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Early fire crews' real horse power

20/ 3/2006

BRIGHT'S, like many large textile firms of the era, had its own works fire brigade.

Life with the brigade was no sinecure. Working with a manual engine, surmounted by a single reel of hose, they were called on several times a month to deal with fires at the Fieldhouse mill.

They went to other fires in other mills in the district as well, including blazes at Heap and Sons West View mill, Littleborough; Sunnybank mill, Holland Street; R Butterworth's woollen mill; David Howarth's foundry, Folly mill, Princess Street; Petrie's; Healey spinning mill and Horse Carrs mill, where a new horse carriage with a tandem was used for the first time.

The brigade could not prevent the Folly mill from being wrecked. At the time - 1880 - it was rented by Bright's and the following year they suffered another loss when Hanging Road mill was burned to the ground, but on that occasion the works fire brigade did not turn out.

Jacob Bright junior, son of the founder, was reportedly so annoyed that he formed a fresh brigade!

When the Town Hall spire was destroyed by fire in 1883, the Bright's brigade 'fell out' with the town brigade, a dispute which led to the formation of the Rochdale and District Fire Brigade Association after the Watch Committee had met.

Bright's not only had a fire brigade - they also used to keep a black horse especially for funerals.

Mourners walked and the carter, one John Howard, wore knee breeches, of black velvet and black stockings. There were no meat teas for mourners but they were given currant buns.

Bright's also kept a 'stiffening board' for the purpose of laying-out deceased persons and this was fetched to and fro, far and near and it was still at the mill in 1918.

During a bad storm in 1853 the firm's horses, in charge of carter Absalom Mason, took fright and bolted at Blue Pits (now Castleton) and the carter was killed.