The Kirkheaton History Group is hoping to stage an exhibition about a former mill in its area ... but it needs readers help.

The group is eager to know more about the history of the Broad and Graves Mill that once dominated the village but its house and gates are now all that are left.

Colin Beaver from the group said: “At its height everyone in Kirkheaton worked at the mill on Shop Lane or if they didn’t they had a relative or friend who did.”

Deeds of 1865 and 1866 show that Amos Tyas, in partnership with Joseph Smith, bought the land in Shop Lane, Kirkheaton. The land included a dyehouse and cottages which were occupied by weavers and mill hands.

Hefford Ainley in partnership with William Henry Lord in 1869 bought the land, dyehouse and cottages. The business expanded and the 1871 census showed that Hefford Ainley employed 46 hands “on the premises” and “about 50 out weavers.”

When Hefford died in 1909 his two sons John and Joseph took over the mill but decided to retire and sold the mill to Broadhead and Graves. The mill rapidly developed a successful business establishing a reputation for manufacturing superfine worsteds, especially for milled and semi-milled qualities.

House and gates are all that's left of the former Broad and Graves Mill in Kirkheaton

Colin said: “In 1964 a fire broke out in the mill and although the alarm was quickly raised, within half an hour the roof of the three-storey building collapsed.

“The following year a new weaving shed and design department were built and the mill was soon producing up-to-the-minute fashions again.”

When the mill closed it was owned by Illingworth Morris, based in Saltaire near Bradford.

More than 125 years of textile industry came to an end in Kirkheaton when weaving stopped at Huddersfield Fine Worsteds in February 2005.

If you worked at the mill or know someone who did then Kirkheaton History Group would like to hear from you.

They are holding an open evening at the Kirkheaton Library on Thursday. June 11 from 6pm to 8pm.

For more information phone 07824 499600 or email kfhg@outlook.com.