Description and History of Site:-
Former iron works and foundry for James Proctor, inventor of the mechanical boiler stoker and other patented mechanisms such as moving-bar fire grates, coal elevators and fan-forced draught equipment, enabling boilers to be stoked automatically with improved combustion efficiency, even when using lower grade pulverised coal. The mechanical stoker pushed a set amount of coal from the hoppers on to the first part of the fire grate. The moving fire bars moved the fuel slowly along the grate, ensuring that all volatile matter is passed across the burning fire-bed so that all the hydro-carbons are thoroughly consumed, resulting in smoke free burning. As the fire grate bars were being moved by the camshaft the ash fell off the end of the grate to be collected as necessary. The speed of the unit could be adjusted according to the required output of the boiler.

Historic England describes the premises as such:
''The mill is built from coursed squared sandstone, with slate roofs. The principal element is a rectangular spinning block built on the west bank of the River Calder with a rectangular engine house a short distance from the north end (now linked to it by infilling) and a chimney very close to the west side of this. Exterior: the spinning block is a four-storey eight-window range, with the west front mostly covered by later additions built in the former yard, and the rear (overlooking the river) has vertical rectangular windows which have raised sills and plain lintels, and a tall round-headed window close to the north end, and all these windows have now been blocked with brick. It has gable copings with kneelers. A full-height one-window link of random rubble joins the spinning block to the four-storey, two-window boiler house, which has similar windows in the rear wall but at the front has remains of one semi-circular arch at ground floor level, and three loading doorways above this. The chimney, approximately 0.5m from the front of the boiler house, is circular with 20 metal straps and a massive square plinth.'' Built between 1827-44 as a cotton spinning mill, the engine house and chimney were added 1844-51. In 1848 the mill was known as Rawlinson's Mill or Hammerton Street Mill and occupied by Samuel Smallpage.
In 1868 the mill was occupied by Baldwin and Broxup and Alexander Baldwin in 1879. Late c19th additions were made to the front and south end including offices and a large cross-wing which would become a roller skating ring in later years.
The building was taken over by James Proctor in 1882 and operated as an iron works and foundry to manufacture Proctor's mechanical stokers which he had patented in 1875. Alongside mechanical stokers the company produced moving fire grate systems, fan-forcing draught systems, coal elevators and mechanical loading shovels, the company held over 50 patents relating to boiler stoking.
Proctor's became James Proctor Ltd in June 1902.
When James Proctor died in 1903 it is estimated that 10,000 of his mechanical stokers were in use world-wide.
The site became redundant as a foundry in 1987 when James Proctor Ltd moved to nearby premises in the former New Town Mill on Cow Lane NGR SD83813 32545, producing boiler and heating equipment. The company finally closed in June 2011 due to the eco-friendly trend in boiler technology and the lack of capital to compete in the new market.
The company re-launched in the same year as James Proctor Biomass Ltd relocating in nearby Nelson, Lancashire.

Further Reading and References:-
https://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=1578027&sort=2&type=&rational=a&class1=None&period=None&county=1306799&district=None&parish=None&place=&recordsperpage=10&source=text&rtype=&rnumber=&p=24&move=p&nor=6207&recfc=0#aSt
https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/9512097.industry-plan-burnley-historic-mill-bought/
https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/9581352.burnley-bolier-company-moves-new-nelson-base/

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Key Words :- boiler stokers iron works foundry

Viewing the Site :- Public footpath alongside the site.

Address :- Hammerton Street, Burnley, Lancashire, BB11 1LT
Grid Ref :- SD 83887 32472
Co-ordinates :- Lat 53.788313 , Long -2.246049
Local Authority :- Burnley Borough Council
Pre 1974 County :- Lancashire
Site Status :- Listed - Grade II
Historic England List No - 1244816,
Site Dates :- 1827 -
Record Date :- 1 November 2020

Copyright :- cc-by-nc-sa 4.0 © Andrew Garford