historywithliz

Circus Cortex Warriors Sheffield Easter Sunday 9th April 2023 https://www.circuscortex.com/

RAF Woodhall Spa - Ostler's Plantation - Exploring Old Military Buildings in the Woods The station opened in February 1942 as a satellite station to RAF Coningsby. In August 1943 it became No. 54 Base Substation. After victory in Europe (May 1945) the airfield was used as an assembly and kitting out point for Tiger Force (a proposed heavy bomber force for the far east). After the end of the Second World War and with the move of No. 617 Squadron RAF to RAF Waddington the airfield was closed and the site used by No. 92 Maintenance Unit for the storage of bombs. From the late 1950s it was used as a base for Bristol Bloodhound Missiles until 1964 when most of the site was sold off for agriculture or mineral extraction. The former missile site used to be under the control of RAF Coningsby having been used for the servicing of McDonnell Douglas Phantom and Panavia Tornado aircraft engines until finally being mothballed in 2003. (WIKIPEDIA)

he factory is known locally as the Storr’s Bridge Works. However, I believe that it has been occupied over the years by a few different companies, including Thomas Marshall and Co, Hepworths and Carblox. The valley of Loxley supplied bricks to the Sheffield steel industry, beginning in the 1800s and ceasing in the 1990s. The area was rich in ganister which came from the Stannington pot clay seam. There were multiple mines in the area (I believe one may remain but I have yet to find it). The factory closed when the demand for produce decreased alongside the decline of the steel industry in Sheffield.

Between Porth Wen and Cemaes Bay are the remains of Llanlleiana porcelain works which is situated at the most northerly point in Wales. It produced porcelain from deposits of china clay found on Dinas Gynfor nearby. The works consist of the main building and a remote chimney, this was to direct the noxious fumes away from the working areas. The works closed in 1920 after being damaged by fire.

LuminoCity Festival is a festival of lights, held on Randalls Island, New York. The festival is a spectacular display of light art. I don't think I've ever been anywhere like this, it was definitely an unusual experience and I highly recommend it. Just a few things to note before you go. Book tickets in advance on the website https://www.luminocityfestival.com/ , ticket prices vary. There is a shuttle bus that departs and returns from Manhattan, E 125th and 3rd Ave, but you can also get the M35 bus. However, if it is late at night, I would recommend the shuttle if you cannot take your own car. There is parking available on the island, but it is $20 per car.

The Sheffield ski slope first opened in 1988 and was the largest artificial ski slope in Europe. It had 5 slopes and produced some of Great Britain’s most successful Winter Olympians. The ski slope closed in 2012, with the owners stating they were sick of being the victims of crime. The ski village has been subject to 9 arson attacks since it closed. Today, there is barely anything left and nature has mostly taken back over the slopes. Over the years, there have been various proposals for the future use of the site. A housing proposal was knocked back. Instead, Sheffield council seem to want some sort of sporting facility on the land. Which, I think is fantastic. Sheffield Council have recently appointed the EXTREME Destinations-led consortium to develop, launch and operate a 48-acre, $30.5 million long-term sustainable EXTREME branded world class sports, leisure and accommodation solution on the old ski slope land. For lovers of snow sports, the nearest slopes currently to Sheffield are Castleford and Manchester, something in Sheffield would definitely fill the geographical gap. For now, the ski village remains derelict. An overgrown mass of weeds and rubbish. Fingers crossed the new development gets the go ahead soon.

Roche Abbey was founded in 1147 and housed Cistercian Monks. (The Order of Cistercians are a Catholic religious order of monks and nuns that branched off from the Benedictines and follow the Rule of Saint Benedict. Also called ‘white monks’ due to their light colour robes). At its peak in around 1175, there were approximately 50 monks, 100 lay brothers and servants. Roche Abbey was suppressed in 1538 when Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries. Today the site is managed by English Heritage. Entry is £5 for adults and £4.50 for concessions. As of August 2020, you must book online before visiting, this also includes EH members. There is only one interpretation board on site. When staff scan your ticket, they ask if you want to buy a guide book for £4.50. I think this is a little bit wrong, I understand that the extra money goes towards the upkeep of the site. However, some more boards would be nice, rather than trying to get people to buy the book.

