12. On the periphery? Autonomy, localism and community in a Lancashire cotton weaving district, Harle Syke c.1840-1936

Abstract

This chapter is a case study of Harle Syke, a cotton weaving village on the geographic margins of the Lancashire cotton industry. It examines the relationship between the wider industry and a small community that was part of the weaving area of the county but that valued and fought to defend its autonomy. This brought the village into dispute with neighbouring districts and organisations such as the operative trade unions and employers associations. Yet, the village was economically successful despite its position outside of the main industrial centres and away from the advantages such as transport links. The community focussed nature of business in the village was also significant in the character and nature of worker and employer relations. Focussing on the period c.1860-1936 the chapter examines the village in the context of its foundations through to the beginning of decline for cotton showing how it responded to external changes in comparison to the larger cotton towns.