OUR guest speaker on Wednesday, October 3, was Peter Sweetmore, and his subject Much More Than a Mill Shop.

Peter is employed Musbury Fabrics, and his enthusiasm for the work that he does was certainly something special.

Musbury Fabrics moved from Manchester to Helmshore in 1985, to Middle Mill. In 1998 they expanded into Park Mill, Helmshore. Musbury are the only textile manufacturers in the Rossendale Valley.

With a portable projector Peter was able to show our members the offices, cutting room and extensive warehouse.

The company comprises three directors and 75 employees, and they supply fabrics to the halls of residence at Leicester University, somewhere in the region of 1,400 units.

The fabrics they manufacture are certainly too numerous to list. Park Mill was built in 1893, originally an old textile weaving mill.

Peter stated that on one occasion one of their buyers was in Afghanistan buying towels for his company, when making his way through the factory he noticed one of the machines had a gold plate fixed which had the name of Park Mill, a machine that had been originally at Park Mill, Helmshore.

Musbury Fabrics also do a great deal of charity and sponsorship, they are sponsors of the Lancashire Cricket League.

One of the schemes was to raise money for the hospice, so a Mini Cooper was acquired and over a period of 12 months tickets were sold at a cost of £1 each.

Blackburn Rovers were approached, and asked if the raffle could be drawn on the Blackburn ground prior to a big match. The officials suggested that the Mini Cooper be placed outside the ground prior to the match with a view to selling more tickets on the day. A total of 8,000 tickets were sold, and Musbury Fabrics made a total of £53,000 for the hospice.

To appreciate Musbury Fabrics you must pay them a visit at Holcombe Road, Helmshore, Rossendale.

Our president thanked Peter for an insight into the world of fabrics. Our next meeting is on Wednesday, October 17, and the guest speaker is Phil Harris on Burrs Country Park.

TN