tarboat's photos with the keyword: leigh

Got to love that ampersand! This theatre made a grand statement in terracotta when it opened in 1908 and then went through the usual sort of changes that happen to such buildings. 1922 saw it become a cinema and in 1939 the auditorium was remodelled in art deco style. 1955 saw a year back as a variety theatre and then as the Odeon Cinema until 1969 after which there was Laserquest and a variety of nightclubs and disuse. In 2007 it was converted into a pub by Wetherspoon and remains in this use. The terracotta facia is spendid but the ground floor frontage has been completely changed and clashes badly with what is seen here. Lots of information and plans of the theatre can be found here: www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/LeighTheatres.htm

This art deco style building is all that remains of the facilities provided at the Lancashire United Transport bus station in Leigh. The bus company and bus station may have disappeared but at least the building is still providing a transport function.

Some nice terracotta installed at the Boar's Head in Leigh when the pub was rebuilt in 1900. I reckon that this is probably a product of Accrington.

The Park Lane cotton spinning mills of Leigh Spinners date from 1913 and 1923. Still in the same ownership they are now subject to restoration for business and community use by the Leigh Building Preservation Trust. This end is the No.1 mill of 1913 which is in poor condition but has recently been awarded funding to repair the roof. The buildings are listed Grade II*.

Scoreboard at Hilton Park, Leigh, 20th July 2008. Leigh went on to beat Batley 18 - 17. All now under housing.

The Park Lane cotton spinning mills of Leigh Spinners date from 1913 and 1923. In latter years they were used for making carpets but are now subject to restoration for business and community use. This includes restoration of the steam engines that remain in situ. The buildings are listed Grade II*.

In 1905 the Alder Spinning Company commenced building its mill in Leigh to the design of Stott & Sons. The mill entrance, yard and offices are all that survive, still proudly declaring the mill name and the 1907 date of completion. The gates and fencing to the yard are of similar quality to the brickwork. Details and images of the mill can be found here.

Early twentieth century magnficence at Leigh, Lancashire. Butts Mill was built for cotton spinning to the design of the Lancashire firm of Stott and Sons. It is now used for the manufacture of electric wiring harnesses.

The Park Lane mills of Leigh Spinners are still working in the carpet trade although redundancies were being implemented on the day I visited. The chimney is very impressive, situated between the original 1913 mill and the 1923 addition on the western side. A stitch of five images. Best viewed very large

The Alder Mill office block is a delightful mix of materials topped by a cupola rising behind a terracotta parapet.The only thing missing is the Alder Mill itself as this was demolished in 1982. Details and images of the mill can be found here.

This is the tower on the 1913 built mill at the east side of the site.

Early twentieth century textile mill at Leigh. Butts Mill was built for cotton spinning to the design of the Lancashire firm of Stott and Sons.

With the impending move of Leigh to their new stadium Tarboat Junior and myself decided to pay what may well be our last visit to Hilton Park for the Leigh - Batley game. Batley fans are probably gutted that they threw away a 16-4 half-time lead to lose by a point after a tension and action packed second half. We enjoyed a game in an old-fashioned ground that is definitely past its best but a great reminder of how most grounds were when I was but a lad. The current crop of new stadia was certainly needed if the sport is to survive and, hopefully, grow. As for the French referee Monsieur Albert, best that I keep my mouth shut!