Woodnook mill.
 

WOODNOOK MILLS next on the agenda!

Coming along Victoria Street this afternoon, turned the corner onto Nuttall Street and was held up in queue of traffic. A digger was in the middle of the road and was loading what looked like some Yorkshire stone flags onto a low loader. My curiousity got the better of me, so I stopped and spoke to a workman. Yep, the whole lot is being demolished. Guess what for . . . . the usual! HOUSES!!

Why or why aren't they doing as in Manchester - saving and refurbishing??????

Will find a bit of history on the building and post later.

Atarah

re: WOODNOOK MILL.
 

I would have thought it was a listed building.
Could be converted into cheapo flats and house all the neighbours from hell in it, then they will only get on one anothers nerves.

Retlaw.

re: WOODNOOK MILL.
 

There's no way they would be Yorkshire stone flags - almost certainly they would be quarried within ten miles of Accrington - perhaps as far away as Longridge.

I am concerned that it seems nobody knew about this. I am hoping that Katex will tell us that she had seen the demolition mentioned in a notice such as those published when planning permission is granted - or has the council kept this

re: WOODNOOK MILL.
 

somebody will be making money out of it have they got planning permission yet or is it already rubber stamped:rolleyes:

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-ooops - touched the wrong key. .....quiet just as they did when the Grammar School was demolished?

re: WOODNOOK MILL.
 

It has been there for all to see Bob ... have posted in my Planning Applications thread before, and this was the last meeting it was discussed ... again for all to see.

http://www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk/downloa...1_march_09.pdf

I worked for the company that owned this building, and sorry Atarah, do love our heritage, but it was a mess and would have fallen down if not pulled down. No developer would wish to convert it into other uses, as I consider it a very ugly building.

If you wish to find out more about the history, sure Peter Hargreaves (seek him out in Oswaldtwistle Mills) will only be too happy to help you.

re: WOODNOOK MILL.
 

[quote=Bob Dobson;713458]There's no way they would be Yorkshire stone flags - almost certainly they would be quarried within ten miles of Accrington - perhaps as far away as Longridge.

Probably Ashlar from local quaries, there were quite a few in the local area that are now filled in and built over.
I can't see them stopping a train on Woodnook Bridge to off load paving flags. Yorkshre stone was used to face the old Fire Station and the cop shop, the bloke who had the contract for that went bankrupt.
Different colour altogether
Retlaw.

re: WOODNOOK MILL.
 

There is a smashing book called "WOODNOOK MILLS - Accrington" -Two centuries of textile history" by a local man Mr Mike Booth. This was printed in 1999 and a copy can be seen in the Local Studies of Accrington Library.
Here in Accrington this mill was targeted by Power Loom rioters from Haslingden. On Mon 24th April 1826 Woodnook's power looms were seen, like many other power looms in the district, as being the cause of the hardship suffered by the handloom weavers. What history being swept away!

Woodnook mill.
 

There has been a "gap" in the demolishing of this mill, but the workers have been back there for about a week now.

Lots of the building now gone.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Just had a look at Highams old mill & took some photos.
Also the stones in the old wall.

Retlaw

Re: WOODNOOK MILL.
 

Woodnook Mill is on the Factory Bottom facing the end of Major St. I don't think Highams Mill was built when the loom riots were on. There was a smaller mill on the Bath St end in them days.

Retlaw.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Once again atarah interesting thread, see why its to be pulled down due to dis repair but also a shame that another landmark heritage is to disappear. Am i right in thinking it was used as scene for the nature of the beast film?

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Spot on - there was a scene shot in front of the gates round the side of the building

Woodnook mill.
 

Wonder what will happen to all the Nori brick used on this factory building (with terra cotta decorations)? Its a five storey mill, wonder how many bricks they used? Wonder will they make a big fuss of dismantling the circular brick chimney?

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Probably ground up for land fill. I don't think theres enough room to do a Fred Dibnah on that chimney, may have to start at the top and remove it bit by bit.
As a comparison there's usually 1/4 million bricks used in making a 200 ft chimney.
Retlaw.

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Have put some photos in the gallery, a steeplejack has been appointed to demolish the chimney

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Wonder if it had anything to do with this comment Atarah ? Although maybe only when they are building ?

