THIS is a little historical haven of Bolton that has barely changed over the year — over hundreds of years in fact.

Here we see Firwood Fold in all its glory pictured in 1976 in our top image and in 1974 below.

In 1974 we can see renovation work taking place in the historic street and the work is almost completed at this point.

The face lift cost £55,000.

Firwood Fold was the birthplace of one of Bolton’s most famous sons, Samuel Crompton.

Samuel was born in 1753 to George and Betty Crompton.

His father was a caretaker at nearby Hall i’ th’ Wood. Samuel had two younger sisters. While he was a boy he lost his father and had to contribute to the family resources by spinning yarn, learning to spin on James Hargreaves’ Spinning Jenny.

Realising the restrictions of this machine he invented his own — the Spinning Mule and the rest, as they say, is history.