Griffin Park, Brentford.

Not a set of football pics but a set of art works created by me of the former Griffin Park Football Stadium, Home of Brentford Football Club until 2020. 

Griffin Park opened on the 1st September 1904 with a 1-1 draw between Brentford and Plymouth Argyle, and closed after the final game between Brentford "B" and Erith Town in the London Senior Cup. The record attendance for a Brentford FC match at the ground was 38678 fora FA Cup 6th round tie against Leicester City in the February 1949, Brentford lost 2-0.

The ground has featured athletics, tennis, Gaelic Football and baseball in the early part of it's history, and was the home ground of the London Broncos Rugby League team from 2002 until 2006.

Other notes of interest about Griffin Park is the stadium being underneath the flight path of Heathrow Airport and the roof of the stands being used as giant advertising boards, and a pub being situated on each corner of the ground.

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Built on Generosity: The Story of Crossley Heath School

There's something special about a New Year's Day walk. The air is crisp, the world feels quiet, and it's a perfect time to reflect and discover. While out for a stroll on January 1st, 2019, I came across a magnificent Victorian building on the edge of Savile Park Moor—the Crossley Heath School. The images I captured, taken with my Nikon d3300 SLR, don't just show a school; they show a piece of living history.

This stunning architectural gem, with its intricate details and imposing presence, has a fascinating past. The story begins with the philanthropic Crossley family—John, Joseph, and Francis—who had a significant impact on the town of Halifax. They commissioned architects Paull & Aycliffe and John Hogg to design the Crossley Orphan School and Home, which opened its doors on June 29, 1864. Built at the impressive cost of £65,000, the orphanage was a sanctuary for children in need.

It provided free lodging, clothing, and education for 400 to 500 children. Boys could stay until age 15 and girls until 17, giving them a chance at a better future.

The school's name changed over time, reflecting its evolving purpose and benefactors. In 1879, a generous £50,000 donation from Manchester merchant Thomas Porter led to a new name: the Crossley & Porter Orphan Home and School. The school's mission continued to adapt, and in 1919, it began admitting day pupils, becoming simply the Crossley & Porter School.

The final chapter in its name change came in 1985 when it merged with Heath Grammar School to become the Crossley Heath School we know today.

Standing before this building, you can't help but feel a sense of awe at the vision of its founders and the many lives it has touched. It's a powerful reminder of how a single structure can hold so many stories.

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The artwork below is the result of a play about with the neural filters on photoshop.

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Lost to the Valley: A Walk Around Staups Mill

The air feels thick with history here, damp and heavy. You can feel it in the air and see it in the rich greens that cling to every surface. I’ve come to explore the ruins of Staups Mill, a place lost to time in the quiet of a West Yorkshire valley.

Staups Mill, originally called Starling Mill, was a cotton mill built in the late 18th century. It relied on the force of Blackshawhead Clough for power, a stream that then marked the border between Lancashire and Yorkshire. It’s now more commonly known as Jumble Hole Clough.

As I walked down the path, the sound of the rushing water was a constant companion. It was this same water that seems to have sealed the mill's fate. On September 24, 1896, a dam collapsed, sending a torrent of water down the clough and severely damaging the mill. The story, for all intents and purposes, ends there. All that remains are the moss-covered stone walls that now stand as a monument to the past.

The ruins themselves are impressive, but they're also a reminder of the wild, untamed nature of this landscape. The landowner has put up signs and planted trees to prevent people from getting too close, a sensible move given the unstable appearance of the remaining structure. While I was careful to respect the boundaries and didn't attempt to get closer, I do wish I could have photographed the mill from the other side, where Jumble Hole Clough flows right up to it.

On my way back, a couple of thoughts struck me. First, why on earth would they have built a mill so far out here? It's a long way from the nearest settlements, making the daily commute and the transport of goods a significant challenge. Second, I couldn't help but think about the mill workers of the 18th and 19th centuries. Heading to and from work in the bleak winter months must have been an incredibly harsh existence.

The beauty of the area now stands in stark contrast to the hardship of that era. The woodland steps, the giant moss-covered boulders, and the stunning bluebells dotting the hillside all create an atmosphere of quiet, natural beauty. It’s a place where history and nature have merged into one, and the past is slowly being reclaimed by the earth.

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Jumble Hole Clough flowing past Staups Mill, this was as close as I got to the
ruins and due to careful camera cropping it looks a lot closer than it was.

I thought this picture had a similar look to the ones of the Amityville House,
with the 2 windows like eyes at the top.

One of the streams flowing off the surrounding moors and fields into
Jumble Hole Clough, at one time this would have been me stood in
Lancashire looking across to Yorkshire.

The path away from the mill towards Blackshawhead.

I have recently been made aware that the remains of Staups Mill have been demolished.

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Exploring the Former Eastwood (Yorks) Railway Station

Opened on January 1st, 1841, Eastwood Railway Station once bustled, serving the charming village of Eastwood, nestled between Hebden Bridge and Todmorden in West Yorkshire. A vital hub in its time, the station boasted a signal box, a level crossing, coal drops, and a goods passing loop – features that have, alas, all vanished with the passage of time.

Today, while the main access ramp from Burnley Road still serves as a pedestrian thoroughfare, the former vehicle level crossing has been reduced to a simple pedestrian crossing, offering a quieter route to Eastwood Lane.

The station played a crucial role in local transport for over a century, but the rise of trams and buses gradually led to a decline in passenger numbers. This shift ultimately led to its closure in December 1951. Though passenger services ceased, goods traffic continued for a few more years, lingering until the early 1960s.

The station buildings themselves stood as a testament to its history until the early 1970s. With the closure of the signal box, the remaining structures were eventually demolished and the site cleared, leaving only remnants of its former grandeur.

