start running looms as soon as possible. [This firm was still in WH Mill in 1938 Worrall Directory so a good tenant.]
Reported that the purchase of twelve circular [shuttle] box looms at £4-10-0 each from Throstle Nest Mill Co Ltd be confirmed. [These sound like Northrop looms and CHSC is evidently looking to more modern looms. However, Northrops and looms like them never gained a foothold in Barlick because the plain Lancashire looms were so versatile. It's significant that these older looms survived right to the end of the industry and were the last to be used.]
An application from J Widdup and Sons complaining of bad ventilation in their shed at WH Mill was considered and it was decided the matter should be put in order.
It was reported that 52 of the old looms at WH Mill had been sold to Mr J Pickard, loom broker, at 17/- each this having been done to make room for the new tenants E C Hulme and Co. [There was a market for old looms besides the scrap trade. Many redundant looms were exported to India and China.]
A quotation from P D Bilborough, coal merchant of Barnoldswick, for supply of coal for the year ending June 30th 1935 was read.
Res. That this be accepted subject to the supply being satisfactory and the price reduced if the general level of coal prices falls. The prices quoted were as follows:
Bentley washed doubles 21/- per ton. Bentley washed singles 19/10. Airedale singles 20/-. Manvers Main singles 21/-. Glass Houghton Singles 20/4. Acton Hall washed nuts 20/6.
E B Banks.

June 20th 1934
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1662-1-2 debit. Rents owing £320-6-6. Accounts paid.
Res. That BUDC offer of £4 for ashes for the year ending April 30th 1935 be accepted.
The secretary reported that a Self-Help company [A cooperative weaving shed managed by the weavers. Self help sheds were already operating in Victoria Mill Earby and Sough Bridge Mill.] started by Messrs Jonas Smith, Whitworth, Lister, Ormerod and Aspden had applied for space at WH Mill and they had been offered space on the following terms: Half rents to be paid for six months as warps are put in the looms. No rent to be charged for the use of the [company's] looms for six months, afterwards the rent to be 3d per loom per week.
Mr Wood reported that the number of looms running was 1013.
The secretary reported that he had an interview with Mr Wilfred Nutter. [Wilfred Nutter was the main man in the Nutter family group of companies. A very astute operator and one of the longest survivors in the industry.] They had inspected the premises recently occupied by B&EM Holden and those of the Monkswell Manufacturing Co and expressed himself as well pleased with the premises, the two tape sizing machines and some of the looms.
Res. That they be offered the same terms as those offered to Messrs Widdup and that the secretary be empowered to negotiate with them for the premises. [I think that Wilfred is looking at the options open to him as he is shortly to move James Nutter and Sons out of Bankfield Shed, the move that closed it down.]
E B Banks.

July 11th 1934
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1814-13-1 debit. Rents owing 247-7-7. Accounts paid. [Remember that many tenants are running on grace or reduced terms.]
The secretary reported that Wilfred Nutter had taken the space at Westfield Shed now occupied by Robinson Brooks. [This was Wilfred transferring W D&E Nutter from Bankfield. James Nutter and Son went into Bancroft Shed in place of Nutter Brothers.]
The application for space at CH Shed by Robinson Brooks was considered.
Res. That Mr Wood inform him that space for up to 950 looms could be arranged in one lot at CH Shed and it was suggested that Mr Wood meet Robinson Brooks and go into the whole matter. It was left to Mr Wood to endeavour to arrange the tenancy on the lines of the letter already sent to Mr Brooks dated July 5th 1934 and to make the best terms possible as regards the costs of removal and length of tenancy. [By 1938 Robinson Brooks had 1728 looms in Westfield Shed and Calf Hall. That's right, he had moved back some looms to where he came from after the resolution of internal family matters at Westfield (The Brooks Brothers were the main shareholders of the Westfield Shed Company.) These firms were moving round like counters on a draught board!]
The accounts and balance sheet for the year and half year ending June 30th 1934 were approved as read. No dividend recommended, shareholders to meet July 18th.
E B Banks.

No minutes for general meeting.
However, printed report and balance sheet inserted in the minute book.
Trading loss for the year of £3039-7-3. After crediting investment income and holding back depreciation the loss is reduced to £1907-5-7. There is now an adverse balance of £1328-11-3 arrived at as follows:
Loss this year 1907-5-7
Less balance brought from last account 1186-11-10
Lees dividend paid July 26th 1933 607-17-7
Balance 578-14-3
Adverse balance carried forwards 1328-11-3.
[No mention of no dividend but I suppose this was obvious.]
Signed E B Banks and E Wood, Burnley July 13th 1934.

July 18th 1934
E B Banks chair.
The secretary reported that on Saturday July 14th he had met Christopher and Sidney Brooks and that they had agreed to a tenancy of approximately 830 looms at CH Shed for a term of four years from October 1st 1934. Rent to be payable on the total loom-space occupied and to be at the rate of 68/5 per loom to include the tapes. (This rate being the basis rent of 70/- per loom and £210 per tape for 400 looms both less 5% for each and less a further 10% in lieu of looms stopped.) Three months grace to be allowed and a further twelve months at half rent. The CHSC to remove looms and plant, to move drums as required and to exchange loom pulleys if necessary. [This last clause interests me, quite a concession. This refers to fitting the looms with larger pulleys to reduce their speed for the More Looms system, usually seen as the responsibility of the tenant.]
Res. That these terms be confirmed.
The secretary reported that Messrs Horsfield (Bankfield) Ltd had agreed to remove to the portion formerly occupied by the Monkswell Manufacturing Co Ltd [CH] to make the above tenancy possible.
Res. The best thanks of the CHSC be given to them for their help in this matter.
Res. That the plant formerly belonging to B&EM Holden be sold for £650 and 170 x 39” looms at Monkswell for £1 each (excluding belts) and the beaming and winding frame, bobbins etc at Monkswell for £10, all to Mr Pickard, he to remove them and any remaining looms at Monkswell where necessary free of cost to CHSC.
[Remember what I said about the number of looms moving round the town? One more nudge for you. Remember that the poor old engine and plant at CH is going to have to cope with this lot!]
E B Banks.

August 22nd 1934
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1977-2-9 debit. Rent owing £242. Accounts paid.
Reported that all arrangements connected with the move Of Messrs Robinson Brooks were proceeding satisfactorily.
Mr Wood reported that in view of the bad condition of the economiser at CH Shed and the filling up of the shed by the removal of R Brooks it was advisable that the new economisers at Butts Mill be moved to CH. [Not wasted money then.]
Res. That this be done. [This is very significant. It shows that CHSC had bitten the bullet and recognised that Butts Mill would never run again as a weaving shed. We shall see them moving boilers shortly, remember that the pressure had been raised at Butts to about 140psi. I'm not sure of the exact figure as the boilers were ordered as 160psi.]
Res. That an oiler be engaged at CH Shed at a salary of £2-5-0 per week.
E B Banks.

September 19th 1934
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1318-12-2 debit. Rents owing £265-12-5. Accounts paid.
E B Banks.

October 17th 1934
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2316-12-11 debit. Rents owing £404-17-5. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares sanctioned all from the Exors of Annie Waite:
102 shares to Norman Waite. 102 to Edith Pickles. 102 to Hilda Smith. All seal cert etc.
A letter was read from the Barnoldswick Local Industrial Development Committee re the proposal to advertise Barnoldswick.
Res. That no action be taken. [Public relations and advertising the town didn't loom large in the thinking of these men!]
The secretary reported he had received a letter from J Widdup and Sons Ltd giving six months notice to terminate their tenancy on March 31st 1935. Mr Widdup stated that it was only the bad state of trade that had forced them to give their notice. Mr Wood was to see them again nearer the termination of the tenancy and if things improved they would endeavour to continue. [Widdups had 1,116 looms in Moss and WH Mill. Things must have improved because they were still in WH in 1938.]
The secretary reported he had had an enquiry from Mr Harry Slater of John Slater and Sons regarding the space at WH Mill at present occupied by Slater Brothers (Barnoldswick) Ltd. It appeared that Slater Brothers were contemplating going out of business and so John Slater and Sons asked for terms of tenancy. After consulting with the chairman and subject to the approval of the directors Mr Harry Slater had been informed that he would be accepted as tenant on the same terms as Slater Brothers:
Rent to be 70/- per loom per annum less 5% for cash payable on actual looms running together with 2/6 per annum per loom stopped. The tenancy to be subject to three months notice on either side and three month's grace to be allowed.
November 1st had been suggested as a provisional date for the commencement of the tenancy but since then a letter had been received stating that a definite date could not yet be settled.
Res. That Mr Wood's action be confirmed and that he arrange the tenancy on the best terms possible.
E B Banks.

November 21st 1934
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2557-0-3 debit. Rents owing 252-14-10. Accounts paid.
Res. That £2,000 War Loan be sold at the best price possible.
Reported that notice to terminate their tenancy from November 30th 1934 had been received from Slater Brothers (Barnoldswick) Ltd and that Messrs John Slater and Sons are to take over the tenancy from that date on the terms approved at the last meeting.
Reported that an application had been received from Robinson Brooks for the use of the humidifiers in their premises and this had been approved subject to them keeping them in good order.
A complaint had been received re black smoke at CH Shed and this had been attended to. [Happy days are here again! A hard pressed boiler.]
A verbal application from Mr C Aldersley to run about 90 looms at WH Mill was considered.
Res. That taking all the circumstances into account the application should not be favourably considered but that he should be offered a self-contained space for approximately 350 to 370 looms. [Remember Victor Hedges stating that the 400 loom unit was the most profitable from the shed company's point of view?]
A verbal application from Messrs Briggs and Duxbury to rent the new warehouse at Butts Mill was considered. They offered to pay £50 for the first year and £55 for the second if the business proposed by them proved successful. Rates and insurance to be paid by CHSC, Briggs and Duxbury to wall up both openings [into the shed]. The tenancy to commence on January 1st 1935 and to be subject to three month's notice from any quarter end whilst the rent shall be payable quarterly.
Res. That the tenancy be approved providing the premises come under the de-rating provisions.
E B Banks.

December 20th 1934
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £148-15-6 credit. Rent owing £195-11-0. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares sanctioned, all from Exors of Selina Proctor to: Minnie Matterson 127 shares. Edith Jacques 128. Hilda Smith 127. All seal cert etc.
E B Banks.

January 16th 1935
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £214-12-3 debit, rents owing £277-16-6. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 100 shares sanctioned from George S H Baxter and Constance A Baxter to Constance A Baxter. Seal cert etc.
Balance sheet and report for half year ending December 31st 1934 approved as read. [No printed sheet in the book, only a typewritten profit and loss account showing a loss for the half year of £1277-10-4.]
The secretary reported he had been in touch with Dobson's Dairies of Lloyd Road, Levenshulme, Manchester re the possibility of renting part of Butts Mill.
Res. That the matter be left in the secretary's hands with the suggestion that a rent of £150 per annum be asked, the tenant to pay the rates. [This never came to anything. Dobsons took New Coates Mill and were there for many years. By a nice coincidence they were delivering milk to 38 Norris Avenue in Stockport at the time, the house where I was born!]
E B Banks.

February 20th 1935
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £534-5-2 debit, rents owing £273-4-0.
The secretary read correspondence and reported on his interview with Widdup and Sons whose tenancy terminates on February 28th. (Pencilled note: '? March 31st')
Res. That the secretary make the best terms he can with them offering 70/- per loom per annum less 5% with tape £210 for 400 looms less 5% to pay on looms running only with a minimum of half rent.
The lease with Messrs Robinson Brooks was submitted to the meeting.
Res. That it be approved and submitted to the tenants for execution after engrossment.
A letter was read from Charlesworth and Wood [Solicitors in Barlick] asking for consideration of a reduction in transfer fees which are 1d a share.
Res. That they be informed no change can be made.
A letter was read from Robinson Brooks stating that although the window glass was in good condition 24 panes in the warehouse were in two or more parts.
John Slater and Sons complained that the condition of their roof at WH Mill was not good.
Res. That the necessary repairs be executed.
Transfer of shares sanctioned. From Exors of John Sellars: 194 shares to M J Wignall. 194 to Ann M Warburton. 194 to M A Green. 194 to E C Sellars. From James Woffenden to H Lund, 127 shares. Exors of Margaret A Wilson to: 114 shares to Alice Lawson. 114 to Fanny Horsfield. 114 to Smith Wilson. 115 to Maud Parry. 115 to Ada Wood. All seal cert etc.
E B Banks.

March 20th 1935
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £755-12-9, rents owing £393-4-0. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 250 shares from Exors of B Brown to W Brown Cooke sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Mr Wood reported on further interviews with J Widdup and Sons re the continuation of their tenancy after the expiration of notice on March 31st and said that they had eventually agreed to continue the tenancy [Same terms as reported on Feb 20th except that minimum payment was to be on 126 looms.] Tenancy to be terminated by three month's notice. Widdups agreed to continue until April 30th 1936 at least. [As already noted they were still there in 1938.]
A letter was read from Alfred Kidd enquiring the possibility of a purchaser for 450 shares.
A letter from the London Assurance was read re Third Party claims.
Res. That the secretary cover this risk on the best terms possible.
Mr Wood reported that difficulty was being experienced at CH Shed keeping up speed.
Res. That enquiries be made as to the cost of a second-hand boiler to work at 160psi. [Not sure why this was being considered. In the end they moved a boiler from Butts into CH, used that to run the engine at increased pressure and the older low pressure boiler for heating and process steam.]
Res. That this question and also of further cooling plant at CH be gone into and a report made to the next meeting.
E B Banks

April 10th 1935
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1141-2-11, rent owing 592-1-10. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 165 shares from Exors of Margaret Wright sanctioned. 33 shares to Maud M Dent. 33 to Annie Wright. 33 to Susannah Wright. 33 to Harry Wright. 33 to Brenda Wright. Seal cert etc.
A letter from E C Hulme re looms being cramped was read and Mr Banks said that arrangements had been made to give them more space, the tenants moving the looms themselves.
A quotation for chimney repairs £26 at CH Shed was read. It was considered that the repairs were not necessary and that no action be taken. [Steeplejacks looking for work would roam the district with binoculars looking for faults and would approach the owners proposing repairs.]
A letter from M Horsfield and Sons was read re the speed of the engine. [CH Shed] The position was thoroughly discussed.
Res. That an extension of the cooling plant as suggested by Mr Wood be authorised and that two new covers for the LP cylinder be purchased, the existing covers having developed cracks.
Res. That the question of installing a boiler of 160psi be further considered.
It was reported that a crack had developed in the cross-head. [CH]
Res. That a new one be fitted. [By Pickles and Son.]
[The pigeons are coming home to roost! There is no further note of these matters in the minutes that I know of but we have evidence from Newton Pickles who was working with his father in the new firm of J A Pickles and Son, Wellhouse machine shop. Sorry for the length of this but it's a potted history of the plant at CH Shed and helps us understand the minute books.
“It were a 750hp Robert’s cross compound and it were the first one Roberts made with a rope drive flywheel (12 ropes.). It had slide valve low pressure and slide valve high-pressure cylinders with cut-off gear on. In 1916 it were modernised and Burnley Ironworks put a new high-pressure cylinder in, one of them with all the valves at the top. (Corliss valves.) Now in 1934 (CHSC minute books for 27th May 1936 say old boiler was 105psi and that the load on the engine is 770hp.) we took a boiler out of Butts which were 180psi (I know I’m nit-picking here but when the directors ordered the boiler new for Butts in February 1919 it was stated to be for 160psi and in June 1919 the directors witnessed the proof test at 260psi. I think proof test then was installed pressure plus 50% plus 10psi. For a 160psi boiler this would be 250psi and for 180psi it would have been 280psi so on balance 160psi is right. Sorry about that but I do try to be accurate!) and we put it in Calf Hall which were only 110psi to run at 160psi and we put a new piston into it [the engine], new piston rod, new cross head pin and a new crank pin, made ‘em all bigger. We bored out all the stud holes in the high pressure cylinder covers and put high tensile BSF studs in and raised the pressure from 110psi to 160psi. That up rated the engine, it were always terribly overloaded after they built Monkswell shed (1891). That were before my time of course but there were 400 looms in it, in Monkswell. (This work on the engine may have been before the boiler was moved in from Butts because there is a note in the company minute books dated 10th of April 1935 saying that the crosshead was cracked and it was resolved that it should be replaced. We know that Johnny Pickles did this.)
That engine ran at 80rpm, it were speeded up when that extension were built but it still couldn’t cope, not with economy anyway. The governor were a Whitehead and it had an Edward’s air pump that me father made sometime between the end of the First World War and 1930 when I started work. The feed pump were a three ram Pearn pump (Frank Pearn’s of Manchester.) that me father put in when he put the new air pump in. It ran off the engine with pulleys and a belt off the flywheel shaft running down into the cellar. There’d been a single ram pump on the back, on the side of the old air pump in the old days, the original fitting. When me father put that new Edward’s air pump on they didn’t bother with it, they put a new boiler pump in and all and ran it off the flywheel shaft with a belt on the governor side of the shaft between the flywheel boss and the governor pulley. They’d just that one pump and an injector, that were all there were at Calf Hall. The original boiler were an eight foot Lancashire and that that went from Butts were nine foot. (This was 1936/7according to the shed company minute books.) I think that eight foot were a Yates boiler and they’d Leach’s stokers on, if you’ve ever seen any Leach’s stokers. When they were running right they were a marvellous stoker, they were a fan stoker you know. They had a horizontal shaft running round at a heck of a speed and on that shaft were two cast iron blocks that were loose like a centrifugal governor type thing and they caught the coal as it come down out of the hoppers. There were a big crown wheel in the middle run by a worm and it had an arm on that worked a slide on the hoppers and delivered the coal. To alter the feed, you had this wing nut in the middle and you put it in a different position in the slot to give you more or less stroke for whatever rate of coal you wanted to burn. But they were always tricky, they wanted a lot of maintenance, because these fan type things and the shoes didn’t last so long they soon wore out with the coal wearing them away. Nearly all the mills in Barlick had them. We put the new [higher pressure boiler] in and left the other one in and in winter they used to use the other one for heating and the donkey and the tapes and such because it couldn’t cope with the engine, he’d just short of 900hp on when he were full up and it were built for 750ihp were the engine. [Newton's memory fails him here, it was 430hp and 105psi.] He couldn’t cope in winter with just one boiler, he used to put the other on for heating and we put all new steam ranges in, all steel pipe and a new stop valve. The heating ran at boiler pressure, they were practically all boiler pressure in those days.
That engine were always overloaded and just afore I started working it dropped the high-pressure crank off. (3pm on Thursday 28th February 1924 according to the minute books. Henry Brown and Sons did the repairs and the engine started again on the morning of 13 March 1924.) It broke it off and the piston came flying out through the cover and catched the engine driver on the arse and cut him. Me father went up and he said Edwin (Waterworth) were walking about and he says eh Edwin, thart bleeding someweer it’s all running out of your shoes. He says oh has it ruddy well cut me! So he pulled his pants down and he had a ruddy great gash in his arse, he’d to go and have about twenty stitches in it. The piston were broke into six pieces just like a Kraft cheese in a box. Piston rod had come right through the piston and split it and it never hurt the cylinder. It rove the cover off and broke all the studs. Aye, the crank pin dropped off so you can tell the load it had on. It smashed the slides out, which were open slides, not like Bancroft with a centre slipper, they were outside slippers. (Four bar guides, typical of Roberts’ practice at the time.) It smashed the ends off and I think in our shop today there’s one of the straight pairs that we use for a mandrel block. Me father made all new patterns for to make them slides, new slippers, new piston, new rod and took the old crank pin out and put a new one in and we were running in eight days.” (17 days actually according to the Calf hall minute books.) [In 1928 the order books of the Universal Metallic Packing Company at Bradford record that the Calf Hall Company ordered spares for the low pressure front packing which was United States Metallic Packing no. 16493 and a new packing no. 26010 for a 4” shaft.]
Apart from the engine load there were five or else six tapes, everybody had a tape, some had two you know. Edwin [Waterworth] could fire that boiler I learned all me fire-beating off Edwin. He used to say Newton, if we could run that fire on wire netting we’d be able to keep steam up easy, blooming bars, filling all the holes up with rubbish! They didn’t smoke much at Calf Hall. No, a chap that could fire wouldn’t make much smoke, he weren’t making no steam if the chimney were smoking, you learned how to fire the hard way. You see they all had a silly do hadn’t they which were to clean out at twenty past eleven and half past three and all that sort of carry on. They all did it at the same time because it were a council stipulation which were silly really. They had to clean out at a certain time and whether their idea was let’s get rid of all the smoke at one do I don’t know. But a chap that could fire didn’t make no blooming smoke, you used to go and see old Edwin at Calf Hall, open his firebox door and you could see the fire bouncing on the bars it weren’t above three inches thick. You’d see Edwin round at back, on the back of the boiler on Monday morning when he’d everything on in the middle of winter and he had a little duck lamp looking for leaks in the brickwork least little thing and it were plastered up. Aye, the magic wand, the duck lamp. Even round the chimney bottom he’d be going where it went into the floor, aye, anywhere.” The bottom line of all this is that the engine was grossly overloaded and it isn't until May 1936 that the major problem of lack of boiler pressure is addressed. The miracle is that until then the old engine managed to turn the mill at all on 105psi on 100% overload.]
E B Banks.

May 15th 1935
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1021-10-5, rents owing £582-15-11. Accounts paid. [These are still not comfortable figures, CHSC isn't out of the wood yet but overall, things are looking up. What could possibly go wrong. Perhaps worth noting that by 1935 a man called Adolph Hitler had gained total control in Germany and was bent on world domination. We may hear more of his influence.]
Res. That the BUDC offer of £6 for the ashes for the year ending April 30th 1936 be accepted.
Res. That Messrs Beardman's quotation for repair of the railway wagons at £5-10-0 per wagon for a period of seven years be accepted.
It was reported that the engineer at WH Shed had heard from the workpeople employed at the Beach Manufacturing Co that they understood the company was closing down and as rent of £117-9-3 was owing, the secretary had, after consulting with Mr Banks, levied distress for the rent owing.
Res. That this action be confirmed and that the matter be left for the chairman and secretary to deal with.
E B Banks.

June 19th 1935
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £755-5-5 debit, rent owing £485-8-4. Accounts paid.
It was reported that there was no alteration re the Beach Manufacturing Co, the distress still being in force several requests for ? levy having been received and acceded to.
Reported that the rating assessment of CH and WH had been appealed against on My 22nd but that no reduction had been obtained.
A quotation from P D Bilborough for the supply of coal to WH Mill and CH Shed:
Bentley Washed Doubles 21/-. Ditto singles 19/10. Acton Hall washed nuts 19/10. Airedale washed singles 19/10. All for the period July 1st 1935 to June 30th 1936 was considered.
Res. That the quotation be accepted providing quality is satisfactory.
It was reported that the Chairman and Secretary had been in communication with the Ellerbank Manufacturing Co Ltd re a tenancy for approx 111 looms at WH Mill and that provisional terms had been arranged as follows:Rent to be 70/- per loom per annum less 5% for cash monthly. Looms running only to be charged for with a minimum rent of half the number. The tenancy to be for three years from the time the first weaver commences work but this to be no later that August 1st 1935. Three months grace and twelve months at half rent. An allowance of £20 to be made towards removal expenses.
Res. That this be confirmed.
It was further reported that in order to arrange sufficient space for the new tenants it had been necessary to sell 112 looms and that this had been done at 18/6 each.
Res. That this be confirmed.
It was also reported that in order to make an entrance for the new tenants it had been necessary to purchase a plot of freehold land containing 474 square yards abutting on Vicarage Road having a frontage on Vicarage Road of 52 feet at a price of £59-5-0 the cost of conveyance to be borne by the vendor.
Res. That the purchase be confirmed.
The purchase of the land was to include full rights of way to the mill premises along the remaining portion of Vicarage Road not purchased by the company. The vendor to retain similar rights also rights of drainage and rights to maintain existing water pipes etc, in, under or along the land to be conveyed to the company.
E B Banks.

July 17th 1935
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £903-11-11 debit, rents owing £588-0-4. Accounts paid.
A request from the Liquidator of the Beach Manufacturing Co for a reduction in the amount of rent distrained for was considered but not acceded to and that unless he gave a personal undertaking by Saturday next for the payment of the amount due, the bailiff be instructed to proceed with a sale.
Reported that a request had been received from Messrs D Fox and Co for a tenancy of about 52 looms in WH Mill, the looms to be rented from CHSC.
Res. That if D Fox and Co would agree to a definite term of two years the company would agree to a tenancy at a rent of 70/- per loom per annum less 5% discount for cash, rent to be paid on looms running with a minimum of half the number of looms. The tenant to provide shuttles, healds and reeds and construct an office if required by them, 3d per week per loom to be paid for the use of the looms commencing after the first twelve months.
Transfer of 50 shares from the Yorkshire Penny Bank (as executors) to Margaret Alice Lee, Emma Lee and Nancy Lee be sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
The balance sheet and accounts for the half year ended June 29th 1935 were approved as presented and it was resolved that the Annual General meeting of shareholders be called for 4:30pm on Thursday July 25th.
E B Banks.

No general meeting minuted.
Printed balance sheet inserted in the minute book reports: trading loss for the year ending 29th of June of £3133-6-7 but after crediting investment income and writing back depreciation for the year this is reduced to £1886-17-8. There is now an adverse balance of £3125-8-11 arrived at as follows:
Loss this year 18886-17-8
Add balance from last account 1328-11-3
Adverse balance carried forwards 3215-8-11.
No mention of dividend obviously.
Signed E B Banks and E Wood at Burnley July 18th 1935.

August 21st 1935
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £895-5-7, rents owing £447-18-0. Accounts be paid.
A letter from Messrs Pilgrim and Badgery, solicitors at Colne, was read enclosing the deed re the conveyance of 474 yards abutting on Vicarage Road from Proctor Barrett and Son to the CHSC for £59-5-0 and it was resolved that the common seal of the company be affixed to the deed.
It was reported that Windle and Bowker [accountants of Barnoldswick] the Liquidator of the Beach Manufacturing Co had enquired whether CHSC were willing to conduct the weaving out of cloth in the looms at WH Mill.
Res. That this should not be done but that they be informed that CHSC were prepared to charge only half rent during the weaving out. ['Weaving out' was the miserable process (for the weaver) of finishing the cloth orders that a firm had contracted for. In practice the warps were concentrated in sets of looms and the process ended with one solitary weaver finishing the last warp, often done by the manager. Not a happy process.]
A discussion tool place on the suggestion by Mr Hanson of 47 Milton Street, Nelson, that the Rayon Silk Company of Holme Mill, Nelson might be prepared to move 18 54” silk looms and 12 cross rod looms from Holme Mills and take a tenancy at WH Mill with probably 80 plain looms previously occupied by the Beach Manufacturing Co.
Res. That the secretary write to Mr Hanson suggesting terms of 70/- per loom per annum per loom of 40” reed-space less 5% for cash on looms running with a minimum of 45 looms. Half rent only to be charged for the first six months. Those looms rented from CHSC to be charged at 3d per week and half this rent only to be charged in the first six months. Rent to commence from the date the first warp is put in. The tenancy to be for a minimum term of two years. CHSC to contribute £10 towards the cost of removal from Nelson and the fixing etc of the looms at WH Mill.
E B Banks.

September 18th 1935
E B Banks in chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1246-8-11 debit, rents owing £559-0-5. Accounts paid.
A letter was read from E C Hulme objecting to the charge of 3d per loom for their use and asking at what price CHSC would consider selling them.
Res. That no reduction be made and that CHSC would sell the 12 x 40” circular box looms at £6 per loom, the cross rod looms and those with dobbies [a dobbie was an additional mechanism that allowed multiple healds to be used for more complicated weaves] at £4-10-0 and plain looms £4.
A letter was read from BUDC asking for particulars of premises for sale and the price in connection with an enquiry for Aircraft Constructional Work. [This is very significant. The German threat had been realised and in 1934 the government called for the design of a new fighter and engine. By 1935 Rolls Royce were well forward with the Merlin and were agitating for what was called the 'Shadow Scheme'; new factories for aircraft production beyond the range of enemy bombers. Surveys of available space started far earlier than anyone realised. Barnoldswick was to be very important! See the History of Rolls Royce, Vol. I, pp. 192-198 for the details.]
Res. That the letter lie on the table.
The secretary reported he had seen Mr Hanson at WH Mill in the morning and that 19 x 54” silk looms had been moved there from Holme Mills, Nelson. Mr Hanson had made various requests re the provision of additional looms.
Res. That Mr Banks should see him [Hanson?] re the setting out of the looms referred to in the previous minutes and that the secretary write to him confirming the offer made in a letter dated August 22nd 1935 subject to a reduction in rent for use of looms from 3d to 2d par week providing that these looms are fitted up by Mr Hanson.
E B Banks.

October 16th 1935
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1066-3-2 debit, rents owing £507-19-9. Accounts paid.
A letter was read from J Windle and Sons Ltd re repairs to the roof. Mr Banks stated that the matter was being attended to.
With regard to the proposed tenancy by the Ribble Manufacturing Co at WH Mill it was reported that the tenancy agreement had not yet been signed by Mr Whiteley and the matter was still in abeyance.
[The activity in the enquiries for tenancies is good evidence that the situation in the trade was easing. There is also the factor that many weaving sheds were closing and space was at a premium.]
E B Banks.

November 20th 1935
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £998-8-1 debit, rents owing £383-8-9. Accounts paid.
It was reported that the tenancy agreement for space taken at WH Mill bt Ribble Manufacturing Co had been signed, the premises were being put in order and weaving had commenced.
Res. That the sale of 75 looms of 40” reed-space at 19/6 per loom be confirmed, these having had to be removed to make room for the following looms brought in by the Ribble Manufacturing Co Ltd: 18 x 54” silk looms. 8 x 62” cross rods. 4 x 56” looms. 4 x 45” looms.
[It looks as though Ribble Manufacturing Co Ltd is a new company name for the Rayon Silk Co mentioned in the minutes for August 21st.]
E B Banks.

December 18th 1935
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £853-12-6 debit, rents owing £404-14-1.
Res. That Mr Charles Aldersley of Coates Hall, Coates, Barnoldswick be written to warning him that he must not park his car on Butts Mill premises or such action will be taken by the directors as may be advised.
E B Banks.

January 22nd 1936
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1190-1-3 debit, rents owing £434-0-3. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares sanctioned. Emily Steele to James Moreland Hoyle [Tenant of the Corn Mill from BUDC] 35 shares. W H Dixon to same recipient 35 shares. Seal cert etc.
Balance sheet and accounts for the half year ended December 31st 1935 approved as read.
[No minute of a meeting or printed balance sheet inserted.]

February 19th 1936
[Nothing to do with the minutes but on February 14th Mrs Mary Graham gave birth to a son in Stockport.]
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1446-10-8 debit, rents owing £593-2-4. Accounts paid.
A letter from Messrs Steele and Sons, solicitors [Station Chambers, Barnoldswick] enclosing a suggested form of indemnity in respect of the transfer of 138 shares, formerly the property of Elizabeth J Askham Deceased to the ten children was read.
Res. That the form of indemnity be accepted.
Transfer of 62 shares from William Brierley to Margaret Elizabeth Cant sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
E B Banks.

March 18th 1936
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1478-4-8 debit, rents owing £621-3-4. Accounts paid.
A Letter from Mr Ashby of Ouzledale Foundry dated March 6th regarding repairs to Ouzledale House was read and Mr Banks was instructed to see to the matter.
E B Banks.

April 29th 1936
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1379-3-6 debit, rents owing £609-17-11. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares sanctioned:
From Exors of James Horsfield to: Moses Horsfield 247 shares. Mrs Edith Alice Hartley 247. Wallace Horsfield 247. John Horsfield 159. Also 90 shares from Exors of Hannah Horsfield to John Horsfield 90 shares. Seal cert etc.
An interview with Mr W Pollard representing the Ribble Manufacturing Co (Barnoldswick) Ltd was reported.
Res. That the CHSC would not be prepared to advance money to the company but if necessary the rent might be allowed to run into arrears for a short time as a temporary measure to assist them to regain a favourable financial position.
E B Banks.

May 27th 1936
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1076-12-3 debit, rents owing £563-5-10.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: Edith A Hartley to Moses Horsfield 27 shares. Margaret Thornton to Nina Thornton 192 shares. A L Dent to: Barbara Dent 50. E A Dent 50. Elizabeth Mitchell 50. M J Whitney 50. Seal cert etc.
Reported that a letter had been received from P D Bilborough offering to supply:
Bentley Washed Singles 21/4 per ton.
Airedale washed singles 21/4 per ton.
Delivered at Barlick station in colliery wagons or 1/2 per ton less in CHSC wagons for the period July 1st 1936 to June 30th 1937.
Res. That a price be obtained for Cortonwood Coal.
Res. That in view of the heavy load on the CH engine, 770hp, one of the present boilers of 105psi pressure be replaced by a boiler from Butts Mill of approximately 160psi and that J A Pickles and Co do the necessary engine alterations and that Proctor Barrett and Son Ltd do the necessary brickwork. In connection therewith:
Res. That the mill be closed on Thursday evening July 16th and that the tenants be informed.
[ See notes with the April 19th 1935 minutes for more details.]
E B Banks.

June 17th 1936
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1120-14-11, rents owing £653-17-10. Accounts paid.
Res. That the BUDC offer of £6 for ashes for the year ending April 30th 1937 from CH and WH be accepted.
Res. That Bilborough quotation of May 27th be accepted.
E B Banks.

July 15th 1936
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £860-0-8 debit, rents owing 776-8-4.
Transfer of 250 shares from W B Cook to E Wood sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Reported that on July 14th distraint had been levied for rent of £62-2-5 owed by Ribble Manufacturing.
Reported that John Slater and Sons had intimated that they proposed vacating their premises in WH Mill at the earliest time. [They were moving back into the family mill at Clough.] Also reported that Robinson Brooks had enquired about the tenancy of this portion.
Res. That the matter be left in the hands of the secretary to make the best possible arrangements.
Res. That the balance sheet and report for the year ended June 30th 1936 be approved as read and presented to the a general meeting on July 23rd at 4:30pm.
E B Banks.

No general meeting minuted but printed balance sheet reports:
Trading loss for the year of £1312-10-2 but after crediting investment income and writing back depreciation this is reduced to £195-16-8. There is now an adverse balance of £3411-5-7 arrived at as follows:
Loss this year 195-16-8
Balance from last account 3215-8-11
Adverse balance carried forwards 3411-5-7.
Signed E B Banks and E Wood, July 16th at Burnley.

August 19th 1936
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £685-4-1, rents owing £687-17-11. Accounts paid. [The new tenancies are kicking in. Rents owing more than overdraft.]
Res. Tender for boiler covering at CH Shed [the Butts boiler] from J T Schofield and Sons of £35-16-4 accepted.
Transfer of shares sanctioned. 192 from Executrix of E A Fawcett to Cecilia Fawcett. 348 from the executrix of J Duckworth to Ada Duckworth. Seal cert etc.
An enquiry from the Scottish Boiler Insurance Co submitting a quotation of £3 for insuring the superheaters at WH Mill was placed before the meeting.
Res. That the superheaters be not insured.
E B Banks.

October 21st 1936
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £575-19-11, rents owing £680-10-3. Accounts paid.
Letters were read from J S Windle and Sons and Robinson Brooks re their roofs.
Res. That Mr Banks attend to the matter.
Correspondence from Robinson Brooks and requests from other tenants at CH Shed were discussed re the recent stoppage caused by boiler alterations.
Res. That the usual allowable of half rent only after the first four hours be allowed.
Transfer of shares sanctioned, all from the administrators of Elizabeth Jane Askham: J K Askham 26 shares. Ida Whiteoak 13. Emma Hutchinson 14. Florrie Newsholme 14. Maggie Lord 14. M H Thompson 14. Gladys B Newbold 14. Am 14. Zoe Woodhead 14. Also 100 shares from George S H Baxter to Wallace Horsfield. All seal cert etc.
A report was given of negotiations with Robinson Brooks re space at WH Mill.
Res. That negotiations be continued with them re a temporary tenancy of the 96 43” looms in the space at WH formerly occupied by Petersons and also for a more permanent tenancy of 100 45” looms.
Res. That if necessary a number of 38” looms be scrapped to facilitate the rearrangement the looms in this part of the shed.
E B Banks.

November 18th 1936
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £484-1-8, rents owing £692-6-11. Accounts paid.
A letter was read from J Widdup and Sons Ltd complaining of raining in.
Res. That Mr Banks attend to the matter.
Mr Banks reported that he had let to Messrs Briggs and Duxbury the remaining portion of the warehouse recently occupied by the Craven Manufacturing Co and the store rooms and offices in the yard at a rent of £50 for the first year and £55 for the second year, free of rates, commencing on January 1st 1937.
Mr Banks also reported he had let a portion of WH yard to Messrs J Laycock and Sons, Bus Proprietors, at £15 per annum. The dimensions of the plot were approximately 34 feet on the mill yard side, 76 feet 6” abutting on the Skipton Road side and 102 feet 6” on the side opposite the gasworks coal store.
E B Banks.

December 23rd 1936
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £277-8-4 debit. Rents owing £678-19-10. Accounts paid.
Reported that Mr Fred Wilson of Atlantic Mill, Heywood, had enquired re vacant space at WH Mill. Particulars had been forwarded to him.
Res. That an application by BUDC to carry a high tension [electricity] mains cable underground to a hole in the ground adjoining WH Mill and thence overhead be granted providing that the council undertake to make everything good and pay an annual acknowledgement for the rights.
An application from Mr Ashby at Ouzledale Foundry Co re an extension to the foundry was considered. Mr Jacques [remember he is an architect as well as a director] thought that the cost would be approximately £200. [This is the red brick building still standing in Ouzledale yard.]
Res. That the work should be carried out subject to the Ouzledale Foundry Co agreeing to pay a rent of £52 per annum for the foundry and agreeing to a definite tenancy of seven years.
Res. That Mr Jacques deal with the building of the extension.
Reported that the top courses of CH Shed chimney were in a dangerous condition and that one of the bands had come loose and fallen off and therefore the necessary work had been put in hand.
A letter from Messrs E C Hulme and Co dated December 7th 1936 re alleged unsatisfactory heating in their shed was read as was also the secretary's reply thereto.
Transfer of shares sanctioned:
Mabel Pickles to Richard Jacques 95 shares. Administrators of Henrietta Walker to William Walker 138 shares. Administrators of A B Carr to T S Carr 20 shares. All seal cert etc.
Reported that Briggs and Duxbury had purchased a building of their own [The old model lodging house in Butts] and that therefore the new tenancy at Butts discussed at the last meeting would not take place. They had also given notice to leave the space in Butts they already occupy on March 31st next.
It was reported that the space occupied by J Slater and Sons at WH Mill would be vacated by December 26th 1936.
E B Banks.

January 13th 1937
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £484-13-10, rents owing £881-19-8. Accounts paid.
A statement of looms running was submitted. [What a pity we don't have it!]
Mr Jacques submitted a plan showing the additions and alterations at Ouzledale Foundry. Tenders were received from:
G E Blezard £264-16-3. R Geldard and Sons £270. Briggs and Duxbury £270.
Res. That Mr Blezard's tender be accepted.
Balance sheet for the half year ended December 31st 1936 was adopted.
Res. That no dividend be paid. [No minutes and no printed balance sheet.]
E B Banks.

February 17th 1937
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £263-10-11, rents owing £722-18-4. Accounts paid.
A letter was read from Messrs Knowles and Harrison, solicitors re the leasing of a portion of WH Mill yard in which they requested a longer term that 18 years and further enquired whether the CHSC would sell the land outright. [This is Ezra Laycock looking for a permanent home for his bus garage. Eventually they built a garage on West Close Road.]
Res. That CHSC would not agree to a sale but would be willing to give a lease of 30 years.
It was reported that the plaster on about seven bays of the portion of CH Shed occupied by Messrs M Horsfield and Sons was in bad condition.
Res. That it be match-boarded.
Mr Banks reported that sundry repairs were necessary at Bridge House [Coates Wharf] and Butts Cottage.
Res. That these be done.
Res. That improvements to the clow and concrete shield to exit door at CH Shed be put in hand.
E B Banks.

March 17th 1937
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £182-8-5 debit, rents owing £644-18-9. Accounts paid.
Mr Banks reported that Mr Laycock had seen him regarding the proposed lease of land in WH Mill yard and that Mr Laycock had stated that he was unable to carry on with the proposal due to the heavy cost of erecting the buildings.
Res. That the amount covered by the fire insurance at CH Shed, Butts Mill and WH Mill be reduced by a third.
E B Banks.

April 21st 1937
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £150-1-5, rents owing £674-2-3. Accounts paid.
Mr Banks reported that part of Butts Mill previously occupied by Briggs and Duxbury whose tenancy ended on March 31st 1937 had been let to Mr Fred Procter, furniture dealer [In Walmsgate] from April 1st 1937 at a rent of £50 for the first year and £55 per annum from then onwards; CHSC to pay rates. [Procter's eventually bought the old Baptist Chapel in Walmsgate and were in business there for many years.]
A letter from the London Assurance dated April 16th re the insurance on the mills was read and after careful consideration it was resolved that the minute of the previous meeting dealing with fire insurance be rescinded and that the insurance cover at WH Mill be left as before, the insurance cover of Butts Mill be reduced and the cover on CH Shed be increased by the difference in value of the Butts Mill premium.
E B Banks.

May 26th 1937
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank Balance £7-3-8 credit, rents owing £487-1-6. [Yippee!] Accounts paid.
Transfer of 95 shares from the administrators of George Pickup to Mabel Pickup sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That ashes be sold to BUDC for £6, they to remove them, year ending April 30th 1938.
Res. That a quotation from P D Bilborough dated May 18th 1937 for the supply of coal to both mills for 12 months to June 30th 1938 at 21/4 per ton for either Bentley washed singles or Airedale ditto, delivered at Barlick station less 1/2 per ton when delivered in our wagons be accepted.
E B Banks.

June 16th 1937
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £95-17-6 credit, rents owing 794-7-8. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares sanctioned. All from the administrators of Alice Broughton: 100 shares to Harry Broughton. 188 to F H Broughton. 100 to Annie Thompson. Seal cert etc.
Reported that a letter had been received re the tender for coal accepted at the previous meeting stating that the Coal Sales committee had refused to agree to it and that a revised tender would be necessary.
Res. That the minute of the previous meeting be rescinded and that a contract be approved for the purchase of 1500 tons of Allerton Bywater washed singles at 23/4 per ton delivered at the station and for a supply of Bentley washed singles as required at 24/4 per ton delivered at the station.
Reported that a letter had been received from Lomas and Barrett on behalf of J Slater and Sons re alleged trespass by Ouzledale Foundry on their land adjoining Clough Mill.
Mr Banks stated that he had seen Mr Ashby and and suggested that he should come to some amicable arrangement with John Slater and Sons.
An application from J A Pickles and Son for payment of their account re the boiler alterations at CH Shed was discussed and it was resolved that a cheque for £200 on account should be sent together with a strong letter from the board stating that they regard the account as being excessive.
It was reported that notices from the Factory Department at the Home Office had been received re the hoists in the space occupied by J Windle and Sons, M Horsfield and Robinson Brooks.
Res. That the letter be acknowledged and that the whole matter of hoists generally should be considered.
It was reported that a portion of Butts Mill had been let to Mrs Whipp for the purpose of a furniture and second-hand store at 17/- per week, rates to be paid by CHSC. The tenancy be subject to three months notice dating from July 3rd and to be paid quarterly.
It was reported that the BUDC Sanitary Inspector had stated that the sanitary accommodation for females at CH Shed was not sufficient.
Res. That Mr Banks go into the matter on the lines suggested at the meeting.
Reported that the well at WH Mill was made up.
Res. That this be attended to.
E B Banks.

