The Victorian Society in Registered Charity No. 1081435 Registered Charity No.1081435 Autumn Newsletter 2012

EDITORIAL where demolition is proposed, English things done. Latest achievement is the Heritage has allowed the relevant Local restoration of the twelve Saint’s statues Conservation – a Tale of Two Cities Authority to take the decision provided now replaced on their plinths in the The present is a good time to review that Local Authority was not the owner nave. the conservation and regeneration of the building in question. That is of our built heritage in Manchester not the case with Grade I and Grade and . Over the past couple II* listings where the view of English of decades, the salvation of many Heritage would have to be sought and buildings has involved conversion in general their view would prevail. for two principal end usages – apart­ ments, and hospitality and catering. Many experienced professionals and Conversions to , restaurant and volunteers in ’s heritage and bars have been particularly significant conservation lobbies feel that because in regenerating important buildings of current economic circumstances this in where the different approach to Grade II listed scale of apartment conver­sions has buildings may be seen as relaxed also caused the city to lead the way indifference by English Heritage and in a return to provincial city centre can be exploited to the detriment of living. However, current economic their cause. A further difficulty is that circumstances have led to a dramatic grants for Grade II listed buildings are decline in conversions and buildings by and large much harder to find than for residential purposes – apartments for the higher grades. An exception was cannot be sold for the prices obtained St. Peter’s Church, Blossom Street, five years ago and therefore the where grants were obtained financial model (on which everything and it is now in use as a rehearsal depends) has collapsed. space for the Halle Orchestra. The vast majority of England’s quarter million or The concrete wasteland currently so Grade II listed buildings are in use on view on the north-east corner of and are either owned or managed by Princess Street and Whitworth Street responsible people. However, when may well be with us for some time. Some such a building becomes empty or years ago , redundant, there is a much greater threat in a controversial move, vigorously to its future than might have been the opposed by the Victorian Society, gave case decades ago. The conservation planning permission for a 15 storey rule that states that a disused building is hotel/office/apartment block on this site. by definition a building at risk is a good As any hope of selling the apartments and practical one. at the original proposed price does not currently exist, the development has It is only fair to point out that English foundered and further, because the Heritage, despite being presently concrete and steel footings have gone drastically under resourced, can be in, the plot cannot revert to its previous sometimes receptive to the upgrading of use as a surface car park. Similar certain significant buildings from Grade economic considerations bedevil the II up to II*, mindful of the considerable issue of Ancoats – arguably the additional protection that it confers. most significant current conservation controversy. In common with most of The following list is a brief summary of the buildings dealt with below, and current local conservation issues: about 90% of English Heritage stock, The abandoned Mortuary Chapel, the remains of the former Ancoats Monastery: Over fifteen years, Dispensary and Hospital are Grade II passion, commitment, knowledge and Agecroft Cemetery, Salford on the listed. It has for long been the practice hard work has resulted in the charitable Victorian Society’s list of the Top that in the case of such Grade II listings trust becoming expert in how to get Ten endangered buildings 1 The Gaskell House, Plymouth come before Manchester City Council’s The Manchester Victorian Society Grove: An equally expert charitable Planning Committee for the restoration c/o Portico Library trust is moving this project forward of this historically important building. It 57 Mosley Street despite recently having the lead roof was talked about ten years ago following Manchester M2 3HY stolen. The latest achievement has the restoration of Piccadilly station. The The Victorian Society is the champion for Victorian and been in persuading English Heritage to main issues are to deal with the very Edwardian buildings in England and Wale allow a stainless steel roof replacement poor condition of the roof and permit which is of less interest to criminals. Metrolink to run four lines through the station instead of the present two. NEWS Road Police and Fire New Director at the Victorian Society Station: It is now eleven years since University of Manchester: The Christopher Costelloe, formerly Senior Clare Hartwell’s revision of Pevsner ambition of the University to rid itself Conservation Adviser at the Society, described this building as “shamefully completely of the Sackville Street has taken over from Dr Ian Dungavell. neglected”. The building is owned Campus has now emerged into the by The Britannia Group and public domain. For us, the main issue As a qualified stonemason, Christopher undoubtedly constitutes Manchester will be the redundancy and sale of the has unusual hands-on experience city centre’s most disgraceful heritage UMIST building, the Sackville Street of building conservation. For the last saga. Action has been taken to Spalding & Cross section falls within our two years he has been Conservation forestall further decay but the outward period. Converting the entire building Adviser for the Victorian Society. appearance is still appalling. Latest to hotel use would appear the only chapter in the saga was the city’s failed possibility but it will be a much greater “I know first hand what a difference the CPO bid. challenge than the Refuge Building. Victorian Society makes,” said Chris, “and I am very excited to be taking Unitarian Chapel, Upper Brook Victoria Theatre, Gt Clowes Street, over as its Director. Unfortunately Street: Architect Charles Barry Salford: The London based Theatres there is still so much for us to do, but (when he was in the city building the Trust has recently taken an interest in it is gratifying to have so much public Athenaeum) is now little more that a this Grade II listed building as it still support for our campaigns.” shell. No firm plans in place to restore. has many original features intact such as safety curtain, flies, understage Ancoats Dispensary and Hospital: machinery, grave traps and a venerable Now a roofless shell secured by Strand Electric lighting control board. scaffolding and owned by Urban Splash Some people with experience of saving who want to flatten it. Permission and bringing back to life the Plaza to demolish seems not yet to have cinema in are also interested. been formally granted by Manchester City Council. Local residents have a , Hathersage Road: permanent “Save It” vigil, in contrast to Still in the ownership of the city. Turkish their local councillors indifference. Bath complex restored and some stained glass re-instated. Crumpsall Library: In a disgraceful state – there are no firm plans in place Agecroft Cemetery Chapel, Salford: to secure its future. Sharpe and Foster’s now dilapidated chapel is on the Victorian Society Top Disused Castlefield Railway Viaduct Ten Endangered list. The purpose of Chris Costelloe (the one nearest to the canal basin the list is to publicise problems with a Professor Hilary Grainger, Chair of opposite MOSI): Some years ago view to seeking solutions, so we await the Victorian Society, said: “Chris there were rumours that Peel Holdings outcomes...... is just the person to take over at this wanted to demolish it. There is a exciting stage of our development. possibility that Metrolink want to restore The above list is, of course, incomplete. He combines an intimate knowledge and use it for doubling up lines running Looking at the successful heritage of casework with excellent leadership south from city. projects, a common thread emerges skills, and we are sure that he will be a – a passionate advocate, inspiring great success.” Varna Street Board School: Now and leading a team through a maze listed Grade II. Samantha Barnes’ of technical and financial challenges, The former Director, Dr Ian Dungavell, book came too late to save some of gathering momentum and support as has now left to become the first Chief Manchester’s remaining board schools ideas progress and eventually making Executive at the Friends of Highgate whose historical importance and a safe landing on the sunlit uplands. Cemetery Trust. Professor Grainger architectural merit had been largely From those heights they can all look said “Ian has made an outstanding overlooked but at least this one may down on a building that, without their contribution to the work of the Society” now remain. efforts, would not have still been there. and added, “we wish him every success in his new post.” Victoria Station: Plans will shortly David Astbury October 2012 2 Worsley New Hall Project was matched by its gardens, laid out by Red Cross Museum and Archives, The Worsley New Hall project is a joint William Andrews Nesfield, the country’s the Royal Archives and Chetham’s venture by the University of Salford most sought after garden designer. Library, Manchester. Information was and Peel Holdings Ltd to research and Nesfield had an established clientele also gathered through a number of oral collate information on the history of of wealthy and influential landowners history interviews with members of the the New Hall in Worsley, Salford. Peel and is known to have worked on over community connected to the site. Holdings own the historic site and are 250 gardens including Castle Howard; planning a redevelopment, which will Crewe Hall; Kew and Witley Court. The Worsley New Hall web project include a 5* hotel. Salford University Queen Victoria stayed at the Hall twice, pages are now in an advanced stage Library holds the estate records, as in 1851 and 1857 and Edward VII visited of development, and contain historical part of its archive collections. The in 1909. During WW1, the Hall was and archaeological information, an project commenced in March 2012 used as a British Red Cross Hospital interactive biblio­graphy of sources and with the appointment of Dr Alexandra for injured soldiers and during WW2 extracts from recorded oral histories. Mitchell as Project Officer and the occupied as a training ground for British Original archive material from Salford aim is to develop resources including and US troops. During this period the University Library, Salford City Archives, project web pages, a digital archive Hall fell into disrepair, and by 1949 RIBA and public donations can also be collection and a comprehensive was demolished. Exterior bricks were viewed in the Worsley New Hall Archive bibliography of material for teaching, sold to Hepton Rural District Council Collection on the University of Salford’s learning and further research. and used in the construction of post- Institutional Repository (USIR). In September 2012 the Worsley New Hall Exhibition took place at MediaCityUK, show­casing finds from the archival research and the 6 competition entries for the design of the Worsley New Hall Hotel. A comprehensive bibliography of the archival and historical records relating to the New Hall will be made available at the close of the project.

