Robert Fletcher paper mill oldham November 2017

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Lavino

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Visited with @albinojay and @GK_WAX a early start to our first location only to rock up and find security parked up with his dog. Tried to sweet talk our way in but he was having non of it. So head back calling at other locations including fletchers paper mill. What a top place this is loads to see including the security sat in there hut Lolz. Spent a good few hours here and it was pissing down so we was onto a winner. Here’s some history and photos..

The history of Robert Fletcher & sons paper mill dates back to the industrial revolution. The company was once owned by Ralph Crompton and Nephews, producers and bleachers of paper. Their first mill was located in Stoneclough, Manchester.

The death of the Crompton brothers left the mill ownerless and the succession was offered to Robert Fletcher, the mill’s manager at the time. Fletcher had risen through the ranks, to first become the manager of the bleaching department and later the whole mill.

Following Fletcher’s death on 17th May 1865, his sons John and James took over. They in turn passed down the mill to their sons, also named John and James. In 1897 the mill was incorporated as a limited company.

In 1921 a second mill opened, located at Greenfield, near Oldham. The mill specialised in the production of cigarette paper and at its height employed 1000 people to run seven paper machines. These machines produced only a fraction of the paper the later, much larger machines could produce. Upon closure the mill had three machines – two very similar lines from 19XX and a huge modern 1996 addition.

By 1986 the company was making a loss and was purchased by the Melton Medes Conglomerate who turned the company around and started to make a profit once again. However by 2001 the company was once again failing and the decision was made to close the Stoneclough Mill. Some people were transferred to the Greenfield mill, but the company could not sustain the increasing loses and was forced into receivership. The mill was closed down overnight.

The mill at Stoneclough has been demolished. To this day the mill at Greenfield still remains how it was the day it closed. Streams of paper remain inside the machines, connected to the rolls of finished product at the end of the production lines – a time capsule from a bygone era.

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Security maybe lazy but the site hasn't bin trashed, could be they have an unofficial policy of ignoring nosy sods with cameras, it certainly gave You an opportunity to shoot a great set of pics, I enjoyed them, Thanks
 
Stunning pics Lavino[emoji3]
Really love the look of this place...I tried to see it about 5 yrs ago but it was pissing it down all day, the buildings were sealed, sec turned up by doin a handbrake turn throwing gravel at me then next min Mr Fletcher and plod turned up not very happy, I had a verbal spanking and sent on me way lol Glad to see it's still about, i read planning consent has been given for housing. Stopped off a few weeks ago on the way back from my first scotland trip to try to have another look but the river was breaking it's banks about to flood, pissing it down again...need a revisit third time lucky maybe!
Thanks for showing me what I've missed out on[emoji23]
 
I think it's not actually as bad as I thought Krela...I don't think my pm was public, it had sum "details" that wudnt have been a good idea for everyone to see as sec often view these forums. OK I nearly had a heart attack...pheeeew panic over! U can leave the messages on so that everyone can have a good giggle at wot a twat I can be...I think it was easier if I just left the tech to people who can handle it, obviously using tapatalk on me phone to get onto this site I've bitten off more than I can chew[emoji53]
 
Hugh Jorgan;349089 Looks like the workers just left and never came back.[/QUOTE said:
That's what happens when the Receivers come in - Turn everybody off the premises, shut off the Utilities and lock all the gates and doors behind them. Seeing it happen to an old, established family business is somewhat soul destroying. All that effort by the workers trying to save their livelihoods, coming to naught.
 

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