Ind Archaeol Rev 26 (2)

Account of the history of the Fairbottom colliery, and in particular of the early atmospheric steam engine known as Fairbottom Bobs, including the excavation and historical study of its site at the colliery.

Elk Mill, Oldham, built 1925--8, was the last traditional cotton spinning mill to be built in Lancashire, the last to spin cotton on mules and until 1998 one of the last cotton spinning mills still operating in Lancashire. It was traditional in construction with cast iron columns supporting steel girders, although the floors were of mesh reinforced concrete. It was equipped in a traditional way with spinning mules. The only non-traditional feature was the power plant, which was a steam turbine, although it still drove the mill via a rope race. From the late 1950s onwards the mill was progressively modernised.