Tuesday 29 December 2015

Albert Works, Sheffield

History

Little history is available for this site but it looks to be have been the home to several Silversmiths over the years as part of Sheffield's thriving metalwork industry.

There is currently work being undertaken on the site and a planning application to demolish the works along with the nearby Niche nightclub and the adjacent Speedwell Works, which can be viewed here:

http://publicaccess.sheffield.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=NZ588DNYFY000

Esoteric Eric





Park Hill Flats, Sheffield

History

Park Hill is a council housing estate in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. It was built between 1957 and 1961, and in 1998 was given Grade II* listed building status, the largest listed building in Europe. Following a period of decline, the estate is being renovated by developers Urban Splash.

For an extensive background history visit:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Park_Hill,_Sheffield

Esoteric Eric







Wednesday 25 November 2015

Thompson Machine Tools Ltd., Sheffield

History

No background information here, just another relic of Sheffield's industrial past.

Esoteric Eric








Sunday 15 November 2015

E.P. Bray & Co. (Chisworth Works), Glossop

History

Chisworth Works was built at the end of the 18th, early 19th century as a cotton band manufactory and was initially called Higher Mill. There are large round-arched doorways surrounded by large ashlar blocks in the north-east elevation. However, it appears as though the original building was extended twice to the rear, also in stone, as there are lines in the mortarwork and mismatches in the courses on the south-west elevation. Presumably, these extensions took place before 1857 as the building line remains the same on the maps until 1973.

By 1973, the site was used as a dyeing works and there was a large T-shaped extension at the rear which appears to have been added in two stages. The building at the north-eastern end had gone and any gardens in front of the cottages had been covered over for the yard. The only change ten years later was the construction of a square loading ramp at the front. The outline today is the same as it was in 1984.

The company started "winding-up" in 2006 and was dissolved/liquidised and closed in September that year.


Source:

http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/chisworth-works-e-p-bray-co-glossop-september-2012.t74261

Esoteric Eric






Monday 19 October 2015

Saltersgate Inn, North York Moors, North Yorkshire

History

The Saltersgate Inn is situated along the A169, a short drive away from Whitby, in the North York Moors. Surrounded by picturesque countryside and the close by Hole of Horcum, the inn was ideally situated for smugglers. They would meet boats coming in from the North Sea carrying commodities such as salt and sugar, alcohol and tobacco and they would store their spoils in caves in the surrounding area.
 
It is rumoured that the landlord at the time, an ex-sea captain himself, was part of the smuggling ring and was known to the local custom and excise officers. According to the tale, one night after an unsuccessful raid on the inn one of the officers stayed behind to catch the smugglers after the others had left, upon entering the Inn a fight ensued. The officer was reportedly hit over the head and died from his injuries.
 
The officer was said to be buried under the fireplace by the smugglers and the landlord vowed to constantly keep the fire burning so that the body would never be discovered.
 
The Inn itself dates back to 1648 but has been closed since 2007. Since that time it has changed hands several times but finances for the project have always ran out. The inn now remains a derelict shell of its former self.   
 
Esoteric Eric
 








 

Wednesday 9 September 2015

Bass Maltings, Sleaford, Lincolnshire

History

The Bass Maltings in Sleaford, England are a large disused group of eight malt houses originally owned by the Bass Brewery of Burton upon Trent. Constructed between 1901 and 1907 to Herbert A. Couchman's design, the maltings are the largest group of malt houses in England; they have been designated Grade II* on the National Heritage List for England, recognising them as "particularly important ... of more than special interest."

Part of the predominately agricultural county of Lincolnshire, the Sleaford area was a major producer of barley in the 1880s. When germinated and dried to form malt, barley forms a key ingredient in the production of beer. Along with the town's railway links, this attracted the Bass brewery company to the town. The use of more efficient techniques at Bass's other plant led to the closure of Sleaford's maltings in 1959. Despite being used to rear poultry in the late 20th century, the buildings have not been fully occupied since Bass left and a fire in 1976 caused severe damage to three of the malthouses. Derelict since the 1990s, proposals to convert the buildings into office, retail and residential space were put on hold in early 2015 after lengthy delays over planning permission and the withdrawal of a major investor.

Further information can be found at the link below.

Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bass_Maltings,_Sleaford

Esoteric Eric