| Title | Foundry |
| Date | 1950s |
| Location | Guiseley |
| Photo ID | E337 |
| Comment | Double helical gears which were a specialist product of the foundry. The foundry was housed in an old corn store which was once part of Low Mill, it was said that beams in the roof had been taken from ships of the Spanish Armada. It was situated behind Nunroyd Mill, the building and adjacent land were rented from the Peate family. The business was begun in the 1880s by a Mr Wild, he was joined by Ernest Shaw a Rochdale pattern maker. Wild died in the early 1900s, the business was bought by Ernest’s brother Frank. One of their customers at this time was Walsh and Clark of White Cross, most local firms used the services of the foundry. After 1958 Norman Murphy ran the foundry which specialised in making machine moulded gears. |
E333 – Foundry, 1960s.
Foundry – 1960s
From left to right are : Eric Smith, Frank Broadbent and Walter Germaine, the men are seen with a finished ring.
E406 – Foundry, 1960s.
Foundry – 1960s
Posing with a foundry product are from left to right : Ernest Smith, Cyril Hickling, Eric Wheelhouse and Lewis Lockwood.
V01 – Foundry, 1960s.
Foundry – 1960s
Jack Atha (left) and Norman Murphy (right) are standing with a metal ring produced in the foundry, Nunroyd Mill is in the background.
The car with the registration number OWT 400 (Owt for Nowt) belonged to Norman Murphy of GL Murphy Ltd Engineers, Ellar Ghyll.
In 1958 the foundry was in financial difficulties and was bought by Mr Murphy, the car number plate remained in his family for many years.
V02 – Foundry, 1960s.
Foundry – 1960s
Behind the van are Ernest Backhouse and Ernest Smith, in front are Frank Broadbent (acting Manager 1958) Cyril Ickling, Lewis Lockwood.
The giant metal ring was produced in the foundry.
V03 – Foundry, 1960s.
Foundry – 1960s
Cyril Ickling and Lewis Lockwood are making a sand mould for a casting, this was a very skilled process as the finished product depended on the accuracy of the mould.
V04 – Foundry, 1960s.
Foundry – 1960s
The foundry building just before demolition.
Production stopped in 1984, Coates Paton bought Nunroyd Mill and the surrounding land then the site was sold for redevelopment and the foundry was demolished. West Side Retail Park is now on the site (December 2013).
V05 – Foundry, 1960s.
Foundry – 1960s
Timber roof structure in part of the foundry building.
E609 – Foundry, 1983.
Foundry – 1983
Lorry with castings from the foundry which was the business of G L Murphy Ltd.
V16 – Foundry, 1983.
Foundry – 1983
Two workmen in the foundry, iron castings are on the walls and floor.
V12 – Foundry, 1983.
Foundry – 1983
A workman wearing goggles is standing on a casting mould and appears to be igniting the top section of the mould.
Two other men are watching.
V08 – Foundry, 1983.
Foundry – 1983
A foundry workman shortly before the business closed.
In the past the foundry had supplies of coke, scrap metal and pig iron delivered by horse and cart from the railway station.
Most local mills, factories and businesses used the foundry to supply their iron work, including Aireborough Urban District Council who bought grates for Baxi fires which were fitted in Council houses.
V13 – Foundry, 1983.
Foundry – 1983
Interior view of the foundry, castings and moulds are lined up on the floor.
V14 – Foundry, 1983.
Foundry – 1983
Molten metal is being poured into moulds, the container of metal is suspended and supported by chains on a pulley system.
V14 – Foundry, 1983.
Foundry – 1983
Molten metal is being poured into moulds, it is literally “red hot”.
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Consolidated by Jack Brayshaw. 11 May 2022.
Last updated: 11 May 2022.
