Overnight on the 28 and 29 August 2005, the historic Bugsworth Mill was destroyed by fire. The fire was first noticed at 9:00pm on Sunday evening and by 9:30pm, when the mill was burning fiercely, a loud explosion was heard as a gas bottle exploded and sporadic smaller explosions followed this. Firemen fought the blaze throughout the night, taking water from the Peak Forest Canal by Teapot Row and from the canal as far away as the Navigation Inn. By Monday morning the mill was just a shell, the roof and floors having burned away and collapsed.

This four-storey, stone-built mill lies to the west of Bugsworth Canal Basin, and it was contemporary with the construction of the Peak Forest Canal. It was supplied with water from the Black Brook, a weir being constructed across the river to provide a head of water. This is positioned at the Basin, by the Lower Basin Arm, at which point the river flows along a man-made channel. From the weir, water flowed along a channel into a millpond, to the east of the mill, and then along a headrace to the waterwheel. On the opposite side of the mill the water flowed along a tailrace and back into the river. In design, the mill epitomised those built in the late 18^th century and it was one of the finest examples in the area. It was a rectangular structure, with three bays, following to the letter the architectural requirements of Georgian industrial buildings right down to windows with small panes set in cast-iron frames.

The mill was custom-built for the manufacture of fustian, which was usually, but not necessarily, a coarse sturdy cloth made of cotton and it could be any of several types of thick-twilled cotton fabric, such as corduroy, having a short nap. Fustian is believed to have originated in Egypt during the 2^nd century AD at a town called Fustat. Irrespective of the type of fustian, it was always cut in a similar manner. In design, a basic woven cloth had additional transverse ‘weft’ threads woven into it. The rolls of woven cloth were usually 18 inches wide and this was pulled tightly over rollers, which could be up to 150 yards apart. Workers, known as Fustian Cutters, then had to walk along the length of the cloth with a sharp, pointed blade and cut open the wefts as they walked along. The process was similar to opening an envelope with a knife and best quality fustian, such as velveteen, would require 40 cuts per inch. Depending upon the number of cuts needed per inch, it was not unusual for a Fustian Cutter to have to walk 36 miles in order to cut 150 yards of cloth. There were penalties for making mistakes or for leaving someone else to do the work. The latter penalty was brought about by the fact that individuals all held blades at different angles, which resulted in visibly different piles if more than one person were involved. There were also penalties for having to stop work in order to have a blade sharpened. Fustian Cutters were predominantly women but men could earn more because they had more stamina and could walk more miles per week. In order to work, employees were required to provide their own lighting.

Over its period of operation as a mill, raw cotton would arrive at Liverpool and from there it would be transported along the Mersey and Irwell Navigation into Manchester. It would then cross Piccadilly via the Rochdale Canal to join the Ashton Canal. After passing along the Ashton Canal it joined the Peak Forest Canal for the last leg of its journey to Bugsworth. The mill had its own wharf adjoining Teapot Row and raw cotton entered the mill by way of a high-level bridge over the Black Brook. The cotton would then be taken to an upper storey where the manufacturing process began. Finished cloth was carried to Manchester along the Peak Forest and Ashton Canals for distribution.

The complete history of the mill is unknown but early owners were Elisha Dickens and, later, Jonathan Wright. It is understood that in 1851 there were alterations to the mill that involved some rebuilding. The then owner, F S Gawthern, undertook this work after which the mill was leased to J H Mackinson & Company. Between 1851 and circa 1900, when it closed as a mill, it is known that it was part of the Bugsworth Hall Estate.

In circa 1900 William Holland established Britannia Wire Works Company Limited, which moved into the recently closed Bugsworth Mill. William’s two sons, Percy and Harold, subsequently joined the Board and under their direction the business thrived and a profitable export trade was developed as well. In spite of its name, the company actually manufactured many types of seating for use in the furniture, locomotive and aircraft industries; wire being used to form the seat interiors.

Company Executives included: William Holland, the founder, his sons, Percy and Harold, and his grandson, Philip G Griffiths. Works Managers were William ‘Billy’ Lees who was succeeded by Harry Jackson. Other Executives were Leslie Winterbottom and Walter Fryer. Britannia Wire Works Company Limited closed on the 30 May 1969.

It is understood that the PVC Group plc subsequently occupied some or all of the former Bugsworth Mill and at the time of the fire it would have contained plastic materials. The main site for PVC Group plc is at Stephanie Works, which is situated a short distance away along the former Peak Forest Tramway.

Bugsworth Mill, 29 August, 2005. Photograph: Author’s collection

Bugsworth Mill, 24 March 2005. Photograph: Author’s Collection

Weary fireman taking a break after working all night to get the fire under control, 29 August 2005. Photograph: Author’s collection

Mill cottages adjoining Bugsworth Mill, 24 March 2005. Photograph: Author’s collection

Mill cottages adjoining Bugsworth Mill, 29 August 2005. Photograph: Author’s collection

William Holland, founder of Britannia Wire Works Company Limited. Photo: Alan Watson Archive Collection	Percy Holland, son of William Holland. Photo: Alan Watson Archive Collection
Harold Holland, son of William Holland. Photo: Alan Watson Archive Collection	Philip G Griffiths, grandson of William Holland. Photo: Alan Watson Archive Collection
William ‘Billy’ Lees, Works Manager. Photo: Alan Watson Archive Collection
A Britannia Wire Works lorry with George Lomas at the wheel, circa 1930. Photograph: Alan Watson Archive Collection
A Britannia Wire Works pantechnicon stood outside St James’s Church, circa 1950. Photograph: Alan Watson Archive Collection