Cockersdale watercourses and mills

Si · Post by Si » Mon 23 Jul, 2012 2:21 pm

Close-up of the walls. An old chap we met (he said he was 76) told us that, in his youth, this was some sort of loading platform for coal...?

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Mon 23 Jul, 2012 2:38 pm

This is all fascinating Si. The wall certainly is a substantial structure.I wonder what is the black object in about the middle of the photo posted at 13:18:41? It looks like it could be a black sheep.

Si · Post by Si » Mon 23 Jul, 2012 3:09 pm

Thanks Leodian. The black thing is a goat. That hill was covered in 'em.Here's some more.

Si · Post by Si » Mon 23 Jul, 2012 3:13 pm

Once at the bottom of the valley, it wasn't long before we came across evidence of Cockersdale's busy past. Here's the end of one of the mill leats we traced. The beck proper is off to the left, several feet lower.

Si · Post by Si » Mon 23 Jul, 2012 3:14 pm

At the end of the first leat was this stone structure.

Si · Post by Si » Mon 23 Jul, 2012 3:16 pm

This is the second leat, disappearing into the bushes. Just beyond are the most substantial mill remains Jim and I found. Again, photography makes what's visible to the eye look less clear.We had a flask of coffee and a couple of pork pies sitting on the banking to the right. The beck is quite a long way down from here.

Si · Post by Si » Mon 23 Jul, 2012 3:20 pm

Below the end of the second leat, well hidden in the undergrowth, are the remains of a mill. The footprint, at a guess, is about 20 foot by 15, but is only a few courses high. Edit: Oops! Don't know what happened to the picture. I'll add it at the end.

Si · Post by Si » Mon 23 Jul, 2012 3:21 pm

Another view.

Si · Post by Si » Mon 23 Jul, 2012 3:24 pm

A large lintel lies half buried in the demolition rubble.

Si · Post by Si » Mon 23 Jul, 2012 3:28 pm

In the field above Cockersdale, between the valley and Tong Lane, there's what looks like a man-made structure, visible on the skyline. Possibly a spoil heap of some kind?