Bridge Street, Aspendale Works and Hargreaves warehouse

gumption · 05-12-2008, 10:30

Our company has the building on Bridge Street known as Aspendale Works.

Can anyone shed any light on its History, was it Lords Funeral parlour and also The Varnish works previously, we bought it from Scotts Office Equip.

Its a fascinating building, and the area seems to have a long and interesting industrial past but there does`nt seem to be much information readily available.

Would be very interested to hear any history or see any pics of the building or the adjacent area.

cashman · 05-12-2008, 11:18

assuming ya mean bridge street at church? someone at Blythes had pictures n a bit of history, may be worth asking personel.

gumption · 05-12-2008, 12:47

Yes it is Bridge Street, Church.

We would be really interested to find out some of its history especially its links with the canal.

I will contact Blythes to see what they have.

Is there a local history or heritage group?

Bob Dobson · 05-12-2008, 16:45

The Asspen bit comes in because that area was known as Aspen. The railway line from Church towards Blackburn is riased on an embankment which covers a bridge known as the aspen viaduct. i suspect that aspen was the name of the stream. You need to look at old maps - plenty in the library. Also consult Mike Rothwell's books on industrial buildings of Church. Also consult Barrett's trade directories which will give you some idea of the occupancy of the buildings.
The leeds and Liverpool Canal Society website will give you contacts ( in Accrington probably) They will be aware of maps of canalside factories and use of the loading facilities at Church. The unoccupied building next to the Commercial Hotel was the main canal warehouse.

cashman · 05-12-2008, 17:10

a guy i know well used to work on canal (Manchester Ship) until the demise of cargo, he has a great industrial knowledge of the "Leeds/Liverpool, he lives on the waterways most of the year, if ya see the "Anna" moored round catch him n ask. unfortunately wi his life on the canal i only see him every " Preston Guild"

Royboy39 · 05-12-2008, 20:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by gumption

Our company has the building on Bridge Street known as Aspendale Works.

Can anyone shed any light on its History, was it Lords Funeral parlour and also The Varnish works previously, we bought it from Scotts Office Equip.

Its a fascinating building, and the area seems to have a long and interesting industrial past but there does`nt seem to be much information readily available.

Would be very interested to hear any history or see any pics of the building or the adjacent area.

Have a look at the following link.

Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Does not show the actual building but gives some insight to the canal.

The last commercial activity as I remember on the canal between Burnley and Blackburn was the daily barge from some Burnley pit to Whitebirk Power Station....That was round about 1950.

It is obvious from the photo descriptions that the author is not local but there are some very good reference points.

cashman · 06-12-2008, 16:01

the coal barges were still running around 1960 past burnley roy, used to jump on em at swingbridge bottom of jacksons field n ride past burnley, until a barge came opposite way, then jump across n go back.

greenleaf9 · 22-01-2011, 20:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by gumption

Our company has the building on Bridge Street known as Aspendale Works.

Can anyone shed any light on its History, was it Lords Funeral parlour and also The Varnish works previously, we bought it from Scotts Office Equip.

Its a fascinating building, and the area seems to have a long and interesting industrial past but there does`nt seem to be much information readily available.

Would be very interested to hear any history or see any pics of the building or the adjacent area.

i lived on bridge street church mid 40s to around early 50s my dad worked part-time at lords as a driver i have also done a small amount of research in that area from greenleaf9 ps glad to help out if i can

Atarah · 08-03-2011, 09:23

Hi, trying to have a delve for you. Am just dashing to work now, and found these details but NOT sure IF your premises. There was a JAMES PRESCOTT at Bridge End Works. They were manufacturers of tallow, grease, glues, glue-size, calcined bone, bone fertilizers and allied products. With you mentioning varnish, just wondered if this could be the same.

Frank Sanderson · 07-02-2015, 22:42

Bob. Canal wharf was owned by Johnie Wilson of Wilson Memorial Gardens fame. Used to wear a whacking great diamond tie pin. Frank

Bob Dobson · 08-02-2015, 09:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank Sanderson

Bob. Canal wharf was owned by Johnie Wilson of Wilson Memorial Gardens fame. Used to wear a whacking great diamond tie pin. Frank

This Wilson was a great character and philanthropist, He is remembered also for tieing up Houdini and then escaping from Houdini's handcuffs

Accerington Library have an index for the afore-mentioned book by Mike Rothwell on local industrial heritage.