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View Full Version : Old Lane Mill, Halifax, Jan '09



boxfrenzy
19-01-2009, 06:13 PM
I am a tosser. It's official. Many people may have already known this, and now I can clarify: it's true. I saw this and thought for a moment, oh, it's another mill. I did one of these last week. Then I realised that the majority of the Urbex folk from around the world would love to visit one of these places and here's me not being too excited.
Of course I was wrong, I loved it and was suitably scared and concerned my legs, which for the last 36 years have worked just fine may suddenly bend and spring me forward through a high up window. It would have served me right.

On the 21st of January, 1905, the worst nightmate of any mill owner came true, as fire ripped through Old Lane Mill, Halifax. It was the first mill fire of the year, but before the end, another three mills in a ten mile radius were badly damaged by fire.
Old Lane Mills
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3301/3209180923_79ac494042.jpg

The first mill on the site was recorded in 1816, but this one was built in 1825. Two years later, in 1827, owner Akroyd built the first Jacquard looms in Britain, and the mill was iron-framed and fitted with stone floors – the first in any British mill – to support the machinery.
I love these old stairways. There was some cool old plaster, just visable higher up. Like a tit, I forgot to photograph it.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3366/3209058425_f840d441fb.jpg


Today those stone floors are still there, stripped of machinery, but remants of old looms and chutes are still there.
Sunlight shines onto empty mill floors
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3365/3209058445_6db4a8295f.jpg

Stone steps lead from floor to floor.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3462/3209058473_b8d8271e92.jpg

At first I was concerned that it was going to be empty. Thankfully there was some good stuff to see. Here is a no stair fire escape.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3479/3209058477_8613ca076d.jpg

On the third floor, things got interesting. On the arched ceiling were the remains of looms.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3452/3210011164_7e29d0cdcd.jpg

Another floor, another part of a loom
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3408/3210011178_5d0262ceb3.jpg

Floor six
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3314/3210011208_41968e23e1.jpg

At the top of the stone stars is a circular window. The view is Dean Clough Mills, Halifax
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3455/3209180909_e3c3a6f21f.jpg

Beautiful top floor of the mill. Apparently the nightwatchman used to fire a blunderbuss each night to signal he was on duty. Thankfully, he is no longer there...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3119/3210011258_bc45c377d6.jpg

Outside the mill are the remains of the engine house
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3500/3210011196_9ffd9173df.jpg

The Mill, veiwed from Old Lane
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3082/3209058461_fd777df97b.jpg

Between the engine house and the mill
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3495/3210011236_2a1414b69b.jpg

My favourite picture. This is the Lee Bank tunnel northern portal. It was 267 tards long. Sadly the southern portal is buried under the spoil from the widening of the Keighley road.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3472/3209058487_3f880fcb8d.jpg

Apologies for the cartoon like appearance of some these snaps. Top tip. To avoid a large number of very disappointing washed out and grainy pictures when you get home, always check your ISO isn't set to 1600 when shooting in bright sun.

BA
19-01-2009, 06:35 PM
Top mill action Rich :thumb

(NB. to the gossip mongering whores:that doesn't mean i have kissed him :p)

Well Said!

Brilliant pics, you really captured the atmosphere! :thumb

Muse
19-01-2009, 06:43 PM
Really nice report there Rich and the photos aren't bad either ;)

BB
19-01-2009, 06:49 PM
Great stuff there dude! :)

KingElvis
19-01-2009, 07:44 PM
I thought this was called Ladyship Mill, guess I was wrong :p

http://www.urbexforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3&highlight=ladyship+mill

andym
19-01-2009, 08:30 PM
Nah, Ladyship Mill is the one further up the road. It's in 'multiple occupation' at the moment. This is deffo Old Lane Mill: http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/details/default.aspx?id=447661

Good to see that someone else has seen it. Not that there's a great deal to see mind, but it's a nice quiet explore nonetheless.

skin
19-01-2009, 09:35 PM
Nice mate - looks like a good place to wander around.

bungle666
19-01-2009, 10:01 PM
hmmmmmmmmm a trip just (and i mean JUST) over the hill to halifax is in order methinks!!

nice stuff

B..