PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED BOOKS:
Chronicles of a Lancastrian Boilermaker. Fred Dibnah's Chimney Drops. Historic Steam Boiler Explosions. THE DANDELION SALVAGER.
(3)
Jaggermen's ==Rivet Lad 2 volumes.
In a time when British industry was the envy of the world, H.A. McEwen’s founder Alan McEwen was a young engineer establishing himself as a master boilermaker. In his book Rivet Lad and its sequel Rivet Lad: More Battles with Old Steam Boilers, Alan paints an enthralling and often hilarious picture of life in the 1960s, working on industrial steam boilers and often encountering bizarre characters along the way.
Buy the books here | https://www.mcbo.co.uk/books
THOMAS KNOWLES LIMITED.
SPRING VALE STONEWARE WORKS,
DARWEN, LANCASHIRE.
Begun in 1872-1873, the Spring Vale Coal Company of Darwen, near Blackburn became owners of several coal pits, which apart from coal large quantities of Fire Clay was extracted.
A Fireclay works was constructed, and in 1876, the Spring Vale Coal, Coke and Fire Clay Company Limited was formed. Later in 1886, Thomas Knowles of the Darwen Fireclay Woks commenced operating the business.
The mined fireclay was of highest quality, thus excellent for the manufacture of sanitary pipes and fittings. Knowles also produced huge quantities of gulleys, air-grids, troughs for cattle, horses and pigs, chimney pots and agricultural and industrial ventilators.
The Knowles ventilator in the photographs, the author removed in 1998 from the weaving shed roof of a Nelson cotton mill.
If you enjoy reading about British Industrial History, then please visit:
www.sledgehammerengineeringpress.co.uk
Yesterday 31 August 2024, Karen and I celebrated our first meeting on the bench on the stone pier, at Morecambe Vintage weekend. Thus with great delight, we have been together for 12 wonderful months. We are both into our 70s-thus-every day we are together sharing adventures is most important.
New Years Day 2000 at Congleton mill. Alan McEwen and Paul Tucker dismantling Victorian Ball Mill, which we delivered to Etruria Bone Mill, Stoke on Trent.
Our SLEDGEHAMMER ENGINEERING PRESS Book sales tent at West Sussex. 2011.
If you like books on BRITISH INDUSTRIAL HISTORY, Steam Boilers and Victorian engineering, then visit our website.
www.sledgehammerengineeringpress.co.uk
JOB ISLES OF STANNINGLEY, LEEDS.
I have it on record that the steam crane located at the National Waterways Museum, Gloucester was actually built by William Balmforth of Peel Ings Foundry, Rodley Leeds.
Job Isles supplied a 5-ton rail-mounted steam crane to the Lancashire & Yorkshire Waggon Co of Heywood, Lancs. RIVET LAD served three years out of a 6 year Boiler-making apprenticeship at this historic engineering works. Sadly, the Job Isles steam crane was long gone.
Isles also supplied at least one rail-mounted steam crane to Leeds Boiler and Gas Holder makers, Clayton, Son & Company. A number of similar steam cranes were supplied to operate on Fleetwood Docks. There is a 4 ton Job Isles steam crane resident at the Middleton Railway Trust, Leeds.
Alan ‘ RIVET LAD ‘ McEwen.
Extracted from my manuscript: THE STEAM CRANE MAKERS OF YORKSHIRE.
DANDELION supplied this stunningly beautiful Old Yorkshire Millstone to a client based in Newport, Monmouthshire in Spring 2023.
We hold a large stock of antique millstones which are ideal for the creation of Water features for the garden or, we can hand carve house or farm names.
You will enjoy visiting our website:
www.dandelionstonetroughs.co.uk
This morning 13 August 2024 and Karen and The McDANDELION are hard at it installing huge and heavy reclaimed slate snooker table tops to form a section of the floor. The slate was screwed down on to 9" x 3" thick hardwood timbers salvaged from a demolished wine cooling plant. The grey slate contrasts beautifully with the banana yellow painted walls.
Please visit our amazing website:
www.dandelionstonetroughs.co.uk
11 August 2024 in the DANDELION Yard.
Deliciously surrounded by beautiful colourful wild flowers and shrubs our display of stunningly attractive Old Yorkshire Standing Stones looks eye-catching brilliant.
