REPORT: Fenwick Colliery – 17th September 2009

Associate
Joined
28 Nov 2008
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669
Location
Newcastle
PART ONE:

This is my first ever UrbEx experience, so be kind!

Right, just a little bit of history on the place first (Written by myself from what sources I can find!)

Fenwick Colliery was opened in 1874, with a principal output of coal, steam and gas. Unfortunately it was closed in 1973, at this time, it had 609 employees, 485 above and 124 below (ground level, below meaning in the actual pit).

Right, about me and this place! I’ve lived near this for ages, (around 14 years of my 17 on this planet) and it’s a place I’ve always wanted to explore, but never really had a reason. Well after finding the 28 days later forum, my interest in the place grew, and I used my photography as an excuse to go have a look around! I didn’t explore that much due to limited time (only had about half an hour), so I never actually ventured into the Winderhouse (plus the “main access” window looked rather small, and there was no way I could bunk myself up so I think I’m going to have to revisit with a ladder! )

So, I’ll shut up and let the pictures do the talking!

Entrance to the site (from within the “courtyard”)

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So if you spin 180 degrees from that above photo, you see

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And a few more from the “courtyard”

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And obviously, the shot no UrbEx trip would be complete without

FLAKEY PAINT

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Then there was this burnt out building, but didn’t venture into this one, kinda wish I had though

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Next, I went on to the Bathouse, and its ajoining rooms, didn’t get many of the actual insides of the “Bathouse” due to it being boarded up, not much to see anyway, t’was an empty room

Outside of the Bathouse

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Then the rooms next door

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Associate
OP
Joined
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Location
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PART TWO:

I after the bathouse, I started to head over to the Warehouses at the back, passed the Transformer house, didn’t look too easy to get into, so I just took a few snaps and passed on by…

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Right, now to the warehouses! The bit I was looking forward to the most! I mean just look what I could see as I walked up to them!

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So naturally I went inside…

…through the door I just came through

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The complete lack of a roof makes for fantastic shadows!

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These were quite big, so here’s a picture of the adjoining warehouse

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And some more flakey paint!

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And a rusty control box

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Associate
OP
Joined
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Posts
669
Location
Newcastle
PART THREE:

I thought I’d save the biggest building til last

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THE WINDERHOUSE!

However, I was running out of time, so I only was able to take one quick shot, so this is the inside of the first floor

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I’m going to have to go back and go in properly, cause it just looks sick!

All photos are on my flickr photostream -- http://www.flickr.com/photos/yarde_1/

Regarding Post Processing, as I shot in RAW, I tone mapped in Photomatix, and I really like the effect it gives to the photos!
 
Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
9,160
Ahh one of my pet hates - grafitti!

Imagine what it would have been like without the vandalism and grafitti. Certainly seems an interesting place. I imagine there are many places like this waiting to be explored.
 
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