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- Jan 6, 2013
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1. The History
For such a big mill with a long history there is a surprising lack of information. Dobroyd Mills, in the village of Jackson Bridge near Holmfirth, dates back to the 1820s when the original building was constructed in 1829 as a water-powered mill. Historical records give an insight into the going’s on at the mill. In an 1851 Census, John Earnshaw was listed as having “31 hands” at his mill. Five years later, in 1856, John Earnshaw’s son, John William, age 2, fell into the plug hole of a dye pan and received fatal injuries in dyehouse near his father’s residence. In 1859 John Holroyd of J & E Moorhouse was charged by PC White with “leaving a wash barrel unattended for over an hour” at Sude Hill and “being more than 100 yards from his horse”. On refusing to pay the fine, he was committed to Wakefield prison for seven days. Tragedy struck again on 8th May 1869 when Mary Webster drowned herself and her illegitimate infant in the mill’s dam.
The mill was then rebuilt in 1870 and stood three stories tall. Several outhouses were added later on and a square chimney. The next key development was the foundation of the Dobroyd Mills Company textile business on the site in 1919. William Haigh, a First World War flying ace, civilian hero, textile magnate, and philanthropist bought into the mill as a director. Haigh's life was many and varied. After being demobbed from the Royal Flying Corps in 1919, his next mission was to become involved with the Mill. Haigh, who died in 1956, became known as "Buffalo Bill" through his liking for broad-rimmed hats. He was an avid collector of trongers (wool weights), which came to be the symbol of Dobroyd Mill. Before he died, he had turned the company into one of the world's best-known names in women's worsteds.
Areal view of the mill in 1939:
Dobroyd 2 by HughieDW, on Flickr
...and in 1949:
Dobroyd by HughieDW, on Flickr
One of the mill’s engines:
Dobroyd engine by HughieDW, on Flickr
At its peak in the 1960s, the company employed almost 600 workers. The mill closed in 1974, only to re-open two years later in 1976 under John Woodhead Ltd spinners. However, the mill ultimately succumbed to the decline of the textile industry. Planning permission to knock down two sections on the northern end of the complex was granted by Kirklees Council in 2012.The classic car renovation company and the Oil Can café were the last occupants on the upper floors to the rear of the Mill. However, they both moved out and relocated to the nearby Washpit Mills circa 2017, leaving the mill empty. Recently the Chimney stack has been demolished along with an outer building.
Proposals to redevelop the mill into new homes and office and industrial space were tabled in January 2018 including the demolition of all the buildings on the site, apart from the 19th century, four-storey mill building, and the property used by Hepworth Band. It proposed that the retained mill building would be converted into 27 apartments and 7,000 square foot of space for office or light industrial use and the construction of 75 houses on the site that had been cleared. Beyond this proposal no current information on the mill’s status or fate could be found.
2. The Explore
This fine mill has had its fair share of reports over the years. Until recently a couple of the floors had the original spinning machinery in situ. Sadly, these have now been taken away.
Now the mill is now pretty much empty, but it is vast and still has enough original features to hold your attention for an hour or more. The mill’s footprint stretches for just over some 4.04 hectares It is also in a very picturesque location and, fortunately, the idiots are yet to arrive here on mass. It’s my favourite mill explore to-date. From the front it’s pretty secure, but like most places, if you go around the back you can find a way in. What’s in store for the mill in the future is unclear. Hopefully it will get saved and it is spared the same fate as Newsome mills.
3. The Pictures
Front view of the mill:
img0911 by HughieDW, on Flickr
And the distinctive water tower (the only bit of the mill that was particularly wet)
img0909 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Round the back you are greeted by the shell of this old car:
img0914 by HughieDW, on Flickr
And we’re into the new bit at the top of the mill complex:
img0921 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0918 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0925 by HughieDW, on Flickr
This newer bit of the mill had the now relocated Oil Can cafe in and some small retailers:
img0926 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Back out and round, here’s an indication of the mill’s former usage:
img0936 by HughieDW, on Flickr
This is the oldest section of the mill:
img0939 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0945bw by HughieDW, on Flickr
Seen pictures of the sign on the top floor. Looks like someone decided to give it the heave ho out of the window:
img0943 by HughieDW, on Flickr
The sound of running water is quite unique:
img0946 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0948 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Probably the best graff in the place:
img0950 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0954 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0956 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0955 by HughieDW, on Flickr
The original part of the mill, although empty, was my favourite bit with its wooden floors and iron support pillars:
img0957 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0958 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0959 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0961 by HughieDW, on Flickr
This bit of the mill has the most stuff left behind although the machines are now gone. This is where John Woodhead Ltd spinners moved into in 1976. Bizarrely, their registered office address was only changed last month (May, 2019) from Dobroyd Mills to Hartcliffe Mills, Denby Dale.
