Winding room (Photo from Preston - Alan Crosby) Cramped and gloomy conditions were commonplace but it was hot and humid for the sake of the cotton. Dust and fluff got everywhere causing a lot of coughing and chest complaints. Most operatives worked barefo up The Cardroom (Photo from Preston - Alan Crosby) No shortage of cotton here! Imagine the constant taking off and putting on of bobbins over and over every day for year after year. Compare with the on and off, zeroes and ones, input and output of data in th

Weaving shed (Photo from Preston - Alan Crosby) In use this would have been 90 degrees fahrenheit, humid and a scene of hyperactivity. Note the closeness of the machines and the unprotected wheels and pulleys. Children had the job of crawling through small spaces to mend things. Very dangerous and very noisy! Cotton workers were adept lip readers.

Weaving shed (Photo from Preston - Alan Crosby) In use this would have been 90 degrees fahrenheit, humid and a scene of hyperactivity. Note the closeness of the machines and the unprotected wheels and pulleys. Children had the job of crawling through smal