Memento of Gandhi's visit could go on display in Darwen (From This Is Lancashire)

Memento of Gandhi's visit could go on display in Darwen

5:10pm Friday 5th March 2010

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(4)

MEMENTOS from Gandhi’s visit to Darwen could soon go on display in the town after starring on the Antiques Roadshow.

The revolutionary Indian leader visited Greenfield Mill, Spring Vale, in September 1931 to see the effect India's boycott on cotton goods was having on workers.

The trip was organised by mill owners Percy and Kathleen Davies.

Mr Gandhi then stayed with the Davies family at Heys Farm Guest House in West Bradford, near Clitheroe, sleeping in their son Barry’s room while he was away at school.

Photographs and a letter to Mr and Mrs Davies thanking them for their hospitality were taken to an Antiques Roadshow event in Leeds by their granddaughter Judy Merchant.

Expert Paul Atterbury valued them at £5,000 and said: “It’s a wonderful vision on a bit of history.

“In Indian history this is very important. They would buy these back now.

"It’s their history as well as our history.”

Ms Merchant, a social worker from Leeds, also revealed that she had 'a basement full' of similar artefacts from the visit.

Darwen Library has been in touch about the possibility of taking items for display.

Mrs Merchant said: “I’ve always wanted to find out more about the letter and the photographs.

"That's why I took them along to the Antiques Roadshow, not because of the monetary value, although it was a surprise to hear they were worth £5,000.

“I’ve already had an offer for them, but they belong to the whole family, so they will not be being sold.”

The letter reads: “I have delayed too long in thanking you and your husband for your wonderful kindness to me and all my party whom you received as your guests in your beautiful farm house last Saturday and Sunday.

“I shall not forget the peace and beauty of the Sabbath and I deeply hope that its results may lead to permanent goodwill and friendship.”

Percy Davies was born in 1886 and died in 1950.

His father was the Rev Thomas Davies of Duckworth Street Church in Blackburn who owned Greenfield Mill and Water Mill, and bestowed them to his sons Percy and Willy.

As socialists they set up Spring Vale Garden Village in Darwen for the workers, some of whom stayed with the mill for 50 years.

Percy Davies was Labour candidate for Blackburn and later Skipton, though was not elected, and in 1946 was made Lord Darwen for his services to government.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(4)