The Victorian Society in Manchester Registered Charity No

The Victorian Society in Manchester Registered Charity No. 1081435 Registered Charity No.1081435 Spring Newsletter 2012

EDITORIAL faults remained. Thirty years of private members bills rather than growth produced only a modest mainstream government policy, Development and Conservation – catalogue of architectural or civic with ideas periodically borrowed Some myths and realities distinction. Why did this happen? from other countries. The Conser- The apparent but unnecessary vation Area came from France, and conflict between development and The informed patronage which more recently the Conservation conservation has its roots in Britain’s historically had produced our great Management Plan was introduced history and also in the decline of towns and cities is largely missing from Australia. Most politicians are informed architectural patronage. today. Many of the developers, either hostile or indifferent to conser- Between 1750 and 1840 Britain contractors, bureaucrats, councillors, vation. A lack of commitment at became the world’s first industrial planners and architects who are central and local government levels nation. Aggressive commercial, foreign and naval policies led to Britain’s position as the world’s strongest nation economically, politically and militarily for most of the nineteenth century. This position started to slip in about 1860 and continued to decline after the First World War. By 1945 Britain was dirty, worn out and broke. People were tired of stagnation and decline – they wanted radical change.

While Europe set about repairing and rebuilding many of its war-torn cities, Britain began a programme of ‘comprehensive redevelopment’. The pressure to get rid of dirty old buildings, seen by many to epitomise national decline, was intensified by the demands of the motor car. The vision may have been well-intentioned but its realisation became crude and uncritical. Whilst the nation’s Thriving, varied, confident, civic and civilized – Victorian Aberdeen. architectural crown jewels were acknowledged, most historic buildings responsible for new developments is apparent when one visits our and places were dismissed as ugly are ill-equipped to judge either good European neighbours and compares and redundant. Their replacements design or the significance of historic the care and consistency applied to were cheap imitations of Modern buildings and places. They hold on their historic areas with our own. Movement ideals, fuelled by those to the lie that Britain is unhealthily political curses of modern Britain – fixated on the past. In fact most Developers and politicians accuse rush, short-term ism and PR statistics. western countries place greater conservationists of being driven by emphasis on their history and the nostalgia, of wishing to return to an By the 1980s society had rebelled protection of their historic places and earlier age. This is false and confuses against the destructive and ugly results. did so long before Britain. The states the point that while we don’t want to The conservation movement gained which became modern Germany return to the past we do need to learn momentum, and comprehensive began to enact historic buildings from the past. Compare the richness redevelopment was replaced (too late legislation a hundred years before and consistency of a Victorian town in many cases) by urban regeneration. Britain and this does not seem to centre as seen in contemporary We were bombarded by a new set have hindered their economy. By photographs with the jumbled and of buzzwords – synergy, catalyst, comparison most British conser- discordant mess of town centres innovative, iconic – but underlying vation legislation is the result of today. The problem is rooted in the 1 fragmented management of urban badly designed or poorly informed derelict. The repaired, conserved development and the absence of development. To use the language and partially re-gilded statues, once informed patronage and shared of the government’s own guidance, moved back into position, will recreate design objectives. conservation is not about preventing the appearance of the nave interior change, rather about properly that E.W.Pugin and his Franciscan Traffic and road design have their managing the process of change. patrons and workers intended. own rules which produce dull Conservation and development are surfaces, ubiquitous yellow lines, a not mutually exclusive; good conser- Book review : proliferation of metal barriers and vation goes hand in hand with good Beggars and Builders: My Story of chaotic signage. These destroy the design. Change is acceptable when Gorton Monastery by Tony Hurley visual and aural quality of our streets it is demonstrably justified in terms and rob the pedestrian of their of need and public benefit and Published by Monastery Publications possession and enjoyment. Similarly, appropriate