From the Burnley Express Archive: Rare chance to see impressive mill engine running

The Weavers’ Triangle Trust will be opening Oak Mount Engine House for the only time this year.

If you want to see one of Burnley’s few remaining mill engines, the Engine House, on Wiseman Street, off Westgate, is open to the public, between 2pm and 4pm, on Saturday, September 19th and Sunday, September 20th.

The impressive engine, one of scores which once operated in Burnley, was installed by W. and J. Yates, the Blackburn engine makers, following a fire at the mill in 1886 and it was in use until the closure of Oak Mount Mill, in 1979.

The boilers were then removed and the 1888 engine is now turned over by electricity, but you can see how this fine engine once worked and there will be experts there to give explanations and answer questions.

The Weavers’ Triangle Visitor Centre, just below the Canal Bridge, on Manchester Road, in Burnley, is celebrating the 40th Anniversary of its opening, by Brian Redhead, in 1980. It will be open from 2pm to 4pm on both days.

These events are free of charge but donations, to support the work of the Trust, are very much appreciated. Recently, the Trust has been awarded funding to continue its work in these unprecedented times but donations remain important.

At the Visitor Centre, there are two new exhibitions to see but the organisers have had to make a few changes. These include the closure of the shop and the tea room, but everything else is open, so there will be plenty to see.

Unfortunately, there will be no guided tours on the Open Days. Again, this has become necessary because of coronavirus, so we hope that you will understand. Heritage has been very badly hit by coronavirus. Everyone is hoping that the effects of the virus will come to an end and we can get back to normal as soon as possible.