July 8th 1937
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £57-18-4 credit, rents owing £742-12-1. Accounts paid.
It was reported that Robinson Brooks had made a verbal request as to whether the board would extend the present lease to them or agree to a new one when it expires.
Res. That they could take it that this would be agreed to.
Res. That £250 of the amount charged in connection with the work on the engine and boiler at CH Shed be carried forward to the next accounts.
The balance sheet and accounts for the half year ended June 30th 1937 were adopted.
Res. That the annual general meeting should be held at 4:30pm July 15th 1937 and a dividend of 2% free of tax for the year be recommended.
E B Banks.

No minutes for general meeting
Printed balance sheet reports: Profit for the year ending June 30th 1937 £940-10-8. 2% dividend recommended for the year. Adverse balance will now be reduced as follows:
Balance at June 30th 1936 3411-6-7
Profit this year 940-10-8.
Dividend proposed 911-16-6
surplus on year 28-14-2
Adverse balance carried forward 3382-11-5.
Signed E B Banks and E Wood at Burnley July 8th 1937.

August 18th 1937
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £467-14-3, rents owing £643-15-9. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 450 shares from Administrator of Fred Hartley to Mary Hartley sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
A further letter from Norman Barrett re the boundary at Ouzledale Foundry was read. Mr Barrett stated that in his opinion the boundary shown on the plan seen by Mr Banks was not correct.
Res. That Mr Banks meet with Mr Barrett and they go into the matter with the deeds of the property.
A letter was received from the Leeds and Liverpool Canal Co regarding the removal of the crane at Coates Bridge. Mr Banks stated that this was being attended to.
Mr Banks reported that he had agreed to let space previously occupied by Aldersley's [Butts] to Robert Tomlinson [pencil note 'Bevo Ltd] for making ice cream at a rent of £40 per annum, CHSC to pay rates, tenancy to be subject to six month's notice but such notice not the expire during the period March 1st to September 20th in any year, (I suspect to protect Bevo from being given notice in the ice cream season). The tenancy to commence from September 1st 1937.
Reported that WE&D Nutter had agreed to take a tenancy at WH Mill for 1104 looms.
[Watch this one! In 1938 Wilfred is reported in Worrall as being in Westfield Shed with 900 looms. A better offer?]
Res. That the chairman and secretary be empowered to complete the necessary arrangements.
Mr Wood reported that he was in negotiations with Robinson Brooks re a lease of three years at CH Shed and also re the sale to them of looms from WH Mill for use at Westfield Shed.
Res. That the chairman and secretary be empowered to continue the negotiation.
E B Banks.

September 29th 1937
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1363-11-2 debit. Rents owing £492-14-9. Accounts paid.
Mr Wood and Mr Banks reported on the preparations for the new tenancy at WH Mill of WE&D Nutter and that all was being made ready for occupation of the premises in October.
Res. That no price be given to Mr Smallwood of Skipton for Butts Mill. [A prospective buyer?]
Res. That the purchase of 1500 tons of Cortonwood coal at 24/6 per ton be confirmed.
Mr Wood gave a full resume of his interview with Messrs Brooks and Sons re their tenancy at CH Shed. He stated that they had decided to terminate their tenancy of 828 looms and return to Westfield Shed on September 30th 1938 but that they are prepared to enter into a tenancy of 414 looms from October 1st 1938 providing CHSC allow them to transfer a number of their looms, tape and certain warehouse plant from WH Mill.
Res. That the matter be left in the hands of the chairman and secretary.
E B Banks.

November 17th 1937
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £3217-16-11, rents owing £593-14-4. Accounts paid.
Res. That the manager of Martins Bank Ltd be instructed to sell on behalf of CHSC at the best possible price, ex dividend, of £4000 of the 3½% War Stock held by CHSC and at present lodged with the bank as security against any amount owing to the bank.
Transfer of 312 shares from William Barritt Duckworth to Bessie Vyner Duckworth sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Discussion took place on an enquiry from R S Windle, Mr Jackson and Mr McVie re the purchase of Butts Mill.
Res. That it be put on offer at £8,000.
E B Banks.

December 16th 1937
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £29-5-9 credit, rents owing £611-2-4. Accounts paid.
E B Banks.

January 20th 1938
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £451-3-7 debit, rents owing £612-0-2. Accounts paid.
Res. That a locked tin box be deposited for safe custody at Martins Bank and that the bank be authorised to give up the said box on receipt of a request signed by the chairman and vice chair or secretary of CHSC.
Mr Wood reported that WE&D Nutter the new tenants at WH Mill will commence on rent on February 1st 1938 and that the terms of tenancy agreed on behalf of CHSC by him in accordance with the August 18th 1937 minutes were as follows:
The tenancy is for 870 looms to be charged as 900 looms of 40” reed-space and the rent is 68/5 per loom of 40” reed-space (including tapes) based on the cost of coal and rates as at July 6th 1934 with the usual sliding scale for increases or decreases after that date. Three months grace was granted and rent to commence on February 1st 1938. One half week's rent to be allowed for holidays each year. The tenancy to be for three years commencing on September 1st 1937and after that period be subject to six months notice. It was agreed that WE&D Nutter be allowed to use 234 looms owned by CHSC at the same rent as the 870 looms, a total of 1104 looms charged on 1134 with a minimum rent to be charged on 900 looms.
Res. That the terms be approved and confirmed.
It was reported that following correspondence and interviews with Mr Tomlinson of Bevo Ltd it had been agreed that whilst premises used by him at Butts were used for storage only the rent would be £10 per quarter and if actual production of ice cream took place the rent is to be increased to £20 per quarter.
Res. That this should be confirmed.
Res. That the balance sheet for the half year to December 31st 1937 be approved as read. [No meeting or printed balance sheet.]
R Jacques.

February 17th 1938
R Jacques chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £605-19-0 debit. Rents owing £458-14-9. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 248 shares from the Executrix of J T Ellison to A E Ellison sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Reported that a notice had been received from E C Hulme and Co to cease their tenancy at WH Mill on April 30th 1938.
Reported that D Fox and Co would increase their tenancy by 32 looms on the same arrangements as previously.
Reported that an enquiry re space had been received from Mr Aldersley and also that he had enquired for terms for storage of 87 looms at Butts Mill.
Res. That he be allowed to store the looms for 15/- per week together with rates if these be charged.
E B Banks.

March 17th 1938
E B Banks chair. Dugdale, Horsfield, Jacques, Patrick, Peel and Wood present. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £989-19-0 debit, rents owing £671-14-10. Accounts paid.
A request from the Standard Woollen Manufacturing Co Ltd (Late D Fox and Co) for the provision of further looms was considered.
Res. That no action be taken for the time being.
Reported that Mr Ellison had made enquiries re taking the space vacated by E C Hulme and Co and that particulars of the tenancy presently in force had been provided and offered to him. In an interview he had demurred at the payment of 3d per loom per week.
Res. That no charge be made for the looms for the first six months.
E B Banks.

April 21st 1938
E B Banks Chair. Present Dugdale, Peel, Horsfield and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £839-12-9, rents owing £725-4-5. Accounts paid.
E B Banks.

May 19th 1938
E B Banks chair. Present Jacques, Horsfield, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £912-4-8 debit, rents owing £838-19-7. Accounts paid.
A letter was read from Messrs Bevo Ltd re their tenancy at Butts Mill in which they suggested that the tenancy should be taken over by Mr Lister, Electrical Engineer of Barlick.
Res. That they [Bevo] be informed that the directors have no objection to them sub-letting the ground floor warehouse to Mr Lister.
Transfer of shares sanctioned all from Exors of Annie Wright to: Harry Wright 11 shares. Susannah Wright 11 shares. Maude M Wright 11 shares. All seal cert etc.
Reference was made to the Factories Act 1937.
Res. That the alteration to the hoists be deferred until definite information was obtained as the the Home Office requirements.
Res. That the tender of J A Pickles and Co, reduced from £49 to £45 for the installation of an electric stop motion [on the engine] at CH Shed be accepted. [This was a safety mechanism fitted on the governor of the engine which reacted to overspeed, underspeed or a signal from the mill via buttons similar to a fire alarm button and shut the valves on the engine whereupon it would stop.]
Res. That the tender of Baldwin and Heap Ltd for the inspection of hoists etc as necessary under the Factories Act 1937 at CH Shed and WH Mill for £4-10-0 and £5 respectively. Be accepted.
A report was given of negotiations with Mr Ellison re the tenancy of a portion of WH Mill previously occupied by Hulme and Co.
Res. That the secretary be authorised to negotiate with him on the following basis:
1.Rent to be the usual CHSC terms as paid by Hulme and Co.
2.Tenancy to commence June 15th 1938.
3.A minimum rent to payable on 24 looms.
4.3d per loom per week to be charged for use of the looms to commence after the first six months of the tenancy.
5.During the first three months of the tenancy rent to be paid on the looms as they are gaited up.
Res. That Mr Ellison should have an option to purchase at the end of six months:
36 x 40” cross rod looms with dobbies @£7-10-0 per loom. (without dobbies £7.)
12 x 45” Cooper's plain with fast reed @£7-10-0 each.
12 X 40” circular box looms @£10 each.
E B Banks.

June 16th 1938
E B Banks chair. Present Dugdale, Horsfield, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £641-17-2, rents owing £881-7-4. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 46 shares from John Cant to Mary Georgina Cant sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the next director's meeting should be on Thursday July 21st and the annual general meeting on July 28th.
Reported that WE&D Nutter had written asking whether CHSC were prepared to sell sundry plant (not including looms) at WH Mill and the price.
Res. That the chairman and secretary go into the matter.
A Latter was read from the Barnoldswick Conservative club dated June 15th stating that the wall on Butts Ginnel enclosing Parrock land owned by them needed repairing.
Res. That they be informed that the letter must have been written under a misapprehension as this wall is not the property of CHSC.
Coal contract. A tender for the supply of coal for 12 months from June 30th 1938 was received from P D Bilborough giving a price of 24/11 for Bentley coal and 24/4 for Airedale coal delivered at Barnoldswick station less 1/2 per ton for CH wagons. The contract for 1500 tons of Cortonwood at 24/4 expires on June 30th 1938.
Res. That the chairman and secretary settle the contracts for next year on the best terms possible.
E B Banks.

July 21st 1938
E B Banks chair. Present Dugdale, Peel, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £836-0-11 debit, rents owing £669-12-5. Accounts paid.
Res. That 1200 tons of Cortonwood coal at 25/7 per ton be purchased for the year ending June 30th 1939 and the balance required to be Bentley and Airedale at 24/11 and 24/4 respectively.
A letter from the Scottish and General Insurance Co Ltd was read quoting a price of £3 per annum for inspection of the three superheaters at WH Mill [one per boiler] necessary under the Factories Act 1937.
Res. That this be accepted.
Messrs WE&D Nutter's request to purchase plant (excluding looms) at WH Mill was considered.
Res. That although the directors did not feel disposed to sell this plant it should be offered to Nutters at £500.
Reported that J A Pickles and Co had enquired whether CHSC would be willing to sell the plant at present rented by them.
Res. That if Messrs Pickles wished to proceed with the matter a price of £500 to be asked for the plant.
A letter from Messrs H Ellison Ltd was read in which it was stated that they were considering putting in 12 additional looms providing the minimum rent on 24 was not increased.
Res. That this be agreed.
The question of alterations to hoists necessary under the Factories Act was further considered.
Res. That J A Pickles and Co be instructed to put the work in hand.
The balance sheet and accounts for the half year ended June 30th 1938 were approved as read.
E B Banks.

No minute for general meeting.
Printed balance sheet reports: net profit for year ending June 30th 1937 was £390-3-6.
The adverse balance now stands as follows:
As per balance sheet for June 30th 1937 2470-14-11
Less profit this year 390-3-6
Balance 2080-11-4
Dividend paid for year ending June 30th 1937 911-16-4
As per balance sheet June 30th 1938 2992-7-8
Signed E B Banks and E Wood at Burnley, July 22nd 1938.

August 18th 1938
E B Banks chair. Present Horsfield, Jacques, Dugdale, Peel. Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £362-0-7 debit, rent owing £802-10-11.
Correspondence with Bevo Ltd re their tenancy was read. Mr Banks reported he had the matter in hand.
Transfer of shares from the administrators of Annie Crook: 50 shares to James Crook and 50 to Elsie Crook sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that J A Pickles and Son were converting to a Limited Company and had accepted our offer to sell the plant for £500. [The version I got from Newton Pickles was slightly different: Apart from new plant and machinery added by J A Pickles and Son at their own expense, the Wellhouse Machine Shop was still being rented off the Calf Hall Shed Company on the same terms that it had been taken over on in October 1929. In July 1938 the Calf Hall directors received a request from Johnny to buy the plant, machinery and stock that he had taken over when he moved in to the shop. The Calf Hall Company had paid the receiver £425 for Henry Brown’s machinery and they agreed to sell it to J A Pickles and Son for £450 and stock at valuation. Newton told me that the total was £940 and that included everything in the buildings. This sale was finalised on the 18th August 1938 but as we've seen, they only mentioned the £500 for the machinery. At the same time Johnny floated a new company, Henry Brown Sons and Pickles Limited. I have no evidence as to who the partners were in this re-organised firm but have no reason to believe there was any new investment. All I know for certain is that when they finished in 1981 Newton Pickles and Walt Fisher were co-directors. Whatever the case, Johnny had made sure that the name of Henry Brown was commemorated in the name of the new firm and I believe this was as much to do with sentiment as business considerations.]
E B Banks.

October 20th 1938
E B Banks chair. Present Jacques, Dugdale, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £233-17-2 debit. Rents owing £752-10-8. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 550 shares from Linda May Cowgill to Linda Cowgill and B H Green sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
A Letter from Norman E Barrett dated August 25th 1938 re the boundary at Ouzledale was considered.
Res. That the secretary speak to Mr Barrett and say that although the CHSC could not accept the statements made in his letter, to save further difficulty they would be prepared to purchase a strip of land, approximately 150 square yards @3d per yard, the purchase to be carried through at minimum cost.
Mr Banks reported that the tenancy of part of Butts Mill occupied by Bevo Ltd would cease on December 31st 1938 and that he had arranged from January 1st 1939 for the bottom room to be let to Mr A Lister, electrician, Albert Road Barnoldswick on a quarterly rent at 10/- per week.
Res. That the staff at CH Shed be reduced from three to two and that the secretary inform Atkinson, the oiler, that his services were to be dispensed with.
E B Banks.

November 17th 1938
E B Banks Chair. Present Jacques, Dugdale, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £66 credit, rents owing £495-7-11. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 168 shares from Exors of Joseph J Sneath [Is this our old WH engineer?] to Martha Sneath sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
A letter from N Barrett was read dated October 29th in which he stated that Mr Slater was not prepared to sell any of the land at Ouzledale and that he intended to fence the boundary.
Res. That Mr Barrett be written asking if Mr Slater would be prepared to rent any of the land.
E B Banks.

December 15th 1938
E B Banks chair. Present; Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank account £316-4-1, rents owing £497-11-10. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares, all from Thomas William Waddington sanctioned. 46 to Douglas Waddington. 46 to Mrs H Metcalfe. 46 to Mrs E Geldard. Seal cert etc.
E B Banks.

January 19th 1939
[I can't resist 20/20 hindsight! CHSC have survived a world war and the depression. I wonder how aware the directors were of what was about to happen. Don't write them off yet, there are going to be surprises in store for them.]
E B Banks chair. Present; Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank account £63-8-6 debit after paying the accounts before the meeting. Rents owing £641-13-0.
The application from R Shackleton oiler at WH Mill for an increase in wages was considered and an increase of 2/6 per week was granted. [There is a list written in the margin which looks like oiler's wages at other mills in the town: Moss £2-12-6. Long Ing £2-11-6. Crow Nest £2-11-6. Barnsey £2-9-0 and Wellhouse £2-5-0 so lucky old Shackleton goes to £2-7-6 per week!]
Balance sheet and accounts for the half year to December 31st adopted and an interim dividend for the half year of 2½% less tax approved. [No minutes or balance sheet.]
E B Banks.

February 16th 1939
E B Banks chair. Present; Jacques, Peel and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £434-8-2 debit, rents owing £590-3-4. Accounts paid.
Reported that notice had been received from Standard Woollens Manufacturing Co Ltd to terminate their tenancy on April 30th 1939.
E B Banks.

March 16th 1939
E B Banks chair. Present; Jacques, Peel, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £318-15-1 debit, rents owing £593-0-7. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 50 shares from Dennis Baxter and Maurice Broughton to Isabella Baxter sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
E B Banks.

April 20th 1939
E B Banks chair. Present; Horsfield, Patrick, Peel and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £471-17-0, rents owing £559-9-3. Accounts paid.
The secretary reported that no reply had been received from Mr Weiner of Leeds re the space recently vacated by Messrs Fox. [Standard Woollens]
Res. That Henry Brown Sons and Pickles Ltd be instructed to fix gates to one hoist at CH Shed at M Horsfield and Sons and one at WH Mill, that at WE&D Nutter's premises. [They must have looms at Westfield as well unless Worrall directory got the entry wrong. No mention of them at WH.] When these have been completed and are satisfactory the others to be proceeded with to comply with the Factories Act.
E B Banks.

May 18th 1939
E B Banks chair. Present; Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and A V Hedges (acting for Edward Wood). Minutes as read.
Bank balance £255-15-11 debit, rents owing £569-4-10. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares sanctioned: Denis Baxter to Eleanor Green 25 shares and Hilda Windle 25. Exors of Edith A Hartley to Harry Hartley 110 shares and Ena Crew 110. Exors of Thomas Clapham to Ann Clapham 382 shares. All seal cert etc.
Res. That the chairman's actions in selling the ashes for the year to April 30th 1940 at £6 be confirmed. [To BUDC?]
E B Banks.

June 15th 1939
E B Banks chair. Present; Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £102-11-0 credit, rents owing £574-16-9. Accounts paid.
Res. That the present coal contracts be continued for a further 12 months to June 30th 1940 at the present prices: Cortonwood 1200 tons @25/7 per ton. Bentley @24/11 and Airedale @ 24/4.
Transfer of shares sanctioned all from Exors of Thomas Edmondson: 9 shares to Lillian Robinson. 9 to T G Edmondson and 8 to Mary Edmondson. All seal cert etc.
E B Banks.

July 13th 1939
E B Banks chair. Present; Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £214-18-11 credit, rents owing £650-9-0. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares sanctioned. All from Exors of Mary S Hartley: 100 shares to John H Hartley and 50 to William Hartley. Seal cert etc.
Reported that an enquiry re space had been received from William Mitchell and Sons of County Brook Mill at Foulridge and that particulars had been given to them. The matter was being held over for the time being.
Correspondence from BUDC was referred to concerning the conversion of pail toilets to water closets in Butts Cottage and Calf Hall Yard.
Res. That the council be authorised to convert the toilet at Butts Cottage and also the closet in CH yard providing that they would connect the CH closet to the company's own water supply.
A letter from the insurance company re various particulars in connection with the fire insurance was read and it was arranged that Mr Banks should attend to the items concerning the landlord and that the secretary should write to the tenants in connection with the items for which they were responsible.
The balance sheet and accounts for the half year and the year ended on June 30th were adopted and it was resolved that the shareholders be recommended to approve a final dividend fot eh half year of 2½% per annum free of tax.
E B Banks.

No general meeting minuted for July 26th
Printed balance sheet inserted and reports: Net profit for the year ended June 30th 1938 £1253-14-4. The adverse balance now stands as follows:
Balance sheet at June 30th 1938 2992-7-8
Less profit this year 1253-14-4
Balance 1738-13-4
Dividend for half year to Dec 31st 1938 550-17-10
Balance sheet June 30th 1939 2289-11-2

A final dividend of 2½% is recommended for the year. [same dividend for this half year.]
Signed E B Banks and E Wood, Burnley July 19th 1939.

August 17th 1939
E B Banks chair. Present Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £9-1-8 debit, rents owing £603-1-6. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 262 shares from Edna May George to District Bank Nominees Ltd sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Reported that an enquiry had been received for space previously occupied by Standard Woollens [WH].
Res. That particulars be forwarded.
E B Banks.

[At 11:15am on September 3rd Neville Chamberlain made his famous broadcast on the wireless, we were at war with Germany.]

September 21st 1939
E B Banks chair. Present Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £412-0-6 debit. Rent owing £563-8-4. Accounts paid.
E B Banks.

October 19th 1939
E B Banks chair. Present Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £77-19-9 debit, rents owing £537-13-5. Accounts paid.
A letter was read from Robinson Brooks Ltd re 'Blacking Out' for ARP purposes [Air Raid Precautions] the portion of the shed not occupied by them.
After inspecting the premises it was resolved that Briggs and Duxbury carry out the necessary work both there and in the unoccupied premises adjoining Horsfield (Bankfield) Ltd.
[For those who weren't around in 1939, the fear was that “The bomber will always get through”. The first action of the government was to order a national blackout during the hours of darkness. All street lamps went out for the duration of war and it became an offence, enforced by ARP Wardens, to show a light at night. The usual method of obscuring windows was 'blackout curtains' and weaving sheds were no exception. All windows had an arrangement whereby pulling on a cord covered the windows with frames covered with black cloth. Evidently this was the responsibility of the tenants for their own sheds and CHSC for anything else. I have often thought that the weaving firms must have had some good orders at this time for the vast amount of blackout cloth needed. The eyes through which the cords ran could still be seen in places at Bancroft Shed in the 1970s. The first impact of total war.]
E B Banks.

November 16th 1939
E B Banks chair. Present Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £48-4-4 credit, rents owing £625-1-4. Accounts paid.
A letter had been received from Robinson Brooks re a request from the BUDC Sanitary Inspector re the lights in lavatories in their portion and also complaining about the condition of the roof. Mr Banks said he had these matters in hand.
The question of increasing the basis of rents to cover increased costs was discussed.
Res. That The secretary go further into the matter.
Res. That the wages of engine room staff should be increased by 5% from November 20th 1939 and 7½% from January 1st 1940 making a total increase of 12½%. [Must have been on the basis of the wage before the first increase.]
E B Banks.

December 21st 1939
E B Banks chair. Present Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £149-19-7 debit, rents owing £588-14-5. Accounts paid.
Res. That in common with other Room and Power companies a letter should be sent to the tenants stating that in view of the greatly increased costs it had been decided to increase the rent charges by 10% from January 1st 1940. Rent to be charged on the full number of looms with an allowance of 6d per loom per annum [per week surely?] for stopped looms.
Correspondence from Norman Barrett was read in which he enquired for a client for terms for leasing part of Butts Mill.
Res. That the secretary inform him that the company would probably be prepared to negotiate on the following lines:
1.The lease to be for 10 years.
2.The tenant to put the premises in habitable order, provide lavatories etc, all repairs and alterations to be subject to the landlord's approval.
3.The tenants to maintain the premises, provide their own power and heating and pay rates and all other outgoings except Landlord's Property Tax and insurance.
4.The rent for the weaving shed to be as follows: 1st year nil.2nd , 3rd, 4th and 5th years £200 per annum. Next five years £300 per annum.
If the third storey warehouse (Aldersley's) was included the rent to be increased by £125 per annum for each of the ten years.
E B Banks.

January 18th 1940
E B Banks chair. Present Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £34-7-2 credit, rents owing £559-13-8. Accounts paid.
A request from Robinson Brooks for permission to store a car in the CH loading place for the time being was agreed to, all petrol to be drawn off. [Petrol rationing came in immediately and many cars were taken off the road for the duration.]
Reported that repairs to the lightning tape on the chimney at WH Mill had been ordered from Howarth Brothers of Colne at £10.
Report of an increase in carting charges of 4d per ton after January 1st 1940 had been received from Holdsworth, due to increased costs.
Res. That the balance sheet and accounts for the half year to December 31st 1939 be approved as read and a dividend of 2½% be recommended.
Consideration was given to the replies of tenants re the proposed increase of rents. The majority of the tenants agreeing to an increase of 10% per annum but not being in favour of rent being charged on all looms in the tenancy whether running or not.
Res. That the matter be left to the chairman and secretary, the suggested basis to be an increase of 10% per annum in the rents and a charge to be made on all looms running, the minimum being 75% of the looms [in the tenancy].
E B Banks.

[No report of a general meeting or printed balance sheet.]

February 15th 1940
E B Banks chair. Present Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £316-5-2 debit, rents owing £846-1-0. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 1132 shares be made to Gladys May Sutcliffe she being the surviving executrix of the late Admiral King. Seal cert etc.
Correspondence with Thomas Rumney and Co, solicitors of Manchester, on behalf of their client Messrs Hendley and Co of Manchester [This evidently refers to Norman Barrett's enquiry.] was read and approved subject to the terms being altered by CHSC not agreeing to insure any of the property but this charge to be paid by the tenant. The terms of the tenancy to be for ten years terminable at the end of five years, at seven years and renewable afterwards by negotiation any sub-letting to be with the consent of CHSC but not to be reasonably withheld. The rent to be £200 per annum and the tenants be allowed to make a road out over our land between Butts Mill and Calf Hall Road, CHSC to fence the land off and the tenancy to commence on March 1st 1940.
The secretary reported that a tenancy had been arranged with E Midgley and Co Ltd from Long Ing Shed for 220 looms, average reed-space 40” on the basis of £3-5-10 for 87” on the cross shaft with an increase of 10% thereon and the usual sliding scales for coal and carting costs. Three months grace to be granted from the time the first loom enters our premises and CHSC to alter the office and whitewash the premises throughout. The tenancy to be subject to the usual six months notice from the first day of any month.
E B Banks.

[Just to bring you up to speed, Bankfield Shed closed in 1934 and here's what Newton said about subsequent events: I asked Newton what had happened at Bankfield after it closed. “It were empty, Archie Rhodes and his father were engine drivers there and Archie stopped on as watchman till Rover came in 1940. He were doing that for six or seven year. Nice feller were Archie. British Celanese bought it and they never did anything with it and they’d be paying Archie’s wage all them years. At one time me father came down into the shop to me one afternoon, this were just before the war, he says come on with me Newton to Great Harwood. He says I’ve got to meet some bosses of British Celanese, I think they’re going to do something about Bankfield. Now whether they had intended starting it up again with the war coming I don’t know. He says they want to see me. But they couldn’t start the top half, we’d pulled the engine out just before the war, we were going to put it in at Long Ing, Stephen Pickles bought it.” The British Celanese initiative never materialised and the Rover Company moved in in 1940 following massive raids on Coventry. They also took other mills. The shadow factories had come to Barlick and this was to affect CHSC as well. It also had greater significance because the mills they took over were modernised, new floors and electric mains installed, they were attractive properties after the war.]

March 28th 1940
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Peel, Horsfield, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £265-18-9 debit, rents owing £532-5-8. Accounts paid
Transfer of 100 shares from G S H Baxter to Wallace Horsfield sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Reported that a lease of part of Butts Mill to Hendley and Co Ltd had been prepared in accordance with the agreement reported at the last meeting.
Res. That the common Seal of the company be affixed to the lease.
Reported that an enquiry had been received from Mr Aldersley as to whether CHSC would be prepared to sell 15 Keighley Looms of 42½” reed-space at £3 per loom.
Res. That £4 a loom be asked but that a figure of not lower than £3 per loom be accepted if necessary.
It was reported that the secretary had enquired of Messrs Robinson Brooks whether they would be prepared to run more looms at CH Shed if the company let them have the use of the looms at present stored in Butts Mill free of charge.
E B Banks.

April 18th 1940
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and AV Hedges (for secretary). Minutes as read.
Bank balance £337-6-7 debit, rents owing £631-16-2. Accounts paid.
Reported that an offer of £450 had been received from Messrs Chris Holden Ltd of Blackburn for the boiler at Butts Mill complete with fittings. [The second 160psi boiler installed there.]
Res. That if the offer was increased to £500 the boiler should be sold.
E B Banks.

May 23rd 1940
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and AV Hedges (for secretary). Minutes as read.
Bank balance £402-4-4 credit, rents owing £650-12-0. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares from Exors of William Brierley to E W King and Nina Lang to Ronald Lang sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
A letter was read from P D Bilborough was read re the coal contract, in which he quoted: Bentley washed singles @27/5 per ton delivered to Barlick station. Airedale ditto @26/10.
Res. That the secretary confirm acceptance of the contract.
It was reported that Messrs Chris Holden Ltd had offered £375 for the steam engine and £20 for the steam driven fire engine both at Butts Mill.
It was also reported that an offer of £350 had been received from Mr Pickard.
Res. That the engine and pump be sold if an inclusive price of £500 can be obtained.
It was also reported that Mr Pickard had offered 36/- per loom for the looms stored in Butts Mill, CHSC to retain as many as they desired.
Res. That the matter be held over for the time being. [War production meant that scrap metal was at a premium.]
A letter from Howarth Brothers was read in which they quoted £98 for picking out and mastic pointing the WH chimney. It was considered that the work was not necessary and the price excessive.
Res. That no action be taken in the matter.
Reported that negotiations had been proceeding with Mr Aldersley for the letting to him of a strip of land above Butts Mill and it had been provisionally agreed that the land should be let to him on the following terms:
1.The rent to be 50/- per annum paid quarterly.
2.The tenancy to be subject to three months notice from the first day of any month on either side.
3.The land to be fenced off by the tenant to the satisfaction of CHSC.
Res. That this be confirmed.
A letter was read from John Slater and Sons regarding the fencing off of this land and a reply had been sent stating that the land was now let and the fencing was the responsibility of the tenant. [I'm puzzled as to why it was any concern of Slaters, they were working Clough Mill which is completely detached from Butts.]
E B Banks.

June 20th 1940
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and E Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £519-15-5 credit, rents owing £632-12-1.
Transfer of shares sanctioned: 32 shares from Exors of Ada Raistrick to Edwin Raistrick. 192 from Exors of Mary Elsworth to Herbert Edgar James and William Ellsworth. 58 from Exors of John Marsden to Louise Marsden. Seal cert etc.
Offers were received for the engine and second motion shaft and fire pump at Butts Mill.
Res. That Messrs James Dixon's offer [Machinery and scrap dealers at Burnley] of £450 be accepted.
A letter was read from J Widdup and Sons Ltd re sanitary arrangements and the matter was handed to Mr Banks for attention. [WH Mill]
Res. That the rent of the workshop of Henry Brown Sons and Pickles at WH be increased by 10% from £165 per annum to £181-10-0 from July 1st 1940. [They were working flat out on war work, this would not be a problem.]
Res. That the BUDC offer of £5 for ashes from May 1st 1940 to April 30th 1941 be accepted.
E B Banks.

July 18th 1940
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and E Wood. Minutes as read.
The chairman noted the death of Mr Slater Dugdale who had been a member of the board for 15 years.
It was unanimously resolved that and expression of appreciation for the faithful service rendered by him during this period be put on record.
Bank account £654-1-10 credit, rents owing £752-14-0. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 1169 shares from Seth Mundy and W A Adney to Edward Wood and 356 from Albion Atkinson and Harold Perry to Harold Perry sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that a small portion of the vacant space at WH Mill, part of that previously occupied by Messrs Fox had been let to WE&D Nutter for 7/6 per week.
The balance sheet and accounts for the year ending June 30th 1940 were approved as read.
Res. That these should be placed before the annual general meeting on Thursday August 1st and that a final dividend of 2% for the year, free of tax, be recommended.
Res. That A V Hedges be elected a director in place of Slater Dugdale deceased.
Res. That all cheques should be signed by at least one director other than the secretary and assistant secretary.
E B Banks.

No minutes for annual general meeting
Printed balance sheet inserted in minutes reports: Net profit for the year ended June 30th 1940 of £1101-6-2. The adverse balance now stands as follows:
June 30th 1939 2289-11-2
Less profit this year 1101-6-2
1188-5-0
Dividend half year to June 1939 550-17-10
Ditto to Dec 31st 1939 493-18-1
1044-15-11
Balance at June 30th 1940 2233-0-11
Signed E B Banks and E Wood at Burnley July 25th 1940.

August 29th 1940
E B Banks chair. Present: Horsfield, Peel, Patrick, E Wood and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £471-2-7 credit, rents owing £642-15-3. Accounts paid.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: 50 from Bracewell Petty to Wallace Horsfield. 32 from Martha Popplewell to Hannah Raistrick. From Exors of G E Barrett to: N M Barrett 298 shares. S P Barrett 298. J W Barrett 297. All seal cert etc.
A letter from HMFI was read suggesting that if the contractors were unable to proceed with the alterations to the hoists as required under the Factories Act owing to pressure of war work the work should be put in other hands. [H Brown Sons had been given the job but were evidently snowed under with war work. Remember that the people allocating the war production were knowledgeable men and would know Brown and Pickles reputation for specialised machining. I know they took on one job that nobody else could do because they hadn't lathe capacity large enough. Johnny accepted the contract even though they hadn't a big enough lathe. How did he do it? He built a large break lathe in the laundry with castings made at Ouzledale and machined the job, large base plates for anti-aircraft guns. This lathe was kept busy right through the war.]
A letter was read from the London Assurance re the advisability of insuring for loss of rent at Butts Mill due to fire.
Res. That the matter be left over for further consideration.
It was reported that Tom Marshall had been engaged as engine man at WH Mill in place of W Watson who had taken up another appointment. [I think he went back to Rochdale.]
The secretary reported that a letter had been received from E Midgley and Co Ltd asking for payment of half the cost of electrical installation. He had replied pointing out that only half the cost of wiring should be paid by CHSC.
A letter was read from WE&D Nutter re the terms of their tenancy after the expiration of the lease on August 31st. They suggested that the minimum should be considerably reduced The secretary said he had written to them pointing out that the tenants who were on yearly tenancies had agreed to an increase of 10% and offering to continue the tenancy on the same terms as hitherto with the additional 10%.
The secretary reported that an application for alteration in the terms of tenancy had been received from Windle and Sons at WH Mill. As the firm are now only running 40 looms out of 400 and the minimum stood at 150 looms, it was resolved that a special concession in view of the circumstances [should be made] the rent to be charged on looms running only for the time being, such concession to start from September 1st.
E B Banks.

[It may be worth noting this: September 12 1940, an advertisement in the Manchester Guardian: MANUFACTORIES, WORKS ETC WANTED. Factory premises wanted, ground floor, about 300,000 square feet in North Lancashire. Information to A B Smith care of the County Hotel, Lancaster.
This was the Ministry of Aircraft Production looking for shadow factories for the Rover Company of Coventry. The found Bankfield and requisitioned it on September 25th and it became 'Number 6 shadow factory'. Later they took Calf Hall and Butts Mill. In Earby they took Grove Mill and Sough Bridge and in Clitheroe they took Waterloo Mill. They also requisitioned the country club at Bracewell Hall near Barnoldswick for the company offices. See 'Vikings at Waterloo' by David S Brown and the official history of Rolls Royce for more details. Incidentally the upgrading of the mills was given to local contractors. Briggs and Duxbury did well out of this work.]

September 30th 1940
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick, Wood and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £578-14-11 credit, rents owing £147-2-3.
Transfer of shares sanctioned: District Bank Ltd to Edna Mary George 262 shares. Elizabeth Wordsworth and H J P Sturton to Elizabeth Wordsworth, George W Wordsworth and Alice Wordsworth 442 shares. All seal cert etc.
The secretary reported that the Ministry of Aircraft [Production] had, on behalf of a Coventry firm [Rover Cars] requisitioned Bankfield Shed (3000 looms) for aircraft production and require a further 1200/1600 loom shed. They have been unable to secure this and as we were not in a position to provide it at Wellhouse the tenants at CH Shed had been approached with a view to removing to the space available in WH Mill.
The secretary read a report on the position which had been submitted to the MAP setting out the probable cost of removal, allowance to tenants for removal and all incidental expenses relative thereto. The letter also suggested a rent of 3/6 per square yard comprising the warehouse and shed space. £250 per annum for the use of the boilers and supervision of the heating should they require it, the tenants to pay all rates and fire insurance.
E B Banks.

Nov 21st 1940
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick, Wood and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1304-5-10 credit, rents owing £670-3-0. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares from the Exors of James Berry: 290 shares to Mary Ann Berry, James S Berry and Robert Berry. From Exors of ? B S Grigg: 50 shares to Hebe Osbaldeston and 50 to Mary Whipp. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that an insurance had been effected against loss of rent at Butts Mill.
Res. That this be conformed.
Res. That a cheque for £73-15-0 be paid to Messrs Hogarth being half the cost of the electrical installation put in for E Midgely and Co Ltd, this to become the property of CHSC.
Mr Banks reported that he had been in negotiation re the sale of Bridge House and yard [Coates Wharf].
Res That he be authorised to sell the property at a price of £550.
Mr Wood and Mr Banks reported on the negotiations relating to the alterations at WH Mill for the removal of the tenants from CH Shed to WH to make room for the Rover Co Ltd and the steps taken were approved.
E B Banks.

December 19th 1940
E B Banks chair. E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Wood and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1279-9-0 credit, rents owing £647-5-8. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares sanctioned from Administrator of Walter Patrick Deceased: 51 shares to Mary J Bannister and 51 to John V Patrick. Seal cert etc.
Res. That Proctor and Proctor, 3 Grimshaw Street Burnley be appointed to conduct the necessary negotiations with the MAP for compensation for the requisitioning of CH Shed and the consequential removal of tenants etc as from the date of requisition, October 5th 1940.
It was reported that the engine at CH Shed had been stopped on December 18th and that the Rover Co had asked that the lineshafting be removed.
Res. That a price should be obtained for the line shafting as it stood.
It was reported that Mr Whipp had complained that damage was being done through raining in and it was resolved that the necessary repairs should be done.
Res. That an interim dividend should be paid for the half year ended December 31st 1940at the rate of 2½% per annum less tax.
E B Banks.

[No report of a general meeting or printed balance sheet.]

January 23rd 1941
E B Banks chair. E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick, Wood and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1019-14-9 credit, rents owing £551-5-7. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares sanctioned from Exors of Jessie Whitaker Barrett sanctioned. 356 shares to Stewart Proctor Barrett and 355 to Norman Midgely Barrett. Seal cert etc.
The secretary reported on the difficulties he was having with WD&E Nutter Ltd re the payment of the extra 10% rent for the months of October and November.
Res. That he should continue to press for the payment of this amount and all outstanding.
It was reported that notices had been received from the BUDC Clerk dated January 21st stating that under the Specified Areas Order dated December 31st 1940 it was now compulsory to erect air raid shelters at Butts and WH Mills and if this was done within 3 months a payment of 7/- in the £1 would be received from the government.
Res. That the work should be put in hand as soon as possible and that Mr Jacques should prepare the necessary information re possible sites and form of construction. [No bombs ever fell on Barlick and after the war the shelters made useful dirty sweeps stores being fireproof.]
The interim accounts for the half year ended December 31st 1940 were read and approved.
Particulars were given of the plant disposed of and it was reported that the looms remaining were 36 x 40” cross rods and 125 x 40” Cooper's Looms.
Res. That for balance sheet purposes the value of these be taken at £250.
E B Banks.

February 20th 1941
E B Banks chair. Present: Patrick, Horsfield, Peel, Wood and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £215-11-1 debit, rents owing £937-13-4. Accounts paid.
It was reported that Mr Jacques, due to pressure of work, was unable to arrange the planning and erection of air raid shelters at WH and Butts Mills.
Res. That Mr Norman Barrett, architect, be approached re the erection of these shelters.
Transfer of shares sanctioned. 46 shares from Administrators of Annice Baxter to Lizzie A Baxter and 50 from Exors of Edith Mary Dent to Victor Booth. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that a requisition for a plot of land at the junction of Wellhouse Road and Skipton Road had been received from the County Council. It was pointed out however that this land had been transferred to the Council by a Deed of Gift for road widening.
Correspondence from BUDC re electric lighting at WH Mill was read and Mr Banks reported that these matters were in hand. [blackout infringements?]
Res. That Bridge House be let to the Rover Co at a weekly rent of 8/- [It was just across the road from their works at Bankfield and it seems the sale never went through, CHSC must still own the wharf as well.] the landlord paying the rates.
Res. That Mr Banks be authorised to sign the necessary tenancy agreement on behalf of CHSC.
It was reported that a debit of £18-14-6 had been received from H Ellison Ltd due to a burst steam pipe.
Res. That this could not be entertained.
Reported that the Kelbrook Mill Company were in need of storage room for shafting and it was resolved that accommodation be offered to them at Butts Mill at 10/- per week. [They were in Sough Bridge Mill which had been requisitioned and were evidently taking an optimistic view of re-installing the shafting after the war. They moved to Brook Shed in Earby in 1941.]
E B Banks.

March 20th 1941
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Wood and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £460-1-8 debit, rents owing £627-14-11. Accounts paid.
Res. That sites suggested by Mr Norman Barrett for air raid shelters at Butts and WH Mills be approved and that he take the necessary steps to proceed with the matter.
E B Banks.

April 24th 1941
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £98-2-9 debit, rents owing £498-5-3. Accounts paid.
The secretary reported on the position re the arrears of rent owed by WD&E Nutter.
He also reported that a claim for rent made on the MAP was £3301-14-4 per annum.
E B Banks.

May 15th 1941
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick, Wood and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £34-8-2 credit, rents owing £ 660-13-7. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares sanctioned: Mary Ann Berry, James Starkie Berry and Robert Berry: 145 shares to F R Berry and 145 to J B Berry. Exors of Henry Hartley: 55 shares to D H Hartley and 55 to Ena Crew. All seal cert etc.
Tenders were received for the erection of shelters at Butts and WH Mills:
WH Mill Butts Mill Total
F T Fairchild and Son 1129-7-9
Briggs and Duxbury 1200 150 1350
Blakeley and Son 1355
George Feather 1188-10-0 175 1363-10-0
R Geldard 1364-15-0
F C Muff 1240-3-0 159-1-4 1399-4-4
Res. That the tender of F T Fairchild and Son of £1129-7-9 be accepted provided that the mills are not included in the list of mills to be closed under the Cotton Board Concentration Scheme details of which, it is understood, will be published at the end of the month. [Pencilled note reports that Fairchild withdrew their tender and it went to B&D.]
Res. That a letter be written to BUDC suggesting a payment of £4 for ashes from WH Mill for the year ending April 30th 1942.
Mr Banks reported that he had provisionally agreed with Nutter Brothers a rent of £150 per annum for the storage of looms etc at Butts Mill the term to commence from May 1st 1941 rates to be charged to CHSC but refunded by Nutter Brothers.
Res. That this action be confirmed.
[Under the Cotton Board Concentration scheme Looms allowed to be run were designated registered looms. Wilfred Nutter had the option of closing James Nutter at Bancroft Shed or Nutter Brothers at Grove Shed Earby. The latter was requisitioned by the MAP so Wilfred, looking to the future, wanted to store his redundant looms. Many were stacked two high in spare space at Bancroft Shed and evidently the others went into Butts. This was going on throughout the mills in Barlick and space was at a premium. I have looked into the number of looms registered and those stored and there are some interesting discrepancies in the figures! See also June 19th minutes for the disposition of WE&D Nutter, another of Wilfred's firms.]
Mr Banks reported that he was in negotiation for the letting of the engine house [Butts]. He was authorised to let it on the best terms possible.
E B Banks.

