Alfred Waine of Roughlee

Alfred Waine of Roughlee (1867-1937) was my 2^nd great uncle. He was the younger brother of David Waine, my great grandfather. He was a bit of an entrepreneur who turned a redundant cotton mill, Roughlee Lower Mill, into a place of recreation. In December, 1911, the Corporation of Nelson invited offers for the purchase of Roughlee Mill and appurtenances. I was given to understand that Alfred was the only party to put in a bid. I found a report from 1888 when Nelson Local Board resolved to purchase the mill from the Stuttards, who also owned other mills in the area, owing to the depression of trade. They kept the mill for 22 years before deciding to sell.

The place became Roughlee Lake and Pleasure Ground. It continued as such until about 1970. Alfred was a cotton twister and loomer before this up until 1911. He must have been one of the first Waines to get out of coal. My two times great grandfather John Waine who was a pit shaft sinker moved to Roughlee to help him with the water management until he died there. The mill had a big reservoir for water power.  It is now a trout fishing lake. We visited in the spring. You can see the old weir, but not the reservoir which is fenced off. Perhaps Alfred was looking after his dad in his declining years. However, he is not buried there. Instead he is buried at Dill Hall, Clayton, where David lived. When we visited in the spring, we were able to find David’s grave, but not John’s. Alfred was cremated at Manchester. 

Roughlee is an isolated, remote rural area. It is associated with the Lancashire Witches, one of whom lived at Crow Trees nearby (another story). John Wesley preached at Crow Trees where there was a chapel. I am not sure how successful the Lake was. It was very popular during the summer months from 1920s to 1950s when the weather was fair, but less so autumn and winter. I went there in the late 1950’s with Auntie Margaret. The OS maps indicate a laundry in the Roughlee Lower Mill in 1912 and 1932. According to my father’s uncle, Alfred also operated the laundry. Confusingly, it seems that there were two Roughlee Laundries a few miles apart. Adverts show that there was a Roughlee Laundry, Roughlee Street, Barrowford, proprietor J B Holden.

Here is a curiosity. In October 1915, Nelson Wesleyans made a complaint to Burnley Rural District Council. It alleged indecency and Sabbath desecration at Roughlee Lake and waterfall. What was going on? Were they dancing naked and having group sex like hippies? Were they conducting Satanic rituals? Were young couples making secret assignations? Were they smoking weed? I need to know because the proprietor of this place of ill repute was Alfred Waine.  The Council did not take this complaint seriously. If somebody was breaking the law, it was a matter for the police. The council’s job was looking after sanitation, not morals.

Alfred’s son Fred, who took over the running of the Lake and Pleasure Ground, was involved in local government as a Labour member for Roughlee Parish Council. In 1946 he stood unsuccessfully for the County Council. In 1939, Fred gives his occupation as laundry proprietor and driver so presumably he continued to run the laundry. It is possible that Fred was juggling more than one job. During Fred’s time, according to the Nelson Leader, 1954 saw an exceptionally sunny Easter with 26 hours of sun from Friday to Monday. Alfred Waine (sic) reported that seven to eight thousand people had gone through his turnstiles at Roughlee making it the best Easter for many, many years. This was Fred, son of Alfred speaking. It was probably the best ever. Climbing nearby Pendle Hill was also popular at Easter.  In January 1958 Fred drained the lake to repair the banks. In July 1953 Fred said “It has been so dead. It’s been a case of rain, rain and more rain. 1938 was a good Easter. It was said that there is nothing to come up to it this side of Blackpool. Patrons were encouraged to identify “Captain Courageous, man of mystery” for a prize of a three months’ ticket for two at the Capitol Cinema, Nelson. It was also said that “Lancashire’s nicest lasses will be at Roughlee on Good Friday”. Fred apparently had musical talents. In April 1932, Barley Primitive Methodist Church had special services at which there was a large choir directed by Fred.

I hardly need to add that you could not operate something like this now because elf’n’safety. Insurance costs would be prohibitive and you could face criminal charges in event of an accident.