epw047487 ENGLAND (1935). Royds Street South, the Tottington Branch Railway Line and environs, Tottington, 1935

In 1884, a French chemist, Hilaire de Charbonnet, Comte de Chardonnay, moved to the area to work on a cellulose-based fabric that became known as "Chardonnay silk". A forerunner of rayon it was an attractive cloth, but like celluloid it was very flammable. Following numerous accidents, it was discontinued. Late 19th/early 20th Century it reverted to the role of traditional Lancashire textile mill. In 1925 the Kirklees Rayon Company began producing viscose continuous filament yarn in the mill. This continued until 1955 when viscose production ceased. Courtaulds took over the Mill in 1962 and converted it into a dye-house, This work continued until 1980.

The area is now a housing estate.