Call for witnesses after asbestos death of Bolton grandmother who worked at Eagley Mills
The family of a woman who operated reeling machines at a textile factory in Bolton are appealing for witnesses after her death from asbestos cancer mesothelioma.
Posted on 04 September 2025
Jean Pye (nee Thornton) worked at Eagley Mills, a steam powered cotton mill owned by J.P. Coats, from 1955 to 1960, where her family believe she may have been exposed to asbestos.
Jean explained how her job saw her manage two reeling machines, fastening bobbins to the machines to create cloth hangs, which were then removed from the machine to be examined and bagged.
She recalled pipework carrying hot water around the mill which she said was lagged with asbestos. Jean said that this pipework would often vibrate due to the operating machinery in the mill and that this released asbestos fibres into the air.
Jean also remembered repair and maintenance work taking place on the pipes to strip and replace the asbestos lagging, which she said also released dust and fibres from the material.
Having since retired, Jean was diagnosed with mesothelioma in November 2022. In December 2022 the family instructed Louisa Saville, a partner in the asbestos team at the law firm Leigh Day, to investigate the case. Sadly, Jean died from the disease just a few months later in February 2023, aged 84.
Jean lived in Bolton with her husband Brian for more than 60 years, with whom she had two daughters.
Jean’s family are now looking for people who worked with her at Eagley Mills, or at a similar time, who can provide information on the possible presence of asbestos.
Jean’s family said:
“We would be grateful to anyone that is able to come forward and provide some insight into how Jean might’ve been exposed to asbestos at Eagley Mills.”
Leigh Day partner Louisa Saville, who represents Jean’s family, said:
“Jean’s family have been through a terrible ordeal losing a much loved grandmother just a few months after her diagnosis with mesothelioma. Based on Jean’s recollections, her family believe she may have been exposed to asbestos while working at Eagley Mills in Bolton and are hoping to hear from people who can provide more information about the working environment of the mill at that time. Any information could make a big difference to their search for answers.”
Louisa Saville
Louisa Saville is a partner in the asbestos team.
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