Mill memories are reduced to rubble

Bailey Mill being demolished after yesterday's fire.

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THE giant metal arm stretched skywards arching delicately towards a piece of history.

There was an almost hushed reverence in the way the machine quietly trundled towards the gaunt, charred and blackened building.

This was heightened as the mechanical grab nudged, teased and delicately plucked at the once honey-coloured walls and window bottoms of Bailey Mill, Delph. Young families, some compelled to vacate their homes when the mill was ravaged by an inferno just 24 hours earlier, stood in watchful silence with elderly locals.

They were all witness to a requiem for a 153-year relationship which ended at 9.03pm last night when the once-proud mill front disappeared in clouds of dust.

Katie Mallalieu stood watching the life ebb from a landmark which has been part of her family history for generations.

The four-storey mill (it gives the illusion of being taller because of the double decks of window to each floor) was built by her great-great-great-grandfathers, David and Henry, before passing to her grandfather, Frank, and in turn, to her father, David.

At 34, Katie quit teaching two years ago to join the family's business and, eyes misting over, she said: "It's hard to believe, but it took four hard years to build this mill. Just think, no concrete mixers in those days. Every piece of mortar and cement was mixed by hand.

"Just think of the thousands of locals who worked here, made friends here and married here over the years. Almost every family in Delph and beyond had ties to the mills."

Earlier, I sat with the Bailey Mill owners, the Gledhill brothers, John, (69), Bruce, (72),and Peter (75), at Pingle Mill, the other side of the village.

"It's a very sad day. So many people who worked there are upset," they added.

In the mill's diminishing shadow, the sadness resonated among residents on Delph New Road and Station Approach, where the mill was being reduced to a single-storey frontage for heritage purposes.

Mark Wiggins said: "One of our children, Thomas, is currently doing a project at school, which focuses on the old Delph Station and Bailey Mill.

"He's certainly going to have some vivid memories of being here when the mill was demolished."

Police have arrested a 16-year-old boy on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life. He has been bailed pending further enquiries until July 19.Detective Inspector Mark McDowall said: "This was an enormous fire that could have had tragic consequences. We are appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time who may have seen something that can help with our investigation to come forward."Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 8427, 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.