Star Paper Mill/Sappi Paper Mill,
Feniscowles
Blackburn
Jan 2016
Visited with Mr pink
History
The former Star Paper Mill, Feniscowles, closed on the 12th November 2008 after more than a century of paper making.It opened in 1875 replacing the earlier Roddlesworth Paper Mill at Abbey Village which was built in 1845.The machines from Roddlesworth were transferred to the new site.
W and J Yates (later Foster, Yates and Thom) supplied a pair of compound tandem engines and production began. Two paper machines were operational by 1878.
Extensions in 1881-3 allowed for a further Yates tandem horizontal engine and an additional paper machine. Two more paper machines were installed in 1887 and 1893. The latter was 143" wide and reputed to be the the largest in the UK. The paper machines had their own individual enclosed steam engines.
From the 1880's electricity was produced on site to light the works.
The original raw materials were rags, esparto grass and straw, with wood pulp being introduced in the 1890's. Raw materials and coal were transported from the Leeds and Liverpool Canal by two tramroads using endless wire ropes.
Products included newsprint, wallpapers (after 1897), cartridge and packing papers.
We have been round most of this site over a number of years now and is slowly disappearing as it has been passed for the construction of houses and demolition is well under way………….
The Sappi paper mill, in Livesey Branch Road, Feniscowles, all outbuildings, tanks, and enclosures, including a Scottish Power power station, will be reduced to “slab level”, to allow for regeneration of the site.
Global asset management and advisory firm Black Pearl Capital Partners (BPCP) acquired the 118-acre site after it closed in 2008, with the loss of around 120 jobs.
After Blackburn with Darwen Council gave the nod to the work, Lee Demolition Ltd’s excavators, with metal cutting shears, will now move onto the site, and will use hot cutting where needed.
Foundations will be removed to ensure that the ground is level. It is expected that work will be completed by August 15.
There is still quite abit to see here, especially the water tower next to the canal, would of loved to of seen this place in action, I have lots of photos from here and always meant to go back when I got better with my camera but iv always ended up ‘nipping in’ on my way past so my pics do not cover everything to see here and the majority were taken on my phone in bad light….. hey ho. Im sure someone else will put up some better pics.
Also there is a rather nice looking chimney there………. Hehe.
Anyway il stop banging on but here is a few links to information, history and some really really old photos of when it was up and running. These articles are well worth a read…. If you have time, if you google star paper mill feniscowles you will get a lot of info, too much to put here
Links
http://www.jepnet.co.uk/genealogy/Star mill/star mill.pdf
http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.u...0.Blackburn_paper_factory_is_Star_of_new_DVD/
http://www.cottontown.org/other industry/pages/paper-and-chemical.aspx
on with my crap pics….
Vatts
Valve/tap
The crane that holds this hook spans the whole width of the building!
in the tunnel to the chimney
Excuse the photos but thanks for looking
Feniscowles
Blackburn
Jan 2016
Visited with Mr pink
History
The former Star Paper Mill, Feniscowles, closed on the 12th November 2008 after more than a century of paper making.It opened in 1875 replacing the earlier Roddlesworth Paper Mill at Abbey Village which was built in 1845.The machines from Roddlesworth were transferred to the new site.
W and J Yates (later Foster, Yates and Thom) supplied a pair of compound tandem engines and production began. Two paper machines were operational by 1878.
Extensions in 1881-3 allowed for a further Yates tandem horizontal engine and an additional paper machine. Two more paper machines were installed in 1887 and 1893. The latter was 143" wide and reputed to be the the largest in the UK. The paper machines had their own individual enclosed steam engines.
From the 1880's electricity was produced on site to light the works.
The original raw materials were rags, esparto grass and straw, with wood pulp being introduced in the 1890's. Raw materials and coal were transported from the Leeds and Liverpool Canal by two tramroads using endless wire ropes.
Products included newsprint, wallpapers (after 1897), cartridge and packing papers.
We have been round most of this site over a number of years now and is slowly disappearing as it has been passed for the construction of houses and demolition is well under way………….
The Sappi paper mill, in Livesey Branch Road, Feniscowles, all outbuildings, tanks, and enclosures, including a Scottish Power power station, will be reduced to “slab level”, to allow for regeneration of the site.
Global asset management and advisory firm Black Pearl Capital Partners (BPCP) acquired the 118-acre site after it closed in 2008, with the loss of around 120 jobs.
After Blackburn with Darwen Council gave the nod to the work, Lee Demolition Ltd’s excavators, with metal cutting shears, will now move onto the site, and will use hot cutting where needed.
Foundations will be removed to ensure that the ground is level. It is expected that work will be completed by August 15.
There is still quite abit to see here, especially the water tower next to the canal, would of loved to of seen this place in action, I have lots of photos from here and always meant to go back when I got better with my camera but iv always ended up ‘nipping in’ on my way past so my pics do not cover everything to see here and the majority were taken on my phone in bad light….. hey ho. Im sure someone else will put up some better pics.
Also there is a rather nice looking chimney there………. Hehe.
Anyway il stop banging on but here is a few links to information, history and some really really old photos of when it was up and running. These articles are well worth a read…. If you have time, if you google star paper mill feniscowles you will get a lot of info, too much to put here
Links
http://www.jepnet.co.uk/genealogy/Star mill/star mill.pdf
http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.u...0.Blackburn_paper_factory_is_Star_of_new_DVD/
http://www.cottontown.org/other industry/pages/paper-and-chemical.aspx
on with my crap pics….
Vatts
Valve/tap
The crane that holds this hook spans the whole width of the building!
in the tunnel to the chimney
Excuse the photos but thanks for looking
