The Better Half of Pianoforte, Northants April 2014

[mookster]

Just over three years ago I visited the Pianoforte factory situated just outside Northampton and for reasons only known to the mists of time didn't do the smaller, much better half. (The photos from my initially visit in April 2011 are

here)After that time I managed to convince myself it had been demolished! But some photos from the other week proved me wrong and you can imagine my surprise at that...so anyway me and my mate hotfooted it over there and it really didn't disappoint, the smaller half with the machinery in it is one amazing rusty treasure trove, the colours and textures from 30 years of abandonment almost unspoilt are incredible, I could and would spend a lot longer in there than we did experimenting with my 30mm lens so I'm hoping to get back there soon....

History...

It all began in 1910, when a firm known as 'J. Masters & Co' began manufacturing polishing paste along the railway tracks that run past the village of road. In 1922 the business closed and was purchased the following year by a former employee, C.T Cripps, who went to produce castings and fixtures for pianos as well as parts for automobiles.The company was known as 'Pianoforte Supplies Ltd'.

In 1933 the factory was rebuilt following a large fire and then during the Second World War, went into full-time production, creating parts for vehicles and aircraft as part of the war effort.

In the 1960's the factory was known to have over 1,800 workers, but following the closure of Roade railway station a few years later, the factory began to slip into decline. The production of piano parts was ceased in the 1980s and until recently, half the site was repurposed to manufactered parts for Vauxhall but these too have now closed

The photos are a mix of my 10-20 wide angle and 30mm.

Thanks for looking more here https://www.flickr.com/photos/mookie427/sets/72157644092334982/

 

[Nelly]

Nice one Mooks

 

[Lara]

Like the look if this one, superb share

 

[skeleton key]

Bloody hell Mooks theres a blast from the past mate as remember running around here years ago.

When I was here I bumped in to a fella and his mate and funnily enough bumped into him again the other week at MM.

Defo some nice shots to be had.

Good to see

 

[shaddam]

cool stuff mooks, empty that very nice photos

 

[mookster]

Cheers peoples

Bloody hell Mooks theres a blast from the past mate as remember running around here years ago.When I was here I bumped in to a fella and his mate and funnily enough bumped into him again the other week at MM.

Defo some nice shots to be had.

Good to see

It's definitely one of the 'oldschool' locations that has been around for many many years, now the rest of the buildings have closed it might give it a new lease of life...provided all the cameras and alarms are disconnected!

 

[Bungal]

looks a nice little mooch....nice snaps