Alexandra Mitchell October 2012

For more information, visit: Worsley New Hall project web pages http://www.salford.ac.uk/library/about/ worsley Digital archive collection http:// usir.salford.ac.uk/archives/

Allies & Morrison are the winners of Sir Edward Blore’s Worsley New Hall. Photograph of the North front. nd. the RIBA international competition for a new building to replace the Hall The project also supports the archae­ war housing at Southfield, Heptonstall, and complement a full restoration of ological excavation of the site which West Yorkshire. the Nesfield Gardens. http://www. took place earlier this year, funded by architectsjournal.co.uk Peel Holdings Ltd and led by Dr Mike Records and information relating to the Nevell and the Centre for Applied New Hall have been found in archive Heritage Forums Archaeology at the University of repositories across the country. Over Some local authorities have set Salford. 400 of Blore’s drawings relating to up heritage forums to provide an the New Hall survive in the RIBA opportunity for contact between Situated south of Leigh Road to the Drawings and Archive Collection in the voluntary groups concerned with the west of Worsley village, Worsley Victorian & Albert Museum in London. area’s heritage and their counterparts New Hall was of local and national The site ledgers for the construction in the council. The only one on which significance. The Hall was built as of Worsley Hall are deposited in the Group is represented is Stockport the seat for the 1st Earl of Cambridge University Library, along Conservation and Heritage Forum, Ellesmere in 18­46, and was used by with his private account books. The which always sends us an invitation three generations of the Ellesmere Bridgewater Estates Archives, held at to attend its meetings. Roger Barton, family. It was designed by the country- the University of Salford and Salford a resident of that district, attends house architect Sir Edward Blore (1787- City Archives provide information on as many of these as he is able and 1879), whose clients were among the the administration and maintenance finds that they are always worthwhile, peerage, gentry and Royal Family. o­f the Hall during the late nineteenth providing a wealth of fascinating local The style of the house was Elizabethan and early twentieth centuries. Further information as well as informing the Gothic and cost the equivalent of £6.7 records have been identified at Group about developments relevant million. The grandeur of the building Lancashire Record Office, the British to the Victorian period. Examples

3 of the latter are presentations about Peak Forest Canal: an engineering and the blue plaque commemorating the the conservation of the Burne-Jones business history by Grahame Boyes offices of Sharpe, Paley and Austin on windows from Cheadle Royal Hospital, and the late Brian Lamb the Georgian facade facing Lancaster the sources of stone for local buildings, Castle. The multi-talented Edmund the planning considerations associated Copies of the book will be on sale at the Sharpe founded the practice in 1835, with finding new uses for historic pubs Clinker Lecture at a special launch price following a 3 year ‘grand tour’, studying and the problems of restoring the of £20, a saving of £10 on the advertised architecture on the continent. Joined house in Manchester. selling price of £30. This special price in 1838 by Edward Paley then Hubert The meetings also provide information will apply only at the lecture. Austin in 1867, the practice grew and about changes in planning law and flourished toward the later part of the about coordination of local bids for The Railway and Canal Historical 19th century as the wealth generated Heritage Lottery funding. Attendance Society was founded in 1954 to bring by the industrial revolution allowed the at the forum alerted Roger to the fact together all those interested in the late Victorians to express their values that a local list was being compiled for history of transport, with particular and aspirations. his area so that the Group was able to reference to railways and waterways. Its have a say in suggesting buildings for main objects are to promote historical The practice was extremely prolific inclusion. research and to raise the standard of and undertook commissions for published history. many public buildings as well as fine If you are aware of a forum local to your churches. Their work was concentrated area and would like to take part, please Enquiries to Graham Bird on 020 8747 in Lancashire and what is now South have a word with the Committee, who 3694 or email [email protected] Lakeland and for many the real interest would be delighted to approach the www.rchs.org.uk of the book will lie in its local relevance. local authority and ask if you could Mark Watson’s photographs lavishly attend as the Group’s representative. illustrate the quantity and diversity of CALL FOR INFORMATION designs realised by the firm which, Training in Traditional Building Skills Manchester’s Victorian Railway as a provincial practice, supported The Heritage Trust for the North West Viaducts. grand ecclesiastical projects like St is seeking to adapt St. Mary’s Church, Brian Rosa is currently a PhD Peter’s Cathedral in Lancaster and Nelson for use as a North West Centre researcher in human geography at the for Traditional Building Skills, the aim University of Manchester. He would like being to create an information and contact with anyone who has particular teaching resource and a centre of interest in, or has archival material excellence. Particular skills are needed relating to the history, heritage, and to deal with stone, brick, wood and slate preservation of Manchester’s Victorian in pre-1919 traditionally constructed railway viaducts. His research involves buildings. Young people in the the city’s elevated railways and their modern construction industry are also persistent role in the built environment. unlikely to encounter blacksmithing, embellishing with gold-leaf or dealing Brian can be contacted by email at with lime plaster and stained glass. [email protected]. All these skills need to be passed on ac.uk. to new generations and the proposed venture at St Mary’s deserves all our encouragement and support. BOOK REVIEW http://www.htnw.co.uk/tradskills.html The Architecture of Sharpe, Paley The Railway & Canal Historical and Austin by Geoff Brandwood Society Annual Clinker Memorial Academic and expert on Victorian Lecture 2012 architecture Geoff Brandwood has Grahame Boyes has invited Victorian followed his 1997 book on the work of Society members to his talk The Temple Moore with this history of the St Georges, Stockport, illustration Business of Running a Canal – Sharpe, Paley and Austin firm, which from Academy Architecture, 1897 evidence from the Peak Forest Canal practised from its offices in Lancaster which will take place at the Radisson from 1835 to the early 20th century. Holker Hall with ‘bread and butter’ work Edwardian Hotel, , Six years in the making, Brandwood’s including shops, pubs and schools. Peter Street, Manchester, M2 5GP at enthusiasm for his subject is reflected They designed modern (for the time), 2.15 pm, Saturday 10 November 2012. in the depth and detail of the work which functional buildings for the Furness The nearest Metro stop is St Peters contains lengthy appendices, including Railway Company and referenced the Square. Entrance is free. a definitive catalogue of all the firm’s architecture of the past, notably the work and projects. Gothic style but also Elizabethan and This will also be the occasion for Jacobean, and were influenced by the launching the Society’s latest book -The Many Lancastrians will have noticed Arts and Crafts movement.

4 It is astonishing and really quite with pews, preventing procession building in Manchester Building Control fascinating to realise the amount of and discouraging ‘popish pomp and archives, as it was not until 1868 that it buildings that we see and use every ceremony’. became compulsory to submit drawings day that were built by Sharpe, Paley for all new buildings in Manchester and Austin. I never before connected Published by English Heritage, the (information from David Hilton). the turrets and domes of the Royal book’s thoroughness and detail make Additionally, photographic evidence Lancaster Infirmary and the Storey it a remarkable account of how one confirms that Albert Chambers was Institute with the domed house on the firm and its principals influenced the certainly complete by 1869, the second corner of Sibsey Street and Westbourne architectural landscape of the North new building on this side of the square Road but having read Brandwood’s West, giving an interesting insight into after the Memorial Hall.3 book the link seems obvious. I’ve Victorian history and legacy. often looked at this intriguing and imagined what it might be like to A review by Sian Peters for Virtual live there. It was originally a Co-op Lancaster June 2012 store, as was the magnificent building on the corner of Church and New The Architecture of Sharpe, Paley and Street. And who knew that Lancaster’s Austin by Geoff Brandwood published “bottom Weatherspoon’s” (as opposed English Heritage, 2012, ISBN: to ‘top Weatherspoon’s’) was once the 9781848020498. £50 workshop and showroom of cycle and car manufacturer William Atkinson? Shame there’s no picture of the John Albert Chambers O’Gaunt vehicle produced by the 16 Albert Square, Manchester company. Neil Darlington shares his latest The firm’s success in the North West, research on this familiar Manchester achieved without the prestige of having Building The only piece of urban public open practised in London, meant that they space created in central Manchester never felt the need to move elsewhere during the Victorian period and and Brandwood makes much of their dominated by Waterhouse’s Town Hall, being ‘of the North’. Sharpe, Paley Albert Square, may justly be considered and Austin won national recognition, its civic heart. Given its importance, in particular for their churches. The one would anticipate that its history convention at the time was for leading would now be fully understood and Albert Chambers, Albert Square, firms of architects to gravitate towards beyond debate. However, this may photograph courtesy Mark Watson the capital, echoing the London-centric not be entirely correct. Of the four culture of the present. Albert Chambers was always a buildings that form the south side of speculative office development and the square, three - the Memorial Hall, The men behind this body of work not purpose-built for Manchester Bridgewater Buildings (Carlton House), are glimpsed in the book. Tim Austin, Corporation Gas Department as is and St Andrew’s Chambers - are great-grandson of Hubert Austin, sometimes suggested. It is, however, well documented. The fourth, Albert made a significant contribution to true that the basement, ground floor Chambers, although listed Grade II, the book and his archives and family and first floor were leased by the Gas has been somewhat short-changed by photographs give human faces to the Department as a short- term expedient the listing process. Having erroneously story’s characters. Edmund Sharpe’s until such time as their offices in the new been included with the adjoining many interests and enterprises are Town Hall were ready for occupation. Bridgewater Chambers for many years, described in detail and portray a man At a council meeting of April 1868 at the current listing text still remains motivated by philanthropy who used which the detailed planning of the Town highly questionable.1 his talent and status to instigate reform. Hall was still under discussion, it was At the forefront of the improvement of noted that the Gas Department had In this instance an accurate date for ‘Lancaster’s woeful sanitation’ which taken this action and reports indicate practical completion can be provided had led to an outbreak of cholera, he that they remained in Albert Chambers by the contemporary press. According purchased the Theatre Royal, now until December 1875 when works were to George Wadsworth and Son, ‘The Grand’, refurbishing it to house sufficiently advanced to allow them to the letting agents for the building, a museum and music hall, for the take possession of their new offices in Albert Chambers was scheduled education and entertainment of the the Town Hall. At this time their offices for completion on 1st August 1867.2 people. in Albert Chambers were immediately Over the following months a series of vacated and offered for lease. classified advertisements appeared His strong Low Church sympathies in the Manchester Guardian offering are reflected in one of his last designs, There appears no real evidence that office space for lease, further con­­­ St Paul’s in Scotforth. Built to serve Clegg and Knowles were responsible firm­­ing this date. This would accord his own community, the nave is filled for the design. When Cecil Stewart with the lack of any records for this 5 prepared the first comprehensive list section behind a balustraded parapet of Manchester buildings and their THE VICTORIA THEATRE; (a most unusual arrangement). There architects, this attribution was provided SALFORD’S SLEEPING BEAUTY are two superimposed stage boxes by the City Architect. However, as on each side. The lower boxes are A campaign is underway to save already noted, details of the building flanked by squat Corinthian columns, the Salford Victoria Theatre and do not appear in the Council archive, and the upper boxes by draped figures bring it back into use. Allen Christey and earlier listings confuse it with which support arches, framing richly gives an account of the theatre’s Bridgewater Buildings. That Speakman scrolled plasterwork. The balcony and fluctuating fortunes over the years. and Charlesworth were in fact the box fronts are divided into panels which architects for the building can be argued contain gilded plasterwork. Spanning In 1899 the Victorian age was at its on both documentary and stylistic the auditorium between the tops of zenith and on Great Clowes Street grounds. In 1872, there appeared, the boxes is a deep elliptical arch Salford, Broughton Theatres opened as part of a series on Manchester which frames a tympanum above the their newest creation, The Victoria architecture in ‘The Manchester Critic,’ rectangular proscenium. Theatre. They engaged the eminent one devoted entirely to the various theatre architect Bertie Crewe to build works of this partnership. This included: The theatre was opened in 1899 by Sir a producing house for opera and attended by Bram Stoker. Shakespeare: high ideals indeed! He Albert Chambers, situated in Albert Motion Pictures were shown as early created an opulent theatre with an Square, next to the Memorial Hall, is as November 1901, and in 1913 the imposing terracotta façade and an a stone fronted building of somewhat theatre was granted a cinema licence. ornate interior on three levels: stalls, original design. The small balcony When it was a cinema, films were dress circle, rear circle and balcony breaks up the facade in a pleasing back projected and cheap seats were (always known as the gods), with four manner, and some of the window available behind the screen where stage boxes, rather better for being heads have a trefoil cusped outline you watched the film back to front. In seen in than having a good view of of a Venetian Gothic character. The 1917 the Victoria became a theatre the stage! The theatre soon became embattled cornice is rather eccentric in again until 1919, and then reverted to a receiving house with a mixed prog­ treatment, but not unpleasant in effect. 4 predominantly cinema use until July ramme of touring musicals, variety and 1958 when it closed and was used as music hall. Attribution on stylistic grounds is never a furniture store for some time. For ten entirely satisfactory. However, the years from 1963 the theatre hosted The outside of the theatre has two slightly later Bow Chambers in nearby a mixed programme of repertory, storeys with five main bays where Cross Street and the work of the same pantomime, amateur performances Ionic pilasters separate pairs of tall architects, is worthy of comparison, not including operetta, as well as hosting first floor windows. The pedimented least in the similarity in the treatment many music hall stars from yesteryear, central bay was originally surmounted of the ashlar masonry and original including Hetty King, Joan Turner and by a small tower with a dome but this parapet details. some of the Carry On stars. Albert has been removed together with the Finney appeared in repertory. straight-sided pavilion roofs over the footnotes end bays and the parapet ornaments 1 The listing reads: Offices.1873, by Bingo took over in 1973. Although across the whole façade. The interior Clegg and Knowles, for Manchester cosmetic changes were made to alone, however, justifies its Grade II Corporation Gasworks. accommodate equipment, this period listing. The intimate auditorium has two 2 Manchester Guardian. 8th and 15th of occupancy did preserve the theatre July 1867 balconies. The first has a raised rear 3 Anthony Pass “Thomas Worthington” photograph page 50, and Manchester Local Image Collection. “730, Albert Memorial” [m06225], Fischer, W. H. Date incorrectly given as 1866 by MLIC 4 Manchester Critic 15 June 1872. Page 258-259.

