A few days ago I was at the Cartwright Hall Museum in Lister Park, Bradford to see an exhibition - the history of silk weaving in the area.
Amongst the displays was a copy of an excellent book which documented this history in writing and picture. Many of the pictures were of places in Keighley that were connected to silk weaving.
Haggas' Mill was, of course represented. But there were other companies that I'd not heard of.
Heaton and Flint - a company specialising in repairs to some of the machinery was based in Sunderland Street (now where is that?). Leach and Thompson - a Foundry in Dalton Lane. Denby Brothers - a spinning mill and I can't find out where they did business.
The exhibition is well worth a visit.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1958-65

Current location (optional) Leeds

Thanks for this, Shaun. I was not aware of a silk industry in these parts or with off shoots in Keighley.

My Dad began his career as a fitter at Prinnies and would talk about woolens. My mother worked at Mariners (knitting wools) as I did on several school holidays. My uncle Les(Marston) was an overlooker and later in works study at Hayfield (Knitting Wools), Glusburn. Lots of lads leaving Eastwood went into the mills - but never do I recall any mention of silk.
Except from one Stuart Wilson (ex KBGS contemporary of mine and a cobbeydaler) who designed silk tie patterns at a factory on the way into Silsden from Steeton.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1952-60

Current location (optional) Nirvana

There was also the Denda Knitting Mills in the Bridgehouse Mills complex at Haworth. The Head Office was in Nottingham and the raw material was trucked to Haworth on bobbins, transferred on to warps in one building before the warps were taken around the corner to the weaving shed. The completed pieces were then returned to Nottingham. I think Denda closed down in the late 50s. Might be bit out on the date. I also understand there is still a silk mill in Denholme.

Heaton & Flint are familiar to me Shaun and the name Denby is well known in the Oxenhope area. Maybe there is a connection there.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1947-51

Current location (optional) Auckland NZ

Denby Bros is a familiar name to me, possibly they were down Dalton Lane

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 58-64

Current location (optional) Wirral

[I also understand there is still a silk mill in Denholme.]

Some of my uncles worked at Denholme Silk Weavers (founded 1937), Denholme Clough, Halifax Road ('uptclough') until it was taken over by Americans (I think in the 70s). More recently the mill was known as Denholme Velvets. The building was pulled down as recently as last year.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1954-59

Current location (optional) Denholme

Thanks for that Gareth. I had a cousin work there most of his life and retired from there about 10 years ago. I haven't heard a mention of the mill since. Cheers.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1947-51

Current location (optional) Auckland NZ

Two comments to make here. To the best of my knowledge, the M.D.at Denholme Velvets in it's later years, was a certain Jack Binns, who was in my 'B' Form all the way through my School years. There was another Jack Binns at School at the same time but he was always in an 'A' form, and he was referred to as 'Jackie' Binns. Jackie, though small in stature, was capped at School for Cricket and played,I think, for Knowle Park in the West Bradford League at weekends.
Secondly, with regard to Denby Brothers Mill and it's location; I do recall a large Mill(2/3 stories)on Hanover Street which was demolished before or during the building of the Town Centre Shopping Mall, facilitating the building of a small, low-level car park and,above it, a service road to first-floor level, for the shops within the shopping precinct. The mill itself definitely had the name 'Denby' on it, but whether or not it was 'Denby Bros' or 'Denby & Co', I cannot be sure. I'm asking questions and will let you further. The Gardener's Arms(now up for sale) stood to the right of this mill, sparated by a small access road.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1945-50

Current location (optional) Keighley

Shaun- I popped into The Library today and dug out an old Keighley Business Directory dated 1961 and in it, under the heading of 'Worsted Spinners', I found the name of Denby Bros(Spinners)Ltd. The address given was 'Marley St. Mills'. Marley St. is the last turning left as leave you Keighley on South St., before you hit the lights at the top of Worth Way. I just happened to be in that area after lunch today and could find no trace of the Mill, but plenty of newish looking buildings probably built in the last 20/30 years or so. I'm still trying to find more about the mill on Hanover Street. David

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1945-50

Current location (optional) Keighley

My late grandfather was one of the Denby Bros. There were 2 sites. One was Hanover Street (that mill was demolished and is now the location of the Sunwin House and Home) and the other was indeed Marley Street.

Thanks for this information, Helen. Good to know that my memory still holds up with regard to the Hanover Street site even though I might be some 20/30 yards out. The old Snooker Club must have been right next door! Thanks for your interest. It's good to see that people, other than 'old boys', read our postings, isn't it

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1945-50

Current location (optional) Keighley

Helen... or David... Did the Hanover Street mill have a smallish dam, which you reached going along a short street off Hanover Street? My family's 'home' was Number 55 Hanover Street and I have a vague memory of the short street and dam opposite the entrance to 55.

Hi

Having spoken with my parents they don't recall a dam but that is not to say there wasn't! We know the mill had a steam engine and a chimney so presumably they would have needed a source of water at the time, unless it ran off mains or a well? Unfortunately, my grandfather passed away only last weekend and he was the last of his siblings.

Marley Street - The offices of Denby Bros I think are now Scouts HQ?

Hope this is helpful.

Helen

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) N/A

Current location (optional) Crosshills

Thanks for this , Helen. I have found a colour photograph of the Hanover St Mill by googling 'Keighley Mills' and opening a section named 'Mills Page'. There is listed in alphabetical order, in red, the names of all the mills in Keighley including "Denby Mill", showing 2 photos, one in black & white and one coloured which when I downloaded it, bore the name 'denby-bro' The coloured one was taken at the time the Airedale Shopping Centre was being built as you can see the vehicle access road to 1st floor level, bottom right, and the car park access road at top left.
With regard to a dam, which may well have driven a water wheel at some stage in the past; I found on the same 'Keighley Mills' site, Fleece Mills(only 100 yds away) which boasted a water-wheel providing some '42 horse-power' back in 1820. This would indicate that water may well have been available in that area before our time.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1945-50

Current location (optional) Keighley

Just to say that I have placed a copy of the Hanover St. Denby Bros Mill photo, on our website under 'Miscellaneous', dated Circa 1960. I'm not sure just when the Town Centre development started or when it was completed, so I have taken an arbitrary stab at it with 'C1960'. Can anyone put me right on this? David

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1945-50

Current location (optional) Keighley

Photo can be seen by clicking on "See latest photo " at the top of the home page.

Current location (optional) Singapore

I used to go to the Hanover Street mill with my grandad as a child and I recall this certainly up until around age 8 which, would mean it was still there in circa 84.

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) NA (Fa was there 60-66 ish - John Emmott)

Current location (optional) Crosshills

Thanks for this, Helen. Almost 30 years ago then. How time flies!

Years at KBGS e.g. 1958-1964 (optional) 1945-50

Current location (optional) Keighley