Should any keen gardeners fancy one, then go into our website for contact details, or message Alan.
www.dandelionstonetroughs.co.uk
This Sunday 11 August 2024,my Bonny Karen happily applying YELLOW paint to the timber boarding inside the DANDELION Railway Wagon.
www.dandelionstonetroughs.co.uk
This dull, cloudy yet most humid morning of 5 August 2024, Karen and The McDANDELION thoroughly enjoyed a visit to our great long term pal, Eddie Whiteside " THE LANCASHIRE SALVAGER ".
Eddie's fascinating story about Salvaging is related together with numerous photographs in Alan's book: THE DANDELION SALVAGER---
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www.dandelionstonetroughs.co.uk
While enjoying our recent visit to RYEDALE FOLK MUSEUM we were thrilled to discover this fascinating cast-iron grave stone.
I AM A KEEN COLLECTOR OF BRASS AND CAST-IRON MAKERS PLATES FROM STATIONARY STEAM ENGINES, BOILERS, STEAM CRANES, AND RAILWAY SIGNS. I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN RECEIVING DETAILS OF ANY SUCH ITEMS VIA PMESSAGE.
Yesterday Monday 29 July 2024--incarcerated for being a bad boy, whilst feeding pigs at the astoundingly brilliant RYEDALE FOLK MUSEUM, Hutton-Le-Hole on the North York Moors.
www.dandelionstonetroughs.co.uk
Yesterday at Rydale Folk Museum.
This Saturday evening of the 27 July 2024, Karen and The McDANDELION did enjoy a short yet most pleasant wee trod from the DANDELION Yard and across the meadows until after step- toeing over the tiny guggling beck that flows from the mossy heights above Fold Lane, Cowling, the steepish grass, stinging nettle and thistle bedecked hill was attained. Then we beheld the narrow creep'ole in the dry stone wall. Once through, we again tackled the stiffish climb up the grassy hill towards Hallan Hill Farm until a small flock of black, very friendly sheep and lambs greeted us, the bleats filling the air.
www.dandelionstonetroughs.co.uk
For anyone interested in Pack Horse Bridges, may I commend my late wife Christine McEwen's book: JAGGERMEN'S BRIDGES ON PACK HORSE TRAILS. Copies of Christine's well acclaimed book may be had from here: www.sledgehammerengineeringpress.co.uk
Karen and The McDANDELION tackling the rebuilding and reboarding of the Railway Wagon.
When a young lad of 12 back in the Olden Times: 64 years ago, I lived at Top o' Hebers about 2 miles from Heywood. Old Collieries, Cotton & Woollen mills, Bleach Works and Dye Houses and old Paper mills fascinated me deeply. Never had the slightest interest in Sport such as Football and Cricket. Instead I loved trodding on the breezy heights of the Rossendale Fells. And like my long time close pal Fred Dibnah, I spent every spare hour on a boneshaker bike travelling all over south east Lancashire and over the Pennine Chain into the WEST RIDING of YORKSHIRE, exploring industrial structures. Railway engine sheds I would regularly visit to see at work the tired out old steam engines. Fortunately I took a great many photographs which together with my glorious memories I now use to illustrate my books.
www.sledgehammerengineeringpress.co.uk
Today, 20 June 2024, and what a stunningly beautiful sun-kissed day it has been, with the late afternoon still dazzling.
Karen and myself motored over the verdant hills until we alighted at the historic sub-Pennine village of Helmshore, Rossendale. Here after visiting Helmshore Textile Museum, with that ‘ locked-in feeling’ gathering momentum, Karen and I spiritedly re-greeted the sunshine. Using the countless old stone stairs we clambered out of Helmshore Mill Yard on to the impressive high walled former L.& Y Railway viaduct that threads its way through the River Ogden vale. From our elevated vantage point, the views of the Old Cotton Mill far below nestling in the early ‘rare’ sunshine was glorious. I mentioned that the previous occasion I had trodded the viaduct was almost 40 years earlier with my son Alasdair who was then a bonny wee tot.
Looking out, the impressive curious-looking hill, Musbury Tor felt very close, with two old crumbling mill chimneys thrusting skywards on the steep valley slopes. Later we enjoyed a salad lunch at Holden Wood Tea Shop.
