We're THREAD & BUTTER COLLECTIVE CIC, a team of passionate thinkers and doers, dedicated to repairing the building with purpose and clarity. Collaboration and curiosity drive everything we do.

We believe in keeping things simple, smart, and human. Repair the Weaving Shed, restore is meaningfulness, save its heritage and bring it back into use at the heart of the community it serves.

Every project starts with listening and ends with something we're proud to share. We will listen to your ideas, share our ideas and ultimately share what will be a beautiful community hub steeped in history and pointing confidently to the future.

To bring this vision to life, the board of trustees work for nothing, we dedicate our time and contribution because we see the potential of this unassuming, humble little building from our studio windows every day.

We love it and we invite you to be part of the breathing new life into restoring its heritage, its ‘Coursed and squared rubble curtain walls and iconic saw-tooth roof with distinctive Northern Lights feature’ will thrive again…with your help. Donate today and visit soon.

Woodend Mill is more than just a building; it is a symbol of the industry and resilience that built the Tame Valley. As we embark on a major £300,000 restoration of the historic Grade II listed weaving shed, we invite you to become a permanent part of this landmark project.

This page is here for you to support our ongoing mission to preserve our regional identity and create a new hub for community, heritage and skills. Your contribution helps ensure this vital piece of industrial history survives for future generations.

During the nineteenth century, Manchester and its surrounding towns became known as Cottonopolis, the world’s first industrial centre of its kind. 

Woodend Mill played a crucial role in this network, using the local river for power and the damp climate to keep cotton threads supple for weaving.

Today, the mill stands as a physical testament to this era. Preserving the weaving shed allows us to keep the story of these workers, their skills, and the global impact of British textiles alive.

It also provides a building for the community to use, access without barriers, where the rhythms of past industry blend with the beat of the future.

Your support goes directly towards the physical repairs and the community engagement programme that runs alongside the renovation.

• Saving the Fabric: Donations help fund specialist conservation work using traditional materials, such as lime mortar for the gritstone walls and slates for the saw-tooth roof.

• Sharing Stories: We use funds for our oral history project, capturing the memories of former mill workers before they are lost. We also have a Community Quilt project.

• Teaching Skills: Your contribution supports hands-on workshops that teach traditional weaving and heritage building skills to local children and young adults.

You can make a one-off donation or choose from a range of supporter recognitions, allowing your contribution to become part of the weaving shed’s story.

Some supporters may simply wish to give and help bring the building back into public use. Others may choose to take part in specific recognition opportunities, from café experiences and limited edition items to permanent heritage installations within the building itself.

Friends of The Weaving Shed will have their names engraved on original weaving shuttles, forming part of a permanent installation honouring those who helped restore the building. Other opportunities include creating a named menu item, attending opening events, or receiving vouchers to enjoy the café once it opens.

You can explore the full range of supporter recognitions, or make a donation of any amount here:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-GB/donation-form/donate-to-restore-the-weaving-shed-at-woodend-mill

Every contribution, no matter the size, helps secure the future of this historic building and return it to the community.