June 19th 1941
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick, Wood and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £438-18-1 credit, rents owing £447-15-4. Accounts paid.
Res. That the letting of the part of WH Mill previously occupied by Messrs Ellison (approximately 900 square yards) to the Manchester Guardian and Evening News Ltd [for the storage of newsprint] at an annual rent of £200 per annum together with an annual payment of £39 to cover fire watching be approved. The tenancy to commence July 1st 1941. [It was normal practice during the war to have fire watchers on duty in case of direct hits by incendiary bombs, a small bomb designed specifically to set fires and not explode.]
It was reported that the MAP would agree to CHSC continuing the insurance of CH Shed and would refund the premiums payable(at 2/6 %) providing CHSC would waive any claim against the Air Ministry for damage covered by the policy.]
Res. That this be done.
It was reported that WD&E Nutter had submitted a scheme under the concentration of the cotton industry to the controller under which a portion of WH Mill occupied by them would be vacated and their Bancroft Shed would be run. The Cotton Controller had said that in this case WH Mill would have to be closed unless WE&D Nutter could be persuaded to carry on at WH and Bancroft Shed be closed. Mr Wood said he had seen Mr Wilfred Nutter who would consider the position and that he had already seen other tenants at WH who were arranging to see Mr Nutter.
[A no-brainer for Wilfred and I suspect everyone knew it. He was a smart cookie and given the choice of carrying on with registered looms in his own premises at Bancroft and staying as a tenant at WH it was a foregone conclusion. James Nutter and Sons wove on at Bancroft through the war and was the last steam-driven shed in Barlick when it closed in December 1978. I was the engineer who stopped it.]
Mr Wood reported on negotiations with Mr Horan, the Lands Officer of the Air Ministry as to compensation for CH Shed and Mr Horan had stated he would recommend a payment of £2000 per annum. Negotiations as regards the cost of removal etc were still proceeding.
Res. That Mr Wood's actions be approved and that he be authorised to obtain the best figure possible.
E B Banks.

July 17th 1941
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick, Wood and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £428-8-9 credit, rents owing £785-10-0. Accounts paid.
Quotations for the disposal of the shafting etc at Butts were considered. The three tenders received were:
George Rushworth and Son Ltd. [Colne] £9 per ton for small cross shafting, £4-2-6 per ton for Cast hangers, pulleys, pedestals and bolts. £54 per ton for heavy brass bearings.
James Dixon Ltd [Burnley] £8-5-0 per ton for shafting. £4 per ton for cast pulleys mill gearing and fittings lying alongside.
John Pickard. £3-15-0 per ton for pulleys and pedestals. £7 for shafting. £50 per ton for gunmetal [brass].
The question of disposal of the shafting was considered and it was decided that the matter should be postponed for three months.
A letter from the Lands Officer of the MAP dated July 15th 1941 was considered in which it was stated that Messrs Pilgrim and Badgery, acting for Mr Aldersley were expressing concern re a locked gate erected by the Rover Co across Mill Street. It was stated that Mr Aldersley and his tenants claimed access to his land adjoining the street.
Res. That a reply be sent that CHSC could not object to Mr Aldersley and his tenants having access to to the land over the street.
A letter from the District Valuer dated July 14th 1941 suggesting that the tenancy of the ground and first floor of the office at Butts Mill should be combined and that a payment of 6/- be made. The Air Raid Authorities to pay rates and water charges and bear the cost of external repairs and main structural repairs and other expenses to maintain the property in a state to command rent.
Res. That the terms be agreed. [I think that this was the ARP using the offices for their HQ for Barlick during the war.]
E B Banks.

August 7th 1941
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick, Wood and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £933-02 credit, rents owing £228-3-4. Accounts paid.
Res. That the accounts and balance sheet for the year and half year ended June 30th 1941 be approved as read and the shareholders be recommended to pay a final dividend for the half year ended June 30th 1941 at 2½% per annum less tax.
Reported that £600 had been received on account from MAP for the requisition of CH Shed.
Letter from John Widdup and Son Ltd and Horsfield (Bankfield) Ltd [both weaving in WH] in which enquiries were made about the change to be made in the storage of looms.
Res. That replies be sent to say that CHSC were very anxious to do all that could be done to help but at the moment it is impossible to fix any figures until a lead had been given by the Cotton Board.
E B Banks.

No general meeting reported
Printed balance sheet inserted reports: net profit for the year of £1015-8-7. Adverse balance now stands as follows:
As per June 30th 1940 2233-0-11
Less profit this year 1015-8-7
1217-12-3
Dividend paid June 1940 474-18-1
Ditto December 1940 436-18-3
911-16-4
As per balance sheet June 30th 1941 2129-8-7
Signed E B Banks and E Wood at Burnley, August 1st 1941.

September 19th 1941
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick, Wood and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £454-17-1, rents owing £817-16-9. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares from Exors of John Windle: 48 to Joseph E Windle and 48 to Louise E Windle. Seal cert etc. New certificate to Exors of Elizabeth H Ibbotson for 338 shares. In place of lost certificate, certificate of indemnity received.
Mr Banks reported the letting of three rooms at Butts Mill to BUDC electricity department £100 per annum, tenants to pay rates. Commences on September 1st 1941.
Res. That the letting be approved.
Mr Wood reported on a meeting with Mr Entwistle and Mr dean representing the Air Ministry re the requisitioning of C H Shed. He stated that the original figure of £2000 quoted by Mr Horan had been withdrawn and the highest figure they would agree to is £1500 per annum.
Res. That the offer be accepted but considerable disappointment was expressed.
Mr Wood said that compensation for removal expenses etc were still proceeding.
It was reported that the following tenants at WH Mill had received notice of requisition for space for storage. Horsfield (Bankfield) Ltd. WE&D Nutter Ltd. Ellerbank Manufacturing Co Ltd. And that their looms were being moved by direction of the Ministry into space occupied by other tenants although no notice of any kind had been received by CHSC.
E B Banks.

October 16th 1941
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick, Wood and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £791-18-6 credit, rents owing £998-18-7. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 280 shares from Exors of W H E Holdsworth to Albert Monks sanctioned.
Correspondence from tenants at WH Mill regarding tenancies and rents was considered.
Res. That nothing can be done until the situation was clarified.
E B Banks.

November 20th 1941
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick, Wood and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £538-1-9 credit, rents owing which were the subject to negotiation and adjustment when a definite basis had been reached.
Transfer of 396 shares from Trustees of Slater Dugdale to Maurice Horsfield and 396 to Gordon Carr sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that £3137-9-3 of the claim re the removal of tenants to WH Mill had been recommended for payment; that £1018-12-2 had been disallowed and that £2363-8-9 had been referred for further consideration.
E B Banks.

December 18th 1941
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick, Wood and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1973-13-6 credit, rents were owing from tenants at WH Mill affected by the Cotton Control Board Concentration Scheme but these amounts had not yet been fixed.
Accounts paid.
Transfer of 43 shares from E Horsfield to M M Horsfield sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that it was understood that the Government Storage Department had agreed with the tenants concerned at WH Mill to pay for storage space taken: Ellerbank, £115 per annum. WD&E Nutter, £406. Horsfield (Bankfield) Ltd £106. Total of £627 per annum being at the rate of 2/- per square yard, the government to pay rates, repairs etc.
Mr Wood stated that he had put in a claim for loss on shafting [CH Shed] amounting to £3320-16-0 less £396-4-2 realised [sale of shafting] making a total of £2924-11-10. He had given an undertaking that if this amount was received, no claim would be made for reinstatement of the shafting.
Res. That this be approved.
Res. That an interim dividend of 2½% per annum less tax be paid for the half year to December 31st 1941.
E B Banks.

January 15th 1942
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick, and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1610-12-3 and rents owing £2125-18-6 (subject to allowance). Accounts paid.
The meeting was informed that MAP had requisitioned the three large weaving sheds on the ground floor at Butts Mill together with the boiler house, coal store etc. The plans showed an entrance in Butts. The requisition was dated January 12th 1942 and described as; 'All those premises known as Butts Mill, Barnoldswick, shewn for the purposes of identification coloured pink and brown and edged with red on the attached plan'. The areas of the three sheds being:
1.Shed 20,011 square feet
2.Shed 18,260 ditto
3.Shed 17,521 ditto
Total 55,792 square feet.
[This space was used throughout the war, mainly by Rover Company for reconditioning aero engines but there is also evidence of a bonded warehouse for tobacco there after Liverpool was blitzed.]
Transfer of shares sanctioned: 15 shares from Administrators of E A Singleton to M J Singleton and 808 shares from Exor of Ann Clapham to Richard Jacques. All seal cert etc.
E B Banks.

February 19th 1942
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Hedges and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2189-13-3 credit, rents owing subject to allowances £2514-17-5. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares sanctioned: 43 from J W Horsfield to E Wood. Midland Bank (Branch Nominees) to Sarah Ellen Banks and Irene Victoria Petyt Banks 704 shares. Seal cert etc.
Consideration was given to tenders for shafting and gearing at Butts Mill which has to be removed under direction from the requisitioning authority.
Res. That the highest tender of £427-10-0 from James Dixon of Burnley be accepted. They to bear the cost of dismantling and removal. Plus 64 economiser pipes at £1 per pipe.
[I'm sure you will have realised this but it's worth making it clear that the removal of shafting meant that the mill would never weave again under steam power and so the engines went as well. Butts has already gone of course and though I can't recall a specific mention of it, CH engine has gone as well. There is one ray of hope, WH Mill retained its engine and shafting in the end and restarted as a steam weaving shed after the war. There will still be an engine there for Johnny and Newton to play with!]
E B Banks.

March 19th 1942
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Patrick, Peel, Hedges and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank account £2144-12-4 credit. Accounts paid.
Reported that there had been no further developments re the requisitioning of Butts Mill and that no final settlement had been reached regarding the removal expenses for CH Shed.
E B Banks.

April 16th 1942
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £3033-8-4 credit. [Crossed out; 'rents owing £3101-3-11.] Accounts paid.
Transfer of 135 shares from Harold Broughton Broughton to Harold Duxbury sanctioned. Seal cert etc. [This gives Harold director qualification.]
Res. That the whole of the shafting, cast iron hangers, pulleys, steps etc removed last year [and stored at Butts Mill] be offered for sale by tender at a lump sum.
E B Banks.

May 21st 1942
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick, Hedges and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £5520-14-5. Accounts paid.
A letter was read from BUDC Sanitary Inspector re a drain at WH Mill. Mr Banks said this had been attended to.
Tenders for sale of shafting etc at Butts [CH Shed shafting] were as follows:
Ouzledale Foundry £455. J Pickard £420. G Rushworth and Son £400. James Dixon Ltd £375.
Res. That Ouzledale tender be accepted subject to them being able to remove the material at a very early notice. [Worth noting that the nearer the prospective purchaser, the better the price. Ouzledale were very busy supplying Brown and Pickles with castings for the war effort so a good supply of material was handy.]
It was reported that a Payable Order for £2461-13-1 had been received from MAP which together with £1000 received previously on account made a total of £3461-13-1 in settlement of our claim under Section 2(1) (D) of the Compensation (Defence) Act 1939.
Rents. A copy of a letter sent out by the Manufacturer's Association of Burnley and Nelson was read in which a recommendation was made re the rent of stopped mills and stating that the sub-committee appointed by them to deal with the matter had unanimously recommended firms [members] to pay 50% of the loom rent (not tape rent) based on the total number of looms formerly in their occupation on the understanding that at a later date the amount paid will be adjusted up or down according to a final recommendation.
Res. That in view of the letter the manufacturing tenants at WH Mill be asked to pay a provisional rent equivalent to half the rent on the total number of looms previously occupied by them.
E B Banks.

June 18th 1942
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Hedges and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank account £5316-10-1 credit.
Res. That £4000 be placed on deposit with the Marsden Building Society at 1½% per annum free of tax. £3000 to be subject to six months notice and £1000 subject to one month. Nptices of withdrawal to be signed by the secretary.
Accounts paid.
Transfer of 50 shares from Victor Booth to Sarah Ann Shepherd sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that Mr Wood and Mr Banks had met the District Valuer at Bradford re compensation for Butts Mill. A claim had been made for £1000 per annum but only £1 had been offered. It was pointed out to the DV that £150 was at present being received for only a small part of the premises and eventually a provisional suggestion of £200 was made by the DV who stated he would consider the matter further and make a written offer.
Res. That the annual general meeting be held at the Seven Stars on August 6th at 2pm.
E B Banks.

July 16th 1942
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Hedges and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1181-0-5 credit. Accounts paid.
Correspondence with the National Fire Service was read in which permission was asked to close the clow at Butts Mill to create a static water supply. It was decided that the matter should remain in abeyance for the time being because of the danger of flooding and the inability of the NFS to undertake the responsibility for any damage arising therefrom and in view of static water being provided by the Rover Co Ltd. [At CH Shed. Static water supplies for use during fire-fighting were very important because during bombing there was a possibility of mains supplies to conventional fire hydrants being disrupted. Where there was no natural resource, prefabricated steel tanks were erected at strategic points and made wonderful boating ponds for the lads! Their position was marked with a larger yellow painted sign 'EWS'. (Emergency Water Supply.)]
It was reported that there was still a considerable amount of rent owing from the tenants at WH Mill. It was not considered that anything further could be done for the moment.
It was reported that a Draft Lease had been received from BUDC re the lease of a portion of Butts Mill now occupied by the Electricity Department and that negotiations were proceeding re a further small space temporarily occupied by them.
It was reported that Mr Aldersley had enquired about the tenancy of the space over that occupied by Mr Lister, caravan maker, at Butts Mill but that eventually he had found that he did not require it. Since then government officials had seen Mr Banks and told him that it was intended to store Nutter Brother's looms in the the space [at Butts Mill] and that Mr Battye the district valuer would deal with the question of rent.
Mr Banks reported that the Craven Cellar [Butts] had been let to Mr Procter, furniture dealer at £17-10-0 per annum payable quarterly and to commence on September 30th and also that additional space had been let to Mrs Whipp at £1 per week, the rent to commence January 1st 1943, both cases being subject to certain alterations by CHSC.
Res. That the balance sheet and accounts for the year ending June 30th 1942 be approved as read and that a dividend of 2½% per annum less tax be recommended for the half year ended June 30th 1942.
E B Banks.

No minute for general meeting
Printed balance sheet reports: Net profit for year ended June 30th 1942 of £1049-14-11. Adverse balance stands as follows:
Balance sheet June 30th 1941 2129-8-7
Less profit this year 1049-14-11
1079-13-8
Dividend to June 1941 379-18-6
Dividend to Dec 31st 1941 379-18-6
759-17-0
Balance June 30th 1942 1839-10-8
Signed E B Banks and E Wood at Burnley, July 28th 1942.

August 6th 1942
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1130-3-11 credit, rents owing £2393-3-9.
Mr Wood reported that J Widdup and Sons Ltd had paid £250 on account for storage of looms at WH Mill.
A letter was read from BUDC re rent of additional space at Butts Mill offering £10 in place of £26 per annum.
Res. That £18 per annum be accepted instead of £26 per annum.
Res. That the common seal of the company be affixed to a lease of the premises at Butts Mill to BUDC.
Res. That the claim for compensation at Butts Mill be left over for further consideration.
The secretary submitted a notice received July 31st 1942 from the Admiralty requisitioning the main shed at WH Mill, approximately 34,000 square feet. On enquiry this appears to be the premises occupied by M Horsfield and Sons Ltd and Midgely and Sons Ltd, about 650 looms.
E B Banks.

September 17th 1942
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick, Hedges and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1009-19-8 credit. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares sanctioned: 55 shares D H Hartley to Wallace Horsfield. From Exors of Harrison Bailey: 498 to Harold Duxbury. 150 to J V Patrick. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that the Rover Company were carrying out certain alterations to Butts Mill in the portion requisitioned by them. Mr Jacques presented the board with a very complete plan with elevations, areas and tenancies for which the members expressed their thanks.
E B Banks.

October 15th 1942
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick, Hedges and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1613-1-11 credit. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 62 shares from E W King to E A Dobson sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
A letter was read from Brown and Pickles re a new concrete floor put in by them in the Smithy at a cost of £18-14-2.
Res. That CHSC should bear half the cost but that they should be told that the company could accept no responsibility for work carried out without their instructions.
Mr Wood reported that the District Valuer was pressing for acceptance of his offer of £200 for the requisitioned portion of Butts Mill.
Res. That the matter be held over for the time being.
Mr Banks reported on the alterations necessary in the new tenancies of Mr Procter and Mrs Whipp as set out in the Minute of July 16th 1942 and reported that it had been agreed that the Craven Cellar should be let to Mr Procter at £17-10-0 per annum, rent to commence three months after the completion of the alterations to which Mr Procter will contribute £7. The additional tenancy to Mrs Whipp to be £1 per week to commence three months after the completion of the alterations.
E B Banks.

November 19th 1942
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick, Hedges and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank account £2312-19-10.
A letter was read from the Air Ministry agreeing to pay £224 for the pump and accessories removed by them from CH Shed.
Res. That this offer be accepted.
A letter from Windle and Bowker re a claim for £400 by J Windle and Sons Ltd (In Liquidation) for loss on looms scrapped was read.
Res. That the secretary reply pointing out that the claim could not be accepted be approved.
A further letter from the District Valuer at Bradford re the offer of £200 per annum compensation for the portion of Butts Mill requisitioned was read.
Res. That a letter be sent saying that the offer could not be accepted.
An offer from one of the tenants of the portion of WH Mill recently requisitioned to pay over the amount receivable by him from the Cotton Board for maintenance of plant together with the cash received in respect of premises requisitioned from him was reported.
Res. That negotiations on these lines should be continued.
E B Banks.

December 17th 1942
E B Banks chair. Present: Horsfield, Peel, Patrick, Hedges and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1773-0-5 credit.
A letter was read which had been sent out by the Nelson and District Manufacturer's Association to their members dated December 8th 1942 stating that the figure for rent of closed mills had been agreed at 45/6 per loom per annum based on 40” reed-space. Particulars were given of the amounts paid by the various tenants at WH Mill to date.
A letter from the District Valuer dated Nov 23rd 1942 was read re compensation at Butts Mill in which he stated that £200 was the maximum figure and presuming the Board would refer the matter to tribunal as they could not agree to the amount.
Res. That consideration of the matter be further postponed.
Transfer of shares from Exors of Mercy Jane Wignall: 97 to R Jacques and 97 to E Wood sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That an interim dividend be paid for the half year ended December 31st 1942 at the rate of 2½% per annum less tax.
E B Banks.

January 21st 1943
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank Balance £619-15-10.
A letter from the Manchester Guardian was read intimating that in consequence of the change in position as regards the supply of paper they will not require the premises at WH Mill. The secretary had replied that we would communicate with the Ministry and offer the premises to them and would write to them later. The secretary reported that he had been in communication with the Mersey Tobacco Bond Ltd offering these premises to them and that they were looking into the matter. [Later developments seem to have meant that newsprint was still stored as it is mentioned at the end of the war.]
The secretary intimated that the Ministry had asked for a reply to the offer of £200 for the rent of Butts Mill and he had replied in accordance with the minute of the last meeting we have nothing to add to our last letter declining to accept the offer.
Transfer of 250 shares from the Administrators of Elizabeth Wilson to E Wood sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
The secretary reported he had arranged with the Admiralty for a rent of £122-14-0 per annum to be allowed for the storage of Messrs M Horsfield's looms in the premises of J Widdup and Sons and a rent of £40-10-0 per annum for the storage of 70 looms of M Horsfield and Sons and that the Admiralty were paying the rates and insurance of the premises occupied by M Horsfield and Sons and E Midgley and Co and that the account would be added to the rents payable. The tenants in each case had promised to remit the amount to CHSC.
E B Banks.

February 18th 1943
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1532-13-1 credit. Accounts paid.
The secretary reported that J Widdup and Sons Ltd had paid their rent due to date on the half rent basis.
Transfer of shares sanctioned. 50 from Ruth Berridge to Arthur Berridge and 114 from Smith Wilson to Alice Wilson. Seal cert etc.
E B Banks.

March 18th 1943
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Hedges and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1657-11-7. Accounts paid.
Mr Wood reported that he had settled with Mr Maurice Horsfield for rent due from M Horsfield and Son Ltd at £630 per annum and that Messrs WE&D Nutter, E Midgley and Co and J Widdup and Sons were all paying on the 45/6 basis as suggested by the Manufacturer's association and that the only two firms whose basis has not yet been settled were Ellerbank Manufacturing Co and Messrs Horsfield (Bankfield) Ltd.
E B Banks.

April 15th 1942
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick, Hedges and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2393-19-4 after payment of accounts.
Res. That £1000 be invested in 3% War Bonds.
It was reported that there had been a further requisitioning of land at Butts Mill. This comprised the approaches to and walls adjoining the mill and that a nominal acknowledgement of 10/- per annum had been agreed.
Mr Wood stated that he had seen the Ellerbank Manufacturing Co and Messrs Horsfield (Bankfield) Ltd re the amount of rent to be paid by them and that it was suggested that Ellerbank Manufacturing should pay £160 per annum, this being made up of the amount received by them from the Tobacco Storage authorities plus an additional £45 per annum (nothing being receivable by them from the Cotton Board). In the case of Horsfield (Bankfield) Ltd it was suggested that they should pay £160-1-10 per annum this being made up by £106 received by them from the Tobacco Storage Authority and £54-1-10 received from the Cotton Board. [Not to be confused with tobacco storage at Butts. In a contemporary telephone directory used by the ARP, the firm at Butts is called the Nigerian Tobacco Company.]
Res. That agreement should be recorded on the above figures.
It was reported that the Inland Revenue had increased the Schedule 'A' valuation of CH Shed to £2,500 following an increase in the rating assessment but that they had eventually agreed to reduce it to £1500 being the compensation rent receivable from the government.
Mr Wood reported that WD&E Nutter Ltd had offered £145 for plant and they were insisting on £418-7-7 compensation. A draft reply was read and approved and it was resolved that the letter be sent to them in duplicate.
E B Banks.

May 20th 1943
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick, and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2055-14-10, rents owing £706-1-3. Accounts paid.
Mr Wood reported on the position re the space recently vacated by the Manchester Guardian and Evening News under their agreement.
A Letter was read from Wilfred Nutter dated May 12th “Before dealing with your letter of the 16th inst. I shall be glad to know why a copy was sent to Richard Nutter”. [Was CHSC deliberately touching a nerve?]
The secretary reported that the account for heating WH Mill amounting to £313-13-0 had been passed for payment. [It's not been made clear but I suspect that by this time there was no weaving at WH and the engine is stopped.]
Res. That £1000 be invested in 3% Savings Bonds.
E B Banks.


[Transcription of Minute Book 8 finished on Friday 1st of April 2011. SCG.]
CALF HALL SHED COMPANY MINUTE BOOK NO 9.

June 17th 1943 to June 16th 1960.

[Transcribed by Stanley Challenger Graham. All entries in [] are notes by SCG. Transcription commenced April 1st 2011.]

June 17th 1943
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1318-5-11 credit. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 42 shares from Jane Carr to Gordon Carr be approved. Seal cert etc.
Correspondence with the Rover Co as to the position of the sluice re the alterations being made by them at the bridge at Butts Mill was read.
E B Banks.

July 15th 1943
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1846-16-5 credit. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 78 shares from executrix of Ada Thornton to Annie Wood sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Accounts and balance sheet to June 30th 1943 approved as read.
Res. That AGM be held on July 22nd and a dividend be recommended which makes a total for the full year of 5% less tax.
Res. That Mr Banks arrange for the repair of the bridge adjoining Butts Mill which has been undermined by the stream.
Reported that Mrs Whipp had given three months notice in respect of her tenancy of the top floor of the premises rented by her at Butts Mill [furniture and second-hand goods store] but stated she would be willing to continue the tenancy if the rent was reduced from £52 to £26 per annum.
Res. That it be suggested that she should continue at a total rent of £85 per annum, this including the £52 rent payable for the bottom portion, such new tenancy, if agreed, to start from October 1st next.
E B Banks.

No AGM minuted but:
Printed balance sheet inserted reports: net profit for year ending June 30th 1943 is £1530-12-6. The adverse balance stands as follows:
June 30th 1942 1839-10-8
Less profit 1530-12-6
308-18-1
Dividend for half year to June 1942 379-18-6
Ditto to December 31st 1942 379-18-6
759-17-0
Balance at June 30th 1943 1068-15-1
Your directors recommend payment of a final dividend of £1139-15-6 making a total dividend for the year ending June 30th 1943 of 5% less tax.
Signed E B Banks and E Wood at Burnley, July 17th 1943.

August 19th 1943
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £526-3-6 credit. Rents owing £606-10-6. Accounts paid.
Mr Wood reported on an interview with Mr Fox re the sluice at Butts Mill when Mr Fox asked us to leave the matter in his hands.
Transfer of 50 shares from Exors of Nancy Lee to Margaret A Lee sanctioned.
Mr Wood read a letter sent by him to WD&E Nutter dated August 10th in reply to their letter of August 5th which was approved.
The secretary reported that Mrs Whipp had made an offer of £71-10-0 per annum for both portions of Butts Mill.
Res. That we do not agree to accept the offer and that the minimum that could be agreed was £82 per annum for the whole of the premises.
E B Banks.

September 16th 1943
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1106-17-5 credit.
It was reported that the matter outstanding with WD&E Nutter had been disposed of as follows: CHSC to accept WD&E Nutter's offer of £180 for plant and furniture at WH Mill. WD&E Nutter to agree to pay £147-5-8 for the use of the plant leaving a balance of £91-0-11 of their claim of £418-7-7 for removal expenses, this balance to be paid by CHSC.
Res. That the settlement be approved.
Mr Wood reported he had written to Mrs Whipp on August 20th stating that CHSC could not accept her offer of £31-10-0 but would accept £82 for the whole of the premises. He had pointed out that CHSC had incurred heavy expense at her request and paid the insurance for the premises. In comparison with the rents for furnished houses now obtained of £2-10-0 to £3 per week, the rent of 32/- per week for a very large area was very small. No answer had been received.
Transfer of shares sanctioned: 191 shares from Exors of Richard Mitton to C H Mitton and 50 shares from Barbara Dent to Elizabeth Mitchell. Seal cert etc.
E B Banks.

October 21st 1943
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2465-18-11 credit, rents owing £224-5-0.
It was reported that the Rover Company had now done the work on Butts Mill sluice necessitated by their alteration to the bridge.
[Worth noting that Rover still had CH Shed and parts of Butts Mill but had handed over their interest in Whittle and the new jet engine at Bankfield Shed to Rolls Royce in 1942.]
It was reported that the Reed Shop in WH Yard occupied by E Johnson and Sons was in a dangerous condition. The cost of putting this in order would be £463-1-8 but if this work was done Johnson's had agreed to an increase in rent from £28 to £52 per annum. It was agreed that Mr Jacques should put the work in hand provided he could obtain the necessary licence. [This was the licence that had to be obtained to sanction the purchase of materials to do the work. During the war, all plant and materials above a certain amount had to be licensed by the appropriate authority on the basis that it was essential to either the war effort or essential maintenance. One strong factor in favour of the granting of a licence was safety grounds. I am sure Mr Wood was aware of this. As a sideline, it's interesting to note that during the great requisition of iron railings during the war, those erected for safety purposes, protecting a dangerous change in level like steps down to a basement were left in place.]
Res. That Messrs Aspden and Johnson be instructed to revalue Butts Mill for insurance purposes and that when this had been completed, failing agreement with Mr Battye the District Valuer as to rent, his approval should be obtained for the appointment of Mr George Singleton of Blackburn as an independent valuer to advise as to the rent to be paid for the requisitioned part of Butts Mill. [See the LTP transcripts 78/SA/1 to 18 for interviews with George Forrester Singleton who founded the firm of G F Singleton and Sons who were one of the most respected firms of Estate Agents and Valuers in the NE Lancashire, dealing mainly with industrial premises. The firm is still in business in Blackburn in 2011.]
As the unoccupied part of Butts Mill was deteriorating due to general dilapidation, broken windows etc it was resolved that Mr Jacques should obtain estimates for the work to be done and apply for the necessary Building Licence.
Transfers of shares approved, all to be seal cert etc:
30 shares from George Sanderson deceased to Ellen Parker.
Exors of T Dent to: Joseph Hope Dent 132 shares. Miss Susannah Wright 131. Mrs T Sheldrick 131. Mrs A Wolfenden 131. Mrs C Walker 131. Mrs J Campbell 132. Robert Dent 132. Mrs C Thompson 132.
E B Banks.

November 18th 1943
Transfers of shares approved, all to be seal cert etc:
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £3654-8-6. Rents owing £237-7-2. [Note that every cloud has a silver lining. Stopping the engines has removed the biggest expense, coal for power and the requisitioned premises are producing a regular income at very little expense to CHSC. Consider this as well, the requisitioned premises have been totally upgraded, regular maintenance, level concrete floors and full electrical installations. Things could be worse! Note also that this was true of all the mills taken over as shadow factories, this was to be a key factor in the transition from a war economy to peacetime conditions in the area.]
Reported that Messrs Aspden and Johnson had made a valuation of Butts Mill for insurance purposes which totalled £56,190 of which approximately £22,905 was in respect of the part occupied by Rover Co Ltd.
Mr Banks raised the question of the supply of steam to Brown and Pickles at Wellhouse Works and a discussion ensued. [The engine has stopped and Brown and Pickles used a gas engine which had been installed before the war to power the workshop when the engine was stopped. By this time they were using a large Horace Green electric motor to drive the shafting and some newer machines had individual electric drive so this steam will be for heating only. Newton Pickles told me that at one point during the war this motor was very heavily loaded and started to smell hot. Johnny Pickles got Horace to come down and have a look at it. Horace told him it was all right until the paint on the casing of the motor started to blister! Those were the days! I still run two electric motors that Johnny bought from Horace Green's, incredibly heavily built and they are almost indestructible.]
Res. That Mr Wood should go into the matter and approach Brown and Pickles.
E B Banks.

December 16th 1943
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £3576-9-11 credit, rents owing £554-9-4.
Res. That an interim dividend for the half year ended December 31st 1943 be paid at 5% per annum less tax.
E B Banks.

[No report of shareholder's meeting or printed balance sheet.]

January 20th 1944
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1922-11-3 credit, rents owing £190.
Transfer of 106 shares from Exors of Hartley Singleton to Marjorie Irene Singleton sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Mr Wood reported that owing to the increase in costs various Room and Power companies in the district were arranging for an increase of 10%. As the CHSC mills had been requisitioned, no looms were running so this matter did not directly affect the company's tenants except for the increased costs of the power plant [steam engine] at WH Mill when running re-commenced.
Res. That the matter be left over for further consideration. [CHSC are looking forward to the time when weaving can re-commence at WH Mill after the war. Their was an air of optimism growing in 1944. Remember that D Day was to be on June 6th 1944 when the liberation started.]
E B Banks.

February 17th 1944
E B Banks chair. Present: Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £2296-13-1, rents owing £251-2-2. Accounts paid.
Res. That the agreement signed by Mr Banks on behalf of CHSC with Rolls Royce for the tenancy of Bridge House [Coates wharf cottage] at 13/- per week be confirmed.
Transfer of 50 shares from Administrators of J A Noke to Margaret P Noke sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
E B Banks.

March 16th 1944
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £2630-12-0 credit, rents owing £341-14-4.
Transfers of shares sanctioned, seal cert etc:
E A Plummer and J W Steele: 39 shares to Rachel Plummer and 39 to Frances Lucy Thompson.
From representatives of Martha Fort: 53 shares to Thomas Fort. 52 to Clarissa Thompson. 52 to Freda Ratcliffe.
Res. That an enquiry should be made as to whether the ground rents payable by CHSC were for sale and if so on what terms. [Once again, looking forward and pursuing the freeholds.]
E B Banks.

April 20th 1944
E B Banks chair. Present: Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £3331-11-7, rents owing £280-15-0. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 14 shares from the administrator of Emma Hutchinson to William Hutchinson sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that a letter had been received from Messrs C B Hudson & Taylor, solicitors, stating that in reply to enquiry from CHSC, their client Colonel Royds had no real desire to sell the ground rent but he would consider any substantial offer which CHSC might care to make.
Res. That no further action be taken in the matter.
E B Banks.

May 18th 1944
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £3724-5-9 credit, rents owing £316-17-2. Accounts paid.
Res. That the insurance cover of CH Shed and WH Mill be provisionally increased by an amount of £20,000 for each mill and that a schedule of particulars be prepared by Aspden and Johnson. As Butts Mill has been brought up to date it was felt that this mill was suitably covered.
A letter from Messrs Frank Roberts, Sons and Baldwin stating that on behalf of the executors of Mrs Brown they would be prepared to accept an offer of 7/6 each for 175 shares was read.
Res. That the directors should enquire if there were any likely purchasers.
Res. That £1000 be invested in 3% Savings Bonds, such an amount to be invested during the Barnoldswick 'Salute the Soldiers' Savings Week.
R Jacques.

June 15th 1944
R Jacques chair. Present: Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £2971-4-7 credit. Rents owing £388-4-7.
Transfer of 20 shares from John Cant to Margaret E MacGregor sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
E B Banks.

July 6th 1944
E B Banks chair. Present: Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £3555-17-1 credit, rent owing £482-18-7. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 175 shares from Exors of Gertrude Brown to Edward Wood sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
The balance sheet and accounts for the year to June 30th 1944 were approved as read and a final dividend of 5% less tax. AGM to be held on July 13th 1944 at 2pm.
[Attached to this minute is a copy of a report signed by Victor Hedges and dated July 6th:
SALARY – MR E B BANKS.
On July 6th prior to the meeting of directors, Mr Banks raised the question of his salary with Mr Hedges. At the meeting of directors the matter was discussed at very considerable length and it was agreed that Mr Banks should continue to receive the same remuneration as in the past, £200 and that any tax thereon which had to be deducted by CHSC under the Pay As You Earn Scheme would be refunded by Mr Banks. (Puzzling. PAYE was the scheme whereby tax was deducted at source. One reading of this is that Banks is paying twice unless he has been paid the full amount without tax deduction.)]
E B Banks.

No minute of general meeting July 13th 1944.
Printed balance sheet inserted reports: Net profit for the year ended June 30th 1944 is £1530-12-0. Adverse balance now stands as follows:
Balance June 30th 1943 1068-15-1
Profit this year 2347-14-2
Dividend to June 1943 1139-15-6
Ditto to December 31st 1943 759-17-0
1899-12-6
448-1-8
Balance at June 30th 1944 620-13-5
Signed E B Banks and E Wood at Burnley July 6th 1944.

July 13th 1944
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Unanimously resolved that Mr Banks write to Mr E Wood expressing the sympathy of the directors in the great loss he has sustained in the death of his wife. [Victor Hedge's mother in law of course.]
E B Banks.

August 17th 1944
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1862-7-6 credit, rents owing £279-7-2. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 23 shares from Joseph Anderson to Clarence V Barker sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Mr Banks reported that the Navy were making use of WH Yard and the thoroughfare and occupying a portion of land when making a road to the old foundry formerly occupied by Henry Brown and Sons. Mr Wood suggested that the attention of the Admiralty be drawn to the matter. [Interesting. It looks as though the Admiralty were using the old foundry for storage. Ownership was perhaps still the building society that foreclosed on Browns.]
E B Banks.

September 21st 1944
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1996-1-7, rents owing £369-19-4. Accounts paid.
Reported that Mr Moore of the Admiralty had seen Mr Banks re their use of unrequisitioned land belonging to CHSC lying between WH Mill and the old foundry belonging to Messrs Brown [?] and a plan was submitted of the land proposed to be requisitioned. [A pencil note dated October 19th suggests a rent of £10]
Transfer of shares sanctioned. 356 shares from Harold Perry to E Wood and 150 from E Wood to G V Patrick. Seal cert etc.
E B Banks.

October 19th 1944
E B Banks chair. Present: Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2700-8-10, rents owing £234. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 1,010 shares from Robert Butterfield to Fanny Butterfield sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Mr Wood reported on the position re insurance.
Res. That the figure to be placed on the CHSC property be taken at 'fair value'.
E B Banks.

November 16th 1944
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2936-18-8, rents owing £279-7-2. Accounts paid.
It was reported that in accordance with the minutes of the preceding meetings the the insurance policies had been increased, in the case of CH Shed from £37,100 to £55,266 and for WH Mill, £71-955 to £108,240, the increased figures being the 'fair value' as valued by Aspden and Johnson.
Transfer of 50 shares from M A Lee to Wallace Horsfield sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That £5 be accepted as the annual compensation re the portion of land requisitioned in the yard at WH Mill by the Admiralty.
Reported that an interview had taken place with Mr Battye, the District Valuer, re the compensation payable by the Air Ministry for the portion of Butts Mill requisitioned by them. After protracted negotiations he had increased his figure from £200 to £300 per annum. [Teddy earning his corn!]
Res. That this figure be accepted.
W B Banks.

December 21st 1944
E B Banks chair. Present: Horsfield, Peel, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £3485-3-3, rents owing £317-8-6. Accounts paid.
Res. That an interim dividend of 5% less tax be paid for the Half year ended December 31st 1944.
Res. That a new certificate be issued for 200 shares to Constance A Scales the original being lost and a certificate of indemnity received. Seal cert etc.
Reported that two directors of Hurst and Thackway Ltd had visited CH Shed to consider a possible leasing of the shed after the war. Following this a letter had been received from them asking if an approximate figure for rental could be stated.
Res. That a reply be sent pointing out that in view of the many questions which would arise on the termination of the government's requisition it was impossible to fix a definite rental.
It was further resolved that for their guidance they should be told that the government paid a compensation rent of £1500 per annum and paid rates, heating, power, insurance and all outgoings, CHSC being liable for Schedule 'A' Tax only.
It was stated that it had been rumoured that M Horsfield and Sons had had been taken over by Joseph Dunkerley Ltd, Silk Weavers of Macclesfield but that it was not known whether this was correct.
E B Banks.

January 18th 1945
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £ 1840-1-4 credit, rents owing £417-12-0. Accounts paid.
It was reported that an enquiry had been received from Messrs Pancreol Ltd of King's Mill, Settle, as to the likelihood of space being available for post-war developments and that various particulars and a plan of CH Shed had been forwarded to the firm, the plan having been returned as requested after perusal. A further letter had been received asking for an indication of rent. [One thing that keeps occurring to me is the fact that this was before the days of the photocopier and much effort must have been expended in making copies of documents.]
It was considered that in view of the many uncertainties that would arise on de-requisitioning it would not be advisable to give any definite indication of rent.
Res. That a reply in those general terms be sent.
E B Banks.

March 15th 1945
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £2462-18-9 credit, rents owing £317-8-6. Accounts paid.
Mr Hedges reported on his visit to Pancreol Ltd at Settle stating that the premises at present occupied by the company were not in very good condition. In the interview he had mentioned Butts Mill but they seemed more interested in CH Shed stating that a two storeyed building was essential. Mr Hedges had pointed out that this could be arranged for at Butts Mill. In reply to a question about the approximate rent for CH Shed he had explained the difficulties in coming to any decision on the matter at the present time but he had mentioned a very rough estimate of £2000. At the end of the interview it was left that Pancreol Ltd would apply for permission to inspect both CH Shed and Butts Mill. [Pancreol Ltd were associated with Hodgsons Ltd Tanners of Beverly in East Yorkshire. By coincidence one of my mates at Rochdale Electric Welding one had to do some repairs on a large tank at this firm in Beverly. They had a leak on their dog muck tank! This raw material was used in the tanning of very fine glove leather. Amazing what you come across if you dig deep enough. See Mayhew's 'London Life' for a description of the gatherers of 'Pure' which was the trade name for the material. Incidentally, the white ones were worth more that the brown ones so the gatherers rolled them in lime to get a higher price. Sorry about that!]
Transfer of 100 shares from Margaret Alice Lee to Wallace Horsfield sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
E B Banks.

April 19th 1945
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank Balance £3431-19-9 credit, Rents owing £284. Accounts paid.
Mr banks reported on the visit of Mr Eastwood and Mr Pickard of Pancreol Ltd to CH Shed and Butts Mill. He said they had taken full particulars and that they seemed favourably impressed with CH Shed but were definite that Butts Mill was not suitable for them. No discussion took place re rents etc.
A letter from Windle and Bowker was read asking if there were any offers for 126 shares now held by the estate of A Pollard deceased. Mr Patrick said he was prepared to offer £42 for the 126 shares. [Roughly 6/9 per share.]
E B Banks.

[VE Day, the end of the war in Europe was May 8th 1945]

May 17th 1945
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid. Bank balance £3577-14-1 credit. Rents owing £276-16-7.
Transfer of shares sanctioned. All seal cert etc:
From William Baxter: 50 shares to T C Baxter. 50 to A J Baxter. 50 to Laura Broughton.
From Exors of A Pollard, 126 shares to Norman Slater Petty. [Norman used to be my accountant, senior partner at Windle and Bowker. Mr Patrick hadn't offered enough for them evidently.]
E B Banks.

June 21st 1945
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £3082-16-2, rents owing £638-14-6. Accounts paid.
Correspondence from the Rover Company was read regarding a claim from the Ribble Conservation Board for damage caused to fishing through an effluent from the Rover Co. It was considered that CHSC had no liability in the matter.
Res. That The secretary write to this effect to the Rover Company.
Res. That the secretary's salary and managing director's fee be the present gross amount instead of the present net amount free of tax and that at the general meeting the shareholders be recommended to pay these as gross and not free of tax.
A letter was read from the West Riding County Council giving notice to vacate the premises at Butts Mill occupied as and Air Raid Warden's Post, as at September 29th 1945 and asking if the CHSC would agree to possession being given up on July 20th and offering £10 in lieu of making good the premises.
Res. That these proposals be agreed to and Mr Banks make arrangements for the premises to be decorated and the furniture cleared.
Mr Wood reported he had received a letter from Charlesworth and Wood [Barlick solicitors in Newtown] stating that the Rolls Royce Company were giving up possession of Bridge House at Coates. He reported that he had made arrangements for a new tenant but that the house needed extensive repair before being usable as a dwelling house.
Res. That the matter be left in the hands of Mr Banks.
Res. That the Annual General Meeting be called for Thursday July 19th and that a final dividend of 5% be recommended for the half year together with a bonus of 2½% for the year making a total of 7½% less tax for the year ending June 30th 1945.
E B Banks.

No minute of the AGM but printed balance sheet reports:
Net profit for year ending June 30th 1945 of £2801-5-3.
There is a balance disposable at June 30th 1945 as follows:
Profit 2801-5-3
Less adverse balance June 1944 620-13-5
Dividend July 13th 1944 752-11-9
Ditto January 1st 1945 759-17-0
2133-2-2
Disposable balance June 30th 1945 668-3-1.
Signed E B Banks and E Wood at Burnley, July 11th 1945.
[VJ Day, the surrender of Japan and the final ending of WW2 was on August 15th 1945]

August 23rd 1945
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2523-4-11, rents owing £279-7-2. Accounts paid.
In view of the termination of the war The Manchester Guardian and Evening News Ltd had decided to give notice of their tenancy at WH Mill [They must have decided to stay after all.] on December 31st 1945.
Res. That this be agreed.
Mr Wood reported on his interview with the Grove Engineering Co Ltd and read the correspondence. The firm were wanting a tenancy of Butts Mill. They offered , subject to the approval of their directors, £1450 as a net annual rent, the CHSC to take such steps as nay be necessary in settlement with the government on the question of improvements. [Teddy and Victor are going to be busy!]
It was reported that Blin and Blin Textile Fabrics Ltd [of Huddersfield] were anxious to obtain a tenancy of CH Shed. Mr Wood reported that he had fixed the net annual rent at £2250 subject to the board's approval, with an addition or reduction of 5% on any payment from the Ministry in respect of renovations or claims made. [They were the first tenants after the war. They were a woollen firm and it's interesting that they ran mule spinning at CH, to my knowledge the only time this method of spinning was used in Barlick.]
Res. That this be approved.
Mr Banks was complimented on the decoration of the office and furniture which appeared to be very satisfactory.
E B Banks.