in terms of design. £6.99 ISBN: 9780957148406 2011 each new development seems to be conceived in a contextual vacuum. For over fifty years the Victorian Gorton Monastery may perhaps be Material, form, scale, colour and Society has worked hard to protect regarded as Manchester’s flagship detail vary widely from site to site on our historic buildings, towns and heritage project. Over the last fifteen the grounds of architectural creativity cities and can be proud of what it years, a charitable trust has saved and and innovation, producing a chaotic has achieved. Its role today is as restored a derelict landmark building townscape. Shop fronts are seen important and essential as ever. it purchased for £1 and transformed it by retailers (and unquestioningly into a cherished and viable community, accepted by planning authorities) as Ken Moth May 2012 corporate and cultural resource. Tony simply enormous billboards which Hurley was involved in the restoration obliterate architectural features and Ken Moth has been an active member almost from the beginning in the dominate the streetscape. Listed of the Victorian Society since 1973. late 1990s to his sad early death in buildings are often seen as no more He is an accredited conservation January 2011. In a foreword to this than facades and unlisted buildings architect, an executive trustee of the book, Elaine Griffiths M.B.E. pays dismissed even when they have Victorian Society and chairman of fulsome tribute to his knowledge and intrinsic quality. There are no longer the Northern Buildings Committee. contribution. Tony had been working any manners or shared values in our He retired from a large commercial on a book about Gorton Monastery for built environment. Look at the results practice two years ago and remains several years and his text has been of the last half century. Something is active in the field of architectural edited and completed by trustees fundamentally wrong. conservation. Janet Wallwork and Ray Hanks. The book follows the Franciscan story from A MORI survey carried out in 2000 The Manchester Victorian Society their arrival in this country in the 13th for English Heritage concluded c/o Portico Library century to the 1872 consecration in that most people placed a high 57 Mosley Street Gorton of the Monastery of St Francis, value on the protection of the Manchester M2 3HY England’s largest parish church built historic environment and regarded since the Reformation. The pen portrait it as a major contributor to their The Victorian Society is the champion for Victorian of Brother Patrick going through the and Edwardian buildings in England and Wales quality of life. In the absence of an informed and collective vision for our towns and cities we need better NEWS guidance, more joined-up thinking and effective safety mechanisms. Gorton Monastery: Return of the Our principal safety mechanism is Saints public consultation, even though Next month (June) this restoration our secretive local authorities seem project reaches a significant mile- only to pay lip-service. It is through stone; the re-positioning of the twelve the consultation process that statues of the Saints to their elevated amenity groups like the Victorian plinths inside the nave. The statues Society have an important part to (made originally by William Wilson & play by drawing attention to the Co. of Manchester) have, with the full worst errors. This inevitably creates approval of English Heritage, been hostility and accusations of blocking restored in their containers at Gorton essential progress. Again this is a by sculptor Andrew Scantlebury and false accusation. Amenity groups his team. and conservationists do not have The statues had suffered considerable a veto on planning decisions, only One of the twelve saints returned damage, probably mainly arising from an opportunity to express a point of to Gorton manastery view. The objection is not usually to the crude and illicit removal from their http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gorton_Monastery_ the principle of development, only to plinths when the building became saints_012a.jpg 2 local pubs begging for the money to On May 16 (7 pm) architectural Manchester School Board), John ‘buy another brick for St Francis’ stays historian David Slade will give a talk Bright and the abolition of the Corn in the mind, as does the view that ‘Pugin the Man’, demonstrating the Laws and Robert Owen and the the head of Brother Patrick’s mother rise of the architect and his influence Co-operative movement. is carved high up on the church. in ecclesiastical designs. Tony’s theory about the North/South Copies of the trail can be obtained at alignment of Gorton Monastery is On May 23 (3 pm): A detailed guided the Manchester Visitor Information plausible and his observation that the heritage tour of ‘Pugin’s Gem’, Centre on Portland Street , time taken to restore the church was St Giles, Cheadle