Huddersfield Fine Worsted
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Huddersfield Fine Worsted was founded in 1894 at Kirkheaton Mill in Huddersfield. The company produced Worsted. The essential feature of a Worsted yarn is straightness of fibre. In that the fibres lie parallel to each other. Traditionally, long, fine staple wool was spun to create worsted yarn, but other long fibres are also used today.
The company was taken over In 1909 by Broadhead & Graves. And quickly became established as one of the finest Worsted manufacturers in the world. H.R.H. The Duke of York visited the mill in 1932. At which time he was presented with some cloth, 6 years later, as King, he ordered three suit lengths from the mill.
We believe the mill finally closed down sometime around 2006 as the calenders and paperwork that litter the site are all dated from that time.
The mill is not the average square or oblong design that most mills are either. But rather compact and irregular which adds to its character.
When we arrived at the mill we were at first slightly confused at its size. Only when you begin wandering round you realise that the main site is hidden from view, its then you realise just how big the mill really is.
Inside is somewhat of a strange one though. The vast majority of the mill is still intact and only tatty because of what we presume is the work of vandals trashing the place?
Sadly virtually all of the machinery has gone with only a few pieces still in situ. The offices and manufacturing rooms still contain thousands upon thousands of yards of cloth of all colors and qualities.
From samples to limited editions there is a full range of fabrics, still there. At its peak the company supplied some of the biggest names in the fabric industry including Crombie.
The highlight was finding all the company records dating right back to when the company started. The shares certificates for the company were something we really wanted to see, as in all the explores any of us have done.
The rest of the mill is just as impressive. The stores section is still fitted with the original shelving with one of the racks spanning the entire length of the wall of the mill. Complete with cotton bobbins of every size, color and description.
H.F.W was demolished in late 2008