September 20th 1945
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £2634-17-9 credit, rents owing £317-8-6. Accounts paid.
A report was read as to the present position re the negotiations for de-requisitioning and re-letting of Butts Mill and CH Shed. [Bear in mind that these mills had been totally modernised to the standards necessary for aero engine maintenance and repair. Good floors, decorated and new mains services including electrical wiring. They were in far better condition than they had been when taken over. Remember also that all the shafting had been taken out, these were now modern factories.]
Butts Mill:
Mr Wood reported that negotiations were proceeding with Grove Engineering Co Ltd. [I think this was a spin-off from the Rover Co's operations at Grove Mill in Earby. As far as I know Grove was taken over by Armoride's a firm that made plastic seat covering for the motor industry, after the war.] He said that, subject to the confirmation of the directors it had been agreed that the portion of Butts Mill at present requisitioned by the government should be let to the Grove Engineering Co Ltd for a term of ten years at £1450 per annum. The lease to undertake full maintenance of the premises and be responsible for the rates, insurance and all other outgoings with the exception of Schedule 'A' Income Tax. It had already been agreed that in case a supply of steam is not available from CH Shed CHSC would put in a boiler and make a nominal charge for interest and depreciation not exceeding £50 per annum. [CHSC must have been contemplating putting a steam main in from Calf Hall Shed, they had evidently made the decision that at least one element of the Room and Power ethos would remain under their partial control.] The agreement was subject to the proviso that the government agreed to a reasonable settlement of the question of reparations (if any) which CHSC would have to pay.
Calf Hall Shed:
It was reported that following the last meeting of directors further negotiations had taken place regarding the proposed agreement with Blin and Blin Textile Fabrics Ltd of Huddersfield and that company had been asked to confirm in writing the provisional agreement reached. A letter had been received from Messrs Marshall, Shaw and Lister, solicitors, stating that Blin and Blin would make a firm offer to lease the property for a term of forty years [40] (determinable at the option of the tenants after twenty years) at an annual rent of £2,000 without any liability on their part to make any contribution towards the sum (if any) to be paid to the government for improvements to the property.
Res. That a reply should be sent stating that CHSC confirmed the secretary's provisional agreement with Mr Fletcher of Blin and Blin for an annual rent of £2000 for a period of 15 years, Blin and Blin to maintain the property, pay rates and all other outgoings except Schedule 'A' Income Tax and also to pay an additional 5% per annum on the sum payable to the government by CHSC for improvements made to the property by the government. It was also suggested that should Blin and Blin care to extend the period of the lease beyond 15 years the directors might be persuaded to reduce the rate of interest payable from 5% to 4%.
Res. That Mr Singleton, valuer, of Blackburn, and Smith, Smith, solicitors of Burnley, be retained to carry out the necessary valuations and legal work involved in the negotiations.
E B Banks.

October 18th 1945
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £3553-15-0 credit, rents owing £234. Accounts paid.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: 98 shares from the Exors of Richard Broughton to Roberta Minnie Singleton and 50 from Executrix of Mary Cowgill to Hilda Rushforth. Seal cert etc.
A report of the negotiations to date concerning the de-requisition and re-letting of CH Shed and Butts Mill was given as follows:
Calf Hall Shed.
It was reported that correspondence with Marshall, Shaw and Lister re Blin and Blin had taken place in which they were informed that the agreement under which Blin and Blin were to lease CH Shed at an annual rent of £2000 together with an additional 5% per annum on the amount payable to the government by CHSC for improvements must stand but that CHSC would be prepared to reduce the rate from 5% to 4% if Blin and Blin were willing to extend the lease to twenty years. A further letter from Marshall, Shaw and Lister and a telephone message from Mr Fletcher, had indicated that they would be prepared to extend the lease to 20 years at a rental of £2000 per annum plus 4% on the amount to be paid to the government but that they desired to limit their liability for payment of interest to a figure not exceeding £10,000.
Res. That a reply be sent that CHSC could not see their way to modify the agreement by consenting to a limitation to any arbitrary amount such as £10,000 on which interest would be payable but that it was hoped that figures could be obtained soon from the government which information would be forwarded to them immediately.
Butts Mill:
It was reported that following the letter to the Grove Engineering Co setting out the terms agreed on at the last meeting of the directors, Grove Engineering had been in communication with the various government departments and that the MAP had agreed to accept them as provisional tenants at Butts Mill at a nominal rent from Monday October 22nd and that financial negotiations were to be put in hand with CHSC immediately. Mr Hedges gave a report of the various points raised at a meeting at the Board of Trade offices in Leeds on Tuesday last [The minutes say October 18th but I think this should be the 11th.] which he attended with Mr Karam of Grove Engineering.
Information was also given to the directors as to the negotiations with the Ministry re Sough Bridge Mill at Kelbrook. [Remember that Proctor and Proctor were acting for many mills in the area so they would have direct knowledge of this matter. Sough Bridge Mill had been a Rover Company shadow factory during the war and immediately after the peace it was taken over by Bristol Tractors, a branch of the Jowett Motor Co at Bradford. Grove Mill eventually became Armoride, there was a huge demand for industrial premises and more importantly, for a skilled labour force nurtured by the high tech aero engine industry. Barnoldswick and Earby were very attractive locations for these reasons.]
E B Banks.

November 15th 1945
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £3463-16-3, rents owing £279-7-2. Accounts paid.
The secretary reported that the maximum permissible pressure on the boiler in use at WH Mill had been reduced by the insurance company to 120psi and that the policy had been endorsed to this effect. [Three boilers at WH, only one in use for heating. This is a strange time for the insurance company to take this action as it usually followed an adverse inspection and with heating boilers the annual inspection should have been done in summer when it was off-line. I suspect there must be some exceptional circumstance here like a bad leak or something similar.]
He also reported that a request had been made for an allocation of coal for WH Mill in place of coke but from the correspondence it seemed very doubtful that the application would be successful. [Coke was a by-product of the local gasworks and cut down on transport if it was used instead of coal.]
Re the de-requisition and re-letting of CH Shed and Butts Mill it was reported that no further progress had been made since the last meeting except that Mr Blin and Mr Fletcher had called to see Mr Wood to enquire into the position and some general conversation had ensued.
It was also reported that a letter had been received from the MAP stating that the Chief Valuer had been instructed to commence negotiations re the adaptations carried out by the Ministry at CH Shed.
Transfer of 192 shares from the Exors of John Dean deceased to Mr E B Banks be approved. Seal cert etc.
E B Banks.

December 20th 1945
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £497-15-11 after paying the accounts presented by the Ministry, rents owing £317-8-6. Accounts paid.
Res. That an interim dividend be paid at 5% per annum less tax for the half year ended December 31st 1945.
E B Banks.

January 17th 1946
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1395-7-11 credit, rents owing £266-14-5. Accounts paid.
Res. That the interim accounts and balance sheet be approved as read.
Transfer of 76 shares from Jane Suthers to Harcourt Suthers sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that the tenants at WH Mill had received notice that the premises requisitioned from them for the storage of tobacco would be de-requisitioned on January 31st 1946. [Pencil note in margin dated February 21st 1946 'Not de-requisitioned yet. Per Mr Horsfield']
E B Banks.

February 21st 1946
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1043-17-6, rents owing £351-17-2. Accounts paid.
Mr Horsfield said that the premises at WH Mill used for the storage of tobacco had not yet been de-requisitioned. A discussion on the position took place and it was agreed that there was no objection to the mill being re-started when the necessary arrangements had been made. [Remember that WH still had its engine and shafting, this refers to re-starting the engine. Exciting stuff!]
Mr Banks said that Mr Lister was giving up the tenancy of the part of Butts Mill occupied by him but that it had been re-let to Mr James Dixon of 14 Ash Grove, Barnoldswick.
E B Banks.

March 21st 1946
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1033-15-0 credit, rents owing £339-18-6. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 77 shares from Edith Askham, executrix of Alma V Askham deceased into her own name sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that a letter had been received from the Admiralty Lands Office dated March 20th accepting responsibility for repairs to the roof at WH Mill which have been carried out by CHSC on the requisitioned portion of the premises and suggesting that the cost of these repairs be included in the claim for reinstatement which would arise on release.
Res. That this should be agreed to.
It was reported that Tom Marshall [The engineer up to the engine being stopped] was ceasing to be employed [as boilerman] by the Mersey Tobacco Bond on March 23rd and that from that date his full services could be given to CHSC.
Res. That he be paid the engine man's union rate for a normal week, £6-4-0 per week until such time the engine restarts when the matter will be revised. [There would be much rejoicing at Brown and Pickles and I have little doubt that Johnny Pickles and Tom Marshall got their heads together to plan what needed to be done prior to the restart.]
It was reported that Mr Singleton the valuer for the company had met the District Valuer who said that the amounts payable be CHSC to the government in connection with money expended by the government on CH Shed and Butts Mill during the period of requisition would be £33,000 foir CH and £15,000 for Butts Mill, the latter including the brick building erected on land adjoining Butts Mill and not the property of the company. Mr Singleton had not yet received the schedule of the improvement from the District Valuer and was therefore not yet in a position to go into the details. [George Singleton was a very upright and honest man. He was also very skilled in negotiation and there is little doubt that he would do the best he could for his clients strictly within the rules.]
It was also reported that a figure of £33,000 had been given in confidence to Mr Fletcher of Blin and Blin's who had said in reply that the maximum amount that Blin and Blin were prepared to go was an annual rent of £2000 together with 4% on a maximum of £25,000, the lease to be for twenty years and possibly to be reviewed at the end of ten or fifteen years.
It was unanimously resolved that negotiations [with the District Valuer] should be continued with a view to an agreement on the lowest possible figure for CHSC and that Blin and Blin would be in order in assuming that the tenancy would be arranged.
It was considered that the matter of Butts Mill could be left over for future consideration as Grove Engineering were already in the premises as tenants of the Ministry.
It was reported that the brickwork in the boiler house at WH Mill was in bad condition.
Res. That Mr Banks should arrange for the necessary work to be put in hand. [Tom has been busy doing his inspections!]
E B Banks.

April 25th 1946
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1844-15-10 credit, rents owing £845-9-0. Accounts paid.
A letter was read from Blin and Blin dated April 8th stating that they were anxious to enter into possession at CH Shed and they understood that the Board of Trade would be agreeable to this provided that CHSC completed a formal indemnity to the government. The indemnity required was read.
Res. That the terms were of such a nature that it was not reasonable for CHSC to enter into it.
It was reported that Blin and Blin had asked if arrangements could be made for the disposal of the engine at CH Shed as the space was required by them. Forms of tender had been sent to several firms but the only offers received were from George Rushworth and Sons Ltd, £140 and James Dixon had made a verbal offer of £95.
Res. That the matter be left over. [Remember that there was the cost to the buyer of breaking the engine up and removing the scrap. No easy job.]
The charge of £305-10-0 made to Henry Brown Sons and Pickles for heating their premises for the two winters October 1st 1944 to March 31st 1946 was considered after an objection that it was too high. It was considered that the charge was a reasonable one but in order to settle the matter £275 be accepted and that in future the charge for heating should be made monthly. [One thing we should note which has not cropped up in the minutes is that it is my understanding that Brown and Pickles took over the laundry during the war to house some of the extra large machinery they required for war production. Barrett's Steam Laundry had moved to new premises in Gisburn Street just before the war.]
Transfer of 42 shares from the administrators of James Crook to Joshua Crook sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
E B Banks.

May 16th 1946
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £2160-11-11, rents owing £501-16-4. Accounts paid.
Res. That Brewerton and Williams, steeplejacks of Bradford be instructed to make a report on the chimneys at WH and Butts Mill, both of which appeared to be in need of repair.
It was reported that schedules and plans of the Government's Betterment Claim on CH Shed and Butts Mill had been received by Mr Singleton form the District Valuer and that Mr Singleton had had an interview with him on May 14th. He was preparing a report on the position which would be submitted to the directors when received.
It was reported that Mr Singleton had advised that CHSC would be in order signing the indemnity required by the government to facilitate the entry of Blin and Blin into CH Shed and this would not prejudice the company's position.
Res. That in view of Mr Singleton's advice the indemnity should be signed.
It was reported also that Mr Singleton had advised that the company would be in order disposing of the engines at CH Shed and that this would not compromise their position. In view of the urgent request of Blin and Blin for this to be done it was resolved that the engine be disposed of at the best possible price. [Silly I know but very sad to see an old servant of the company going like this. Remember the overload it shouldered over fifty years.]
E B Banks.

June 6th 1946
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Also present Mr George Singleton and Mr H Smith, solicitor. Minutes as read.
Mr Hedges read a letter from Mr Singleton dated June 4th stating that the DV would not accept an offer lower than £26000 for CH Shed and £15000 for Butts including the building on the site owned by the Conservative Club [?] but excluding the land itself. Mr Smith said that if agreement were not reached, the alternative was that the government would invoke compulsory powers to take the premises at 1939 prices which Mr Singleton had put at £7000 for CH Shed and £1638 for Butts. [Hard ball!]
Res. That Mr Singleton be empowered to make the best settlement possible, CH £26000 and Butts £15000 subject to CHSC being able to acquire the land at a reasonable price and the DV giving assistance to do this.
[There is a note in ink next to this entry: 'See Mr Singleton's letter June 15th 1946. Agreed: CH £24000 and Butts £13000.']
Transfer of 62 shares at £1 each from Exors of Richard Broughton deceased to R P Broughton and L Broughton sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Reported that a reply had been received from the Board of Trade to the effect that they understood that the Admiralty did not intend to retain WH Mill permanently but that the date of de-requisition had not yet been fixed.
Res. That the AGM to be held July 11th at 2:30pm. Final dividend of 5% per annum for the jalf year ended June 30th 1946 with a bonus of 2½% less tax for the full year to be recommended.
E B Banks.

No minute of AGM but printed balance sheet inserted reports:
Net profit for year ended June 30th 1946 of £2791-13-6. Disposable balance for the year as follows:
Profit this year 2791-13-6
Balance from June 1945 668-3-1
3459-16-7
Dividend and bonus paid July 19th 1945 1519-14-0
Ditto December 20th 1945 759-17-0
2279-11-0
Disposable balance 1180-5-7
Signed E B Banks and E Wood at Burnley July 4th 1946.

July 11th 1946 (at Seven Stars)
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1255-18-9 credit after payment of the dividend, rents owing £879-14-4. Accounts paid.
Tenders were submitted for Messrs Brewerton and Williams of Bradford for repair of WH chimney £240 and Butts Mill chimney £32.
Res. That they be accepted if a lower amount could not be obtained.
A report was given of negotiations with Blin and Blin re CH Shed following a Notice of Release dated June 21st 1946 received from the Ministry. Blin and Blin had endeavoured to have the agreed rent of £2000 per annum plus 4% on £24000 (betterment) a total of £2960, reduced to £2500. Various interviews had taken place culminating in an interview with Mr Robinson, the Regional Controller of the Board of Trade at Leeds and eventually agreement had been reached on the figure of £2960 it being understood that CHSC would remove the engine and the [air raid] shelters and being suggested that the tenancy should commence on August 1st 1946 and that the rent be payable quarterly in advance.
Res. That the foregoing be approved and that the engine and shelters be removed as soon as possible.
Mr Banks reported that it had now been possible to obtain the bricks for the repairs to the boiler brickwork at WH Mill and that the work would be put in hand immediately after the holidays.
Res. That the accounts for the year ending June 30th 1946 and the balance sheet be approved as read.
E B Banks.

August 15th 1946
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Peel. Patrick, E Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1778-6-5 credit, rents owing £940-16-6. Accounts paid.
The secretary reported that the first quarterly instalment of rent in advance for CH Shed had been received from Blin and Blin.
Transfer of 138 shares from Samuel Crabtree to Eleanor Crabtree sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the secretary advise the Naval Authorities of the serious condition of the wall at the South end of WH Mill occupied by them.
Res. That tenders be obtained from James Proctor of Burnley for two new stokers for boilers 2 & 3 at WH Mill. [Been out of use and deteriorated during the war years I suspect. Cheaper to renew than repair.]
Res. That two men be obtained to assist Tom Marshall with the cleaning of the boilers at WH Mill and other necessary work preparatory to turning round [restart of engine] when the tenants are ready.
Res. That the joinery work in the engine house and that tenders be obtained for painting the engine house inside and out.
Res. That Briggs and Duxbury be requested to report on the condition of the lavatories at WH Mill and to submit drawings and tenders for bringing them up to date.
Res. That Brown and Pickles be requested to arrange for the preparation of the stem pipes for heating at WH Mill.
E Wood.

October 1st 1946
Present: R Jacques, J V Patrick, J Peel, E Wood and A V Hedges.
Mr Wood referred to the death of E B Banks on September 16th he was appointed director in June 1938. He referred to the great services rendered by Mr Banks to the company and the devotion he had showed in carrying them out.
Unanimously resolved that an appreciation of his service be entered in the minutes and that a letter of sympathy and condolence be sent to his relatives.
Mr Wood said that he thought the time [was] opportune for his resignation as secretary and referred to the length of time he had been attending the CHSC meetings and the many developments which had taken place during that time, 50 to 53 years with 26 as secretary.
On the suggestion of Mr Jacques it was unanimously resolved that Mr Wood be appointed Chairman of the Company and that A V Hedges be appointed secretary.
Mr Wood took the chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1960-2-0, rents owing £1356-17-1. Accounts paid.
Reported that under Article 64 of the CHSC Articles of Association the number of directors should not be less that six.
Res. That Mr Harold Duxbury be appointed director in place of Mr Banks. [By 1946 Harold was a respected businessman in Barlick, running Briggs and Duxbury who had had a busy war and sometimes employed over 150 workers, he also acted as advisor for many other businesses in the town. He was my initial contact re the CHSC and it is due to his kindness and foresight that I am able to do this transcription of the Minute Books. He was to oversee the eventual end of the CHSC.]
Transfers of shares: 268 shares from Exors of James Horsfield to A E Horsfield. 723 from Exors of Ada Duxbury to ? M Thompson. 338 from E H Ibbotson to Robert Ibbotson. All seal cert etc.
A letter from the Admiralty Lands Office dated September 26th 1946 was read in which they stated that the defect due to the stone parapet pulling away from the top of the wall at WH Mill was an inherent defect in the structure and that under the circumstances thay would consider making a payment of 25% of the cost of the work.
Res. That this was a reasonable offer and a tender for the work be obtained.
Tenders for the installation of stokers at WH Mill [boilers 2&3] from James Proctor at £420 (£210 for each boiler) were considered.
Res. That they be accepted.
A letter from Mr Singleton, valuer, dated September 18th was read. He stated that the district valuer had been instructed by his head office to invite an offer of a contribution from the Conservative Club for the building erected by the Ministry on their [the club's] land adjoining Butts Mill and that negotiations were proceeding.
Res. That a banking account for CHSC be opened at Martins Bank Barnoldswick and that the said bank be, and is hereby empowered to honour cheques, bills of exchange and promissory notes drawn, accepted or made on behalf of the company by any two directors and countersigned by the secretary and to act on any instructions given relating to the account or transactions or property of the company. That cheques lodged for credit to the company's account be endorsed by any one director or the secretary. That the CHSC account at Martins Bank to be overdrawn from time to time to such an extent as the company may require and the bank see fit to allow and that the officials authorised for the time being to sign cheques for and on behalf of the company be and are hereby empowered to overdraw fro and on behalf of the company the said amounts accordingly.
Res. That the foregoing resolution be forwarded to the bank together with a copy of the signature of each of the officials.
E Wood.

November 14th 1946
E Wood chair. Present: R Jacques, W Horsfield, J A Patrick, J Peel, H Duxbury and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £3184-15-10 credit, rents owing £504-0-4. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 9 shares from Emma L Robinson to Edward Wood sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
The question of the rents hereto collected by the late Mr Banks was discussed.
Res. That the weekly cottage and allotment rents should be collected by Briggs and Duxbury the remainder being invoiced in the usual way by the secretary. [Harold once told me that he collected these rents for years but that one problem was that the ownership of some of the land that garages were built on was unclear and the implication I gathered was that he didn't know who to remit the rents to. I never dared ask him what became of them!]
Res. That Mr Patrick be thanked for collecting the rents to date.
Wellhouse Mill:
Reported that the government has given up possession of WH Mill and that the CHSC could repossess the premises.
Also reported that a settlement had been reached with the Admiralty for the payment of £2145-3-5 in connection with the dilapidations on the portion of the premises requisitioned by them.
Mr Wood reported on the position re the electric lighting and steam piping.
Mr Duxbury reported on the condition of the lavatories.
Res. That arrangements for the installation of new lavatories be left with Mr Jacques and Mr Duxbury.
A letter was read from Mr E Aldersley enquiring if CHSC would be prepared to renew the lease of Messrs Hendley and Co's portion of Butts Mill in the name of E Aldersley Ltd when the lease terminated in 1950 as considerable expenditure would be necessary to bring the premises into good condition for starting up again.
It was reported that the original lease was for 10 years at a rent of £200 per annum.
Res. That negotiations should be entered into for a continuation of the lease, the rent however to be increased to a figure not less than £300.
A report was made of an application by Mr H Fletcher of Wellhouse Road Barnoldswick for the tenancy of the engine house at Butts Mill. It was stated that an expenditure of approximately £200 would be necessary to make the floor suitable [Removal of the engine had left large holes in it] and that he would be prepared to take a tenancy for three years at a rent of 30/- to £2 a week.
Res. That The space should be let to him at £2 per week, CHSC making good the floor and putting in electric wiring. Mr Fletcher to be responsible for rates, decorations and other outgoings.
R Jacques.

December 12th 1946
R Jacques chair. Duxbury, Horsfield, Peel and A V hedges. Minutes as read.
Apologies received from E Wood and Mr Patrick, both of them citing ill-health.
Bank account £2754-8-11 credit, rents owing £317-8-6. Accounts paid.
Res. That an interim dividend of 5% per annum be paid less tax for the half year ended December 31st 1946.
It was reported that an electric generator had been purchased at a cost of £875 for generating electric current for the lighting of WH Mill. [This is an AC generator at the same voltage as the mains. CH and Butts were of course fully wired up after the government requisition.]
Res. That this be confirmed.
It was reported that a letter had been received from Mr H Fletcher who had proposed taking a tenancy of the former engine house at Butts Mill. He stated that he had been unable to get the necessary priority to obtain the machinery necessary for his trade and asking CSHC to hold over his application for the time being. [There was still austerity and rigid control of resources and any machinery purchase had to be assessed and licensed. I have the original correspondence re a licence for a Pearn boiler feed pump required at Bancroft Shed. The supply licence was eventually issued on July 19th 1944 by the Board of Trade machinery licence division. I think this level of control persisted until about 1950. These were difficult times.]
Res. That his request be acceded to.
A report was given of an interview with Mr Edward Aldersley re the renewal of tenancy at Butts Mill at March 31st 1950 the present lease being with Messrs Hendley and Co Ltd at £200 per annum. He was informed that the lease would be renewed at a rent not exceeding £500 per annum. Mr Aldersley said he would go into the matter and would later make an offer.
A letter from Mr Singleton was read in which he stated that negotiations between the DV and the Conservative Club had fallen through and that he (Mr Singleton) was now in communication with the secretary of the cub re the land.
A letter was read from Messrs Nutter Brothers Ltd stating that the ministry had ceased paying storage charges for looms stored and that therefore they proposed to vacate the portion of Butts Mill which they had occupied for this purpose on January 20th next.
Res. That the letter should be accepted as notice of termination of tenancy on the date mentioned.
It was reported that on November 6th 1946 a meeting had taken place held by persons connected with cotton weaving mills let on the Room and Power system and that it had been agreed that rents should be increased from January 1st 1947 as follows:
Loom rent to be £6-17-4 per loom per annum based on the present cost of coal and rates with the usual sliding scale for increase or decrease in these costs. Rent should be charged on the full loom-space occupied on the basis of 40 square feet representing the space to represent one 40” reed-space loom. Allowance for space not used to be made at the rate of 9d per week per loom, such allowance to be made on the difference between the 40” reed-space of looms running and the total looms on which rent is charged. Tape rent to be £572-19-0 per annum. It was agreed that this basis be adopted in line with other companies.
Res. That letter to this affect be sent to the tenants.
E Wood.

January 16th 1947
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J Peel, J V Patrick, H Duxbury and AV Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £318-13-4 overdrawn after paying accounts, rents owing £240-2-4. The accounts were paid.
Transfer of 250 shares from Exors of John Kidd to Alfred Kidd sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that application had been received from the DV for the payment of £24,000 being the agreed betterment for CH Shed.
Res. That this be paid.
It was reported that Martins Bank Ltd had agreed to advance on open account at a charge for interest of 4% for the first six months and 3½% thereafter until repaid, the sum of £25,000, it being agreed that the Deeds for CH Shed, Butts and WH Mills be lodged for safe custody with the bank and not removed until the advance had been repaid or until written permission from the bank for their removal was given. The sum of £25,000 being required for payment of the £24,000 betterment in the case of CH Shed and £13,000 betterment for Butts, the balance of £12,000 being found from the realisation of investments. [CHSC came out of the war with vastly improved premises but at a heavy cost. It was to be many years before the debts caused by payments for betterment were cleared.]
Res. That the securities held by CHSC be realised.
It was reported that a letter dated January 13th had been received from the BUDC Surveyor drawing attention to the condition of the boundary wall on Valley Road on the Northern side at the entrance to the foundry. As there was some doubt as to whether this wall was CHSC property it was resolved that further enquiry be made.
It was reported that tenders had been received from J&D Ellison Ltd, UNO Engineering Co and Carter Co Ltd (Nelson) Ltd for the installation of electric lighting at WH Mill. The tender of Messrs UNO Engineering Co of approximately £1-7-6 per point being the lowest it was resolved that this be accepted and the work put in hand.
A letter from Ouzledale Foundry Co Ltd re the condition of their lavatories was considered.
Res. That they be informed that CHSC would be prepared to provide two water closets and a septic tank if they were prepared to pay an increased rent of £13 per annum and that the CHSC would be prepared to bear half the cost of an extension of the scullery to form a warehouse.
Letter were read from J Widdup and Sons Ltd and Ellerbank Manufacturing Co Ltd suggesting they were not inclined to continue their tenancies at WH Mill at the increased rent. J Widdup and Sons in particular stating that they wished to terminate their tenancy.
Res. That an endeavour be made to find whether it was their definite intention to continue at WH. [Widdups were in Moss Shed in 1952 and Ellerbank had sunk without trace by the same year.]
It was reported that Blin and Blin were desirous of disposing of the blackout at CH Shed.
Res. That this be agreed to. They also stated that they were agreeable to CHSC removing and disposing of the compressor. [A legacy from the Rover Co?]
Res. That this be done.
Mr Duxbury mentioned that it would be necessary to obtain the permission of the Keighley and Craven Building Society for the construction of a new sewer across their land to provide the necessary outlet for the new lavatories at WH Mill. It was arranged that he should get out the necessary details and forward them to the secretary so that he could communicate with Mr Mitchell at the building society, Cooke Street, Keighley.
Mr Duxbury reported that he had received an enquiry from Mr Bailey (Electrification Ltd) re a tenancy of the part of Butts Mill vacated by Nutter Brothers formerly used for the storage of looms.
Res. That Mr Duxbury should continue negotiations with a view to the letting of the space, CHSC to put it in tenantable condition. [Pencil note in margin: 'Mr Duxbury is trying to arrange for a rent of £70 plus £13 for the upper place. Bailey to put the place in order and an allowance to be made on his rent. Tenancy to commence April 1st.']
E Wood.

February 20th 1947
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J Peel, J V Patrick, H Duxbury and AV Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £754-8-7 debit. Rents owing £1066-13-8.
Res. That the accounts be paid and a cheque for £24,000 be forwarded to the Ministry in respect of betterment for CH Shed as soon as definite agreement re the lease with Blin and Blin was reached.
Transfer of 96 shares from Olga D Iddon (Executrix of Miss Alice Eastwood) to herself sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the common seal of CHSC be affixed to a transfer form re the sale of £2000 of 3% Savings Bonds.
Reported that a letter had been received from Bracewell and Leaver, solicitors, re a suggested drain through the land owned by Keighley and Craven Building Society in which they stated the land would shortly be sold and suggesting that the matter be held over for the attention of the purchasers.
It was reported that a portion of the wall in Valley Road which needed repair was on land owned by CHSC. Mr Harold Duxbury was having a tracing prepared of the land in question and would go into the matter. [No photocopiers!]
Letters from Mr Singleton re land belonging to the Barnoldswick Conservative Club requisitioned by the government and on which a brick building had been erected, the cost of which building was included in the betterment figures for Butts Mill were read. Mr Singleton stated that the Conservative Club were willing to reduce their price per yard from 6/6 to 5/9.
Res. That the land should be purchased at this price and that if the club wanted to have a right of way to their bowling green along the East side of the fence the area of land should be reduced by the amount required by them [for such a purpose].
It was also reported that Mr Singleton had advised that a reasonable rent for the land and building in question would be £185 per annum.
Res. That the land and building should be offered to the Grove Engineering Co Ltd at a rent of £200 per annum.
It was reported that Mr Aldersley had made an offer of £32-10-0 for the bottom floor of the building formerly occupied by Mr Lister and now by Mr Dixon and £32-10-0 for the top floor.
Res. That enquiries be made from Mr Dixon as to whether it could be arranged for the termination of his lease of the bottom floor in which case it should be offered to Mr Aldersley at £55 per annum and the top floor for £45.
It was reported that a letter had been received from Ouzledale Foundry Co agreeing to pay an additional rent of £13 per annum in consequence of CHSC installing two water closets and a septic tank. [Pencil note in margin points out that no date had been specified for the start of this extra rent.]
It was reported that notice had been received from the Ellerbank Manufacturing Co Ltd to terminate their tenancy at WH Mill from July 31st 1947.
E Wood.

March 20th 1947
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J V Patrick, H Duxbury and AV Hedges. Mr wood referred to the death of the late John Peel who had been a director since July 1922 and who had been associated with CHSC since its formation. His counsel and judgement had been of great value to the company. Unanimously resolved that an appreciation of his work be recorded in the Minutes.
Minutes as read.
Bank balance £13,237 debit, this being caused by the payment of £24,000 betterment on CH Shed against which had been set the realisation of certain securities. Rents owing £405-4-7. Accounts paid.
It was reported that notice had been received from M Horsfield and Sons to terminate their tenancy at at WH Mill on August 31st 1947.
Reported that F Windle and Sons had refused to allow the proposed sewer for new lavatories at WH Mill to pass through their land. Mr Duxbury said he was in communication with the council about the matter. [It looks as though the Keighley and Craven Building Society were the people who foreclosed on Henry Brown and Sons at the Havre Park foundry in 1929 and they have only now sold the land to F Windle.]
A letter from Edward Aldersley Ltd was read dated March 17th in which he accepted the CHSC offer to rent the building adjoining the premises already occupied by him the ground floor of which was occupied by Mr Dixon. The rent to be £45 per annum for the top floor from April 1st 1947 and £55 per annum for the ground floor from July 1st 1947, he to pay his own rates.
Res. That three months notice be given to the present tenant, Mr Dixon.
Transfer of 407 shares from Exors of J W Dent to Hannah Dugdale and 23 shares from Martha A Anderson to Louisa Schofield. All seal cert etc.
Res. That confirmation be given to the letting of space in Butts Mill at £80 per annum to Electrification Ltd. (Mr Bailey), the rent to commence on April 1st 1947 and be payable quarterly.
A report was given of an interview with Grove Engineering Ltd in which they were offered the tenancy of the brick building on the land proposed to be purchased from the Conservative Club together with the land at a rent of £200 per annum. Grove Engineering had thought this rent rather high. After discussion it was resolved they be offered it at £185 per annum, this being the figure recommended by Mr Singleton.
It was reported that Mr Midgley had been enquiring re re-starting WH Mill as it was necessary for him to give a provisional date to the Cotton Board.
Res. That June 1st be given as an approximate date.
Mr Wood proposed, and it was unanimously resolved that Norman Barrett be elected a director in the place of the late Mr John Peel.
E Wood.

April 17th 1947
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J V Patrick, H Duxbury and N Barrett. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £21178-18-2 debit. Rents owing £462-11-5.
Mr Wood welcomed Norman Barrett to the board succeeding his father Proctor Barrett and replacing the late John Peel.
It was reported that Butts Mill had been de-requisitioned on April 14th 1947 and that payment of £13,000 betterment had been made.
Transfer of shares from Exors of E B Banks: 1192 shares to E B Patrick and 1192 to E G Banks. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that the Grove Engineering Co thought the rent of £185 for the new building and land rather high and suggested £150.
Res. That they be informed the directors could not see their way to accept less than £185.
It was reported that J&D Ellison had applied for space and Mr Duxbury had promised to see them with a view to letting a portion of the space at WH Mill partially occupied by Messrs Eli Johnson and Sons.
Res. That Messrs Johnson's rent be reduced from 20/- to 15/- per week as from April 1st 1947.
Res. That Briggs and Duxbury be authorised to carry out the repairs to the shed walls at WH Mill abutting on Mr Midgley's portion of the shed.
E Wood.

May 15th 1947
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £21349-11-6 debit, rents owing £1028-18-8. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 157 shares from William Lang to Mary E Smith sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the gutter adjoining the space let to the BUDC Electricity Department [Butts] be lined with rock asphalt and that Briggs and Duxbury make the necessary arrangements. [Trinidad Lake Asphalt, totally impervious to water. A good way of lining an old CI gutter.]
Res. That a portion of the wall on the far side of the warehouse which badly needs pointing should be attended to by Briggs and Duxbury. [Butts also I think]
A report was given re tenancies at WH Mill and correspondence from WD&E Nutter was read. Tentative applications for space from Williamson and Son, Lancaster and Mr Aldersley were discussed. It was also reported that Messrs Midgely had applied for slightly increased space.
It was reported that a tenancy with Messrs J&D Ellison, Electrical Engineers, 33 Albert Road, Barnoldswick had been arranged for the lower portion of the premises at WH Mill previously occupied by Eli Johnson. The tenancy is for a term of three years from April 26th 1947 at a rent of 12/6 per week payable quarterly, the tenant being responsible for rates and repairs.
It was reported that an application had been received from Rolls Royce Ltd for a tenancy of the portion of the yard at Coates Wharf which had been requisitioned by the Ministry from R O'Neill. [A tenant of CHSC? They were still owners of the wharf.] It was agreed that this portion should be let to Rolls Royce as from March 17th 1947 at a rent of £10 per annum, the other portion to be let to R O'Neill at £10 per annum also to date from March 17th 1947. [Coates Wharf was used by Rolls for many years for their stockpile of coal for Bankfield Shed across the road.]
Mr Duxbury suggested that as no progress had been made to obtain an outfall for the additional lavatories at WH Mill through land recently purchased by Messrs Windle and Sons, an alternative outfall through land belonging to Proctor Barrett and Sons subject to an easement should be arranged.
Res. That the secretary write to Proctor Barrett and Sons.
It was reported that E Aldersley complained re the state of the top floor of the premises formerly occupied by Mr Lister, damage having been caused by the removal of Nutter's [stored] looms. [Butts]
Res. That Mr Duxbury should go into the matter and if necessary the secretary will write to Messrs Nutters on the matter.
E Wood.

June 19th 1947
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N M Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £22093-19-4 debit, rents owing £1109-19-4.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: 400 shares from Exors of Emma Peel to Albert Noaks. 48 from Exors of Holmes Ogden to John William Ogden, 48 to Elizabeth Smith, 48 to Eunice Thompson, 48 to Edina May Rushton. All seal cert etc.
Res. That the common seal be affixed to a lease of CH Shed to Blin and Blin for a term of twenty years from August 1st 1946 at an annual rent of £2960.
It was reported that an enquiry had been received from James Williamson re the space at WH Mill but that owing to the distance from Lancaster and the shortage of labour they were not proceeding with the matter.
It was reported that Grove Engineering had agreed to accept the tenancy of the brick building adjoining Butts Mill and the land surrounding it at an annual rental of £185 and that a lease of this together with the portion of Butts Mill occupied by them was being prepared by Smith, Smith solicitors.
It was reported that following an enquiry from Messrs Midgley and Co and a letter from the Cotton Control Board it was hoped to start running on September 1st at WH Mill with the following number of looms:
Horsfield (Bankfield) Ltd 200 looms
E Midgley and Co 200 looms
WD&E Nutter Ltd 250 looms
[I can't be exactly certain when it happened but Henry Brown Sons and Pickles were given the task of re-starting the engine at WH. Newton told me about it, he went down and together with Tom Marshall they started the engine and ran it while they checked the lubrication of the shafting and the valve settings. The engine had a lot of load on when it stopped and was starting with a light load so a lot had to be done. This would include checking the new generator and electric lighting. History repeats itself and almost forty years later Newton played out with me when I restarted the 3000hp engine at Ellenroad after it had been stopped for over ten years. I can tell you it's exciting stuff and very dangerous, you never forget it!]
An application from Messrs Widdup for a temporary tenancy of the spare land at WH Mill to be used for the storage and breaking up of looms was reported.
Res. That this should ge agreed to and that Harold Duxbury should negotiate a suitable rent.
[Loom-breaking became a common occurrence once the ultimate decline of the industry was accepted. Many of these looms would have been in storage during WW2 in the hope that happy days would be here again but reality had set in. There is nothing more depressing to anyone who has worked in the industry seeing good machinery being scrapped.]
Res. That a pump be installed to ensure a satisfactory supply of water from the well at WH to the reservoir and a boiler feed and fire pump to be purchased from The Mill Co [The shed company which ran Victoria Mill at Earby] and repaired by Brown and Pickles.
Res. That the next meeting of directors should be on Monday July 28th at 2pm.
E Wood.

[Printed balance sheet inserted for an Ordinary general meeting of shareholders on Thursday July 21st 1947. This preceded the directors meeting on July 28th where retrospective resolutions re dividend etc were minuted. The report states: Net profit for the year ended June 30th 1947 of £2699-18-3. Disposable balance as follows:
Balance at June 30th 1946 1180-5-7
Dividend and bonus paid July 11th 1946 1671-13-5
Profit year ended June 30th 1947 2699-18-3
Dividend paid December 18th 1946 835-16-8
2507-10-1 3880-3-10
2507-10-1
Disposable balance June 30th 1947 1372-13-9

They recommend dividends and bonuses totalling 7½% for the year ending June 30th 1947.
Deaths of Banks (September 16th 1946) and Jonathan Peel (March 8th 1947) reported. New directors: Harold Duxbury, 6 Richmond Road Barnoldswick and Norman M Barrett of Moorlands, Barnoldswick.
Signed E Wood and A V Hedges at Burnley July 24th 1947. [Note that this is later than the general meeting.]

July 28th 1947
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £21656-10-4, rents owing £167-19-2.
Transfer of shares from Exors of Mary Hartley sanctioned: 225 shares to William Hartley and 225 to John H Hartley. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that conversations were taking place with James Slater Ltd re the possibility of them taking a tenancy at WH Mill.
It was reported that provisional arrangements with Widdup for temporary occupation of land at WH Mill for storage and breaking up of looms as reported at the last meeting had fallen through.
Res. That the offer of Electrification Ltd for the provision of a Control Panel for the electrical installation at WH Mill of £365 be accepted.
Res. That the balance sheet and accounts for the year ending June 30th 1947 be accepted as read and that the shareholders be recommended to make a final dividend for the half year ended June 30th 1947 at 5% together with a bonus of 2½% making a total distribution for the year of 7½% less tax.
E Wood.

September 25th 1947
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N M Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £24768-19-5 debit, rents owing £728-0-2. Accounts paid.
Res. That the signing and sealing on August 6th of the conveyance of land from Barnoldswick Conservative Building Co Ltd at a price of £812-3-9 be confirmed.
A report was given of negotiations with James Slater Ltd regarding the tenancy of part of WH Mill formerly occupied by Horsfield (Bankfield) Ltd.
Res. That the terms set out in a letter of September 5th 1947 to James Slater Ltd be confirmed.
Res. That the letting of part of WH Mill formerly occupied by M Horsfield and Sons Ltd to Messrs Joshua Dunkerley and Son Ltd be confirmed. The tenancy to be a monthly one and the rent to be £52-10-10 per month. The premises to be used for temporary storage of looms.
Res. That commission paid on the rents collected by Mr H Duxbury [on behalf of CHSC] should be 7½%.
A report was given as to the position at WH Mill with particular attention to the provision for lighting.
Application having been received from Mr Aldersley for the re-opening of the old paved approach to the portion of Butts Mill occupied by him, an inspection was made on the ground. It was considered that as a suitable alternative access already existed it was not necessary to open up the old road.
Ed Wood.

October 23rd 1947
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £24593-3-3 debit, rents owing £574-9-2.
Transfer of 42 shares from Joshua Cook to Harold Duxbury sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
The question of the basis of rent charges for the starting-up of looms at WH Mill was considered.
Res. That for the first three months rent should be paid on looms running where this exceeded the standing rent now being paid.
Res. That from the date the engine starts running at WH Mill now arranged for November 3rd the wage of Tom Marshall, engine man be increased to £8-5-0 per week.
Ed Wood.

November 20th 1947
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £27 833-14-1 debit, rents owing 31362-4-8. Accounts paid.
It was reported that WH Mill had commenced running on November 3rd. [There would be lot of happy faces that morning, not least in the shop at Brown and Pickles, they were still working on other engines but Wellhouse had always been their particular baby. I'll bet a pound they were all down there to watch it start!]
It was reported that Joshua Dunkerley and Sons had given notice to terminate their temporary tenancy of the premises for storage of looms on December 31st 1947.
A letter from Messrs Edward Aldersley Ltd dated November 7th was read in which they repeated their request for the re-opening of the original approach to their premises at Butts Mill.
Res. That it should lie on the table.
A report was given of the provisional negotiations with Alexandra Mill Co Ltd for the occupation by them of the shed space at WH Mill formerly occupied by M Horsfield and Sons Ltd, their intention being to use it for stocking knitting. It had been suggested that CHSC would be prepared to let it to them for £100 per annum exclusive of power, heating and lighting. CHSC to be liable for rates and insurance of the building and the tenants for all repairs, maintenance, alterations, installations and air-conditioning required. CHSC to be responsible for asphalting the floor. No further development had taken place and it was resolved that negotiations should continue on the same basis.
It was also reported that an enquiry for space for 50 to 100 Jacquards [looms] had been received from Darlington Fabrics Ltd and for space for approximately 50 looms from Mr E Holden of Rook Street Barnoldswick.
The question of the letting of the warehouse space [WH] formerly occupied by M Horsfield and Sons Ltd was also discussed and it was stated that Brown and Pickles had offered to pay £78 per annum for a portion of the first and second floors and Mr Duxbury stated that he was in touch with a possible tenant for the top storey at a rent of possibly £150 per annum provided a separate entrance from Wellhouse Road was made.
A request from Messrs James Slater re the plastering of an internal wall was considered. It was pointed out that the main walls were being re-plastered and it was considered that the state of the internal wall was satisfactory for the time being.
A letter was read from WD&E Nutter regarding the putting in order of the portion of the premises occupied by them at WH Mill.
Ed Wood.

December 18th 1947
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £28995-17-1, rents owing £278-15-2. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 514 shares from Exors of Francis Clark to Richard Henry Wood sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That an interim dividend be paid for the half year ended December 31st 1947 at 5% per annum less tax.
A report was given as to an enquiry made by G S Singleton and Co Ltd re vacant space at Wellhouse Mill previously occupied by M Horsfield and Sons Ltd.
It was also reported that the Alexandra Mill Co Ltd who had previously been in negotiation for this space had now made arrangements at their own premises in Macclesfield and were therefore not now interested in the tenancy.
Ed Wood.

January 15th 1948
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £31450-18-9 debit, rents owing £679-10-6. Accounts paid.
A report on the position at WH Mill was given, particulars of negotiations with Nutter Brothers Ltd for the tenancy of the space formerly occupied by M Horsfield and Sons Ltd and with Messrs Sidebottom and Co Ltd for the tenancy of space at present occupied by John Widdup and Sons Ltd which they had given notice to terminate on March 31st 1948.
Letters dated January 5th to both of these firms setting out the suggested terms of tenancy were read and approved. Nutter Brothers tenancy to commence May 1st 1948 and a provisional date for Sidebottom of April 1st subject to adjustment if necessary.
Reference was made to the date on which the normal basis of rent shall come into force.
Res. That this be further discussed at the next meeting.
Ed Wood.

