History
In 1795, when the “New School House” was built at Hough Lane, Eagley, the area was already on the verge of industrial and commercial development. In fact, a mill had been operating at Eagley Bridge since 1783 when Mr William Langshaw established his “cotton manufactory” on the west bank of Eagley Brook.
Further development soon followed, and by the early 1790s a number of cotton mills and bleaching works were operating in the Eagley Brook valley.
As the community grew, a group of gentry formed a board of trustees for the purpose of establishing a school in the area, with the aim of providing a basic practical education fro the local workforce, based on “principles of religious tolerance, thereby encouraging a harmonious and stable community.”
In 1794, a plot of land was purchased from the Lady of the manor of Turton for the then princely sum of five shillings (25p). The schoolhouse and a separate home to accommodate the schoolmaster were built the following year.
At the time it was known as the “New School” as opposed to the “Old School” which was already established near the top of Eagley brow on the neighbouring estate of Sir Thomas Edgerton.
The Hough Lane School served the local community well until 1852 when Eagley Mills paid for a new school to be built in what is now known as School Street. The Hough Lane School was then used as an infants’ school for many years before being bought and converted for use as a private residence.
Now though, after more than 200 hundred years, the wheel has turned full circle with the opening of Eagley School House Nursery, the building once again playing an important roll in early years education.