Neil Darlington. April 2012

Until his retirement, Neil Darlington was an architect in private practice for almost forty years. He is a contributor to Historic Scotland’s on-line data­­base, the ‘Dictionary of Scottish Architects,’ and for the past fifteen years has been researching the lives of architects working in between 1820 and 1940 Bertie Crewe’s splendid auditorium at the Salford Victoria Theatre 2012: photograph courtesy David Dewsnip

6 intact. However, the business was A New Breath of Fresh Air an observatory in the grounds. His unsuccessful. After standing for some photographs of the family and pets, the time in a disused state during the Following the local campaign to exterior and interior of the house, the 1980s, the theatre was purchased by save historic hospital buildings garden and the building works of 1876, independent owners and reopened for in Bowdon, Sue Nichols gives an still exist within several volumes of the bingo. The theatre was also used as a update on St Anne’s home and its Sidebotham’s ‘Family Diary’. ‘live’ theatre location for TV and film. optimistic future. In 1875 the Manchester Hospital for The State of the Theatre Now : The In 1837, Ibotson Walker, a merchant Consumption and Diseases of the auditorium has been sympathetically and manufacturer of fustian and fancy Throat and Chest was opened at 18 St repainted. There are substantial drill, bought land at the top of The John Street. Funded by public donation remains of the original Victorian Downs near Altrincham and built a and subscription, the poor and needy wooden machinery under the stage modest detached villa for his family. of Manchester were treated as both with paddle levers to alter the rake and One of the earliest in the area, it was out- and in-patients. However, the construction for corner traps and known as Beech Grove in 1858 and due to both the inferior air and light four bridges. The grave trap is complete The Beeches by 1867. Walker bought quality in Manchester patients could with its platform. Many aspects of the theatre have been preserved such as the stage rake and safety curtain but architectural vandals have stolen ornate dress circle doors and the Victorian radiators and fireplaces. Half the roof has been repaired and the building is watertight. Thus much of the original plaster work has survived and damaged areas would be easy to repair. Sadly the Victorian canopy at the entrance was damaged by a lorry and therefore removed. However the good news is that it is believed to be conserved in a council store somewhere and can therefore be reinstated. St Anne’s Home, Bowdon c1910: photograph courtesy Altrincham Area Redevelopment: Creating a Future: Image Archive Salford provides a telling example of more land from the same plot in 1847, only be relieved in the short term rather what can happen when the presence adjacent to that bought to build Bowdon than cured of their symptoms. of a theatre (even a listed theatre) Downs Congregational Church (Grade has been totally ignored in the post- II) where he was a Deacon. In Germany in 1882, Robert Koch war redevelopment of a city area. isolated the tuberculosis bacterium and Improvements to its present forlorn The house was subsequently rented linked the disease and its tran­s­­­­­­­­­­­­­­mission surroundings are now planned with new and between 1864 and 1866, Joseph in dusty, airless, dark environments housing and shops etc so that this fine Thompson, the cotton manufacturer recognizing that a possible cure could Bertie Crewe building has the potential and educationalist was the tenant. be achieved with contact to sunlight to become a centre for the community Thompson was also a Deacon of and fresh air. Dr Arthur Ransome, a again. It is also a fine example of the Bowdon Downs Church and the force local Bowdon GP, medical statistician, beneficial effects of bingo in providing behind and a life and continued care to a theatre great supporter of Owens College. which would otherwise certainly have been demolished in the 1970s. From 1866 to 1879, Joseph Sidebotham and his family lived in the house, at first I am grateful to the Theatres Trust for renting it and then, in 1868, purchasing some of this material, which I have it from the Estate of Ibotson Walker. taken from their website and expanded. Sidebotham was a successful calico printer and colliery proprietor talented Allen Christey is co-leader of the in astronomy, botany and photography Save the Salford Victoria Theatre and a founder of the Manchester Campaign. If you are interested in Photographic Society in 1855. He supporting the theatre or becoming a extended the house in white brick in Friend go to www.salfordvictoria.co.uk an Italianate style in the early 1870s Crossley Wing and Verandah or email:[email protected] on the garden side and in 1876 on July 2010 prior to redevelopment: the Woodville Road side (architect photograph courtesy Altrincham http://www.theatrestrust.org.uk/ Alexander Mills), as well as building Area Image Archive

7 innovator and researcher who edited a German scientific journal on TB, now had the scientific evidence for the statistical investigations he had made.

Dr Ransome joined the Hospital committee and promoted the much-needed relocation of the in-patients facilities to somewhere with clean, healthy air and dry, sandy soil. Armed with the Koch’s scientific discoveries, he began a fund raising campaign with help coming mainly from the great and good of Bowdon, where he lived. The local community Above: Work in progress - St Anne’s Gardens September 2011 supported the hospital financially, with Below: Almost completed - The Beeches St Ane’s Gardens August 2012: goods in kind and with their expertise photographs courtesy Altrincham Area Image Archive and continued to do so for many years.

Dr Ransome’s friend and neighbour Joseph Sidebotham, had moved to Erlesdene on Green Walk in Bowdon by 1879, eventually selling The Beeches to the Hospital in 1884 for £5,000 with an additional donation of £2,000. The house, converted for use as an in-’s hospital with the treatments and environment based on the latest scientific research was renamed ‘St Anne’s Home’ after Sidebotham’s late wife, Anne, the aunt of the naturalist, Thomas Alfred Coward, who lived opposite at 8 Higher Downs.

The new hospital opened in 1885 with cotta and contrasting Westmorland 1891, an additional wing for 14 patients, 16 patients who stayed for an average green slate, were Tate & Popplewell of in the same style as the Crossley Wing, of two months experiencing a regime Manchester. Funds were also raised for was added along Bowdon Road and a of fresh air, sunshine and a good diet a new for outpatients designed men’s sitting room was also added to in a hygienic, dust free environment. St by Pennington & Brigden in Hardman The Beeches. Anne’s Home was to be the only free Street in Manchester, now successfully sanatorium in Britain until the 1900s. converted into prestigious offices. In 1898-99, verandahs for a system­ ­atic open-air cure were added to the William J. Crossley, engineer and Francis W. Crossley, William’s brother Crossley Wing and the façade of The phil­­anthropist, became Chairman became Vice-President and Trustee Beeches was partially extended in and guided by Dr Ransome, com­­m­ living nearby at Fairlie, Cavendish Road, white brick by W. Cecil Hardisty for the issioned plans for a state-of-the-art Bowdon. William was also living locally women’s sitting room. The Bowdon specialist wing, which Crossley would at Glenfield near St Margaret’s Church. Road wing was also extended. In 1905, finance. The design was engineered to Dr Ransome meanwhile, had moved the Crossley Sanatorium at Delamere reflect the latest scientific discoveries, from 12 Higher Downs to Devisdale also designed by Hardsity was opened. having a south-facing, half-butterfly House on St Margaret’s Road, Bowdon, plan in order to maximise sunlight. designed by his old school friend the In 1944 antibiotics meant a more reliable A ventilation system in the raised architect . cure for tuberculosis, which reduced cellars, in conjunction with the high the need for sanatoria and in 1948 St ceilings and unique windows, provided The Crossley Wing was completed Anne’s Home became part of the NHS, a constant 5,000 cubic feet of fresh in 1886 allowing for an additional 20 with an Ear Nose and Throat clinic, air per bed per hour at a temperature patients and providing a new dining wards used for general medicine and of 62 degrees Fahrenheit. The initials room extension on Woodville Road. As more recently convalescence, geriatric ‘W.J.C.’ and the date ‘1886’ appear the hospital expanded, it became an and psychiatric care. It became known on two terracotta pediments entwined important centre for pioneering medical as St Anne’s Hospital in 1953. with oak leaves and acorns. The research into the causes and further architects of the handsome Tuscan cures for tuberculosis, undertaken in In December 2004, Trafford Health­­care style building of brick, decorative terra­ conjunction with Owens College, In NHS Trust suddenly closed the last