February 19th 1948
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £31239-9-3, rents owing £622-4-8.
Transfer of shares sanctioned: 50 shares from James Cowgill to Richard Henry Wood. 57 from Margaret Croft to Annie Wood. 250 from Exors of Miss M A Cairns to Osborn[?] Cairns. All seal cert etc.
A report was given on WH Mill. Nothing had been heard from G S Sidebottom as to whether they had received a licence from the Cotton Control Board. James Slater Ltd had stated that a number of flags in the weaving shed were loose and the loom feet would have to be set in concrete. It was agreed that this was the landlord's responsibility. [It was generally accepted that it was a bad thing for a Lancashire loom to be fastened down rigidly, the tacklers liked to see them 'breathe' a bit while they were running. At Bancroft we re-set our own looms and used to sit the feet on thick pads of felt impregnated with a sticky bitumen which worked well but our flags were firm.]
A letter containing an estimate from Metropolitan Vickers Ltd of £78-2-6 for replacement of the automatic voltage regulator at WH Mill was read and it was agreed that the work should be done. [I'm not sure if the following is the case but I have the evidence of Walter Fisher of Brown and Pickles that the installation of the new alternator at WH was done by Ellison's and that due to a mistake in routing the bus bars carrying current from the alternator, when first started there was a very serious dead short to earth. Walter said it was the only time he had ever seen the ropes on an engine flywheel slip, the overload was so great. It may be that this has resulted in the destruction of the original regulator and that this item is the replacement. Both Walter and Newton Pickles suspected that this sudden overload on the engine may have been the start, or at least, a contributory cause, of the fracture of the engine fly-shaft which occurred on May 22nd 1951.]
Res. That the rents at WH Mill be continued to be charged on looms running for the time being until the position became more settled.
Ed Wood.

March 18th 1948
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £33810-7-8, rents owing £785-17-5. Accounts paid.
It was reported that G S Sidebottom and Co Ltd had signed a tenancy agreement for the space at WH Mill to be vacated by J Widdup and Sons by March 31st 1948 and that they had asked for the space to be cleared and the necessary repairs put in hand as soon as possible.
A letter from James Slater dated March 11th was read in which they asked that the asphalting of their alleys should be put in hand as soon as possible. [The alley was the space between looms and blocks of looms. The former was the weaver's alley and the latter the broad alley. I suspect this is the broad alleys.]
Res. That for the time being Mr Duxbury should arrange for the worst places to be made good.
Mr Wood reported an interview with Mr Fletcher of Blin and Blin re the chimney at CH Shed which was in a dangerous condition.
Res. That CHSC should contribute a third of the cost of approximately £582, that is £194. [The boiler was still in use for process and heating steam. I suspect that the work referred to is the removal of the head of the chimney and stabilising the shaft by re-pointing. This was its condition when I knew it from 1960 onwards.]
Mr Wood reported he had received a letter from Martins Bank re the overdraft and together with Mr Hedges had called to see Mr Whitaker the branch manager. It had been pointed out that rather higher expenditure than had been originally anticipated was being undertaken including the provision of generators, installation of electric light and the provision of new lavatories etc. Although the whole of the mill [WH] was now let it would be some time before full production could be obtained and there would not be a considerable increase in income for some time. It was possible that the overdraft might increase a little further.
It was reported that the draft lease to the Grove Engineering Co Ltd of the portion of Butts Mill occupied by them had been received from the solicitors and would be sent to Grove Engineering as soon as the schedule of landlord's fixtures and fittings had been agreed.
Ed Wood.

April 15th 1948
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £32803-1-1, rents owing £786-8-5. Accounts paid.
A report was made about the space to be occupied by Nutter Brothers Ltd. which was now practically clear of looms and that for Sidebottom which still contained a large number of looms.
It was reported that Sidebottom's had been told by the Cotton Control Board that a licence would not be issued to them until the premises were put in good repair, the points particularly mentioned were the roof and the completion of the lavatories.
Res. That for the time being WD&E Nutter, Horsfield (Bankfield) and E Midgley continue to be charged on looms running and that the matter be further considered at the next meeting of directors, the minimum rent to be on the highest number of looms running at any time.
Ed Wood.

May 20th 1948
E Wood chair. M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £34778-13-10, rents owing £1695-4-8. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 36 shares from Harriet L Pickup to G W Gartside be sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that a meeting of Room and Power owners in the district from Burnley to Barnoldswick had been held at which it was decided to form a Room and Power Owners Association and that at this meeting it was decided that owing to the increase in costs generally, the basic rate should be increased from £6-17-4 to £7 per loom per annum and that there should be no allowances for stopped looms, both alterations to come in from July 1st 1948.
Res. That CHSC should join the association and that the amended terms be adopted.
WH Rents. In view of the present position it was resolved that the matter be held over until the new rates come into force on July 1st 1948.
An account from Mr G S Singleton the valuer, in connection with the negotiations with the Ministry re the settlement of betterment at CH and Butts was considered.
It was reported that £90 had been received from the government towards these costs and that Mr Singleton had agreed to reduce his charges from £574 to £525.
Res. That this account be approved and paid.
It was reported that additional warehouse space of approximately 90 square yards had been transferred from the premises formerly occupied by Widdup's to E Midgley's tenancy. It was considered that a reasonable rent for this was £20 per annum.
A report was given re the looms still on the premises belonging to Messrs Haighton and Messrs Goggins.
Res. That every endeavour be made to get these removed at the earliest possible date.
A report was given on the water supply at WH Mill. Mr Duxbury said that his men were engaged in cleaning out the well and he would endeavour to trace the suspected leakage from the dam.
Mr Wood reported that the Grove Engineering Co had approached him re the provision of a boiler for heating their premises which was, at present, done by a gas boiler. Under the original agreement it had been agreed that they should pay £50 per annum and we supply a boiler. As the cost of gas heating was very great, they had asked that we should now carry out the terms of the agreement.
It was agreed that this should be done. Mr Wood said he was trying to find a suitable boiler but up to the present he had not been able to do so. [Plant was still scarce.]
Ed Wood.

June 17th 1948
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £34666-12-9 debit, rent owing £581-11-0. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 250 shares from Administrators of C J Turner deceased to Doris Turner and G L Lowcock be sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that G S Sidebottom and Co Ltd were installing looms and had commenced paying rent.
It was also reported that Nutter Brothers had started up looms.
Res. That they be charged rent for June on the number of looms running.
Res. That the full rent under the amended terms be charged to all tenants from July 1st 1948.
Ed Wood.

July 15th 1948
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £34663-6-0 debit, rents owing £985-16-2. Accounts paid. [Worth noting that the fixed assets of CHSC were £118,106 less depreciation of 31,677, balance of £86,429.]
A letter from the Sanitary Authority re the condition of the lavatories in Hendley's portion of Butt Mill was considered.
Res. That Mr Duxbury look into the matter and report to the next meeting.
A was read from Mr Aldersley asking for reassurance that the lease of the premises occupied by Hendley's at Butts Mill which was due to expire in 1950 would be renewed and asking for a quotation for the lowest terms the CHSC would accept.
Res. That the CHSC could not give a definite assurance but that a reply be sent that as far as was known there would be no objection to a renewal and that the rent for the portion now leased would not exceed £500 per annum.
It was reported that arrangements were being made between James Slater Ltd and Horsfield's (Bankfield) for the running of looms in the portion of space at WH Mill not yet completely filled up by Horsfield's (Bankfield).
Res. In connection with this, that the looms belonging to CHSC stored at WH Mill should be sold, five of these being purchased by Messrs Horsfield.
Res. That the open store shed opposite the engine house at WH Mill should be let to Brown and Pickles at £20 per annum from July 1st 1948.
Mr Duxbury reported on negotiations with Electrification Ltd re further space to be taken by them. [Butts]
Res. That CHSC would agree to their present rent of £80 be increased to a figure in the region of £135, the actual figure to be arranged between Mr Duxbury and Electrification Ltd.
Res. That the balance sheet and accounts for the year to June 30th 1948 be approved as read and put before a general meeting on August 26th 1948 at 2pm. Final dividend for the year of 5% to be recommended.
Ed Wood.

August 26th 1948
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £34334-6-5 debit, rents owing £605-16-7. Accounts paid.
The question of the state of the lavatories at Butts Mill was mentioned and Mr Duxbury said he would make a report on this matter to the next meeting.
Mr Duxbury reported that he had provisionally agreed with Electrification Ltd that the rent for the total amount of space occupied by them, to include the extra space now taken, should be £140 per annum starting on July 1st 1948.
Res. That this be confirmed and the secretary write to Electrification Ltd accordingly.
Ed Wood.

No minute for general meeting
Printed balance sheet reports: Net profit for the year of £2224-19010. Dividend and bonus for the year of £1671-13-4 was paid for the year ending June 30th 1947 and an interim dividend of £835-16-8 on December 19th 1947. Dividend of £5% per annum less tax be paid for the half year to June 30th 1948 leaving a balance of £254-6-11 to carry forward.
Signed E Wood and A V Hedges at Burnley, August 2nd 1948.

September 23rd 1948
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £32762-17-10 debit, rents owing £951. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares sanctioned: 338 shares from Robert Ibbotson to Carla Estates Ltd and 500 from the administrators of C L Turner to Doris Turner and G L Lowcock. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that a Receiver had been appointed in Grove Engineering Co Ltd. It was understood that the appointment was made by the Debenture Holders.
A was read from the Receiver of Grove Engineering re the recent flooding. Mr Duxbury stated that he had inspected the goit which appeared to be structurally in order and that there seemed to be no obstruction. He stated that when the flooding occurred the volume of water appeared to be more than the goit could take. It was agreed that the occurrence was of an extremely unusual character and appeared to be an Act of God.
A report was given of the breakdown in the electrical generator at WH Mill, the necessary repairs being in hand. [Could this be the dead short?]
It was reported that the repairs to CH Shed chimney, to the cost of which CHSC had agreed to contribute one third, had been completed at a total cost of £580, CHSC share £193-6-8.
Ed Wood.

October 21st 1948
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £32227-3-4, rents owing £1027-17-5.
A report of the inspections of the hoists at WH Mill made by Baldwin and Heap was considered.
Res. That estimates be obtained for installing three new electrical goods hoists.
Mr Duxbury reported that Mr Aldersley had seen him re a suggested rent of the portion of Butts Mill occupied by Handley and Co Ltd when their present tenancy expires in 1950.
It was stated that at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Room and Power Owners Association held on September 20th a discussion had taken place as to how much should be charged where premises were let without power and heating and it was considered that a figure of £4 per forty square feet of loom-space was reasonable. [Many tenants were going over to looms with individual electric motors.]
Res. That in view of this a letter should be sent to Mr Aldersley stating that unless a rent of £500 per annum was accepted within a fortnight it must be taken that it [the offer] was withdrawn.
Ed Wood.

November 18th 1948
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £34312-13-4 debit, rents owing £1413-1-3. Accounts paid.
A letter from the insurance company re alterations to the entrance of Nutter Brothers was read and it was agreed that Briggs and Duxbury carry out the necessary work.
It was reported that a new lease of part of Butts Mill had been provisionally arranged with Messrs E Aldersley Ltd (a subsidiary of James Halstead Ltd) for a term of ten years from December 1st 1948 at an annual rent of £602-10-0 with an option for the lessee to terminate at the end of seven years. The premises leased to comprise those at present leased to Hendley and Co at £200 per annum, those let to Mr Aldersley at £100 per annum and the strip of land let to Mr Aldersley at £2-10-0 per annum. The lease to follow the terms of the present lease to Hendley and Co Ltd which was surrendered as from December 1st 1948.
Res. That this be confirmed.
Tenders for the provision of three electric hoists at WH were considered. Keighley Lifts, £4107. Wadsworth and Sons, 3894-10-0. E A Foulds (Colne) £3571.
Res. That the tender of E A Foulds be accepted and the first lift should be installed in the Horsfield (Bankfield) portion.
The question of a claim under the Land Development Provision of the Town and Country Planning Act was considered.
Res. That Messrs Aspden and Johnson be instructed to deal with the matter.
Ed Wood.

December 16th 1948
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £33801-1-11 debit, rents owing £1082-11-10. Accounts paid.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: 48 shares from the Executrix of H J W Ogden to Nancy Ogden and 250 from the Exor of Nancy J Bailey to George Robert Cook. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the lease of a portion of Butts Mill and land adjoining to Edward Aldersley for ten years from December 1st 1948 at £602-10-0 per annum be approved and the CHSC common seal affixed.
Res. That an interim dividend for the half year ending December 31st 1948 at the rate of 5% per annum less tax be paid.
It was reported that James Slater Ltd had asked for approval for the installation of between 30 and 40 additional looms in the portion of WH Mill now occupied as a warehouse.
Res. That this be agreed.
Slaters also enquired whether the directors would agree to lease them for a period of say five years, the portion of WH Mill now occupied by them. It was considered that no objection would be taken to a proposed lease. [This is significant as it signals a change on the relationship between CHSC and a weaving tenant. Instead of the usual tenancy agreement it becomes a lease with more security for both parties. The period of frenetic shuffling from one shed to another to chase grace periods is over.]
Ed Wood.

January 20th 1949
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £35966-17-4 debit, rents owing £1069-16-6. Accounts paid.
The question of repairs to the floor in James Slater's portion was mentioned.
Res. That it be given further consideration.
Res. That the CHSC common seal be affixed to the surrender of a lease of a portion of Butts Mill by Hendley Ltd and also to a deed of covenant under which James Halstead Ltd guarantee the rent payable under the lease of a portion of Butts Mill to E Aldersley Ltd.
Ed Wood.

February 17th 1949
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £34379-12-7 debit, rents owing £853-7-0. Accounts paid.
Res. That the house at 11 West Close Road be purchased for £800 for the use of the assistant engine man [WH] and that he be charged a service rent of 15/- a week (including rates) to commence as from Saturday February 19th.
Res. That R Jacques act as solicitor in this matter.
The question of the replacement of the stop motion on the WH engine was considered.
Res. That Mr Duxbury ask Mr Hogarth for an estimate of the cost and to suggestions how best to proceed. [Funny that, why not ask Johnny Pickles?]
Res. That in view of the valuable services and extra work rendered by Tom Marshall the engine man at WH Mill he be given a bonus of £50 after payment of tax.
Ed Wood.

March 17th 1949
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £34217-3-8 debit, rents owing £932-15-5. Accounts paid.
Stop Motion at WH Mill.
It was arranged that Mr Duxbury should consider with Mr Hogarth the best method of putting the stop motion in order, obtaining an estimate of the cost. [I still don't understand this. To make it clear, the stop motion referred to is the mechanism incorporated in the governor which protects the engine from damage to to over or under speed and can be triggered in case of need by stop buttons like fire alarm buttons in the premises. I wonder whether Johnny has recommended the obvious solution, a new Lumb Governor with Wilby's patent speed regulator and Tate's electric stop motion and CHSC are looking for a cheaper solution. No doubt all will become clear.]
Letters dated March 14th from WD&E Nutter were read.
Res. That H Duxbury and A V Hedges should see Wilfred Nutter after the meeting with a view to disposing of the matters holding up payment of rent.
Ed Wood.

April 21st 1949
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £33268-4-10 debit, rents owing £503-18-8. Accounts paid.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: 250 shares from Exors of Eve Roche to George Roche. From Exors of R S Windle: 20 shares to N S Petty [That's of interest to me, R S Windle was one of the founding partners of the accountants Windle and Bowker and has often acted as Receiver in liquidations connected with CHSC, Norman Petty became senior partner in the firm and was my accountant 1960 onwards.] 20 shares to N R Bowker [The other founding partner.] 160 shares from Exors of Emily Windle to Albert Monks. All seal cert etc.
The question of the basis of tenancy of the portion of Mrs Whipp was considered.
Res. That due notice be given of an increase in rent to £50 per annum, the tenant to pay the rates and be responsible for internal repairs.
It was also considered that the rent of the portion of Butts Mill occupied by Mr Fred Procter [Furniture dealer] should be increased, possibly to £100 and it was resolved that this be considered further at the next meeting. [Important to bear in mind that lines of communication were very short and this is often shorthand for 'someone will have a word with him'.]
Ed Wood.

May 19th 1949
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £29726-8-11 debit, rents owing £603-16-5. Accounts paid.
It was reported that at an informal meeting with the creditors of Grove Engineering held on April 29th an offer to pay 2/6 in the £ to unsecured creditors had been made and accepted by the majority present. Nothing further however was yet known as to whether the company would carry on.
It was reported that Mr Wood and Mr Hedges had seen Mr Whitaker, manager of Martins Bank at his request to discuss the question of the overdraft. Mr Whitaker suggested that as the overdraft was now being reduced a limit of £30,000 should be put on it but had said that there would be no objection to this being temporarily increased by £1000 or £2000. Mr Wood however had said that he would prefer that the overdraft should not be limited to £30,000 although it was hoped and intended that it would be consistently reduced.
The rents paid by the tenants at Butts Mill were considered, it being reported that a letter had been sent to Mrs Whipp increasing her rent to £150 from July 1st, Mrs Whipp to pay the rates from that date.
Res. That Fred Procter's rent should be increased to £100 per annum he to be responsible for his own rates.
It was considered that no increase for the other tenants was necessary.
The question of the tenancy agreement for 11 West Close Road was discussed. It was reported that Mr E Marshall [Tom's son?] objected to signing the agreement under which he would be liable to give up the tenancy in the event of his leaving the CHSC's service as he felt it meant he could be thrown out of the house at a moment's notice. It had been pointed out that CHSC would never do anything like this but he still felt unable to sign. He had stated that he understood the house was provided for his use as a servant of CHSC and had verbally undertaken to vacate the house as soon as possible if his employment was terminated. He had conformed this by letter stating: “If at any time I cease to be employed by the company I shall do my utmost to obtain alternative accommodation and vacate this dwelling house.”
Ed Wood.

June 16th 1949
E Wood chair. M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £32-049-5-3 debit, rents owing £1676-7-4. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 118 shares from the administrators of E M Bracewell to R H Wood sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
A letter from James Slater Ltd re expenditure incurred by them at WH Mill was considered, the items consisting of a charge for additional shafting etc of £477-10-3 and expenditure on the office, canteen and warehouse etc £275-4-10. It was considered that this expenditure had been incurred by James Slater for their own benefit but that CHSC would offer £100 towards the additional shafting.
Ed Wood.

July 25th 1949
E Wood chair. M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £31037-2-8 debit, Rents owing £923-16-9.
Transfer of 43 shares from John Cook and Sarah Tattersall to Hilda Tattersall sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the balance sheet etc for the year ended June 30th be approved as read and a general meeting called for 2pm on Monday August 29th 1949. A dividend of 5% for the half year recommended.
Res. That a resolution be put to the meeting changing the age requirement for directors. [See original minutes for the details. This was because Teddy Wood is 79 and they want to keep him on the board as a director!]
Ed Wood.

No minute of AGM
Printed balance sheet reports profit for the year of £1598-1-11 plus balance carried forward £254-6-11 giving a disposable balance of £1852-8-11. An interim dividend of £835-16-8 was paid on December 21st 1948 and a final net dividend of the same amount is recommended making 5% for the year. Balance of £180-15-7 carried forward.
Signed E Wood and A V Hedges at Burnley August 5th 1949 at Burnley.

August 29th 1949
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £30340-18-7 debit, rents owing £21-0-4. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 840 shares from Albert Monks to Stuart Proctor Barrett sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Ed Wood.

October 20th 1949
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £29650-5-9 debit, rents owing £489-4-9. Accounts paid.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: 325 from William Hartley to Mrs Maggie Barrett. 200 shares from Mrs S R Ingham and L Ingham (Exors of Martha Rushton) to Mrs S R Ingham. Seal cert etc.
Mr Wood reported an interview he had had with Mrs Whipp and a letter was read from her in which she asked for the installation of a lavatory. It was arranged that Mr Duxbury see what could be done in the matter.
Mr Hedges reported that at the request of the manager of Martins Bank he had seen him re the renewal of the overdraft facility. The manager, Mr Whitaker, stated that there had been a suggestion that some sort of charge should be entered into but he thought that this would not be pressed if the overdraft could be kept below £30,000 and gradually reduced. Mr Hedges had said that CHSC would endeavour to comply with this suggestion. [Let us not forget that Martins are doing very nicely thank you on the interest on this overdraft. The 'charge' referred to is a legal charge on the deeds held by the bank and it surprises me that this wasn't done when the account was opened.]
A letter from Blin and Blin dated October 11th was read enclosing a letter from BUDC re the state of the boundary wall abutting on the footpath leading from Calf Hall Lane to Esp Lane [Shitten Ginnel]. Following an inspection of the ground from which it appeared that material from the wall had been used to repair the footpath it was agreed that Mr Duxbury should see the BUDC surveyor and that Mr Hedges should then discuss the matter with Mr Fletcher of Blin and Blin.
Ed Wood.

November 17th 1949 at Seven Stars Hotel
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £29260-5-1 debit, rents owing £619-18-1. Accounts paid.
A letter from BUDC requesting alterations before granting a certificate as to means of escape in case of fire for WH Mill was considered and it was agreed that this should be put in hand.
A letter from Edward Midgley and Co Ltd re the bad state of the roof at the entrance to their portion of WH Mill was read. Mr Duxbury said that he would go into the matter and have some particulars for the next meeting.
Mr Duxbury stated that he had had an interview with the BUDC surveyor re the boundary wall adjoining the old footpath from Esp Lane to Calf Hall Lane and he was arranging to see Mr Fletcher of Blin and Blin Ltd.
Ed Wood.

December 15th 1949 at Seven Stars
[From now on I think it can be assumed that unless anything different is noted, all director's meeting will be held at the Seven Stars.]
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £31765-10-9 after paying accounts (including Income Tax £1912-3-3), rents owing £886-14-6. Accounts paid as noted above.
Transfer of 200 shares from Jeremiah Aldersley and C E Aldersley to Jeremiah Aldersley sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the top portion of Butts Mill now occupied by Mrs Whipp should be let to Clarke's Mattresses of Skipton from January 1st 1950 at £150 per annum, tenant responsible for rates, internal repairs, heating and lighting and that the landlord construct two lavatories and wash basins and entrance, fire escape and carry out external repairs. [An important entry. This was the start of Tom Clarke's association with CHSC which culminated in him eventually buying WH Mill. He also became the owner of Moss Shed and Salterforth Mill and his firm became Silentnight, the biggest bedding company in the world and still active in Barlick in 2011. (During the transcription word has been received that Silentnight are in serious financial trouble. At the date of writing, May 3rd 2011 nothing has been resolved.)]
Res. That in consequence of this letting Mrs Whipp's rent be reduced to £110 per annum, the tenant to be responsible etc.
Res. That an interim dividend of 5% be paid for the half year ended December 31st 1949.
Ed Wood.

January 19th 1950
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £31227-13-0 debit, rents owing £572-5-1. Accounts paid.
It was reported that a notice had been received from Mr Woolley, manager and receiver for Grove Engineering that he had ceased to carry on the business and was selling the plant and machinery by auction. He gave notice to terminate the tenancy on April 14th 1950.
Res. That the attention of Mr Woolley be drawn to the list of fixtures and fittings and schedule of conditions of the tenancy so that the whole of the fixtures and fittings should be delivered up to CHSC and the premises also delivered up in a state of good and tenantable repair.
Reported that enquiries had already been made for tenancy of portions of Butts Mill.
Res. That they be advertised.
It was considered that a reasonable rent to ask would be £185 for the brick building and land surrounding it and £145 for the space in the mill, these being the rents paid by Grove Engineering.
It was thought that if a sale of the brick building could be arranged without detriment to the letting of the space in the mill it would be advantageous if this was done, an approximate fogure of £3000 to be kept in mind.
Ed Wood.

February 16th 1950
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £30726-5-8 debit, rents owing £1056-16-11. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares sanctioned: From administrators of Harry Wright: 14 shares to Brenda Hall. 15 to Maud Mary Dent. 15 to Susannah Wright. Seal cert etc.
A report was given of a meeting on February 14th 1950 between Messrs Jacques, Duxbury and A V Hedges representing CHSC and the directors of John C Carlson Ltd at which it was agreed that portions of Butts Mill now occupied by Grove Engineering and being vacated by then on February 14th should be leased to Carlson's from April 15th 1950 for a term of 15 years with an option for the lessee to break on the 5th or 10th year at a yearly rent of £1600, the tenant being responsible for maintenance and insurance of the building and to have first option on any other part of Butts Mill becoming vacant.
Res. That the agreement be confirmed and that Smith Smith be instructed to draw up a lease.
[Significant. They became Carlson Ford and Carlson Filtration as the firm is now called is still in Butts in 2011, they bought the mill eventually.]
Ed Wood.

March 16th 1950
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £29776-3-0 debit, rents owing £637-10-6. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 43 shares from the representatives of Margaret Robinson deceased to Enoch Robinson sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Ed Wood.

April 20th 1950
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £29666-8-1 debit, rents owing £1235-3-0. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares sanctioned: From the Exors of J W Edmondson: 318 shares to Miriam Burridge and 160 to Janet Geldard. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that the keys of the Grove portion of Butts Mill had been handed over by the Receiver on April 14th and that a claim in respect of the condition of the premises and fixtures and fittings had been forwarded to him.
Consideration was given to a request for an extension at WH Mill to provide further accommodation for G Sidebottom and Co Ltd and E Midgley and Co Ltd.
It was considered that in view of the extensive repairs necessary to the present structure and the proposed increase in loom-space for Sidebottom's the proposition was feasible if the two tenants would agree to make a reasonable contribution.
It was pointed out that it was not known whether the [current building] licence for £3934-12-6 applied for by Mr Duxbury would be approved but it was thought the cost might considerably exceed this in view of the request for more space.
It was considered reasonable to ask the tenants to contribute £500 each towards the capital cost. In the case of Sidebottom's this not to fall below the additional rent for 40 loom spaces and in the case of Midgley's £150 per annum. Also that they should be asked to pay a year's rent in advance, this to remain in operation for three years.
ED Wood.

May 18th 1950
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £28597 debit, rents owing £1509-18-10. Accounts paid.
Mr Hedges reported that at the request of Martins Bank he had seen Mr Whitaker the manager re the CHSC overdraft. The bank had said that they felt that the overdraft limit should not exceed £27500 and that the aim should be a further reduction of £2500 every six months.
Mr Hedges also reported that he had seen Mr Midgley re the possible extension of WH Mill to provide more accommodation for them and Sidebottom's. Mr Midgley has stated that in view of the conditions suggested by CHSC the two companies had decided not to proceed with their request for an extension.
Mr Midgley also pointed out that the roof over his entrance would have to be repaired and suggested that while this was being done arrangements should be made to include a gantry to be installed at the same time and that the floor should be covered [with asphalt?]. He said he would be willing to pay rent in advance to cover this.
It was agreed that Mr Duxbury should go into the matter and the probable cost with a view to further consideration being given to the matter at the next meeting.
Ed Wood.

June 22nd 1950
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £27995-0-5 debit, rents owing £489-9-9. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 100 shares from the executrix of Silverwood Barrett deceased to his widow Rose Barrett sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
A letter from HMFI was read re the roof at the entrance to the portion of WH Mill occupied by G S Sidebottom and Co Ltd. It was decided that Mr Duxbury go into this and at the same time consider what could be done re the entrance at Midgley's and that the matter be further discussed at the next meeting.
Ed Wood.

June 27th 1950
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £27132-10-1 debit, rents owing £642-14-4. Accounts paid.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: 288 shares from Exors of Anne E Ellison to Tom Ellison. From Exors of Ada Proctor deceased: 200 shares to N M Barrett. 100 to A V Hedges. 200 to J V Patrick. 200 to E Wood. 238 to Harold Duxbury. All seal cert etc.
Res. That the accounts for the year ended June 30th 1950 etc be approved as read. AGM to be at 2pm on Thursday August 31st and that a dividend for the half year of 2½% be recommended for the half year making a dividend for the year of 3¾% for the year.
Mr Duxbury reported that there had been no developments re the roof at Midgley's entrance at WH except that E Midgley and Co had now objected to making any contribution towards the cost but they had however asphalted the floor at their own expense.
It was reported that the Receiver for Grove Engineering had disclaimed any liability for dilapidations at Butts Mill and that Messrs Smith Smith had advised that in their opinion the claim could not legally be enforced.
Ed Wood.

AGM August 31st 1950 not minuted
Printed balance sheet inserted reports: Net profit of £5680-12-11 for the year which together with £180-15-7 carried forward makes a disposable balance of 5861-8-6. £835-16-8 was paid on December 12th 1949 and £417-18-4 recommended now making the dividend for the full year 3¾% with a balance of £4607-13-6 carried forward.
Signed E Wood and A V Hedges at Burnley, August 5th 1950.

August 31st 1950
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £25822-0-2 debit, rents owing £56-0-4. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 157 shares from M E Smith to Albert Monks sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
A letter from Edward Aldersley Ltd was read stating that the insurance company had advised them that the hoist required renewal. This was considered.
Res. That Harold Duxbury inspect the hoist and report to the next meeting.
A further complaint from E Midgley and Co re the state of the roof on the entrance to their portion at WH Mill was considered. Mr Duxbury stated that the roof was in very bad condition and repairs were urgently needed, it was impossible to defer this until next year. The cost of repairing the roof would be approximately £750 but an alternative would be to put in a flat roof to increase the height so that loading could be done under cover. This would cost approximately £1500.
It was agreed that Mr Duxbury should see both Midgley and Sidebottom and see if they would make a contribution of £200 each and pay 5% on the balance of the cost.
Ed Wood.

September 21st 1950
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £25862-14-1 debit, rents owing £526-3-0. Accounts paid.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: 43 shares from Exors of Rebecca Moore to Ida Moore. From Exors of W S Pickover: 75 shares to Fred and Nancy Robinson and 75 to Elizabeth Beckton. Seal cert etc.
Mr Duxbury reported he had inspected the hoist in the portion of Butts Mill occupied by E Aldersley which he stated would require replacing. It was arranged that Mr Duxbury see Mr Aldersley to ascertain what type of hoist they would prefer. It being understood that if they wanted an improved type of lift they should be responsible for the excess cost over replacing the present type.
H Duxbury said he had seen Midgley's about the roof over their entrance and that they would be prepared to pay £250 towards the cost but did not feel that rent should be increased.
He had also seen Sidebottom's who had not yet come to any decision on the matter. Mr Duxbury thought that they wanted considerably more warehouse space.
Res. That Midgley's offer be accepted and that Mr Duxbury should put the work in hand, approximate cost £750.
Ed Wood.

October 19th 1950
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £26090-6-7 debit, rents owing £933-7-4. Accounts paid.
Mr Hedges stated that at the request of Mr Whitaker of Martins Bank he had called to see him and Mr Whitaker had said that the maximum amount on the overdraft should now be £25000 and be reduced at £2500 during the next six months. Mr Hedges had pointed out that there would be approximately £2000 Schedule 'A' Tax to pay on January 1st 1951 and that there were future commitments for four new electric hoists at WH Mill, one in Butts Mill and extensive repairs to Midgley's roof. Mr Whitaker said he thought the bank would be agreeable to providing extra accommodation for exceptional items. [Don't you love bank managers!]
Mr Hedges reported that following the interview between Mr Duxbury and Mr C E Aldersley he had written to James Halstead Ltd confirming that if they so desired, CHSC would install an electric hoist providing the tenants were agreeable to contributing half the cost.
Mr Duxbury reported that following the interview when he and Mr Hedges had seen Mr Fenton, Clerk to BUDC, re the responsibility for for the repair of the wall on the side of the public footpath furthest away from Butts Mill he had a further interview with Mr Fenton who had stated that in his view the council were not responsible for the maintenance of the length of wall on the East side of the main entrance to the engineering portion but that owing to the possibility of danger to persons using the public footpath the council were responsible for the maintenance of the wall on the West side of the main entrance, that is, where the wall adjoins Butts Beck.
Entrance to WH Mill.
Mr Duxbury reported that the work of repair at Midgley's portion had not started. He said that Sidebottom's had very ambitious ideas re a large warehouse extension to their part. No proposals had been made.
Res That the matter be laid on the table.
Mr Duxbury reported an interview he had had with representatives of the Electricity Board re the provision of a sub-station at Butts Mill.
No offer having been received from the Electricity Board for the CHSC plant at the CH Shed sub-station, It was resolved that they be charged rent for the use of the plant based on 15% per annum of the value of the plant pending agreement for a sale being reached. [1947 to 1949 saw the nationalisation of all gas and electricity supplies. This must be part of the handover of distribution plant to the new Board.]
R Jacques.

November 16th 1950
R Jacques chair, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, n Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £24915-7-5 debit, rents owing £525-15-8. Accounts paid.
Res. That the CHSC common seal be affixed to the lease to John C Carlson Ltd of a portion of Butts Mill, the terms of which were set out at the meeting on February 16th 1950.
Mr Duxbury reported that he had been advised by Messrs Fould's Ltd that the cost of installing an electric hoist in Aldersley's portion of Butts Mill would be £1120 together with the necessary building work and other labour which would probably amount to a total of £1300.
Res. That Messrs Halstead be informed accordingly.
It was reported that HMFI was pressing for the replacement of the hoists at WH Mill. Mr Duxbury said that Fould's had promised to commence work early in December subject to the necessary licence being obtained by them.
It was reported that Nutter Brothers had been enquiring about erecting a garage at WH Mill saying that they would be prepared for this to become the property of CHSC after 10 years providing that if they left before then they should receive some recompense for it.
It was arranged that Mr Duxbury should see Nutter Brothers with a view to getting more definite particulars.
Ed Wood.

December 14th 1950
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £25007-19-2 debit, rents owing 626-5-8 and noting that £1912-3-3 Schedule 'A' Tax was due on January 1st 1951. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 66 shares from Lucy Bagnall to E Wood sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Mr Duxbury stated that at a meeting with representatives of John C Carlson Ltd and the Yorkshire Electricity Board re the proposed electrical sub-station at Butts Mill it had been suggested that the cost be shared equally between the three parties. Carlson's had agreed to pay one third providing this did not exceed £200 and YEB had agreed to pay the cost of foundations and trenches.
Res. That an interim dividend of 5% per annum should be paid less tax for the half year ended on December 31st 1950.
Mr Duxbury reported that there had been no further development regarding the garage proposed by Nutter Brothers at WH Mill.
The secretary reported that no reply had been received from Halstead's re the hoist in Aldersley's portion at Butts Mill.
The question of paying a bonus of 5% of a year's pay to the engine and boiler house staff was considered. It was agreed that this should be paid if other Room and Power sheds in Barnoldswick [Notably the Fernbank Shed Company] were doing so.
Ed Wood.

January 18th 1951
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £25515-12-5 debit, rents owing £1286-8-2. Noted that payment of tax due would bring overdraft to £27427-15-8. Accounts paid.
The secretary reported that a letter had been received from James Halstead's re their alleged right of way at Butts Mill and that a reply had been sent by Smith Smith pointing out that there was no such right.
A letter had been received from Halstead's re lavatories at Butts Mill and a reply sent from Smith Smith explaining that under the terms of the lease the liability for these rested with the tenant.
Mr Duxbury stated he had received an offer of £600 from George Cohen Ltd for the three transformers (Two at Butts and one at CH Shed) but he thought it should be possible to obtain a higher figure. [George Cohen were one of the biggest traders in second-hand plant in the North of England.]
Res. That the matter be left with Mr Duxbury to obtain the highest price possible.
It was reported that a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Room and Power Association had been held and it was agreed that R&P rent should be increased and that the amount would be decided at the general meeting of the RPA on January 22nd.
Ed Wood.

February 15th 1951
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £26177-15-2 debit, rents owing £1621-16-4. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 75 shares from the administrator of Elizabeth Beckton to Dudley Beckton sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
A report was given re the proposed increase in rents of £2 per loom per annum and £163-14-0 per tape to take effect from March 1st 1951. It was agreed that this be approved and that the rents be increased accordingly.
Mr Duxbury reported that the three transformers had been sold to Rolls Royce Ltd for £700.
Ed Wood.

March 15th 1951
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £24584-0-9 debit, rents owing £644-2-0. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 250 shares from Exors of E Ormerod deceased and 52 shares from Freda Ratcliffe, both to G S Sidebottom and Co Ltd sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
The question of insurance for loss of rents at WH Mill in the case of fire was considered.
Res. That enquiries be made as to the cost thereof.
Ed Wood.

April 19th 1951
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £24554-12-9 debit, rents owing £1326-18-11. Accounts paid.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: 57 shares from Administrator of S A Haworth to James Haworth. 132 from Clarissa Thompson to Annie Wood. 52 from Clarissa Thompson to Maggie Barrett and 53 from Thomas Fort to Maggie Barrett. Seal cert etc.
A letter from Messrs Brewerton and Williams dated April 7th 1951 was read and it was resolved that no action be taken at the present time.
Ed Wood.

May 17th 1951
E Wood chair. R Jacques, J W Patrick, H Duxbury and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £23077-16-11 debit, rents owing £1368-7-1. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 43 shares from administrators of Enoch Robinson deceased to Doris Robinson sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
[Mr Hedges reports yet another interview with the bank manager who is pressing for a reduction of the overdraft to £22,500. Usual counter arguments and statements by the manager}
Mr Hedges reported that G S Sidebottom and co had enquired about the provision of extra warehouse accommodation at WH. He had told them that due to their financial position CHSC could not undertake further additional expenditure. Sidebottom's had then suggested that they might be prepared to advance the cost of the extension, this to be repaid over 10 to 15 years at 5% interest. Alternatively they would consider building the extension themselves, such extension to be their property.
After discussion it was resolved that Sidebottom's be informed that CHSC could not undertake to carry out any extensions but that they would be prepared to agree to Sidebottom's themselves carrying out such an extension providing that the costs were borne by them, they to obtain all licences and building permits. The plans to be approved by CHSC and the building to be their property. CHSC would however agree to make an allowance from the rent of £200 for the first five years and £150 per annum for the next five years provided the present warehouse accommodation was used for looms and paid for as such in accordance with the present terms of tenancy.
Mr Hedges reported that Mr Aldersley had approached Blin and Blin claiming ownership of the road adjoining CH Shed [Mill Street?] and had suggested that they lease it from him. It would appear though that CHSC had at least rights of way over the road and that he would look up the deeds and ascertain the actual ownership.
Mr Duxbury stated that Clarke's Mattresses were interested in the tenancy of the engine house at Butts Mill. It had been pointed out however that under the terms of the lease this must first be offered to John C Carlson and it was agreed that Mr Duxbury should see Tom Clarke, explain the position to him and then consult with Carlson's.
It was thought that a rent of £100 per annum should be asked subject to a year's grace, the tenant to make good the floor and do all necessary alterations.
R Jacques.

[Meanwhile WH engine, heavily overloaded, decided to make a protest. On May 22nd the flywheel shaft broke. See 'Brown and Pickles' by SCG for the full story.]

June 21st 1951
R Jacques chair, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £22236-8-7 debit, rents owing £541-18-9. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 83 shares from Lizzie Alice Baxter to Fred and Nancy Robinson sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that following an engine breakdown at WH Mill on May 22nd running recommenced on June 11th.
Mr Duxbury stated that the repair of the water tank at WH Mill was in hand.
Res. That an insurance against loss of rent due to fire damage at CH Shed should be put in hand but a similar policy at WH and one for breakdown of the engine should be considered at the next meeting.
Mr Duxbury reported that he had had further conversations with Messrs Midgley concerning the work to be done at their entrance and it was considered that Midgley's should be asked to pay £250 towards the cost and make a yearly payment of 5% on the balance of the expenditure. Mr Duxbury said he would see Mr Midgley.
It was reported that in accordance with the minute of May 17th a letter had been sent to Sidebottom and Co but that as yet no reply had been received.
It was stated that Smith and Smith had confirmed that six feet of the roadway adjoining CH Shed belonged to CHSC and they had a right of way over the whole of the road. Blin and Blin had therefore been advised that Mr Aldersley had no grounds for claiming any payment from them.
Mr Duxbury reported he had seen Tom Clarke re the tenancy of the engine house at Butts Mill and that in view of the large outlay of money the tenant would incur in making it fit for occupation it was thought that a two year grace period should be allowed, the rent thereafter to be £100 per annum. As in accordance with the terms of the lease this must first be offered to Carlson's Mr Duxbury said he was making arrangements to see Mr Carlson on his next visit to the mill.
Ed Wood.

July 19th 1951
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £21346-18-0 debit, rents owing £547-7-6. Accounts paid.
Res. That accounts for the year ended June 30th be approved as read. AGM to be called for Thursday August 30th at 2pm at Seven Stars and that a dividend of 5% less tax be recommended.
Res. That an insurance policy be taken out with London Assurance to cover loss of rents due to fire at WH Mill on our amount of £12,000 (half a year's rent) for a 12 month period.
Res. That the engine at WH be insured against engine breakdown with the Vulcan Boiler and General Insurance Co for £5000 and that cover for £20,000 be taken in respect of damage to adjoining property and Third Party Risks.
Mr Rawstron (of Aspden and Johnson, valuers) attended and reported that the District Valuer had refused to admit claims under the Town and Country Planning Act in respect of the land at Ouzledale Foundry, CH Shed, Butts Mill and WH Mill stating that no development value existed.
Res. On Mr Rawstron's advice not to proceed further in the matter. Mr Rawstron pointed out that if development did occur, the DV's statement could be quoted in resisting any attempt to impose any development charge.
It was reported that Blin and Blin had agreed to pay £10 per annum to Mr Aldersley for the right to retain the fencing round the road adjoining CH Shed and the gateway at the end thus having the sole use of the road and excluding Mr Aldersley from using it.
It also appeared that they had agreed to pay the owner of Springs Dam £15 per annum for the right of full access to it and to release water at any time. This was not to be taken to be payment for the use of the water as none was needed.
Ed Wood.

August 30th 1951
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £21076-17-7 debit, rents owing £639-2-0. Accounts presented paid.
A letter was read saying that James Howarth wanted to sell his holding of 57 shares and enquiring if there were any purchasers. H Duxbury said he was prepared to offer 10/- per share for the 57 shares.
Ed Wood.

No minute for AGM
Printed balance sheet reports: Cost of WH breakdown is included in the accounts. Net profit for the year is £6376-10-4 and an interim dividend was paid for the half year to December 31st 1950 of 5%. Recommended that we pay a dividend at the same rate for the half year ended June 30th leaving a balance of £9,350-10-4 carried over.
The auditors Richard Watson and Sons are now practising under the name Langley, Stuttard and Co and will continue in office under section 159(2) of the Companies Act 1948.
Signed E Wood and A V Hedges at Burnley August 8th 1951.

September 20th 1951
E Wood chair. R Jacques, J W Patrick, H Duxbury and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £20003-8-8 debit, rents owing £814-7-9. Accounts paid.
A tender received from James Proctor and Co from Burnley of £270 for the installation of a new shovel stoker on No 3 boiler at WH Mill subject to 16 weeks delivery was considered.
Res. That further consideration be given to this at the next meeting especially taking into account the fact it could not be installed before winter.
Ed Wood.

October 18th 1951
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £19362-8-6 debit, rents owing £645-1-0. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 140 shares from the Exors of Tom Holdsworth deceased to the names of the executors Jane ann Holdsworth and William Holdsworth sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Mr Hedges reported that he had seen Mr Whitaker at the latter's request [then follows the usual shuffle aimed at a £20000 limit with the usual rebuttal.] Mr Whitaker adds that although the bank was scrutinising rates of interest, it had been agreed that the rate of 3½% charged under the special agreement should continue for the time being
A letter was read from Walker, Charlesworth and Jefferson [Barlick solicitors] re a small portion of land approximately the size of a petrol pump [!] at Coates Wharf.
It was agreed that this small portion of land which had been occupied by Mr Aldersley for some time should be transferred to him providing he undertake all charges connected with the transfer.
It was agreed that the tender from James Proctor and Co for the installation at WH of a new shovel stoker at £270 be accepted.
Ed Wood.

