Aspen Colliery coke ovens-church
 

HISTORY: Known locally as the "fairy caves" these coke ovens converted the coal from the adjacent aspen colliery into coke for the steelworks as a smokeless fuel. The canal opened in 1810 which brought the coke ovens into use,there was three rows each with 9 ovens, they were not used after 1930, and in 1977 they were scheduled as an ancient monument, however no work has been done to preserve the site and continues to deteriorate. it is located on the leeds to liverpool canal at the church and oswaldtwistle border,the canal was used to transport the coke to steelworks.The ovens themselves are of brick, encased with masonry. The bank nearest the basin is in the best state of preservation. The "fairy caves'' coke ovens in Oswaldtwistle are said to be in danger,"the coke ovens at Aspen Colliery in Oswaldtwistle are suffering from steady deterioration and vandalism".

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Re: Aspen Colliery coke ovens-church
 

Nice shots. Sadly this kind of thing is happening all over the world. Historically significant sites are left to rot.

Re: Aspen Colliery coke ovens-church
 

True the biggest local bummer is Accy Con Club.:(

Re: Aspen Colliery coke ovens-church
 

Well it's certainly up there cashman.I think it's No2 on the most endangered buildings list ,it was still in pretty good nick when I 1st visited in 2008.Nothing like the reprobate/arsonist's attraction of today.I might dig my pics out an that can be my next thread ;)

Re: Aspen Colliery coke ovens-church
 

Theres quite a few somewhere on here i think.;)

Re: Aspen Colliery coke ovens-church
 

I'll give it a miss then.....Strange how it looks on fire

Re: Aspen Colliery coke ovens-church
 

http://www.accringtonweb.com/forum/f...lub-51679.html Think on here somewhere?

Re: Aspen Colliery coke ovens-church
 

There's quite a bit on these coke ovens/fairy caves too :o