Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Wouldn't make a difference round Woodnook Margaret, that road's busy every day...people use it more since the centre was pedestrianised, get loads of lorries down there too.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Don't be daft Margaret ... all industrial around there ... not many shops close for half day now. Still you do it on-line 24/7 :D:D

Probably don't want to pay the steeplejacks weekend rates.. :D

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

ian1 - sorry your lad will miss it, but I am sure some Accywebbers will be there to try and record it. Here is a close up of where it will all start ....

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Ma tells me that the preparation work for the demolition of the chimney has begun.
I hope that when it falls it doesn't knock the pictures off her walls :D

Here are some of the pics I took last week.

Woodnook mill.
 

Wow! The workmen have been really busy this weekend. Not much left now. They had intended taking down the scaffolding today, but its too windy. The wood is piled up near the chimney, ready for the demolition to begin. Few photos taken around 9.00am this morning.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

You are an early bird Atarah .. determined not to miss it aren't you .. LOL.

Got to admit these demolition people are very skilled .. well, to us laypeople anyway .. :)

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Did any of you see when they knocked the cooling towers down at Huncoat power station. That was quite exiting. Well I thought so at the time.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

wasn't that the mill they used in the film 'Nature of the beast'?

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Atarah, you beat me to it......I was there just after nine am.......got some pictures, will put them on later.

Was speaking to one of the men on site........he told me that if Wednesday is wet, the demolition of the chimney will be postponed.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

yes, it was Flashy.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Not myself Bernard, but think my brother took some photos/video of it.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

I use to work up at Huncoat Power House, so I had a bit of an interest in the place.

I seem to remember that it was well known in advance when the towers were coming down. Not like the cloak and dagger stuff that would seem to be happening at Woodnook.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

It isn't really cloak and dagger........when I have asked, they have been more than happy to tell me what is happening........and when

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

thought it was, thanx Marg

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

todays pics.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Hi, the more pictures the better I say ... cos ... once its gone, its gone!

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

many thanks for everyone who is taking photos, I am sure many member are finding it
interesting as most have worked or walked passed the building for years. Again thanks its much appreciated.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

I agree it's great being able to follow the work on here

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

I stand corrected Margaret. It didn't seem to make sense not to tell people when the chimney was coming down.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

"Got to admit these demolition people are very skilled ..".:rofl38::rofl38::rofl38:

Half of the scaffolding collapsed on Saturday afternoon.

Was quite worrying also to watch young women (admittedly simple) walking along with prams just 15 foot from were the work is going on .:eek::eek::eek: ,
and nobody making any atempt to stop them, no barriers etc.

Seems to me like these "demolition people" are 'Complete Amateurs'.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Seems to me that if the road is closed "as it is", it stands to reason it isn't safe to walk in the area. Doesn't take a brain surgeon to work out that when a road is closed that it could be dangerous to walk in the area:rolleyes:

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

True though, when i popped round last week, was 2 divvys wi prams stood far too near in my opinion, whilst the demolition was going on.:rolleyes:

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

But can we blame the demolition team? Sound very much to me like the parents who are quite happen to walk onto pelican crossings before the green man appears whilst pushing their prams before them, no sense:rolleyes:

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

While the work was being done there were two men with walkie talkies trying to dissuade people from using the closed off section of the road.......without too much success.
They told me that people were quite abusive when they were asked to find an alternative route to walk along.

This was my observation last Friday morning.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

I don't blame em at all, i blame the divvys fer being stupid.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

On the subject of chimneys has anyone noticed the chimney on rhyddings mill been watchin this for a while now it seems to be leaning more and more.Plus theres a big crack all the way down the middle you can see this as your walking up from the war memorial, also a tree growing out from near top, it just looks unsafe to me.

Woodnook mill.
 

Hi, few more piccies from today. Have included one from earlier this year, just to remind us what the building looked like. Nice to see that the bricks are being re-cycled.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

That first picture is lovely Atarah. That is how I will remember the place.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

anyone know roughly what time the big bang is?

