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.

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.

The water outlet stands just to the south of Old Lane Mill, it carries
the Ovenden Brook underneath the mill and probably provided some 
of the power source for the mill historically.

Thanks for looking and please take a moment to share.

Clicking any image should open a link in another window to the Clickasnap version.

All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green. Please don't take the approach of an estate agent who a few years ago was marketing the mill and decided to use my pictures without permission, suitable recompense and no credit. The not even bothering to credit me really was the most annoying bit.

Fly Flatts, Warley and Ovenden Moors October 2013

Warley Moor is an area of open land approx. 6 miles north of Halifax on an old road route to Haworth, another 3 miles north of Warley Moor. The area lies just above the village of Wainstalls in an area known locally as Top Withins. The area is stunning and there have been many times I have been there and it seems to have it's own climate, it lies approx. 1440ft above sea level and I have known it sunny and calm when I have left my house down the valley at Sowerby Bridge and rainy and stormy when I have arrived at Warley Moor. The area is known locally by a number of different names, Them being Fly Flatts, Top Withins and Ovenden Moor.

As well as the outstanding moorland giving unbeatable views across the Calder, Hebble and Oxenhope Valleys, the moor is also home to Warley Moor Reservoir and Ovenden Moor Windfarm.

These pictures were taken on the 5th October 2013 using a Samsung Galaxy Tablet, they can be seen below or on Clickasnap full size, resolution and un-watermarked.

Warley Moor Reservoir

Completed in 1872 after a near 8 year build Warley Moor Reservoir or Fly Flatts as it is also known was built on behalf of the Halifax Waterworks Extension Scheme. When full it covers 68 acres, has a depth of 45 feet and holds approx. 193 million gallons. It is known owned and maintained by Yorkshire Water and the home of Halifax Sailing Club, established in 1959 the reservoirs high elevation makes them the highest sailing club in Britain.

Ovenden Moor Wind Farm

Opened in 1993 at a cost of £12 million, they site had 23 turbines when completed. Controversial when opened due to the turbines being in an area of outstanding natural beauty overlooking Bronte Country, and the Calder & Hebble Valleys the original turbines were expected to have a life span of 25 years and generate enough power for approx. 5500 homes. These were decommissioned in 2015 and replaced by 9 turbines with the power to generate more electricity, an estimated 11000 homes can now be powered from here.
  

The video below shows a number of pictures taken around the moor on a number of visits including this one on the 5ht October 2013.

 

 

Thanks for looking and please take a moment to share and follow me on social media. All the images can be purchased and viewed on Clickasnap.

All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.