Penmon Priory on the Isle of Anglesey. A walk Around the Ruins with some History. Penmon Priory is believed to have been established by St. Seiriol, as early as the 6th century. The existing 12th century stone St. Seiriol church and tower date from around 1140 and is a fine example of Romanesque architecture. Within the church (that was closed) interior there are two medieval crosses carved in the Celtic style. Close by the church is a stonebuilt dovecot (c.1600s) built by the Bulkeley family of Beaumaris. St. Seiriol's Well also lies close to the church and is believed to have healing powers and visited by pilgrims. A little info on the Flagstaff Quarry - https://coflein.gov.uk/en/site/40625/details/flagstaff-quarry-general#:~:text=Site%20Description%20Flagstaff%20Quarry%20is,altered%20circa%201885%20to%201916.

In 1862, the colliery was producing 180,000 tons of coal. The pit closed in 1991, the site was cleared apart from the headgear and buildings, which were to be preserved as a memory of the history and heritage of the areas mining past. As well as a way to remember men that tragically lost their lives in the Oaks Colliery disaster. The Oaks Colliery at Hoyle Mill suffered a series of explosions in December of 1866, where 361 people, including rescue workers were killed. However, researchers today suggest that number is closer to 380. It is still to this day the worst mining disaster in England.

This site is along a popular coastal walk and so it gets a lot of foot traffic from hikers as well as explorers and photographers. At one time, you could visit and would not see a soul. It also looks like someone is living in one of the kilns. The path down is slowly getting eroded away. When it rains, the path forms a river with the water wearing it down. In a few years, It will be inaccessible by foot. Brickmaking started on the site before the 20th century. An old OS map dated 1889, shows a tramway and incline. However, the site of the works states ‘disused’. Production began again sometime in the early 20th century when the present buildings were completed. The works were disused by 1949.

A little walk around the sights at Amlwch Port on the Isle of Anglesey. More history - http://amlwchhistory.co.uk/the-harbour/

The tower was built in 1927 by Charles Boot of the construction company Henry Boot & Sons. Charles Boot resided at the nearby Sugworth Hall, a Grade II Listed country house. The hall was up for sale recently for £1.5 million pounds. There are a few theories as to why the tower was built. One theory was that, Charles Boot constructed it so that he could see his wife’s grave in Bradfield churchyard across the valley. However, multiple sources state that the tower was built as a job-creation scheme for workers from Sugworth Hall during the depression. The folly stands at 315 meters high and was constructed from leftover stone used to build the nearby Bents House. Today the structure is Grade II Listed. There used to be a wooden staircase inside the tower, but that was allegedly removed in the 1970s, after a cow got stuck at the top.

Park Hill Flats, Sheffield. Art Project and Sculptures Around the Grounds. These stone sculptures are a really nice addition to the re-development. It will be interesting to return when they are fully complete to see if more are added. Thanks for watching. http://alumnogroup.com/celebrating-the-completion-and-occupation-of-beton-house-park-hill/ Park Hill was built on the site of former back-to-back slums that were demolished in the 1930s due to crime and poor sanitation. Design work began on Park Hill in 1953. The architects responsible were Jack Lynn and Ivor Smith under the supervision of J. L. Womersley, Sheffield Council's City Architect. The flats were built between 1957 and 1961. Park Hill was inspired by Le Corbusier's Unité d'Habitation housing estate in Marseille and was called 'Streets in the Sky' due to the wider than normal corridors. The idea behind the developments was to solve the need for more social housing. After the war, much of England was in ruin. To try and deal with the damage, overcrowding and poverty, Sheffield Council developed these new high-rise housing developments to attempt to solve the social problems of the time. Park Hill was accompanied by Norfolk Park, Hyde Park, Kelvin, Woodside, Broomhall and Upperthorpe. Some have been partially demolished, and some have now completely gone. The developments had shared services such as pubs, healthcare facilities and schools. At first, all the developments were successful. However, it was not long before Park Hill became similar to the slum that it replaced. It was a familiar picture across Sheffield. The social high-rises of the 1960s were now the cities ghettos. The Kelvin Flats were demolished in 1995 and the Broomhall Park Hill was given a Grade II listing in 1998, making it the largest listed building in Europe. If it had not received this listing, chances are that it would have been torn down and today, the Sheffield skyline would look somewhat different. Thankfully, Urban Splash in partnership with English Heritage took on the renovation project, which commenced in 2009. The flats are being turned into upmarket apartments, student accommodation, business units and social housing. Phase 1 is already complete and Phase 2 is due to be completed by 2022.

Monk Bretton Priory is a ruined medieval priory located in the village of Lundwood, and close to Monk Bretton, South Yorkshire, England.

A look around the Petwood Hotel in Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire