People Overview

The mills were the largest employers of labour in the communities where they were situated and they played an active role in supporting and developing local community spirit. As a result, the mills were often at the social heart of worker’s lives. Most labour came from the villages surrounding the mills, with many members and different generations from the same family working together.

This section documents every aspect of the mill worker's lives. Topics can be seen to the left. For each section there are links which will take you to the oral transcripts of people whose lives were shaped by the mills.