Old Lane Mill, Ovenden, Halifax.

 

Towering over Ovenden in Halifax, Old Lane Mill stands as a testament to the industrial past of Yorkshire. Built in 1825, it's not just any mill; it's the oldest surviving multi-storey, steam-powered, iron-framed textile mill in Halifax, possibly even the UK.

James Akroyd, the visionary behind Old Lane Mill, wasn't afraid to push boundaries. He incorporated innovative features like an iron frame and stone floors, allowing the mill to support the weight of the revolutionary Jacquard looms he installed in 1827. These looms, the first of their kind in Britain, marked a significant leap forward in textile production.

Despite claims of being fireproof, Old Lane Mill wasn't immune to disaster. A blaze ripped through the building in 1905, causing significant damage. However, the mill persevered, changing hands and purposes throughout the 20th century. It even served as part of the larger Dean Clough Mill complex for a time.

Today, Old Lane Mill stands derelict, a haunting reminder of a bygone era. The empty shell, though ravaged by time and vandalism, still whispers stories of innovation and industry. The stone floors, stripped-out machinery remnants, and the large engine house with its distinctive features offer a glimpse into the heart of a once-thriving mill.

The future of Old Lane Mill remains uncertain. Preservation efforts are ongoing due to the building's historical significance. Whether it's restored to its former glory or repurposed for a new life, Old Lane Mill undoubtedly deserves to be cherished as a vital piece of Halifax's textile heritage.

Please note: Due to the derelict state of the building, exploring Old Lane Mill is not recommended.

I was in the area on the 15th April 2015 and visited the mill, I made no effort to enter the building as it looks unsafe and I am not good with heights, preferring to just photograph the outside safely on the ground level. There are many others that have photographed and video the inside available to view online, and Martin Zero did an excellent video on YouTube about the mill some 3 years ago that is worth a look. The pictures were taken using a polaroid is2132 bridge camera, they can be seen below or on my Clickasnap account were they are full size, resolution and un-watermarked.

Clicking any image should open a link in another window to the un-watermarked, higher resolution version on Clickasnap.

Thanks for looking, please take a moment to share and follow me on social media.

All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.

3 More Vintage 35mm Slides from the 1980's

 I am currently digitising, re-editing and restoring my collection of 35mm slides for sharing on Clickasnap and the pictures below are 3 that I recently uploaded. I have included the original picture below each to show the difference between that and the re-edited version displayed on Clickasnap. I am not sure of the locations of any of the pictures shown below, the only information i have is they were taken in the 1980's.

The re-edited version shows a village somewhere in South Asia, the picture can also be seen on Clickasnap.

The next picture shows a winter scene on the edge of a woodland. 

The final picture shows a weir in a woodland setting, it could possibly be Ogden Water, Near Halifax but I'm not too sure.

Clicking any of the restored, re-edited versions should open a link in another window to the version on Clickasnap. Clicking any of the original scanned 35mm slides should open a link top my vintage images album on Clickasnap.

Thanks for looking, please take a moment to share and follow me on social media.

All the images remain the copyright of Colin Green.

Temple of Jupiter, Beirut - Vintage 1970's 35mm Slide

 The picture below is part of my 35mm slide collection, this one showing the ruins of the Temple of Jupiter, Lebanon. The original picture was taken in the 1970's and can be seen below the restored image.

The picture above was restored using a number of features on photoshop, it can also be seen un-watermarked on my Clickasnap account, click the image and a link should open in another window. The original picture can be seen below.

Clicking on the original picture should open a link in another window to my vintage images album on Clickasnap, all the pictures are dated pre 2000.

Thanks for looking, please take a moment to share and follow me on social media.

The pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.

Beaumaris Castle, Anglesey - Restored Vintage 35mm 1970's Slide

 The slide below is part of my 35mm slide collection I am currently digitising and restoring - giving new life to, the slide features a picture of Beaumaris Castle, Anglesey, North Wales taken in the 1970's or 80s.

The original picture which can be seen below was restored with a new sky added, the picture was turned in to a black and white image before re-colouring to give the image shown above which can also be seen on Clickasnap. Click the image and a link should open in another window to the version there.

Clicking the image above should open a link in another window to my vintage images album on Clickasnap, featuring pictures before the year 2000.

Thanks for looking, please take a moment to share and follow me on social media.

The pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.

Grey Heron on the Rochdale Canal

 I have come across what I believe is they grey heron a number of time over the last few years but this is the first occasion it hasn't flown off before I got a chance to picture it. Today it was simply eying passes by at Lock 1 on the Rochdale Canal when I took my chance to picture the bird.

I took this picture on the 5th August 2023 with a Nikon d3300 camera.

A higher resolution and un-watermarked version can be seen on Clickasnap.

Thanks for looking, please take a moment to share and follow me on social media.

The picture remains the copyright of Colin Green.