"Also condition requiring works to the buildings being
avoided between March to October in order to avoid impact on nesting birds and the
submission of a landscaping/habitat creation and management plan."

They have now resubmitted and put in the full outline plans seemingly.

11/09/0379 Major: Outline (All Detailed Matters Woodnook Mill Mount Street
Reserved) 14/09/2009 Residential Development Accrington
(Resubmission 11/08/0624)
Lastberry Ltd

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How sad is this! I know they are, if I am honest, NOT really of use to anyone, but ............... all the ledgers from the offices of Woodnook Mill are NOW FOR SALE IN A SECOND HAND SHOP IN ACCRINGTON! What a shame! Thats life I suppose!

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There is nothing much left of Highams Mill.
I took these pictures today.
My parents both worked there in the 1950's....Ma is quite sad to see the place being torn down....and her windows overlook the factory bottom, so she is looking at it every day.

Woodnook mill.
 

The demolition men are "on the move" again. Wow, they have just had a real old session between 10am and 4pm today on the Bath Street side.

1 - The whole area behind the fencing demolished today
2 - Close up of no. 1 (all now gone)
3 - View looking through the window, towards Belfield Rd.
4 - "Skeleton" of mill

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

For Wadey, did you by any chance find out WHEN the steeplejack is due to demolish the chimney?
Thanks

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Not yet will let you know

Woodnook mill.
 

11th November 2009 - less and less to be seen.

1. Taken from "railway line" side
2. Taken from middle part of Bath Street

Another "end of an era".

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

it's sad to watch the old building go down.. I worked there for a while and used to have sex with a chick from ormerod street in one of them loading bays... it's amazing what you can get with a bottle of woodpecker cider.

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Tee hee! I just love honesty!

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Was it last week Mancie?

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Too much information!

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Get em drunk on cider first, is that the only way you get sex. :theband::theband::theband:

Retlaw.

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Notice in the Observer from LCC that they are closing the roads as follows to allow demolition of Woodnook Mill:

1. Saturday, 28th November >> Sunday 29th November.
2. Saturday 5th December >> Sunday 6th December.
3. Saturday 12th December >> Sunday 13th December.

All these days 0630 hours until 1900 hours.

Presume the chimney will come down during one of these times, but doesn't specify.

Get yer camera ready Atarah.

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Outline planning permission for residential development for Woodnook Mill went through at the planning committee yesterday.

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Wouldn't it be nice to restore it to a wooded valley?

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Is that what it once was. Looks like it's going to be housing now I'm afraid. More money in building houses than wooded valleys unfortunately.

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Looks like it probably was at one time Bernard :


Attachment 14883

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What date would the map be Kate? It looks a lot better on the map than it does at the moment.

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Property developers are strapped for cash at the moment so I can't see anything getting built in the near future. It will just be left derelict - another place for 'travellers' to park.

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I think Bernard is probably from the map of c.1890 .. doesn't actually say on the Mario map's site, but linked to LCC .. who only seem to have this map ?

I can't find any maps that would show the fully wooden area before construction of the Woodnook Mill ...

Woodnook mill.
 

Less and less to see now.

As Katex mentioned, its this weekend and the following two when the major demolition will be taking place.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Don't be sad Atarah .. was a horrible dank, dark, cold building. To say nothing of the spirits the cleaners used to report roaming the corridors ... :D

Hated going in there ... old lifts, stone floors on the first floor, creaky floors the others, blooming draughty and cold .. no feel good factor like some old mills.

I will cheer when they have finally reduced it to rubble.

Don't think the chimney is the original either .. was an application in 2000 to rebuild.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

I don't recall the chimney being rebuilt in my lifetime......my Ma lives up on Riley's Hill and I am sure I would've remembered if there had been any major rebuilding of the chimney.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Not sure Margaret ... was just an application in 2000 . don't know whether went ahead or not ?

'Planning history
11/00/0346 Erection of new chimney – approved conditionally 23.10.00'

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Did the railway run down the Eastern side of Woodnook? It's not really clear on Google Earth

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

I am not sure which is the eastern side, but if it is any help, the railway ran at the back of the mills.

