urban explorers beware

[Cardiarms]

Is that because you look Irish ?

[BarFly]

I can't really say much on an open forum Jon but I think you may have run into a particular security guard I have been told about who is particularly officious. That said, the security for the building is very strict at the best of times though of course the entrance with the pool has a small public area.

[Mark S]

Was snooping about near Kirkstall Forge the other day, when out of nowhere a couple of Security Vans and numerous Security Guards came charging towards me. I was on the other side of the fence near the railway tracks, (well aware i should not of even been there) not in the Forge. Gave my usual explanation , im nosey and like taking pics, they asked me to not to enter the Forge and to be careful where i was.They said because of the Building work that was about to begin Security had been stepped up.So it would seem if they are correct that the Forge area is about to get its long awaited Face Lifted.

[Steve Jones]

jonleeds wrote: Recently I was invited to a meeting at Quarry House and afterwards as I was leaving via the reception I paused to check out the internal architecture features. I was approached by a uniformed security guard who asked me to explain what I was doing there. I informed him that I'd just had a meeting and that I was having a look at the buildings architecture as I'd seen the place from outside dozens of times but this was the first time I'd been invited within. Anyway his manner was very hostile and despite my politeness and earnest explanation and enquiring about the features of the building I was unceremoniously escorted by my elbow from the building and led off the grounds. I enquired as to whether there were any opportunities for the public to be given a guided tour of the place or if the place opened up for the Heritage Open Days to which the security guard replied quite coldly 'No, its a government building'. I really felt as though he'd taken me for some kind of terrorist threat despite the fact I wasnt taking photographs, nor was I then, or am I now a person of middle eastern ancestry who was carrying a suspicious rucksack. I was very disappointed that as a Leeds resident and tax payer I was subjected to this rude treatment for taking an interest in a landmark building that is after all public owned. I'd read about parts of this building in the excellent 'All Points North' by Simon Armitage and having seen it many many times I was quite excited that I'd had the opportunity to go inside, however this hostile reception I received from the security guard really spoiled my experience. JonQuarry House is the only government building in Leeds thought likely to suffer a terrorist attack (or it was a few years back when more visible) ,hence it has more active security than at other buildings,although I agree you could have just encountered a surly guard as well.

[jonleeds]

Cardiarms wrote: Is that because you look Irish ? I'm not aware that I did 'look Irish' despite the fact that I do have green eyes, reddish brown hair and freckles and my grandfather was from Ballymena in County Antrim.

[cnosni]

Mark S wrote: Was snooping about near Kirkstall Forge the other day, when out of nowhere a couple of Security Vans and numerous Security Guards came charging towards me. I was on the other side of the fence near the railway tracks, (well aware i should not of even been there) not in the Forge. Gave my usual explanation , im nosey and like taking pics, they asked me to not to enter the Forge and to be careful where i was.They said because of the Building work that was about to begin Security had been stepped up.So it would seem if they are correct that the Forge area is about to get its long awaited Face Lifted. Yes its going ahead, all signed off ( ithink) and a new station being built