E B Balmforth- Another one bites the dust

LS1 · Post by **LS1** » Sun 06 Apr, 2008 8:42 pm

I have noticed since Friday that the old EB Balmforth leather factory is well an truly in the process of demolition.Although closed for at least 15 years it must leave Charles Stead furter up Scott Hall Road as the only surviving tannery in Leeds, in an area (Sheepscar) that was once littered with other such tannerys.This was an interesting building as it was one of the early tannerys built in the area and the building dates to the early part of the 19th century.Landmark of Sheepscar Interchange that is now almost gone forever. leaving only the old Midland bank looking even more lonely than it did before.

LS1 · Post by **LS1** » Sun 06 Apr, 2008 8:45 pm

Without the adverts. Taken July 2007

LS1 · Post by **LS1** » Sun 06 Apr, 2008 8:52 pm

Today...

LS1 · Post by **LS1** » Sun 06 Apr, 2008 8:54 pm

Dont try sitting on the chair, could be hazardous!

LS1 · Post by **LS1** » Sun 06 Apr, 2008 8:57 pm

Towards Meanwood Road and Scott Hall Road.

Phill_d · Post by **Phill_d** » Sun 06 Apr, 2008 9:01 pm

Blimey. I didn't know this was coming down until I saw some pics on flickr yesterday. Can you see round the back Lee? The Meanwood beck comes out into the open for a short while just behind there. I wonder if they've had to cover it over?

Phill_d · Post by **Phill_d** » Sun 06 Apr, 2008 9:12 pm

I find it fascinating hidden place down there. You'd never now it existed from the road.

LS1 · Post by **LS1** » Sun 06 Apr, 2008 9:15 pm

Yeah you can see down the back there I think but I was passing and I only had my phone with me. If it is still up tomorrow after work (well the little bits that are left) I'm gonna have another look. I couldnt really get through to the back as the rubble was totally unstable, bricks were falling out around me left right and centre to lost my nerve pretty quickly!

Trojan · Post by **Trojan** » Sun 06 Apr, 2008 9:15 pm

LS1 wrote: I have noticed since Friday that the old EB Balmforth leather factory is well an truly in the process of demolition.Although closed for at least 15 years it must leave Charles Stead furter up Scott Hall Road as the only surviving tannery in Leeds, in an area (Sheepscar) that was once littered with other such tannerys.This was an interesting building as it was one of the early tannerys built in the area and the building dates to the early part of the 19th century.Landmark of Sheepscar Interchange that is now almost gone forever. leaving only the old Midland bank looking even more lonely than it did before. Where was Miers then? I started work at Ingle's Tannery in 1962, in the cost department - I lasted three months It was a big rambling place which stretched across the (then) Leeds/Morley boundary. At that time the directors were Lawrence Ingle, Rowland Ingle, Douglas Ingle, William Ingle, John Ingle. We had to call them sir! The company secretary whom I called sir on my first day corrected my protocol - I called him Mr Woodhead, I called the Directors "sir" One of the Ingles (don't know which) said his name stood for I Never Give Laziness Encouragement. In the offices we had to write in either pencil or steel nibbed dip in pens, biros and fountain pens were banned. We had to sit on high stools, at sloping desks. It was like something out of Dickens.

LS1 · Post by **LS1** » Sun 06 Apr, 2008 9:19 pm

Trojan wrote: LS1 wrote: I have noticed since Friday that the old EB Balmforth leather factory is well an truly in the process of demolition.Although closed for at least 15 years it must leave Charles Stead furter up Scott Hall Road as the only surviving tannery in Leeds, in an area (Sheepscar) that was once littered with other such tannerys.This was an interesting building as it was one of the early tannerys built in the area and the building dates to the early part of the 19th century.Landmark of Sheepscar Interchange that is now almost gone forever. leaving only the old Midland bank looking even more lonely than it did before. Where was Miers then? I started work at Ingle's Tannery in 1962, in the cost department - I lasted three months It was a big rambling place which stretched across the (then) Leeds/Morley boundary. At that time the directors were Lawrence Ingle, Rowland Ingle, Douglas Ingle, William Ingle, John Ingle. We had to call them sir! The company secretary whom I called sir on my first day corrected my protocol - I called him Mr Woodhead, I called the Directors "sir" One of the Ingles (don't know which) said his name stood for I Never Give Laziness Encouragement. In the offices we had to write in either pencil or steel nibbed dip in pens, biros and fountain pens were banned. We had to sit on high stools, at sloping desks. It was like something out of Dickens. Not sure Trojan, but I was really menaing Sheepscar as having loads of tanneries hence the name "SheepsCar" referring to the sheep that were kept for the skin. Realise there were others in the whole Leeds Vicinity.