will be led by Manchester M1 4BT or visit exactly as long as it took to build is architectural historian Michael Fisher. manchesterpeacetrail.org.uk fascinating. The barely credible story of the eleventh hour rescue of the Throughout 2012: During hours when St Paul’s Church, Kersal Moor, twelve statues of the Saints from the St Giles is not being used for worship Churchyard Trail clutches of a London auction house is or diocese events the church will Members will be pleased to learn related only briefly. remain open to the public. that Anthea and Neil Darlington have published their long awaited The sections of the book dealing For further details or to join the extensive research on the church- with Divine Proportions will make mailing list e-mail: [email protected]. yard of St Paul’s Kersal Moor. The dense reading for those unfamiliar Alternatively you can visit the Pugin Manchester Group were fortunate with the subject but these concepts Heritage Visitor Centre at Lulworth to visit the Church in July 2011 were dear to Franciscan hearts from House, High Street, Cheadle, when Anthea and Neil gave a tour the Renaissance onwards. In 1535 Staffordshire, ST10 1AR of this important graveyard. The the Venetian Doge had asked the illustrated account makes fascinating Franciscan friar Giorgi to advise on Architecture in Manchester Tour reading and can be found on the the proportions of a new church in 1 pm Saturday 21 July 2012 Manchester pages of the Victorian Venice because the friar had written a Manchester is a lexicon of Society site at. www.victoriansociety. treatise ‘Christianizing’ concepts and architecture. It mixes and matches org.uk/manchester/.Alternatively theories of proportion (which were styles and buildings with a crazy and an electronic copy can be sent to pagan in origin) therefore making haphazard panache. This tour looks members by emailing beryl.patten@ them respectable. The inclusion of the at architecture from 1850 to 1914, a virgin.net. topic in the book should prompt further spectacular period of building which study of these aspects of Gorton gave the city many of its most famous Robin Bluhm Railway Collection Monastery. structures. But the tour also looks at Robin Bluhm was a former chair more humble delights. Meet outside and conservation officer of the Tony Hurley’s book about his beloved Manchester Visitor Information Centre, Manchester Group and one of his building is a personal memoir, a Portland Street, City centre, M1 4BT. interests was the British railway fitting tribute to his enthusiasm for the Cost: £7. system. Over many years he took building, his insights into its history photographs of extant railway and his role in its preservation. It was Book for this and other tours on structures in Greater Manchester, not intended to be the full story of www.jonathanschofieldtours.com or using these 450 slides to present the recent rescue and restoration of just turn up at the meeting point. tel: illustrated talks on the railways of the the building – that tale of passionate 07876235638 region. His collection also included dedication and long term commitment 120 slides of buildings, mostly in by a team of which Tony was a much Manchester Peace and Social central Manchester, several of the loved and valued member awaits a Justice Trail Metro, and four maps of the original future telling. A Peace and Social Justice Trail tram system in the county. As a around Manchester city centre has librarian, he was systematic and kept David Astbury May 2012 been created by the Manchester City the notes on which he based his Council in conjunction with local talks, including dates, architects and Pugin Bicentenary Celebrations peace groups. The trail takes in 19 material relating to various railway Cheadle has been awarded a pivotal sites of Manchester’s companies before nationalisation. £150,000 grant by the Heritage progressive history from the medieval Lottery Fund to celebrate the Cathedral and Chetham’s Library to Initially Pamela Bluhm offered the bicentenary of A W N Pugin’s the 21st century Tree of collection to the Manchester Victorian birth. A programme of over forty Remembrance in Piccadilly Gardens. Society, but, unfortunately, without events to honour the 19th Century the resources necessary to make architect will run throughout 2012. Of interest from the Victorian period the collection accessible, we had to Co-ordinated from the Pugin are the Mechanics Institute and the decline. However, we are pleased to Heritage Visitor Centre events founding of the TUC, the passing of report that Chetham’s Library have include Hardman & RIBA exhibitions, the Free Libraries Act, Elliot House eagerly accepted the collection into heritage walks, a local photographic and the election of the first female their local history holdings where it will competition and visits to St Giles. officials in this country (to the eventually be available for research.

