SITUATED beside the North Beck between Fell Lane and Guard House, Holme Mill has been occupied by paper tube makers J Stell and Sons Ltd since 1892 when John Stell bought the Holme Mill Estate, which included a house, a farm, some cottages and 11 fields. It is seen here a century or so ago.
The textile industry demanded enormous numbers and varieties of tubes and cones, to say nothing of toilet rolls, packaging for flowers, and wartime munitions. During the Second World War, Stell's made speciality tubes for wrapping parachute cords and carrying mortar bombs – activities which helped earn them the doubtful distinction of being highlighted on German Luftwaffe maps!
The firm survived several fires, one early in 1945 being described as "the most spectacular blaze in the district for many years".
The photograph has been supplied by Mr Kevin Seaton, of Shann Lane, Keighley.
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