Ray Mill with hand signals

Ray Mill at Stalybridge was built for Ray Mills Ltd which was registered in 1907 with a capital of £100,000. Completed in 1908 it was electrically powered from the outset. In 1911 it was joined with the nearby Victor and Premier Mills under the name of Victor Mill Ltd. Ray Mill contained 66,528 ring spindles and over 9,000 doubling spindles when completed. Courtaulds took over the mills in the 1960s and cotton spinning ended in 1982. The mill continues in multiple occupation including warehousing.

The lads in the left corner of the frame are demonstrating the regular reaction that photographers get whilst working in the street. Nice one lads, this photo is your five minutes of fame!