MANY thanks for printing my family history query (LET, August 30) about Higher and Lower Twinch mill near Accrington.

I had several replies and have been on the receiving end of a considerable dose of Lancashire charm. People have been so friendly and helpful and one thing comes over clearly: that is the affection in which the old mill and the two rows of cottages are held.

Among those who answered my call about the Twinches was a lady from the Civic Society who is going to do some research. It now looks as if the Twinch family might have been among the many craftsmen brought to Lancashire from Holland by Sir Robert Peel's father, who owned most of the land and mills thereabouts.

As the 1720 spelling of 'Twynch' is consistent with the Dutch language, I hope to explore the possibility that the family origins are to be found in the Oswaldtwistle area.

CAROL TWINCH, Hill Farm, Rendham, Saxmundham, Suffolk.

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