The Slow and Steady Northern Tour – Day 2
First and foremost I’d like to thank those who so kindly provided us with intel, without which we would have bumbled about hopelessly and probably ended up amongst graff and needles. Thanks too to Cachewoo for doing all the driving and being such great company. He'll no doubt add some of his shots in due course.
Back onto the M1 from Willington we continued north. Our evening was spent wandering around central Sheffield admiring the fine old architecture. I’ve never seen so many boarded buildings in such a small area; the place is an explorer’s dream, though most did look pretty well secured. A quick recce of the two sites at the top of our list, then it was time for pizza and beer to discuss plans. As we weren’t in the mood for rushing, we agreed there would only be sufficient daylight to do one site justice, so it was a bit of a toss up - both have been done to death but still have plenty to give.
7am finds us still undecided and gazing rather forlornly at the steel shutter which is a good 6’ higher than I’d envisioned from the comfort of my sofa. I’d hoped it would have shrunk a bit overnight but alas no, it’s still looming as high as ever. We know it can be done, but it’s certainly a challenge. It’s not yet light but the people thronging the bus stop and the lights blazing next door are not encouraging. We can’t figure any way of doing this quick and quiet. With regret, valour gives way to discretion and we make our choice. This one will have to wait for another day.
A little depressed at being thwarted, we make our way to the Cornish Works, hoping that George’s lives up to it’s title as ‘gorgeous’. In easy, we mooch around waiting for the light. The sun never does come out all day, but eventually the darkness gives way to some milky insipid daylight and our cameras come out.
I can sum this one up in one phrase. "This is the only explore where I have I felt that I’d actually stepped back in time."
Hours later we emerge back into the modern day. Time for a late breakfast!
HISTORY (shamelessly blagged from Andy Kay at http://www.bcd-urbex.com/george-barnsley-sons-cornish-works-sheffield)
George Barnsley & Sons Ltd was founded in 1836 and were originally situated on Wheeldon Street, Sheffield. By 1849 they had moved to the Cornish Works, which were much larger premises. They specialised in the manufacture of files and cutting tools for use in the shoe making industry. There are a number of family names that are known to have deep roots in the Sheffield area, and the Barnsley name is undoubtedly one of them. In 1650 George Barnsley became Master Cutler, a role fulfilled by another George Barnsley in 1883. This George Barnsley was of the second generation of the firm of George Barnsley and Sons, toolmakers. The business grew to become the world’s leading producer of tools for shoemakers. The technological revolution of the 20th century saw a decline in the need for traditional tools. George Barnsley’s survived until 2003 when the premises finally closed.
Thanks for looking. Sorry it was a bit pic heavy
First and foremost I’d like to thank those who so kindly provided us with intel, without which we would have bumbled about hopelessly and probably ended up amongst graff and needles. Thanks too to Cachewoo for doing all the driving and being such great company. He'll no doubt add some of his shots in due course.
Back onto the M1 from Willington we continued north. Our evening was spent wandering around central Sheffield admiring the fine old architecture. I’ve never seen so many boarded buildings in such a small area; the place is an explorer’s dream, though most did look pretty well secured. A quick recce of the two sites at the top of our list, then it was time for pizza and beer to discuss plans. As we weren’t in the mood for rushing, we agreed there would only be sufficient daylight to do one site justice, so it was a bit of a toss up - both have been done to death but still have plenty to give.
7am finds us still undecided and gazing rather forlornly at the steel shutter which is a good 6’ higher than I’d envisioned from the comfort of my sofa. I’d hoped it would have shrunk a bit overnight but alas no, it’s still looming as high as ever. We know it can be done, but it’s certainly a challenge. It’s not yet light but the people thronging the bus stop and the lights blazing next door are not encouraging. We can’t figure any way of doing this quick and quiet. With regret, valour gives way to discretion and we make our choice. This one will have to wait for another day.
A little depressed at being thwarted, we make our way to the Cornish Works, hoping that George’s lives up to it’s title as ‘gorgeous’. In easy, we mooch around waiting for the light. The sun never does come out all day, but eventually the darkness gives way to some milky insipid daylight and our cameras come out.
I can sum this one up in one phrase. "This is the only explore where I have I felt that I’d actually stepped back in time."
Hours later we emerge back into the modern day. Time for a late breakfast!
HISTORY (shamelessly blagged from Andy Kay at http://www.bcd-urbex.com/george-barnsley-sons-cornish-works-sheffield)
George Barnsley & Sons Ltd was founded in 1836 and were originally situated on Wheeldon Street, Sheffield. By 1849 they had moved to the Cornish Works, which were much larger premises. They specialised in the manufacture of files and cutting tools for use in the shoe making industry. There are a number of family names that are known to have deep roots in the Sheffield area, and the Barnsley name is undoubtedly one of them. In 1650 George Barnsley became Master Cutler, a role fulfilled by another George Barnsley in 1883. This George Barnsley was of the second generation of the firm of George Barnsley and Sons, toolmakers. The business grew to become the world’s leading producer of tools for shoemakers. The technological revolution of the 20th century saw a decline in the need for traditional tools. George Barnsley’s survived until 2003 when the premises finally closed.
Thanks for looking. Sorry it was a bit pic heavy
