Britain From Above

[Tiny Tim]

This website has been mentioned in other threads. There's one picture that's really bugging me. There are plenty of clues in the photo, but as yet no location. Ideas anyone?

http://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/image/epw023826?filter=28706&ref=108

 

[Mvann]

I think I've seen a comparable view in railway bylines. The company made clay pipes and tiles as well as being an iron/steel producer. I think it's either Staffordshire or Derbyshire. Without digging through the magazines, I don't know any more details, other than the pipes were still being made into the 1980s.

 

[oddiesjack]

It looks a little bit like Friden Brickworks, alongside the Cromford & High Peak near Newhaven, but I am not really sure.

 

[JohnB57]

These things both fascinate me and drive me mad.

A couple of interesting features. One is mentioned in the comments section of the Britain from Above website and is what looks like a tunnel vent, left towards the top. When enlarged though, this has an unusual shape, more like a wartime anti-aircraft structure maybe? The other possibility is a vent for underground works or storage - there are what look like two dive-under roadways at the front of the main hangar shaped building.

The other feature is extreme top left and is either a viaduct or an aqueduct. The line continued to its right looks more like a canal but the feature itself should still exist.

Frustrating or what?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Above website and is what looks like a tunnel vent, left towards the top. When enlarged though, this has an unusual shape, more like a wartime anti-aircraft structure maybe? The other possibility is a vent for underground works or storage - there are what look like two dive-under roadways at the front of the main hangar shaped building.

I don't suppose it could possibly be that supposedly disused but still policed MoD ammunition store that was described on this forum a few months ago could it? Can't remember the name of it so I can't search for the thread...

 

[Tiny Tim]

There are two tunnel vents visible in the photo. They might be vents for a canal or railway tunnel, that's certainly what they look like to me. Wartime (by which I assume WWII) didn't happen until 1939. This is dated 1927. There are so many railway related clues here that I can't believe someone on this forum can't work it out. The railway wagons seem to be Midland Railway, 4 years after grouping. Possibly the most interesting feature is the circular track which looks like a miniature railway. What's that about? It seems to be next to tennis courts, is it a workers' recreational facility? In 1927?

A railway running near/over a railway tunnel (if that's what it is) is unusual in itself. I've looked at dozens of potential sites, but found nothing that fits the bill.

 

[JohnB57]

You're right on the date - I hadn't noticed that on the BFA website, so as you say, that would rule out anti-aircraft. And I was so preoccupied with the bridge or viaduct that I missed the second structure, which does look more like a conventional tunnel vent.

The circular feature looks to me more like a simple driveway or as the building it's adjacent to looks like an office block, possibly with a clock or flag above the main entrance. It looks like a pretty major enterprise and with all the clues, as you say, this should be familiar to someone.

Going back all those years, there will be a number of examples of railways crossing tunnels - I'm no expert but the obvious one in my area would be the ex GN Wakefield/Morley/Bradford line that passed over both Morley and Gildersome LNWR tunnels.

Looking forward to this one being solved.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

Some more observations which mght assist . . . .

There is (what appears to be) a radio mast which is unusual for a factory in the 1920's. It's at the far side of the low block between the 'reception' building and the largest shed or hangar; its shadow falls on the hangar roof.

There are very few chimneys in the main factory blocks, for space heating. There is also no sign of overhead electric supply lines. It is likely that one of the large chimneys ro the left (next to the railway) are at boiler houses which supply hot water for heating and a turbine for electricity.
The main chimney appears to have a square section, which may be a preference of a locality. None seem to be in use at the time.

There is no water-tower nor is the factory next to a river, suggesting that not much water is required in its processes and/or it is near to an existing piped supply of water. In fact the site is revealling: it is next to earthworks, a railway and arguably a road. It is not near power, water nor a workforce. It's hard to see how the workforce would have travelled here. Perhaps the circle fills up with busses before and after each shift?