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If you like reading my adventures among Britain’s Industrial Legacy, then please follow my Face Book pages: FRAGMENTS OF BRITISH INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE and SLEDGEHAMMER ENGINEERING PRESS.
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Karen's Corner of the DANDELION Yard with Herself happily planting begonias and other charming flowers in the huge steel trough kindly donated by our friend Janet The White Witch of Pendle Hill.
www.dandelionstonetroughs.co.uk
Foxgloves and Buttercups dazzle the South Meadow.
Karen and The McDANDELION are so lucky to live here.
www.dandelionstonetroughs.co.uk
This morning at 5.20 a.m. the view of Cows through our bedroom window.
www.dandelionstonetroughs.co.uk
Review: The Dandelion Salvager by Alan McEwen
Posted on August 09 , 2023 , 01:15 PM | By Thornton Kay
North Yorkshire, UK - Over the years Sledgehammer Engineering Press has published books by Alan McEwen which include 'Chronicles of a Lancastrian Boilermaker,' 'Fred Dibnah's Chimney Drops,' 'Historic Steam Boiler Explosions,' 'Rivet Lad - L***y Tales...', and 'Rivet Lad - More Battles...'. His late wife Christine McEwen (1947 - 2020), also a writer, contributed the book 'Jaggerman's Bridges on Packhorse Trails'.
The first half of Alan McEwen's latest book, ‘The Dandelion Salvager’, covers his work, life and adventures, including self-building the ‘World from Rough Stones’ house and reclamation yard over the past decade or two, aided by Christine. He also includes stories about his home village of Cowling and the surrounding region which straddles three counties, North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and Lancashire, in the high Pennines. The scope of the large format, copiously illustrated book, is extremely wide because McEwen, now an old man with a well-lived life, has many tales to tell. In this book he manages to juxtapose pages on local history, several pages about Celtic and later carved stone heads, swiftly followed by salvage trips and holidays, camera always in hand. Random industrial archaeological remains pop up such as cranes, stone breakers and a stone knapper made by W H Baxter Ltd of Leeds in 1878 on which was cast in raised letters:
Lubricate this breaker well
Tightened bolts prevent all rapping
And be sure all parts are clean
That’s the way to keep it knapping
The repeal of the Turnpike Acts and the Poor Law resulted in the hitherto parish responsibility for maintaining main roads and milestones which involved frequently locking them overnight in a stone booth and not letting them out until they had turned a rock or two into pebbles at which point the parish would feed them and send them on their way. Hand-breaking of stones, which started around 1555, was passed to local authorities by 1878 which probably spawned the development of machine-breaking of large stones into pebbles.
McEwen describes an excursion to see the areas where millstones and grindstones were made from the region’s millstone grit, and its gritstone troughs. Encountering knowledgeable locals was par for the course. Many of the characters met talk in the vernacular: - ‘alwreet … I cannot remember wheer cos thowd grey matter ain’t too bonny’. Standing stones and boundary markers are not forgotten, some exceedingly large ones were manhandled by McEwen using simple machinery and native intelligence.
The second half contains mini-biographies of trade colleagues, their skills and businesses of which some are mentioned below.
In the village of Higher Walton near Preston, a red-brick cotton mill and chimney catch the eye. Eddie Whiteside, known as Lancashire's Master Salvager, inhabits a spot halfway up Kittlingbourne Brow. Whiteside's life centres around recycling and repurposing materials, crafting remarkable buildings like his own home, and skill in metal sculpting. Relics from bygone eras adorn his yard.
An example of McEwen’s prose style in the book is his description of Whiteside as:
'Genial-mannered Eddie, now a spritely septuagenarian, proudly sporting a polished pate, a purple-dye-flecked goatee beard and dangling gold earrings, his muscular forearms adorned with tats, has spent his lifetime fascinated by, and immensely proud of, British mechanical and civil engineering achievements, British industrial manufactured products, and particularly in the gathering, salvaging and reuse of yesteryear's throw-out materials.'
Whiteside's appreciation for British engineering and salvage can be seen in his collection of Victorian machinery and textiles. He restores stained glass and has assembled a sizeable workshop for his collection of tools. 'The Tower', his impressive creation, showcases his craftsmanship and affords sweeping views. From modest beginnings, Whiteside refined his skills and participated in the maintenance of Blackpool Tower. After settling in Higher Walton, he transformed cottages into a unique home for himself. His eccentric lifestyle revolved around preserving craftsmanship through diverse mediums, reflecting his zeal for reusing materials and pioneering construction.
