OneGuyFromBarlick

Ross Mill at Bacup in 1978. It was still in production then. A big mill with the longest rope race in the country. The rope splicers told me that when they knew Ross was coming up they tried to avoid it!

During the demolition the mill caught fire. On the old site we had the full story from men who were there at the time....

Construction of Ross Mill.

John Burlison sent me this fine picture of Ross in its hey day. I suspect it's in the 1950s or 60s as the head has been taken off the chimney.

The rope race at Ellenroad was impressive but nowhere near as large as the one at Ross Mills. Such a pity that we haven't got a picture of it....

Painting the flagpole at Royal Lytham st Annes golf course early last year..

Singleton church spire,after a complete repoint spring 2014,I bought some new boots when it was finished

Are those aluminium ladders Tom?

Yes Robert,10' allys,they have their advantages but i think i still prefare 16 ft wood ladders.

Great pictures Tom! I love that one of the spire, it takes some working out.... Sand lime compo used for the pointing?

Rendering sand ,nhl5.0 lime and clinker ash was the mix I used Stanley..

Inspection inside a church spire early 2014..

Fitting a new flagpole,Morecambe 2014..

Good lad Tom!



Inside the spire at All Saints Hamer Rochdale in 1987. The large cast iron weight that hung on the wrought iron rod securing the finial had dropped off and damaged the bells.

Jason Yeomans,Peter Tatham and me,rebedding coping stones at Timms terrace 1986,J.Obsworth tookthe photo...

Lancashire fusliers museum Bury,2014,capped the chimney off with timberwork and lead,the chimney is now being used as a lift shaft.

Steeplejerk wrote: Lancashire fusiliers museum Bury,2014,capped the chimney off with timberwork and lead,the chimney is now being used as a lift shaft.

What an imaginative use of a chimney, I would never have thought of that.

The picture at All Saints, Hamer, Rochdale gave me the idea that steeplejacks would be good for repairing wells, sort of chimneys in reverse. Tom, was this the case?

Tom will reply I'm sure China but you're right, the skills they have are transferable to lots of situations. I remember everyone looking at me as though I was mad when I got Pater in to ladder the inside of the rope race so we could get access to the roof space at Ellenroad.

Ive never done a well but iam sure steeplejacks have done them in the past,its just like the guys that inspect deep sewers ,they get dropped down off a tripod with a winch..

If you were laddering a well which way up would you use Yorkshire ladders ?

Now there's an interesting question! If I were doing it I'd lower the jack down to the bottom and ladder it from there in the usual way!

If you was to ladder it you would have to start at the bottom,but you would have no need for ladders..

That did strike me as well but Bodge did ask about laddering.... See Newtons transcripts on the LTP for his adventures down the bore at Whitemoor water works.....

Whitemoor water works.