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View Full Version : Huddersfield Fine Worsted, Kirkheaton, Report, 23/07/08



Shepy
01-09-2008, 01:01 AM
In 1909 Broadhead & Graves purchased the Mill at Kirkheaton and rapidly developed a successful business establishing a reputation for manufacturing superfine worsteds and especially for milled and semi-milled qualities

H.R.H. The Duke of York visited the mill in 1932 at which time he was presented with some lengths of cloth and six years later, as King of England, he ordered a further three suit lengths from the mill.

King George and Queen Mary visited the mill in 1919 and in 1949 the mill was again honoured by a royal visit, this time by Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh. By this time the mill had established a superlative reputation for their fine worsteds and their products were sought after by buyers throughout the world.

Disaster struck the mill when there was a serious fire at the site in 1964. Over fifty firemen were needed to tackle the blaze but they could not prevent the collapse of the roof of the building or the destruction of pattern and design records from the mill’s early days.

Production recovered after the fire and continued at the site until a very questionable closing of the site in February 2005, despite ample profit margins, stock levels and orders on the books. The site was once again hit by fire in April of 2008 after arsonists piled up cloth and materials and set fire to them.

Most of the site is safe and sturdy enough, with the exception of a few warped and weak floors towards the back of the building, but they are readily apparent as soon as you get near them which are the questionable ones.

On with the pics:


http://www.shepy.co.uk/urbex_pics/fine_worsted/IMG_9519.JPG

http://www.shepy.co.uk/urbex_pics/fine_worsted/IMG_9522.JPG

http://www.shepy.co.uk/urbex_pics/fine_worsted/IMG_9525.JPG

http://www.shepy.co.uk/urbex_pics/fine_worsted/IMG_9528.JPG

http://www.shepy.co.uk/urbex_pics/fine_worsted/IMG_9531.JPG

http://www.shepy.co.uk/urbex_pics/fine_worsted/IMG_9534.JPG

http://www.shepy.co.uk/urbex_pics/fine_worsted/IMG_9537.JPG

http://www.shepy.co.uk/urbex_pics/fine_worsted/IMG_9542.JPG

http://www.shepy.co.uk/urbex_pics/fine_worsted/IMG_9545.JPG

http://www.shepy.co.uk/urbex_pics/fine_worsted/IMG_9548.JPG

http://www.shepy.co.uk/urbex_pics/fine_worsted/IMG_9551.JPG

http://www.shepy.co.uk/urbex_pics/fine_worsted/IMG_9554.JPG

http://www.shepy.co.uk/urbex_pics/fine_worsted/IMG_9557.JPG

http://www.shepy.co.uk/urbex_pics/fine_worsted/IMG_9560.JPG

http://www.shepy.co.uk/urbex_pics/fine_worsted/IMG_9563.JPG

http://www.shepy.co.uk/urbex_pics/fine_worsted/IMG_9569.JPG

http://www.shepy.co.uk/urbex_pics/fine_worsted/IMG_9572.JPG

http://www.shepy.co.uk/urbex_pics/fine_worsted/IMG_9575.JPG

http://www.shepy.co.uk/urbex_pics/fine_worsted/IMG_9578.JPG

http://www.shepy.co.uk/urbex_pics/fine_worsted/IMG_9581.JPG

http://www.shepy.co.uk/urbex_pics/fine_worsted/IMG_9584.JPG

http://www.shepy.co.uk/urbex_pics/fine_worsted/IMG_9587.JPG

http://www.shepy.co.uk/urbex_pics/fine_worsted/IMG_9590.JPG

~Shepy

Shepy
01-09-2008, 01:03 AM
And a few o' em in HDR:

http://www.shepy.co.uk/urbex_pics/fine_worsted/hdr1.jpg

http://www.shepy.co.uk/urbex_pics/fine_worsted/hdr2.jpg

http://www.shepy.co.uk/urbex_pics/fine_worsted/hdr3.jpg

http://www.shepy.co.uk/urbex_pics/fine_worsted/hdr4.jpg

http://www.shepy.co.uk/urbex_pics/fine_worsted/hdr5.jpg

~Shepy

Rebel
01-09-2008, 06:10 PM
The floor in there is like a waltzer. It's quite unusual...It's a fair drop down though! Theres some interesting items in the safe there.

KingElvis
01-09-2008, 06:27 PM
Yep, another top local explore for anyone in the area. I loved the cotton reels when I was there, great stuff ;)


http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj20/tmole99/Fine%20worsted/IMG_3306640x480.jpg

boxerheaven
01-09-2008, 07:01 PM
nice report love the wonky floor

Rebel
13-02-2009, 02:46 PM
Nice report, a few things to add.
they did have shop on one of the big ocean liners, either the queen mary or QE2 not sure which & to be a pain. There are not cotton reels, but bobbins. All the bright colours you see are called stripings.
Have a quick look on facebook, there is group "save our mill" which is worth joining. To svae the gate house & the old warhouse.

Are they still manufacturing anything at the lockwood site? Whats happening with globe?

coops
14-02-2009, 12:20 PM
Wow some great shots there mate ..really like the simplicity of the radio shot.