3 Robin’s archive will complement a pollution and lack of maintenance amount, the contractor being Mr T I recently acquired collection from over many years and there is serious Williams, of Manchester. It is expected Richard Hills, formerly Head of the deterioration. The metal fixing running that the whole will be completed by Museum of Science and Industry, down the centre of the monument about the middle of next year. which includes photographs of has rusted, cracking the stonework engines - both stationary and moving. with open joints and plants causing The monument rises in three stages, structural problems and water ingress. the lower one being square, but having We are grateful to Pamela and Joseph Brotherton’s internment was the angles canted, with buttresses set Chetham’s, for ensuring that this the first to take place at Weaste. The against them and the surface of the collection will be kept for the future. Brotherton family vault beneath the principal sides being enriched by a monument was cut from the solid series of five niches, with illuminated Joseph Brotherton Monuments sandstone with space for 30 coffins. shields in the spaces outside their Matthew Noble’s bronze statue of labels, and crowned with a moulded Joseph Brotherton, Salford’s first and carved cornice. The second story Member of Parliament, was returned is octagonal, and defined as such by to Salford during March 2012 after the large piers, masked by figures, agreement to relocate and renovate which carry the respective gables. was reached with Manchester City The intermediate spaces are open, Council. A new riverside walkway and serve to display as a central has been created at the front of the object the draperied urn, - a pagan Bruntwood ‘Riverside’ estate next to emblem, to which, with its unmeaning New Bailey Street, and in partnership base-weatherings, we must venture with Bruntwood, the Irwell River Park to demur, as certainly the least programme has funded the relocation successful feature of the composition. and renovation, including providing The ceiling over is groined in interpretation information adjacent to stone. The base or foundation for the statue. the pedestals and statues is to be formed out of one stone, as also the The monument was originally erected arched and groined roof over the urn, in Peel Park, Salford in 1858, after and by this plan the requirement of a memorial fund was established, metal cramps can be avoided, and following Brotherton’s death in 1857. the tie or binding together of the whole The statue was taken down in 1954 made complete. On the shields in and kept in storage until 1969 when the gables, from behind which rises it was sold to Gawsworth Hall. It the upper story, are intended to be remained there for 15 years until it introduced the arms of Manchester, was bought by Manchester City Salford, and the adjacent important Council who placed the statue on towns immediately connected with the Manchester bank of the River them. The third stage is an octagonal Irwell close to Albert Bridge. Back The restored Brotherton Statue on spire, crocketed, and having small in Salford for the first time in over New Bailey Street, Salford: photo- gablets in the intermediate height. 40 years, the statue is now in a graph coutesy David Astbury It is hollow, but to be covered with prominent and visible position. The The Civil Engineer and Architect’s a solid top-stone, pierced by a rod relocation is part of a £1.5m public Journal, Volume 21 1858 reported: terminating in a vane, and brought realm project to improve access to The monument to the late highly down through the spire to the under- the banks of the River Irwell between respected Mr. Brotherton, who for side of the groining, where it will be Manchester and Salford. twenty-four years worthily represented secured by a nut and screw, ultimately in parliament the borough of Salford, to be concealed by the carved central The 1857 memorial fund also is now in course of erection over his boss. The whole of the stones are provided money for the richly carved burial-place in the cemetery of that to be dovetail-keyed, and dowelled monument erected over Brotherton’s town. For this purpose 500 guineas together with slate. The four plain grave in Weaste cemetery (originally have been set aside from the public sides above the platform will contain known as the New Barnes Cemetery). subscription entered into, which has appropriate inscriptions. So large was the amount raised that amounted in all to 2500l. The tomb the fund was also used to purchase itself is cut out of the solid rock, and books for libraries and mechanic’s is covered by a brick arch, the top CALL FOR INFORMATION institutes. The Brotherton Monument surface being levelled to form a Andrea Crestadoro: Manchester 1858 (Grade II) in Weaste Cemetery platform to receive the architectural Chief Librarian 1864-1879 is undergoing a major restoration by superstructure, which has been Salford City Council and Burnaby designed by Messrs. Holmes and Lucy Evans works at the British Stonecare. The memorial has suffered Walker, of Manchester; and which is to Library where a project she was from the effects of atmospheric be carried out for the above stipulated involved with led her to Andrea 4 Crestadoro’s pamphlet ‘The Art of supposed to have influenced Cavour models and the Corona d’Italia award Making Catalogues’, (1856). She was and Meabrae in the early days of given to him by the King of Italy in really excited to discover that Cresta- Italian unification. 