My Images Stolen!!

In late june I came across a website "newmanchesterwalks.com" while searching on google for information on underground Manchester. I then discovered that they had stolen 2 images from my website (one showing Manchester Cathedral Steps and the other showing Salford Junction Canal Underground), cropped off the watermark and used them to advertise a walk about underground Manchester. I have since taken them to the small claims court for stealing my images as the owner of the company is very rude and refuses to accept responsibility for his actions.

A few people that I know have actually been on the tours they offer and all it actually involves is walking on the streets with a poorly informed guide telling you what may or may not be under your feet while showing you images stolen from urban explorers websites.

If they want images of underground Manchester like mine I suggest they do a lot of research, grow some balls and get their hands dirty.

Power Station Huncoat 06/2009

This power station lies derelict in Huncoat; this is the last explore I have been on so far. There were a few interesting pieces of graffiti and a fashion photographer we bumped into + his female models. Great place but most of it has been demolished now.

NWEX Meet - Victoria Baths Manchester 10/2008

Not really an explore, just an organized trip to an old swimming baths that is currently being restored to its former glory. Met lots of great people and enjoyed taking snaps of this fantastic place.

Salford Junction Canal Underground 07/2008

This site is located under the Great Northern and was originally an old canal which was drained to make way for air raid shelters during the Second World War. After the success of our over underground Manchester trip we decided to head towards the great northern warehouse a few weeks later only for a reccee but we managed to get lucky. Access was through a tiny hatch on a underground car park and down a 30 foot ladder. After spending around 45mins under here we decided to head back to ground level as our lack of preparation and lack of torch batteries got the better of us. Sadly our return trips never ended up with another success due to the proximity of the entry to security guards and security cameras.

Manchester Cathedral Steps Video 07/2008

On our second trip to this fantastic underground site, fellow explorer and friend Mike filmed the entire adventure from start to finish on his Sony camcorder with night vision.

Cathedral Steps Underground Manchester 07/2008

After Months of planning and research with dave and some lads from Stockport, we managed to find out how to get in this epic place, the date was set for a visit. After a sleepless night due to the excitement and a long day of waiting we arrived at the entry point, 30 seconds later 8 people are in the pitch black and untouched site. What an amazing feeling it was to be in a location that 1000s of people walk over every day on one of Manchester's main streets without realising what lies under their feet. This has to be the best 2-3 hours of my life and I was totally gutted when I had to leave, although I did return a second time and a good friend of mine (Mike) recorded it on his night vision camcorder (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roZ-0_3EMMY).

USAF Burtonwood Warrington 07/2008

After a work training course in Aintree I passed these on the M62 motorway, I returned a few days later but sadly i couldn't get into these ex USA hangers.

Fine Worsteds Mill Huddersfield 07/2008

Me and dave met up with Gimbulate from nwex.co.uk and headed to Huddersfield after an unsuccessful trip to a derelict swimming pool. Once we gained entry we found this place in a nice and un-chaved condition most likely due to the nice area it was located in. Gimbulate kindly let me use his 8mm sigma fisheye lens in exchange for my 17-40L, this let me get pretty creative with the uber wide angle of view.

Hartford Mill Oldham 06/2008

This was the first new site that I visited with Dave. After driving around Oldham for hours trying to find this site we discovered it was located in the roughest area I had ever seen. Un-deterred by the local deviants we proceeded inside to discover a huge empty mill although it did have an interesting basement

A New Exploring Buddy 05/2008

After a few months off from exploring I happened to get talking to a mate from work Dave about my adventures. He was very interested so i decided to take him for a trip to Blackburn Royal to see how he liked the hobby. After a successful trip I took dave on many of the sites I had already visited such as Whittingham, Brinksway shelter and many more.

I also discovered an awesome new internet forum/community called Northwest Exploration now know as nwex.co.uk.

I was also armed with nicer lenses a new camera body and a lot more photographic skill!!!

United Utilities Audenshaw 03/2008

My last explore for a few months, and sadly it turned out to be a big empty building with very few interesting features other than its sheer size.

Loxford Tower Mancheter 02/2008

After driving past this old university everyday on the way to work, I decided it was time for a visit after a long break from exploring over X-mas. Entry was easy although finding the roof proved harder than we expected. We had a fantastic few hours just sat on the roof watching the traffic go by on Mancunian Way on a cool sunday evening.

A Few Minor Trips 12/2007

Short on both time and cash at this time of year we just did a few visits to some relatively un-interesting sites.

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Henbury school Macclesfield 11/2007

To date this is the only school I have ever explored as they dont really interest me. The only thing I found exciting about this trip was the hiding from the security guards inside after they spotted us. After they give up trying to find us they buggered off so we were free to roam around and get a couple of snaps.

West Pennine Hotel Oldham 11/2007

We headed down to Oldham after hearing that an old hotel we had tried previously had all of its power cut off which in turn cut of the security alarm. After a tricky climb over a sheer 8 foot fence and a very dodgy climb inside the lift shaft we were inside. We were amazed at how many rooms this place had and how good condition they were all in.

Barnes Hospital Cheadle 11/2007

Having not yet visited anywhere that was "haunted" we decided on a trip to Barnes Hospital just off the M60 motorway. After discovering a lack of security guards we decided on a front door entry. Once inside I was blown away by the stunning Victorian brick architecture giving this place its haunted look. After seeing a strange orb floating down one of the hallways and a room which somehow managed to turn all our torches and cameras off we proceeded to the clock tower only to see a guy in a high viz jacket shining a torch up at us, at this point we started to make a swift exit only to bump into a security guard. Thankfully he was a nice guy who had a laugh with us especially after telling him of our strange finding and "ghosts", he just sent us on our way.

Bleach Works Cheadle 11/2007

On the way to Barnes hospital we decided to have a quick trip to this derelict bleach works. One of the most derelict building I have ever seen with its roof now located on the floor in some section. Not really much to see to be honest.

Air Raid Tunnels Wigan 11/2007

After the success of the Stockport tunnels we headed over to Wigan's Meznes Park. We spent almost an hour trying to find this place, which happened to be located near a college. Once inside after a small ladder climb we were in and sadly we were very disappointed, as compared to Stockport this place was tiny and had very few features.

Fletchers Paper Mill Mossley 09/2007

I wasn't very excited about this trip as most mills are just square, big and empty or so I thought. Once inside this mammoth of a place I discovered that mills can indeed be exciting. Never before had I been to a place which had so many strange sounds and old equipment lying around. After spending many hours wandering around we stumbled across some pristine looking offices with working computers, internet access and even a server room which was hidden in a room behind a broom cupboard (which to this day i dont think any other explorers have managed to find).

Brinksway Air Raid Shelters Stockport 09/2007

One of 3 shelters within the Stockport area, Brinksway is the largest and the one with the most tricky entry. After squeezing through the tiny entrance and seeing the array of long red coloured sandstone tunnels, we were overwhelmed at the sheer size of this place and got lost a few times.