The foliage and the height and direction of shadows suggests that we are looking northwards or eastwards. There are very few trees, some in the valley-side in front to the viaduct, and one next to the railway. The tree-less fields and scrawny hedgerows are similar to the hawthorns of Lincolnshire (and many other areas!).

One more observation is that the site appears to havew enjoyed two periods of expansion - the first being the 2 long brick blocks, and the second including the two metal sheds, the radio building, the bungalows in the foreground next to the (possible) sports field, the reception building in front of the circle. Perhaps business expanded in the 1920's or perhaps a former site was adapted for a new purpose.

 

[oddiesjack]

JohnB,

Did the GN line that went through Morley Upper serve the brickworks at Drighlington that is now fairly close to the M62? If so, is that a possible location?

I am unable to see more than one tunnel air vent - I can see the one in a field on the left about 2/3rds the way up the photo, but no others. I also wonder if its an air vent for a mine rather than a railway or canal tunnel.

 

[Tiny Tim]

If you register with BFA (only takes a minute) the features described are tagged, and you can zoom in. I'm not sure about the wireless mast, I thought it was a pole for telephone or power cables, wouldn't a wireless mast of this period be more substantial? There are definitely two vent shafts, I'd like to say they are in a line, but I'd need three to make that case, so it could be mineworkings. I don't think it's a brickworks, either. There's only one large chimney, surely brick kilns would require more? Sorry to be so negative but I've been staring at this for weeks and it's driving me potty. I've seen members of this forum identify locations by the tiniest detail. This picture is packed with clues.

 

[JohnB57]

The "radio mast" is intriguing as at this period, broadcast radio and any private radio use, which, if it existed would have been exceptionally rare, would have been at fairly long wavelengths, normally requiring two masts with a horizontal aerial slung between the two. Even today, most medium wave transmitters require a pair of masts as the aerial itself has to be physically long in order to be efficient. VHF was not in use at that time. Of course, the date given could be wrong... There are telegraph poles to the right of the complex and at this time, electricity usage would have been relatively light with most processes being steam operated. There seems to be road access, but also, of course, the railway.

The line I mentioned did serve the brickworks but I'm pretty certain this shot is not there as the whole layout is wrong and Drighlington was even then on the junction of two major roads - the A650 and A62.

Oddiesjack. The other vent, which I also missed at first, is above and slightly to the right of the one you've identified. On the picture, it appears in front of what I think is a viaduct with, at that end, a road going through the first arch.

I suspect when someone does identify this, it'll be quite obvious. Driving me potty now - cheers Tiny!

 

[Tiny Tim]

Driving me potty now - cheers Tiny!

You're welcome.

 

[bolli]

Is that an airstrip in the top right hand corner?

 

[Tiny Tim]

Is that an airstrip in the top right hand corner?

I think it's too short for an airstrip.

 

[JohnB57]

I've just done what I should have in the first place and logged in. Using the enlarge feature, the resolution is quite a bit better and the embankment top left is clearly not a viaduct, as I had thought. It has telegraph poles along it so I imagine this is a railway or a road rather than a canal.

Also, there are quite a few of the tall masts so may be some sort of radio installation, although if it's not military, I can't imagine what it would be.

The circular feature does indeed have a track with what appears to be a miniature loco. Although quite short, the "airstrip" could be a couple of hundred yard long - enough for the aircraft of the time.

A very strange mixture of things on here.

 

[bolli]

Some more observations which mght assist . . . .
It's hard to see how the workforce would have travelled here. Perhaps the circle fills up with busses before and after each shift?

Right at the top of the picture are some houses- possibly the edge of a town/village?

 

[Tiny Tim]

Right at the top of the picture are some houses- possibly the edge of a town/village?

Yes, it's not as rural as it first appears.

 

[Cletus]

Where are the vents? I can't see them

 

[Smudger105e]

What about this one? A station in the background?

http://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/image/epw022964?filter=28706&ref=3

 

[Tiny Tim]

Where are the vents? I can't see them

You need to register and use the zoom function. They're top left.

