Stott Park Bobbin Mill

[Martyn]

Stott Park Bobbin Mill is on the edge of Lake Windermere and well worth the entry fee. I took the Sigma 10-20 in for a visit with the iso set at 1600.

 

 

The steam engine that replaced the waterwheel

 

 

Transport & logistics

 

 

 

 

 

The workers would let the wood chips pile up to cover their feet and legs in an attempt to keep warm

 

 

The man from the HSE would have a fit

 

 

Drying room for freshly varnished bobbins. Apparently, the workers were high on the fumes by the end of the day; hence the term "happy hour!"

 

 

More pictures here for anyone interested

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/100267524@N04/sets/72157647084178888/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Barbara]

Great set Martyn and a great place to visit but have to ask did you get exclusive admission, no another soul in site

[Martyn]

There were about 6 people on the tour. I did ask about photographs and they were more than happy to let me hang out at the back of the pack to "loiter" a bit!

[THELONGMAN]

Really good set Martyn, I am thinking about the 10-12 Sigma, this could have made up my mind, not to take anything away from your skills I'm impressed with the quality,

 

Geoff

[Kobione]

Lovely set, Martyn - really like the light and symmetry in the last one

[Korky]

Very nice work - I agree with K, the last shot is super. I just love all those lines.

 

Korky

[FUJI]

Just wonderful Martyn, you have excelled yoursel again here, it has been great to witness how your photographic skills have grown since you first joined us with your new camera.

The first pic here, brings back, very strong and happy memories.....as a very young joiner aged between 15 ( when I left School) and 18 when I was Called Up for National Service, one of our regular tasks was to maintain the local Brickworks.

There had been no modifications because of the War, and an almost identical Stationary Steam Engine powered all the machinery from hauling clay filled wagons from the clay pit, or crushing, then puddling the clay for moulding then cutting.

A rectangle of red Warwickshire Clay would emerge, toothpaste like at a steady rate, from an iron tube, as it reached the right length the operator would pull down a frame with wires to act just like a Cheese Cutter to cut five identical bricks, for dyring then (later) baking in the Kiln.

I regularly used to sit with my back against the engine plinth eating my sandwiches as it was working, the massive engine, always rocking very, very slightly on its blue brick base, squeezing oil out as it did so......I can still smell the steam and coal if I close my eyes.

The biggest job we had at the brickworks was to replace one of the HUGE beams forming the gantry carrying rails up from the clay pit.....three joiners, the boss and me the kid, all hauling ropes around pulley on DIY shear legs to lift the beam in to place....it took a whole week end.

Sady, the town, never kept the brickworks as a Museum, the place was demolished, the 80 ft deep clay pit became the town tip.....now, it is a housing estate ( with methane gas problems). ......Memories! Eh?

Observation......if that lass is actually working that lathe, with hair bunched up like that, she is risking being scalped if it caught in a pulley, belt or on a drive shaft.....all women had to wear tight headscarves in industrial situations after many horrendus deaths and injuries.............someone should have a word if she is demostrating that beautiful old lathe.

FUJI