Lancashire Pioneers - Frank Whittle and Rolls-Royce - Production moves to Barnoldswick

Lancashire Pioneers - Frank Whittle and Rolls-Royce

The Bankfield site

Rover were initially given the contract to produce the W2 jet engine for the Gloster Meteor.

They decided to move production to Clitheroe and Barnoldswick to escape the heavy German bombing of their Midlands headquarters.

Bankfield Mill was chosen as the main manufacturing site in Barnoldswick.

Rover moved here to develop their top-secret war time project in 1940.

Bracewell Hall, right, was used as offices by Rover, and later, Rolls-Royce

The factory at Ghyll Brow was also acquired by Roll-Royce and used for testing the assembled aero engines

In 1942, Rolls-Royce took over the contract from Rover, and assumed control of the Bankfield site in 1943.

The Meteor fighter was ready for service in 1944.

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