Urban explorer on derelict mission
DERELICT gun posts and abandoned mental asylums may not sound like the ideal venue for a day out to most people, but for Eileen Wright from Seaton these are places filled with fascination and intrigue.
Eileen, who lives in Summersby Close, is one of the 1,815 members of derelictplaces.co.uk, an internet forum run by an underground group of urban explorers (or Urbexers as they are known to themselves), who spend their time exploring and documenting abandoned buildings around the country.
An illustrator and self-proclaimed amateur historian, Eileen spends her weekends photographing local sites like the Webster's holiday camp on Harbour Road, or the abandoned gun posts that litter the East Devon countryside and coastline.
The photos are then uploaded onto the forum website for the enjoyment of other Urbexers.
"For me it's the architecture and the history," said Eileen.
"The aesthetics of decay spark my interest.
"I’ve found these buildings interesting since I was a kid, but I didn't know there was a whole culture of this and when I found the forum on the internet it really took off.
"I have a condition that can make me very tired and lethargic but this gave me the impetus to get out there and do things!
"Our motto is 'Take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints'.
"We never brake in, all we do is trespass.
"When you visit these places it's like stepping out of the real world, it's so mysterious and tranquil.
"I visit all the local places but occasionally go further afield and meet fellow Urbexers.
"Last weekend I visited a mental asylum in Stoke-on-Trent and it was fascinating.
"There are two other guys from Axminster and Honiton and we haven't met up yet but it’s interesting to see their photographs and to know there are other enthusiasts so near by.
"I think, really, I've got a bee in my bonnet about modern architecture.
"Let's face it, no one wants to see a load of council houses looking the same.
"I don't think everything should look pretty. It's about heritage and character.
"I was really glad to see a group of school children visiting one of the abandoned gun posts when I was there the other day. It's on their curriculum now, the teacher was telling me.
"I think that's great.
"We mustn't forget all these places.
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