1878. What happened to all these? doro’s visionary ideas only needed the internet to be realised. Once she His reputation at Manchester was Lucy recently contacted the found Andrea’s connection with her that of a shy but very genial and Manchester Group and would be home city, Manchester, she had to courteous scholar who was invariably very grateful for suggestions or research him further. kind to staff and readers. His information members may have obsessions with invention seem to relating to Andrea Crestadoro. This Andrea Crestadoro came to have been fondly remembered by should hopefully result in a book next Manchester in 1862, employed to staff although one deputy complained year ‘The almost mythical Andrea compile the catalogue of the Free that he left too much work to them! Crestadoro; inventions, indexes, fire Reference Library. He became Chief balloons and free libraries in 19th Librarian of Manchester Free The Manchester Library letter books century Italy and England’ Libraries from 1864 to his death in have provided a detailed picture of 1879. Largely forgotten as a librarian, Andrea’s working life - but Lucy has Lucy’s contact details are he is remembered in computing and failed to track down the following: [email protected] information retrieval circles as the • a photograph or portrait - the only inventor of the influential KWIC one known is the W.G. Baxter (keyword in context) indexing system cartoon in Momus in 1879; DANIEL LEWIS (1843/4-1876) There are only two main sources for • a door fitted with a sliding weight Architect him - the Oxford DNB entry, written invented by Andrea - as recorded in a by his friend, W E A Axon, and a key letter from the Hulme Branch Library As the fate of Ancoats Dispensary article by N K Firby, Andrea in March 1878 - the building is long hangs in the balance, Neil Crestadoro, 1809–1879, Manchester gone but there may be photographs Darlington casts new light on the Review, 12–13 (1971–4). of the interiors that show this; building’s architect. • his patented fire-grate and feeder On 9 January 2011 the last service Although there is next to nothing poker which Andrea Crestadoro was held at the Church of St David of personal information for Andrea, exhibited at the Peel Park exhibition on Chester Road, at Oakenholt near he has left a colourful trail of his of fuel-efficient appliances in 1874. Flint. A small congregation had inventions - from the Impulsoria The Manchester Guardian, 17 July struggled to meet even the running horse locomotive that ran at the 1934, records that the poker ‘for two costs of the building; necessary Crystal Palace Exhibition to the generations held an honoured place repairs costing an estimated glider that was discovered in one of near the open fire in the chief librarian’s £115,000 forced its closure. On 29 the rooms of the Manchester Free room has been relegated to a Branch June 2011 application was made to Libraries after his death. Born in Library where coal is still in use’. Which Manchester City Council to demolish Genoa in 1808 he came to England Branch Library and has the poker the shell of the Ancoats and Ardwick in 1849 in the hopes of earning a survived? Dispensary on Old Mill Lane, Ancoats, living as an inventor. He failed at • information about his orphaned the roof, internal walls, staircases and that but his ideas for indexing and nephew whom he adopted from floors of this Grade II listed building cataloguing were both radical and Italy around 1875, sending him to already having been removed. But influential, eventually winning him a boarding school to become an other than an uncertain future these the highly respectable position at English gentleman; two buildings share a further common Manchester. Few were aware of his • a manuscript on joint stock link, forming the entire known works two books, one published in Italian companies which apparently of the somewhat obscure Manchester and one in French - the latter is vanished after his death - as did his architect Daniel Lewis.

Daniel Lewis’s career spanned less than three years. He is not included in the RIBA Dictionary of Architects, nor does he appear in Slater’s Manchester and Salford Directories of 1871 and 1874. He was born in Manchester (probably near Ardwick Green) in 1843/4 the son of Thomas Lewis, a yarn agent originally from Chester, and his first wife who died before 1861. Daniel’s unmarried uncle, Edward Lewis, was a partner in a firm of successful Manchester solicitors, the practice numbering The Impulsoria in 1850. among their clients the Lancashire 5 and Yorkshire Railway Company and Reporting the event, the Manchester has also been subject to revisionist the Chester to Holyhead Railway. Guardian noted: ‘The buildings which architectural history. ‘Crawcroft, a Seemingly through choice rather than have been designed by and will be typographical error believed to have economic necessity Thomas and his carried out under the superintendence been created in the late twentieth family lived with Edward Lewis until of Mr D Lewis, architect, Cross Street, century is now deemed to have been the latter’s eventual death.

