Barnbow

Post by **tyke bhoy** » Mon 12 Mar, 2007 10:58 pm

bigpants, north sea suggests you were east of the Greenwich meridian rather than west

rikj · Post by **rikj** » Mon 12 Mar, 2007 11:13 pm

For kate and anyone who is interested there is a comprehensive history of the Barnbow munitions factory here;http://www.hjsmith.clara.co.uk/4746.htmIt's from The Barwicker I believe. There is also a superb map of the filling factory. Make sure you look at the big version. If you can compare the map to a google earth (or flashearth) view then it's apparent how many of the current landscape features still reflect the old use of the site.Intrigued by the info posted by bigpants, phil and I had a walk out there today and there are all sorts of old relics to be seen (apart from me and phil that is). All sorts of walls and fllors lie rotting in the woods. Most interesting was a substantial culvert for Cock Beck that flows through the site. We couldn't understand why such a substantial brick tunnel was needed. Until we looked at the map from the Barwicker that is. It's where the filling factory railway system crossed the beck, so we guess a substantial bridge was needed.The area of the reservoir is being replanted with trees. Was it completely sub-surface bigpants, can you remember? No sign of anything on the surface at all.

Tony · Post by **Tony** » Tue 13 Mar, 2007 1:11 am

Fascinating stuff, thanks for the link and the idea RIKJI've done a couple of quick and dirty bits with the old map:Quick GIF, I'll try and tidy it up if I get time:Each of those frames as a single JPG:The KMZ, should load up in Google Earth:http://www.priceman.org/stuff/barnbow.kmzStupid forum, won't show the above URLs, I assume because they are JPGs/GIFs. Find all the stuff here:http://www.priceman.org/stuff

bigpants · Post by **bigpants** » Tue 13 Mar, 2007 9:50 am

the reservoir was fully underground albeit i think the ground level was raised locally around it. im going back probably 15 yeras so it may well have changed since then. the front corner nearest to the track had been partially caved in to give access. you could scramble in at this point and then walk around. it was reasonably light inside which makes me think there may have been more holes in the envelope of the structure, but i cant remember for definite on this. Chris 90 and I are going to try and get a look at something down cross green if its still there on saturday so if i get me landy back together we will have drive down to barnbow and see what we can see, and take some pics if possible. will check out the old maps which have been posted - will be great to learn a bit more about a place we played around as kids.

rikj · Post by **rikj** » Tue 13 Mar, 2007 3:19 pm

Thanks for that bigpants. If you do get to Barnbow it would be worth taking a print of the old map with you. There are remains near the beck and you can follow the line of the old railway tracks.

Phill_d · Post by **Phill_d** » Tue 13 Mar, 2007 6:56 pm

Yep an interesting afternoon yesterday Rik. It's a pity there wasn't much left to get into. It's a good way from the New place & i'm not suprised there's not much known about it!!

Phill_d · Post by **Phill_d** » Tue 13 Mar, 2007 7:02 pm

The rancid Cock beck under the old railway bridge

munki · Post by **munki** » Tue 13 Mar, 2007 8:07 pm

Great pics, Phil. For the gallery, when it finally appears!

Phill_d · Post by **Phill_d** » Tue 13 Mar, 2007 8:11 pm

No worrys Munki. It's only a smelly old bridge really.

bigpants · Post by **bigpants** » Tue 13 Mar, 2007 8:20 pm

Tony wrote: Fascinating stuff, thanks for the link and the idea RIKJI've done a couple of quick and dirty bits with the old map: excellent work there tony, seeing the old map superimposed over the google earth image has really opened my eyes. i spent so much time down there as a kid and never realised the extent of the factory site. im amazed by how clear the old rail loop still is as it runs round Amaranth cricket ground. have printed off the old map and dug out my trusty os map and will try and get down at the weekend armed with the camera. Im quite exited as it will be my first proper secret leeds expedition!