As mentioned last month, in 1896 two brothers, Ward and Henry Holroyd established their textile business at Acre mill, Wibsey but subsequently built Holroyd mill at Carbottom Road by 1911 and continued their business there. According to an obituary in the Telegraph & Argus in February 1936, Ward Holroyd 'was an expert in textile machinery and in his early days introduced several patents for power looms'.

By 1912, probably following W & H Holroyd's departure from Acre mill, stuff manufacturers J & G F Greenwood were established at the mill — with a city office at 7 Swaine Street, Bradford — and remained there for decades. The mill's telephone number was Low Moor 171 (the exchange was situated near the bottom of Abb Scott Lane and served the surrounding area) and Mr G F Greenwood lived in Ivy Terrace, Buttershaw Lane. From the copy letterhead attached, the mill looks very impressive, even allowing for a degree of artistic licence! It has certainly changed in appearance since the 1920's when the letterhead was in use.

About 1947 the Anglo-Pickardy Manufacturing Co. Ltd. appears to be using a large portion of the premises, and was producing 'high class suitings, flannels, tropicals, gabardines, dress goods and velours all in various widths'. 1955 saw the creation of Acre Lane Estates and five years later Anglo-Pickardy sold out to Universal Fabrics Ltd. (formerly Crabtree & Sons), Linthwaite, Huddersfield.

To be concluded.....

Stella H Carpenter

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