OK. Now we get serious! - Page 3

Acrylic-bob · 28-07-2004, 21:13

Locate Burnley Road Cemetery, Bolton Avenue runs along the eastern edge down to the junction with Whinney Hill Road. A little east on Whinney Hill road there is a footpath that passes the RSPCA Centre and crosses the M65 via a footbridge. There on the bend in the canal there is the swing bridge and the house.

Map Ref. Lat: 53.46.7 Long: 2.21.5W

Doug · 28-07-2004, 21:17

Ok got it. Thanks bob.

mattylad · 29-07-2004, 07:59

Hmm, has it not been snapped up by a would be developer yet?

Steph · 29-07-2004, 09:19

My parents friend used to live down by the canal, can see his old house from the m65. I wonder if its anywhere near that. I always loved going on the barge

JohnW · 29-07-2004, 10:53

So are we presuming the structure was the home of a bridgekeeper whose duty was to open and close the bridge to accomodate passing traffic?

Ceejache · 29-07-2004, 14:26

Went up to have a look earlier this afternoon. Got stung by nettles and pricked by thistles all over the place (was wearing shorts) but it was quite interesting to hunt it down. All I can add is that each room had a fireplace which are still more or less intact, and there are the remains of a building/structure to the right as you look at the picture. A fields length away from this building are the remains of what I presume to be a farmhouse, this lies right next to the canal bridge.

I couldnt find what I would call a footpath though....I had to ask the RSPCA where it was and I just got pointed in the direction of a field with sheep/rams in it, had to climb over/under/through numerous fences and also walk right through the middle of a herd of cows. I think I took the wrong route...........

Doug · 29-07-2004, 14:43

Any chance of a rebuild?

Ceejache · 29-07-2004, 14:49

I'm not any sort of authority on building work and structural integrity etc. but I would say probably. It is literally just a shell though, very overgrown both outside and in, plus there isn't a road of any description anywhere near the house, any potential residents would have to enjoy the isolation - still, cracking views.

Doug · 29-07-2004, 14:50

Perfect that. Offers

Ceejache · 29-07-2004, 14:57

There is a low voltage power line almost directly overhead too, but a transformer would have to be installed near the house. To be honest I couldn't see any evidence that it was once connected to the power supply unless I missed something, so it would have to be fully kitted out electricity wise. Telephone cable overhead too/

Doug · 29-07-2004, 14:59

Anyone any Idea when it was last used

Acrylic-bob · 29-07-2004, 17:09

It has been derelict as long as I have known it, though when I first saw it in the very early sixties it still had it's roof. So my guess is that it would have been abandoned around the start or finish of WW2.

Hey Ceejache, I'm impressed that you should want to go out and find it. I hope you enjoyed the walk despite the nettles. It,s actually easier to get to if you get on the canal at Clayton. I should have told you that, sorry! If you look on the front of the building about halfway up on the left hand side there is a rusted metal cable bracket which I reckon is the support for the electricity cable.

Ceejache · 29-07-2004, 19:36

I don't go back to work until September so I have plenty of time on my hands AB, I have always enjoyed anything historical too so it was an interesting hour or so!

I saw the rusty metal bracket but didn't really give it a closer inspection - just thought it was where a lantern or suchlike might have been positioned.

Anything else for me to investigate?

Atarah · 30-07-2004, 07:45

Hi, cos you said it was between the canal bridge going down to the Walton Arms and Pilky Bridge on the main Padiham to Clayton rd, I too went investigating. If you have transport, its best to park by the Canal Bridge going down to the Walton Arms and walking on the canal bank or parking by Pilkington Bridge on Clayton/Padiham road.
Here's a couple of photos, if you look ever so closely at the RH side of the second photo, you can just see the edge of the ruin.

Acrylic-bob · 30-07-2004, 18:17

Well done Atarah, good pics too. The view from this spot has to be one of the best in the borough.

That gives me an idea. How about a new thread called 'my favorite view' or 'The Best View in Hyndburn'? Anyone want to start it???