8 remaining building in use at St Anne’s In the end the specialist developer, in a style, reflecting that of the early Hospital. An alliance of local groups, P J Livesey Living Space was the 1850s houses on Higher Downs. The societies and residents led by Bowdon successful bidder and, following full new build replaced the large portacabin Conservation Group immediately consultation with the Victorian Society called the Timpson Wing, build in 1961, formed. Their united expectations and the input of ideas and concerns which had blocked the vista to the were outlined for the retention and from immediate neighbours and Crossley Wing. The fine sandstone wall restoration of all the nineteenth century local groups, they obtained planning on Beechfield and the brick boundary buildings and boundary walls, as well permission in June 2011. This had been walls have been retained, with existing as respect for the mature woodland supported by an exemplary ‘Design vehicle entrances reused. The healthy and green open space in the grounds. and Access Statement’ and ‘Building mature trees and shrubs have also Taking into account the surrounding Appraisal and Significance Statement’, been retained, with some new plantings residential character, a document unusual in Trafford. P J Livesey then - including apple trees taken from a list describing changes of use preferred valiantly took on the challenge of of those planted by Joseph Sidebotham by the Group was prepared and an restoring the buildings and converting in 1866. He also inspired the installation historical and photographic survey them for residential use, bringing them of a new sun-dial, examples of which was rapidly compiled. Unfortun­ately, successfully back into use again. he and his sons were accustomed to an application for listing status was make and dot around the grounds. rejected due to the twentieth century The poor twentieth century infill additions to the 1886 Crossley Wing, was swept away, allowing the Despite the length of time it took to despite the quality and pioneering historic buildings to breathe again. achieve the restoration and reuse; design of the original buildings and the Unfortunately the 1891 Men’s Sitting the dismay in witnessing the rapidly associations with local notable people. Room, some minor extensions and the deteriorating state of the buildings; the Some protection however, was afforded large 1870s extension to the rear had to efforts in formulating our aims, compiling by the Devisdale Conservation Area be demolished as unsalvageable. What the necessary research evidence, and status, although Trafford still does not had started out in the latter as a small garnering support, especially from the yet have any Appraisals or Management leak in the roof in 2005, with a bucket Victorian Society, perseverance and Plans in place. Bowdon Conservation to collect the drips, resulted in the roof patience has paid off in the end. Add Group also worked positively with two and floor timbers collapsing and a a dose of pragmatism in engaging with successive Conservation Officers and self-seeded tree happily establishing the developers and the saving and Trafford’s planning department, who itself amongst the dereliction. conversion of St Anne’s Home - now were supportive of the Group’s aims. ‘St Anne’s Garden’s - can be seen as a Although conversion into a limited positive role model for other buildings of The campaign and its aspirations were number of large, luxury residences similar potential under threat. publicised and presented to the NHS would have been desirable and allowed Trust, Trafford Council, Councillors and greater retention of the internal features Sue Nichols July 2012 interested parties. The Victorian Society such as the open trusses of the Crossley in Manchester covered the story in Wing, the proximity of the buildings and Sue Nichols M.A. is the author of St their Newsletter, with Alex Baldwin in resulting issues of privacy, meant there Anne’s Home: A History of the Bowdon London also providing detailed and was no prospect of this happening. Branch of the Manchester Hospital for positive support at a critical point and Consumption, 2010 at the planning stage. The support of Because the building was not listed, the the local and national strands of the interior divisions became dictated by On 18th October, P. J. Livesey Group Victorian Society was most welcome, what was deemed appropriate for the were awarded the ‘Heritage Award’ at as it provided credibility and backed up property market, which resulted in a mix the Altrincham and Sale Chamber of the views of local residents. of twenty-three 1, 2 and 3 bedroomed Commerce’s Business Awards, nominated by Bowdon Conservation Group and town houses and apartments fitted out Altrincham and Bowdon Civic Society for In 2010, all the buildings and the grounds to a high quality specification, expected their work at St Anne’s Home. were finally put on the open market in the Bowdon area and also helping to through a tender process. Due to the ensure longevity for the buildings. The inadequate security for many months ingenious internal arrangement has MANCHESTER GROUP - EVENT after closure in 2004; the ongoing lack of optimised privacy and allowed each REVIEWS maintenance and repair of the buildings dwelling to have its own outdoor space. together with bureaucratic delays, the The majority have now been sold, Middle Class Taste and the Victorian task of restoring the historic buildings primarily to local people downsizing. Home by Kathryn Ferry. 3 May 2012 became far more complex than if there As soon as the first few residents had YHA had been an immediate sale in 2004. In moved in, there was a village type buzz its poorly boarded-up and deteriorating about the place and neighbourliness Drawing on an extensive range of state, the buildings became a magnet with existing residents. sources including Punch cartoons, for metal, slate and York stone thieves, contemporary paintings, photography together with anti-social behaviour, In order to make the project financially and the commentary of design which spread to the normally safe viable, there is also a modest new reformers, Kathryn Ferry’s talk was ‘hot surrounding suburban streets. build of three conjoined town houses off the press’ coinciding with her latest publication The Victorian Home. 9 the firm favourite of the middle classes. Ostentatious and gilded with voluptuous curves and deep buttoning, upholstery firms cashed in on this vogue and made little else. Eastlake pointed to the economic wastefulness of curves cut from timber but the vogue continued fuelled by the latest fad, papier-mache furniture. Rococo styles were further advanced by the ability of the carpet manufacturers to produce complex patterning and the familiar full blown roses appeared. Reformers’ preference for stylized geometric design fell largely on deaf ears but the carpet added a more pressing daily problem, that of cleaning, leading to the invention of the vacuum cleaner in the 1890s.

