JUDGING by the size of the crowd it looks as though most of Great Harwood turned out to honour one of the town’s most famous sons. This photo records the official dedication of the Mercer Memorial Clock Tower in Town Gate on June 20,1903. The memorial was unveiled by the Mayor of Accrington, Alderman Thomas Broughton. It was dedicated to John Mercer who invented the process of Mercerisation which transformed the cotton industry. Mercer - who died in 1866 aged 75 - grew up in the town and the clock tower was paid for by public subscription. After the official ceremony which saw bunting hanging from the town hall and bands playing, the crowds enjoyed a fair with a variety of stalls and and sports events held on the fields off Blackburn Road.