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History of Quarrying
The initial period of quarrying, dating to the pre late – 18th century
consisted of relatively small-scale, ad hoc, extraction in order to
obtain stone for local requirements. With improvements in transport
between 1770 and 1840, coupled with the increased demand for local
building stone, the scale of quarrying in the region increased, and saw
the rise of a number of substantial workings.
The mid to late 19th century was characterised by a significant
expansion in quarrying brought about by increased urban growth,
mechanisation and improved stone-working techniques. This period also
saw the construction of a railway through Rossendale, in 1846 – 52, the
construction of the mineral tramways and the establishment of a number
of large stone processing sites, such as Cloughfold Scrubbing Mills.
(The UMAU The Rossendale Quarrying Industry: Archaeological Assessment Report, August 2003).
The early-20th century witnessed a major decline in quarrying, however,
due to rising extraction costs and a decrease in the demand for stone.
In consequence, after 1919 the majority of Rossendale quarries were
closed. A number of aggregate working quarries are still operating at
Jamestone in Haslingden, Britannia in Whitworth and Scout Moor in
Edenfield.
Dust was a major health hazard for the quarryman, and often resulted in
silicosis. The corduroyed men laboured until early evening, stopping
only to eat the food, which they brought with them after warming it on
the stove, provided to boil water for their brew. Some men would use
their ingenuity to cook bacon and eggs on a shovel.
Bad weather often stopped work in the winter months, and if a man
didn’t produce he wouldn’t get paid. Rubble clearers only got 7/6 per
week in the 1880’s.
By the 1870’s quarrying in Rossendale was a much organised affair with
the two entrepreneurs, the Brooks of Crawshawbooth and the Heys of
Stacksteads, becoming the leading figures. The Brooks family was
responsible for the building of the entire mineral tramway network
linking their quarries at Great Height, Cragg, and Ding: the largest
such development in this part of the country.
The turn of the century, however was marked by a decline in the
industry, there was a growth in the use of cheaper lighter bricks and
the introduction of concrete technology after 1914. This decline was
aggravated by major strikes by quarrymen in 1919, who refused to work
in such poor conditions and for such little pay.
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