AN HISTORIC clock that told the time to workers in Bacup for over a century has been gifted to the town’s natural history society and museum.

The clock had been on the outside of Forest Mill on Henrietta Street facing Market Street. It was carefully removed from the tower before the last parts of the mill were finally demolished in October.

Kitchen, bedroom and bathroom manufacturer J and J Ormerod, with bases across Rossendale, owns the mill site and the company gifted the heavy cast iron clock to Bacup Nat.

Joint managing director of JJO Stephen Greenhalgh said: “Forest Mill was one of a number of fine old mill buildings in Rossendale, but unfortunately it had reached the end of its useful life.

“We have been attempting to sell or reuse the site for some time, however the mill was built into the ground and the ground floor was in fact about five feet lower than the road and so the building has been subject to flooding. We have also had issues with people breaking into the disused building.

“Now the last sections of the mill have been removed, it is hoped there will be interest in developing the site.”

Museum Curator Ken Burke and secretary Wendy Watters were delighted to receive the clock on behalf of the Nat and hope that it can be restored and hopefully placed on view once more.

Historian Wendy said: “The clock was originally sited on Lower Rockliffe Mill, which was rebuilt after a fire by James Haworth in 1843.

“The mill had been in existence since 1785, but how much of the original mill remained after the fire I’m not sure.

“The clock was moved from Rockliffe Mill to Forest Mill when the latter mill it was built by James Haworth in 1852.

“However on June 21, 1963, when 55 people were made redundant from the then weaving and preparation department at the mill, one of the employees Jack Coates went up the tower and removed a part of the clock leaving the hands fixed at five to five and it never worked again.”

Wendy said it was hoped that the clock could be repaired and displayed at the Nat. A large whistle that used to call the workers to the mill is already on display there.

Stephen added: “As a business which is an integral part of the Rossendale community, it was important for us that such an historical artefact as the clock remained in the town.”