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Saturday 15 September 2012

Buxton Crescent

It wasn't what I originally went out to explore but as someone was hanging around where I wanted to go I decided to head for the plan B
No doubt, many people have heard of and drunk Buxton bottled Spring water (which comes from 5,000 feet below). But how many are aware that in Buxton it is free! Just opposite the Tourist Information Office there is a public well where anyone can fill their flasks and bottles. Opposite The Crescent is the Pump Room, next to St Ann's Well. The Pump Room was built in the late 19th Century as a place where people could come to take the unique thermal mineral water. It ceased use as a Pump Room in the mid 1970s and became a Micrarium where microscopic organisms and geological specimens could be studied by the public. This was the world's first Micrarium but sadly closed in 1995.  
 
 
 
 
 
 

Sunday 9 September 2012

Buxton Opera House

I've been looking at this for a while and decided that as there was a Pink Floyd tribute act on called Think Floyd that I'd had a nosey and see what was what
It was built in 1903 and designed by Frank Matcham, one of Britain's finest theatre architects. He also designed two famous London theatres: the London Palladium (1910) and the London Coliseum (1904). The Opera House ran as a successful theatre, receiving touring companies until 1927, when it was turned into a cinema. Silent films were shown until 1932 when the theatre was wired for sound and could present ‘talkies’. The Opera House also became the venue for an annual summer theatre festival from 1936 to 1942, two of them in conjunction with Lillian Bayliss and her London-based Old Vic company. After the Second World War, the theatre continued to serve as a cinema, gradually falling into disrepair until it was closed in 1976 and renovated in 1979. Since then, the Opera House has been a full-time venue for stage productions, presenting approximately 450 performances per year, including opera, dance, musical theatre, pantomime, comedy, drama, children’s shows and concerts. The theatre is staffed by a small full-time technical crew for all the backstage work, setting up all the shows and artists that appear. Volunteers from the local community are also employed for front-of-house duties including bar work and ushers.

I was sat on the roof to the left of this pic for about an hour listening and I've got to say there pretty good for a tribute act and the sound where I was sat was top notch :D

The view over the Pavilion Gardens




Stacked pic

Thursday 6 September 2012

St. Johns

The chapel was built in 1733 by local people using local materials who also raised money to pay for a minister. A tower was added in 1755 The appearance of the chapel is more that of a Georgian farmhouse with a chimney stack than a church. It consists of a two-storey nave, a one-storey chapel and vestry, and a three-stage tower with a saddleback roof. The tower has an external staircase, a bell chamber and a porch with stone benches. A chimney rises from the middle of the south wall. The windows are Georgian in style, with sashes and small panes of glass. Inside the chapel are box pews, an octagonal pulpit and a carved reading desk. The chancel is panelled and divided from the nave by rails consisting of turned balusters. Hanging from a lintel at the entrance to the chancel are similar balusters forming an arch. In the chancel is a small stone font with an oak cover. At the west end is a gallery on which is the coat of arms of the Stopford family who lived in nearby Saltersford Hall in the 17th century. On the floor are grave slabs relating to the Turner family who were later residents of the hall. Chapel registers date from 1770.

This is a corking little church, I was driving back over tiny country lanes and spotted this just sat waiting I walked up and tested the door which creaked open, I had to shout in a few times just to check it was really empty.

Sunday 2 September 2012

Harpur Hill Tunnel

Originally I was heading into a church but it was sealed up tighter than quire boy :(
So I headed over to the strange tunnel into Harpur Hill, Buxton
I have absolutely no history on what it is or what it could have been for but it's a decent little mooch :)






And finally I filmed the last 100 yards or so

Wednesday 29 August 2012

Barracks Mill

*WARNING* This is a derp of the highest order

I was originally looking at a drain but when I popped the manhole I could see the water level rising so decided not to play in drains as it rains.

The mill is/was across the road from Tesco in Macc and the entry was amusing, there is work going on behind the derelict mill at the pylon but this mean secca were actually walking up and down the road.

This wouldn't normally be a major issue but as I was heading down a drain I had a crowbar fastened to my bag and drain keys in my pocket so I didn't fancy the police asking why I was going equipped

Inside it's completely trashed and at one point I ducked behind a pile of cable that looked due to be nicked







Sunday 12 August 2012

Bunker Drain Meet

What can be said about this one XD
What I expected to be a small gathering with a few people turned into a big drain meet with people climbing into the system and meeting us along the way.
While we were all down it rained pretty heavy and we ended up having to seek higher ground until the water levels dropped again, there was some mental abseiling down the plug hole and finally a large explosion that resulted in a mass evacuation.
Oh did I mention I was dressed as Mario :D
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Shortly after the abseiling down the plughole we had to get out sharpish as the drain exploded

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Not my pic

And a couple vids


Ojay's vid from the exit

Thursday 9 August 2012

Slate Culvert, Pott Shrigley

Diving home from work I pulled into a layby to roll a ciggy and heard the recognisable sound of babbling water.
I had my camera on me so it would have been rude not to pop down :)
it's only short but the slate inside makes for an interesting little culvert, it's just past the brickworks
The infall




The Outfall