Clayton-le-Moors historic home to be restored (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Clayton-le-Moors historic home to be restored

11:10am Thursday 24th December 2009

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MERCER Park’s historic house in Clayton-le-Moors is set to be restored to its former glory for the benefit of the community.

The grade II-listed Mercer House, famous as the home of Great Harwood scientist John Mercer who revolutionised the process for dyeing cotton, was originally donated to the town by Mercer’s heirs.

However the building, built in 1802 by Thomas Hargreaves, fell into disuse and eventually ended up in the stewardship of Hyndburn Borough Council. The council is now making tracks to approve an £88,000 restoration to provide a useful community resource.

The future management of the house and its eventual use will be decided by a newly-formed trust board which is considering several options.

Although structurally sound, window and door frames are in poor condition, the male toilets are outside, decorations and carpets are worn out and there is no disabled access.

Altham ward councillor Susan Haworth, who is overseeing the project said: “The fine details of what the building will be used for are still being worked out, but the progress is going very well. It will be wonderful to see the house brought back into use. I know many people have wanted this for a long time.”

Options include making the house open to public viewings or creating a venue for functions such as weddings.

The new Mercer 1842 Shadow Board, which was set up by Clayton-le-Moors Neighbourhood Management, has submitted a plan to Hyndburn Borough Council to manage the house as the centrepiece of a Development Trust, to benefit the people of the area.

Support from the Charity Commission is also being sought by the borough council to back the proposed use.

The house, previously known as Oakenshaw Cottage, is where John Mercer lived towards the end of his life until his death in 1866. A self-taught chemist born in Great Harwood, he never went to school, learning basic reading and writing from his neighbour.

With the help of a chemistry textbook he taught himself the basics of the dyeing process and invented the mercerisation process for treating cotton which is still in use today.

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