A Little Piece of Local History Joins Accrington Market Hall
This Spring, the much-loved Accrington Nori Brick-Making Machine situated on the balcony of Accrington Market Hall gained a new companion, bringing even more local history to the space. Built by the same creator, Thurston Smith (1908-1982), a model of the Enfield Corn Mill Engine can now be viewed on the Market Hall balcony, near the top of the main rainbow stairs.
Sameena King, Manager of Accrington Market, said:
“In the years since it’s unveiling, we have had so much positive feedback about the display of the Accrington Nori Brick-Making Machine that when the opportunity to display another of Thurston’s models arose, we jumped at it. Having the chance to get up close and really immerse yourself in your local history is so important and the new Steam Engine Model is no different – it really gives you a sense of pride in your local area.”
Thurston, a dedicated amateur model-maker who lived at Chequers in Clayton-le-moors, created this scale model of the stationary steam engine that drove the Joseph Appleby and Sons’ Corn Mill in Clayton-le-Moors between 1827 and 1920.
As a keen local craftsman, Thurston spent all his spare time in his workshop building his models, using photographs of the real machinery to create these scale-replicas. He completed works on the model in approximately 1974, after which he went on to build the brick-making machine in 1978.
Thurston worked all of his life at the Accrington Brick and Tile Company (Nori) and he made five models during his lifetime. The new Steam Engine Model can be viewed alongside the existing Accrington Nori Brick-Making machine, whilst the other three models are on display at Oswaldtwistle Mills.
More information about the history of the steam engine model, as well as details about the construction process, can be found situated alongside the display at the Market. The display is free to visit during Accrington Market opening hours.