Bygone Burnley, with JACK NADIN

AN inscription above the main doorway at Rosegrove Unity Social Club reveals the building's age: A.D. 1852.

Although greatly altered over the years to suit its present use, this building, originally a fine double gabled fronted dwelling in its own grounds, was once the home of some of the most influential families in Burnley's history.

I believe that the house was erected in the above year by Richard Shaw, a member of a well-known Burnley family, a solicitor-and later Burnley's first Member of Parliament.

The house was known then as Holme Lodge, and Richard was certainly there in the 1860s, with his wife Maria, and his two sons William and Richard.

Maria was the daughter of James Dugdale of Ivy Bank - she died on January 24, 1880, in London. Although only 35-years-old at this time, Richard described himself as being a 'cotton spinner and manufacturer, a calico printer and merchant' being also connected with the Dugdale's Mill and print works at Lowerhouse at this time. In 1868, Richard Shaw was put forward by the Liberal Committee to stand as Burnley's first MP in the Parliamentary election, his opponent being General Scarlett, of Bank Hall.

The results were announced on November 18, 1868: Richard Shaw had 2,620 votes, General Scarlett, 2,238 votes.

Richard Shaw died in January 1876.

Another family who lived at Holme Lodge, were the Drew family from Scotland who were also connected with Lowerhouse Print-works.

Drew Street is a small street just before the traffic lights at Rosegrove and the Unity Club of today and recalls the family.

It was Alexander Drew who took over the print works on May 8, 1872, having come down from Scotland with his three sons.

This was taken on a 14-year contract from the Dugdale's at an annual rent of £2,120. The firm prospered, and in 1900 the Drew's were able to buy out the print-works, and in 1926 it became a limited company. By this time the firms products were known internationally.

We find Alexander Drew junior at Holme Lodge in the 1891census returns -- where he describes himself as being a calico printer aged 48, and born at Glasgow.

His wife Alice was born in Rossendale, but all their children, Dorothy, Edward, Shelia and Alice were born in Burnley.

Edward, the only son, married Margaret Kay Baron, the eldest daughter of Arthur Baron, J.P., of Montford near Brierfield on November 19, 1913.

The daughter Alice was also married that year to William Birtwistle of Springfield near Blackburn, a captain in the East Lancashire Regiment, on February 22.

Apart from a brief period during the Second World War, the Lowerhouse print-works ran continuously, until final closure in 1962.

'Printers Fold' is the name aptly given to a housing estate that stands near to the old print-works at Lowerhouse. Industrial relics here and there also recall the print-work's past and that of the Lowerhouse Mills. The lodges that supplied both mill and print-works with water, although now much reduced in size, are now a haven for wildlife, fishermen and walkers alike.

But what of Rosegrove Unity Club's involvement with Holme Lodge --when did the club go there? Well, they have much more humble beginnings from the rich families formerly connected with Holme Lodge.

It was in the year 1910, that the price of ale was increased from 2d a pint to 3d, much to the disapproval of the majority of the drinking class. A group of 33 Rosegrovers, mainly as you might expect, railway workers -- for Rosegrove was very much a railway village -- decided that they would not stand for it.

They clubbed together and by contributing a shilling each were able to rent an old barn for eight shillings at the back of No. 1 Woodsley Street across from the Junction pub.

Premises thus acquired, all they now needed now was 'summat t' sup' as one member put it, and so bought a barrel of ale for 16 shillings.

Sat on wooden planks amidst wood shavings and sawdust the men sat around and discussed the business of the day secure in the knowledge that their beer was the cheapest around.

The popularity of the little club soon grew, and within a short time they were able to purchase the barn outright for the sum of £200.

Nine years after the formation, in 1919, the premises were extended at a cost of £9,000. Then 42 years later the club was able to acquire Holme Lodge, and by September 1952 had spent £14,000 on their new premises.

Future ambitious projects included improving existing facilities by providing a massive concert hall, bowling greens, tennis courts and a swimming pool. Not all these plans saw fruition of course.

A major setback was a huge fire at the club in September 1973 that caused damage amounting to over £10,000, to make matters worse, the club had also just spent £12,000 on refurbishment.

The committee men and the members were gutted -- as was the building -- but they vowed to rebuild, and rebuild they did. Today Rosegrove Unity is one of the more prosperous and healthiest clubs in Burnley.

For more information see local historian Brian Hall's book "Lowerhouse and the Dugdales".