Art interiors were no less cluttered as the Aesthetic house, 18 Stafford The vogue for art pottery satirised in the pages of Punch : image Terrace, home of the Linley courtesy Kathryn Ferry Sambournes, reveals, particularly the Kathryn explained that as the industrial The furniture trade also responded to parlour where rugs, porcelain, chairs revolution progressed and the range the demand for novelty exhaustively were conspicuously displayed. Paint of paid occupations increased the turning out pastiches of past styles technology and aniline dyes impacted Victorian Middle class came to be including one delightful paradox, the on the visual appearance of interiors. defined as everyone from the clerk to Jacobean umbrella stand. Meanwhile Specialist paint suppliers such as T the very wealthy. As standards of living design reformers scorned mahogany and W Farmiloe guided consumers raised consumption increased, fuelled extolling the virtues of visible joints, in their choices. A strong colour such by the mechanization of ceramics, exposed hinges and paint finishes for as red or green was de rigueur for the wallpapers, textiles and furniture. The wooden furniture. dining room giving a Gentlemen’s club subsequent concerns about standards atmosphere whilst the drawing room in manufacture and taste were The battle of the styles erupted and required paler, quieter colours. In the expressed at every level including the was hotly contested. Worthiness of 1870s the essential aesthetic duck egg fine arts, where the most compelling style appeared on the pages of Punch blues, sage green and khaki were in visual representation, Holman Hunt’s with cartoons lampooning the current vogue and used at Linley Sambourne Awakening Conscience (1853) links fad, whether it be popular taste in House. the moral decrepitude of the kept ceiling decoration or the arts and crafts woman to her cheap and flashy taste in penchant for the latest art pottery. In Kathryn’s talk was an absorbing insight furnishings. Here the notions of Ruskin the meantime writers, designers and in the Victorian consumer revolution and Morris and the ‘truth to materials” arbiters of taste attempted to influence in home furnishing where the demand debate are applied to a moral tale of consumer choice by publishing for novelty, fads and fashions was as the ‘common and vulgar woman” and illustrated advice manuals on powerful then as it is now. the ’fatal newness’ of her taste, the decorative schemes and appropriates antithesis to Arts and Crafts ideas. choice of furnishings. Nothing escaped The Victorian Home by Kathryn Ferry the reformers; even curtain poles were (pub) Shire. ISBN: 9780747807483 Whilst the complexities and hierarchies subject to critique! surrounding the ‘correct’ manner of Beryl Patten June 2012 furnishing the various rooms within a Of the range of visual material shown home and the debate over ‘taste’ raged during the talk none were more More tafology in Victorian Manchester: a host of technical developments fascinating than the photographs of Sale Cemetery Brought to life with and inventions fuelled the increasing actual domestic interiors in the second Michael Riley and Mark Watson. 9 June demand for novelty. New products such half of the century. Claremont, 23 2012 as lincrusta, anaglpyta, and leather Clarendon Road , home of Dr papers were developed and decorating, John Heaton in the 1850s, gives a The delights of this walk led by Michael stencilling, wood graining, marbling and sense of how a middle class house Riley, a lay reader at nearby St Paul’s paperhanging evolved into an artisanal might have looked. Here the hierarchy Church, more than made up for the craft. The golden age of wallpaper of styles in relation to the function of the dismal weather, cold and windy had arrived with continuous rolls of room can be clearly seen. Much to the although fortunately just about dry. wallpaper and wipe clean sanitary dismay of the reformers the Rococo papers. revival of the 1860s was nonetheless Sale Cemetery was planned in 1848 10 and opened in 1862, on land bought stories he had discovered about these glass in the monument to Benjamin from Samuel Brooks. The chapel and people. For example, Sir Thomas Smith, an artist in that material. lodge were designed by William Wilson Baker, twice Mayor of Manchester, was Michael’s watchful eye on this and, together with the brick-lined a great advocate of women’s rights and fascinating place left us reassured that graves, built by Luke Winstanley. Both opened the public libraries to women nothing would be lost through men are buried in the cemetery, as are for the first time. His funeral at Sale was ignorance. two of the registrars who lived in the conducted by the Archbishop of small lodge. (Curiously, the architect’s Canterbury. His portrait, painted by a Roger Barton June 2012 name is consistently spelt Willami woman, is not hanging in Manchester Wilson on his headstone.) In 1874 an Town Hall but consigned to the Excursion to with Elain extension was built on the other side of basement of the Art Gallery. Another Harwood and Mark Watson 28 July the road, not because the cemetery grave is of Charles Alexander Calvert, 2012 was full but because the prestigious the actor who founded the Prince’s We were met at the railway station, (and most remunerative) front plots had Theatre in Manchester and travelled [A. E. Lambert opened 1904] by all been taken. We only had time to visit the globe bringing Shakespeare to the Elain. The walk across the city centre the original part, which is a Listed Open masses. His funeral in 1879 was was to be a walk through the history Space owing to its unusual layout. attended by a guard of honour and of Nottingham from earliest times. Successful moves were made to get 50,000 people. In a few cases the Although extensive redevelopment the chapel listed (Grade II) when gravestones themselves tell the story, beginning in the early 19th Century to demolition was threatened. for example of Elizabeth Wright, who the present day has obliterated most had an unfortunate accident with a of the earlier buildings, Elain was keen The cemetery was intended for the paraffin oil lamp, and John Wright, who to emphasise how the town developed well-to-do, especially from Manchester, was killed by bandits while on a train in on the Medieval footprint which can who were attracted by its being in Montana (they were after his medals). still be defined in street patterns, street fashionable Cheshire. Well-known names and churches. Our walk took Manchester families with plots include us past Nottingham Contemporary, an Essayan (textile dealers), Hoyle (textile Arts Centre built on the site of cave manufacturers), Luke (ironmongery) dwellings, a medieval town hall and Gresham (engineering), Hayward the Saxon settlement of Snotingaham, (glass and china), Stockton (furniture), named for the chieftain, Snot. The Corbett (leather goods) and Forsyth exterior of the modern building [Caruso (music). There were families with local St John, 2007] features pale green connexions as well, such as Kilvert fluted concrete panels imprinted with (lard refining, based on the profusion of a traditional lace pattern. Walking up pig farms in the area) and Brogden, into the Lace Market, we popped into John Brogden being the engineer for the High Pavement Unitarian Chapel the Manchester South Junction and [Stuart Colman 1876], now the Pitcher Altrincham Railway, whose construction and Piano bar. It’s possible to enjoy an led to the development of Sale. overpriced glass of merlot whilst bathed in the light of an immense stained glass Not all the families were in business, window by Morris and Co, with designs and we were shown graves of architects, by Philip Burne-Jones. artists and sculptors as well as Victorian philanthropists such as Edwin Gibbs, By the end of the 17th Century, the pioneer of the ragged schools, and View of Sale Cemetery with William town was noted as a commercial centre Henry Ratcliffe, a leading light in the Wilson’s Chapel in the distance for the hosiery industry. The gentry Manchester Unity of the Independent The memorials are very varied in style, who made their money in the hosiery Order of Oddfellows, an organisation a prominent feature being the use of trade had occupied large houses with still active today. Other notable people symbolism, especially on Victorian orchards but as more people poured buried at Sale include James Prescott graves: urns (symbolic of mourning), into the centre seeking work, rapid and Joule, the famous physicist; John broken columns (fractured lives), rocks unregulated building created tightly Benjamin Dancer, the inventor of (steadfastness), laurel wreaths, ivy, packed slums, described as the worse microphotography; Otto Baumbach, doves, and hands pointing towards in Britain in 1844. As the manufacture Lord Rutherford’s glassblower; Richard heaven, as well as Masonic symbols. of machine lace overtook the stocking Marsden Pankhurst, husband and Many kerbs were removed in the 1960s industry in importance from the 1830s, supporter of Emmeline (buried in to make mowing easier, which has had land was needed to build warehouses London); Hedley Lucas, the Cheshire a detrimental effect not only aesthetically and workshops. poet; and Edward Hulton, the but also on the stability of the graves, newspaper magnate who once owned which are naturally deteriorating with The very swift growth of the machine the Manchester Evening Chronicle and time. Many have been restored, usually lace industry resulted in the sweeping the Daily Sketch. by the family, but others are causing away of the large houses and some Michael told us a few of the interesting concern, such as the unusual stained of the slums to accommodate the 11 building of a harmonious series of A most welcome high tea was served Place, dominated by the Harris Museum, fine warehouses and showrooms, the in the hall of the Cathedral church of Library and Art Gallery (James Hibbert, grandest being the Adams Building, St Barnabus. The church is the work 1882-93), a monumental Greek Revival by T.C. Hine for Thomas Adams and of one of Watson Fothergill’s heroes, building. The interior also has classical James Page, 1855 - 1878. AWN Pugin, built between 1841-4 for allusions in the form of friezes from the growing numbers of Catholics and. different eras. The museum was Many towns exhibit the influence of mainly funded by Lord Shrewsbury. founded on the principle that works of a local architect but Nottingham is The exterior and much of the interior is art have a civilising influence on the particularly fortunate in having several in Early English Gothic with the Blessed public. The building was designed who had a significant influence on Sacrament chapel giving expression to so that the middle classes entered the commercial and residential face Pugin’s trademark Decorated Gothic. from the first floor, separating them of the city. Hine, Stretton, Sutton, Recent reordering and redecoration has from the hoi polloi below. Nowadays Bromley and Howitt all had local roots, attempted to reinstate the architect’s everyone enters from the ground floor, but none match the flamboyance of original intentions regarding colour. so evidently we are now all considered Watson Fothergill. Born Fothergill civilised, or else the authorities have Watson, he changed his name to A swift march through the Park, the given up trying. We saw a local history preserve his maternal name which he superior residential area developed for exhibition prepared for the forthcoming believed could be traced back to the the Victorian middle classes, past the Preston Guild, which included an Norman Conquest. We stood before Castle and the statue of Nottingham’s impressive model of Horrockses’ Yard his former offices on George Street, an most famous son, Robin Hood (couldn’t Works. advertisement for his style. This is not a leave him out!) took us back to the shy and retiring architect and a strong station. Elain gave us an excellent Some other buildings that we visited stomach for Gothic is needed. Turrets, introduction to a city that warrants in the centre were not really buildings pinnacles, finials, bands of contrasting further exploration. at all. The Victorian markets are open red and blue brick, window arches of spaces covered by roofs on cast-iron contrasting red and white, gargoyles, Paula Moorhouse January 2012 columns, more ornate for the later fish great gables of dark timber, pillars, market than for the original general colonnades, stone friezes depict scenes Once every Preston Guild: An market (Garlick, Park & Sykes, 1877/8; of architecture through the ages, the Excursion to Victorian Preston with Grade II). We popped into the Black faces of his architectural heroes peer Dominic Roberts and Mark Watson Horse Hotel (J A Seward, 1898; Grade from the walls, Pugin, G E Street, G G 25 August 2012. II), unremarkable from the outside but Scott, William Burges and Shaw. And, Our tour of Preston was led by Dominic preserving its original room layout that fine figure of a medieval architect Roberts, an architect practising in the with tiles, sash bar screens, stained at first floor level, is that how Fothergill city, and supplemented by notes from glass etc. An intended return visit by sees himself? (below) Mark Watson, who as always had made the more decadent among us was the practical arrangements for the trip. thwarted by the weather. We also saw To save time, they had decided on the fine Miller Arcade (Essex, Nicol taxis to get us from the station (Cooper & Goodman, 1895; Grade II), always & Tullis, 1879/80 – though people’s something of a white elephant because priority was not to get left behind rather of its poor location. We were told that than to admire the architecture) to St it once housed Turkish baths and that Walburge’s church – a wise move given there are plans to convert part of it into the rain that was to be unleashed. a hotel.

