Ginnels, Alleys, Snickets. (Call them what you will.)

[Stanley]

I wouldn't have spoiled it for the others Ian. I have often wondered whether a short cut existed when the station was still there. The construction of the gap in the retaining wall looks contemporary with the wall itself, no sign of any modern construction.
Incidentally, have you ever noticed that the wall is built of limestone blocks from the far side of the Craven Fault? Like the canal company, the new railway favoured limestone instead of the more usual gritstone used in the rest of Barlick. Another little curiosity. If you stand back and look carefully at the area of wall to the right of the steps you can still see very faint signs of black stains which have faded a lot in the last 50 years but still mark the spot where tank wagons were loaded with liquor from the gasworks which used to be conveyed to the yard in tank carts but in later years there was a pipeline from the gasworks and they pumped it up to rail tank wagons on the sidings. The stain is from spillage. The liquor was a valuable by-product used by the chemical industry for many purposes and that old pipeline is still there under the streets.
One last thing, why do the delivery wagons hit the pedestrian protection barrier and bend it every time it is replaced? There is plenty of room....

[David Whipp]

Thanks both.

My assumption was that the steps were only created after the railway station was closed. I wonder if there's anything to show they existed beforehand? Or if anyone can remember?

[PanBiker]

I cant remember it from when I was a lad. Just had a quick look on Mario maps, 1960's aerial is a bit inconclusive and the 1940's overlay is too contrasty to see any detail. Cant see why there would be a through route there though unless it was gated, it only gives access to what was the sidings. I could maybe picture it with a white railway gate at the top but what for? I wonder if Thomo knows?

[Thomo]

Thanks for the heads up Ian. The original access to the rear of Railway Street from Rainhall Road was via a flight of steps adjacent to the bridge, there was no access to the Railway site itself in that area. All other access points were added post Railway closure. Ginnels were usually found where there were "back to back" properties ie, Hill St. to East Hill St. Rainhall Rd. to Peter Square and one that I think has survived on Commercial St. These were to allow access to toilets usually situated to the rear of back to back properties, without going around the end of the block. A snicket was an informal route between two terraces of houses or similar buildings.

[PanBiker]

I can remember the one next to the bridge Thomo. I too think that this is a post closure access but Stanley's comment above is quite pertinent in that the masonry does not look to have been disturbed, must just have been a good job when the access was made.

[Thomo]

As a paperboy in that area in the earlier 50s I knew every ginnel and snicket, and that one was not there. Local sure knowledge overrides assumption! As a small boy in the early 40s I spent much time walking with my Father, he was not academically brilliant but having been born here in 1899 he knew Barlick better than most. The knowledge of this town gained at his side has served me well and continues to do so, and should that ever fail, I have an 85 year old Sister who was born here and has an excellent memory.

[Stanley]

Hee hee! You don't like 'academics' do you Peter. Be careful, by writing a history book you might be joining the club! My post on the steps is not an 'assumption', just an educated suggestion based on what is there. Here's the 1892 OS map of the station area, no sign of the steps.



No sign on 1950 OS either but it is still a fact that the masons made a wonderful job of inserting the steps, you can't see the join!

[Thomo]

I don't mind academics at all, just as long as they understand that what they are trying to tell me may be questionable, some do not appreciate that there may be other more rational answers to a question and when challenged point out that as they went to whatever university, they know better than I. Occasionally they may be correct, but not always. Einstein, Newton and Darwin were often willing to admit that there were alternatives, and the fact that they would explore them is what made them great.

[Stanley]

Quite, see the post above with documentary evidence that you were right!
Does the access up the side of the Pioneer store qualify as an alley? It's used as a short cut, some would say a rat run.

[PanBiker]

Sometimes I think that St Jame's Square has been re-designated as a main road! The number of drivers that seem to use the route from Church Street to Skipton Road is amazing. I cant see what the problem is with the through route. Cant be to avoid the zebra surely!

[Thomo]

Precious seconds can be lost at a zebra crossing, or obeying traffic guidance, speed limits etc. No entry as in the Co-op car park service area, or the clearly marked directional arrows in the car park itself are of no consequence when time is at stake!!!

[David Whipp]

[Stanley]

My immediate thought was that I knew it but then I realised I didn't! I am puzzling over it.....

[Stanley]

David, if you ever come out of the bunker, please tell me where the above ginnel is.... pretty please!

[David Whipp]

Sorry Stanley.

No bunker, but the main issues occupying me this week have had no connection with the Memorial Gardens; planning matters have required lots of time and attention (one of which may end up with the council having to take out an injunction).

So apologies for leaving this hanging. I'm surprised though that it's not been recognised by others - or spotted by expats on Google maps...

It's at the front of West Close Road by St Joseph's primary school. The route goes right through to Westfield Road skirting the boundary of Victory Park for most of its length. It was one of the first urban ginnel schemes we carried out.

For such a substantial ginnel (if I can call it that), it's disappointing that it doesn't have a name. A few years ago, myself and colleagues asked for suggestions. (Shitten Ginnel is already taken, so it couldn't be that...). I thought of Westward Ho! but I don't think it would stick.

Any ideas anyone?

[Stanley]

I knew I knew it! Of course! I used to use it regularly when visiting my friends Julie and Philip when they lived down there, Julie cut my hair for me... Have you ever noticed that half way down there are the remains of a massive ash tree in the back garden of a house on Colin Street. It was topped a few years ago and I always reckoned it to be the biggest tree in Barlick.



The stump in 2010.

[Stanley]

I think David has been too busy, try this one.... My friends from Northfield, MN, Rollie and Shar in 2003 but where are they stood?

[David Whipp]

Since that picture was taken, we've had some work done on the gulley (road drain) behind where they are stood. The picture is where the adopted highway ends on this stretch of road, if that's any help.

[David Whipp]

Here's more or less the same view (without Julie and Philip) in 2011.

[PanBiker]

Top of Pickles Hipping or Shitten Ginnel, whichever takes your fancy.

[Stanley]

Pedant's Corner. 'Pickles Hippings' refers to the old stepping stones over the beck and I much prefer Shitten Ginnel!

[David Whipp]

Same view in 2011.

Where did this lead to?

[Stanley]

That is a good question. My own suspicion is that this could date back to an access to the Saxon Church which probably lingered on for many years after demolition as a public foot way. If we could ever get a proper archaeological investigation it should be in that area....

[David Whipp]

Signs of another entryway near Pickles Hippings.

[Stanley]

Nice! Here's a little known useful fact....
I once helped Jimmy Thompson, the West Marton Blacksmith, hang a gate at Rylstone (Long before Calendar Girls!) and helped him fix the hinges in a stone post using molten lead. Here's how to do it! Make a clay cup below the hole to contain the molten lead, pour some oil into the hole and make sure the interior is coated. This is because any water in the hole will boil and blow the molten lead back at you. Put the hinge in its correct place using clay to hold it there and when you are satisfied, pour boiling lead into the hole around the spike on the hinge. When the lead has set, break the clay off, cut any excess lead off and then tighten the lead up by punching it into the hole. The hinge will stay there until it rots if the post stays in one piece.