FORGOTTEN CORNERS

[Stanley]

I was struck yesterday by the news of 'land near Wapping' being designated for housing. Where is it exactly? the reason I ask is because if there is any development in the fields behind Townhead, on the left of Shitten Ginnel as you walk towards Calf Hall, there should be a detailed archaeological survey because I am convinced that the site of the Saxon Church is somewhere in there.

[David Whipp]

Stanley, it's the sloping field behind Westgate running down to Calf Hall Mill; the landowners have been trying to get it designated for housing for decades. Up to now, we've been successful in resisting the proposal, but now they are a step nearer.

[Stanley]

I thought that would be the one. I don't think that it is crucial but if I had the power I would insist on a modern mapping of the site with the latest magnetic resistance techniques and ground penetrating radar as a prelude to full permission, It's not obviously important but is very close to what we know was one of the earliest centres of habitation. If I won the pools I'd commission a full survey of the whole area up to Calf Hall Lane. There are buried secrets there!

[Wendyf]

Stanley you can order and download LIDAR tiles from THIS Environment Agency website. It says that there is a 100% discount for non-commercial use. We are considering downloading some for the Earby History Society (after WW1 is over), but I think we will need an expert to interpret them for us. We hope to contact John Clayton for advice.

[David Whipp]

I had a look in the Pigeon Club today; soon to re-open as a bar.

What was the building used for before it became a club?

[Stanley]

Pigeon Club in Butts in 1983.

It was originally built in 1838 as a National School (cost £625). It seems to have been enlarged in 1841 and was still a National School. It was used as an occasional preaching room by the Rev Milner but this ceased when He built a new school on Church Street which became St James' church. From 1852 the Mechanic's Institute met in the upper part of the building (they later moved into a Room in the Commercial and then in 1879 bought the old Wesleyan Chapel and School on Jepp Hill). The National School moved out to the Brick School in Fountain Street in 1876. From 1883 the building was used as a Roman Catholic chapel connected to Broughton Hall. The Catholics rented the building to the Union Men's Working Club. In 1892 it is marked on the 25" OS map as 'Liberal Club' but this is confusing as I think the Liberals were using the old brick School on Fountain Street.

[David Whipp]

Thanks Stanley!

I didn't take any pictures yesterday, as it's a bit of a tip with all the work going on.

Yesterday, they were busy on the toilets; new ladies loos are needed as there was only a single cubicle previously (as a result of the 'men only' policy).

[Stanley]

I hope they consider using the original name and call it 'The Pigeon Club'.



I haven't got a good pic of pigeon cotes in Barlick but there were plenty of allotments like these at Saltaire and almost always a pigeon cote somewhere. The last oner I can remember in Barlick was up at Letcliffe Cottages but as both the brothers are dead I doubt if they are still used.

[Stanley]

I can't remember where I got this image. Peggy Nutter at Stirk House in 1915.

[Stanley]

In 1939 there was an accident on the big borehole at Whitemoor water works. The bucket jammed in the pump body and the jack wheel that drove the pump burst. Henry Brown Sons and Pickles made a new wheel and fitted it. Here it is in the Wellhouse shop in October 1939.

[Stanley]

I found this small image of the Whitemoor works. I see that part of it is up for sale.

[Stanley]

At one time it was very common round here for farmers to put their own boreholes in, a firm from Ripon were the main men. Here's a pic of Newton Pickles stood next to a boiler that he had set up to power a steam driven drilling rig. Not sure where it was but near Barlick.

[Stanley]

This old blacksmith's vice attached to a tree for stability and left there long enough for the tree to grow round it was on the bottom corner of the land now built on at the junction of Forty Steps and the path down the side of Clough Dam. I did this picture in 1980 but it has gone now. I often wonder who fixed it there, what for and when.

[Stanley]

It doesn't seem like 35 years since I blew the boiler at Bancroft down for the last time when we closed in late 1979. This used to be a common sight in the town as boilers were prepared for cleaning or close down for the annual holidays when the plant was inspected by the insurance surveyors. It made a tremendous noise and a woman once told me that her cat used to vanish for a couple of days every time we did it!

[Stanley]

This pic is already in the gallery but I found out a bit more about it. Dogs of Devon Feb 1st 1930. Barlick photographer. Dogs of Devon or Foiled Again was an operetta popular with local societies.

[Stanley]

The Craven Heifer at Kelbrook in about 1930?

[Stanley]

Kelbrook show in 1977

[Stanley]

Domestic life in the engine house in 1977. My firebeater Paul Golding brewing up for both of us. We had a very comfortable routine and this was an essential part of the day. It's very easy for the engineer to forget he has a firebeater and I made sure that we had periods of the day when we were together in the warmth and comfort of the engine house. I went across to the boiler house as well many times during the day. It's dangerous when someone is working alone in a dangerous environment for hours at a stretch. Happy days, these things were important and this is definitely a forgotten corner.

[Stanley]

Dr John Wilfred Pickard in the engine house educating me. This would be in 1977. John Wilfred was, apart from being a good doctor, a wonderful independent character. Some saw him as eccentric but I think he was simply a very free spirit. A rare thing these days.

[Stanley]

Linda and Newton Pickles with the tank engine he made. It was a big lump, 5" gauge and an example of the wonderful things that used to made in sheds in Barlick.

[Stanley]

That reminded me of a story that Newton Pickles told me about a tackler who lived on Wapping, I don't know the name. Newton said he built a lovely steam locomotive and the only tools he had were a hand drill and ordinary hand tools. The same bloke made a telescope but when the lens he had ordered from I think it was Negretti and Zambra in London arrived he tested them and they were defective so he sent them back, The firm said that if he ever wanted a change they would give him a job.
I saw the other day that DIY stores are a dying trade because so few people have skills today, when you think of the reservoirs of skill that grew up in the mills it's no wonder that firms like Rover and Rolls Royce found it so easy to recruit workers during the war. Definitely a forgotten, if invisible, corner.

[Whyperion]

I think its Homebase that have the main problem- they were targeting the ' make-over' market , and tended to be more expensive than other big store providers, I think as part of Home Retail Group they probably have strong web sales not needed showroom space.

[Stanley]

This battered garage behind Federation Street ought to be preserved as a Barlick monument. It was Johnny Pickles' workshop when he lived at number 35 and many wonderful things were made in there, including all Barlick's church clocks! Johnny made everything from microscopes and telescopes to steam engines and astronomical regulator clocks. You'd never think it would you. The last time I looked it was still there.

[David Whipp]

The land at the bottom of Parker Street/ rear of Federation Street is now a community garden. Picture shows residents at the official opening this summer.

The joiners shop that occupied most of the land was knocked down when its lease came to an end. Not sure when the garage Stanley's picture shows was demolished.

[Stanley]

Ah well.... progress I suppose. The things Johnny made still survive and as long as I am around I'll keep reminding people!



Johnny at Federation Street with the clock he made for Holy Trinity.