Site of Carrfield Mill

Carrfield Mill stood under the shadow of the adjacent Ashton Brothers Mill until that was demolished in 2008.

Originally known for manufacturing Zorbit terry nappies, it became the home of "Christy Towels". The brand was founded in 1851. Christy is the world's oldest towel manufacturer and is the UK's leading towel brand. Christy invented the first loom to mechanically weave what remains today the basis of the modern towel and is the exclusive supplier of the towels to the world famous Wimbledon Tennis Championship. The 1 billion USD Welspun Group acquired an 85% interest in Christy for a business valuation of GBP 15.6 m, in July 2006. In 2008 they closed the dyehouse and making-up departments at Hyde and transferred the machinery to a specially designed site at Welspun's Anjar facility in India.

Their UK HQ and sales office remained at Carrfield Mill until 2012 when they took over 12,000 sq ft of offices and showroom facilities at Orbit Developments' Park Square complex in Cheadle.

The houses built on the site of the former Ashton Bros Mill are visible across the cleared remains of Carrfield Mill.

I showed earlier photos of the demolition of Carrfield Mill in February.

A view through the fence showing the not-yet-demolished office is on Hyde Daily Photo.

A contribution to Skywatch Friday.

Blue Monday: School Demolition

There used to a primary school here for pupils with special needs. Originally it was called Werneth Grange and then Oakdale School. It later became Dale Grove School and more recently Thomas Ashton school. It has now been demolished.

Another photograph is on Hyde Daily Photo.

A contribution to Blue Monday.

Walking into Gower Hey Woods

The steps that lead down into Gower Hey Woods from the Trans Pennine Trail at Swain's Valley have recently been stabalized by the addition of sand.

See them in the opposite direction on Hyde Daily Photo.

See how they looked in April 2009; again in July 2012 when the valley was flooded and later when there was a green autumn

Duckboards lead across an area of swampland.

In June 2009 the area was covered in buttercups but they'd disappeared by October 2009. The area was fairly dry in April 2011 but see how it looked in April 2012

Old logs covered in moss lie in the swamp - animals can be found here - see the beauty of decay.

Above the swamp the Gower Hey Brook is culverted under Swain's Valley and Dowson Road.

See how it looked in June 2009 and again in March 2012.

Above the culvert is the valley of the Gower Hey Brook.

See how it looked in May 2010, a year later in March 2011 and another year on in March 2012.

A contribution to Scenic Weekends.

Horse approaching Dowson Road bridge

Horse approaching Dowson Road bridge on the former Godley to Apethorn railway line, now part of the Trans Pennine Trail and National Cycle Network Route #62.

Stockport Road bridge is visible in the distance.

See the scene a few moments later on Hyde Daily Photo.

A contribution to Sunday Bridges at San Francisco Bay Daily Photo.