November 15th 1951
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £18417-13-6, rents owing £836-17-0. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares from Exors of Mary Alice Fawcett and Arthur E Fawcett jointly: 57 shares to Gerald Fawcett. 57 to Roland Fawcett. 57 to Hugh Fawcett. 57 to Lillian Alice Bellamy. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that the manager of Martins Bank had stated that his head office had suggested that the 3½% interest charged on the overdraft was too little. It had been pointed out to him that the rate was the subject of an agreement between the chairman, Mr Wood and the late H M Walton one of their directors and he [Mr Whitaker] had been asked to point this out to his head office. Nothing further had been heard so far but since this conversation the Bank of England had raised the Bank Rate.
It was reported that as no acknowledgement or reply could be obtained from the YEB regarding the plant at CH Shed sub-station belonging to CHSC they had been informed by telephone that the matter would have to be placed before the Member of Parliament for the Division with a view either to a question being asked in Parliament or it being brought to the attention of the Ministry direct. Following this, representatives from YEB had immediately called to see Mr Hedges and had promised to send a written offer for the plant within a few days.
Mr Duxbury reported that John C Carlson Ltd had stated that they did not want to take up the tenancy of the engine room. [At Butts] It was agreed he should see Clarke's Mattresses with a view to it being let to them from January 1st 1952 at £100 per annum subject to two year's grace provided the tenant, at his own cost, put the premises in order to the satisfaction of CHSC.
Res. That a 5% interim dividend be paid for the half year and that cheques be posted just prior to Christmas. [Sneaky! Could this be so that they would not be cashed before the New Year?]
Ed Wood.

December 20th 1951
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £18869-5-4, rents owing £818-9-11. Accounts paid.
Res. That a letter be sent to shareholders pointing out that there were a number of very small holdings which involved the company in considerable expense in cheque stamps, postal charges atc and offering therefore to act as a go-between between members wishing to sell their small holdings and other members wishing to purchase them at the present market price of 10/- per share. [See the LTP interview with Victor Hedges where he discusses this. It wasn't unique to the CHSC and Victor said that the initiative never really worked, the shares were seen more as talismans and family heirlooms than negotiable securities.]
Mr Hedges reported that he had had a request from Mr Fielden the manager of Martins Bank Burnley acting on behalf of Mr Verity the general manager of Martins Bank that the CHSC should agree that the rate of interest on their overdraft should be charged at 1% over Bank Rate with a minimum of 4½% from February 1st 1952, this being in accordance with February instructions regarding increases in bank charges.
Res. That this be agreed to although Mr Hedges said he would first see whether a rate of 4¼% could be obtained.
A letter was read from YEB dated December 8th making an offer of £667 for: The complete five panel 6,600V Crompton Parkinson switchboard with tripping battery. The one Hackbridge 6,600/400V three phase transformer with the HV connecting cables.
After some discussion it was agreed that this offer be accepted it being the feeling that if the apparatus had to be removed by CHSC it would probably have to be sold at scrap value.
Mr Duxbury reported on the state of the roof at Butts Mill saying that he had provisionally applied for a licence for £800. It was agreed that he should proceed with putting the roof in a reasonable state of repair as soon as possible.
R Jacques.

January 17th 1952
R Jacques chair, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £19314-4-4 debit, rents owing £1546-8-9. Accounts paid.
It was reported that an enquiry had been made as to whether CHSC were interested in in buying the two rents of £10 and £20 paid to Colonel Royd's Estates a possible figure of 20 year's purchase being mentioned.
Res. That after taking the overdraft into consideration a reply be sent that CHSC was not interested in buying the rents.
It was reported that following a further interview between Mr Hedges and Mr Fielden of Martins Bank Burnley, for the time being the interest in the rate on the overdraft was to be 4¼% and not 4½% as originally requested by the bank.
Particulars were given of the response to the circular letter re small holdings of shares.
Res. That as further requests might be received up to January 31st the matter be left until the next meeting.
R Jacques.

February 21st 1952
R Jacques chair, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £21664-0-10 debit, rents owing £1639-6-11. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 165 shares from Ena Crew to Wallace Horsfield sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Particulars were given of the response to the circular letter re small share holdings. Agreement was reached on the apportionment to applicants of the shares available for transfer.
Mr Duxbury reported he had agreed with Mr Aldersley that Messrs Edward Aldersley Ltd would be liable for 25% of the cost of the repairs to the roofs of the space occupied by Edward Aldersley Ltd at Butts Mill and that this had been confirmed in a letter from Mr Duxbury to Messrs Edward Aldersley Ltd dated February 19th 1952.
Particulars were given of the collapse a portion of the outside wall at WH Mill overlooking the lavatories occupied by E Midgley and Co Ltd and it was reported that the outside shed wall of the portion occupied by G S Sidebottom and Co Ltd was bulging outwards. The only possible course was to rebuild the wall when there was suitable weather during the summer. In the meantime it was agreed that Mr Duxbury should put up whatever support he considered necessary to prevent any possibility of collapse of the girders holding the roof, shafting etc. [The old problem of subsidence.]
R Jacques.

March 20th 1952
R Jacques chair, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £21316-19-3 debit, rents owing £769-9-4.
Transfer of 39 shares from Exors of Rachel Plummer to Charles E Plummer and 78 shares from Ronald Pickles to H Duxbury sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that G S Sidebottom had expressed a desire to increase the size of their tenancy at WH Mill and that there might be a possibility of them taking over some loom space now occupied by WD&E Nutter. Mr Duxbury and Mr Hedges had met Messrs G S Sidebottom and they had looked at the space and considered what could be done. The matter now awaited the further decision of the two firms.
It was reported that following a letter from Carlson's, Mr Jacques, Mr Duxbury and Mr Hedges had met Mr Osgood the managing director who had emphasised the heavy expense Carlson's had been put to by the bad condition of the roof at Butts Mill. Mr Osgood had suggested that CHSC should make some contribution to the cost. During the discussion it was pointed out that under the terms of the lease the tenant was liable for all repairs and maintenance and that the condition of ther building and fixtures had been agreed at the commencement of the lease by both parties. Also that when Carlson's had taken the premises there had been no increase in rent, in fact there had been a slight reduction compared with the rent previously paid by the Grove Engineering Co furthermore, since the date of the commencement of the lease their had been a general increase in rents except in the case of leased properties. Taking all this into consideration and the financial position of CHSC:
Res. That a letter should be sent to Carlson's explaining the position and regretting that CHSC felt themselves unable to help in the matter.
John V Patrick.

April 17th 1952
J V Patrick chair. Horsfield, Duxbury and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £20242-16-5 debit, rents owing £1130-15-11.
[There follows a long list of share transfers sanctioned and seal cert etc. See original minutes for full details.]
It was reported that a letter had been received from HMFI re the main shed wall adjoining G S Sidebottom's premises and also the wall supporting the water tank. A reply had been sent that these matters will be dealt with.
It was reported that six months notice had been received from James Slater Ltd to terminate their tenancy at WH Mill.
Mr Duxbury stated that GS Sidebottom and Co had said that they would be prepared to take two bays of the space occupied by WD&E Nutter for storage at storage rent. It was pointed out that WD&E Nutter were paying full loom rent for the space and it was agreed that it would not be in the interests of the CHSC to accept this proposition.
It was reported that Electrification Ltd were desirous of giving up the premises now held by them as they were ceasing business. Mr Duxbury said he had approached Carlson's in accordance with the terms of their lease to give them the opportunity to take the premises. They were not interested. He also said that at the present he was not aware of any other possible tenants.
Ed Wood.

May 15th 1952
Ed Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £19160-0-11 debit, rents owing £1499-1-5.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: 650 shares from Exors of Ellen Valentine to Stuart Proctor Barrett. From Exors of Alice M Robinson: 108 shares to Doris M Thompson and 108 to Preston Robinson. All seal cert etc.
Mr Hedges said he had seen Mr Whitaker at Martin's Bank re the overdraft and it had been agreed that for the next six months it should be £20,000. The bank also proposes to raise the minimum interest payable to 4½%. It was pointed out however that as the Bank Rate was now 4% the actual rate should be 5%, 1% above bank rate.
Mr Hedges also reported on an interview with Mr Edward Midgley re the alterations and repairs done to the entrance of the portion of WH Mill occupied by them. It was stated that the total cost was approximately £2200 of which Midgley Ltd estimated their share to be between £800 and £900. They had however agreed to pay £1000 After discussion of the matter it was considered that a fair division of the expenditure would be CHSC and Midgley's to bear equal shares.
Mr Duxbury gave details of correspondence he had had re the cost of the Electrical Transformer house at Butts Mill. After considering the position it was agreed that the cost, which was slightly over £600 should be apportioned equally between CHSC and Carlson's.
Ed Wood.

June 19th 1952
Ed Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £19287-11-10 debit, rents owing £1056-16-9.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: From Exors of Sarah Hargreaves: 26 shares to Elizabeth Hargreaves and 26 to Clara Hargreaves. 199 from Exors of Rose Barrett to Lawrence V Baldwin. 158 from Exors of Fred Robinson to Ed Wood. 48 from Nancy Ogden to Ed Wood. All seal cert etc.
It was reported that Ed Aldersley Ltd had eventually decided they did not want a new electric hoist to go down to the extra floor. They had been informed that E A Fould's quotation was now £1305, making with alterations and building costs about £1500 (subject to any further price increase) half of which would be payable by them.
An enquiry from James Slater Ltd as to whether CHSC would accept them as tenants at Warehouse rent after the expiration of their six six months notice was considered. It was felt that while something on the basis suggested might be done, further consideration was necessary as to the effect this would have on other tenants, the amount of warehouse rent to be charged and the length of notice required.
It was agreed that electricity should be supplied to E Midgley and Co, G Sidebottom and Co and Nutter Brothers Ltd for power purposes only at 1½d per unit plus 15%, subject to increase or decrease of electricity charges in the district. [Electric motors on looms. The engine is still providing the power but via the generator. The question is when it becomes more economical to go over to mains power for all looms by driving the shafting with large electric motors.]
It was reported that Midgley and Co had suggested making an additional payment of rent to meet their share of the cost of the work done at their entrance to WH Mill. It was felt that this would not be satisfactory and it was arranged that Briggs and Duxbury invoice them for their share of the cost and that Mr Duxbury should explain the position to them at the same time.
Res. That subject to any variation needed on completion of the annual accounts we recommend a dividend of 5% for the half year making 5% for the year.
R Jacques.

July 10th 1952
R Jacques chair. M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £20173-18-7 debit, rents owing £757-3-0. Accounts paid.
It was reported that Aldersley's had decided to pay half the cost of the new electric hoist, total cost estimated as £1500 and that Fould's tender of £1305 had been accepted. [I knew Harold and Victor personally, they were both quiet patient men and in dealing with this man they needed to be!]
It was reported that James Slater Ltd had agreed that if a definite decision could be given to them by July 30th as to their proposal to remain as warehouse tenants at WH [they would stay].
Res. That the CHSC would accept them as tenants at warehouse rent although the directors didn't favour this in view of repercussions on existing tenancies and that discussions should take place on the basis of £4 per loom space per annum to cover shed and warehouse, subject to notice of two or three months.
It was reported that Mr Duxbury and Mr Hedges had seen E Midgley and Co re the work done at their entrance and it had been agreed that the cost should be shared equally between CHSC and them.
It was reported that discussions had been taking place between the R&P Owners association Committee and the Tenant's committee and that it was probable that the allowance of 9d per loom per week where a tenant was completely stopped would be extended to cases where they have more than 10% of looms stopped for more than a full week amd that the allowance for tape stoppages would be increased from half to three quarters rent. The extension of the allowances for stopped looms would apply from July 1st 1952 to September 30th 1952 when the matter would be reviewed.
Res. That the accounts be approved as read. And that the AGM should be called for Thursday August 21st. Recommended dividend of 5%.
Ed Wood.

August 21st 1952
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £19462-12-3 debit, rents owing £1292-16-11. Accounts paid.
It was reported that James Slater and son had written to say they could not agree to the terms suggested at the last board meeting. However, as they wished to leave the looms intact they would agree to pay £20 per month for the warehousing of the looms subject to two or three months notice.
It was agreed that it was desirable they remain on the premises in the hope that trade would improve and they could restart their looms.
Res. That the secretary should again contact Slater's with a view to their remaining at WH Mill (say for three months) at the best terms possible.
Ed Wood.

No AGM minutes
Printed balance sheet inserted reports: Net profit for the year of £3126-4-9. Dividend of 5% less tax for the year.
Signed E Wood and A V Hedges at Burnley July 29th 1952.

September 18th 1952
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £17981-5-8 debit, rents owing £579-6-7. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 77 shares from Exors of Edith Askham to Kenneth Askham sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
A letter was read asking if a buyer could be found for 20 shares owned by Mr Bracewell Petty. Mr Wood said he would pay 10/- per share.
It was reported that a letter had been received from James Slater Ltd confirming their agreement to pay a warehouse rent of £30 a month from the end of their tenancy on September 30th 1952 until December 31st 1952, the position to be considered by both parties during November.
Res. That the Third Party insurance cover of £10,000 each at Butts and WH be increased to £30,000 each.
A letter was read from HMFI at Keighley dated September 6th 1952 pressing for the rebuilding of the shed wall of G S Sidebottom and Co and pointing out that if this was not done the Inspector would consider making application to the courts under Section 40 of the Factories Act 1937 as amended by Section 4 of the Factories Act 1948.
It was reported that arrangements had been made with Mr Duxbury for the work to be put in hand immediately after the September holidays. Since then however, G S Sidebottom had stated that putting the work in hand immediately would seriously interfere with production and it was agreed that G S Sidebottom should make representations to HMFI to this effect.
Ed Wood.

October 16th 1952
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £17555-9-0 debit, rents owing £1444-0-5. Accounts paid.
It was reported that the RPA had agreed that the temporary allowances for stopped looms should be extended from September 30th for six months.
Transfer of 20 shares from Bracewell Petty to E Wood sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that an enquiry had been received as to whether there were any purchasers for 268 shares but at the moment there were no offers.
It was reported that following the last meeting Mr Duxbury and Mr Hedges had seen G S Sidebottom who had requested that the repair of their shed wall be left over until next spring in view of the interference to production. As a result HMFI had agreed to the work being deferred until after the end of March 1953.
A letter from Clarke's Mattresses was read re repairs to their roof. Mr Duxbury said he was dealing with it.
Mr Duxbury stated that Carlson's had referred to the condition of the portion of Aldersley's warehouse overhanging their premises [Butts]. It was agreed that Mr Duxbury should see what could be done.
Mr Hedges said that following a request from Mr Whitaker at Martins Bank he had seen him re the overdraft. Mr Whitaker had asked that this should not exceed £17,500 for the period to March 31st 1953 when the position would be reviewed.
N M Barrett.

November 20th 1952
N M Barrett chair. Horsfield, Patrick, Duxbury and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £17816-16-10 debit, rents owing £1394-5-1. Accounts paid.
Res. That an interim dividend be paid for the half year to December 31st 1952 of 5%.
It was reported that James Slater Ltd had so far not raised the question of the continuation of their provisional tenancy at WH on warehouse rent which was due to expire on December 31st 1952.
Res. That if necessary this should be extended for three months to March 31st 1953.
R Jacques.

December 18th 1952
R Jacques chair. J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £17658-14-10 debit, rents owing £678-13-9. Accounts paid.
A binocular inspection of Butts Mill chimney was made from which it appeared that the condition was satisfactory and safe.
Mr Duxbury reported on the position with the water supply to WH dams and said he was awaiting a further report from the Council workmen.
R Jacques.

January 15th 1953
R Jacques chair. J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £20276-14-11 debit after paying accounts and Schedule 'A' Tax of £2124-1-5. Rents owing £1854-9-6. Accounts paid.
Res. That a letter confirming the letting of space formerly occupied by Electrification Ltd at Butts Mill to Clarke's Mattresses was approved. Tenancy to commence February 1st 1953 at a rent of £180 per annum. It was pointed out that the premises were not in a good state of repair and that probably the equivalent of a year's rent would have to be paid to effect repairs. Mr Duxbury reported that he had offered the space to Carlson's in accordance with the terms of their lease but they had not taken advantage of the offer.
R Jacques.

February 19th 1953
R Jacques chair. J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £18945-13-6 debit, rents owing 838-8-0. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares from Elizabeth Wordsworth, George William Wordsworth and Lucy A N Wordsworth sanctioned: 180 shares to Elizabeth Wordsworth. 200 to William C R Carr. 62 to Eileen M Pickup. Seal cert etc.
A quotation for insurance against loss of rent at WH Mill form engine breakdown was considered.
Res. That this risk be covered.
Reference was made to the various tenancies at Butts Mill held by Clarke's Mattresses and it was considered that it would be advisable to incorporate them in one tenancy. Mr Duxbury said he would see Tom Clarke on the matter. He said he understood they would probably be willing to accept partial responsibility for the increase in the cost of insurance during their tenancy.
Mr Duxbury said that the installation of the electric lift in Aldersley's portion of Butts Mill was being commenced. In connection with this he said that Aldersley's had complained that the lift cage wasn't big enough. [!] He had pointed out to them that they had approved the specification of the hoist and if they wanted any alteration they would be liable for the additional cost. Mr Aldersley agreed he had approved the specification and said he was agreeable to the work proceeding on the basis of the original dimensions.
Reported that G S Sidebottom and Co were replacing some of their looms with wider ones. In connection with this they had pointed out that part of the floor space was on a considerable slant [slope?]. Mr Duxbury said this was true and he thought it was due to subsidence [The old enemy at WH]. He thought Sidebottom's would be prepared to bear a share of the cost of repairs to the floor which would cost about £200.
Res. That Mr Duxbury should contact them again to see what could be arranged.
E Wood.

March 19th 1953
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £18041-0-9 debit, rents owing £672-10-10. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 150 shares from Patrick Kelly deceased to his widow Margaret Ellen Kelly sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Mr Duxbury reported that Clarke's had agreed to the consolidated tenancy at Butts and that it should be for a term of three years from April 1st 1953.
Res. That this should be arranged.
A report was given re the enlargement of the cage of Aldersley's lift. The total cost of this would be about £100. It was agreed that this should be shared equally between the two parties.
A letter received by Mr Duxbury from BUDC was considered in which the council stated that they could not accept responsibility for the discharge of surface water from Valley Road on to the CHSC land.
Res. That a letter be sent to BUDC pointing out that it was their responsibility and asking for it to be dealt with at once.
A letter from HMFI dated March 2nd 1953 giving various requirements for WH Mill was considered.
Res. That the matters referred to be put in hand.
Mr Duxbury reported he had heard nothing further from Sidebottom's re the floor in their premises at WH Mill.
Ed Wood.

April 16th 1953
R Jacques chair. J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £18395-15-1 debit, rents owing £2169-11-9. Accounts paid.
Mr Hedges said he had seen Mr Whitaker at his request re the overdraft. Following a discussion on the financial position of the company including the probable cost of repairing the warehouse wall adjoining Sidebottom's at WH Mill it was agreed that the limit of £17,500 be left in place for six months.
It was reported that the soft water tank at WH Mill was leaking badly and that temporary repairs had been effected but a new tank would eventually be required at a cost of £500/600.
Res. That consideration be given to the possibility of installing a pump so that water could be pumped directly from the dam to fill the boilers prior to starting the engine on Monday morning which would enable the level of water in the tank to be reduced by about 18” thus reducing the pressure in the tank. [Puzzling. I can only assume that they are still emptying the boilers each weekend to wash them out. If this is so it is very wasteful and one wonders why they don't get the water treatment right. The technology has improved by now and it should be possible to run the boilers from one flueing to another without emptying them. That is four times a year.]
Ed Wood.

May 21st 1953
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £17063-13-1 debit, rents owing £1480-16-11. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 100 shares from the executrix of Heber Crook to his widow Hattie Crook sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
The question of the soft water tank at WH was discussed. [This is the CI tank on the roof.]
Res. That Brown and Pickles be asked to give an estimate for supplying and fixing a pump.
Ed Wood.

June 11th 1953
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £17198-10-10 debit, rents owing £2675-18-3. Accounts paid.
A letter was read from Rolls Royce asking for repairs to the boundary wall abutting on the canal bank. [At Coates Wharf]
Res. That the necessary repairs should be done, Mr Duxbury said he would attend to it.
Re the water tank at WH Mill Brown and Pickles had estimated that a new pump would cost about £800 and the total cost including fitting would probably be over £1000. They could however get a second-hand pump which they had in view and the cost of this including overhauling it and fitting would should not exceed £400. The pump would do all that was required.
Res. That B&P be instructed to obtain the second-hand pump and fit it.
Mr Duxbury said he hoped to be able to commence the rebuilding of the wall at WH adjoining Sidebottom's very soon. He also reported that he had in hand the provision of the necessary fire escape in Clarke's premises at Butts Mill.
Ed Wood.

July 9th 1953
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £16830-8-7 debit, rents owing £1979-0-8. Accounts paid.
Reported that Exors of Herbert Clark wanted to sell 1053 shares and would be willing to receive offers for the same.
Res. That Accounts be approved, AGM to be called for August 20th and 5% dividend recommended.
R Jacques.

August 20th 1953
R Jacques chair. Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £15159-8-9 debit, rents owing £1449-17-3. Accounts paid.
Transfers of shares approved. 59 shares from Exors of Harold Strickland to Elsie M Harrison. 26 shares from Exors of Joseph W Askham to Mary Alice Askham. Seal cert etc.
A letter was read from Clarke's Mattresses complaining of serious raining in. Mr Duxbury said he was continuing to do all he could to keep the roof in good condition short of re-roofing which would be very expensive.
Mr Duxbury reported that Clarke's had agreed to pay a part of the increased insurance premium due to their tenancy [Flammable materials used and considered higher risk by the insurance companies.]
Res. That the secretary should suggest an increase of £20 per year making a total rent payable by them of £600 when full rent comes into operation on February 1st 1954. [Pencil note in margin; 'Agreed'.]
Various complaints about raining in at Nutter Brothers and G S Sidebottom and flooding at Brown and Pickles were considered. It was pointed out that the latter was due to the raising of the level of Wellhouse Road and that the Borough Surveyor was looking into this.
Ed Wood.

No minute of AGM
Printed balance sheet reports: net profit for the year of £4455-17-3, dividend of 5% less tax and £13,703-5-2 carried over.
Signed E Wood and A V Hedges at Burnley July 27th 1953.

September 17th 1953
E Wood chair. Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £13933-11-4 debit, rents owing £1552-19-11. Accounts paid.
Two letters from John C Carlson were read. The first contained a suggestion from their fire insurance surveyor that the glass panes of two windows from Clarke's Mattresses overlooking Carlson's roof lights should be protected to minimise fire risk.
Res. That they be informed that this would be attended to by Mr Duxbury.
The second letter asked for permission to dispose of old and useless heating and lighting equipment which had been replaced by new material and stating that if and when they vacate the premises they would see that the lighting and heating equipment was in good order.
Res. That this be agreed on the understanding laid out in their letter.
A letter from Jackson, Stop and Staff [High end national estate agents] was read stating that they had instructions from the Exors of Colonel Royds to offer his Rochdale Estate for sale by auction on November 4th and asking whether CHSC were interested in the ground rents payable to the estate.
Res. That Further particulars be obtained and the matter considered at the next meeting.
N M Barrett.

October 15th 1953
N Barrett chair. Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £14334-1-5 debit, rents owing £1326-1-2. Accounts paid.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: From Exors of Herbert Clark; 600 shares to Edith Mary Brown. 227 to George Robert Cook. 226 to John Whitfield Overinge. Seal cert etc.
Further consideration was given to the question of ground rents of £10 and £20 payable to Royds.
Res. That Messrs N M Barrett and A V Hedges attend the auction at Manchester on November 4th with authority to purchase the ground rents if they could be obtained at a reasonable cost.
Mr Hedges stated he was to see Mr Whitaker at his request re the overdraft.
Following the meeting Mr Hedges saw Mr Whitaker who asked for a limit of £15,000 over the next six months. The charge for Bank Interest had been reduced from 5% to 4½% from September 18th.
Ed Wood.

November 19th 1953
E Wood chair. R Jacques, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £13101-6-1 debit, rents owing £1507-7-4. Accounts paid.
The secretary reported that £96-50 had been received from the Receiver of Grove Engineering in respect of the claim made for dilapidations by CHSC.
It was reported that it had not been possible to arrange with the auctioneers to deal separately with the two ground rents of £30 payable by CHSC to Royds. The lot in which these rents had been included was not sold. An offer was made on behalf of CHSC of £300 (ten year's rental), this was not accepted and the auctioneers asked £420.
Res. That £420 be offered for the ground rents. [Pencil note in margin; 'Purchased'.]
A letter was received from the BUDC engineer regarding means of escape in case of fire at WH Mill.
Res. That the necessary work be put in hand.
Transfer of shares sanctioned: From Exors of Isabella Campbell: 135 shares to Annie Waller. 135 to Joseph Henry Dent. 135 to Catherine J Wolfenden. 135 to Elizabeth E Sheldrick. From Exors of Mary Ann Heap: 87 shares to John Cunliffe Heap. 88 to Harry Atkinson Heap.
A tender from Tidswell and Saunders Ltd for an additional armoured cable from the engine house at WH Mill to E Midgley and Co's space at £165 was considered.
Res. That this work should be put in hand but that enquiry should first be made as to the cost of a cable capable of carrying additional voltage. [Current? I think that the directors are doing some forward thinking to when all electric running would come in.]
Res. That an interim dividend of 5% be paid.
Ed Wood.

December 17th 1953
E Wood chair. Horsfield, R Jacques, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £14848-16-0 debit (after paying dividend and Schedule 'A' Tax) rents owing £819-11-3. Accounts paid.
Consideration was given to openings for windows made by Blin and Blin in the wall of the warehouse at CH Shed. It was pointed out that they would be responsible for making these good at the end of their lease. It was agreed that Mr Duxbury should mention this to them when a suitable opportunity arose.
Res. That the purchase of the rents of £30 payable to Royd at £420 be approved and confirmed. (£20 per annum for land in WH Mill yard and £10 for land under the Pigeon Hole at Butts)
Ed Wood.

January 21st 1954
E Wood chair. R Jacques, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £14377-13-4 debit, rents owing £1784-19-9. Accounts paid.
Reported that in accordance with the minute of November 19th a stronger electric cable had been ordered from Tidswell and Saunders for £210.
Transfer of 57 shares from Gerald Fawcett to Miss Gertrude Wright Pickup be sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
R Jacques.

February 18th 1954
R Jacques chair, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £14627-0-8 debit, rents owing £1766-10-11. Accounts paid.
Mr Duxbury reported that the tank at WH Mill was in a very bad condition. It was not being used for storage of water [after installation of the pump] but the bottom acted as the roof for the part of the building it covered and to remove the 60 feet by 30 feet tank and re-roof would cost about £1000.
Res. That temporary repairs be carried out and that consideration be given to what should be done to make a permanent job.
Mr Duxbury also reported that Brown and Pickles wanted to enlarge the entrance door into the old laundry. [First mention that they had taken it during the war.] They were prepared to carry out the work at their own expense providing CHSC agreed.
Res. That the company gives this agreement.
Ed Wood.

March 18th 1954
E Wood chair. R Jacques, J W Patrick, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £14636-17-10 debit, rents owing £2226-1-9. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 338 shares from Carla Estates Ltd to Harold Duxbury and 8 shares from Mary Edmondson to J V Patrick sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Ed Wood.

April 15th 1954
E Wood chair. R Jacques, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £13003-16-2 debit, rents owing £2128-13-6. Accounts paid.
Res. That a letter be written to BUDC saying that unless CHSC could be assured that the council would take steps to rectify the position re surface water on land adjoining Valley Road, the matter would have to be put in other hands with a view to proceedings being taken.
Mr Hedges reported that following the meeting he was to see Mr Whitaker at Martins Bank re the overdraft limit. [Pencil note;'Limit was fixed at £13,000 for the next six months.']
Ed Wood.

May 27th 1954
E Wood chair. Horsfield, R Jacques, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £11801-14-3 debit, rents owing £1616-19-1. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 39 shares from Charles C Plummer to Arthur Plummer sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Two letters from the Clerk to BUDC dated April 24th and 25th were read. The Council once more disclaimed any responsibility for the outflow of their surface water drain on Valley Road through and into land at WH Mill.
Res. That the matter be out in the hands of Smith Smith solicitor of Burnley.
It was reported that Brown and Pickles had estimated that it would cost about £330 to supply the necessary 3” pipe and valves for 8 additional fire hydrants at WH Mill.
Res. That this be put in hand as it could result in a substantial reduction in the fire insurance.
Mr Duxbury reported that the Fire Brigade Officer had suggested that a telephone should be installed at the home address of the engineer at WH so that he could quickly be notified in case of fire.
Res. That this be done.
Mr Duxbury reported that negotiations were proceeding for Clarke's to take over the offices at present occupied by H Proctor.
Mr Hedges reported that at his meeting with Mr Whitaker and an overdraft limit of £13,000 for the next six months had been agreed.
Ed Wood.

June 17th 1954
E Wood chair. R Jacques, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £11381-6-3 debit, rents owing £2033-8-2. Accounts paid.
Mr Hedges reported that he had seen Smith Smith re the flooding problem at WH Mill and they were to write to BUDC on the matter.
Res. That the next meeting be held on July 22nd.
Reported that Foster's (Harry Proctor) had given up both top and bottom floors of the offices at Butts Mill and that Clarke's were taking them over. It was agreed that the extra rent to be charged to Clarke's and the reduction in Foster's rent be left to Mr Duxbury.
Ed Wood.

July 22nd 1954
E Wood chair. R Jacques, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £10092-6-3 debit, rents owing £1717-9-10. Accounts paid.
Res. That accounts for the year be approved subject to a charge of £500 for depreciation. That a dividend of 10% for the half-year be recommended making a total for the year of 7½% less tax. AGM to be on August 26th.
A letter was read from Rolls Royce enquiring about the possibility of renting storage space at WH Mill.
Res. That the shed portion (about 10,800 square feet) now occupied by James Slater for storage of looms be offered to them at £600 per annum to include heating and rates providing James Slater were not prepared to pay that amount. [A no-brainer I think!]
R Jacques.

No minute of the AGM
Printed balance sheet reports: Net profit for year of £7677-4-2. Ground rents purchased. Total dividend for year of 7½% recommended and £18,872-19-3 carried forward.
Signed E Wood and A V Hedges at Burnley August 3rd 1954.

August 26th 1954
R Jacques chair. J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £10325-3-9 debit, rents owing 1488-15-7. Accounts paid.
Reported that Smith Smith had received a reply from BUDC re flooding at WH. BUDC said they had appointed a sub-committee together with the engineer surveyor and the clerk to meet the directors on site to clear up the matter and that a date would be set as soon as possible.
It was reported that James Slater felt they could not pay £600 per annum for the space at WH but they offered to pay £500 for period of five years on the understanding that if they re-commenced weaving the normal weaving shed rent would be paid. Mr Hedges had then spoken to Mr Riker of Rolls Royce who said that at the moment they were only really interested in about one third of the shed floor for storing machine tools though he hoped that they would eventually want the whole of the shed floor space.
Res. That the whole of the shed floor be offered to RR at a rent of £600 per annum, they to pay rates and CHSC to provide heating up to the present standard subject to a proportionate increase in charges if costs increase, the shed floor to be left vacant for the time being.
A letter was read from the Highways and Bridges department of West Riding CC saying that the question of improving Coates Bridge was under consideration and asking if CHSC would be prepared to sell Coates House and any necessary land to the County Council.
Res. That they be informed that the CHSC would be prepared to sell the house and land at the same time enquiring how much land was required and the price the County Council had in mind.
The question of increasing the cover for insurance of the boilers at WH Mill was considered.
Res. That the cover be increased and that the matter, together with the possibility of changing the insurance company be left in the hands of the secretary.
The question of insurance against damage of the new electric hoists at WH Mill was considered.
Res. That further enquiries be made about this matter.
Ed Wood.

September 16th 1954
E Wood chair. R Jacques, J W Patrick, H Duxbury and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £8990-10-9 debit, rents owing £1486-17-5.
It was reported that Smith Smith had heard from BUDC suggesting Friday September 10th for a meeting on site to discuss the flooding at WH Mill. It had however not been possible to arrange a meeting for that day and a further date was awaited.
Mr Hedges reported that he had written to Mr Riker of Rolls Royce setting out the terms on which CHSC would be agreeable to letting the space now occupied by James Slater Ltd as decided at the last meeting. No reply had yet been received but he understood that Mr Riker was submitting the proposals to his head office at Derby.
It was also reported that a reply had been received from WRCC Highways and Bridges stating that as CHSC was not able to offer vacant possession of the house at Coates Canal Bridge it was not proposed to pursue the matter further at the present time. It was stated however that if restrictions placed on road improvements [by the government] were eased the department would communicate with the CHSC again.
The question of insurance against damage of the electric hoists was considered.
Res. That this be not done as it was felt that the benefits were not worth the cost of the insurance.
Mr Duxbury reported that all the requirements of the BUDC re means of escape in case of fire at WH Mill had been complied with and that he would apply to BUDC for the necessary certificate.
The question of an increase in cottage rents under the Housing Repairs and Rents Act of 1954 was considered.
Res. That if increases were found to be applicable under the Act the rents should be increased and the procedures outlined under the Act followed.
Ed Wood.

October 21st 1954
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £9031-15-1 debit, rents owing £1334-1-4.
A report was given of the site meeting with BUDC re flooding at WH Mill. At the meeting the BUDC surveyor produced a plan showing a proposed scheme of layout of the land adjoining the road which was signed in one corner by Mr Atkinson as being approved by CHSC in January 1908 which showed a drain marked in red as running onto CHSC land. [Oh dear....] Following this meeting a letter had been received by Smith Smith stating that BUDC could accept no responsibility whatsoever as in their view the plan was regarded as evidence that the pipe onto CHSC land was in existence at that time and had been for some years and that the company was aware of the fact and that the pipe had not been put in without the company's consent. Mr Hedges said that since the receipt of that letter Smith Smith had written to him to say that they considered that whether the company was aware or not of the pipe discharging water onto their land the local authority could claim to have acquired a right by prescription to discharge such water having enjoyed such a right for over 40 years. Mr Hedges said that he had turned up a minute dated February 12th 1908 which stated: “That we allow the Council to connect their top water drain in Wellhouse Road at a rent” but there were no records existing to say that such a rent had been paid for a considerable number of years. After discussion it was agreed that Mr Patrick should look to see if there was any mention in papers left by the late Mr Banks and that Mr Hedges should then further discuss the matter with Mr Knagg of Smith and Smith. Subject to this Mr Hedges should than write to the Council stating that CHSC could not accept their contention. It was considered however that it would not be possible to do anything further in the matter.
The question of the charge for heating supplied to Brown and Pickles through about 200 feet of pipes in the Laundry was discussed and it was agreed that Mr Duxbury should look into the boiler at present providing the heating with a view to arriving at a suitable charge.
Mr Duxbury mentioned the provision of a loading bay shelter for Horsfield's at WH Mill. It was considered that this accommodation should be provided and that it would be a reasonable suggestion for the tenant and CHSC to each bear half the cost. It was arranged that Mr Duxbury see Mr Ewart Horsfield to discuss the matter.
Mr Hedges reported that he was to call on Mr Whitaker at his request after the meeting re the overdraft. (At this meeting Mr Whitaker agreed that the limit of the overdraft be lowered from £13,000 to £10,000.)
R Jacques.

November 18th 1954
R Jacques chair. J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £7727-8-11 debit. Rents owing £1763-10-11. Accounts paid.
Mr Duxbury said that Clarke's Mattresses were interested in the space at WH Mill occupied by James Slater and he thought they would pat £1000 rent per annum including heating. He had seen Rolls re their interest in the space but they said they weren't in a position to take the space immediately and had no objection to Clarke's taking it.
It was agreed that Mr Duxbury see Clarke's and suggest they put an offer in writing of £1000 per annum and if this was received it would be accepted providing they pay the rates and that arrangements could be made with James Slater for early termination of their tenancy.
Mr Hedges read a letter received from WD&E Nutter dated November 8th 1954 regarding what they described as the shocking state of repair of their warehouse floor and the main alleys in the shed. It was reported that the floors needed attention.
Res. That Mr Duxbury put the necessary work in hand.
A report was given of a meeting on Tuesday November 9th with WRCC Surveyors Department. CHSC represented by Messrs Duxbury, Patrick and A V Hedges. A plan had been produced showing a scheme for the widening Coates Bridge which involved the demolition of Bridge House. The question of vacant possession had arisen but the tenant said he would move if BUDC gave him a council house which it was thought could be done. This had been the main difficulty and the WRCC representatives said that the scheme, though provisional, would be submitted for approval to the Ministry.
A letter from John C Carlson Ltd dated November 4th was read in which they requested permission two knock down two brick walls in what were previously rest rooms which they said would improve the premises. Following a report from Mr Duxbury this was approved.
Res. That this action be and is hereby confirmed.
The question of rent increases for house property under the Housing Repairs and Rent Act of 1954 was considered. It was agreed that the following increases under the Act be notified to the tenants:
38 Calf Hall Road, increase of 3/6 to 19/1 per week. Butts Cottage, increase of 2/6½ to 13/9½ per week. Bridge House at Coates, increase of 3/7 to 19/10 per week. Mr Duxbury explained the position of the tenant, Mr King. It was agreed that no increase be asked for 11 West Close Road occupied by E Marshall, assistant engineer at WH Mill.
Res. That an interim dividend of 5% be set for the half year, the intention being to recommend 10% for the next half year making 7½% less tax for the full year.
It was reported that a loading shelter for Horsfield (Bankfield) Ltd [WH] had been constructed at a cost of about £56 of which the tenant was to pay £15.
Mr Duxbury said that he had not yet gone into the question of heating in the old Laundry at WH occupied by Brown and Pickles but he would be dealing with the matter shortly. [Note in margin says: 'Agreed £78 per annum charged monthly on rent account'.]
R Jacques.

December 16th 1954
R Jacques chair. Horsfield, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £8489-18-1 debit, rents owing £1022-17-5.
A letter was read from Clarke's Mattresses Ltd dated November 30th 1954 in which it was stated that they were prepared to take the Slater space at WH at a rent of £1000 to include heating from March 31st 1955. Mr Hedges said that he had arranged for Tom Clarke to meet James Slater at WH and he understood that James Slater Ltd had agreed to give vacant possession by March 31st 1955.
Res. That formal notice be sent to James Slater Ltd and that confirmation be sent to Mr Clarke of acceptance of their offer with the suggestion that they should also pay the rates and make a reasonable contribution to any increase in insurance premiums if the fire risk is increased by their tenancy.
A letter from G S Sidebottom dated December 10th was read re the erection of a garage on the spare land adjacent to their entrance at WH Mill. Mr Duxbury said he had called to see them and was arranging for the re-siting of the garage. It was agreed that confirmation of this should be sent to them and asking them to say what they had in mind for the erection of a structure for storage.
Ed Wood.

March 17th 1955
[Long gap but no mistake]
Ed Wood chair. Jacques, Horsfield, Patrick, Duxbury and A V Hedges. Minute as read.
Bank account £8792-10-7, rents owing £1488-10-4. Accounts paid.
It was reported that Slater's were vacating WH Mill and Clarke's would take possession from April 1st.
It was reported that a Certificate of Disrepair had been received from the BUDC clerk in respect of Bridge House. In view of the likelihood of the house having to be pulled down before long to fit in with the widening of Coates Canal Bridge:
Res. That the proposed increase of rent under the Housing Repairs and Rent Act be not proceeded with.
It was reported that E Midgley and Co had raised the matter of charges for electrical power. Mr Hedges said he would look further into the matter.
Mr Duxbury reported on the position re proposals for an extension at WH Mill of the portion occupied by G S Sidebottom and Co. He said that they had produced plans which he thought would involve a cost of about £1200 and they had given him the impression that they would be willing to pay half the cost. It was pointed out that the roof of the present lean-to was in bad condition and that if the extension was not proceeded with the repairs necessary to it would cost between £300 to £400.
It was agreed that Mr Duxbury should see them, the feeling of the board being that they would be agreeable to their suggestion being carried out subject to agreement on details.
Mr Duxbury said that it had been suggested that the means of access used by the engineer past the North side of WH Mill from the engine house round to the lodge was a public footpath.
Res. That it be put on record that this was not so and it was pointed out that it had previously been prevented by a gate and also that access had been completely stopped for a fortnight during December last to enforce the CHSC right, no protest having been received.
Ed Wood.

April 21st 1955
Ed Wood chair. Jacques, Horsfield, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett and A V Hedges. Minute as read.
Bank account £6548-0-10, rents owing £1308-19-8. Accounts paid.
It was reported that Clarke's had taken up the WH tenancy from April 1st 1955 at £1054 per annum including rates and that they also retained their tenancy at Butts Mill at £652 per annum excluding rates making a total of £1706 per annum.
Res. That a new share certificate be issued for 48 shares to Clarence Smith and Melba Waite, Exors of Elizabeth Smith who had signed a form of request to that affect. An enquiry had been received to see if there was any purchaser for the 48 shares and Mr Patrick had bought them at 9/6 each.
Mr Duxbury stated that he had seen G S Sidebottom re the proposed extension at WH Mill. In view of the present recession in the cotton trade they wished to leave the matter over for the time being but had said they definitely wanted to proceed with the matter when trade improved. [Hope still sprang eternal of better days to come but with hindsight the Barlick weaving trade was dying on its feet. By 1979 only a few looms were still running, Bendem, the modern incarnation of B&EM Holden had a small weaving shed in WH Mill running on individual electric motors. Pickles were still running at Long Ing but had converted to knitting.]
The question of electricity provided for power purposes to E Midgley and Co at WH Mill was further discussed. Mr Duxbury said that they had promised to let him have the invoice for electricity provided by the Yorkshire Electricity Board [lighting] as soon as it was received for the current quarter. Mr Duxbury would then forward the invoice to Mr Hedges for further consideration.
A letter from WRCC Highways and Bridges dated April 20th was read in which the County Surveyor asked if it was possible to delay the re-letting of Bridge House for the time being until he was in a position to say whether negotiations could be opened for the purchase of the property.
Res. That he be informed that the re-letting would not be proceeded with for the time being.
Mr Hedges said he had been requested to see Mr Whitaker re the overdraft after the meeting. [At this meeting it was agreed that the overdraft limit be £8500 for the next six months.]
Ed Wood.

May 26th 1955
Ed Wood chair. Horsfield, Patrick, Duxbury and A V Hedges. Minute as read.
Bank account £5949-0-10, rents owing £1812-15-8. Accounts paid.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: From Exors of Mr Burridge to Ernest Burridge, 159 shares and 159 to George Burridge. From Clarence Smith and Melba Waite to J V Patrick, 48 shares. All seal cert etc.
Mr Duxbury said he had seen Midgley's re the electricity charges and Mr Midgley was going to go into the matter further after which Mr Duxbury thought that a mutually satisfactory arrangement could be arrived at.
Mr Hedges read a letter Fro WRCC Highways and Bridges at Count Hall, Wakefield dated May 19th saying that the Divisional Road Engineer had given his approval to the District Valuer being asked to negotiate for the land and property of Bridge House which would be required for the widening of Coates Canal Bridge and enclosing a plan on which he asked for the boundaries of the land owned by CHSC to be shown after which the DV would communicate with CHSC on the purchase.
Res. That a letter be sent to BUDC pointing out that something would have to be done about the surface water drain from Valley Road which discharged on CHSC land at WH Mill as the land was to be put in use and asking if BUDC would meet CHSC re expenditure rather than the matter being taken to law.
Ed Wood.

