Not a Merseyside explore, but I was posting it on another forum and thought that some of you might

find it interesting anyway.

This lead shot tower in Chester was once used to make lead shot (funnily enough!). Molten lead was dripped from the top,

the air cooling it as it fell. It was then collected at the bottom to be used in firearms. Different sized sieves produced different sized shot. Getting in

wasn't too bad, despite the local curtain-twitchers and riff-raff, and we headed straight for the

tower.

http://www.forties-design.co.uk/photos/leadshot2/Dsc_0126.jpg

http://www.forties-design.co.uk/photos/leadshot2/D

sc_0117.jpg

Once inside, looking up gives you a good idea of the true scale of the place, with the stairs (and old ladders) spiralling

up towards the intermediate floor, and then on to the top. The bottom of the stairs was a bit smashed up and required some climbing, but it wasn't too much

trouble.

http://www.forties-design.co.uk/photos/leadshot2/Dsc_0106.jpg

http://www.forties-design.co.uk/photos/leadshot2

/Dsc_0112.jpg

At the first stage the lower melting pot was found, which is still largely intact with some electrical equipment and a

lot of bird muck. The floor here is 'ok', but we were careful all the

same...

http://www.forties-design.co.uk/photos/leadshot2/Dsc_0074.jpg

Having taken some photos at the intermediate

level, it was time to push on up to the top. This is where it starts getting scary, and you just have to not think about what your actually doing - keep

putting one foot after the other and try not to look

down!

http://www.forties-design.co.uk/photos/leadshot2/Dsc_0100.jpg

For the most part, the stairs are reasonably

solid. Every now and then there is a dodgy step and you have to make sure you don't slip. A bit further up there is evidence of damage - perhaps people

throwing stuff from the top, which would seem odd, as they'd have to go back down those steps on the way

out...

http://www.forties-design.co.uk/photos/leadshot2/Dsc_0097.jpg

And so I made it to the top, where the upper

melting pot is, along with loads of bird muck, the lift apparatus and some rather dodgy looking walking boards which suggest the floor isn't so good up here

(probably thanks to the rain pouring in). View down isn't

bad...

http://www.forties-design.co.uk/photos/leadshot2/Dsc_0087.jpg

http://www.forties-design.co.uk/photos/leadshot2/D

sc_0094.jpg

http://www.forties-design.co.uk/photos/leadshot2/Dsc_0090.jpg

I didn't hang about too long before

working my way back down. Going down is worse, as you're looking down the whole time. Still, it had to be done, and with a sigh of relief I reached terra

firma. Finally we had a look at the old washrooms once used by staff working at the tower and lead

works.

http://www.forties-design.co.uk/photos/leadshot2/Dsc_0120.jpg

http://www.forties-design.co.uk/photos/leadshot2/D

sc_0122.jpg

snappel Are you very brave or just a nutter?.:celb (6):

Great picsthough.

They are

fantastic Snappel, much appreciated. I would poo my kecks looking down fom that height. It must

have taken you ages to put your web addresses on each one.

:PDT_Piratz_26:

I have written a nifty bit of code to watermark my images - or rather, somebody else wrote most of it and I just stole

it!

As for the tower... it is a scary one, I have to admit, but you just have to try and block the fear out. The place is in quite good condition, and

apart from a small hole in the roof is quite well sealed, meaning the steps aren't rotten or anything.

Believe it or not, I'm scared of flying! I

have real issues with it, but I seem to be able to do this kind of thing. But it was a relief to get back on the ground, I can tell you!!

I have written a

nifty bit of code to watermark my images - or rather, somebody else wrote most of it and I just stole it!

As for the tower... it is a scary one, I

have to admit, but you just have to try and block the fear out. The place is in quite good condition, and apart from a small hole in the roof is quite well

sealed, meaning the steps aren't rotten or anything.

Believe it or not, I'm scared of flying! I have real issues with it, but I seem to be able to

do this kind of thing. But it was a relief to get back on the ground, I can tell you!!

When was it last used?

Wow! What a fantastic place to explore Snappel. Thanks for

the pics!:PDT_Aliboronz_24:

That would of been so cool to look down like that!:PDT_Aliboronz_24:

Well done snappel. Well taken photographs of a very interesting place.:)

A colleague of mine here at Chester City Council is the "Historic Interpretation Officer" and waxes

lyrical about sites like this! Ill show him the pics, he will love them