OVER the past couple of weeks we have learned much about Barcroft, a large house in Blackburn which was owned by the Scapa company and was used to entertain important visitors to the factory. Looking Back reader Eric Nolan who has a keen interest in local history is in possession of the diaries of James Hargreaves, the wealthy Tobacco Factor who bought the fine house in 1904 from the town clerk of Blackburn, Mr M R Fox. The diary entries provide a fascinating insight into the world of one of Blackburn’s wealthy merchants. The first mention of Barcroft occurs in a diary entry from Christmas Eve, 1903.