Sunday 29 October 2017

Bishopgarth Police Training School, Wakefield

History

Bishopgarth was first built in 1891 for the Bishop to live in. In 1946 it became the West Yorkshire Metropolitan Police Training School. The classrooms were built in 1952 and the new block  added in 1969. There are 14 courses for training policemen and women including courses in fingerprints, computer training, firearms, public speaking and traffic management. Bishopgarth can take a maximum of 250 students at any one time and usually there are 200 students staying there.
 
The police moved to a new facility in Carr Gate in 2014 and planning has proposed for 150 homes on the site.
 
Source:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/domesday/dblock/GB-432000-420000/page/15
 
Esoteric Eric
 









 

Dudfleet Mill, Horbury, West Yorkshire

History

The mill appears to have been known as Race’s Mill for a time, as it was owned by John Race and Co. A report conducted by the Factory Inquiry Commission on 25th March 1834 was commissioned to examine the employment of children in factories, with the intention of curtailing the hours of their labour. John Race and Co’s responses to the 27 questions asked by the report suggest that their business involved the production of woollen cloths and lambswool yarn. The report outlines the conditions for a number of children working at the factory, revealing at this time that 27 of the 40 strong workforce were boys and girls aged 16 or younger. They conclude that ‘the health of children working in woollen manufactories… is not in the least bit impaired’.
 
Later, a transcript of the entry of 'professions and trades' for Horbury in White's Directory of 1887 states that the mill owners were Archer, Ritchie and Co., manufacturers of army & police cloths located both at Dudfleet Mill and at Millfield Mills. Amongst those employed were George Audley (Woolen Overlooker) and Joseph Audsley (Mill Overlooker).
 
At some point in the early 1900s the mill stood empty, after which it was purchased by James Benjamin Sykes and his brother who turned it into ‘a thriving industrial concern’.
 
The most recent occupiers of the mill seem to be Fur Fabrics limited, who vacated the property around 2005.
 
Source:
https://www.28dayslater.co.uk/dudfleet-mills-horbury-wakefield-october-2017.t110491
 
Esoteric Eric
 












 

Kastix/ 2nd Volunteer Battalion Drill Hall, Holmfirth, West Yorkshire

History

Built in 1947 as the new drill hall for the 2nd Volunteer Battalion West Riding Regiment.
 
Later used as the offices for Kastix, a textile company producing womenswear and children's clothing, which went in to receivership in 2001 with the loss of more than 50 jobs.
 
There are currently plans to demolish the site to construct an Aldi supermarket.
 
Source:
http://www.examiner.co.uk/lifestyle/nostalgia/blue-plaque-trail-holmfirth-drill-4976353
 
http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/holme-valley-building-flattened-make-13004122
 
Esoteric Eric
 





 

Thomas Broadbent & Sons Ltd. Bath House, Huddersfield

History

 
The Bath House at Broadbent's Engineering in Huddersfield has been designated at Grade II, for the following principal reasons:
 
The building is a very rare, possibly unique example of a purpose built bath house for foundry workers. Its continuing function as a bath house has preserved its original purpose in both its layout and its fixtures and fittings as well as its design. The design of the building manifests inspiration from both W Dudok and Frank Lloyd Wright, and achieves a high standard of accomplishment in its interpretation of contemporary architectural influences.The use of local stone for external walls distinguishes it from brick built pithead baths of similar style, and the imaginative use of finishes lends further distinction. The interior survives almost entirely intact, with original wash basins, shower and tap fittings, lockers, floor and wall surfaces, doors and light fittings.
 
Source:
https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1393532
 
Esoteric Eric
 
 










 

Monday 23 October 2017

Robert Fletcher & Sons, Greenfield, Oldham

History

Canteen, February 2017

http://3soteric3ric.blogspot.co.uk/2017/02/robert-fletcher-sons-greenfield-oldham.html

Boiler House, July 2017

https://3soteric3ric.blogspot.co.uk/2017/07/robert-fletcher-sons-boiler-house.html

Esoteric Eric