Demolition of YCL factory, Black Bull Street.

BLAKEY · Post by **BLAKEY** » Tue 01 Apr, 2008 12:51 am

iansmithofotley wrote: Hi everyone,In my experience, the worst place in Leeds for trying to find an address was in Leek Street flats at Hunslet. It was difficult enough to remember which was Larchfield Dene, Rylstone Lawn or Ashbourne Croft, etc., but trying to locate an individual flat in one of the blocks was horrendous as there was no sequence to the numbers and there were various levels and links. It was a nightmare for public services to attend in an emergency.Ian. Hi Ian,I don't envy you itrying to find a flat at LEEK STREET, or Hunslet Grange to give it its posh name. It must surely have been the worst and most unforgiveable Hell hole in the recent history of the City !! A lady who I was friendly with at the time was allocated one when they were brand new and moved from Birdwell near Barnsley complete with upright piano. I helped her move in - she had all fitted carpets installed first - and a few days later had to watch the same removal firm take everything back to Birdwell as she'd had enough. The places were very badly designed and thrown together - almost immediately there was damp everywhere, and the only heating was a pathetic little two bar electric fire fixed to the lounge wall. Collossal unaffordable electric bills were the immediate order of the day, and crime was rife in the perfect circumstances of the long passageways and hidden corners etc. There was a pub somewhere on one of the upper floors and I don't think that lasted long - was it "Pioneer" possibly ?? Also the grey uninteresting harsh look of the place was depressing - it would have been hideous even if it had been a factory. The financial implications for the City of building it and demolishing unpaid for within so short a time don't bear thinking about - hard to believe that it was built around 1970 yet has already faded into history. A very sad episode for LEEDS. The oft maligned Quarry Hill Flats were, especially for their time prewar, commendable palaces by comparison.

Phill_d · Post by **Phill_d** » Wed 02 Apr, 2008 12:36 am

Hi Compton. Thanks to your direction I found were the plaque was. Sadly It's gone AWOL. I took a few more pics of the place & were the Plaque used to be. I seem to recall searching for the Roscoe Plaque not so long ago to no avail. Lets hope we can trace this one.The pics are are on the bloghttp://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=265602590&blogID=371646006

compton · Post by **compton** » Thu 03 Apr, 2008 7:31 pm

Phill_d wrote: Hi Compton. Thanks to your direction I found were the plaque was. Sadly It's gone AWOL. I took a few more pics of the place & were the Plaque used to be. I seem to recall searching for the Roscoe Plaque not so long ago to no avail. Lets hope we can trace this one.The pics are are on the bloghttp://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=265602590&blogID=371646006 Sorry to hear that Phil, best of luck in your future endeavours, cheers

Phill_d · Post by **Phill_d** » Thu 03 Apr, 2008 7:39 pm

Thanks mate. It was actually Ralphs daughter who had been making enquiries if it was still there. I just hope it isn't the scrap thieves who had it away.

Phill_d · Post by **Phill_d** » Fri 04 Apr, 2008 8:49 pm

I've used all my pics up & compiled a Y.C.L armageddon meltdown video. I've used the old archive pictures we found & tried to make the second half a poignant reminder to the men who had worked there. If you've nothing better to do on a Friday night then turn the speakers on and have a listen to the Doors & lennon too lol http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcT7PlgV66c

drapesy · Post by **drapesy** » Fri 04 Apr, 2008 9:54 pm

Total respect here Phill - a superb piece of work - many thanks.

compton · Post by **compton** » Fri 04 Apr, 2008 9:58 pm

drapesy wrote: Total respect here Phill - a superb piece of work - many thanks. Just watched it Phill, bloody brilliant mate, amazed to see the Great war stone still there, I reiterate Drapesy,s quote.

Phill_d · Post by **Phill_d** » Fri 04 Apr, 2008 9:59 pm

Thank you kind sirs. Hats of to you too The war stone was relaid on a newer building. It's a pity we couldn't find the Ralph Storey plaque though.

compton · Post by **compton** » Sat 05 Apr, 2008 1:46 am

Phill_d wrote: Thank you kind sirs. Hats of to you too The war stone was relaid on a newer building. It's a pity we couldn't find the Ralph Storey plaque though. Phill, I,ve noticed Braime,s mentioned, if you could gain access to this site it should be just up your street. I was in Leeds last week and noticed it is still standing and appears relatively undamaged. I used to visit and patrol this factory for a couple of years up to 2002. The canteen, the windows of which face Hunslet rd. appeared to be the same as it was in the early 1900s, with an incredible water fountain, for want of a better word, about 10 foot tall with taps around the circumference, the whole as I recollect being like majolica tiling. The cellars were also still marked as air raid shelters from the last war, the offices are also to my mind worthy of attention, straight out of the past, hope I,m not being presumptious, cheers.

Phill_d · Post by **Phill_d** » Sat 05 Apr, 2008 1:52 am

I passed the other night Compton. Isn't the place still in use? Does anyone know what the score is with this place. I agree with you it is a fine building to photograph. It's very Lowry looking.