Workers' houses (now demolished) on the banks of the river Leven at Backbarrow. The building in the background was originally Ainsworth's water-powered cotton mill established in 1782. Eventually the factory became the home of the Lancashire Ultramarine Co who manufactured a 'blue-whitening' product, not dissimilar to the "Dolly Blue" produced by their rivals. They were taken over in 1929 by Reckitt and Coleman Ltd. The factory survived until about 1982. Today there is a hotel on the site of the old works.

Photo inscription reads "Chimney and buildings of the Ultramarine factory on the river Leven "The Leven dam with the Ultramarine Factory and some of the old cottages". Mary Fair Copyright CWAAS

Looking across the river I can recall as a small child seeing men coming to an open door to gasp air before going back into the works. The men were blue. All around portals and open windows was also coloured blue. KH
Photo Ref: ct12293