HELMSHORE MILL

 UP AT SIX - TIME OR AGE ?

UP LATER 😴  John, Anthony, Mike, Danny

Instead of the usual photo of our disembarkation in a car park here we are driving along the motorway toward Blackburn. We will leave it at junction 5 heading towards Rossendale.

We chose a good day to visit Helmshore textile mill. The weather was miserable but as we were inside all the time this didn't matter.

By now a "start the day" coffee is almost obligatory. "One of those" says Mike.

Richard Arkwright,  born in Preston, was not considered a particularly pleasant man and imposed strict, perhaps harsh rules,  upon his employees.

As we began our exploration of the museum we came across this 200 year old fire engine. We were later told that because of the nature of the raw materials, Cotton,  fires were quite frequent. Workers who helped put out fires and so avoided the expense of calling the fire company  received a bonus. Strangely, fires became more frequent as Christmas approached.😉

"Jump Down. Turn around.  Pick a Bale of Cotton

Jump down.Turn around.  Pick a bale a day" 

An old folk song which tells us that the slaves on the cotton plantation had to pick a bale each day. It took sun up to sun down.

At twelve o'clock we were invited to join this gentleman who took us through the machinery "Sheds" and explained the process of creating textiles in the mill. Quite a complicated job and as even he couldn't remember all the names attached to each machine. (He knew the purpose of each)  I shall certainly not attempt to do so. 😕

The mill bought waste cotton from the more "refined" mills in the area.  The machines were in long rows  each being the next process in making the waste usable. The device above is at the end of the line where sheets of processed waste, turned here into coils, were now ready to pass on to the weaving process.

The weaving Shed

Lunchtime,  before finishing off in this mill and briefly visiting the woollen side of the business.

Through the window can be seen, across the yard, the old mill which we shall visit next.

This chap in the office looked very bored. I suspect he was an accountant.

WHO ... ME ?  Bottom right of this photo you will see  a chain which was fastened across where John is sitting precisely to stop people sitting there. Somebody moved it.

This charming young man was  honest enough to admit that he couldn't tell us much 'cause he didn't know much as he had only just started working there

Way Out" in Sixties parlance sort of meant,  "Eccentrically cool".  Hmmm ?    We shall see.

Danny looks rather challenging as we go through to the old mill .  

Sort of   " Non shall Pass !"

The last time Danny came here there was a Water Wheel near were the other two are standing. It was very dark inside but peering through the small window we could just about make out what appeared to be parts of it. One of the guides told us there were vague plans to restore it.

The woollen works display was seemingly rather neglected and only very small.

"By the pricking of my thumbs something wicked this way comes." ( The witches in Macbeth) and we're not too far from witch territory.  "Don't prick yer thumb on that spinning wheel John. It's a hundred years sleep if you do and I cant see any handsome prince coming to kiss you " 😴😟

Anthony looks cold, Danny looks mischievous and Mike's ignoring them both 

So.Goodbye to Helmshore mill.  An excellent choice for such a miserable day.   WELL DONE DANNY.

"Wind the bobbin Up" 

( Children's song)

THE END

JW

ST ANNE's TRAIL

 TRAIL OR TRIAL ?

Trailers :-  Jim, Danny, Anthony, John.

Parking in St Annes seemed to be something of a scattergun affair with a seemingly random mix of yellow lines and "free" spaces. We eventually found two spots quite close to each other just outside Ashton park our first destination.  Then a Cafe ?

 

Starting our walk by entering Ashton park and passing the magnificent Memorial.

As we pass the memorial the realism of the sculptures was remarkable.

Into the parks cafe (above) for our now almost obligatory "Start the day" coffee/tea

I am sure you have seen enough pictures of elderly men drinking brews (Maybe later) so just a photo of Danny examining some pictures for sale

The United reform church.

I think owls must be an easy subject for our clever wood sculptors  as there always seems to be one along with whatever others are found. They are still way beyond anything I could do....... i.e. Nothingl

Here is an example of the ubiquitous " Noctua Ligneus". Not an endangered species.

 

From Clifton Drive, where we had parked our cars, we now followed St Anne's Rd West heading towards the shore and the Pier.

Before reaching the pier, however, we visited an old friend.   Flowers ?  The flowers ?  Was it his birthday ?  When I say "An Old Friend"   he is.....   as we have dined with him on several occasions. The surrounding "Arcades" offering excellent seating and shelter at "Butty" times.

LES DAWSON of course...... He was everyone's   lugubrious friend

Now C'mon You two look lugubrious like what John is doing.

Leaving the "Sunken Gardens"      Les's abode.     We walked past the pier it's immediate neighbour.

The sands had been recently raked and looked invitingly pristine.

Are these huts part of the pier's business or are they like other resorts, particularly on the south coast, for daily hire during the summer ?

A little further along the promenade and came to this memorial.

The memorial to the victims of the "Mexico Tragedy. The face on the statue is that of William Johnson The Cox'n of the St Anne's lifeboat the "Laura Janet"

This memorial is to a very sad and tragic event where three lifeboats launched into heavy seas going to the aid of the "MEXICO".  27 brave volunteers lost their lives.

Leaving the memorial behind we followed Coastal Walk around the outer path which took us past the boating lake and round to the lifeboat station.

Here, amongst the flags  and concrete, was a pathway recording the names af crew and those who had, over the years,  been rescued by the lifeboats or indeed had perished (?)

A brief stop on the promenade before heading towards St Anne's Square and the High Street.

But not before passing the paddling pool....... hopefully there's a way to seal the wall before filling with water.        See ARROW.

This building we passed was of a most unusual design.

The next notable building we passed was at one time the town hall. Not sure it still is but the Blue plaque on it's wall tells us it was once a hotel. It's name seems to imply that it was built during the period when Hydro therapy was very much in vogue.

Searching for a cafe as we walked through St Anne's square ( square ??) we had to peer through the window of this cafe as it's name instructs. (See bottom right.)

No more views of elderly gentlemen imbibing I said earlier...As if..... SORRY

Danny with flowers and a heart. Not, perhaps, the image Danny would wish to promote but it has a certain resonance.

Through Ashton park making our way back to the cars.

The information on the "Mexico" memorial told us that many of the victims of the tragedy were buried in the Parish church grounds. This was on our route home so we stopped to look. We found none although our visit was admittedly brief.

 

The photos on the blog are always printed in "Extra Large" format.  Not this one as there is already something extra large in view.      JW.........DIET !!!!!

THE PARISH CHURCH

Let's finish on something uplifting..................... Some lovely flowers.

Not the most scintillating Town Trail we have followed

THE END

JW