img0967 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0969 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0972 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0973 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0976 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Vintage poster still on the wall:
img0979 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img0980 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Back out again and round:
img0982 by HughieDW, on Flickr
And a few phone pictures:
Dobroyd 02 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Dobroyd 04 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Dobroyd 06 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Dobroyd 07 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Dobroyd 11 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Dobroyd 12 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Dobroyd 13 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Dobroyd 14 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Dobroyd 16 by HughieDW, on Flickr
But….like always as soon as I got home I realised I’d missed parts of the mill that had good bits in. Soooo…a week of so later went back for a fresh look:
img1135 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img1140 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img1142 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img1144 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Pictures from earlier in the year showed this intact:
img1146 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Sad to see this piece of history left behind. It’s John Woodhead Ltd’s original incorporation certificate from 1924:
img1147 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img1151 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img1158 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img1161 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img1164 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img1167 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img1168 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Missed this floor in the old building:
img1156 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img1159 by HughieDW, on Flickr
And the top floor:
img1165 by HughieDW, on Flickr
And the electrics/switch room bit:
img1173 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img1175 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img1179 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img1177 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img1180 by HughieDW, on Flickr
And a few more for luck:
img1181 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Dobroyd 29 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Dobroyd 28 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Dobroyd 27 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Dobroyd 26 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Dobroyd 25 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Dobroyd 24 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Dobroyd 22 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Dobroyd 20 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Dobroyd 19 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Dobroyd 18 by HughieDW, on Flickr
For such a big mill with a long history there is a surprising lack of information. Dobroyd Mills, in the village of Jackson Bridge near Holmfirth, dates back to the 1820s when the original building was constructed in 1829 as a water-powered mill. Historical records give an insight into the going’s on at the mill. In an 1851 Census, John Earnshaw was listed as having “31 hands” at his mill. Five years later, in 1856, John Earnshaw’s son, John William, age 2, fell into the plug hole of a dye pan and received fatal injuries in dyehouse near his father’s residence. In 1859 John Holroyd of J & E Moorhouse was charged by PC White with “leaving a wash barrel unattended for over an hour” at Sude Hill and “being more than 100 yards from his horse”. On refusing to pay the fine, he was committed to Wakefield prison for seven days. Tragedy struck again on 8th May 1869 when Mary Webster drowned herself and her illegitimate infant in the mill’s dam.
The mill was then rebuilt in 1870 and stood three stories tall. Several outhouses were added later on and a square chimney. The next key development was the foundation of the Dobroyd Mills Company textile business on the site in 1919. William Haigh, a First World War flying ace, civilian hero, textile magnate, and philanthropist bought into the mill as a director. Haigh's life was many and varied. After being demobbed from the Royal Flying Corps in 1919, his next mission was to become involved with the Mill. Haigh, who died in 1956, became known as "Buffalo Bill" through his liking for broad-rimmed hats. He was an avid collector of trongers (wool weights), which came to be the symbol of Dobroyd Mill. Before he died, he had turned the company into one of the world's best-known names in women's worsteds.
Areal view of the mill in 1939:
Dobroyd 2 by HughieDW, on Flickr...and in 1949:
Dobroyd by HughieDW, on FlickrOne of the mill’s engines:
Dobroyd engine by HughieDW, on FlickrAt its peak in the 1960s, the company employed almost 600 workers. The mill closed in 1974, only to re-open two years later in 1976 under John Woodhead Ltd spinners. However, the mill ultimately succumbed to the decline of the textile industry. Planning permission to knock down two sections on the northern end of the complex was granted by Kirklees Council in 2012.The classic car renovation company and the Oil Can café were the last occupants on the upper floors to the rear of the Mill. However, they both moved out and relocated to the nearby Washpit Mills circa 2017, leaving the mill empty. Recently the Chimney stack has been demolished along with an outer building.
