THE anniversary of the birth of pioneer Samuel Crompton on December 3 will be a celebration and a chance to assess how his invention changed Bolton — and the world. Angela Kelly reports.

THE vision of one humble man transformed not only the fortunes of Bolton but also towns and cities across the globe.

World-renowned textile expert Professor Richard Horrocks, from the University of Bolton, is in no doubt about the impact Samuel Crompton — and his Spinning Mule — had.

He said: “Without Samuel Crompton’s invention, Bolton would have been a very different place. And so would Manchester — Cottonopolis. He brought prosperity to the whole region.”

It was Crompton’s determination to improve yarn spinning, and his dissatisfaction with the then available machines for the task in the 18th century, that led this young man from the tiny hamlet of Firwood Fold to create his Spinning Mule.

He spent five years and all his own resources melding together the best parts of the James Hargreaves’ Spinning Jenny and Richard Arkwright’s water frame to make his own unique machine.

The result was a way of spinning good-quality yarn in large amounts. Unable to afford a patent, Crompton saw his idea copied by others who made several fortunes — while the inventor himself remained penniless and resentful.

“Bolton became the fine yarn capital of the world,” said Professor Horrocks, who has spent 40 years lecturing and researching at the University of Bolton. By 1840 the town was also the chemical manufacturing centre of the world, thanks to the chemicals needed in cotton manufacture and bleaching.”

On the back of this burgeoning cotton industry came the major engineering industry as huge engines were needed to power the mills.

These giant workplaces attracted the massive workforce necessary to run them, swelling the local population and turning Bolton into a thriving place.

“Cotton paid for Bolton Town Hall and Le Mans Crescent and gave the town its magnificent Parish Church as individuals became rich,” added Professor Horrocks.

Crompton’s invention had great impact all around the world as other countries developed textile centres in places like Lille in France, early towns in Massach-usetts and along the east coast of America.

At its peak in 1912, two-thirds of the world’s cotton would come through Liverpool, going to Lancashire and Paisley.

Today, the scores of cotton mills and engineering works have dwindled to a remaining handful. And in their place on these sites are, ironically, the commercial wonders of the modern age — supermarkets.

Marking the anniversary of Crompton’s birth

  • AN historic walk around the Crompton Trail will take place on December 3, the birthday of the inventor who was born 260 years ago in 1753. A Blue Badge guide will take a party of 25 people around the five main local landmarks which figured in the life of the famous Boltonian. Places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis by calling the Albert Halls’ box-office on 01204 334400.
  • On December 3, the Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Colin Shaw, will open a children’s art exhibition in the Market Place to run until the end of December.  The work on display will be by pupils at primary schools in Crompton Ward and results from in-school sessions by Bolton-based artist Pete Marsh. There will also be a small Crompton exhibition in Bolton Library.
  • On Saturday, November 30, there will be Home-Made in Bolton, a free day of fun events at Bolton Museum from 11am to 3pm to mark locally-made work and inventions. This will include contemporary crafts, costumed story-telling, craft activities linked to textiles and other activities around inventions.
  • Also on December 3 there will be carol singing at Hall i’th’ Wood, where Crompton lived and worked on his mule.
  • There will also be a photographic exhibition in Crompton Place shopping centre in January by Digital Photography, linked to the Crompton story as well as recording the anniversary events.