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Been up there late this morning and there was plenty of activity on the remains of the building(scaffolding being taken down etc).......but nothing going on around the base of the chimney....so I came home.
I have asked Ma to keep a bit of a watch so that if she sees any activity she will ring me and I will get myself over there with my cameras.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

well pm me if ma rings ya please.:)

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

will do Cashy.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

I suppose it wil drop pretty rapid when they start the process - get your skates on :D

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

It looked to be 'leaning' a bit this morning.
Have just phoned Ma and she says there is nothing doing....maybe it isn't going to be done today after all.:(

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

ya never know, devious i know about.:D

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

The chimneys been leaning for years,it leans back towards the hill and away from the mill,if you get what i mean...chimney now cant be done until the mill has been flattened,they are worried that the shock wave from the stack falling might bring the remainder of the mill down which is now unstable...

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

ah that explains it, cheers tom, i shall remain in warmth until then.:)

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

hmmm! I bet it comes down next week when I am away and I will miss it.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Maybee it will be weekend afrter all !!!:thankya:
ian

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Just had a sneck, my moneys on next week sometime. still a fair bit of exisisting mill to come down, was also told they have never dropped a "Big" Chimney before, so should be interesting.:D

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

I think you might be right Cashy.......and I will be sunning my bum in Weston Super Mare....so I won't be seeing the chimney come down after all......unless anyone knows better :D

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Thanks for keeping us up to date with events.

Is it true that Accywebbers are to renact the Scirocco advert using the Trotter's Reliant?

GTX T.V. Advert

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

I remember that, that was the chimney at Stanhill mill, Bit of trick photography though, the chimney went no-where near the car

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlkSih2VCrk
this one then ??
ian

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Two photographs here from Thursday 10th. Now down to third floor being demolished. Might take a peek later today as am working all weekend, so wont be able to pop round.

Woodnook mill.
 

Some before and after shots, taken Fri 11th Dec 09, to remind us of another bit of our local history, swept away forever.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Must be great though Atarah for the residents around there to see the sun for the first time... :hothothot

Was told this week was an exact replica of another mill in Lancashire .. can't remember which one, that one has been turned into flats. Woodnook was past redemption though.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Whilst there are some old factory sheds that are worth preserving,I'm not sure this one is. It's not listed as far as I know,and aesthetically it's not that attractive.

I know it represents the past, but not all of that past in this town is that glorious. I'm also a supporter of local history, and preserving that part of the past that's worth preserving, but not everything falls into that category.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

While it might not have been considered attractive, it was a darn sight more attractive than the council buildings next to the town hall on Broadway.........I wish that someone would throw a stick of gelignite in there.
I grew up in that area, and I quite liked the place. It was made of good red brick, it kept many families going for many years.........and it looks very strange now it is nearly all down.
The place could be seen from the bypass....and I could get my bearings from looking for the great red building.

I am sorry that no-one intervened while there was a chance to economically renovate it.
In its place they will build characterless houses and flats......not that good a deal in my estimation.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Glad to see that someone else besides me thinks that the times of the Industrial Revolution were not 'glory days'.
The work in those mills was only one shade paler than slavery.
Industrial Accidents and diseases were 'part of the job' and the pay was a poverty pittance.
Remember that when you think of those 'good old days':rolleyes:

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Worked at both Highams n Warbys, was as ugly inside as out, i'm wi bernard n margaret r on that.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Margaret, nowhere in my post did I refer to them as 'the good old days'......my observation was simply that these two factories provided employment for many of the local people.......my own parents being among them......and because it provided work, it meant that we got to eat.

It is a part of the local fabric of life, and while you may have considered the building to be ugly, it had a purpose.
The houses that will be built on the land that is 'liberated' will also have a purpose, but little in the way of 'character'.......and character doesn't imply beauty......but something entirely different.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Personally, I didn't consider the building to be ugly.......and I saw the inside too.
It was an industrial edifice, fit for the purpose for which it was built.

