Uncovering Our Cultural Connections

Uncovering Our Cultural Connections Celebrating culture past and present in Altrincham and Bowdon Whether you’re a fan of Sir Edward Elgar or Ian Brown, Alison Uttley or Andrew Morton, church music or pop, Altrincham’s cultural heritage has something for everyone. Altrincham is well connected, geographically and culturally. Many of these links have their roots in the 19th century. With the arrival of the railway in 1849 the Altrincham area became a hive of cultural activity. With theatres and cinemas, studios and music halls, it was known as a desirable place to live and work, for artists, musicians, writers and actors. This spirit is continued today by local groups and societies. Altrincham is still home to a range of talented musicians and artists who create a rich cultural mix that is worth celebrating. The cover image is of Silver Jubilee by Edith le Breton. Location of Blue Plaques Manchester, Musicians and Maestros Both The Royal College of Music and the Hallé Orchestra in Manchester drew musicians, composers and conductors to the city from across the globe. Many great names from the world of classical music settled in Altrincham and Bowdon. John Ireland (1879-1962) Born in Bowdon in 1879, the composer John Ireland went on to become a professor at the Royal College of Music in London and taught Benjamin Britten. Inglewood, St Margaret’s Road, Bowdon Thomas Pitfield (1903-1999) Thomas Pitfield was a composer, poet, artist, craftsman and author. Born in Bolton, he moved to live in Altrincham in 1947. He was Professor of Composition at the Royal Manchester and the Royal Northern Colleges of Music. Several of his pupils became world famous composers. He used to play the organ at St Mary’s Church in Bowdon and was a founder member of Bowdon History Society. During his lifetime he composed about 200 pieces of music and wrote 10 books. Adolf Brodsky (1851-1929) A renowned violinist, he succeeded Charles Hallé as Principal of the Royal College of Music in Manchester. His career took him from Russia to Vienna, New York and Berlin. From there he moved to Manchester and became Leader of the Halle Orchestra in 1895. Brodsky was a friend of Tchaikovsky, Grieg, Elgar and Brahms. Local people remember him walking through the town on his way to catch the train at Altrincham station, and paying local children generously to run errands. He was the first musician to play Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in Vienna in 1881. 3 Laurel Mount, East Downs Road, Bowdon, where he lived from 1903 until his death in 1929. Hans Richter (1843-1916) World famous, he was another Bowdon resident and was the permanent conductor of the Hallé Orchestra from 1899 until 1911. During this time he promoted the work of many English composers, particularly Elgar, who visited him in Bowdon. He started his career as a horn player and Wagner’s musical secretary. 27 The Firs, Bowdon Music in Altrincham today Ian Brown, lead singer with Manchester band The Stone Roses, grew up in Timperley and went to school at Altrincham Boys’ Grammar School. Sasha Johnson Manning is a composer and singer. For many years she was Director of Music at St Mary’s Church, Bowdon. St Mary’s is the main venue for the Bowdon Festival. The festival was run by the writer and critic Gerald Larner in the 1980s and has recently been revived. Writer and critic Nicholas Kenyon, who ran the BBC Promenade Concerts for many years, was born in Altrincham. The Northern Chamber Orchestra often perform at Bowdon Assembly Rooms. The Altrincham Choral Society, directed by Andrew Roberts, is known for its adventurous programmes. Stars of Stage and Screen The theatre on Oxford Road in Altrincham is home to the 11th oldest drama group in the UK. Established in 1896 it was first called St Margaret’s Church Institute Amateur Dramatic Society. It became the Club Theatre when performances were restarted in 1947 at the end of the Second World War. In August 2012 it was renamed Altrincham Little Theatre and its present patron is the famous playwright Brian H Clemens, several of his plays having premiered there. Gow & the Garrick The most famous names associated with theatre in Altrincham are Ronald Gow and his wife the film actress Wendy Hiller. Gow was very involved with the Garrick Theatre, the principal venue for drama in the area. Ronald Gow’s father was the manager of the old Barclay’s Bank building on Stamford New Road, his family living above the bank for 10 years. Born in Stockport, Gow lived in Altrincham for over 30 years. A pupil at Altrincham Boys’ Grammar School, he later taught there. Gow become an internationally renowned actor, playwright and film maker. His play Gallows Glorious had its premiere at the Garrick in 1933. The play went on to be produced in London and America. He