Atthe side of the Leeds and Liverpool canal at Clayton-le-Moors once stood an old Corn Mill founded in 1841 by Joseph Appleby a highly regarded Industrialist and Philanthropist of the time, the Mill was serviced by both road and canal although the Appleby Family made good use of the canal by having their fleet of barges to transport their products.

However, for the cricketers amongst you – Arthur Appleby the second son of Joseph Appleby, the founder of the firm of Joseph Appleby and Sons, corn merchants and millers, who owned mills in Enfield, Blackburn and Liverpool, all on the banks of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal; was born on 22 July 1843 at Henfield House on Blackburn Road Henfield (later known as Enfield), Clayton-le-Moors. Arthur became a first-class English cricketer and was educated at Milnshaw and later at Grange School, Thorpe Arch, near Tadcaster, North Yorkshire; he began his playing days at Enfield Cricket Club, Clayton-le-Moors in 1861 when he was 18. He played in 58 matches for Lancashire between 1866 and 1887 and in 81 first-class matches in total and continued playing until about 1901.

It was the brethren of Albert Edward Lodge, who were then meeting at the Conservative Club just across the main road, recognising the potential of the site from a concept put forward by WBro. Alan Joinson PPJGW, purchased the building and reclaimed land in about 1966 and converted the old property into a Masonic Hall. A brass plaque commemorating the life and foresight of WBro Joinson is displayed in the Festive Board room. At that time, the House comprised 27 rooms; the building was gutted and reduced to 13 rooms. After this conversion, the first Masonic meeting at Mill House was on Thursday 25th November 1971 by Albert Edward Lodge.