St Walburge’s (J A Hansom; Grade In case anyone was becoming blasé II) was built for the Jesuits in stages about Victoriana we were treated to a from 1850 to 1872, with one-penny tour of the Brutalist 1967 bus station contributions from the, mostly poor, (Building Design Partnership), a product parishioners. It has remarkable of planning theories that decreed that features, such as the height of the spire access should be by an unmarked (309 feet), the contrast between the subway on the opposite side of the brown Wirral sandstone of the nave and road. This fact was already known to the white limestone of the tower, the your reviewer, who had missed buses lack of aisles and the steepness of the by being unable to find a way in. hammerbeam roof. We were allowed to venture up the tower and witness The rest of the tour was spent in the Our tour took us past Jesse Boot’s the superb outlook over the city (with Avenham ward of the city, with the first shop, Boot’s first flagship store a clear sight-line to the Harris Gallery) handsome Winckley Square at its [Albert Bromley 1903-4], the Council as well as an awe-inspiring view up the centre. This is an area of Georgian House [T. Cecil Howitt, 1924-9], the spire. and early Victorian houses – once Market Square and a fine example of the residence of the great and the Waterhouse’s work for the Pru. We then walked to the attractive Market good, judging by the number of 12 blue plaques – one of which houses between the new and old. The need for felt to be massive and cumbersome - Dominic Roberts’ practice. The most a deep floorplate is the main reason for the Scott case was far lighter and more notable building is St Wilfrid’s RC demolition. The rear portions were not delicate. The new case should float church (Grade II*), remodelled from a of great architectural interest. The front above the existing screen rather than ‘brick shed’ by Ignatius Scoles and S range would be restored as part of the bearing down on it, as proposed. The J Nicholl (1879/80 and 1892). It has a project. The Committee reluctantly Committee also objected to structural fine Italian Renaissance exterior with accepted the need for demolition and steel insertions which would be partly lavish use of marble, polished granite was pleased by the improvements to visible where attached to the piers of and mosaics inside. Avenham Walk the front range and the fact that the the chancel arch. leads to Avenham Park, built during new building would respect the historic the Cotton Famine, and the river, which street pattern. Deansgate, County Courts Building we walked along, pausing to see the Grade II bridge (a replacement) that carried the Oxford Road, The application was for the conversion tramway linking the two sections of the Grade II, J W Beaumont, 1895-1900 of the building to mixed commercial use Lancaster Canal. The application related to the extension including a rear extension, a glazed of and internal and external alterations canopy and new entrances on Atkinson We are very grateful to Dominic Roberts to the gallery. The principal issue Street, Deansgate and Sydney Street. not only for leading the walk but, with was the design of the new extension. The new corner entrances looked his wife, providing us with an excellent The Committee considered that the reasonable; alterations to the railings lunch at his practice. We benefited proposed extension would be a great would need to be done with great care. from his uncanny ability to time the improvement to a dull rear elevation In general the Committee was content walking for the dry spells during the and also applauded the proposed with the plans. day. This was never more evident than restoration of Victorian internal spaces at the end, when he managed to steer and original windows. Todd Street, City Buildings us into a commodious pub just as the Grade II, 1865-75 heavens opened. We escaped to the Cathedral Church of St Mary, St City Buildings is a derelict building station when the rain eventually eased Denys and St George consisting of shops and offices above, off, hoping one day to see more of what Grade I, c.1422-1520, 1814-15; close to Victoria Station It sits on an this interesting city has to offer. restorations and enlargements: island block, the rest of which is empty, J.P. Holden, 1862-8; J.S.Crowther, apart from 40-44 Long Millgate, a Roger Barton August 2012 1885-6; B. , 1898 and building of 1835 by which 1903 . was formerly the Schoolmistress’s Pre-application consultation. house of the Charity Girls School. 2012 AGM CONSERVATION Plans were discussed for the The applicants propose to demolish REPORT replacement of the organ at Manchester 40- 44 Long Millgate, refurbish City Cathedral. This dates from 1952-7 Buildings, and erect a 14 storey tower Ken Moth, Chairman of the Northern and was installed during post-WWII on the rest of the site, which to be Buildings Committee (NBC) gave reconstruction work which included used as a hotel. Whilst the size and the Greater Manchester Casework repairs to the choir stall and screens architectural treatment of the new Report for 2011 of a very high standard. The organ building is controversial, the Committee itself is housed in functional box-like welcomed the retention and reuse of Ken Moth outlined the structure enclosure located behind the choir the listed building. Details including the and operation of the two casework stalls in the quire aisles and is regarded repair and reinstatement of chimneys, committees, reminding members that as unsatisfactory. It replaced a Hill the clock and the main staircase the objective of conservation was instrument of 1871 in a case by Sir G.G. are important. The Committee had not to prevent change, rather to avoid Scott which was located on top of the reservations about the scale and form unnecessary loss and damage by pulpitum. This was badly damaged in of the new building and its effect on ensuring that proposals were both WWII, dismantled and then lost. The the listed building and the conservation justified and appropriate. He went on loft is now empty apart from the console area. Such a large building demands to summarise Greater Manchester of the existing organ, while the gaps in the very highest standards of design; cases dealt with by NBC in 2011, and the fabric left by the Scott case were this design was rather anonymous. described some other cases that Mark filled with excellent 1950s replications Watson, the Society’s representative of medieval work. It was proposed to Rusholme, Platt Lane, Holy Trinity on Manchester’s Historic Buildings return the organ to the pulpitum which Grade II*, Edmund Sharpe, 1845-6 Advisory Panel, had been involved with. is originally C15th but has lost much of This reordering scheme was first its original fabric and has been altered discussed by the Committee at its Oxford Road, Royal Eye Hospital over the centuries. The Committee December 2010 meeting when we Grade II, Pennington & Brigden, agreed that the high quality 1950’s work objected to the removal of the pews 1884-1910 should not be altered, which the artist’s with their interesting terracotta cusped Demolition of the rear portions of the impressions of the new case seemed inserts, the carpeting of the interior building, mostly a 1910 extension, was to imply would be necessary. The and the erection of a metal and glass proposed, to be replaced by a medical preliminary design of the new case was porch against the west wall of the research facility, with a glazed link 13 church as stated in our letter to the This space was then to be reseated that bisects the site) to be brought architects, Byrom Clark Roberts, in using some of the pews taken out of under one roof. The existing school December 2010. This letter was copied the nave in order to create a chapel buildings, which it was claimed are to the Manchester DAC Secretary. No for smaller services. We felt that the expensive to maintain and cannot be response was ever received and the Statement of Significance did not pay upgraded, were to be vacated. The architects had not addressed any of enough attention to Crowther, despite infants’ school was to be adapted to our concerns. The Committee strongly his fittings being the most affected. accommodate a nursery for 30 places re-stated our concerns and complained The material sent to us was felt to be and the community space which is that the architects had not engaged inadequate with nothing to show what currently provided in the junior school. with our comments. impact the proposals would have on The junior school was to be converted the architecture of the chancel and into 12 apartments, which entailed As a general comment lots better information was requested. subdivision of parts of the interior and, of church re-ordering schemes most contentiously, turning the rear part involve the removal of pews which Stockport, St George’s Church of the building into a courtyard garden in some cases are of little merit. We School and Vicarage Church: by dismantling the roof of the library on don’t object to the justified removal of Grade I, Paley, Austin and Paley, the first floor. A 1930s building between such pews. However, we do object 1892-7 Vicarage: Grade II, c. the two schools (not listed separately, to covering historic floors of great 1900 Infants’ and Junior school: although curtilage listed) was also to be architectural importance with wall Grade II, c. 1897, c. 1905 Walls demolished so that the space could be to wall carpet usually bright blue or and gate piers to school: turned into a car park. The Committee red. This completely degrades the Grade II, c. 1905 All located in felt that the parlous state of the vicarage quality of the interior architecture. St George’s Conservation Area was shocking and shameful – the We have no control over the The spur for this scheme was damage occurred while the building selection of chairs to replace the state of the vicarage, which was in the ownership of the Church pews, but again these are had been empty and neglected of England which should be held to mostly bland doctor’s waiting since it was vacated in 2004. account for the neglect. The Church room style chairs of a domestic It was to have been sold off of England is a charitable organisation or boarding house quality into private ownership, but and as such is legally obliged to protect quite unsuitable in such instead was transferred to the its assets. Planning guidance note inspiring spaces. ownership of the Diocesan PPS5 states that if there is evidence Board of Education. In the of deliberate neglect and damage then intervening period the the state of the building should not be vicarage had been seriously a contributory factor when a decision damaged by arson and is taken on a planning application vandalism and involving it and the same document the grounds includes a number of requirements totally which have to be met before demolition of a listed building can be permitted. Despite the damage from arson, vandalism and dry rot, according to an engineer’s report submitted with the application the basic structure was still sound and by no means beyond repair. The Committee objected to the proposals in the strongest terms. Holy Trinity, Platt Lane, Rusholme, Edmund Sharpe 1845-46 Stockport, St Mary’s Church neglected and overgrown. The Rochdale, Falinge, St Edmund the Grade I, Med, Lewis Wyatt 1813-17, windows had almost all been destroyed Martyr ( now redundant) restored by J.S. Crowther, 1882 and there had been severe damage Grade I, J. Medland Taylor, 1870-3 This was a pre-application consultation. to the masonry. Its condition was Pre-application consultation Revised proposals were presented for stabilised in 2009 by bricking up the This is the most amazing and richly a reordering scheme for this church, doors and windows after the LPA decorated church dedicated to Masonic first discussed at the April 2010 NBC threatened to serve an urgent works ideals and unmatched in quality. The meeting, when it was proposed to notice. This was done without LBC and building had been discussed at the remove all the nave pews. This proposal the Council reserved the right to require October 2010 meeting, when details remained unchanged, but the scheme reinstatement of the original fabric. The were presented to the Committee of had now been extended to encompass Board of Education wishes to demolish discussions held on a site visit with the eastern end of the church as well: the building and use the site for a an applicant looking at purchasing the the choir stalls in the easternmost bay large new 5-storey school building to building for conversion to a nursery and of the nave were to be retained, but the allow the functions of the infants’ and we now had more detailed proposals to remaining sets in the medieval chancel junior schools on the opposite side of examine. Externally the only changes were to be removed and disposed of. The Avenue (the private, gated road shown were the insertion of two short

14 lengths of fencing to allow the SW corner Alexandra Park has been awarded James Francis Doyle (1840-1913) was of the site to be made into a playground. major Lottery funding for its restoration a architect with a practice Internally the pews were mostly to be including the repair of the remaining that spanned almost 50 years. Banks, removed. The choir stalls were to be lodge by Alfred Darbyshire. We hope churches, office buildings, houses, in left in position and the lectern, pulpit that the work is of a better standard varied styles and which still stand in and font protected by timber-framed than that carried out at Philips Park, but Merseyside, Lancashire and further removable surrounds to a height of are pleased to see that two formerly afield testify to the versatility required of 1.5 metres, ie boxed in. The vestry derelict gatehouses there have now an architectural practice at the time. For was to be converted into a kitchen and been restored and are being lived in. the last twenty years of the nineteenth the inner section underneath the west century Doyle also worked closely with gallery subdivided to form children’s The Halle Orchestra has been awarded Richard Norman Shaw (1831-1912) toilets. Adults’ toilets would be housed funds to fit out St Peter’s Church who came up to Liverpool to do work, in the lower ground floor beneath. The Ancoats as a rehearsal space. both domestic and commercial, for scheme was felt to be a poor and short Thomas Ismay, Chairman of the White term use for the building. A charitable The local authority has asked the Star Line. foundation has offered a donation of owner of Crumpsall Library to do a £250,000 to allow the building to be proper structural survey of the building, The Head Office of the White Star preserved with all its fittings intact and and a community group has expressed Line and the Royal Insurance Building The Heritage Trust for the North West interest in using it. are just two buildings that link Francis has offered to set up a daughter trust Doyle and Norman Shaw, whose to take on the building. The Diocese The Secretary of State for Communities working relationship provides an prefers the nursery option but will and Local Government has refused example of fertile reciprocal provincial consider disposal to a charitable trust if to confirm the CPO on London Road and metropolitan influences between consent for the nursery is refused. Fire Station, Manchester on the basis Liverpool and London at the turn of the that the owner Britannia Hotels will now last century. An update on some other items proceed with repair and conversion St James Church Crawshaw Booth by works. They had allowed the building to Dr Guy Snaith is a retired lecturer in Paley and Austin has suffered severe remain empty and decaying for some French at the University of Liverpool. damage as the result of the theft of 25 years and the CPO action seems to He has been a member of the roof leadwork and rainwater pipes. have finally pushed them into behaving Victorian Society since 1974, first in the The building has been abandoned for with some civic responsibility. Cambridge University group and then worship, there is standing water inside in the Liverpool Group, where he is a and decay will now be very rapid. Metal David Morris, the very active and Committee member. thieves may make, for example, £500 respected Conservation Officer of selling stolen metal but create damage Rochdale Borough Council, has applied 7 pm for 7.15 pm costing hundreds of thousands of for the listing of two 1904 concrete YHA Potato Wharf, off Liverpool Road, pounds to repair. If they stole watches bridges at Spotland. Built using the Castlefield Manchester M3 4NB from St Ann’s Square they would be Hennebique system they were the Cost: £5.00 per person. dealt with much more severely. Such is first bridges of their type in the UK and No need to book in advance the law. survive in use and intact.

