Robert Fletchers ltd.

Greenfield Mill is also known as Fletchers Mill, the mill was purchased in 1920 by Robert Fletcher, and renamed Robert Fletchers ltd.

Fletchers manufactured cigarette paper and had contracts with amongst others, Imperial Tobacco, in 1914 Imperial contracted Fletchers to produce fine quality cigarette paper for them as at the time all products of this type had to be imported from France.

Greenfield is one of three mills owned by Fletchers but this one was made soley for the bleaching and production of cigarette paper.

The mill finaly closed down around 2002.

During the process of bleaching and producing cigarette papers, a lot of extremely poisonous chemicals are used, including arsenic and deadly chlorine gas.

Due to the nature of the chemicals used at the mill and its location to a near by village, safety was very important, in the event of a chemical leak the entire surrounding population would have to be evacuated.

In the event of an emergancy and air raid siren on the roof of the mill would sound, alerting the locals to take cover until the emergency services could give the all clear.

Upon entering Fletchers you are instantly hit by a very unnerving and eerie feeling, its as if the workforce has just vanished as everything is still in situ, there is still even power and running water in there.

Every different section of the mill you pass through you expect someone to step out and demand what your doing there, its like the Mary Celeste!

Whilst exploring the site we couldnt believe just how much was still there, everything from complete factory floors to fork lift trucks and a fully equipped infirmary and office section.

This has to be by far the most complete and most interesting site in the North West, the mill has been closed for 5 years but you would think they had just finished for the day, thats how complete and intact it is.

One thing that did make us feel constantly on edge though was the mass of chlorine alarms scattered all over the place and the huge amounts of breathing apparatus just sat in situ just in case the alarm is ever raised.

As fantastic as this place is, it is worth mentioning that it is still extremely dangerous with deadly chemicals still in situ which if inhaled are fatal, and there for extreme caution is advized.