These evocative images, captured on May 4th, 2022, using a Nikon D3300 SLR, offer a glimpse into what remains of this once-thriving railway station, allowing us to connect with the echoes of its past. They invite us to imagine the trains chugging in and out, the passengers coming and going, and the vital role it played in the life of Eastwood.

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The remains of the former station buildings, the site was always tight on
space and the hillside was dug away to provide space for the buildings.
Its hard to imagine now that there were station buildings, a signal box, a
passing loop, coal delivery drops and 2 platforms all within this 
small area for a station.

The station access roads, these used to lead up to a level crossing that
past between the 2 stations platforms, these were staggered due to the
small area available. The only crossing now is for pedestrians.

Looking down the former access ramp and at the pedestrian crossing
that was once used by cars. This picture shows how tight the site
was to fit a station here.

Eastwood Lane runs above the station site, the road towards the
bottom left of the picture accesses the area around what was the station.

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The Tees Transporter Bridge: An Icon at a Crossroads

The Tees Transporter Bridge, a colossal symbol of industrial heritage, holds the distinction of being the longest remaining transporter bridge in the world. Yet, this magnificent structure, a testament to early 20th-century engineering, currently faces an uncertain future, standing closed and in dire need of significant repairs.

Opened in October 1911 at an impressive cost exceeding £68,000, the bridge revolutionized crossings over the River Tees. It replaced a long-standing ferry service, providing a more efficient and reliable link between Middlesbrough and Port Clarence. The decision to build a transporter bridge, rather than a conventional one, was a stroke of genius. This design allowed large ships to navigate the Tees unhindered, preserving vital shipping routes to industries further upstream—a crucial consideration for the burgeoning industrial landscape of the era. Interestingly, when first constructed, the bridge sported a vibrant red hue, only to adopt its now-iconic blue livery in 1961.

The bridge's historical and engineering significance has been formally recognized on several occasions. It was granted Grade II listed status on June 21, 1985, acknowledging its architectural and historical importance. Further recognition came in December 1993 with a Heritage Plaque from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, celebrating its ingenious design and construction.

Despite its storied past and undeniable significance, the Tees Transporter Bridge has been closed to the public since August 2019 due to safety concerns. Its continued closure casts a shadow over its future, raising questions about the extensive work required to bring it back to a safe and operational state. Will this grand dame of engineering be restored to its former glory, or will it remain a static monument to a bygone era? Only time will tell if this vital piece of the Tees Valley's identity will once again carry passengers and vehicles across the river it has faithfully served for over a century.

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Original Artworks of England International Test Cricket Grounds

 This collection of Test Cricket Ground pictures was created by me recently and uploaded to YouTube and ClickASnap. All current test cricket venues that host the England international Team are featured.

More information and all the pictures can also be found below, they are also available to view on Clickasnap, where they can be seen full size, resolution and un-watermarked. The pictures are shown in the order of newest test ground to oldest. There are 2 pictures of each ground roughly from opposite side.

The Rose Bowl

The Rose Bowl

Currently known as the Ageas Bowl for sponsorship reason's, the Rose Bowl was opened in 2001, as the new home of  Hampshire CCC. It has a current capacity of 25000 and hosted a first test match from 16 - 20 June 2011, when England drew with Sri Lanka.

Sophia Gardens

Sophia Gardens.

The Cardiff Wales Stadium opened in 1967, the home of Glamorgan CCC the stadium also host's England games as the cricket team represents England and Wales. The current capacity is 15643 and it hosted a first test match from 8-12 June 2009 when England and Australia played out a draw in the 2009 Ashes series. 

The Riverside Ground

The Riverside Ground

The Riverside Ground at Chester-le-Street is the home of Durham CCC. Opened in 1995 it can hold up to 17000 for international games. The first test match hosted at the Riverside was England v Zimbabwe on from the 5-7 June 2003, England won by an innings and 69 runs.

 

Edgbaston

Edgbaston

Edgbaston Ground opened in 1882 and is home to Warwickshire CCC, Birmingham Bears and Pheonix Cricket Teams. It has a capacity of 25000 and hosted its first test match from the 29 - 31 May 1902 when England met Australia in the first test, the match ended in a draw.

Headingley, both Cricket and Rugby Stadiums

Headingley

Headingley is the home of Yorkshire CCC and was opened in 1890. The current capacity 18350 and it hosted its first test match from 29 June - 1 July 1899 when England and Australia drew the third test of that's years ashes series. The cricket ground is joined on to the home ground of the Leeds Rhino's Rugby League team.

Trent Bridge

Trent Bridge

Trent Bridge opened in 1841 and is the home of Nottinghamshire CCC and has a current capacity of 17500. The first test match hosted was England V Australia from the 1-3 June 1899 in a drawn match.

Lord's

Lord's

Lord's is known as the Home of Cricket and is owned by Marylebone Cricket Club. It was opened at it's current location in 1814 and is also home to Middlesex CCC. The ground hosted England for the first time in a test match from 21-23 July 1884, England beating Australia by an innings and 5 runs.

Old Trafford

Old Trafford

Old Trafford is the home of Lancashire CCC and opened in 1857, the capacity for international cricket is 26000. The first test match hosted was England v Australia from 10-12 July 1884, a match that ended in a draw.

The Oval

The Oval

The Kia Oval named for sponsorship reasons is the oldest test cricket ground in England. Opened as the home of Sussex CCC in 1845 the ground is traditionally the home of the final test in each series. The current capacity is 27500 and it has also be home to FA Cup Finals and England Football matchers. The first test match hosted here was from 6-8 September 1880 England beating Australia by 5 wickets.

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All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.