Commemorative plaque 11856

This green commemorative plaque records: THE CLOUGH. This is the name given to the former millpond created by damming the River Bela at this point. Close to the surviving stump of the dam a millrace ran alongside the Playing Fields to serve Low Mills. Around 1800, between the Old Bridge and the present Comb Mill, there were two forges, two paper works and spinning mills for wool, cotton, flax and hemp needed by Milnthorpe's hand loom weavers and rope makers. By 1870 all had been put out of work by competition from steam powered industry based on the Lancashirfe coalfields. Recorded plaque organisation: Parish of Milnthorpe.

The Clough marks a site historically significant for its industrial activity, once home to forges, paper works, and spinning mills for wool, cotton, flax, and hemp that supported Milnthorpe's hand loom weavers and rope makers. By the 1870s, these industries were outcompeted by steam-powered industries based in Lancashire's coalfields.