[ d u n g c a r t d o t c o m ]A place for the stuff that leaks out of my head

Rank Outsider from duncmc via flickr.

The Clarence Flour Mill on the east bank of the River Hull, next to Drypool Bridge. Rumour has it that the building is earmarked for demolition, to make way for a 24 storey residential development. The building has been empty for some time, and is one of the most characterful of the remaining riverside mills in Hull. Many of them have been left derelict and decaying. Many have been destroyed to make way for modern industrial units.

We should be learning from places like Gateshead in Newcastle, where the old Baltic Flour Mill has been sympathetically redeveloped into the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Arts. Like the Clarence, the Baltic was once a Rank Hovis mill.

The Clarence Flour Mill has particular cultural significance for the city of Kingston-upon-Hull. It was originally owned by Joseph Rank Ltd., a large flour milling business built up by Joseph Rank. His son J. Arthur Rank was born in Hull and went on to inherit the family business and also to found the Rank Organisation, which became a major force in British film making.

The family business became Rank Hovis McDougall responsible for some of the best known consumer brands on the supermarket shelf – Hovis, Bisto, Mr Kipling, Paxo and Sharwoods to name but a few.

The Rank Organisation, founded by J. Arthur Rank in 1937, owned five leading film studios, including Pinewood Studios. As well as employing several major British film directors of the day, it launched the careers of many British actors. The company also founded or owned many of the brands that are household names in the entertainment and multimedia industries – Butlins, Haven, Oasis, Rank Xerox, Wharfedale, Tom Cobleigh Inns, Mecca Bingo, Hard Rock Cafes and Hotels.

And it all started in Hull!

I once heard it mooted that the old Clarence Flour Mill ought to be redeveloped into a national museum for for movies and film, because of its association with J. Arthur Rank. I think that would be an excellent idea. But at the end of the day it comes down to vision and money, neither of which seem to be available in the required quantities.

Oh, and a heads up to James (theholyllama). When I found both my batteries wanting for power he selflessly offered his own so I could get the shot. Thanks mate!

Grist To The Mill from duncmc via flickr.

Perhaps my favourite of the shots I have taken of this derelict mill on the River Hull. The old British Extracting Co building has stood empty for some time and is an inviting prospect for urban explorers. I have often wondered what’s inside, and found an account from Lighting The Darkness cached in Google. The link to the original page was broken, and sadly the site seems to be defunct. I published the account under another photo I took which can be seen here on my Flickr photostream.

Tribute from duncmc via flickr.

Whilst out and about the other day this stopped me in my tracks. This part of town oozes atmosphere as it is, but this floral tribute placed beside the River Hull was particulalry poignant. The derelict mill looming on the far bank echoed the sentiments of the wreaths and flowers, like some fading monument to a bygone age of industry and commerce. It made me stop and ponder what might have once been…

Rubber Rings from duncmc via flickr.

Another from the former go-kart track on St. Andrew’s Quay in Hull. It is now derelcit and overgrown, and place with an incredible atmosphere. These tyres were used as track markers and they make for some intriguing sculptural forms.

A Thorny Issue from duncmc via flickr.

A corner of the derelict go-kart trak at St. Andrews Quay, Hull. The river lies just beyond the wall.

Open & Closed from duncmc via flickr.

I‘ve shot it before and I’ll shoot it again. The crumbling Scott Street bridge in Hull, a grade II listed building which is too costly to repair (£5M) or remove (£125K), and is maintained in its state of dereliction by Hull City Council at a cost of £500 per year.

I’m On Your Side from duncmc via flickr.

In the interests of completeness here’s the fourth in my recent three part series of photos of the now defunct Scott Street Bridge in Hull. This time it’s pictured from the east bank of the River Hull on Jenning Street. The tower of the Maizecor cereal mill on the west bank can be seen behind the raised roadway.

Give Us Time To Work It Out from duncmc via flickr.

The third in my series of shots from the Scott Street bridge in Hull. In some ways this is my favourite because of its surreal nature. I like the way the road ends abruptly with just the sky beyond.

Heads up to ManScared for titular inspiration.

Any Road Up from duncmc via flickr.

Following on from yesterday’s post here is another view of Scott Street bridge, from the west bank of the River Hull. The bridge has been fixed in this open position since it was assessed as being unsafe for vehicles in 1994.

Open All Hours from duncmc via flickr.

Scott Street bridge over the River Hull. The bridge was built in 1901, and was awarded listed status in 1994. Shortly afterwards the structure was assessed and found to be unsafe for vehicles. The bridge was fixed in the open position to allow free passage to river traffic.

The cost to restore the bridge would be around £5M, whereas demolition has been estimated at £100K - £125K. It currently costs £500 a year to maintain. Part of the hydraulic mechanism is below the high tide level, making it prone to operational problems and corrosion. As the bridge is not considered to be of particular significance, or a particularly good example of its type (a double leaf bascule bridge) then I expect its days are numbered.