June 30th 1955
R Jacques chair. Horsfield, Patrick, Duxbury Barrett and A V Hedges. Minute as read.
A report was given of the fire at Butts Mill which occurred on June 28th 1955 and completely destroyed part of the portion occupied by Clarke's Mattresses consisting of the two spaces taken over by them from Mrs Whipp and the engine house. The portions still usable by Clarke's consisted of the portion previously used by Electrification Ltd and the offices recently let to them.
Mr Duxbury said he had seen Mr Tom Clarke who was anxious to continue his tenancy at Butts Mill but had stated that the two portions left could not be workable without further accommodation at Butts and had asked what the intentions of CHSC were re re-building. He was now working two shifts at WH Mill but this was not sufficient.
Mr Hedges said that Aspden and Johnson the insurance assessors acting for CHSC had reported that they considered CHSC was covered for the damage done and there should be no difficulty in obtaining a satisfactory settlement. They were in touch with the assessors acting for the insurance company and hoped to be able to give some definite information within ten days.
Mr Duxbury said that Carlson's would definitely be interested as he thought they would like to have the opportunity of having a good entrance at this end of the mill. Mr Carlson was at present abroad on holiday but Mr Duxbury said he would contact him on his return. In the meantime he did not think the walls were in a dangerous state and said he would take the necessary steps to prevent unauthorised access to the damaged portion.
Considerable discussion ensued and after an examination of the damaged premises had been made:
Res. That further consideration be deferred pending a settlement with the insurance company.
Ed Wood.

July 21st 1955
E Wood chair. Jacques, Horsfield, Patrick, Duxbury and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £3770-19-0 debit, rents owing 2005-9-5. Accounts paid.
Balance sheet for the year approved as read. AGM to be called for Tuesday August 30th and that 10% dividend be recommended for the half year making 7½% for the year.
A letter from WD&E Nutter asking for an increase in the allowance for stopped looms was read. It was stated that this question was at the moment receiving attention by the RP Owners Association and that an additional allowance for stopped looms was contemplated.
A letter from WRCC enclosing a plan showing which land would be required for widening Coates Bridge was read. [This keeps being referred to as widening the bridge but was in fact a complete reconstruction to lower the crown of the old bridge and re-grade the steep slope leading up to it.] The letter asked the price at which CHSC would be prepared to sell Bridge House and part of the land adjoining. It was agreed that £600 be asked.
A letter from the London Assurance Co regarding an increase in fire insurance premium at WH Mill due to the Clarke tenancy was considered.
It was agreed that the suggestion by the insurance company to limit the increase in premium be carried out.
Reference was made to the Butts Mill fire of June 28th and instructions were given to Mr Duxbury to carry out the work necessary to clear up and make safe the portion of the wall affected.
Mr Duxbury said he would see Mr Midgley re the charge for electric power as soon as Barnoldswick holidays was over.
Ed Wood.

August 30th 1955
E Wood chair. Jacques, Horsfield, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £4640-5-3, rents owing £85-18-1. [Not including August rents]
Mr Duxbury reported that he had taken the District Valuer round Bridge House and land and after speaking to Mr Hedges had verbally agreed a provisional price of £650. Nothing had yet been received in writing from the DV.
Res. That this provisional agreement is hereby confirmed.
It was reported that a letter had been received from the BUDC Surveyor dated August 15th setting recommendations required to be carried out at Butts Mill before a Certificate of Means of Escape in case of fire (Factories Act 1937) could be issued. A number of these recommendations could be easily carried out but some might be affected by what may be decided to be done in the way of reconstruction after the fire in the portion occupied by Clarke's Mattresses Ltd.
It was also reported that a letter dated August 26th had been received from the BUDC Surveyor containing recommendations for work needed at WH Mill before a similar certificate could be issued. This letter stated that the recommendations outstanding in February 1951 had been generally carried out but that some further suggestions were now made. Mr Duxbury said he had seen the Surveyor in connection with these.
It was agreed that a reply should be sent to the surveyor dealing with the points in detail as some of the recommendations conflicted with insurance company requirements.
It was reported that a letter had been received from the BUDC clerk dated August 6th dealing with the surface drain from Valley Road stating that BUDC had obtained Counsel's Opinion which said that by reason of the number of years the pipe in question had been in existence and other circumstances, the BUDC had established a prescriptive right to the pipe and its use and that BUDC was therefore justified in refusing the CHSC request to remove the pipe or share in the expense of dealing with the question. BUDC were therefore not prepared to accept any responsibility in the matter.
It was reported that a letter had been received from the fire assessors acting for the insurance company re the CHSC claim for loss consequent on the fire at Butts of June 28th. They agreed to a loss of £17,728 (including £328 for loss of rent) and as they had sent their report to the insurance company payment could be expected during September.
Res. That after the receipt of the fire compensation the cash not needed for current use should be placed in a deposit account with the bank.
Ed Wood.

No minutes for AGM
Printed balance sheet reports: Net profit for year ending June 30th 1955 £6395-6-0. Interim dividend of 5% was paid for half year ending December 31st 1954. Dividend for this half year 10% making 7½% for the year.
Signed E Wood and A V Hedges at Burnley August 5th 1955.

October 20th 1955
E Wood chair. Jacques, Horsfield, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1042-8-11 credit (in addition to a deposit account of £13,000) and rents owing £1556-18-3. [It's an ill will that blows nobody any good. The fire at Butts has advanced the day when finally, the CHSC climbs out of the hole created by WW2 and subsequent trading conditions.]
Accounts paid.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: 96 shares from Ernest Proctor to Phyllis Bury. 32 shares from Susannah Harrison to Elisha Harrison. From Exors of Edith Jacques: 43 shares to Mary Young. 38 to Janet Reed. 47 to L P Jacques. All seal cert etc.
It was reported that £17728 had been received from the insurance companies re the fire at Butts Mill and that £13,000 had been placed on deposit with the bank on September 12th at 2½% interest and subject to one week's notice of withdrawal.
Correspondence re means of escape at WH Mill was read and it was agreed that the necessary steps be taken to deal with the matters specified.
Mr Duxbury said he had seen Mr Midgley re the electric power but that Mr Midgley had suggested the matter be left over until he had seen his next quarter's account from YEB.
Ed Wood.

November 17th 1955
E Wood chair. Jacques, Horsfield, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1927-2-0, rents owing £2299. Accounts paid.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: 200 shares from W C R Carr to Ed Wood. From administrators of E Bell: 30 shares to Lucy Sutcliffe. 30 to Edward Bell. 100 shares from Elizabeth Mitchell to Elsie B Patrick. All seal cert etc.
Mr Duxbury reported on a further conversation with Mr Midgley and that the charge for electric power for the last half year (which on CHSC rate worked out at 1.85d per unit) would, if based on the YEB tariff have worked out at just over 1d per unit. It was agreed that Mr Duxbury should see Mr Midgley and suggest a charge of 1¼d per unit.
It was reported that the district valuer had written confirming the tentative agreement made between his representative and Mr Duxbury for the sale to WRCC of Bridge House and the land adjoining for £650 and that he had now issued a report to WRCC.
Mr Duxbury said that Rolls Royce were interested in the remaining part of the land at Coates Wharf.
Res. That he be authorised to negotiate with them for the sale of the land at £125.
A letter was read from the BUDC Surveyor asking that he should be informed when the additional door through the exterior wall of WH Mill onto the footpath adjoining had been broken out so that the necessary inspection for fire purposes could be made.
It was reported that six months notice had been received from Nutter Brothers of their intention to vacate their portion at WH Mill on April 30th 1956.
Res. That as Rolls Royce were interested in a tenancy at WH Mill Messrs Duxbury and Hedges be and are hereby empowered to meet representatives of RR with a view to arranging a tenancy. It was suggested that a reasonable figure would be £1500 to include heating as at present, the tenants to be responsible for repairs and paying the rates. Alternatively £1250 per annum without heating with steam to be supplied at an agreed rate through a meter, a suggested term to be a seven years lease with an option of another seven years the tenant to have a six months break clause in the second seven year term.
It was also agreed that CHSC would be willing to contribute £500 towards putting the premises in a suitable condition.
It was reported that the fire insurance company's surveyor Mr Blundell together with the Fire Brigade Chief had inspected and approved the pump recently installed at WH Mill and that therefore a reduction on the premium should be obtainable.
Res. That an interim dividend should be paid on December 16th 1955 at 5% per annum lees tax for six months.
Ed Wood.

December 15th 1955
E Wood chair. Jacques, Horsfield, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £2764-9-10, deposit account £13000 and rents owing £1167-5-7. Accounts paid.
A letter was read from WD&E Nutter complaining about the heavy cost of rent because they had so few looms running. Mr Hedges said he had replied pointing out that rent was fixed by the RPA agreement and CHSC was bound by this. He had however promised to bring the letter to the attention of the directors. Mr Duxbury said he had repeatedly pointed out to the firm that if they were unable to use the spaces in their tenancy they should reduce the number of looms to what they could use.
Res. That the matter be left over. [This is a classic case of a firm permanently short of work but refusing to face the fact and contract. Surprising really because Wilfred Nutter was a smart cookie. However, he is ageing and perhaps wasn't willing to face facts.]
Mr Hedges gave a report of a meeting between himself, Duxbury and Patrick with Rolls Royce on Nov 21st 1955 re the proposal that the part of WH being vacated by Nutter Brothers should be let to RR. Following this meeting a letter had been sent to them on November 23rd setting out the CHSC terms, this being on the lines set out in the meeting of directors on November 17th. Rolls Royce however being given the alternative of paying £1250 per annum if they carry out repairs. Alternatively CHSC to do repairs and rent to be £1750.
It was agreed that the terms of the letter of November 23rd be approved and that if necessary CHSC would be agreeable to accept a rent of £1550 in place of £1750 and to increase the suggested allowance of £500 to £1000.
Mr Duxbury said that the additional door through the exterior wall at WH Mill in premises occupied by Clarke's Mattresses onto the footpath had been broken out and that other fire precautions at the premises had been dealt with, with the exception of a fireproof door to the generator room re which the advice of the insurance co should be obtained.
R Jacques.

January 19th 1956
R Jacques chair. Horsfield, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1318-7-7 credit, deposit £13,000, rents owing £2111-15-11.
Further correspondence read with RR re the proposed tenancy. A draft lease on the basis approved at the previous meeting, yearly rent of £1550 and an allowance for the first year of £1000 had been prepared by Smith Smith. This was read and approved and was to be forwarded to RR for their comments.
Mr Duxbury said he had further enquiries from RR for space at WH Mill for 10,000 to 30,000 square feet. It was agreed that if this request should materialise, Mr Hedges should write to WD&E Nutter re their letter of November 30th asking if it would be of any help to give up some of the space occupied by them. This might be suitable for Rolls Royce.
The secretary said he had been requested to find buyers for 23 shares from Mrs L Schofield and 57 from Exors of A Wallbank. Mr Patrick offered 9/- per share for the 23 but there was no offer for the 57 shares.
It was reported that the London Assurance Co had paid £92-11-3 re a small fire at CH Shed on October 3rd 1055 this being the cost of repairs to the roof paid for by Blin and Blin and that this amount had been forwarded to them.
It was agreed that YEB be allowed to place an electric cable below ground in the yard at WH Mill subject to them paying an easement of 2/- per annum.
Mr Duxbury said that Mr Osgood of Carlson's had seen him and stated that they were not interested in the portion of Butts Mill now occupied by Clarke's Mattresses nor the portion damaged by fire. Mr Duxbury said that he was arranging for the completion of the removal of the fire debris after which it would be necessary to consider what was to be done with the property. [Not stated but it sounds as though Clarke's are leaving Butts. At about this time they took over Clough Mill and I suspect this is what had happened.]
R Jacques.

February 16th 1956
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £396-12-2, rents owing £3030-12-2. Accounts paid.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: 78 shares from Exors of Clara Hargreaves to Elizabeth Hargreaves. 23 shares from Mrs Louisa Schofield to J V Patrick. Seal cert etc.
A request from the Postmaster General to place a stay on land at WH was approved. [It was still Post Office Telephones and this was a supporting stay for a pole not on CHSC land.]
The question of charges for electric power was again considered following a request from Midgley's and also from WD&E Nutter. Mr Hedges reported that at a recent meeting of the RPA it had been agreed that members could agree their own charges for electricity for tenants.
Res. That electricity should be charged at 1½d per unit to tenants at WH Mill. [Many of the looms and other plant were now being driven by individual electric motors so the engine is providing both shaft power and electric power from the big alternator which had been installed earlier.]
It was reported that a draft lease of the former Nutter Brothers space had been forwarded to RR who had acknowledged receipt of it and said that any further communication would be sent to Smith and Smith.
Mr Duxbury reported quotations he had received for the shafting to be removed from the former Nutter Brothers' premises.
Res. That this be sold to George Rushworth of Colne. The shafting to be removed and delivered at Colne by Brown and Pickles. [It's obvious that CHSC has seen the future and removal of the shafting is a tacit acknowledgement that the old industry is finished. Firms like RR and Clarke's Mattresses are working in the modern economy at realistic profit margins. The weaving industry is contracting and battling against a flood of cheap imports from countries who formerly were their customers.]
Mr Duxbury said that the removal of fire debris would be finished in about a week and the directors should consider what to do with the property.
Mr Duxbury said he had had a request from WD&E Nutter for a reduction in rent and electricity charges. It was pointed out that RPA agreements could not be altered but as stated in previous minutes a reduction in electricity charges could be made.
Res. That Messrs Duxbury and Hedges see WD&E Nutter after the meeting.
WH Mill water supply. Mr Duxbury suggested that it might be an advantage to CHSC to acquire land adjoining WH Mill through which the Bowker Drain ran if the owners would sell at a reasonable price. [The Bowker drain is a mystery enfolded in an enigma. It was the main supply of water for the dams at WH Mill from 1853 onwards, had been the subject of court cases and was the supply of water to the well in Eastwood Bottoms in land owned by the Roundell Estate to whom CHSC are still paying an annual rent. I had many verbal evidences that use of the water in the drain was always seen as vaguely illegal, certainly everybody clammed up when I got on the subject. Harold knew more than most about the drain and as contractor for Rolls Royce he re-piped much of it with 9” concrete pipes. RR did this because they used water from it for foul water supplies at Bankfield Shed. You'll get some idea of the clandestine nature of any enquiry if I tell you that one evening a roll of plans was popped through my front room window in King Street in the 1980s and I never knew who was responsible. However, these plans of the Bowker Drain show how well it was surveyed and what concerns us here is that one of the drawings is dated January 1955 and I suspect that by February 1956 Harold Duxbury was involved in contracting for improvements to the drain for RR. This may be what is at the root of his advice above.]
Ed Wood.

March 15th 1956
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Horsfield, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £3162-16-1 credit, rents owing £1132-11-7. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 100 shares from Isabella Walker to Robert Walker and a new share certificate for 440 shares in the name of Dorothy Agnes Reid deceased for which a Form of Indemnity had been provided by her executors. Seal cert etc.
A letter received February 17th from YEB was read in which they asked for security of tenure for a sub-station to be erected at WH for RR. The YEB stated that they would look to CHSC to bear the cost of the work, £200 a comprehensive form of agreement was enclosed for signature. Mr Hedges stated he had replied that he understood RR had already agreed to provide the raft, steps and railings and the work was going forward. CHSC were prepared to guarantee security of tenure and that in these circumstances it did not appear that the agreement requested by YEB was necessary.
A letter had been received from WRCC stating that they accepted the CHSC offer to sell the plot of land containing Bridge house to WRCC for £650 and asking CHSC to put the matter in the hands of their solicitors. This was being dealt with.
Mr Hedges reported that the preparation of the lease to RR of part of WH Mill was well forward, all important points had been agreed.
Mr Duxbury stated that Butts Mill was not yet ready for inspection and it was agreed that this be left until the next meeting.
Mr Barrett stated that he had talked to his brother [P Barrett and Son] about the sale to CHSC of land adjoining WH Mill through which the Bowker Drain ran and he thought this could be arranged providing a price could be agreed on.
Res. That the directors inspect the land at the next suitable opportunity.
Ed Wood.

March 22nd 1956
E Wood chair. R Jacques and AV Hedges.
A lease was submitted by which CHSC leased to Rolls Royce a portion of WH Mill for seven years from March 1st 1956 at a rent of £550 for the first year and £1550 per annum thereafter with the option of a further term of seven years, such terms to be determinable by the tenant giving six months notice from any Quarter Day.
Res. That the CHSC seal be affixed and witnessed by two directors and the secretary.
Ed Wood.

April 19th 1956
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Horsfield, Duxbury and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1649-12-6, deposit account at 3½% was £14000 credit, rents owing £1919-1-9. Accounts paid.
Res. That £10,000 be invested in suitable securities, the matter to be considered at the next meeting.
Transfer of shares approved: 57 shares from Exors of Alice Wallbank to Albert Monks. From Exors of James Smith Watson: 50 shares to James Sterland Watson and 50 to Phyllis M Watson. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that Rolls Royce had requested that steam be supplied for heating from March 31st at WH Mill. Considerable discussion tool place as to the extra charge, as stipulated in the lease, for steam supplied outside mill hours.
Res. That Mr Hedges put the CHSC point of view to RR.
It was reported that following the accident to his foot, Tom Marshall the engineer at WH had suggested that he should ease off a little and that £1 of his wage should be transferred to Ernest Marshall his son. The feeling of the meeting was that Tom Marshall should not suffer financially and that Harold Duxbury have an informal talk with him on the matter.
It was agreed that further discussion re Butts Mill and the question of the land at WH be left until the next meeting.
Ed Wood.

May 17th 1956
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2101-11-1, rents owing £1435-16-9.
Res. That £10,000 be drawn from the deposit account and placed on deposit with the Marsden Building Society at 2¾% interest free of tax and subject to withdrawal on the signature of the secretary at six months notice.
Mr Duxbury reported that as suggested at the last meeting he had had a word with Tom Marshall and arranged that he should take things easier but that he should suffer no reduction in wage. He had also arranged that Tom's son Ernest be given a bonus of £1 per week.
A letter dated May 1st sent to Rolls Royce setting out the views of the directors at the last meeting was read and agreed. No reply yet received.
Res. That in the absence of N Barrett and Mr Horsfield, the inspection of Butts Mill be deferred till a later meeting.
Ed Wood.

June 4th 1956.
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Mr Hedges explained that the meeting had been called following an enquiry from Rolls Royce to Mr Duxbury as to whether CHSC was prepared to let to RR the portion of WH Mill now occupied by WD&E Nutter Ltd. Mr Duxbury had received the enquiry on Saturday and had been asked to give a reply today.
Mr Duxbury reported that he was continually pressed by WD&E Nutter for reductions in rent and understood that they were incurring heavy losses. Their associated company in Burnley had already given six months notice to terminate their tenancy there.
It was agreed that in view of the bad state of the cotton trade it would be in the best interests of CHSC to secure RR as a permanent tenant. Also, it was borne in mind that if any further part of WH became vacant RR would very likely be interested in that.
Res. That Mr Duxbury be authorised to tell RR that CHSC were prepared to negotiate a tenancy with them of WD&E Nutter's portion on a similar basis to the present lease, bearing in mind it would be necessary for CHSC to give six months notice to Nutter. [The first time I think that CHSC had given notice to a tenant paying rent instead of negotiating an exit. A good indication of the relative financial strength of the new industries compared to the cotton trade. It is instructive to note that this same mechanism had been at work since the war in wage levels inside the two sectors. Many weavers had opted for better pay and conditions in the new factories. It was common knowledge that a sweeper at Rolls Royce commanded better pay then a skilled weaver.]
Mr Duxbury also mentioned an enquiry by RR as to provision of space for parking cars and also whether CHSC would allow RR to have use of one of the boilers so that they could provide their own steam. It was agreed that he should tell them that something could be arranged on both points.
Mr Hedges read a letter he had received from RR dated May 17th re the charges for supply of steam and on Mr Duxbury's suggestion it was resolved that a reply be deferred pending the present negotiations.
Res. That at the AGM a dividend of 10% per annum be declared for the half year making 7½% for the full year less tax.
Ed Wood.

June 11th 1956
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, N M Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Mr Hedges read a letter dated June 6th 1956 received from Mr Russell of Rolls Royce Ltd at Derby enquiring for about 30,000 square feet of space at WH Mill adjacent to that already let to them. Following this letter Mr Hedges and Mr Duxbury had seen Mr Smith at RR Barnoldswick and had been informed by him that RR were definitely interested in the shed portion and ground floor warehouse occupied by WD&E Nutter which altogether was about 37,000 square feet. They were not however interested in the first and second floors of the warehouse. A figure of 10/- per square yard was mentioned this being similar to the rent paid by them for the space at WH they already had. Following the discussion Mr Hedges had written to Mr Russell at Derby on June 8th giving a summary of the discussion and pointing out that the space is currently occupied by WD&E Nutter who, however, were only running a small number of looms. To obtain possession CHSC would have to give the firm six months notice although earlier possession might be arranged by mutual consent.
Before taking any decision about giving Nutters notice it was felt that RR should confirm that they would take the space when it became available.
Res. That the views stated in the letter be confirmed and that Mr Hedges write accordingly to Mr Russell saying that on receipt of his letter a meeting of the directors of CHSC would be called.
Mr Duxbury said that RR had informed him on Tuesday June 5th that no more steam would be needed until September.
Res. That the three boilermen employed on three shift working should work normal mill hours and be employed for the time being on painting and other necessary repair work. [Evidently this was the CHSC response to Rolls wanting 24 hour heating.]
The question of the purchase of land adjoining WH Mill in connection with the water supply was mentioned. Mr Barrett said he would arrange for his brother to be available for inspection of the land after the next meeting.
Res. That future director's meeting be held at 2:30pm instead of 2pm.
Ed Wood.

June 21st 1956
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2173-6-4 credit and rents owing £1109-10-6. Accounts paid.
Res. That the common seal of CHSC be affixed to a conveyance from CHSC to WRCC of the land at Coates including Bridge House for £650.
A letter from Rolls Royce dated June 18th 1956 was read in which they stated that they were anxious to take 37,122 square feet of ground floor space at WH Mill adjoining the space they already occupied on terms similar to the present lease and thought they would be able to offer £500 per annum for the first and second floors of the warehouse although they were not really interested in that space. [I seem to remember that eventually they located their apprentice school in this space.]
Mr Hedges also read a letter dated June 19th which he had written to RR saying that subject to confirmation by his directors CHSC would be prepared to let the 37,122 square feet on the ground floor at £2060 per annum and the 17,080 square feet on the first and second floors for £500 but pointed out that a definite acceptance of this offer would be necessary before notice could be given to Nutters. The latter also suggested that when RR wished to bring that space into use the rent would be increased.
Res. That this letter be approved and that on acceptance by RR, six month's notice should be given to Nutters to determine the tenancy of the portion of WH Mill occupied by them.
The question of the installation of Audible Fire Alarms in the portion of Butts Mill occupied by Clarke's Mattresses [I was wrong, still there!] was considered.
Res. That enquiries be made of J D Ellison, electrical engineers.
Mr Duxbury reported he had received an enquiry from Brown and Pickles re a reduction in rent.
Res. That the question of area occupied and rent paid should be gone into.
The directors inspected the land adjacent to WH Mill through which the Bowker Drain ran and in which was situated the well from which WH Mill obtained its water supply for the boilers [and condenser] and for which an annual acknowledgement of £10 per year was paid. It was arranged with Messrs Barrett, the owners of the land that full particulars should be prepared by them which could be discussed at the next meeting.
It was agreed that an AGM be called for Tuesday August 30th at 2:30pm.
Ed Wood.

August 30th 1956
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £4579-14-1, rents owing £501-10-1.
Transfers of shares: 42 shares from Exors of Sarah Thornber to Donald King. 50 from Exors of Fred Baxter to Donald H Baxter. 76 from Exors of Harcourt Suthers to Carrie C Suthers. All seal cert etc.
It was reported that RR had accepted the terms of tenancy set out in our letter of June 19th ans summarised in the minutes of the last meeting and that following this six months notice had been given to WD&E Nutter to terminate their tenancy on December 31st 1956. Nutters had acknowledged receipt of the notice stating they would vacate on December 31st. Following this a draft of the proposed lease had been sent to RR by the CHSC solicitors.
It was pointed out that the cross shafts would have to be removed from the premises to be taken by RR and this raised the question of the drive to the shafting in Midgley's portion. It was agreed that the best way to deal with this was to install three electric motors to drive two shafts each and one to drive the remaining shaft, all to be driven from the generator on the engine. [This was a generally accepted method of electrifying a shed with shaft-driven looms and no doubt B&P did the job, one they were well acquainted with.]
It was reported that as a consequence of stopping looms in Nutters it would be advisable to stop one side of the engine.
Res. That this should be done. [Remember that the WH engine was a double tandem, in effect a separate engine on each side. Stopping one side would mean a more economical load on the remaining engine. This was done by removing the connecting rod of the redundant engine and rearranging the steam supply.]
Res. That the question of rent paid by Brown and Pickles be left over till the next meeting when areas occupied by them would be submitted.
A tender received from J D Ellison for the installation of fire alarms was received:
Butts Mill, for the portion occupied by Clarke's Mattresses Ltd, £78.
WH Mill, Midgley's and Sidebottom's, £178.
WH Mill, Horsfield's and Clarke's, £266-15-0.
Res. That the tenders be accepted and the work to be put in hand provided that it was first approved by HMFI as conforming to the Factories Act.
A letter from Proctor Barrett and Son Ltd dated August 7th was read offering to sell the land at just over one acre bounded by Crow Nest Syke on the west and Back Roundell Road on the East this being the field through which the Bowker Drain passes and include the company's well for £450. They also stated that they would agree to sell the remaining land of approximately seven acres between Skipton Road and Long Ing Shed for £700 or the two parts together at £1000. They would also be prepared to sell the block of buildings on Vicarage Road for £2000.
Res. That this matter should be considered at the next meeting.
Ed Wood.

September 20th 1956
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £4087-16-6 credit, rents owing £1754-10-9. Accounts paid.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: 625 shares from Exors of Dora Parkin to Greenwood W Parkin. 14 from administrators of Mrs F Newsholme to A V Hedges. From Exors of George Proctor: 400 shares to Mary Young. 400 to Edith Janet Reed. 400 to Leonard P Jacques. All seal cert etc.
It was reported that further enquiries had been made into the running of the seven shafts in Midgley's portion at WH Mill previously driven through the space occupied by WD&E Nutter and now let to Rolls Royce Ltd. It had been found that it would be more economical to have six motors of 15hp each and one of 20hp to drive the seven shafts.
Res. That the necessary instructions be given for this to be done and also that the cross shafting in the space vacated be taken down and sold.
Further consideration was given to the verbal application made by Brown and Pickles for a reduction in the rent at WH of £378-4-0 per annum (including £78 for heating). It was felt that the rent charged was reasonable but after some consideration and in view of the long and amicable relationship which existed between CHSC and B&P it was resolved that a temporary reduction of £50 per annum be made.
The offer of Proctor Barrett and Son To sell to CHSC the land at Eastwood Bottom was considered. In view of the importance of securing the water supply to WH Mill:
Res. That the two plots of land [As described in the last minutes] should be bought for £1000 but the land and buildings in Vicarage Road were not required.
Ed Wood.

October 18th 1956
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Mr Wood referred to the death of Moses Horsfield on October 12th and said he had been a director since May 1926, A wreath from the CHSC directors had been sent and one member of the board had attended the funeral.
Res. That a letter of condolence be sent to his son and that the board's appreciation of his long and valued service be recorded in the minute book.
Bank balance £3550-1-3 credit, rents owing £2522-5-8. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares from Exors of William Hargreaves: 100 to Lady Harriet Nelson and 100 to Sarah Wilmore. Seal cert etc. [Harriet Nelson was the widow of Sir Amos Nelson of Gledstone Hall. His father James Nelson founded the famous manufacturing firm at Nelson.]
Mr Hedges reported he had received a telephone massage from Mr Fletcher of Blin and Blin stating that part of the roof at CH Shed was in urgent need of repair and they felt it would be in the interest of all parties if patent glazing was installed. Mr Hedges had pointed out to him that the lease still had ten years to run and Mr Fletcher had said that Blin and Blin would appreciate a gesture from CHSC and he would put his request in writing together with the approximate cost of the work.
Res. That consideration of the matter be left until written particulars were received but it was felt that CHSC should not be called upon in this matter.
It was reported that Mr Russell of Rolls Royce had written to Smith Smith suggesting there should be a clause in the lease to RR of the portion of WH Mill to the effect that CHSC would be willing to pay compensation for improvements carried out by RR.
It was confirmed that this could not be agreed to .
Mr Duxbury reported that he had had informal talks with local representatives of Rolls Royce who suggested that CHSC should make a contribution of £1000 towards the expense being incurred by Rolls Royce Ltd in line with the allowance agreed and included in the lease to them of the Nutter Brothers space.
Res. That this was a reasonable suggestion and should be agreed to.
Mr Duxbury reported that he had been approached by Mr N L Hill of 22 Victoria Road, Fullwood, Preston re the possible sale by CHSC of a portion of the land being purchased by CHSC from Messrs Proctor Barrett and Son Ltd. It was agreed that this matter required further consideration.
Res. That the matter be held over till the next meeting and Mr Hill be informed accordingly.
R Jacques.

November 15th 1956
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett and A V Hedges.
Bank account £4101-18-3 credit, rents owing £1560-14-9. Accounts paid.
Res. That the signing and sealing be and is hereby confirmed of a lease to Rolls Royce Limited [Then follows the full description, the only addition being the £1000 rebate from the first year's rent.] from October 1st 1956 to February 28th 1963. CHSC to be responsible for the repair and maintenance of the main walls and roofs, principal timbers and joists and external parts of the demised premises excluding window glass.
A letter from Blin and Blin dated October 19th was read in which they stated that their lease of CH Shed had run for approximately 10 years of the 20 years total and asking if CHSC would consider an extension by a further ten years. They also stated that parts of the roof reqired re-glazing and suggested that this should be done over the next 3 or 4 years. They enclosed a quotation of £5510-5-0 for the stripping and re-glazing of 14 bays and an alternative quotation for 2 bays of £800-7-9.
Res. That they be informed that as it was a Repairing Lease, CHSC was not prepared to bear a share of this cost. The company would however be agreeable for the lease to be extended by a further ten years providing the roofs were re-glazed by Blin and Blin Ltd.
A contract for the purchase of land from Proctor Barrett and Son as described in the minutes of September 20th was produced.
Res. That this be signed by the chairman.
A letter from N W Hill of Preston was read offering to purchase for £400 a plot of land forming part of the land agreed to be purchased from Proctor Barrett and Son facing onto Skipton Road to a depth of 70 feet.
Res. That an interim dividend be paid before Christmas at 5% per annum less tax for the half year ending December 31st 1956.
Ed Wood.

December 20th 1956
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1718-19-3, rents owing £1539-18-1. Accounts paid.
Transfers of shares: 240 from Exors of John Brierley to Edith My Haines. 440 from Exors of Dorothy A Reid to Harold Duxbury. 400 from Exors of Moses Horsfield to Ewart Horsfall. All sel cert etc.
Res. That Mr Ewart Horsfield of 75 Gisburn Road be appointed a director of the CHSC in place of his father Moses Horsfield.
Res. That the common seal of CHSC be affixed to the conveyance and memorial of the land agreed to be purchased from Proctor Barrett and Son for £1000 comprising the plot of just over one acre bounded by Crow Nest Syke on the west and Back Roundell Road on the East together with land of approximately seven acres between Skipton Road and Long Ing Shed.
A letter from John C Carlson Ltd dated November 23rd was read in which they suggested that the site for the proposed door required for fire precautions between themselves and the portion of Butts occupied by Clarke's Mattresses be moved further up the same wall.
Res. That the matter remain in abeyance until the question of the continuance of Clarke's tenancy had been settled.
A letter from Silentnight Ltd (formerly Clarke's Mattresses) to Mr Duxbury dated November 28th 1956 was read. They said they had purchased Clough Mill and at some future date would be vacating Butts Mill and Butts Offices and also gave the impression they would like to sub-let the portion of WH they occupied. Mr Duxbury thought they had in mind a firm from Skipton as sub-tenants. He had however approached Rolls Royce who said they were interested in this part of WH Mill but had not had any definite word from them.
As regards Butts Mill, it was suggested that Mr Duxbury approach John C Carlson Ltd to see if they were interested in this part of the premises.
A letter from Blin and Blin dated November 19th was read in which they asked if CHSC had meant to convey that they were not prepared to agree to an extension of the lease for a further ten years if Blin and Blin did not re-glaze the portion of the roof referred to in their previous latter.
Res. That a reply be sent to them pointing out that the condition of CH Shed at the end of the present lease should be at least as good to that when they took possession and that the re-glazing would be a help towards this position. It did not follow that re-glazing would be insisted on as a pre-condition to extending the lease.
It was reported that the roof of the portion of WH Shed vacated by WD&E Nutter had been made good by removing the tape trunks and re-slating. An account for the cost of this work had been sent to WD&E Nutter who felt very strongly that this was not their responsibility.
It was strongly agreed that while this was their responsibility, under the circumstances the matter should not be pressed.
It was reported that the sale of the plot of land facing Skipton Road [in Eastwood Bottoms] to Mr N W Hill for £400 was being dealt with by the solicitor.
The secretary reported that 194 shares in the name of Martha A Green deceased were for sale. As there was no likely purchaser the matter was left over.
Mr Duxbury reported on the work being done to make good the portion of Butts Mill occupied by YEB and the agreement was that when this was completed an increase in rent would be charged to them.
R Jacques.

January 17th 1957
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £4279-15-4 debit after paying all accounts. Deposit account £4336-2-1 credit and rents owing £863-11-9. [Pencil note in margin: 'Deposit a/c withdrawn February 25th 1957'.] Accounts paid.
It was reported that Rolls Royce had the question of payment for steam supplied to December 31st 1956 in hand and hope to make a provisional payment shortly.
Mr Duxbury said that he had seen Mr O'Neill [small tenancy?] who had agreed to pay rent up to December 31st 1956 and he would remove all his buildings by the end of June 1957. No rent to be charged after December 31st 1956.
The problem of letting the space now occupied by Silentnight at Butts and WH was discussed. Mr Duxbury said that Carlson's were going to view the portion of Butts Mill and he was authorised to make the best terms possible with them if they decided to take the tenancy. [Pencil note in margin: 'Not interested'.]
Mr Duxbury said he had had an enquiry for space at WH for weaving. Rolls Royce were also interested but had not made a definite offer.
Ed Wood.

March 21st 1957
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1294-5-3 debit after paying accounts, rents owing £632-11-9. Accounts paid.
Res. That £2000 be drawn from the £10,000 on deposit with Marsden Building Society.
Mr Duxbury said that Carlson's were not interested in the part of Butts to be vacated by Silentnight but he understood that Silentnight were not now withdrawing from the space at WH.
The tender for exterior painting at WH by Simpson Brothers at £898-5-7 was accepted and the work put in hand.
A letter was read from Edward Aldersley Ltd stating that YEB wished to construct a sub-station outside Butts Mill to serve the mill and houses nearby and asking CHSC to pay the cost of the concrete raft and railings for the sub-station. It was understood that YEB wanted to move the present sub-station which was inside Butts Mill to the outside in connection with supplying the houses.
Res. That Aldersley's be informed that CHSC would provide the land for the sub-station but did not feel they could pay for the raft or railings.
A letter was read from Blin and Blin in which they called for CHSC agreement to an extension of the present lease for a further twenty years after expiry.
Res. That as the present lease had ten years to run, an extension of twenty years was too long. However they should be informed That CHSC would agree to a ten year extension.
Mr Duxbury raised the question of the repair of the roadway leading to the two entrances to the parts of WH Mill occupied by RR Ltd. It was agreed that it was agreed that he should inform Rolls Royce that it was felt that the cost should be shared by them and CHSC.
Ed Wood.

April 18th 1957
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £437-13-4 credit, rents owing £3654-6-6. Accounts paid.
Res. That the conveyance of the land to N W Hill fronting on Skipton Road in Eastwood Bottoms be confirmed and sealed.
It was reported that the charge for team to Rolls Royce for the period April 4th to November 30th 1956 for the portion of WH formerly occupied by Nutter Brothers had been agreed. [Pencil note in margin: 'To March 31st 1956, £1741-12-0 paid. To March 31st 1957 £1619-4-2.]
Res. That an account be forwarded for the supply of both portions now occupied by RR Ltd for the period December 1st 1956 to March 30th 1957.
It was reported that a further letter had been received from Ed Aldersley Ltd dated March 27th asking CHSC to pay 50% of the cost of the raft and rails for the new sub-station at Butts. In view of the possible termination of their tenancy on November 30th 1958and the interest of Carlson's in taking the premises over:
Res. That The matter be deferred for further consideration at the next meeting.
It was reported that when John C Carlson had written saying they were certainly interested in the portion occupied by Aldersley's on the termination of their lease on November 30th 1958 they had asked for an opportunity to view the premises if this could be arranged.
Res. That further consideration should be given to this matter at the next meeting when the provisions of the lease and the amount of rent should be considered.
A letter was received from Blin and Blin dated March 25th acknowledging the letter from CHSC agreeing to the lease of CH Shed being extended for ten years after July 31st 1966 and stating that Blin and Blin were consulting their solicitors as to what steps should be taken to implement this.
A report from HMFI dated April 16th was read containing various requirements re WH Mill.
Res. That these be attended to.
Res. That Mr Duxbury should obtain an estimate for the inside painting of WH Mill and arrange for the work to be put in hand if the estimate was reasonable.
Ed Wood.

May 16th 1957
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £3488-12-4 credit, rents owing £2877-14-11. Accounts paid.
Res. That £1000 of the balance, not needed at the moment, be loaned to the Whitefield Room and Power Co for six months at 5% interest.
It was reported that the inside painting of WH Mill at £175 had been let to Simpson Brothers.
It was reported that the cottage at 11 West Close Road occupied by the assistant engine man [Ernest Marshall] would shortly become vacant.
Res. That in this case it should be sold at the best price obtainable.
Mr Duxbury said that representatives of Rolls Royce had seen him about the new fire escape at WH Mill and had offered to pay for the materials if CHSC would fix it.
Res. That this be agreed.
Mr Hedges said that in view of the request of Ed Aldersley Ltd for CHSC to pay 50% of the cost of the raft and railings for the new sub-station in Butts and the fact that their lease ends on November 30th 1958 and also in view of John C Carlson Ltd having intimated that they were interested in the tenancy of the space when the lease ended, he had consulted with Smith Smith regarding the effect of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 and they stated that if Aldersley's wished to continue in occupation after their present lease expired they would be able to do so upon terms agreed between them and CHSC and in default of such an agreement, on terms to be settled by the court.
Res. That John C Carlson be informed that under the provisions of the above act the premises occupied by Aldersley's would not necessarily become vacant at the end of their lease. Also that a letter be sent to Aldersley's asking if they were in a position to state whether they would wish to continue as tenants after the expiration of the present lease, mentioning that as the present rent was very low, an increase would have to be considered. [Aldersley's are noted in Worrall for 1957 as having 386 looms in Monkroyd Shed at Butts. Electrically driven of course.]
Ed Wood.

June 13th 1957
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £4295-16-9 credit, rents owing £791-17-6. Accounts paid.
Res. That £2500 be transferred from the current account to a deposit account.
A letter dated May 20th 1957 from Silentnight to Mr Duxbury was read. They stated that they wished to continue tenancy of the whole of the ground floor but would be willing to give up the upstairs space if this was of any use to anyone else. After discussion in which it was recognised that there would be considerable difficulty in arranging access for another tenant the matter was laid on the table.
It was reported that in accordance with the resolution passed at the last meeting, 11 West Close Road had been sold for £825.
Res. That Mr Duxbury be authorised to sell 38 Calf Hall Road for £600 if possible.
A letter was read from Ed Aldersley Ltd saying it would help them if they knew what renewal rental CHSC had in mind.
Res. After considerable discussion, that they be informed that CHSC would be prepared to re-let the premises at £1300 per annum, the landlord to be responsible for external repair, the tenant for internal repair, decorations and rates. It was stated that the roof was not in good repair.
Res. That Aldersley's be informed that if the tenancy was renewed on the terms submitted CHSC intended to gradually bring the property into a better state of repair.
In view of the Barnoldswick Annual holidays being from July 13th to 27th it was resolved there would be no monthly meeting in July.
Res. That the AGM be recommended a dividend of 10% less tax for the half year ending June 30th 1957. [Printed balance sheet gives date of AGM as September 12th 1957.]
R Jacques.

July 25th 1957
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £3052-9-4, rents owing £2307-5-9. Accounts paid.
Res. That the conveyance for 11 West Close Road be signed and sealed.
Res. That in accordance with the form of request duly completed by Charles Kingston Hutchinson, Exor of William Hutchinson the 14 shares be registered in his name. Seal cert etc.
A report was given of the increases permitted under the Rent Act 1957 in the rents of the cottages owned by CHSC.
Res. That the issue of notices if increase to tenants be approved.
Art was given of negotiations with Mr Kelsall of Nelson Mattresses Ltd under which provisional agreement had been reached that they would take over the tenancy of the portion of Butts Mill now in the occupancy of Silentnight Ltd on the same terms as at present in force. John C Carlson had stated that they were not interested in the space.
Res. That these negotiations be approved.
Mr Duxbury said that the improvement in the accommodation for YEB at Butts Mill was amost complete but he had not yet been able to arrange anything with them the amount of the increase in rent.
A letter from Ed Aldersley Ltd dated July 19th was read in which they stated that they considered the figure of £1150 per annum rent to be too high and asking that CHSC should further consider the offer of £1000 made by them in their letter of June 19th. They also stated that “the alternative suggestion whereby we accept responsibility for any of the cost of exterior and structural repairs is not of any interest whatsoever”. It was pointed out [by CHSC] that the rent of £1000 per annum worked out at 5/4 per square yard whereas the rent paid by John C Carlson for the adjoining portion of Butts Mill worked out at 5/7 per yard and that in addition Carlson's were responsible for the repair and maintenance of the property occupied by them.
After consideration it was felt that the figure of £1300 originally asked was very reasonable and That CHSC should not agree to accept a lower rent that £1150 per annum suggested to Aldersley's in the letter of June 28th.
Res. That draft balance sheet be adopted and that the AGM be called for September 12th 1957.
Ed Wood.

September 12th 1957
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £2281-11-2 credit, rents owing £1187-14-2. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 100 shares to Mary Alice Barker, executrix of Clarence V Barker after submission by her of the necessary Form of Request seal cert etc.
A letter from Blin and Blin was read asking whether, as an alternative to extending the lease, CHSC would consider selling CH Shed. Very full discussion took place and it was agreed that Mr Hedges should get Mr Fletcher of Blin and Blin to give an idea of what they might be prepared to offer.
A further letter from E Aldersley Ltd was read in which they stated that they still considered £1150 to be too much but were prepared to offer £1075. It was considered that as CHSC had already come down from £1300 to £1150 no further reduction could be agreed as £1300 was itself a very reasonable figure.
Mr Duxbury said that he had still not been able to fix a rent for the additional space made for YEB at Butts Mill.
Ed Wood.

No minute of AGM
Printed balance sheet inserted reports profit for the year of £4047-12-3. Noting the interim dividend of 5% per annum paid for the half year ended December 31st 1956 a dividend of 10% is declared for this half year leaving £1426-2-7 to be added to the amount carried forward.
Signed Ed Wood and A V Hedges at Burnley August 5th 1957.