Proposals to redevelop the mill into new homes and office and industrial space were tabled in January 2018 including the demolition of all the buildings on the site, apart from the 19th century, four-storey mill building, and the property used by Hepworth Band. It proposed that the retained mill building would be converted into 27 apartments and 7,000 square foot of space for office or light industrial use and the construction of 75 houses on the site that had been cleared. Beyond this proposal no current information on the mill’s status or fate could be found.
2. The Explore
This fine mill has had its fair share of reports over the years. Until recently a couple of the floors had the original spinning machinery in situ. Sadly, these have now been taken away.
Now the mill is now pretty much empty, but it is vast and still has enough original features to hold your attention for an hour or more. The mill’s footprint stretches for just over some 4.04 hectares It is also in a very picturesque location and, fortunately, the idiots are yet to arrive here on mass. It’s my favourite mill explore to-date. From the front it’s pretty secure, but like most places, if you go around the back you can find a way in. What’s in store for the mill in the future is unclear. Hopefully it will get saved and it is spared the same fate as Newsome mills.
3. The Pictures
Front view of the mill:
img0911 by HughieDW, on FlickrAnd the distinctive water tower (the only bit of the mill that was particularly wet)
img0909 by HughieDW, on FlickrRound the back you are greeted by the shell of this old car:
img0914 by HughieDW, on FlickrAnd we’re into the new bit at the top of the mill complex:
img0921 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0918 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0925 by HughieDW, on FlickrThis newer bit of the mill had the now relocated Oil Can cafe in and some small retailers:
img0926 by HughieDW, on FlickrBack out and round, here’s an indication of the mill’s former usage:
img0936 by HughieDW, on FlickrThis is the oldest section of the mill:
img0939 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0945bw by HughieDW, on FlickrSeen pictures of the sign on the top floor. Looks like someone decided to give it the heave ho out of the window:
img0943 by HughieDW, on FlickrThe sound of running water is quite unique:
img0946 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0948 by HughieDW, on FlickrProbably the best graff in the place:
img0950 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0954 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0956 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0955 by HughieDW, on FlickrThe original part of the mill, although empty, was my favourite bit with its wooden floors and iron support pillars:
img0957 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0958 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0959 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0961 by HughieDW, on FlickrThis bit of the mill has the most stuff left behind although the machines are now gone. This is where John Woodhead Ltd spinners moved into in 1976. Bizarrely, their registered office address was only changed last month (May, 2019) from Dobroyd Mills to Hartcliffe Mills, Denby Dale.
img0967 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0969 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0972 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0973 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0976 by HughieDW, on FlickrVintage poster still on the wall:
img0979 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg0980 by HughieDW, on FlickrBack out again and round:
img0982 by HughieDW, on FlickrAnd a few phone pictures:
Dobroyd 02 by HughieDW, on FlickrDobroyd 04 by HughieDW, on FlickrDobroyd 06 by HughieDW, on FlickrDobroyd 07 by HughieDW, on FlickrDobroyd 11 by HughieDW, on FlickrDobroyd 12 by HughieDW, on FlickrDobroyd 13 by HughieDW, on FlickrDobroyd 14 by HughieDW, on FlickrDobroyd 16 by HughieDW, on FlickrBut….like always as soon as I got home I realised I’d missed parts of the mill that had good bits in. Soooo…a week of so later went back for a fresh look:
img1135 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg1140 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg1142 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg1144 by HughieDW, on FlickrPictures from earlier in the year showed this intact:
img1146 by HughieDW, on FlickrSad to see this piece of history left behind. It’s John Woodhead Ltd’s original incorporation certificate from 1924:
img1147 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg1151 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg1158 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg1161 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg1164 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg1167 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg1168 by HughieDW, on FlickrMissed this floor in the old building:
img1156 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg1159 by HughieDW, on FlickrAnd the top floor:
img1165 by HughieDW, on FlickrAnd the electrics/switch room bit:
img1173 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg1175 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg1179 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg1177 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg1180 by HughieDW, on FlickrAnd a few more for luck:
img1181 by HughieDW, on FlickrDobroyd 29 by HughieDW, on FlickrDobroyd 28 by HughieDW, on FlickrDobroyd 27 by HughieDW, on FlickrDobroyd 26 by HughieDW, on FlickrDobroyd 25 by HughieDW, on FlickrDobroyd 24 by HughieDW, on FlickrDobroyd 22 by HughieDW, on FlickrDobroyd 20 by HughieDW, on FlickrDobroyd 19 by HughieDW, on FlickrDobroyd 18 by HughieDW, on Flickr
