Capturing images of where we live before they are lost for ever ............... the photographs of Andy Robertson

Now the collection has just expanded with a vast new set of pictures from Andy Robertson.

Many of them will have already featured on the blog and they represent a wonderful record of how Manchester, Salford and the surrounding areas are changing.

Andy specialises in capturing bits of the landscape just before and during that moment when they are being redeveloped.

It is an eclectic collection covering everything from derelict pubs and cinemas, to grand old houses past their best and a shed load of industrial sites.

Yesterday it was the old Leaf Street Baths in Hulme, before that the skyline from a car park and before that bits of Chorlton’s shopping history and some old street furniture.

And what makes his work unique is that once he has spotted a subject he follows it through from crumbling and empty relic to demolition, a cleared site and the development.

These two were taken in 2014 of the Wilburn Basin when there was talk of redevelopment.  Since then has been back.

And that is all I am going to say for now other than to thank Andy and to say here is the link to over 150 stories featuring his pictures.*  There are more I just haven't catalogued them yet.

Location, Wilburn Basin

Pictures; the Wilburn Basin June 2014 & January 2016, from the collection of Andy Robertson

*Andy Robertson, http://chorltonhistory.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Andy%20Robertson

One year and a bit down at the Wilburn Basin

Now back in the summer of 2014 Andy Robertson took a series of pictures of the Wilburn Basin.

It is sited between the Middlewood Locks and Woden Street Bridge and features in the plans for the River Irwell Park which sets forth the vision for  an urban river park to be delivered over the next decade which “will transform the day to day workings of an 8km stretch of the Irwell”*

Our city “has been rated the 14th greatest European city in an independent survey.  
The other 13 cities ahead of Manchester have fabulous water fronts – and Manchester needs the same.  

The Irwell has always been the lifeblood of Greater Manchester and by keeping a singular vision we can make it a unique place to visit.”**

So there you have it, a plan and to go with that some of Andy’s pictures.

Even in its present state the area looks exciting with a hint of its industrial past and stunning views across to the twin cities.

There will be people who will remember it as a working place and I hope will come forward with stories and perhaps old pictures to compliment Andy's collection.

And I noticed some of the land went up for sale last year, comprising 1.34 Hectares (3.3 Acres), Highly Visible with River Frontage, Castlefield & Spinningfields Nearby.***

A year and bit on and Andy was back with a series of pictures which show the development since 2014 and yes the basin is still there but just not as visible.

Pictures; the Wilburn Basin June 2014 & January 2016, from the collection of Andy Robertson






* River Irwell Park, http://www.ribacompetitions.com/salfordmeadowsbridge/downloads/Irwell%20Park%20Overview.pdf

**Chris Farrow, Chair, Irwell River Park Executive Management Group

***http://www.urbanvision.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/development-oportunity-wilburn-street-basin-salford-urban-vision-partnership-final.pdf

Back at Wlburn Basin

I am constantly pleased at how without very much effort you can come across some wonderful places where once there was noise, grime and a lot more industrial ugliness.

We are back at Wilburn Basin with Andy Robertson, who wandered over there recently with his camera.

And as Andy does he set about capturing the place just as it is about to change.

It was once a busy place, has gone through an uncertain time and has had its fair share of vandals who have been less than kind with their use of spray paint.

But even derelict and half forgotten sites have a charm particularly when there is water and a set of fine views across to the twin cities.

So I have decided to feature more of the pictures Andy took on a June day.

The land is being cleared and I guess development will soon follow.

I noticed that the land was up for sale last year and this followed on from discovering a plan to create a river park which will open up the Irwell frontage.

Now that would be fun.

For too long we have not been able to access our rivers as they flow through the twin cities in the way people can in other cities.

So I hope the park happens which of course may go

someway to making the spray can vandals a thing of the past.









Pictures; of Wilburn Basin, June 2014 courtesy of Andy Robertson

Wilburn Basin a forgotten bit of our industrial heritage

Now I have never come across the Wilburn Basin which is a shame.

It is sited between the Middlewood Locks and Woden Street Bridge and features in the plans for the River Irwell Park which sets forth the vision for  an urban river park to be delivered over the next decade which “will transform the day to day workings of an 8km stretch of the Irwell”*

Our city “has been rated the 14th greatest European city in an independent survey.  

The other 13 cities ahead of Manchester have fabulous water fronts – and Manchester needs the same.  

The Irwell has always been the lifeblood of Greater Manchester and by keeping a singular vision we can make it a unique place to visit.”**

So there you have it, a plan and to go with that some of Andy’s pictures taken last week.

Even in its present state the area looks exciting with a hint of  its industrial past and  stunning  views across to the twin cities.

There will be people who will remember it as a working place and I hope will come forward with stories and perhaps old pictures to compliment Andy's collection.

And I noticed some of the land went up for sale last year, comprising 1.34 Hectares (3.3 Acres), Hughly Visible with River Frontage, Castlefield & Spinningfields Nearby.***

All of which puts Andy up there in front yet again recording bits of our history just as they are about to take a new turn.

And given that he and his daughter shot plenty of pictures I shall be featuring more.

Remember you saw it here first.

Pictures; the Wilburn Basin June 2014, from the collection of Andy Robertson

* River Irwell Park, http://www.ribacompetitions.com/salfordmeadowsbridge/downloads/Irwell%20Park%20Overview.pdf

**Chris Farrow, Chair, Irwell River Park Executive Management Group
***http://www.urbanvision.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/development-oportunity-wilburn-street-basin-salford-urban-vision-partnership-final.pdf