October 17th 1957
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £2851-16-11 credit, rents owing £1382-12-8. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 57 shares from Rowland Fawcett to Cecilia Fawcett sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Mr Duxbury said he had written to YEB re an increase in rent for the additional space at Butts Mill but had not yet had a reply.
Mr Duxbury reported that he had found that Rolls Royce felt they were being charged for more steam than they used in summer. It was agreed that Mr Duxbury should see Mr Smith of RR for an informal talk on the matter.
Mr Hedges reported that Mr Unsworth, secretary of E Aldersley Ltd had met him to discuss the renewal of their lease. Mr Unsworth said that his directors thought that an increase of 70% was very large, however, after full discussion he said his directors would be prepared to go up to £1100 per annum but no further.
Res. That Mr Hedges write to Aldersley's saying that CHSC would agree to a renewal of the lease at £1100 per annum for a period of seven or ten years.
Mr Hedges also reported on various discussions with Mr Fletcher of Blin and Blin and said that as a starting point for talks they would be prepared to buy Calf Hall Shed by means of an annual capital payment of £2500 for ten years during which time they would continue to pay rent as usual.
After discussion it was felt that negotiations should continue and that Mr Hedges should see Mr Fletcher and tentatively suggest an increase of £1000 in each of the ten capital payments.
Ed Wood.

November 21st 1957
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £3244-3-10 credit, rents owing 2387-12-5. Accounts paid.
It was reported that the loan of £1000 to the Whitefield Room and Power Co had been repaid including interest at 5%.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: From the Exors of ? Emily Windle: 24 shares to Norman Windle and 24 to Mary Nutter. Seal cert etc.
A letter from YEB at Skipton dated November 19th was read in which enquiry was made as to the position of the tenancy of Ed Aldersley Ltd in relation to the provision of an electricity sub-station.
Res. That they be informed that as far as was known Aldersley's were to continue as tenants after the expiration of the present lease and that CHSC were prepared to provide land for the proposed sub-station.
A letter dated October 22nd from E Aldersley Ltd was read stating that they would take up the question of the new lease nearer the date of expiration of the present one. It was taken that this inferred that they were agreeable to continuing the present tenancy at £100 per annum as set out in our letter of October 18th 1957.
Mr Duxbury said he had not yet had a reply from YEB re the proposed increase in rent at Butts Mill. It was agreed that he should forward a copy of his letter to Mr Hedges who would then write to YEB on behalf of CHSC.
Mr Hedges said he had had an interview with Mr Fletcher and Mr Zimmerman of Blin and Blin and he had been unable to get them to increase their suggestion of ten annual capital payments of £2500 or the purchase of CH Shed, they to continue paying rent of £2960 per annum. They had in fact suggested that they were not sure whether it would be in their interest to continue as tenants only. During the discussions various difficulties had been raised about the legal ownership of the mill during the period of capital payments and Mr Fletcher had suggested that if a sale was agreed it would probably be better if ownership was vested in Blin and Blin immediately with a mortgage to CHSC.
Res. That the directors would agree to sell CH Shed on the above basis for the amount suggested by Blin and Blin Ltd and that Mr Hedges should inform them to this effect first however having consulted the solicitors and being satisfied on the legal position.
Ed Wood.

December 19th 1957
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £2117-6-5 after paying dividend and Schedule 'A' Tax due on January 1st 1958, rents owing £1691-19-11. Accounts paid.
Res. That an interim dividend at 5% per annum be paid before Christmas 1957.
A letter from James Halstead Ltd dated December 17th was read re the state of the portion of Butts Mill occupied by their subsidiary Edward Aldersley Ltd and stating that a number of repairs were needed. It was arranged that Mr Duxbury should call on Aldersley's and discuss the position with their manager.
It was stated that no reply had been received from YEB to a letter dated December 6th re the rent for the extension of the store room at Butts Mill. Mr Duxbury said he would see the local manager in order to expedite the matter.
A letter from Silentnight dated November 28th was read in which they asked that from February 1st 1958 the rent of the portion of WH Mill occupied by them should be split in two as a new company was being formed in connection with the manufacture of fibre pads. It was arranged that Mr Duxbury should go into the matter with them. [I think this company became known as Craven Pad Ltd.]
A letter was read from Steele and Son [local solicitors] enquiring as to possible purchasers of 176 shares from the estate of Minnie Windle deceased. It was suggested that the best course was for them to advertise the shares for sale.
Mr Hedges reported that following the meeting on November 21st he had written to Mr Fletcher of Blin and Blin accepting their offer to purchase CH Shed for £25,000 payable in ten yearly instalments of £2500 together with an annual payment of interest of £2960 payable for each of the ten years the mill to become the property of Blin and Blin immediately the necessary documents are completed and at the same time a mortgage to be executed to CHSC covering the 10 annual capital payments of £2500 and the ten annual interest payments of £2960. Mr Fletcher had telephoned his agreement subject to the final agreement of his directors and the approval of the Capital Issues Committee which would be necessary in respect of the mortgage.
Mr Hedges said he had tried to contact Mr Fletcher just before the meeting but had been informed that he was in Canada with other directors of Blin and Blin.
R Jacques.

January 16th 1958
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £133-7-6 debit after payment of dividend and tax, rents owing £1842-0-4. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 439 shares from Exors of Maurice Matthew Horsfield to Alec Matthew Horsfield and 200 from the administrators of Sarah Ellen Ingham to Leonard Ingham. Seal cert etc.
A letter form the Vicar of Barnoldswick re the general appeal being made on behalf of the building of the new church was read.
Res. That a donation of £100 be made.
A letter was read from YEB dated January 13th confirming an increase to £75 per annum from the present rental of £18 for the additional space. This would be paid as from June 1st 1954. It was also stated that YEB are considering vacating the premises in the near future.
It was agreed that Mr Duxbury should enquire of Carlson's whether they would be interested in the space if it becomes available.
Mr Duxbury said he had had a talk with Tom Clarke re splitting the rent at WH Mill but this was being held over for further consideration.
Mr Hedges said he had heard from Mr Fletcher and Smith Smith to the effect that legal negotiations were proceeding satisfactorily re the sale of CH Shed to Blin and Blin but that the matter was being held up pending approval by the Capital Issues Committee.
Mr Duxbury said he had spoken to the manager of E Aldersley Ltd re the complaints made by them in their letter of December 17th 1957. Mr Duxbury had said that CHSC would devote most of the increase in rent to bringing the building to a satisfactory condition. This was welcomed by the manager and the matter was waiting for better weather.
R Jacques.

February 20th 1958
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £255-4-8 after payment of taxes due on March 10th, rents owing £1554-16-6. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 633 shares from the Exors of Proctor Robinson to Nancy Robinson sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that RR had asked CHSC to contribute to the cost of the new fire escape at WH Mill.
Res. That Mr Duxbury be empowered to discuss the matter with them.
Mr Hedges reported that he understood from the solicitors that Blin and Blin had received the consent of the Capital issues committee and that the legal formalities would be completed in due course.
Mr Duxbury said that he had been in contact with Carlson's and understood that they were definitely interested in the space to be vacated by YEB.
He also reported that there had been no development re splitting the rents at WH and the position re Silentnight space at Butts Mill had not been resolved.
John V Patrick.

March 20th 1958
J V Patrick chair. Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £660-9-2 credit (after transfer of £1000 from deposit) and rents owing £1732-13-8. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 176 shares from Exors of Minnie Windle to Jane Midgley sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
It was agreed that £100 be contributed towards the cost of the new fire escape provided by RR at WH Mill.
A letter was read from Silentnight asking for permission to dig a pit for vehicle maintenance at WH Mill. This pit to be situated inside the roller shutter door and on the understanding that Silentnight would make it good if at any time they vacated the premises.
Res. That this be approved.
Mr Hedges reported that he had heard from the solicitors that Blin and Blin had approved the contract for the transfer of CH Shed and that it was hoped to complete the conveyance by April 1st or shortly afterwards.
R Jacques.

April 17th 1958
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1465-16-11 credit and rents owing £2126-10-6. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 43 shares from Cyril Deakin and Thomas Bradley to Bessie Deakin sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that a letter had been received from Silentnight dated March 27th 1958 giving notice to terminate their tenancy at Butts Mill and that a reply had been sent stating that the tenancy would expire on September 30th 1958.
A further letter had been received from Silentnight stating that they proposed to leave a boiler in the premises at Butts Mill as it might be of use to a future tenant. A reply was sent stating that this would be in order providing that Silentnight removed it as and when requested making good any damage consequent on this.
A letter was read from London Assurance stating that the cover of £700 on Ouzledale Foundry might be considered inadequate.
Res. That it be increased to £1400.
R Jacques.

May 22nd 1958
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1703-10-6, rent owing £2315-0-8. Accounts paid.
Res That the signing and sealing on May 5th of the conveyance of CH Shed for £25,000 also a legal charge in respect of a £25,000 mortgage loan to Blin and Blin from CHSC secured by a mortgage on CH Shed. To be repaid by quarterly payments of £625 and quarterly interest payments of £740. [Be approved]
A Letter was read from YEB dated May 19th saying they wished to terminate the tenancy for the additional room at Butts Mill with effect from May 31st 1958 and that it was the Board's intention to terminate the lease of the other there rooms but that the head office at Seacroft [Leeds] would communicate on this matter in the near future. The latter also stated that the present access to the sub-station through the garage would now be vacated and another access required. After discussion of the matter it was agreed that YEB be informed that three months notice from May 31st would be required. It was also agreed that access to the south and west side of the sub-station should be allowed and consent given in writing for the making of two new doorways.
R Jacques.

June 19th 1958
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £3256-13-6 credit, rents owing £1013-13-0. Accounts paid.
A letter was read from James Halstead Ltd dated June 3rd stating that they had decided to discontinue the business of Ed Aldersley Ltd and would not renew the tenancy at Butts Mill. They stated that whilst they anticipated weaving out before the end of December they might need a further period to dispose of their plant and machinery.
Res that the letter be acknowledged stating that there would be no difficulty in arranging a short extension of the tenancy.
A letter was read from YEB dated May 23rd in which it was stated that the board wished to establish an additional distribution sub-station on land owned by CHSC on the North side of Butts Mill with means of access and asking whether CHSC would be prepared to frant YEB a sixty year lease on terms and conditions to be agreed.
Res. That CHSC would be willing to grant the lease but that it should be pointed out that Aldersley's were leaving Butts Mill and it may be that this sub-station was no longer required.
A letter from M Hird and Sons, chimney repairers was read suggesting they should inspect the chimney at WH Mill.
Res. That Mr Duxbury should inspect the chimney by binoculars and report to the next meeting.
It was reported that considerable stocks of coal remained at WH Mill and it was agreed that deliveries be suspended for the time being.
It was reported that since the last meeting further discussion had taken place re the space at Butts Mill used as store rooms by YEB necessitating a new means of access to the Sub-station in the SE corner of Butts Mill adjoining Carlson's premises.
It was agreed that YEB be informed that it would be in order for them to block up the doorway between the garage and the sub-station and to create a new entrance between it and the small store room but stating that in special cases arrangements could be made between YEB, CHSC and Carlson's for entrance on the north side of the sub station.
Ed Wood.

July 10th 1958
Ed Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £3367-18-10, rents owing £2833-5-5. Accounts paid.
Res. That consequent on the sale of CH Shed, £21770-3-11 be transferred from the Depreciation Account to CHSC account.
There was a discussion re the space to be vacated at Butts Mill by Aldersley's and the YEB. Mr Duxbury said there had been no further developments.
Res. That the balance sheet for the year ended June 30th 1958 be approved. A dividend to be recommended of 10% less tax for the half year making 7½% for the year and that the AGM be called for Thursday August 10th at 2:30pm.
Res. That a separate deposit account be opened at Martins Bank into which should be paid the quarterly payment re CH Shed sale, the investment of such moneys being considered when the amount available reaches £1000 at various times.
Mr Duxbury said he had made a careful inspection of the WH chimney bot by binoculars and telescope and it appeared to be in good condition.
Ed Wood.

August 28th 1958
Ed Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £3566-1-10 credit, rents owing £1193-4-2. Accounts paid.
It was reported that Tom Marshall, engine man at WH Mill died on August 1st and that a message of condolence had been sent to his widow.
Res. That an appreciation of his services be placed on record.
Res. That his son Ernest Marshall be appointed engineer at WH in his place.
Mr Hedges said that BUDC had raised the question with Mr Duxbury of the repair of the wall adjoining the beck on the furthest side of Butts Mill. They were referred to a meeting with Mr Fenton in October 1950 when it had been agreed that BUDC were responsible for the wall on the west side of the main entrance owing to the possibility of danger to persons using the public footpath. Following this the wall had been repaired by the council.
It was reported that Mr Duxbury had seen YEB also Mr Gilmartin of Carlson's about taking on the tenancy of the part of Butts Mill to be vacated by Ed Aldersley Ltd. But that Mr Gilmartin had stated that Carlson's were not interested in the tenancy of this portion. A letter confirming this had been sent to Carlson's on August 15th.
A letter dated August 13th had been received from YEB stating that it was now not propsed to proceed with the sub-station at Monkroyd Shed adjoining the portion being vacated by Aldersley's. [The back shed at Butts butting on Calf Hall Road had always been known as Monkroyd Shed.]
Mr Hedges said he had received a letter from Aldersley's dated August 15th enquiring what machinery was claimed by the Lessor under the heading of Fixtures and Fittings contained in the lease and whether CHSC were interested in the two vertical steam boilers and also the offices in Calf Hall Road. He and Mr Duxbury had met Mr Wilkinson, Aldersley's manager, and had gone into the matters mentioned. After discussion it was agreed a letter should be sent to Aldersley's pointing out that the main fittings belonging to the landlord included steam piping, shafting, the offices inside the works and the electrical installation. Also that CHSC might be interested in the purchase of the two steam boilers at a reasonable figure but they were not interested in the offices in Calf Hall Road.
A circular letter from BUDC was read enquiring as to available space which could be listed for use of the Local Industrial Development Committee and the Board of Trade or other government departments.
Res. That they be informed that space at Butts Mill would probably be shortly available and that details would be provided if required.
Rs. That the quarterly instalments of the sale price of CH Shed be placed on loan with BUDC as and when a sufficient amount is at hand.
R Jacques.

No minute of AGM
Printed balance sheet reports: Net profit for the year of £3127-3-11.Usual dividend to be paid making a total for the year of 7½% less tax. Calf Hall Shed has been sold and the necessary adjustments made on the balance sheet.
Signed by Ed Wood and A V Hedges at Burnley August 5th 1958.

September 18th 1958
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £2220-5-1, rents owing 1206-0-3. Accounts paid.
Res. That the investment of £800 on Mortgage Loan with BUDC at 5½% interest per annum for five years made on September 15th be confirmed and further resolved that £1200 be similarly invested with BUDC.
Mr Duxbury stated that the position of the Silentnight tenancy of part of Butts mill due to terminate on September 30th was still uncertain.
R Jacques.

October 16th 1958
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1375-14-7 credit, rents owing £2276-19-6. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 477 shares from Exors of George Robert Cooke to Ellen Cooke sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
A letter from James Halstead Ltd dated October 14th was read re the vertical steam heating boilers, the property of Aldersley's at Butts Mill in which they offered to sell the plant to CHSC for £600. It was agreed that this was excessive and that they be informed that CHSC was not interested.
Mr Duxbury said there was no change in the position re Silentnight at Butts Mill.
A report from the insurance company on the economisers at WH was read which stated that consideration should be given in the near future to replacement by a new economiser.
Ed Wood.

November 20th 1958
Ed Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £2339-13-2 credit, rents owing £997-17-3. Accounts paid.
Correspondence from James Halstead Ltd was read offering the boiler plant at Aldersley's for £450. Also an offer to sell the main driving unit [a big electric motor almost certainly] for £150.
Res. That they be informed that CHSC were not interested in these offers.
Res. That an interim dividend of 5% less tax be paid for the half year.
Consideration was given to fire cover of £108,762 for Butts and £131,892 for WH. It was agreed that these were sufficient.
Mr Duxbury mentioned an enquiry for space which might involve the letting of the Aldersley space at Butts.
Res. That he should continue preliminary negotiations.
Ed Wood.

December 18th 1958
Ed Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1285-11-1 debit after paying tax due in January, rents owing £1531-8-2. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 423 shares from the Administrators of Joseph Henry Dent to Alfred Henry Dent sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
A letter was read from solicitors asking for possible buyers for 447 shares. After considerable discussion it was stated that other shares were on offer and there were no buyers. Mr Duxbury offered 6/8 per share. [Pencil note in margin; 'No reply from solicitors'.]
The question of boiler covering and whitewashing the boiler house at WH Mill was discussed.
Res. That the whitewashing be done as soon as possible and J T Schofield of Burnley be asked to inspect the covering with a view to carrying out what was necessary.
The question of the rent payable on the Silentnight portion at Butts vacated on September 30th 1958 was discussed.
Res. That as plant was still in the premises and as the key had not been handed over a further letter should be sent to Silentnight.
It was reported that a certain amount of plant in the Aldersley premises even though the lease expired on November 30th 1958. It was agreed that rent should be charged while they were still in occupation.
Mr Duxbury mentioned that he was still in negotiation with a possible tenant for a portion of the Aldersley space at Butts Mill.
R Jacques.

February 19th 1959
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £688-10-9 after paying the accounts, rents owing £2469-0-8. Accounts paid.
Mr Duxbury said that he understood from Silentnight that proceedings were being taken against Nelson Mattresses re the responsibility for rent for the portion of Butts Mill previously occupied by Silentnight bit that it was understood that Silentnight would be responsible for the rent up to the end of March in any case.
The condition of the WH chimney was discussed and it was agreed that Mr Haworth be asked to ladder it and make a report.
A letter dated January 6th 1959 from YEB was read in which they stated that they were removing the switchgear from the sub-station in the Aldersley portion of Butts Mill and that if a future need for power in the premises arose YEB would resume negotiations with CHSC for the provision of a suitable site for a sub-station.
The question of a charge for heating during the time Craven Pad Co Ltd were running an extra shift from 6pm to 10pm at WH Mill was considered. Mr Duxbury reported on the talks he had had with them and the suggested figures. It was left that Mr Duxbury see them again and try to arrange an agreed figure.
A letter was read from Steele and Son solicitors asking for assistance in selling 176 shares belonging to the estate of Jane Midgley deceased as it was desired to wind-up the estate as soon as possible. It was agreed that if the solicitors could not obtain a satisfactory offer elsewhere Mr Patrick would take 76 and Mr Duxbury 100 shares at 6/8 per share.
R Jacques.

March 19th 1959
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £20-17-3 credit, rents owing £2018-19-7. Accounts paid.
It was reported that Howarth Brothers had laddered WH chimney but their report and estimate had not yet been received.
Mr Duxbury reported he was still in communication with Craven Pad Co re the charge for heating at WH Mill during extra working though this had now been discontinued. [The 6pm to 10pm shift was popularly known as the 'housewife's' or 'moonlight' shift and was quite common in the weaving industry after WW2.]
Mr Hedges stated that Craven Pad had asked him for details of the tenancy agreement for the space occupied by them at WH. Mr Duxbury said that he understood they were interested in a lease of the space and that Mr Hedges would doubtless be hearing from them to this effect in due course.
It was reported that Silentnight had made enquiries re the possibility of a tenancy at Butts Mill of the Aldersley space and that if they decided to proceed with this they would probably want to enter the premises on April 1st.
Res. That Mr Duxbury be authorised to conduct preliminary negotiations with them with this end in view.
[Silentnight were expanding fast and as we have seen had bought Clough Mill by November 1956. In 1982 I interviewed John Metcalfe, the last manager at Clough for Slater Brothers and his memory was that there was a serious fire at Clough in about 1959. However I talked to a man who worked for Silentnight at Clough in 1959 and he had no memory of a fire then. He started at Clough in 1959 and in 1960 they moved to Moss Shed when Tom Clarke bought it. Craven Pad moved into Clough so it looks as though it was they who had the fire. Harold Duxbury told me that Clough stood derelict after the fire until demolition in 1972 when Silentnight gave the site to BUDC for a public park. Harold later told me that Widdup Brothers at Moss Shed told Harold to find them a buyer for the mill and Tom Clarke bought it for £25,000 (this figure later confirmed by one of the Widdup family to me in a conversation). Harold said that Tom had been burnt out at Clough and had asked Harold to find him some space. Of course this could have been the literal truth as Craven Pad was one of Tom's firms. So the nearest I can get is that the Clough fire was 1960 and in the same year Tom Clarke bought Moss Shed. One further intriguing fact, this period in 1959 was notable because we had a the famous 'Fire Bug' operating in the district. Never caught but over the early summer caused six serious fires and many smaller ones.]
It was reported That Carlson's had made a tentative enquiry whether CHSC would entertain the idea of selling Butts Mill.
Res. That Mr Duxbury should inform them unofficially that CHSC might be interested in an offer around £25,000.
Res. That the director's meetings be held at 3pm instead of 2:30pm.
J V Patrick.

April 16th 1959
J V Patrick chair. Duxbury, Horsfield and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1304-1-1 credit, rents owing £2480-2-9. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares sanctioned: 296 shares from Administrators of John Proctor to Gertrude Hale Proctor. From Exors of Jane Midgley: 100 shares to Harold Duxbury and 76 to Elsie B Patrick. All seal cert etc.
It was reported that no report or estimate had been received for WH chimney but the ladders were still in position. [It was an unwritten law that if a jack had a chimney laddered it was his job and he could delay as long as he needed to within reason.]
It was reported that Aldersley's had vacated Butts as from March 31st 1959 and had agreed to pay £250 in respect of repairs that were necessary.
Mr Duxbury reported that he had provisionally arranged with Silentnight that they should take tenancy of the large shed and main warehouse vacated by Aldersley, about 2608 square yards at a rental of 5/- per yard for a period of six months from April 1st 1959. They to be responsible for rates and any extra insurance. The rent for six months would be £236.
Res. That this be confirmed.
Mr Duxbury also reported that he had received a further visit from the representatives of a plastics firm who were interested in a tenancy of the remaining Aldersley warehouse space and he thought they were a reasonable prospect.
Res. That he carry on the negotiations.
It was reported that the Water Board had enquired about a tenancy of the part of Butts Mill vacated by YEB and it seemed reasonably possible this could be arranged.
An enquiry had been received re the possible sale of about 7 acres of land being the remainder of the land purchased from Proctor Barrett and Son Ltd in 1956.
Res. That a price of 1/- per square yard be asked for it.
A letter from YEB dated April 14th was read in which they asked for consent for placing part of an electric line across land near WH Mill together with the erection of supports if needed.
Res. That permission be given.
R Jacques.

May 21st 1959
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £2091-16-11 credit, rents owing £2592-2-7. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 876 shares from the Executrix of William Peel to Sarah Ann Peel sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that James Sharp and Co, share brokers, wanted to sell 500 shares in the estate of Alfred Kidd deceased. They had been informed there was little demand for the shares but were anxious to sell.
Res. That they be informed that none of the directors wanted the shares and it was preferred that they advise their clients to retain the shares or sell them elsewhere. However if they still wanted to sell the director would be willing to buy the shares between them at the price last sold, 6/8 per £1 share.
It was reported that confirmation had been received from Silentnight of the tenancy of Aldersley's shed and warehouse at Butts on the terms set out in the minutes of April 16th.
A tender from Howarth Brothers of £281 for repairs to WH chimney was considered.
Res. That it be accepted and they be instructed to proceed.
It was reported that a letter had been received from John C Carlson Ltd re repairs to the stretch of roadway leading to the part of Butts Mill occupied by them. A reply had been sent to the effect that CHSC were not responsible and any repairs should be carried out by them.
It was also reported that Fred Windle and Sons had made an opening in the wall between the highway and land sold by CHSC to Mr Hill and bought by them from him. And that this land had never been fenced off from the remaining land owned by CHSC as should have been done by Mr Hill. The farmer had had complained of this and Mr Windle had been informed that it was his responsibility to fence off the boundary between his land and that of CHSC.
A letter was read from Ouzledale Foundry Ltd dated April 27th drawing attention to the roof of one of the buildings at the Foundry, part of which had collapsed. Mr Duxbury reported that he had stripped the roof and would take down the top part of the walls remaining to put the property in reasonable condition. [If my memory serves me right Ouzledale Foundry Co Ltd had bought part of Long Ing Shed and were operating down there by this time.]
Mr Duxbury stated that the Fire Authorities were concerned about water facilities in case of fire and had suggested the provision of a small well connected to the mill lodge. Mr Duxbury estimated this could be done for about £200 and it was agreed it should be put in hand. [WH Mill. Pencil note in margin: '18/6/59. Not put in hand yet. Possible alternative method'.]
Ed Wood.

June 18th 1959
Ed Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1488-15-2, rents owing £1924-17-3.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: From Marion Alty and Kathleen Kearns (Exors of Catherine J Wolfenden): 212 shares to Marion Alty and 211 to Kathleen Kearns. From District Bank, Exors of Alfred Kidd: 100 shares to J V Patrick. 100 to M Horsfield. 100 to A V hedges and 200 to Harold Duxbury. All seal cert etc.
The question of supplementing water supply for the fire brigade at WH Mill was considered. Mr Duxbury said that it might be possible to obviate the provision of a separate well by a direct connection into the supply from the main well. This was being considered with the fire authorities.
It was reported that the damage to the floors in the part of Butts recently vacated by Aldersley's had not yet been made good nor had payment been received from James Halstead Ltd.
Res. That a letter be sent to Halstead's saying that it was not possible to wait any longer for them to make good the damage because of the requirements of the new tenant and that CHSC would carry out the work and look to them for payment of the agreed sum.
It was reported that in connection with the capital repayments being received from Blin and Blin a further £1000 was deposited on May 25th on Mortgage Loan with BUDC at 5½% interest with capital repayable on December 31st 1963 making a total of £3,000 now on mortgage loan with the council.
Res that the next meeting be on July 30th.
Res. That AGM be called for a date to fit in with the requirement of 21 days notice after auditing of the accounts to June 30th 1959. [Pencil note in margin; August 29th.]
Res. That a dividend of 10% be recommended for the half year making 7½% per annum less tax for the year.
Ed Wood.

July 30th 1959
Ed Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1513-18-9, rents owing £1964-1-6. Accounts paid.
Res. That a further £1,000 be added to the BUDC Mortgage Loan.
Mr Duxbury reported that further conversations had taken place re the water supply in case of fire at WH Mill. It was now considered that the best course was to provide a suitable entrance to a small out-building in which a fire pump, property of Rolls Royce would be situated.
Res. That the balance sheet as read be adopted and AGM to be 27th August.
R Jacques.

August 27th 1959
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1918-16-10, rents owing £1932-15-6.
It was stated that it was understood that E Midgley and Co [WH weaving] would be closing down under the Cotton Board Reorganisation Scheme, information to this effect having been given to their weavers. No notice had been received by CHSC. [This was a government scheme to compensate firms for closure in order to reduce weaving capacity in the industry.]
R Jacques.

No minute for AGM
Printed balance sheet reports: net profit for year of £3799-13-1. Dividend as per minutes.
Signed E Wood and A V Hedges at Burnley August 4th 1959.

September 24th 1959
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £2354-1-11, rents owing £1718-8-1.
Transfer of 206 shares from the Exors of Jane Josephine Sneath to Martha Sneath sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that six months notice had been received from Midgley's to terminate their tenancy on February 28th 1960.
Mr Hedges reported that Silentnight had requested a month's extension to their tenancy at Butts Mill which was due to expire on September 30th.
Res. That this be agreed.
It was reported that G S Sidebottom and Co Ltd were asking for 2850 square feet of additional space (95ft x 30ft) It was agreed that this should be arranged if possible and that they should be asked to pay for this on the basis of 70 square feet per loom making an additional charge for 40 looms of 40” reed-space it being understood that it was their intention to put in additional looms.
[One of the strange things that nobody properly understood was that fact that whilst the reduction of the capacity of the trade was reduced and there was an undoubted demand for cloth, this seldom resulted in extra work for the firms left weaving.]
A general discussion took place on the WH tenancies. [The directors could see the end of weaving coming.]
Ed Wood.

October 15th 1959
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £3952-14-7 credit, rents owing £2632-14-1.
Transfer of 230 shares from James Crook deceased to Mrs Edith Crook sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that six months notice to terminate their tenancy at WH Mill had been received from Horsfield's (Bankfield) Ltd.
It was reported that a letter dated October 5th had been received from Mr Craddock, farmer, stating that Mr Windle had not fenced off his land and that Mr Craddock's stock were eating rubbish tipped by Mr Windle with possible serious results and he had been forced to remove his stock in consequence. He expected a reduction in rent. Mr Hedges stated that he had written to Mr Windle asking him to erect the necessary fencing as soon as possible. Mr Duxbury said he had noticed that fence posts had been put in and he would ascertain if the land was being reasonably fenced.
As regards WH tenants, Mr Duxbury said that neither Widdups or Rolls Royce were interested in more space at WH. Sidebottom's had originally accepted the offer of additional space but had later asked whether arrangements could be made for them to move to the space to be vacated by Midgley's.
Mr Duxbury said that Blackburn Holden wanted to run about 80 looms of 39” reed-space in WH but that the whole position was still very uncertain.
The possibility of having to stop the engine and run the looms remaining by electricity was discussed.
R Jacques.

November 19th 1959
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £4989-4-9 credit, rents owing £2446-3-4. Accounts paid.
Res. That a further £2000 be deposited with BUDC Mortgage Loan at 5½% interest repayable December 31st 1963.
Transfer of 76 shares from Exors of C C Suthers to Albert Monks sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
A letter from the Vicar of Barnoldswick re a further appeal to clear off the deficit on the building of the new church was read. It was noted that a donation of £100 had been made in January 1958.
Res. That a letter be sent to say that the outlook for CHSC was not as good as when the first donation was made and that the matter would have to be deferred for the time being until it was known what the position of the company would be.
A letter was read from the Inland Revenue asking for an agreed figure in respect of betterment in relation to the sale of CH Shed to Blin and Blin. It was considered that the value of betterment re the sale was certainly not more than one fifth and probably less.
It was reported that Blackburn Holden had been pressing for confirmation that space would be available for him at WH Mill.
Res. That a letter be sent to him confirming the verbal arrangements that space would be available for him for about 80 looms.
The question of the removal of Sidebottom's to the space presently occupied by Midgley's was considered.
Res. That particulars be obtained of the respective areas involved.
Res. That an interim dividend for the half year be paid at 5% per annum less tax.
R Jacques.

December 17th 1959
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Mr Jacques reported the death of Edward Wood who had been chairman for many years. Resolved that an expression of sympathy be extended to his family, his very great service recorded and the members stand in silence.
Bank account £2163-5-2, rents owing £1923-15-11.
A letter from Carlson's was read containing a suggestion by them as to the rebuilding of the boundary wall at Butts Mill adjacent to the footpath. It was felt it would be better if Mr Duxbury met them on site to discuss the matter in detail.
Further correspondence from Windle's Garage [Fred Windle] was read in which they claimed a right of entry from the land belonging to SHSC at the back of the plot purchased by them. [The corner plot on Skipton Road and Vicarage Road] A reply had been sent pointing out that there was no right of entry as claimed by them and that the access to their land was from Skipton Road.
Correspondence from G Sidebottom was read re the suggestion they should move to the space presently occupied by Midgley's when this became vacant, the rent to be charged on the equivalent 313 looms of 40” reed-space.
Res. That this be agreed and that they should have a fixed term of three years after which the tenancy should be subject to six months notice on either side.
R Jacques.

February 25th 1960
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
It was unanimously resolved that Mr R Jacques be the new chairman.
Bank account £2904-17-0 credit, Deposit account £1650-1-1, rents owing £2273-3-10.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: 1406 shares from the executrix of A W Slater to H M Greenwood and 3522 shares to new trustees in the estate of George Proctor. All seal cert etc.
It was reported that Mr Duxbury had seen Carlson's who had agreed to rebuild the wall adjacent to the public footpath at Butts Mill to a height of at least one foot above the existing road and finished with a 6” concrete coping surmounted by a 4ft palisaded fence of approved strength and design.
It was reported that negotiations had been entered into with Rolls Royce to lease to them the portion of WH Mill being vacated by Horsfield's (Bankfield) Ltd at a yearly rent of £1500 per annum with an allowance of £500 off the first years rent, CHSC to pay for a new roadway to Vicarage Road from a new doorway in the NE side, the doorway to be constructed by Rolld Royce Ltd. The lease to be to February 28th 1963 and to contain similar options to the two other leases.
Res. That these terms be approved.
Mr Duxbury said that Sidebottom's wished to retain three bays of their present premises in addition to moving into Midgley's space. This would give them 2612 square feet extra (less a passage from Blackburn Holden's to the toilets) which would accommodate further looms equivalent to 40 of 40” reed-space making a total of 353 looms at 40”. (See minutes of December 17th 1959)
It was reported that Silentnight (Craven Pad Co Ltd) had not given notice to vacate the portion of WH Mill occupied by them but it was thought they would do in the near future.
Mr Duxbury reported on preliminary conversations he had had with Blackburn Holden re space for 80 to 90 looms to be let to him at WH Mill.
It was agreed that as part of the space to be occupied by Sidebottom's was already motorised it would be uneconomic to run the engine for the remaining looms.
Res. That arrangements be made to install motors to drive the necessary cross shafts and to shut down the engine.
[I'm glad that Teddy Wood had died. He loved the engines and it would have been hard on him.]
R Jacques.

March 17th 1960
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £3332-3-2 credit, rents owing £2080-2-10. Accounts paid.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: All from Margaret Ellen Kelly: 125 shares to Sylvia Bracewell. 125 to Dorothy Bracewell and 126 to Moira Wood. 100 shares from A Thompson to Harold Duxbury. All seal cert etc.
A letter was read from Carlson's dated March 1st 1960 stating that there appeared to be some misunderstanding about the rebuilding of the wall adjoining the public footpath at Butts. They were getting an estimate of the cost and would be in touch with CHSC again.
It was reported that agreement had been reached between the Cotton Spinners and Manufacturers Association and the appropriate trade unions under which there was to be a 7½% increase in the wages for engine men, firemen etc from March 7th 1960.
It was reported that Rolls Royce had now suggested that the proposed lease to them of Horsfield's portion of WH Mill should be a ten year lease with a break clause on February 29th 1963 and that the landlords, on written request from the tenants, made not less that six months before the expiration of the lease would grant a seven year extension at the same rent. With the provision that the option to determine such further term by not less than six months written notice to the landlord expiring on any of the days appointed for payment of rent.
Res. That this be agreed.
Mr Duxbury said that E Midgley and Co had not yet vacated their portion of WH Mill and that until they had done so Sidebottom's were not able to fix on a suggested lay-out of their looms. This was holding up motorising that part of the premises.
In the meantime six new 20hp electric motors and one 10hp for one shaft had been purchased, [Pencil note that an extra 20hp motor had been ordered since this minute.]
Mr Hedges reported he had received a letter from Sidebottom's dated March 8th 1960 in which they conformed that they now definitely agreed that they would take the additional space set out in Mr Hedges' letter of February 26th. [Followed by reiteration of the terms agreed.]
R Jacques.

April 21st 1960
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1413-10-4, deposit account £4150-1-1 and rents owing £3130-18-1. Accounts paid.
Transfers of shares from Exors of G W Parkin sanctioned: 313 to E M Parkin and 312 to K Parkin. Seal cert etc.
Reported that the lease for Horsfield's portion of WH Mill to RR was in the hands of the solicitors for completion.
Also reported that Midgley's portion of WH Mill was not yet ready for occupation by Sidebottom's but that every endeavour was being made to push forward the preparations.
Mr Duxbury reported that he had had an application for the letting of part of Butts Mill for a motor repairing business. It was agreed that he should make the best terms possible.
R Jacques.

May 19th 1960
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £3021-14-1 credit and rents owing £1824-12-6. Accounts paid.
It was reported that part of the space previously occupied by Aldersley's at Butts Mill had been let to TMS Motors (Barnoldswick) Ltd. The tenancy to commence May 28th 1960 at a rent of £6 per week subject to the tenant paying any increase in insurance premiums affected by the trade and thay pay rates.
R Jacques.

June 16th 1960
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £2373-11-7 credit and rents owing £1362-0-10. Accounts paid.
Transfers of shares sanctioned from the Exors of E Wood: 1582 shares to Mrs E Harrison. 1562 to Mrs E Hedges. 1581 to Mrs E Wood. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that the agreement with YEB for the supply of electricity to WH Mill for power to run Sidebottom's and Holden's had been signed.
Reported that the move by Sidebottom's to the Midgley space at WH was still not completed but that Blackburn Holden [Later BENDEM Ltd] were installing looms in the part vacated by Sidebottom's.
Mr Duxbury said he had received application from TMS Motors for additional space on the first floor at Butts Mill.
Res. That he be authorised to arrange this on the best terms possible.
A from TMS Motors had been received asking for the tenancy of the portion of Butts Mill now being occupied by them to be for a lease of five years with the option of renewal for a further twn years. It was felt that this should not be agreed to but that when Mr Duxbury saw TMS he should discuss the question of a lease for five years.
R Jacques.

[End of volume nine of the CHSC minute books, the last I copied in the series as when I did it the CHSC was still in existence and volume ten was current and in use. In the absence of the later minutes and just to give you a clue. John C Carlson eventually bought Butts Mill and are still in business there as Carlson's Filtration. RR later gave up the tenancy of in WH Mill and Tom Clarke bought it, it is still used by Silentnight for their subsidiary which makes the spring interiors for their mattresses. Silentnight still in Moss Shed of course. I think that the sale of Wellhouse was the trigger for winding CHSC up and Harold once told me that the sale of Wellhouse was a stroke of luck, he said that at that time CHSC would have paid for someone to take it off their hands. Bendem survived in WH Mill as one of the last weaving firms in Barlick running about 80 looms, some of the Bancroft weavers went there after Bancroft closed in December 1978. Henry Brown Sons and Pickles were bought by Gissing and Lonsdale when Silentnight demolished the last remnants of Wellhouse in 1982 and still survive in name only on Wellhouse Road. For more background information seek out my books on Lulu.com, lots more in there. SCG, 17/04/11. 396,912 words.]
Stanley Challenger Graham
Stanley's View
scg1936 at talktalk.net

"Beware of certitude" (Jimmy Reid)
The floggings will continue until morale improves!
User avatar
Stanley
Global Moderator
Global Moderator
Posts: 89683
Joined: 23 Jan 2012, 12:01
Location: Barnoldswick. Nearer to Heaven than Gloria.

Re: CALF HALL SHED COMPANY LTD. MINUTES PT2

Post by Stanley »

The name Brooks and Pickup crops up frequently in the CHSC minutes as suppliers of coal to Viaduct Shed at Colne. I have come across a reference to them in Jack Nadin's 'East Lancashire Mining Memories' (p 68). They were mine owners in Burnley who ran the Towneley Colliery at the top of Todmorden Road in Burnley.
Stanley Challenger Graham
Stanley's View
scg1936 at talktalk.net

"Beware of certitude" (Jimmy Reid)
The floggings will continue until morale improves!
User avatar
Stanley
Global Moderator
Global Moderator
Posts: 89683
Joined: 23 Jan 2012, 12:01
Location: Barnoldswick. Nearer to Heaven than Gloria.

Re: CALF HALL SHED COMPANY LTD. MINUTES PT2

Post by Stanley »

Interesting to note the number of times this has been accessed already. I wonder how many are downloads? The more the merrier, that was the whole idea of transcribing over 700 pages of crucial information.
I had an enquiry this morning about an obscure manufacturer of hoists and donkey engines and had to go the the CHSC minutes for evidence.
Stanley Challenger Graham
Stanley's View
scg1936 at talktalk.net

"Beware of certitude" (Jimmy Reid)
The floggings will continue until morale improves!
User avatar
Stanley
Global Moderator
Global Moderator
Posts: 89683
Joined: 23 Jan 2012, 12:01
Location: Barnoldswick. Nearer to Heaven than Gloria.

Re: CALF HALL SHED COMPANY LTD. MINUTES PT2

Post by Stanley »

Bumped
Stanley Challenger Graham
Stanley's View
scg1936 at talktalk.net

"Beware of certitude" (Jimmy Reid)
The floggings will continue until morale improves!
User avatar
Stanley
Global Moderator
Global Moderator
Posts: 89683
Joined: 23 Jan 2012, 12:01
Location: Barnoldswick. Nearer to Heaven than Gloria.

Re: CALF HALL SHED COMPANY LTD. MINUTES PT2

Post by Stanley »

Ian has posted Part 1 in Rare Texts.
Stanley Challenger Graham
Stanley's View
scg1936 at talktalk.net

"Beware of certitude" (Jimmy Reid)
The floggings will continue until morale improves!
User avatar
PanBiker
Site Administrator
Site Administrator
Posts: 16356
Joined: 23 Jan 2012, 13:07
Location: Barnoldswick - In the West Riding of Yorkshire, always was, always will be.

Re: CALF HALL SHED COMPANY LTD. MINUTES PT2

Post by PanBiker »

Stanley I was searching the minutes for any trade union references and came across all the strike through text entries from October 1930 up to the end of the minutes in 1960. Is this correct and reflective of the minute books themselves or a discrepancy with the formatting of the transcript?
Ian
User avatar
Stanley
Global Moderator
Global Moderator
Posts: 89683
Joined: 23 Jan 2012, 12:01
Location: Barnoldswick. Nearer to Heaven than Gloria.

Re: CALF HALL SHED COMPANY LTD. MINUTES PT2

Post by Stanley »

None of my original transcript was struck through. Must be a glitch Ian. Nice to see over 14,000 downloads!
Stanley Challenger Graham
Stanley's View
scg1936 at talktalk.net

"Beware of certitude" (Jimmy Reid)
The floggings will continue until morale improves!
User avatar
PanBiker
Site Administrator
Site Administrator
Posts: 16356
Joined: 23 Jan 2012, 13:07
Location: Barnoldswick - In the West Riding of Yorkshire, always was, always will be.

Re: CALF HALL SHED COMPANY LTD. MINUTES PT2

Post by PanBiker »

I'll edit it up.

Right, sorted, the anomaly was due to the use of square brackets. Some of the characters enclosed in square brackets are the BB codes for various formatting options in the post editor. S Pickles within square brackets triggered the strike through. I fixed that by putting a full stop after the S. After clearing this all the text from 1937 was in italics, this was traced to the letter I starting a bracketed statement. I changed that one to round brackets.
Ian
User avatar
Stanley
Global Moderator
Global Moderator
Posts: 89683
Joined: 23 Jan 2012, 12:01
Location: Barnoldswick. Nearer to Heaven than Gloria.

Re: CALF HALL SHED COMPANY LTD. MINUTES PT2

Post by Stanley »

Thanks Ian, funny how these formatting issues creep in over the years.....
Stanley Challenger Graham
Stanley's View
scg1936 at talktalk.net

"Beware of certitude" (Jimmy Reid)
The floggings will continue until morale improves!
User avatar
Stanley
Global Moderator
Global Moderator
Posts: 89683
Joined: 23 Jan 2012, 12:01
Location: Barnoldswick. Nearer to Heaven than Gloria.

Re: CALF HALL SHED COMPANY LTD. MINUTES PT2

Post by Stanley »

Bumped
Stanley Challenger Graham
Stanley's View
scg1936 at talktalk.net

"Beware of certitude" (Jimmy Reid)
The floggings will continue until morale improves!
User avatar
Stanley
Global Moderator
Global Moderator
Posts: 89683
Joined: 23 Jan 2012, 12:01
Location: Barnoldswick. Nearer to Heaven than Gloria.

Re: CALF HALL SHED COMPANY LTD. MINUTES PT2

Post by Stanley »

Bumped again to keep these in our minds.
Stanley Challenger Graham
Stanley's View
scg1936 at talktalk.net

"Beware of certitude" (Jimmy Reid)
The floggings will continue until morale improves!
Post Reply

Return to “Rare Text”