Friday 4th January

Today we visited the National Trust property of Quarry Bank Mill at Styal with Eunice. The mill is huge. The tour starts on the top floor where there are cotton plants, demonstrations of spinning and of hand weaving

 

On the next floor there is a range of spinning machines, with several that were working. The noise was deafening. We learnt where the sayings; cloth ears, heirloom, piece work & sweatshop come from.

Originally the machines were driven by a waterwheel, which was huge. Later this was replaced by steam engines which were in very good condition. We spent a very interesting couple of hours here.