I checked with Ma about the chimney and there has been no major building work done on the chimney for many years.......it was shortened, but that was many years ago...so it looks as if the planning permission was not acted upon.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Yes, Margaret .. spoken to somebody today who said as above ... wouldn't have made sense anyway .. the bleaching and dyeing was dwindling then. Rock on yer ma ... :mosher:

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the line ran oer a bridge on nuttall street wadey, was red brick walls just before the cafe that was/is? going towards factory bottom, if that helps, it ran up where that footpath is towards bash.:)

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

The erection of a new chimney may have been the steel chimney that came out of the boilerhouse roof,the brick chimney was probably built around 1860,its built with sand and lime mortar,black mortar ,ash and lime became the prefared mortar just after that date...

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

I can't recall any chimney other than the red brick one........I visit my Ma 3 or 4 times each week and unless it was very well hidden behind the buildings, I feel sure I would have noticed it.
I have seen nothing like a steel chimney since the demolition work has been on-going....and I have taken a keen interest.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/16810597@N06/3976113987/[/URL]

hope the link works....

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Thankyou for that link Tom........interestingly there does look to be a modern chimney in the back ground.......maybe the view from Ma's was at the wrong angle for it to be visible for me.

Mr Freer and his son from Ormerod St. used to do repairs on the chimney.......I remember the daughter going up the ladder once with her dad's bait tin...he had forgotten his dinner.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

To Tom Phillips - so, we have a real "Fred Didnah" as a member. Brave you going up these tall chimneys. Rather you than me, but thanks so much for sharing the photo.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

the line ran oer a bridge on nuttall street wadey, was red brick walls just before the cafe that was/is? going towards factory bottom, if that helps, it ran up where that footpath is towards bash"
Thanks for that

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Horace freear is still alive,he lives off Walley rd i think,his sister was called Lotti,he kept his steeplejack equipment next to Woodnook mill....

Atarah,i posted that photo on this site a couple of years ago but have been unable to find here since,if i get any pictures of accy i'll pop them on,i have an Accrington connection,my dad was made here..chimneys are great for scenic photo's...

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Yes, I sometimes see Horace in Accrington.......and the sister was called Lotti...though I couldn't remember that until you reminded me(I knew her name began with an L, and was an old fashioned name......kept thinking Lily, but it didn't sound right)

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Just had it confirmed, from the highest source, that the application was for a new steel chimney .. but never went ahead.

Love the 'photo Tom .. gulp, made me tummy turn over just looking at it ... :D

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Nah that was the Bacardi.:D

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Horace will be nearly 90 now Margaret,I believe he was registered near blind in the 1950s,he rescued big Tommy Jackson from great Harwood on the top of a stack when the head opened up on him in 1958 i believe,Tommy held it together until the fire brigade arrived and Horrace laddered off the top of their ladder,Tommy Jackson then got the nickname of "turn table Tommy"because of the fire brigade having to rescue him,hehe.

Aye Katex my tummy just turned over,"I knew i should have had a regular Kebab last night and not a special,tehe,glad you like the photo..

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

If you want a real treat have a look at Tom's Barrow Bridge photo
Barrow bridge chimney,Bolton. on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

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"Treat" it made me dizzy looking at the photo wadey.:eek:

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Hehe

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Just been informed that Nuttall St will closed off today for the final stage of demolition of the mill.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Ma has just rung me and told me that the chaps have been working like demons since first light, and that they are making great inroads into what was left of the building.
I will be over there on Monday so I will take my little camera and hopefully get some pics.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Thanks for putting the links on Wadey...

Try and photograph the scaffolders on monday shouting and screaming and waving their arms in the air because of all the bent scaffolding tubes,hehehe

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I will do my best.....if it is fine, that is......I don't like taking my camera out in the rain........so a prayer for fine please when you are on your knees. ThanQ!

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Hi, few more piccies - 3 from this morning and 3 taken in the afternoon.
When I asked one of the workmen was it this weekend, or next weekend perhaps when the chimney was being demolished, he just smiled and winked. So ........

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Great Atarah ... love the 'no parking' written notice on the wall .. as if you would ... :D

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Thanks Atarah and Tom, will try and get up Monday all being well

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Just a quickie, in Atarah's first photo would that be roughly where the rail line crossed the road?
Thanks

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Yes it would Wadey.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Thanks

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Monday 30th November, chimney STILL there! So it could be next weekend when it is demolished!

