THE description which accompanied the picture of the Strutt carding engine lent to Derwent Valley Centre does not make sense.

How, as the centrepiece of Bolton Town history, could it have been used by English Sewing Cotton or any other spinner until 1950-60?

The machine has a date more like late 18th century, and it would be impossible to have been used by any spinner in 1950-60.

The function of a card was, and still is, to separate the cotton fibre and clean before further processing.

Cotton spinning played a major part in the Industrial Revolution and the development of Bolton.

FA Lord

Crescent Road

Bolton

FOOTNOTE: The machine went to a Bolton mill owner when the Strutt family, owner of Belper Mills, sold out in the late 19th century. It was used by the English Sewing Company. We don't know how long it was used for, but as Bolton mills started to close down in the middle of the 20th century , it was given to Bolton Museum.