Introduction
I'm new here and still fairly new to the hobby, but this has been one of the better explores iv been on. Due to the location, The place remains with a fair bit still in place, and hasn't been too vandalized. After hearing about the building online, it took a fair bit of digging to locate it as there's absolutely no mention of its whereabouts/isn't listed on maps, but i finally got a lead after days of research (it's all part of the fun, right?) and it paid off.
History
The social club served Robert Fletcher's paper mill. The paper mill itself specialized in producing cigarette paper and has been around since 1921. Due to financial issues, The mill closed overnight in 2001 and still remains how it was the day it closed. The social club dates back to 1937 and closed doors following the closure of the mill, and has remained unused since. In recent years, planning permission has been granted to demolish the social club, and build four houses in its place.
The visit
I took the opportunity of a free Monday off work and drove straight there after taking the kids to school. I only had a vague idea of it's location from what i read, so off i went walking with my eyes peeled. I completely missed it on the first pass and ended up approaching it from the rear after scrambling through some bushes and ending up above it. Accessing was simple enough, a bit of a squeeze but i was in within moments of finding it. The place feels like a time capsule and you can imagine the fun times that were spent here. The bar area has a guest book that's been filled in all through the 70's, Glassware all still in place, Dominos at the bar, Music tapes knocking around everywhere and i was shocked to see most of the balls for the pool table still in place! The main hall is a bit of a state with all the flooring removed. A yellow brick road backdrop is still in place on the stage, there's a pair of big boot stilts sat there and there's a room full of props/clothes behind the stage. Up the staircase on the other side of the hall, lies a framed team photo still in great nick, and a selection of sealed beers and soft drinks with best before dates in the 80's. Along the main corridor are several rooms, some changing areas/bathrooms and one with a piano in. The floor at the end of the corridor has really sagged because of a water leak and looks a bit sketchy to walk on, So i'd love to know whats in the room at the end if anybody has been in.
I did take the chance to scope out the mill for future a visit whilst in the area. I was wondering around the grounds inside for a good 20 minutes but couldn't spot anyway to access inside the main building and called it a day at that point, surprised i didn't bump into any security.
Thanks for looking.
I'm new here and still fairly new to the hobby, but this has been one of the better explores iv been on. Due to the location, The place remains with a fair bit still in place, and hasn't been too vandalized. After hearing about the building online, it took a fair bit of digging to locate it as there's absolutely no mention of its whereabouts/isn't listed on maps, but i finally got a lead after days of research (it's all part of the fun, right?) and it paid off.
History
The social club served Robert Fletcher's paper mill. The paper mill itself specialized in producing cigarette paper and has been around since 1921. Due to financial issues, The mill closed overnight in 2001 and still remains how it was the day it closed. The social club dates back to 1937 and closed doors following the closure of the mill, and has remained unused since. In recent years, planning permission has been granted to demolish the social club, and build four houses in its place.
The visit
I took the opportunity of a free Monday off work and drove straight there after taking the kids to school. I only had a vague idea of it's location from what i read, so off i went walking with my eyes peeled. I completely missed it on the first pass and ended up approaching it from the rear after scrambling through some bushes and ending up above it. Accessing was simple enough, a bit of a squeeze but i was in within moments of finding it. The place feels like a time capsule and you can imagine the fun times that were spent here. The bar area has a guest book that's been filled in all through the 70's, Glassware all still in place, Dominos at the bar, Music tapes knocking around everywhere and i was shocked to see most of the balls for the pool table still in place! The main hall is a bit of a state with all the flooring removed. A yellow brick road backdrop is still in place on the stage, there's a pair of big boot stilts sat there and there's a room full of props/clothes behind the stage. Up the staircase on the other side of the hall, lies a framed team photo still in great nick, and a selection of sealed beers and soft drinks with best before dates in the 80's. Along the main corridor are several rooms, some changing areas/bathrooms and one with a piano in. The floor at the end of the corridor has really sagged because of a water leak and looks a bit sketchy to walk on, So i'd love to know whats in the room at the end if anybody has been in.
I did take the chance to scope out the mill for future a visit whilst in the area. I was wondering around the grounds inside for a good 20 minutes but couldn't spot anyway to access inside the main building and called it a day at that point, surprised i didn't bump into any security.
Thanks for looking.