Many other industrial buildings were equally ugly(if you want to see them as such) but have been sensitively treated to convert them to other uses.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

I find it difficult to raise any feeling for this demolition other than good riddance.
My grandparents on both sides were weavers. My dad was a tackler, and my mother was a weaver.
I had an uncle who died when I was seven, when the upper storey of a mill collapsed and crushed him whilst he was working.
My dad had a hernia and slipped disc due to the lifting.
I recall my dad going to work with a plaster cast from his hip to his ankle(damaged knees from crawling under looms).
Both my parents had occupational deafness (only recently recognised as an industrial disease).
Byssinosis was a cotton lung disease often not diagnosed (no health service then)
To me, the chimneys are sad reminders of suffering. I will be glad when they are all gone.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

I think the original intention from the purchasers of Woodnook Mills was to convert it into a mixed use development, however, didn't have enough takers ... couldn't leave it to rot with no projected income, so what else could be done ?

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

I guess the current financial climate didn't help much.....and the situation of the place couldn't really be described as a beauty spot......if there had been a pretty view or a stretch of calming water then it might have been a different story.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

I had to chuckle at that.:D
The Waterside (puddleside) flats haven't been a success either.
I suppose they have demolished in the interests of safety, but redeveloping the site will undoubtedly be 'on hold'.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

My family have a long history of working in the cotton mills......my paternal grandfather was a screen printer at Broad Oak Works, My auntie was a weaver, my uncle made the machinery that spun the cotton, both my parents were weavers at Highams Mill, I was a weaver of jacquard fabric before I went into the Nursing profession, so I guess I have a background that has much to do with the cotton trade.......and yes the health and welfare of the workers sometimes left a lot to be desired (there was a works nurse at Highams Mill)......but there was a cameraderie among the workers, they were like a family, they had a laugh at work(though I know the work was hard)......the children of the workers always got a trip to the seaside in summer, a panto and a Christmas Party at the Cotton Club.......and my father considered that he earned a fair wage.......it kept us fed and clothed anyway.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Yes Margaret, you are right about those flats.....they are new build and they are totally devoid of character.
I would not want to live in them, but that has a lot to do with the area....and I think that the houses which are to be built on the land that will be free once the factory is gone completely will suffer the same fate......for a variety of reasons.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Woodnook has slid down the evolutionary scale in the last 10/15 years, due to the absentee landlords mostly, and the vermin who are moving in (it's such a shame)....but since I moved from there in May I have seen a shocking change, there seems to be more pikies, more alcoholics and more junkies, and more scummy teens.....I loved my house but I'm well out of it now.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Yes Lynx, that is one of the reasons why I feel that the proposed housing development will be a flop.
I haven't lived in that area for over 40 years, but my Ma has lived there for 60+ years and she comments on the low life and scum who have moved into what were once lovely houses, with proud residents.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Is that enormous eyesore still standing?

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

I will be dropping the chimney this week sometime, will keep you posted, steeplejack

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Mr Warburton, thank you!

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Mon 14th Dec 09 - few more piccy's, less and less to photograph now.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

The chimney to be lit approx 2pm tomorrow. It will take approx 15/20mins to fell and this will be my 88th chimney felling to date, hope you all enjoy.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

We appreciate that John ... bother though, am working ... Atarah ... hope you can get there for us ... :)

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Cheers john, am outa town tomoz though typical.:rolleyes:

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Thanks John

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Hi, are we having an Accyweb "CHIMNEY MEETING" ?????
(up the steps, on the hillside, out of the way)!
We need someone there with a mobile camera/video who can take a movie for us!
See any of you there! Thanks Mr Warburton. Nice of you to share!

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Will there be a buffet?

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Wadey,iam sure the good folk of Accrington will turn up with butties and hot flask's for all:D

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

To the steeplejacks - good luck for today and hope everything goes as planned!

Woodnook mill.
 

Few final photos from Tues 15th Dec 09. Scaffolding being taken down, bricks piled up for re-cycling, over to you now John and Tom!