Simon Scott, a skilled Scots master salvager, stone-carver, and stonemason from Cupar, Fife, is known for his ability to reclaim and restore old engineering artifacts. He's equally adept at bricklaying and stonemasonry, often constructing new masonry and repairing stone and brick structures. Raised in Ceres near Cupar, Scott was drawn to a carved stone statue known as The Provost of Ceres. He excelled in art and craftsmanship during school, taking up an apprenticeship as a bricklayer at 16 and honing his skills at Kirkcaldy Technical College. Scotts’s love for working with stone grew as he crafted quoins from large stone blocks for construction projects in Cupar. After his apprenticeship, he established himself as a qualified bricklayer. His fascination with eighteenth and nineteenth-century constructions, as well as Victorian architecture, fueled his passion for restoration and repurposing. In his early thirties, Scott became self-employed, operating from a workshop at Murdocairnie Farm near Rathillet. He's recognised for his signature carved mushroom, often placed in his creations. Simon's dedication shone during the pandemic as he carved a rainbow and a stone heart, donating the rainbow to Kilmaron School and placing the heart at Adamson Hospital. His love for salvaging extends to unique items like stone troughs, cast-iron greenhouse floor grates, and Victorian horse troughs. His passion for finding forgotten pieces from the past remains strong. His expertise in stonemasonry has led him to diverse projects across the British Isles, where he's contributed to numerous construction sites. His journey exemplifies his commitment to preserving history through craftsmanship.
In 2022, the 21st year of Andy Graham's self-employment in the reclamation business, the yard based in Sowerby Bridge is a testament to Graham’s journey. After leaving full-time education, financial work filled the first 15 years of his career, though office life wasn't a fit. Salvaging and driving heavy machinery became a passion alongside his regular job. This interest was fostered by his father and uncle, both mechanically-inclined men. Childhood experiences like clearing cellars ignited his fascination with repurposing. In 2000, he transitioned into self-employment, acquiring a cast concrete flags business. His love for restoration and architectural salvage took root. Graham’s affinity for Yorkshire sandstone troughs led to repurposing antique ones or crafting new ones with his friend. Over 21 years, he embraced the surprises of each day, the hunt for unique pieces, and the joy of meeting fellow enthusiasts. Reclaimed York stone flags have been a cornerstone of his work, leading to interesting finds and tales. Notably, he purchased old flags from Lousy Farm, linked to Patrick Bronte, and later sold them to a historic farmhouse owner. Another connection emerged as he supplied flags for a BBC Bronte drama set, only to discover they were laid upside down for an aged appearance.
In McEwen’s book, Andy Graham mentions the Bronte sisters and brother.
‘This brings me on to another connection of sorts to the Bronte's, for back in 2016 a colleague of mine in the flagstone trade was approached by a film production company who were making a one-off drama for the BBC about the Bronte sisters and their brother Branwell, titled To Walk Invisible. As they couldn't do any of the actual filming at the genuine locations in Haworth due to the famous hill-top village being extremely busy with tourists, the film company spent a king's ransom actually building full scale replicas of Haworth Parsonage, the cemetery, chapel, cottages and the famous cobbled street, on the site of a rock-strewn car park on top of Pen*stone Hill on the outskirts of Haworth village.
For the construction of the village pavements on either side of the cobbles, around 300 square metres of reclaimed York stone flags were urgently required, and only genuine quality flagstones. Quite a task for any one dealer, so my colleague asked if I could go in and help source and deliver the flags. We spent weeks buying up stone flags from far and wide, armed with the knowledge that it had to be the right stuff. I had already delivered about five loads to the hill-top sited 'Haworth Village' which had become more spectacular each time I visited, but it was on my final trip with the last fifty metres load that I noticed contractors had actually started to lay the flags. On viewing the extensive flagged area, I quickly realised they were laying the beautifully smooth flags upside down! Shaking my head in astonishment I looked again and confirmed the flags were definitely upside down! I asked one of the contractors what was happening. The man explained after laying scores of the heavy York stone flags, the film director came on set and said they looked "too nice", and wanted a more rugged distressed look, so instructed us to lay them all upside down with the rough reverse side showing. I was gob-smacked, for my colleague and I had spent weeks scouring reclaimed stone yards all over West Yorkshire looking for genuine nice quality flags and paying top money for them, when we could have literally supplied rough old mill flags. Nonetheless, our flags looked good when we eventually watched the television drama.’