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

:hidewall: "wheres those steeplejacks" ;) :)

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Here's a couple of photos, will put some in the gallery tomorrow

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Makes sense though that they will not pull the chimney down until all the storeys have been demolished, so that it just falls on the rubble.

The steeplejacks may just be waiting until this has been achieved ... although they must have some sort of predicted schedule ?

Think Tom knows more than what he is telling us ... :D

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Not many big ole chimneys left now, slowly the industrial marks are being removed.

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I took these yesterday.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Are those wires near the chimney Margaret, or is it just a trick of the camera ?

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

No Kate they are not near the chimney.......I should really have got at the other side of them so that they would not be in the shot, but himself was getting a bit impatient with me......so my composition suffered :).

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Just popped round this morning, maybe similar shots as last photos on here, but, had to smile, those Trotters get everywhere! Less and less to photograph on each visit now.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

notice ya was with delboy atarah.:D

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

there wasn't much being knocked down when we visited Ma yesterday......but there was a lot of brick cleaning and stacking being done.
I guess it would be too dangerous to be knocking down the existing bit of the building while the road is open to traffic.

It is the first time my Ma has been able to see Nuttall Street from her window, and she remarked that it was like the illuminations......she was referring to the lights from the houses across on Belfield Street......they have not been visible to her before either.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

The roads been closed off again tonight, so I guess there is major work on again tomorrow.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

[quote=lancsdave;767187]The roads been closed off again tonight, so I guess there is major work on again tomorrow.[/quote


Doesn't appear to have been any amendment to the above notice in the Observer this week Lancsdave ... or the LCC site, so not sure what is going on .. maybe the chimney ?

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Haha! Super sleuths at the ready! Are they trying to confuse us Accywebbers! Right, cameras at the ready for tomorrow. MargaretP - get up to your Ma's tomoz! (Er, can we all stand high up on the hill with you?) - They think they are going to outwit us do they? Tee hee. Action stations for Friday! I too saw the signs today at the end of Victoria Street, mentioning that Mount Street was closed. BUT . . . . . . seriously, be careful if any of you do go watching. The chimney COULD FALL IN THE WRONG DIRECTION!!!!

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

I will be going up to see Ma tomorrow...with my little camera in my bag...and yes of course you can stand high up on the hill....because that is where I will be.

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Teehee .. well it's all our speculation Atarah .. maybe they have got a deal going with 'Hello' magazine ....

Hey up Tom Phillips looking in .. perhaps he has inside information ?

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Hehehe....wednesday

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

All about contacts on here .... :thumbsup:

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Or, maybe throwing us of the "scent". I am off there now, just in case tee hee

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

No it is definitely Wednesday afternoon. I have been up to see Ma and I was speaking to one of the chaps who works for the firm doing the demolition.......told him there was interest on a local website......he said Wednesday.......they are going to topple the chimney by knocking some of the lower bricks out and then shoring it up with timber, then they will light a fire and retreat to a safe distance.
That is of course unless anyone knows anything different.:)

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

Oh well, it was a pleasant day, TO BE ON A WILD GOOSE CHASE!
Here is a view from Victoria Street taken mid morning.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

popped round about hour n half ago, no prep work done yet on chimney, so what worker told ya margaret sounds kosher.:)

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

it wasn't a wild goose chase for me.....Ma needed shopping, and I nearly always have my little camera with me....especially recently, with the work that is being done.
I am hoping that I will be able to see what is going on on Wednesday.
I might just ask himself to leave me at Ma's for the afternoon.......I have never seen a chimney come down.......and to get a pic would be....perfick! :)

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seen a couple,well worth watching IMHO.:)

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Great shot, Atarah. Looks like it's on fire.

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We will start on tuesday morning,the brickwork at the the base of the chimney will be removed and replaced with timber props,it will be all gone by wednesday teatime..

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Watched the old Platts chimney come down, got some pics somewhere will try to find them and put them on.

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

A ha Mr Tom Phillips! So, our Katex had sussed you out correctly!! Clever lass! You are indeed "the man with the knowledge" then! Well, well! Looks like you will be seeing some of us Accywebbers next week then!

Re: Woodnook mill.
 

would this not have been better a weekend thing !! there ain't many left to knock down anymore !! my lad would love to see this but wednesday he is in nursrey all day !!
ian

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Wednesday is 'half day closing' so there will be less disruption to trading from road closures

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Thanks Tom for the update