| Author |
 Topic  |
|
turner
New Member
7 Posts
|
|
 Posted -
13/06/2011
:
20:24
|
Hi,
what does anyone think about the possibility of Fernbank Mill in Barlick being demolished in the near future?
Is this a good thing?
Are there any reasons why it shouldn't be?
The owner is seeking permission to demolish it.
Please let me know what you think...........
|
|
| Replies |
| Author |
|
|
panbiker
|
 Posted - 13/06/2011 : 21:59
I would assume that the reason for requesting demolition would be to clear the site for housing.
The best solution would be to retain the site as industrial providing occupants could be attracted. Preferably a manufacturing industry (not many left) that would create additional jobs for the area.
If this could not be achieved, demolition and clearance for lower priced / affordable housing for first time buyers would be a good outcome. However, once cleared the site would be classed as Brown Field and would be open for most types of development including more expensive housing developments which I suppose have more profit in them.
What grounds are being given for clearance?
Ian  |
turner
New Member
7 Posts
|
|
Posted - 13/06/2011 : 22:18
I think the owner has apparently been unable to attract tenants.
|
Callunna
Revolving Grey Blob
3044 Posts
|
|
Posted - 14/06/2011 : 00:38
Uh oh.
What are the odds on Fernbank Mill 'accidently' going up in flames at some point in the near future...
=================== www.sheldrickrose.co.ukwww.bernulf.co.ukwww.bernulfsplace.co.uk |
panbiker
|
Posted - 14/06/2011 : 13:28
Cally, how could you suggest such a thing! You would have to ask a bookie to get a definitive on that.
I suppose it all depends on how long the owner is prepared to maintain it as it is. If they can stick it out until the economy picks up it may have more mileage as an industrial site. I think Hope Technology were down there until their move to Calf Hall and Garlicks had their workshop down there but they have now moved to Earby into where Damart were at Albion Mill.
It's quite a big site which already borders onto existing housing and is not that far from Monkroyd and Darnbrook areas. How long before that gap would be filled by ribbon development?
We don't really need anymore of the larger type houses in Barlick, plenty on offer already. Smaller properties for first time buyers so they can get a foot on the ladder and maybe some flats for rental would be OK but will probably not happen.
Ian |
turner
New Member
7 Posts
|
|
Posted - 14/06/2011 : 16:01
It would be a shame to lose another mill chimney too.
How many have we got left in Barlick?
Maybe it should be listed!
|
thomo
Barlick Born Old Salt
2021 Posts
|
|
Posted - 14/06/2011 : 17:11
Edited by - thomo on 14/06/2011 5:19:55 PM
thomo |
thomo
Barlick Born Old Salt
2021 Posts
|
|
Posted - 14/06/2011 : 17:19
I went to the earlier fire at Fernbank with the AFS, it was a bad night. More recently I lived adjacent to the car park there, the rate of vandalism and boy racer nuisance was appalling, The campaign to get the place "Gated" was hard fought for and not achieved until I had moved on. Areas to the rear of the mill are a complete mess and if new houses are needed then brownfield sites should be used first. Chimneys there are three I think, one would be enough. As for the history aspect, we dont need that one. I have been inside several times and have to say it is not really attractive to any modern undertaking. Better it should go than fall into terrible disrepair. You cannot save them all!!
thomo |
Callunna
Revolving Grey Blob
3044 Posts
|
|
Posted - 14/06/2011 : 18:20
One of my first memories was racing down to the Fernbank Mill fire with family and friends and seeing the flames dancing all over the roof. This must have been the early Sixties.
I later had a summer job there just after my O Levels - I was a clothlooker among other things. Loved the job and was glad to have experienced the unique banter of millworkers.
Anyone else got any info or memories?
=================== www.sheldrickrose.co.ukwww.bernulf.co.ukwww.bernulfsplace.co.uk |
gus
|
Posted - 14/06/2011 : 20:31
Fernbank holds a special place in my varied working life, it was during the early sixties that my wife Mary, and I learned to weave at this mill. There were some real characters, and we made some lovely friends during our time there. Unfortuneately the money we earned fell short of what other industries were paying at that time, and we both left to take up jobs at Silentnight, another mill based industry, but, not textiles, or weaving, of course ....
