Woodnook mill.

[Atarah]

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

 

[Retlaw]

re: 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

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.

 

[Bob Dobson]

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

 

[cmonstanley]

re: WOODNOOK MILL.

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

 

[Bob Dobson]

re: WOODNOOK MILL.

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

 

[katex]

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

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/downloads/agenda_AFTER__briefing_11_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.

 

[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.

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.

 

[Atarah]

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!

 

[Atarah]

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.

 

[Retlaw]

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

Retlaw

 

[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 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.

 

[Stanleymad]

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?

 

[mickmc]

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?

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

 

[Atarah]

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?

 

[Retlaw]

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?

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.

 

[wadey]

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

 

[katex]

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.

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

 

[Atarah]

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!

 

[Margaret Pilkington]

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.

 

[Atarah]

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