Short Tour 32

Later, as steam power was introduced, The other mills in the area thrived for about 100 years, but in this time a transition had taken place in neighbouring Keighley – the mills had changed over to the manufacture of woollen goods and Laycock, in the main, had remained faithful to cotton which had given them their early success. One reason for Laycock's failure, even though at one time it had five mills in the area, was because of its isolation (a glance at the Ordnance Survey Map will show this).

Outside labour was, of course abundant. What an influx this would seem to the small farming community of the time.

For examples of the apprentice system of this country see copy of Indenture of 1771 – Robert Hall of Newsholme Dean, Stuff Maker and Rachel Pighills, a poor girl, apprenticed by the Overseers of the Poor of Keighley – at this time batches of pauper apprentices were being sent to the cotton mills of the north.

Also one of May, 1774 – William Roper of Damems Shalloon Maker and Ann Hobkinson of the parish of Kildwick.

A still earlier example is given by William. H. Dawson in "Loose Leaves of Craven History", 1671.