Day 42 31/7/19 Around Manchester

Day 42 31/7/19 Around Manchester

Claire had an errand in Manchester and the weather was pretty ordinary so we all went into the City.

The city centre is an interesting mix of old and new buildings but it was a bit hectic due to all the roadworks.

After visiting the Bridgewater Hall, we decided to have a cup of tea in the Midland Hotel, a very grand old Hotel.

They obviously get a crowd, the Ladies has an "IN" and an "OUT" door (in is hard to read at the left of the picture)

Very grand Midland Hotel

An interesting mix of old and new buildings

Pond adjacent to the Bridgend Hall

Maritta and Claire outside the Hall

Inside the Midland Hotel

Tea and scones for lunch at the Midland Hotel

Parking area under the "Arches" of the old railway station

Day 41 30/7/19 Cotton Mill Museum at Styal, near Manchester

Day 41 30/7/19 Cotton Mill Museum at Styal, near Manchester

Claire and Norman took us to the Quarry Bank cotton mill museum at Styal today.

This is an excellent working museum depicting life of a mill worker in the 18^th and 19^th century. The mill was built and operated by Samuel Greg in 1783 and operated by various family descendant’s until the 1930’s when Alexander Carlton Greg donated it to the National Trust. This included the buildings, records, archives and some machinery.

The museum has a large collection of working machinery which is operated by an enthusiastic group of volunteers.

Although life in the mill was harsh and children from the age of 9 were employed (legal working age was 8 but Samuel would only employ 9 year old’s it was much better than in the poor house. Having said that, the test for whether you were old was to put your arm over your head and touch your ear, if you could reach your ear you were old enough. You have to remember that this was a time when most people couldn’t read or write and had no idea when they where born.

Apprentices weren't paid but they where well fed, for the time, had a roof over their head and where taught to read, write and various other skills. 

  

Second water wheel shaft, fitted in 1818 and replaced in 1904

Early spinning and weaving machines

Later mechanised weaving machines

First step in spinning cotton

Second step in spinning, these would normally be on different floors to provide a suitable temperature and humidity.

Next step, almost thin enough to weave

Almost there

Cotton is now ready for the weavers

And Maritta thought threading her over-locker was complicated

Not sure why the barrow needs a "track"

I think the governor was for the clock

This was called "The Mule" and has 500 spinning spindles on it, a small one, and they came in pairs, here it is in.

In this shot it is out and the operator had to move with it to repair the broken threads and stay out of the way of the one on the other side, repairing its threads as well..

Complicated mechanism of the Mule

Water wheel was used to power the mill, then later steam, now electricity is used although the belt and shafts still operate.

Some of the original mill buildings

Privy and store near the apprentice accommodation

Apprentice House

Girls dormitory, 60 girls slept here, two per bed.

Boys dormitory, ten boys slept here and in the two floors above