Nether Springs Bleach Works

The Parksider · Post by **The Parksider** » Fri 27 Dec, 2013 10:30 pm

This is a nice Industrial/transport site of interest.Walking down from Cookridge Cricket Club field to Moseley Wood Farm you pass the old farm labourers cottage of tremendous interest. Two small rooms and a family of mum/dad and six kids lived in there.Just below that Bay Horse Bridge carries the farm track from the Farm cottage and the site of Cookridge Bleach Works marked by a remaining industrial pond, over the railway. Moseley beck is diverted by an open conduit engineered high above the Railway in sight of the southern portal of the Bramhope Tunnel.Pass over the bridge and the remains of nether Springs Bleach works, a mixture of stone and brick construction is well preserved. No signs of water power but Old Maps marks a chimney no longer there - steam power?? For what??Tenters were stretched out in the fields adjacent the works. Really interesting stuff with old cottages and Dean Grange Farm to look at before the suprise...........At the farm you turn sharp right, go through the farm and turn sharp left to walk up the hill to Scotland Lane. There lies on that last bend a construction two thirds underground, stone walls and stone barrelled roof, completely turfed over, very approximately 3Mx5M. The doorway is three sturdy stones and the remains of an archway over the steps down to the door.Superbly well preserved and accessible, I don't know what it is although Ice House comes to mind. Nor can I recall if we have discussed this before (apologies if so) but that short walk is a lovely "juxtaposition" of the agricultural and Industrial and transport revolutions all rolled into one.What is that Construction??

Dalehelms · Post by **Dalehelms** » Sat 28 Dec, 2013 10:20 am

The man who would know is Don Cole. The answer might be in one of his many books about Cookridge.

The Parksider · Post by **The Parksider** » Sat 28 Dec, 2013 11:34 am

Dalehelms wrote: The man who would know is Don Cole. The answer might be in one of his many books about Cookridge. I've read them all and met Don. I fear the construction is just over the boundary of Don's fine work. He does however do a great little piece on the Cookridge Hall Ice House.This is the confusion, I could see the construction being an Ice House for a posh House but there are none to be found. It may be a cold storage for meat and fowl, but if so why do we not see these at other farms?

Dalehelms · Post by **Dalehelms** » Sat 28 Dec, 2013 10:29 pm

There is a really good photograph of the Nether Springs Bleach Works on Leodis. As I am useless, I can't post the link, sorry.

Post by **tyke bhoy** » Sat 28 Dec, 2013 11:18 pm

Dalehelms wrote: There is a really good photograph of the Nether Springs Bleach Works on Leodis. As I am useless, I can't post the link, sorry. I thought you had managed to follow my instructions because you did post a link before but you must have had more local help http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?id=200267_77209109

uncle mick · Post by **uncle mick** » Sun 29 Dec, 2013 6:19 am

There are mention of earthworks in the fields adjacent to Dean Grange Farm herehttp://www.archaeology.wyjs.org.uk/documents/a ... sforth.pdf

electricaldave · Post by **electricaldave** » Sun 29 Dec, 2013 6:00 pm

Look at this heritage report.http://plandocs.leeds.gov.uk/WAM/doc/Ba ... ageCount=1

Brunel · Post by **Brunel** » Sun 29 Dec, 2013 6:53 pm

Very interesting, must have a look before all the new houses are built.This map will show the route of the various bridleways and footpaths.... (green lines)Parksider's route is on a bridleway, so you can walk, bike or take your horse.http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=42 ... &ay=440699

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Sun 29 Dec, 2013 9:53 pm

That is a most interesting report electricaldave. Perhaps the cold store item 22 on page 39 is the intriguing structure that The Parksider came across.

The Parksider · Post by **The Parksider** » Mon 30 Dec, 2013 8:02 pm

electricaldave wrote: Look at this heritage report.http://plandocs.leeds.gov.uk/WAM/doc/Ba ... ageCount=1 THANK YOU DAVE! That's the one Leo, a 17th. Century cold store. Well worth a visit......