- Joined
- Apr 10, 2015
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History
George Barnsley & Sons Ltd was founded in 1836 and were originally situated on Wheeldon Street, Sheffield. By 1849 they had moved to the Cornish Works, which were much larger premises. They specialised in the manufacture of files and cutting tools for use in the shoe making industry.
There are a number of family names that are known to have deep roots in the Sheffield area, and the Barnsley name is undoubtedly one of them. In 1650 George Barnsley became Master Cutler, a role fulfilled by another George Barnsley in 1883. This George Barnsley was of the second generation of the firm of George Barnsley and Sons, toolmakers.
The business grew to become the world’s leading producer of tools for shoemakers. The technological revolution of the 20th century along with the receding British shoe making industry saw a decline in the need for traditional tools. George Barnsley’s survived until 2003 when the premises finally closed.
The Explore
I first explored George Barnsley back in September 2013 on a multi-explore trip to Sheffield. It was a rushed visit as the darkness was drawing on fast. In the next few years to follow I visited Sheffield several times and repeatedly failed entry here as it has become far less obvious how to get in.
This time however, I was determined to succeed and I did my homework well, going equipped with a much appreciated tip-off from @Hamtagger (Cheers mate!). Not thoroughly knowing what to expect and how exposed we would be in front of a housing block, I made a 2am start, picking up @Session9 along the way, before arriving in Sheffield for about 5:45. Entrance was straight forward as planned and we had time for a nice little wander throughout Barnsley to familiarize ourselves on the layout amidst torchlight, making our way slowly upstairs to the rooftop before witnessing a glorious sunrise across all of Sheffield – What a way to start the day, except for the fact I could not toast the morning as I left my coffee flask in the car. Anyway, the explore is glorious; every direction you look, every photo you take is like a painting made of rotting wood and rust. There are several tools, piles of stock and work items that lay about abandoned on worktops as though the workforce decided to up and leave one day, never to return. It remains largely unchanged since my first visit, except for one metal walkway that had collapsed. We spent a good 5 hours in here absorbing the atmosphere and photographing its naturally decayed wooden beauty. George Barnsley, I salute you as one of the most unique and intriguing derelict sites that I have ever seen.
Pictures
Thank you all for viewing.
The Lone Shadow
George Barnsley & Sons Ltd was founded in 1836 and were originally situated on Wheeldon Street, Sheffield. By 1849 they had moved to the Cornish Works, which were much larger premises. They specialised in the manufacture of files and cutting tools for use in the shoe making industry.
There are a number of family names that are known to have deep roots in the Sheffield area, and the Barnsley name is undoubtedly one of them. In 1650 George Barnsley became Master Cutler, a role fulfilled by another George Barnsley in 1883. This George Barnsley was of the second generation of the firm of George Barnsley and Sons, toolmakers.
The business grew to become the world’s leading producer of tools for shoemakers. The technological revolution of the 20th century along with the receding British shoe making industry saw a decline in the need for traditional tools. George Barnsley’s survived until 2003 when the premises finally closed.
The Explore
I first explored George Barnsley back in September 2013 on a multi-explore trip to Sheffield. It was a rushed visit as the darkness was drawing on fast. In the next few years to follow I visited Sheffield several times and repeatedly failed entry here as it has become far less obvious how to get in.
This time however, I was determined to succeed and I did my homework well, going equipped with a much appreciated tip-off from @Hamtagger (Cheers mate!). Not thoroughly knowing what to expect and how exposed we would be in front of a housing block, I made a 2am start, picking up @Session9 along the way, before arriving in Sheffield for about 5:45. Entrance was straight forward as planned and we had time for a nice little wander throughout Barnsley to familiarize ourselves on the layout amidst torchlight, making our way slowly upstairs to the rooftop before witnessing a glorious sunrise across all of Sheffield – What a way to start the day, except for the fact I could not toast the morning as I left my coffee flask in the car. Anyway, the explore is glorious; every direction you look, every photo you take is like a painting made of rotting wood and rust. There are several tools, piles of stock and work items that lay about abandoned on worktops as though the workforce decided to up and leave one day, never to return. It remains largely unchanged since my first visit, except for one metal walkway that had collapsed. We spent a good 5 hours in here absorbing the atmosphere and photographing its naturally decayed wooden beauty. George Barnsley, I salute you as one of the most unique and intriguing derelict sites that I have ever seen.
Pictures
Thank you all for viewing.
The Lone Shadow
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