LAST week’s building was correctly identified by Janet Evans and by John Fletcher of Sutton-in-Craven, who described it as the ‘magnificent’ Bancroft Mill at Barnoldswick.

Currently closed to visitors because of the coronavirus pandemic, the mill is in normal times a working museum to the industrial age.

Bancroft Shed was to have been built in 1914, but was not actually in operation until after the First World War, in 1920.

An information board outside the mill explains it was owned by Nutter Bros Ltd, later James Nutter and Sons Ld, and in 1963 was listed as having 822 looms.

“Bancroft was a classic example of a steam powered weaving shed. It was built by William Roberts and Sons and is an example of a late, horizontal cross compound engine. The high and low pressure cylinders are named ‘James’ and ‘Mary-Jane’ after the original mill owner and his wife.

In order for the factory to work, there had to be enough steam produced through the burning of coal in the boiler. The steam was then converted into power by the engine, and the power transferred to the looms through a system of drive shafts and belts.

The mill was finally closed in 1978 and the majority of Bancroft Mill demolished in the following year. Prior to demolition, buildings included an engine house, boiler house, chimney, large, square plan weaving shed and a small, detached block.

In 1980, a charitable trust bought the remaining buildings, which included the engine house, boiler house and chimney to open as a museum.”

The chimney is brick with iron banding and is 135ft tall. The engine shed is also brick, with an ornate window at one end.

What about this week’s mystery church (above). Suggestions by 8am on Monday to news@cravenherald.co.uk