progress diaries and updates
6th March 2025
Buying stuff i don’t need yet!
Still waiting on queries (louder sobbing). Decided to spend some of Johns money on antique things so took myself over to the Stockport Pear Mill (Antiques Emporium); after I’d seen it on instagram. Both myself and John really like to the maximalist style, particularly dark academia (goth for me) and the last time we went to Whitby together we bought a cushion (from Wolf of Whitby shop which is sadly now closed) that had a praying lady on, who was heavily tattoed (i’ve included an example photo of their facebook post below, but the actual cushion isn’t in that photo).
A few years ago I did predict that religious iconography would be a bit of an interior style at some point in the future…and today I found a whole section in the mill, of the most perfect items for such interior decoration. I really enjoyed the mill and even treated myself to coffee and a cake! Well worth a trip.
Info about Stockport Antique Emporium here.
Wolf of Whitby Instagram here.
Of the pictures below, my purchases were the collection of Jesus things: silver plaque, Jesus statue, cream crucifix and tapestry. The other images are of things I really liked – I might have to go back for the tall back chair with the knights on; it was fantastic.
3rd March 2025 – Research
There seems to be no movement closer to getting the keys (quiet sob) so I decided to email a few places today to see if we can find places for some of the equipment. I’m looking at TV/Theatre props places; as well as laundrette machinery places. Had a few emails back and it seems no-one wants anything. I’m hoping the historical societies or museums will have a more positive response. I really don’t want to see the majority of this stuff just disposed of or sent to scrap; but we really can’t keep it all!
Today I also created a little flyer that I’m going to drop into the neighbours letterboxes. I know there’s a lot of interest in this project so it seems a good idea to let them know about this website.
28th February 2025 – Second site visit
On 7/02/25 our solicitor made a bunch of queries that seem to be taking a while to clarify; but time is ticking and we want to make *some* progress at least, so we made a site visit to get a survey quote from our architect Shona, and to grab some aerial shots of the plot. A good friend Mark used his drone and captured some fantastic shots; these will help with some of the planning. Whilst he was doing that, and whilst Shona was measuring up, I went on a treasure hunt and found a huge bunch of artifacts, pamphlets, newspaper clippings, leaflets and other things. I will be looking to contact historical societies and museums to see if any of the materials are useful; but I’m now also eager to create a “mini museum” on site somehow. There’s so many old ledgers, payment records etc that I’m certain most people would just discard but to me its all part of the fabric and story of the building. Maybe I’m being overly romantic haha. Oh…and there’s an old BP PETROL PUMP on the drive! Hidden away under vines.
4th February 2025 – Offer accepted and legal proceedings to buy started
31st January 2025 – First visit to site
Immediately fell in love with it. The history, the potential, everything. If there’s one thing for certain, its that our renovation would be sympathetic to the history of this building; there are so many amazing little features like the pulley systems and huge iron girders. Made an offer immediately after viewing.