1. The History
Originally the wire manufacturing facilities were set up by Richard Johnson & Nephew in 1876 and at its peak the factory employed over 500 people. They specialised in telegraph wires, fencing and suspension cables and famously put in a tender for the suspension wires for the Brooklyn Bridge. J&N produced the telegraph cables laid underneath the English Channel during World War II. Typically, suspension wires were made from steel, due to its tensile strength, and for telegraphy wires copper was used due to its higher conductivity.
It was acquired in 1990 by Bridon and became "Bridon Ropes, Johnson & Nephew Wire Works Ltd" until wire-making ended in 1996. Bridon continued to use its Ambergate site as a storage and distribution centre until it was fully closed down around 1990.
The site is split by the River Derwent, and parts of it are still in use, for example the eastern part. It was bought from Bridon by the Lichfield Group in 2001, which then set up a plastic extrusion factory. The western part is mostly derelict, and the factories are very extensive and cover a large area. In the past the factories have been accessible hence the glut of reports around 2008 and 2009. The site has been accessible on and off, however, the main factories including the wire-spinning shed and the lead bath/tempering facility are now sealed. Security have upped their game in terms of securing the place since 2017 when Jack Strickland, 19, of Sutton, Nottinghamshire, fell at least 10ft from the roof and later died at hospital.
2. The Explore
For some reason, never got round to exploring the wire-works properly. The main goal here was always Oakhurst House. From the front they always looked well secured. However, with more time on our hands, myself and my friend Sacha who was over from HK decided we would persevere. In the end it paid off and we found our way in. The place is stripped bare and it is far from epic, but the large open industrial spaces and the stunning graff made it all worthwhile. The greenery was also quite photogenic too. So perhaps not worth a trip in its own right but a nice way to while away and hour or so.
While we were in there, for once we bumped into a couple of Derbyshire based explorers who seemed like nice lads. After a good look round, we made our way our and headed up the hill to the house.
3. The Pictures
These were workers cottages. Over the years I’ve seen them gradually get trashed and set on fire.
Hanging fireplace:
Came across this random bit of ironwork in the woods:
And on to the main attraction. The wireworks themselves. Not too impressive externally:
And a quick peek in one of the peripheral buildings:
In we go:
Reflections on the floor:
Danger, always danger…
More scenes:
Ceiling detail:
And lots of space and graff:
And greenery:
More graff:
Black and white works too:
Locker room:
Like this bird graff:
Originally the wire manufacturing facilities were set up by Richard Johnson & Nephew in 1876 and at its peak the factory employed over 500 people. They specialised in telegraph wires, fencing and suspension cables and famously put in a tender for the suspension wires for the Brooklyn Bridge. J&N produced the telegraph cables laid underneath the English Channel during World War II. Typically, suspension wires were made from steel, due to its tensile strength, and for telegraphy wires copper was used due to its higher conductivity.
It was acquired in 1990 by Bridon and became "Bridon Ropes, Johnson & Nephew Wire Works Ltd" until wire-making ended in 1996. Bridon continued to use its Ambergate site as a storage and distribution centre until it was fully closed down around 1990.
The site is split by the River Derwent, and parts of it are still in use, for example the eastern part. It was bought from Bridon by the Lichfield Group in 2001, which then set up a plastic extrusion factory. The western part is mostly derelict, and the factories are very extensive and cover a large area. In the past the factories have been accessible hence the glut of reports around 2008 and 2009. The site has been accessible on and off, however, the main factories including the wire-spinning shed and the lead bath/tempering facility are now sealed. Security have upped their game in terms of securing the place since 2017 when Jack Strickland, 19, of Sutton, Nottinghamshire, fell at least 10ft from the roof and later died at hospital.
2. The Explore
For some reason, never got round to exploring the wire-works properly. The main goal here was always Oakhurst House. From the front they always looked well secured. However, with more time on our hands, myself and my friend Sacha who was over from HK decided we would persevere. In the end it paid off and we found our way in. The place is stripped bare and it is far from epic, but the large open industrial spaces and the stunning graff made it all worthwhile. The greenery was also quite photogenic too. So perhaps not worth a trip in its own right but a nice way to while away and hour or so.
While we were in there, for once we bumped into a couple of Derbyshire based explorers who seemed like nice lads. After a good look round, we made our way our and headed up the hill to the house.
3. The Pictures
These were workers cottages. Over the years I’ve seen them gradually get trashed and set on fire.
Hanging fireplace:
Came across this random bit of ironwork in the woods:
And on to the main attraction. The wireworks themselves. Not too impressive externally:
And a quick peek in one of the peripheral buildings:
In we go:
Reflections on the floor:
Danger, always danger…
More scenes:
Ceiling detail:
And lots of space and graff:
And greenery:
More graff:
Black and white works too:
Locker room:
Like this bird graff:
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