tarboat's photos with the keyword: widnes

The former Co-operative Society building on Lugsdale Road in Widnes was built in 1905 and announces its ownership in red terracotta.

My good friend Bryan busy photographing the original entrance to West Bank Dock at Widnes. In the background can be seen the Saria rendering plant and associated power station.

McKechnie Brothers Limited, metal merchants and producers of copper sulphate, titanium sponge and other materials, established their Widnes smelting works works in 1891. This lettering is over the door of the administrative block on Ditton Road in Widnes which now stands partly empty.

I was unsure what this business was when I first saw the works, but I now know that this is basically a rendering plant which produces fertiliser and pet food amongst other things.

McKechnie Brothers Limited, metal merchants and producers of copper sulphate, titanium sponge and other materials, established their Widnes smelting works works in 1891. This administrative block on Ditton Road in Widnes dates from 1920 and now stands partly empty.

Currently there are two bridges between Runcorn and Widnes over the Mersey estuary. On the right in this view from the Widnes bank is the railway bridge of 1868, whilst to the left is the through arch road bridge that was completed in 1961. The road bridge replaced the 1905 transporter bridge that was off to the left. Another road bridge is now planned a bit further upstream in order to relieve congestion on the existing structure.

On a very cold night a few years ago I set out for a session of night photography around Runcorn and Widnes. The still conditions were ideal for reflections and the cold meant that I wasn't disturbed by unwelcome visitors whilst making the shots. This is the classic view of the road and rail bridges between Runcorn and Widnes over the Mersey estuary. The old transporter bridge was until 1961 just in front of where I was standing.

Thermphos International is one of the world’s largest producers of phosphorus, phosphoric acid, phosphates, phosphonates and phosphorus derivatives. The company supplies material for pharmaceuticals, hygiene, industrial and household cleaning, food and feed additives. beverages, flame retardants, crop protection etc.

The Widnes Free Library and Technical School in Victoria Road was built 1894-6. Architects for the building were Woodhouse & Willough of Manchester. The terracotta is of a very high quality.

The tower of St Paul's in Widnes was completed in 1907 and incorporates some nice terracotta decoration.

One of the great buildings in the north-west of England, the old Town Hall at Widnes was designed by F & G Holme and completed in 1885. This is quite an early date for the use of such extravagant terracotta decoration. A particular favourite of mine are the two Griffins bearing shieldsabove the central entrance. I was keen to discover the manufacturer of the terracotta work on this building and was delighted to find stamped on a broken piece at the side the name of Northwich brickmaker Jabez Thompson. Listed Grade II. It is currently a club with an incomplete new hotel development at the rear.

Fine detailing around the entrance to the old Town Hall at Widnes. All the excellent terracotta here was made by Jabez Thompson and Co of Northwich. This is equal in quality to the very best I have seen anywhere.

Three of the window key pieces in the old town hall at Widnes dating from 1885. These are the product of the Jabez Thompson brickworks at Northwich.

Terracotta decoration on a building in Victoria Rd Widnes. A nice little detail and easily missed.