The appearance of Finally we were pleased to see local on the 2011 Top Ten Endangered Victorian Society member Janet Allen Victorian Buildings List has been awarded an MBE in the New Year’s effective at bringing it into the public Honours list for services to conservation. eye, and there have been talks taking Janet has been particularly active in place about its future. The owners, rescuing Elizabeth Gaskell’s house in development company Urban Splash, Plymouth Grove and also St James the wish to demolish the building but a Less in New Mills. decision has been deferred to give time to the Greater Manchester Buildings Ken Moth January 2012 Preservation Trust to try to acquire the building. Mark Watson has appeared Manchester group on the local media several times to 2012-2013 Events press for the building’s retention. The stumbling block is the cost of a new thursday 29 november 2012 support scaffold. An illustrated talk Significant maintenance and repair Francis Doyle and Norman Shaw in projects are now underway at Thomas Liverpool Worthington’s Nicholl’s Hospital and with Guy Snaith White Star Line Offices, James Colwyn Chambers on Mosley Street. Retired Lecturer and Researcher Street Liverpool 1895-8

15 first half of the nineteenth century. Nouveau tiles. It will examine how tiles saturday 8 december 2012 were made, highlighting the output Christmas Excursion to Leeds He is the editor of Building a Great of large scale manufacturers, such An Xmas Lunch, Walk and Talk at Victorian City: Leeds Architects as Pilkington’s Tile and Pottery Co, the Leeds Club. and Architecture 1790-1914 (2011) Minton’s China Works, and Doulton. with Janet Douglas, Christopher published by Northern Heritage The products of smaller firms, Webster and Mark Watson Publications in association with The Compton, Medmenham and Della Victorian Society West Yorkshire Robbia Potteries, for example, will also Our 2012 Christmas Celebration and Group. ISBN: 978-1906600648 be discussed. The contribution made lunch will take place in Leeds. We will by designers such as Lewis F Day, assemble at Leeds Train Station ticket booking form on pages 20 and menu , C F A Voysey, William barrier at 10.15 am for a prompt 10.30 choices on page 21. Neatby, and Louis Victor Solon, and the am start. Janet Douglas, will meet us at use of Art Nouveau tiles employed in architecture across the British Isles will the station and from there we will set out saturday 26 january 2013 on a walking tour of Leeds City centre. also be discussed. Actual examples of Our first venue is the Leeds Library on AGM and illustrated talk Art Nouveau tiles will be shown at the Commercial Street where we will meet It’s Grim Down South - the end of the lecture. Geoffrey Forster who will put on a small North-South Divide in Building display of the work Thomas Ambler did Conservation. Hans van Lemmen was educated in for the Library in the 1850s. We will also with Chris Costelloe Holland and taught art and design have the opportunity to have coffee. Director, Victorian Society history at Leeds Polytechnic and Leeds Metropolitan University. He is a founder After coffee we will walk along Boar Chris Costelloe will explore the member of the Tiles and Architectural Lane (mostly Ambler’s work) and then similarities and differences between Ceramics Society and at present to Duncan St where there is another conservation cultures and issues serves as its President. His publications Ambler building and an interesting in southern and northern England, include Tiles in Architecture, Medieval range of Edwardian buildings on the drawing on his experience as a Tiles, Delftware Tiles, Victorian Tiles, north side of the street. At the bottom is caseworker for examples. From Art Nouveau Tiles, and Art Deco Tiles. the Corn Exchange (Brodrick) and we excavation of subterranean swimming will take in the interior which is now a pools to simple neglect, historic 7 pm for 7.15 pm (not too successful) shopping complex. buildings face a vast range of problems YHA Potato Wharf, off Liverpool Road, We will then look at various buildings - and opportunities. Is there really a Castlefield Manchester M3 4NB on Vicar Lane including Kirkgate difference in the conservation problems Cost: £5.00 per person. Market. Although they are likely to be that different parts of the country face, No need to book in advance very crowded we can walk through the or are we all in it together? County Arcade, cross over to Briggate to Thornton’s Arcade and down Land’s Chris Costelloe is Director of the wednesday 20 march 2013 Lane to Albion Place, and the Leeds Victorian Society. He grew up in An illustrated talk Club. London but went to university at Arts and Crafts from the Tweed to Durham. Before joining the Victorian the Tees We will arrive at the Leeds Club at 12.45 Society he worked as a stonemason with Wendy and Barrie Armstrong, pm for lunch at 1.15 pm. Lunch will be in Somerset and as a consultant in Researchers and Authors followed by Christopher Webster’s talk. Newcastle. He now works in London Architecture in Leeds, 1800-1914. but is happiest on a Pennine peak with Over the last 5 years Barrie and Wendy the wind in his teeth. Armstrong have spent much of their The talk will look at the work of some of time away from home researching for the city’s leading architects, exploring 1.45 pm to 4.30 pm this eagerly awaited book on the Arts the extent to which it is typical of YHA Potato Wharf, off Liverpool Road, and Crafts Movement in the North East provincial architecture and architectural Castlefield Manchester M3 4NB of England and Yorkshire, touring the practice in the period. We expect to Attendance at the AGM is free but there country from Berwick upon Tweed to finish around 4 pm. is a charge of £5 for the talk Hull, Scarborough and Sheffield. It was No need to book in advance a bigger task than they expected for Until her retirement, Janet Douglas they gathered so much information that was a lecturer at Leeds Metropolitan one book became two with all the extra University. She has been a member Thursday 21 february 2013 work which that has entailed. of the West Yorkshire Group of the Vic An illustrated talk Soc since the 1970s, and is currently Art Nouveau Tiles The result is Vol 1 The Arts and Crafts their events organiser with Hans van Lemmen, President of the Movement in the North East and Vol 2 Tiles and Architectural Ceramic Society The Arts and Crafts Movement in Christopher Webster is an architectural Yorkshire. The format is similar to their historian who has published widely on This illustrated talk will consider the book on the North West: An introduction aspects of English architecture in the main developments in British Art setting the area in the context of the Arts 16 seaside structures, from the smallest – balconies – to the largest, namely piers, shelters and covered promenades. Above all, this is a story of gradual development in the scope of ambition in relation to cast iron and seaside architecture, moving from a relatively modest application of the material in the first half of the 19th century to an all-encompassing approach by the century’s end.

Paul Dobraszczyk is a Leverhulme Early Career Research Fellow at the University of Manchester, working on a 2-year project researching the use of ornamental cast iron in Victorian architecture.