is most famous for dramatising Walter Greenwood’s novel Love on the Dole, in which his wife Wendy Hiller starred when it was performed at the Garrick in London. Barclays Bank building, 63 Stamford New Road, Altrincham The first production of the Altrincham Garrick Society took place in 1914. The Silver Box by John Galsworthy was performed at the Public Hall in Altrincham by an amateur cast. Years later, after much hard work and fundraising, The Playhouse theatre was opened on Barrington Road in 1932. During the war the theatre was run by a professional company, but afterwards it returned to productions with amateur actors. These performances were praised by Noel Coward, and were acclaimed nationally. Many Garrick members have become professionals working in the entertainment industry. The first Garrick member to turn professional was Ruth Dunning. Others followed in her footsteps, including Helen Cherry (married to film star Trevor Howard), Vera Allen and Graham Platt. Local theatre and drama today In 1999 the Garrick Theatre was completely refurbished with the Arts Council’s support. Many familiar faces from Emmerdale and Coronation Street have started their stage work at the Garrick, including Celia Bonner, Paula Tilbrook and Maureen Casket. The Little Theatre aims to encourage youth theatre and perform new work. Arts and Crafts Gladys Vasey (1889-1987) A well known landscape and portrait artist, she grew up in Sale, living with her parents and twin sister on Broad Road. She was educated at Sale High School and then at a finishing school in Germany. Gladys married at 22 and moved to Bowdon with her husband, where she socialised with other artists and eminent musicians. She painted portraits of the conductor Julius Harrison, and Haydon Rogerson who was a cellist in the Hallé orchestra. In 1961 she exhibited at the annual exhibition of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters alongside post-impressionist painter Augustus John, and Laura Knight. The Vaseys lived next door to the musician Adolf Brodsky. 4 Laurel Mount, East Downs Road, Bowdon, where she lived during the 1920s. Hugh Wallis (1871-1944) He worked as a silversmith and painted in oils and watercolour. He opened his first studio on Market Street and was a leading figure in the Northern Art Workers Guild, exhibiting at the Royal Academy. Basil Morrison (1916-2012) He was involved in every aspect of Altrincham life and produced some of the finest drawings of the town. 6 Lloyd Street, Altrincham Edith Le Breton (1912-1993) Although born in Salford she lived in the Altrincham area for 50 years and began painting at the age of six. She is best known for painting scenes of northern life, capturing life in Salford and then Altrincham. She moved to Newtown in Altrincham after her house in Salford was bombed, buying a shop on the corner of Rostherne Street and Russell Street. She often included her children, her dog and her shop in paintings. Her shop would appear to move around the town so that it could be included! It is featured in her painting Silver Jubilee which shows the jubilee celebrations on Russell Street. It can also be seen in The Bandstand, a vibrant snapshot of life in Stamford Park. She exhibited nationally and even painted a scene from a Manchester United match for Sir Matt Busby. Helen Allingham (1848-1926) This famous watercolour artist was born in Derbyshire but spent most of her early years in Altrincham and Bowdon. After leaving Altrincham in 1862 she studied at the Royal Academy and Slade School in London. During her career she mixed with many great artists, including Millais, and knew the writers Ruskin and Thackeray. She was well known for her paintings of cottages, some of which were painted during her trips to see relatives in the area. Many of these paintings were used on chocolate boxes. She was the first woman to become a member of the Royal Watercolour Society. 16 Market Street, Altrincham and Levenhurst, St John’s Road, Bowdon Arts and Crafts today The Altrincham Society of Artists has a studio next to the Unitarian Chapel on Sylvan Grove. New art venues include Art with a Heart (a new community art space) and Local Creation. Altrincham Society of Artists’ Exhibition held in Hale in the 1960s. The Bandstand by Edith le Breton Brownies, Boggarts and Little Grey Rabbit – Famous Writers Two well known women authors who wrote books for children lived and worked in Bowdon. Juliana Ewing (1841-1885) She wrote many books for children including Jackanapes and a book of short stories called The Brownies and Other Tales, published in 1865. Her work was admired by many, and Lord Baden-Powell renamed his young girl guiding groups Brownies after reading her story about good helpful brownies and lazy idle boggarts.

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