 

[Altrincham]

I think the clues for this are mostly right at the top of the picture.

I'm trying to decipher the style and design of the houses right at the top of the image. Most regions have their own style of house-building and I can just about make out that the terraced housing appear to have square-built bay windows, rather than rounded/3-sided.

There's also what looks like a church or chapel just further along which indicates an established village or town(?).

At first I thought that was an aqueduct in the top-left of the picture, but I've just noticed that it appears to be a road viaduct as the road that goes past the houses appears to line up and come out over that bridge.

Also, is that a large manor house between the viaduct and the houses? It looks like it's got minarets at the back (1920s cranes perhaps?), but also looks like it's got an air vent to the left of it. It also looks like it's got a Belvedere at the front of the property (those turrety things you see on houses, usually where the master bedroom is).

There are also figures walking down the lane to the far right of the picture, just before the railway bridge and a bit further back. Workers returning back to work after going home at dinner-time perhaps?

I've just registered on the Britain from above site. That's the rest of my evening taken care of.

Many thanks!

 

[Cletus]

You need to register and use the zoom function. They're top left.

Thanks.
Can see the one on the left. Just increased the size of my web-page to 200%!

 

[JohnB57]

Top left of the image with tags showing the embankment (I think - not a viaduct) and the two vents.

[/IMG]

 

[Tiny Tim]

That embankment; It seems rather over-engineered for a minor road. Are we sure it isn't another railway?

 

[Ploughman]

Couple of points.
The train passing on the main.
Any ID on the loco type? Is it LMS / MR?

Embankment at the top no real sign of any rails on it. More probable that it is a road but that is fairly unusual in that it would normally follow the lie of the land and not bridge the valley unless it is a fairly "Major" road.

No sign of any foot access from the roadway to the right. If it was a regular footway from the houses at the top I would expect some sign of a footpath from near the bridge to the works.

Mix of internal rail vehicles and mainline wagons. Seems to be a number of large side tipping wagons, at least 1 group of 3 plus a few others scattered around.
Some wagon turntables evident in the store yard area.
Also what looks like a horse and small cart.

 

[JohnB57]

Possibly a tramway? I suspect the area becomes more urban fairly close to the right of shot so a tram embankment might not be so out of place. I can see I'm gonna lose the whole weekend to this...

 

[Harbon 1]

Those 'vents' look similar to one in a field on the other side of the railway from my house, and Burton - to my best knowledge - has no tunnels, let alone one running under my house! So IMO, they aren't for a tunnel. But I'm happy to be corrected

Edit: there is a wagon pointed out that has 3 markings on it, which would mean one of two 'big 4' companies: GWR or LMS. the lack of white on he first marking suggests the latter. ( 'L' takes up less space than 'G')

 

[JohnB57]

Those 'vents' look similar to one in a field on the other side of the railway from my house...

What's the function of the one near your house Matt?

 

[eastdyke]

That embankment; It seems rather over-engineered for a minor road. Are we sure it isn't another railway?

I think that it is a road and a very straight one at that. It extrapolates past the 'large house' and quite well to the settlement at the top edge.

I am thinking something like the A5 (Watling Street).

Those 'vents' look similar to one in a field on the other side of the railway from my house, and Burton - to my best knowledge - has no tunnels ...

But there were coal mines in the vicinty of Burton. They look like mine vents.

I have no more time tonight, (spent too much already!) but I am looking at South Staffordshire. The area around Cheslyn Hay in particular. Cannot find any pics of the local 'Rosemary tileries' at the moment.

There has been much development around there, M6 Toll Road etc so orientation is not easy.

Anyone with a 'between the wars' OS map?

 

[Harbon 1]

What's the function of the one near your house Matt?

I have no idea, it basically looks like a cylinder with a plate over the top. When I get home tomorrow, I'll upload a photo of it.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

But there were coal mines in the vicinty of Burton.

But not any in Burton.