History of the mills

Pleasley Vale Mills once known as Coates Viyella factory has a long history of brutality. The owner, William Hollins, was a harsh man to say the least. Many of the rumors or tales of this cruelty are heard about all around the area. One is of a lady that was working in one of the mills on the first floor. He raped and killed her. It is said that her spirit is still there on the first floor and many have seen her presence.

All the many tales about William Hollins could be the source of many of the apparitions seen in the Pleasley Vale Mills; however, the legends may even go farther back in history.

During 1786, Hayman Rooke, archaeologist, excavated the grounds and found Roman coins. During a renovation project to build a garage near the rear of the Pleasley house in 1962, a cave was discovered. In this mysterious cave, woolly rhinoceros and even Mammoth bones were found. This could be evidence of a prehistoric tribe that once lived in the cave. However, what happened to the residence of this tribe. Why was the house built atop the mysterious cave?

Several people that worked at the mill or other businesses that were built by William Hollins give a dire employment history of cruelty and mistreatment. Mr. Hollins built not only the mills, but also a village store, a reform church, a bathhouse, a mechanics institute, and a school for his employees at the mills.

Throughout history, many have spoken of ghosts they see in their rear view mirror as they drive away, sounds on the tracks when loads of cotton would be transported, and other ghostly sounds, creaks, and apparitions.

Are all the ghosts centered on Hollins and his treatment or could they be from the prehistoric inhabitants that lived in the cave below? If you should happen to visit, pay close attention, you may be the one to help solve the mysteries that have forever left Pleasley Vale Mills haunted.