tarboat's photos

The Buccleuch Terracotta Brick Works at Sanquhar was initially operated from at least 1867 at one time by James Irving McConnell, then in 1903 by the Sanquhar and Kirkconnel Coal Company. From 1925 until it was part of William Baird & Co Ltd, Bairds and Dalmellington Ltd from 1931 to 1947, and was closed by the National Coal Board in 1958.

Calder Brickworks, Airdrie. c1893 to 1971

The Bourtreehill Coal Co. Ltd, Dreghorn once operated a mine and brickworks just to the north of Dreghorn village. The brickworks appears to have started c1875 and ran until 1969.

Bevel gears and small flywheel on the steam crane remains at Jumbles Quarry. The crane was supplied by Smith of Rodley for the construction of the Stocks Reservoir.

The low platform at Cheddleton Station requires the use of portable steps for passenger access.

I found this brick on Pelham Street in Hanley and a friend found another in Newfields at Tunstall. A look at Peake's directory for 1889-90 gives a reference to the Tunstall Brick and Tile Co., Newfields.

The 514 yard Hindlow Tunnel was completed in 1894 when the first section of the LNWR line from Buxton to Ashbourne was opened from Buxton as far as Parsley Hay. This section of line replaced the earlier route used by the Cromford and High Peak Railway which meandered around the hill in the background, crossing just above the tunnel portal at the Buxton end and reappearing just behind where I was standing to take this photograph. Today the single line runs only as far as Dowlow Quarry and the Hindlow limekilns. The site of Hindlow Station was a short distance towards Buxton from the far end of the tunnel.

I was crossing the characterful footbridge adjacent to the Ram Hill Colliery site at Coalpit Heath when this First Great Western HST appeared running west towards Bristol Parkway and then South Wales. Too good to miss on a fine sunny evening. :-)

I should have photographed this years ago when it was much more accessible. Driving away from Hanley I suddenly spotted this wall at the back of the former Etruria station site. I remembered it from many train journeys which stopped here and I would admire the old adverts for a cornucopia of goods and services once available to the denizens of the Potteries. Now they lurk behind security fences and bushes and the platform that allowed a fine view has been demolished.

Next door to the derelict old town hall on Rodney Street in Wigan is the Grade II listed Westwood Estate Office. Designed by architects Heaton and Ralph, it was completed in 1896. Today it is a restaurant.

Pear Tree Glazed Brick and Marl Co, High St, Hanley. I have only found one reference to this brickworks; in the 1907 Potteries, Newcastle & District Directory. The name derives from the Peartree Pit of the Shelton Collieries which had previously occupied the site. It does not appear in the 1904 or 1912 Kelly's directory. High Street in Hanley is now named Old Town Road.

The old Town Hall on the corner of Rodney St and King St in Wigan dates from 1866. It was was designed by architects Nuttall and Cook and cost £12,000. A grade II listed building, it has been abandoned since the early 1990s and is in a terrible state. Parts at the rear have been demolished. Redevelopment, possibly as a hotel and conference centre, will eventually take place and the facade will be kept.

Whilst mooching around Hanley I spotted that some of the houses in Wellesley Street had wonderful tiles in the open porchway at the front door. This is from one of the best preserved and most accessible panels. To the left is the complete panel and to the right is a closer view of the centrepiece which was different in each one. Wonderful decoration which I would love to have at my own home. As I was taking these shots the householder appeared on his way home, but luckily he was completely unworried by my presence and just told me to carry on.

Afton terra-cotta brick and tile works, New Cumnock, was opened in 1926 by New Cumnock Collieries Ltd near the site of the former Lanemark Brick Works, which they had acquired in 1909. The first kiln bricks were produced in 1927 and production continued until the 1960s.

Blochairn, Glasgow. The works was somewhere near the Monkland Canal in Springburn.

Boghead Brick & Fireclay works, Bathgate, West Lothian. This works operated from c1889 to 1930.

I suspect this Nissen Hut was leaking and so the farmer took drastic action and smothered it under roofing felt. Not a single sheet of corrugated iron visible.

Coal mine fun in the old workings. It was a bit orange and gloopy in places.