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Thanks Atarah, am going to set off in an hour got to do a bit of shopping first

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

WOW! That was awesome, tho the poor old chimney was a bit stubborn taking 30mins to come down lol. It was a nice clean quiet fell, very impressed :D I wanna work in demolition now hehehe:D Great to meet u wadey, depite the cold & rain & a good view point i enjoyed the show:D

Well done to all the demolition team for a good job :) Only downside was the traffic control as many didnt know road round corner was closed off during the time the work was being carried off.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Nice to meet Stanleymad and another Accywebber, here's a couple of photos to be going on with, all the best
Wadey

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Excellent Wadey ... thanks for those. Well done Steeplejack !

Suppose it is sorta' sad really. How long does it take to build a chimney like that I wonder ?

I couldn't get there .. just a few shots of the aftermath about 3.30.

Attachment 15069Attachment 15070

Haha ... seems funny to see the reception like this ... wonder who has the key to the office door ... :D

Attachment 15071

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Thanks to everybody for coming today, the chimney went well and as expected, it is a rare sight these days to watch a chimney felling, looking forward to seeing more of your photo's, also thanks to accywebbers for the nice pressie left for me in my cab, if you look on lancashire evening telegraph and search for chimney demolition hapton you will see short video of another felling we did a few months ago, nice to meet you Wadey and Atarah, merry christmas and happy new year John PS will sort some photo's out but please be patient i have thousands to go through

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

My first post here.

I've been following the thread hoping to be able to be at the demolition and I was lucky enough to be there today. I signed up for an account this evening so I can let you guys know I caught it all on film and will be posting it up on youtube sometime tomorrow all being well.

You did a great job John. It did take a while and my camera was getting rained on, but we got the money shot in the end. Took me a while to thaw out my hands afterwards.

Regards
Bob

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Its side ways but ........... damm it won't upload !!:dummy2:
ian
give me a bit of time !!

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ftv9HhEK81o
on you tube already !! not the one i have been sent though
ian

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

its the one i did Ian,sorry the quality is poor,iam trying to find some decent software to edit videos

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

S'ok ..was good, look forward to seeing others.

R.I.P. W.C. ... noticed somebody said "there she goes" .. open to comment ... :D

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

The one i got sent is only of it fallin down probly 20 seconds or so and from off marsden st !oh and its sideways !!!!!
ian

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Thanks Tom for the video

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

cheers fer that, didn't get back in accy till after 5-00, so sick i missed it.

Woodnook mill.
 

Hi, well, it was all over so quickly, some of my photos are blurred. Sorry about that. I found it "very emotional" when the chimney came down. A sad day. Good job done by the steeplejacks! Very professionally carried out! Fred Dibnah would have been proud of you all!

Woodnook mill.
 

Continuing ....

Woodnook mill.
 

And the last few ....

I think we should just find out many, or how few, mill chimneys we now have left in Hyndburn. I know of two I can think of immediately, the old "Toffy Hodgson's" - behind Cotton Street, and the one still standing on Victoria Street.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

YouTube - woodnook chimney
ian

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Here you go.

For all those who couldn't make it.

To view a larger version and see more detail just click on the 'youtube' logo in the bottom right hand corner of the image.

Regards
Bob

YouTube - Demolition of Woodnook Mill Chimney

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Cheers Bob good un that.:)

Woodnook mill.
 

Excellent! Me thinks you had a "ring side" seat :)

YouTube - Demolition of Woodnook Mill Chimney[/quote]

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Hi TactZilla, great footage any chance of a copy i was that busy i hadn't time to set my camera. just watched it and it does look like you had the best spot to film. John

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

All brilliant stuff from our members ... love it.

Hey John, made the front page of our local paper ... fame is yours ... :D

Watched the Hapton one too on the Telegraph site .. that was one heck of a construction eh ?

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Have sent you a private message John.

B

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Some cracking work been done, shame I don't live there anymore, my old house had a cracking view, other side of the old railway line.......but you lot have come through........great stuff :D

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Big thankyou to TacTZilla, and glad you enjoyed the Hapton Chimney Katex, speak to you all soon John

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Seemingly, this was part of Higham's Mill Atarah at one time, for one of their boilers.