Paul’s research interests broadly cover visual culture in the 19th century, with particular interests in the urban underground, print culture, industrial architecture and ruins. He has published articles on such diverse topics as the ruins of Chernobyl, gardening catalogues, census forms, London guidebooks, sewage pumping stations and information for cab passengers. His first book, Into the Belly of the Beast: Exploring London’s Victorian Sewers was published by Spire Books in 2009. Mintons China Works Art Nouveau fireplace tiles: image courtesy Hans van Lemmen 7 pm for 7.15 pm YHA Potato Wharf, off Liverpool Road, and Crafts Movement, The Gazetteer, 7 pm for 7.15 pm Castlefield Manchester M3 4NB a Who’s Who and a useful Bibliography. YHA Potato Wharf, off Liverpool Road, Cost: £5.00 per person. As this newsletter goes to print neither Castlefield Manchester M3 4NB No need to book in advance. the front covers nor the price of the Cost: £5.00 per person. books has been agreed and the book No need to book in advance will not be published until early 2013 so their talk to Manchester Vic Soc will be the first of a series around the country. Thursday 11 april 2013 An illustrated talk Their professional backgrounds are : a Victorian Iron World in Environmental Health and Social with Paul Dobraszczyk Work where they honed their research Leverhulme Fellow and report- writing skills. Their hearts however are in all things Arts and This talk explores the design and Crafts and they spend their leisure perception of cast iron in Victorian time visiting Arts and Crafts buildings seaside architecture, concentrating all over the country and collecting on Blackpool, one of the largest ceramics and metal ware of that period. British resorts in the late-Victorian They produced their book on the North period. It focuses on two distinct but West because they wanted to share interrelated themes: first, the role their research about their findings. The of cast iron in creating Blackpool’s book’s success was so phenomenal seaside environment and, second, the that they decided to spend another visual language of iron in its seaside 5 years researching Yorkshire and architecture. the North East. These books, each The talk is structured around analysis illustrated with some 300 photographs, of the constituent elements of iron are the result. 17 Manchester Central (Metrolink) Wednesday 8 May 2013 stations: turn right along Deansgate, MANCHESTER GROUP Last of the Summer Wine then left along Liverpool Road as far as The next Manchester Group Newsletter Country: Gutters & Gulleygrates - a Castlefield Hotel (also known as the Y will be published in April 2013. The next club – note this is not our venue). There, Visit to Longbttom’s Holmfirth Cast Events Card (May 2013 to January turn left along Potato Wharf. The youth Iron Foundry 2014) will be published in April 2013. hostel is on the left after you go under the If you wish to make a contribution to the railway bridge. This is approximately a J and J W Longbottom Ltd can trace 700 yard walk. Newsletter, either an article, news item their origins in iron founding back 75 or event review, please email years, during which time they have From Piccadilly station: take a train [email protected] specialised in the production of cast to Deansgate or a tram to Manchester iron rainwater and soil goods. The central then follow the above directions. Disclaimer: Participants are reminded use of cast iron for drainage purposes Alternatively, catch the number 3 free bus that the Victorian Society does has successfully stood the test of time which runs every 10 minutes and the last not accept any liability of any kind and the installation of this established bus is 19.00 from the forecourt - get off at whatsoever howsoever arising. The material is being specified more and the second stop on Quay Street (after the Victorian Society reserves the right more in order to preserve the original Opera House). From there go back along to cancel, alter or postpone events if appearance of buildings. Once Quay Street and right along Lower Byrom necessary. The Victorian Society is a adequately installed many years of Street to Liverpool Road. Turn right and Registered Charity No 1081435 and minimal maintenance and trouble free proceed as above. This is approximately a Company Limited by Guarantee use follows. Despite rationalisation a 600 yard walk. Registered in England No 3940996 in the trade during recent years From Piccadilly Gardens: catch the Longbottoms continues to sustain the number 33 bus which runs every 20 Please note that buildings we visit may capacity to offer a comprehensive minutes, (currently at 18.28, 18.48, 19.08) present a variety of hazards including range of cast pipes, gutter and fittings to the second stop on Liverpool Road uneven surfaces, stairs, low head of all types. (opposite the Science Museum). Then go heights, low lighting, building and back to the Castlefield Hotel and follow the demolition works. We would like all our Simon Gudgeon, the son of the above directions. This is approximately a events to be accessible to everyone, Managing Director will conduct 200 yard walk. but there may be stairs or uneven us around the foundry where surfaces which cannot be avoided, and the processes remain much the From Oxford Road station: catch long periods of walking or standing. same as those of Victorian times. the number 2 free bus (times as for the number 3 above) from the forecourt to Workloads permitting we will treated Should you have any questions about Liverpool Road (first stop only). From to a demonstration of gutters being your ability to participate in an event, cast which will give some idea of the there follow the ­directions above. This is approximately a 400 yard walk. please contact us. Some of our events atmosphere under which foundry are unsuitable for children. If you have workers laboured. After the visit we From Victoria station: catch the number any special needs or ideas about how shall lunch at a country inn. Safety 2 bus outside and get off at the second we can improve our events, please let equipment will be provided by the stop outside the Great Northern complex; us know. foundry. Stout shoes or walking boots continue down Deansgate, turn right along are mandatory for this visit . Access to ­Liverpool Road and follow the directions Remember to let us know if you the foundry will be denied if footwear is as above. Address of the YHA: ­Potato change your email address! deemed inadequate! Wharf, Off Liverpool Road, ­Manchester M3 4NB Please complete the booking form on page 20 of this newsletter if you wish to take part in this event. NEWSLETTERS BY EMAIL Thank you to those members who Please note that places are restricted have agreed to receive the Manchester for safety reasons. Newsletter by email. This has allowed us to reduce postage and copying potato Wharf yha costs. Our venue for talks in 2012-2013 will If you lose your email copy or it be the YHA, Potato Wharf, Castlefield, disappears from your computer a pdf of Manchester M3 4NB (tel: 0161 839 the Newsletter can now be found on the 9960) Manchester page of Victorian Society’s main site at victoriansociety.org.uk/ Directions to the YHA by public manchester/ as can the current talks transport and visits. If you would like to receive an email version of the Newsletter please From Deansgate Castlefield or email [email protected]. 18 Manchester Group of the Victorian Society

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Saturday 26 January 2013

1.45 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. YHA Potato Wharf, Castlefield, Manchester. M3 4NB

AGENDA 1. Apologies 2. Minutes of last meeting 3. Matters Arising 4. Membership Secretary’s report 5. Conservation report. 6. Treasurer’s report. 7. Chairman’s report. 8. Election of Officers and Committee. 9. AOB

All members are entitled to attend the AGM. Cost £5 to include refreshments and illustrated talk.

NOMINATION FORM FOR A COMMITTEE MEMBER:

NOMINEE Name of nominee: ......

Address: ......

......

Tel: ...... Email: ......

Nominee’s signature of acceptance...... date...... please give reasons for nominating this person to the Manchester Group Committee?

......

......

Your contact details:

Name: ......

Address: ......

......

Tel: ...... Email: ......

Return to: The Secretary, Manchester Victorian Society, c/o , 57 Mosley Street, Manchester M2 3HY or bring along to the AGM.

19 Booking form : Manchester Victorian Society - Holmfirth Visit SATURDAY 8 May 2013 A visit to J & J W Longbottom’s cast iron foundry with Simon Gudgeon and Mark Watson. Arrive Bridge Foundry, Holmfirth at 9.45am for 10.00 am start - by own cars - plentiful free parking. Cost is £10 excluding travel and lunch. Further details page 18 CLOSING DATE FOR BOOKINGS: Wednesday 24 April 2013

First name...... Surname...... Address...... Postcode...... telephone numbers*...... *mobile number preferable - please switch on your mobile and bring with you to the event

Please indicate below if you require a lift to Holmfirth or you can offer a lift. I/we require a lift to Holmfirth. How many places required? ( ) I am able to offer a lift to Holmfirth. How many places available? ( ) Names of others attending First name...... Surname......

First name...... Surname......

First name...... Surname...... Confirmation, a map and travel arrangements will be sent in good time. Enclose your completed form, a stamped self-addressed envelope and a cheque for £10.00 per person made payable to: The Victorian Society to: Mark Watson, 18 Thomas Telford Basin, Manchester M1 2NH. Tel 07831 267642 Disclaimer: You participate in Victorian Society events at your own risk and neither the Society nor its officers or servants accept any liability of any kind whatsoever, howsoever arising. The Victorian Society reserves the right to cancel, alter or postpone events if necessary. Victorian Society Manchester Group Committee Secretary email:[email protected]

Booking form : Manchester Victorian Society - Leeds Xmas Lunch SATURDAY 8 december 2012 An architectural walk around Leeds City Centre led by Janet Douglas. Lunch will take place at the Leeds Club followed with an illustrated talk Architecture in Leeds, 1800-1914 by Christopher Webster Meet at Leeds Train Station Ticket barrier at 10.15 a.m for 10.30 am start - by own/public transport: trains from Victoria (dep 8.48 am) and Piccadilly (dep 9.09 am - recommended). Further details are on page 16 Cost - including three course Christmas lunch: £33.00 per person (excluding travel costs and drinks).

CLOSING DATE FOR BOOKINGS: TUESDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2012 First name...... Surname...... Address...... Postcode...... telephone numbers*...... *mobile number preferable - please switch on your mobile and bring with you to the event

Names of others attending First name...... Surname......

First name...... Surname......

First name...... Surname...... Confirmation and train times will be sent by 1st December 2012. Enclose your completed form, menu choices, a stamped self-addressed envelope and a cheque for £33.00 per person made payable to: The Victorian Society to: Mark Watson, 18 Thomas Telford Basin, Manchester M1 2NH. Tel 07831 267642 Disclaimer: You participate in Victorian Society events at your own risk and neither the Society nor its officers or servants accept any liability of any kind whatsoever, howsoever arising. The Victorian Society reserves the right to cancel, alter or postpone events if necessary. Victorian Society Manchester Group Committee Secretary email:[email protected]

20 Manchester Victorian Society Christmas Lunch in Leeds 8 December 2012 MENU CHOICES Please return one separate form for each attendee Forename…………………………………….Surname………………………………………...... STARTER (choose one and please tick your choice) Chef’s new Chicken Liver and Mushroom Parfait with a roasted Sweet Tomato & Onion Chutney served with Melba Toast ( ) or Puree of Winter Vegetable Soup with Cream and Spice served with Herb Croutons ( )

MAIN COURSE (choose one and please tick your choice) Roast Milford Turkey Breast with Pigs in Blankets, Sage and Onion Stuffing and Pan Gravy ( ) or Beef Bourguignon with Onions, Mushrooms & Bacon served with Rice ( ) or Vegetarian option : Aubergine, Wild Mushroom and Spinach Stack with a Fresh Basil & Red Pepper Sauce served with Balsamic Glaze ( )

DESSERT (choose one and please tick your choice) Traditional Christmas Pudding served with Rum Sauce ( ) or Cheese & Biscuits served with Grapes and Celery ( ) Followed by Coffee with warm Mince Pies A bottle bar will be available – not included in the price of the Dinner. Please return your menu choices with your booking form and your cheque made payable to The Victorian Society.

Forename…………………………………….Surname………………………………………...... STARTER (choose one and please tick your choice) Chef’s new Chicken Liver and Mushroom Parfait with a roasted Sweet Tomato & Onion Chutney served with Melba Toast ( ) or Puree of Winter Vegetable Soup with Cream and Spice served with Herb Croutons ( )

MAIN COURSE (choose one and please tick your choice) Roast Milford Turkey Breast with Pigs in Blankets, Sage and Onion Stuffing and Pan Gravy ( ) or Beef Bourguignon with Onions, Mushrooms & Bacon served with Rice ( ) or Vegetarian option: Aubergine, Wild Mushroom and Spinach Stack with a Fresh Basil & Red Pepper Sauce served with Balsamic Glaze ( )

DESSERT (choose one and please tick your choice) Traditional Christmas Pudding served with Rum Sauce ( ) or Cheese & Biscuits served with Grapes and Celery ( ) Followed by Coffee with warm Mince Pies A bottle bar will be available – not included in the price of the Dinner. Please return your menu choices with your booking form and your cheque made payable to The Victorian Society.

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