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This is a site I have wanted to see for a while.we did attempt it several months ago on weekend northern trip but we failed as the way in had been sealed up.so my friend who is quite local told me it was open again so on the way to Scotland I met up with him.another friend joined us too.and we all met up very early in the morning.we made our way into the factory through the way I had tried a few weeks back.i really enjoyed my visit here.the place is a fair size.i have split this report into two.the main factory block then I will do the machine shop as it's worth a report of its own and I took so many photos here too.
Pilkingtons glass was first established in 1826 in the Lancashire town of St. Helens.it started out as a partnership between two families.the pilkingtons and the greenhall family.when the greenhalls pulled out in the mid 1800's it became known as just pilkington brothers.the site grew considerably in St. Helens so a move was made to establish another site at kirk sandall near Doncaster.in 1926 the site opened to produce glass.houses were built to house the workers.the rail lines news and the waterways made it a perfect setting.the factory operated for 76 years before shutting its doors in 2008.
I wanted to visit here.because I was brought up in St. Helens before I moved to norfolk.i always remember pills all over the town.even the canal that ran beside it was called the hotties cause of the factory.rumour was that tropical fish had been put in there and survived.my mum worked at pilks for a while when she left school.
As we headed up the canal path on what was going to be a lovely sunny morning.we headed our way in to the building.greeted by lots of pillars I was not to sure what I was going to see has I tried to avoid seeing pics of it so it was a surprise.
Then downstairs I was greeted by this sight and thought this will be good
We then headed up to the first floor and was greeted by the riot of colour in this place
Workers toilets
Crane levers
It was time to go down the main factory hall.i had seen a few pics of it and it did not let me down.the length is just breath taking and the whole bit seems to covered in some sort of red oxidised dust.i can only presume this is a bi-product of the glass production.
Breakers and switches and levers were in ambundance here.
A fallen crane attachment.the size of this thing had me wondering what this would have lifted in its day.
Looking out over the site from the top floor
The office blocks and the control room.these office blocks always seem to be the most trashed.i guess because it's the easiest bit to smash up.thankfully it was not over trashed
I really like the sand silos in this room.loved the colours and textures
This is the long room below the sand dispensers
It's out of the main hall.and into the next building.still really long this was the ware house were the glass use to be shipped out from.there was railway lines in here up to a few years ago but they have now all been lifted.
Well that's it for the main factory I will post the machine hall soon.sorry it's a bit long winded but I love my industrial and get carried away with my camera.and this is industrial how it should be.massive open spaces with bits and bobs to find everywhere
Pilkingtons glass was first established in 1826 in the Lancashire town of St. Helens.it started out as a partnership between two families.the pilkingtons and the greenhall family.when the greenhalls pulled out in the mid 1800's it became known as just pilkington brothers.the site grew considerably in St. Helens so a move was made to establish another site at kirk sandall near Doncaster.in 1926 the site opened to produce glass.houses were built to house the workers.the rail lines news and the waterways made it a perfect setting.the factory operated for 76 years before shutting its doors in 2008.
I wanted to visit here.because I was brought up in St. Helens before I moved to norfolk.i always remember pills all over the town.even the canal that ran beside it was called the hotties cause of the factory.rumour was that tropical fish had been put in there and survived.my mum worked at pilks for a while when she left school.
As we headed up the canal path on what was going to be a lovely sunny morning.we headed our way in to the building.greeted by lots of pillars I was not to sure what I was going to see has I tried to avoid seeing pics of it so it was a surprise.
Then downstairs I was greeted by this sight and thought this will be good
We then headed up to the first floor and was greeted by the riot of colour in this place
Workers toilets
Crane levers
It was time to go down the main factory hall.i had seen a few pics of it and it did not let me down.the length is just breath taking and the whole bit seems to covered in some sort of red oxidised dust.i can only presume this is a bi-product of the glass production.
Breakers and switches and levers were in ambundance here.
A fallen crane attachment.the size of this thing had me wondering what this would have lifted in its day.
Looking out over the site from the top floor
The office blocks and the control room.these office blocks always seem to be the most trashed.i guess because it's the easiest bit to smash up.thankfully it was not over trashed
I really like the sand silos in this room.loved the colours and textures
This is the long room below the sand dispensers
It's out of the main hall.and into the next building.still really long this was the ware house were the glass use to be shipped out from.there was railway lines in here up to a few years ago but they have now all been lifted.
Well that's it for the main factory I will post the machine hall soon.sorry it's a bit long winded but I love my industrial and get carried away with my camera.and this is industrial how it should be.massive open spaces with bits and bobs to find everywhere