Gus
http://www.flickr.com/photos/angusbrennan/
|
Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart
36804 Posts
|
|
Posted - 15/06/2011 : 06:44
Could the concrete products firm behind the mill be a bit of a drawback to housing? Access is via Fernbank Road isn't it?
Apart from Bancroft, Fernbank was the last mill built in 1914/15 for 2,200 looms. It started in September 1915 and of course suffered by being built just as the war broke out and buggered the industry. The fire was November 1968 (corrected. I originally mis-typed 1958 and cause the kniptions below!) and thought to be arson, the Craven Fire Bug who was never caught. In 1961 it was electrified and the engine stopped. The same engineer looked after it from 1915 until near closure, Jack Sneath. Shortly after he left the new engineer (George Henry Watson?) got a hot bearing and Jack went back and kept an eye on it until it stopped, The 1200hp Pollitt and Wigzell engine was always fully loaded, had the highest piston speed of any in Barlick and gave very little trouble. Newton Pickles said that when it stopped the LP crank pin brass was still set where the original fitter had put it in 1915. Three Lancashire boilers. Never a lot of water at Fernbank, they had a 250ft borehole to supplement to supply.
Lontex (Carpet yarns) ran the mill until 1998 when they liquidated owing £1million. Since then let as units.
Stanley Challenger Graham
Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk |
Callunna
Revolving Grey Blob
3044 Posts
|
|
Posted - 15/06/2011 : 09:12
quote:
Stanley wrote:
The fire was November 1958 and thought to be arson, the Craven Fire Bug who was never caught.
Whaaaat? 1958? The memory of the blazing roof and excitement is so vivid - but that would make me exactly one year old at the time!
I remember people speaking and saying stuff like "There's a fire - let's go down there and watch." Surely a 12-month-old baby wouldn't pick up on that?
Was there ever any other fire at Fernbank?
=================== www.sheldrickrose.co.ukwww.bernulf.co.ukwww.bernulfsplace.co.uk |
elise
Regular Member
70 Posts
|
|
Posted - 15/06/2011 : 09:36
I have just been talking with Ken who was on his way to meet the owner of the mill to look through the old mil ledgers before they are sent to Helmshore Textile museum. Demolition has commenced with the internal stripping out.
|
thomo
Barlick Born Old Salt
2021 Posts
|
|
Posted - 15/06/2011 : 09:52
The "Firebug" who was responsible for fires at Fernbank, Dotcliffe, Crownest and Chatburn St at Skipton, with attempted fires at Moss and Long Ing, also destroyes several barns and other properties, was eventually caught whilst attempting to set fire to Skipton Library.
thomo |
panbiker
|
Posted - 15/06/2011 : 23:04
quote:
thomo wrote:
The "Firebug" who was responsible for fires at Fernbank, Dotcliffe, Crownest and Chatburn St at Skipton, with attempted fires at Moss and Long Ing, also destroyes several barns and other properties, was eventually caught whilst attempting to set fire to Skipton Library.
I was'nt aware that there was any arrest linked with the Barlick and district "Firebug". This Bradford Telegraph and Argus article from 2009 seems to support this view also. Have you any more information Peter?
Ian |
Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart
36804 Posts
|
|
Posted - 16/06/2011 : 07:22
Many years later a police inspector who worked on the case also said that the Fire Bug had not been identified.
List of fires from an article in Craven Herald: 1968: Nov 18 Fernbank. Looks like same date but not clear, Attempt on Barnsey Shed. 1969: January 26th, Moss Shed. Again not clear but looks like two private houses at Kelbrook and a barn same date. February 20th Springfield School Earby, Earby cricket poavilion and an attempt at Alder Hill school. February 22, Cragg Top farm Silsden. Feb 25th, attempt on a garage at Earby. March 9th Kelbrook garage attempt. March 16th Wellhouse Farm, slight damage. Not clear but looks like same date Ivy Cottage Farm Carleton, Two barns at Royd's Farm Kelbrook. April 18th Hay stack fire at Lane Ends Farm Lothersdale. May 2 1969, Dotcliffe mill, £200,000 damage.
Stanley Challenger Graham
Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk |
Fernbank Mill
