Derelict Mills in Johnstone

[Vinegar Tom]

With it being the school holidays and all that , sad to report a minor fire at the surviving mill at Johnstone this afternoon.

Seemed to be seated in an outbuilding , but plenty of plastic (?) chemical type fumes

[dazza]

It's not the first fire at Patons' this year, and it won't be the last. Since security left, the site has been noisily and indiscreetly stripped of everything and anything that may be of any scrap value. Obviously the police don't give a f**k as you can hear the racket from Johnstone police station.
I guess now that the group of "thief's" have moved on to stripping out a hospital along the road (with their caravans parked in the grounds no less!) they've handed over the mill to the local "young team", who they had enlisted in helping them, and they've taken the wanton destruction to the next level - good old arson.

[Shazbat]

Christian Shaw (late 17thc)- she of the 'Bargarran Witches' and industrial spy was the instigator of the succesful thread industry in Paisley and surrounds and I understand that she set up in Johnstone. I wonder if these mills would
have been the site of where she started the industry.
BTW, if anyone know how I could get some Bargarran Thread bobbins, I'd be much obliged.

[BenCooper]

It's horrible to see how quickly this place has gone downhill - a year ago, it had on-site security, and while not in brilliant condition it was still full of fascinating artifacts and paperwork. Now, it's not much more than a shell. Luckily the paperwork was saved, but a rare loom in the attic was totally smashed before it could be rescued.

[Vintagebuff]

Fraz, are the Tangye pumps in your pics still there or have they been scrapped. They look very restoreable. The frost damage doesn't look too severe. (pics 200 to 215)

[Fraz13]

Not sure at all mate, havent been back since although I pass every day, The place is a total mess now and the amount of time the scrappys had in it before the big gate went up it wouldnt suprise me if every bit of metal had been taken away

[Vintagebuff]

Maybe just as well if they are gone. the wife would be less than impressed if I turned up with a steam pump, she thinks I've got enough 'junk' lying around already.

As an aside Fraz have you been on any of the AMVO runs this year.

[Fraz13]

None through AMVO but Kyle as usual and a few others.

Never did enough this year but still plenty of time haha What about yourself?

[gap74]

Oh, what a fucking shocker...

Crews tackle fire at historic Paton's Mill in Johnstone

[Lucky Poet]

Heh, who'da thunk it? Took them a while mind you, though maybe that was to build up suspense.

[Vinegar Tom]

We should have a HG "Went-On-Fire sweepstake" for shabby buildings. Probably only those sitting on valuable land to be fair though.

[HollowHorn]

Oh ffs.

[BenCooper]

Ironically, though perhaps not surprisingly, the end that burnt was the part that was probably in the best shape when I was there last weekend. The rest of it is so sodden it would have trouble burning...

[tobester]

We should have a HG "Went-On-Fire sweepstake" for shabby buildings. Probably only those sitting on valuable land to be fair though.

Is that the same a the 'ghoul pool' that some works do?

If so, put me down for the city chambers

[Fraz13]

A got a few pics to cry over.....





The demolition companies have been in the last few days clearing up the site, shame more's not been done before, but then again we all knew this would happen, just suprised its taken so long.