Water Power - MOT00163

Lumbutts Mill 1900s - In addition to the parent mill at Waterside, Fielden Bros owned several smaller mills in the valleys around Todmorden, almost all of which were used for spinning purposes. Two of these were situated in the Lumbutts Clough - the highest one being Lumbutts Mill, followed by Jumb Mill. At Lumbutts, a remarkable system was devised for providing water power. A series of dams close to the mill fed three water wheels, positioned vertically above each other, so as to use the same water over and over again. The discharged flow then went on to drive the steam turbine at Jumb Mill and, ultimately, the water wheel at Causey Mill. Lumbutts Mill and Jumb Mill both ceased production in the 1920s.

The photograph shows the overhead gantry used for transporting cotton goods between the two buildings on either side of the road. The mill manager's house can be seen on the right with the water wheel tower in the background. The mill has long since been demolished but the tower remains, though ruined, as a monument to industrial enterprise. Now part of an outdoor activity centre, it is occasionally used for abseiling practise.

Unknown

Todmorden Information Centre Trust

1905, 1900s

PHDA - Todmorden Information Centre Trust

Pennine Horizons Digital Archive

MOT00163.tif