Throughout his journey, Graham’s passion for salvaging, restoring, and repurposing has never wavered. The stories and connections behind each piece fuel his love for the work.
Upon discovering Stego Parker's captivating scrap metal sculptures at Masham, an interest was sparked. Seeking more, a visit to his workshop at Old Sleningford Farm followed. Despite finding the workshop locked, Stego's creative prowess was apparent from a phone conversation. A gifted artist with a 3D imagination and a knack for detailed sketches, Stego's journey began in his twenties when he studied design in York, focusing on agricultural and industrial machinery. Without proper tools or a workspace, fate intervened when he met farmer Graham Clarke of Swanby Farm. Clarke had a collection of old plough parts and commissioned Stego to create a mythical flying creature, kickstarting Stego's career. Operating from the farm's workshop, Stego crafted ‘The Beast of the North’, a velociraptor-inspired sculpture. The local response was positive, leading to more commissions, including a dolphin and a pair of vultures. The collaboration between Stego and Clarke combined a passion for wildlife and creativity.
Willmow Reclamation & Salvage Ltd was established by Will Mowbray in the summer of 2017. He developed a passion for buying and selling from a young age, which led to him attending auctions and selling items online. Will's interest shifted towards reclamation and salvage, and he teamed up with his skilled stonemason father, David. They began trading architectural antiques and reclaimed building materials, eventually purchasing Black Brook Mill Yard. Their dedication to clearing debris and creating a new building showcased their commitment. Today, Willow Reclamation & Salvage is a well regarded name in the salvage industry in the North West of England.
Clive Wilson, the founder of Wilson Reclamation Services, is widely respected for his extensive knowledge and friendly demeanour in the Salvage and Reclamation trade. After a career in the RAF and family scrap metal business, Clive started his own venture in the mid-1980s. He rented a yard near Kendal to salvage timber and building materials, facing harsh weather conditions. In 1986, Clive and his wife Pamela discovered Yew Tree Barn, a historic building where they began to expand their business. Over time, Yew Tree Barn became known for its unique salvaged items and hosted various ventures, including Harry's Café, managed by their son Harry. Clive's journey in the salvage trade has been marked by remarkable finds and interactions with fascinating characters, establishing his position as a key figure in the industry.
McEwen writes: ‘Harry's Cafe is now firmly on the map as a special place to eat and drink, offering an eclectic menu with local ingredients, a traditional Sunday lunch, and hosting a very popular monthly supper club. Indeed, the furnishings and fittings reflect the family reclamation business, with choice antique furniture, slate flag floors, décor, paintings and light fittings, being original and stylish and creating a unique ambience ... Yew Tree Barn is a whole family affair since James, Harry's older brother, joined the business from London in 2016 to pursue his passion for decorative antiques and garden statuary and to help continue to grow what is regarded as the foremost architectural reclamation yards in the UK. James is primarily based in Kent where he has an old forge, open by appointment for trade and retail, which gives Yew Tree Barn nationwide reach for buying and selling.'
Other businesses featured in the book include Lee Haywood of Yorkshire Garden Antiques, Tony Parkinson of Parktannas Retro Yard and Chris Swales the master stonecarver.
Copies of the book may be purchased from both the DANDELION website and from the publishing firm Sledgehammer Engineering Press Ltd.
Buy the book from Sledgehammer Engineering Press here: www.sledgehammerengineeringpress.co.uk
This afternoon Karen, 10 June 2024 and The McDANDELION working on the repurposing of the Railway Wagon into another much-needed Workshop.
www.dandelionstonetroughs.co.uk
My late wife Christine's highly acclaimed book: JAGGERMEN'S BRIDGES ON PACK HORSE TRAILS is a great interest to students of early bridges, including clapper bridges all over Northern England. Copies can be purchased from: www.sledgehammerengineeringpress.co.uk
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