Aire & Worth Valley Wanderers

History of the ABC steps on Providence Lane - Vale Mill - KWVR

On Providence Lane just down from the Mill Stack (Lower Providence Mill, built 1875, four stories). The ABC Steps were originally 26 steps, but unfortunately, the 'A' step has been buried under the later footpath. The story goes that the children chanted the alphabet as they climbed the steps on their way to school or work.

Climb the steps and follow the path straight ahead until you reach a right-hand junction, go down the path and come out at 'HOOT' corner. Vale Mills is to your left, the part of the Mill over the road and river is the earliest, and to your right, what is now the carpark used to be the Mill reservoir.

John Greenwood and Son started to build Vale Mill, a cotton mill in the late 18th century (circa 1785). 

On the death of John Greenwood in 1807, his son continued to expand the business in further mills on the site and built accommodations for their workers. Vale Terrace is on Station Road, Vale Cottages is on Mytholmes Lane, and probably Brook Row. And a school for the workers' children, and others. 

The Mill mainly relied on child labour from London, which some local families referred to as 'Little London' well into the 21st century.

Later, after 1853, Vale Mill was acquired by James Sugden & Brothers.

Keighley & Worth Valley Railway was built between 1864 and 1866 and it ran past Vale Mill from Oakworth in a quarter circle to Mytholmes Hill, it was on a viaduct above the mill reservoir on 29 stone pillars with a wooden platform carrying the iron track. 

Twenty years later, they blasted a tunnel through Mytholmes Hill.

Research. Michael Freeman