RAF Church Fenton, Leeds

History

RAF Church Fenton is an ex-RAF training airfield in North Yorkshire which opened on April 1st 1937.

During WWII the it served within the defence network of fighter bases of the RAF providing protection for the Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield and Humberside industrial regions.

In later years its role was mainly flight training, being home to the Yorkshire Universities Air Squadron.

On 25 March 2013 it was announced that Church Fenton would close by the end of 2013. The units would be relocated to RAF Linton on Ouse by 31 December 2013.

The site was sold on 23 December 2014 to Makins Yorkshire Strawberries with the exception of a section containing the Air Cadets. Makins intends to keep the airfield operational.

In February 2015, Makins Enterprises (the new airfield owners) launched their new website, renaming the airfield. It will now be known as 'Leeds East Airport', with the slogan "Yorkshire's newest aviation destination." It is believed that Makins Enterprises will target the business jet market, while also running a flying school and other ventures.

Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leeds_East_Airport

Esoteric Eric

Goyt Water Treatment Works, Derbyshire

History

Fernilee was the first of the two reservoirs in the Goyt Valley. It was constructed in 1938 by Stockport Water Corporation, now part of North West Water, and cost £480,000. When full, the reservoir holds 4,900 million litres of water which supplies drinking water to Stockport and the surrounding towns.

The water treatment works below the dam were constructed using stone from the demolished Errwood Hall.

Esoteric Eric

Firbeck Hall, Firbeck, Rotherham (Re-Visit 2016)

History

This is a re-visit for 2016. For history and my first report from May, 2014 see here:

http://3soteric3ric.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/firbeck-hall-firbeck-rotherham.html

Esoteric Eric

Grenoside Primary School, Sheffield

History

Not much history available here except the date stone from 1884, suggesting at least the infant block being built during the Victorian era. The school has relocated to a new building just across the road, possibly within the last 10 years and time is slowly taking its toll. Apparently the buildings were recently sold at auction for £275,000 and there is lapsed planning permission for conversion to 8 dwellings, which, as I understand, is being re-applied for at present. 

 

Source:

http://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/misc-sites/27398-grenoside-primary-school-sheffield-october-2013-a.html

 

Esoteric Eric

 

 

Felkirk Middle School, Barnsley

History

The school originally opened in 1938 and by 1986 there were around 340 pupils, ranging from 9 to 13 years. There were 18 staff at the school including the headteacher and the small school featured 14 rooms. During this time the head was Mr Lindley, who went on to work for the school for 18 years.

Children came from the surrounding areas of Ryhill, South Hiendely and Havercroft, all of which are around one mile away.

Felkirk Middle school closed on the 1st September 1996 as a result of amalgamation and became the High Well School for children with special needs. The school catered for up to 48 pupils, aged 11 to 16 years, with a statement of special education need identifying emotional, social and behavioural difficulties.

Wakefield Council has relocated the school from its current location to Pontefract and the site is due for demolition.

Source:
http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/felkirk-middle-school-barnsley-dec-2015.t100872

Esoteric Eric