Fairy Caves

We ventured out after dark tonight, to see a light installation in Oswaldtwistle.

For two evenings, the Coke Ovens have been lit to glow red again, if hot with intense flames.

The Coke Ovens, known locally as the “fairy caves” once converted the coal from the adjacent Aspen Colliery into coke for the steelworks as a smokeless fuel, but have been unused since 1930. This light installation by artist Jonny Godsmark brings them temporarily back to life again, highlighting this integral part of local history.

We hadn’t expected it to be so popular; it was packed with people, which was great that so many turned out to see it.
But, it was also ruined by the same token.

One of the stewards said the installation was best viewed from across the canal. However, many people had walked down the opposite side of the canal (where the coke ovens were) so had blocked the view for those of us on the correct side.

So although the lights were lovely and nicely reflected in the still waters of the Leeds to Liverpool canal, we didn’t get to experience it to it’s full potential :-(

DQ x