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By the 15th century, Colne had become a major centre for the textile industry, particularly woolens. With the Industrial Revolution, cotton manufacturing became the primary industry, trade being aided by the completion of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

By the 15th century, Colne had become a major centre for the textile industry, particularly woolens. With the Industrial Revolution, cotton manufacturing became the primary industry, trade being aided by the completion of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

As with many mill towns, the population declined during the 20th century. In 1911 the census reported 26,000 people, and in 1971 it reported 19,000 people. In the 1970s it was made part of [[Pendle]] district.

As with many mill towns, the population declined during the 20th century. In 1911 the census reported 26,000 people, and in 1971 it reported 19,000 people. In the 1970s it was made part of the District of [[Pendle]].

==Modern Colne==

==Modern Colne==

As well as the modern Blues Festival, Colne has a musical past. In the town square is the [[Wallace Hartley]] memorial, in memory of the bandmaster of the RMS [[Titanic]] who used to live in Colne. Wallace Hartley and his band are famed for carrying on playing as the doomed ship sank.

As well as the modern Blues Festival, Colne has a musical past. In the town square is the [[Wallace Hartley]] memorial, in memory of the bandmaster of the RMS [[Titanic]] who used to live in Colne. Wallace Hartley and his band are famed for carrying on playing as the doomed ship sank.

As with many industrial towns in the North of England, Colne has a long tradition of [[brass bands]], originally started by factory owners to compete in marching competitions and to entertain the workers on holidays. In the early 20th century, one of the mill foremen was also the [[trombone]] player in one of the marching bands. Upon his retirement, his colleagues planned to present him with an engraved trombone. Sadly, due to a mistake on behalf of the deliveryman, the instrument was left overnight in the rain behind the factory and the mill owner had no choice but to present the poor foreman with a rusty trombone. This story passed into local legend and the "rusty trombone" is now a lighthearted local greeting. "Better a rusty trombone than a damp handshake".  

As with many industrial towns in the North of England, Colne has a long tradition of [[brass bands]], originally started by factory owners to compete in marching competitions and to entertain the workers on holidays. In the early 20th century, one of the mill foremen was also the [[trombone]] player in one of the marching bands. Upon his retirement, his colleagues planned to present him with an engraved trombone. Sadly, due to a mistake on behalf of the deliveryman, the instrument was left overnight in the rain behind the factory and the mill owner had no choice but to give the poor foreman a rusty trombone. This story passed into local legend and the "rusty trombone" is now a lighthearted local greeting. "Better a rusty trombone than a damp handshake".  

==Sport==

==Sport==

Colne F.C.  (formerly Colne Dynamos) is the local [[soccer]] team, who have famously played against the likes of Manchester United FC.

Colne F.C.  (formerly Colne Dynamos) is the local [[soccer]] team, who have played against the likes of Manchester United FC in the [[FA cup]].

==Links==

==Links==