By the age of seven Daniel Lewis was attending boarding school in Litherland and in 1861 was employed as an (un-named) architect’s articled pupil. He commenced independent practice early in 1871 with offices at 28 Cross Street, Manchester, one of the best locations close to the Exchange, and was still at this address in June 1872. However, for reasons which are unclear, his architectural career in Manchester ended before the end of 1873. Equally confusing are details of his personal life at this time. The 1871 Census records him as a visitor at Tyddyn ucha, a farm of 55 acres at Bagillt, Holywell, Clwyd. The household also included Mrs Ann Jones aged 75, and her two sons and two daughters, all unmarried. Further research is needed to determine the precise nature of The shell of Ancoats Dispensary, currently shrouded in scaffolding. this relationship, but it was here that Photograph courtesy Mark Watson Daniel Lewis was to die in February 1876. Probate records state: will be a very handsome structure, in partnership with Daniel Lewis ‘Administration of the effects of and one of the largest of its kind in although a man of this name cannot Daniel Lewis, late of Tyddyn ucha, the kingdom. It will consist of three be identified in either the Manchester near Holywell, in the county of Flint, storeys, flanked on either side by census records or directories of Architect, a Bachelor, who died 4 wings, and having a central tower. the Victorian period. (The clerk of February 1876 at Tyddyn ucha was Together with the outbuildings and works for the Dispensary, Samuel granted to Thomas Lewis, of The yard it will occupy a space of 1,500 Crowcroft, does appear in later Woodlands, Altrincham, in the county square yards, and will have two directories as a building surveyor and of Chester, merchant, the father and fronts, one in Mill Street and the valuer but as not an architect until next of kin’ other in Kirby Street. It will be built the late 1870s). More inexplicable of brick and terra cotta, with the are the revised dates of 1879-1891 Daniel’s first major commission, St exception of the window sills and currently being given for the building David’s Church, was built at a cost the top of the tower, which are to be of the Dispensary by heritage organi- of £1,350 as a daughter church of executed in Ransom’s patent stone. sations. Daniel Lewis, it seems, has St Mary’s Flint and opened in 1872. The male and female wards will now joined the ranks of Manchester Standing about two miles distant from contain together about forty beds; architects for whom death forms no the farm, it is assumed to be the school/ and an advantageous part of the barrier to successful practice. chapel for which tenders were sought plan consists in keeping the surgical in June 1871. It comprises a four bay department and the domestic Neil Darlington. April 2012 nave and polygonal apse. Externally arrangements entirely separate’ The it is of red and yellow polychromatic buildings are known to have been Until his retirement, Neil Darlington brickwork, many of the patterns and occupied by early December 1873 was an architect in private practice designs identical to those which although the formal opening did not for almost forty years. He is a would appear on the slightly later take place until Thursday 29 January contributor to Historic Scotland’s Ardwick and Ancoats Dispensary. 1874. Although the scheme provided on-line database, the ‘Dictionary of The new Ancoats Dispensary was for the accommodation of in-patients, Scottish Architects,’ and for the past built at the sole expense of Miss it was not until 1879 that sufficient fifteen years has been researching Brakenbury at a cost of £5,000. funds permitted the first beds to the lives of architects working in Work began in 1872, the foundation become available. Greater Manchester between 1820 stone beings laid by the Mayor of and 1940. Manchester in June of that year. Regrettably, the Ancoats Dispensary

6 SIR THOMAS WARDLE:UPDATE Full Circle In February 2010 I gave a paper at a textile symposium in Kolkata, India. The symposium was organised because three and a half thousand textile samples, prepared by Thomas Wardle in Leek, Staffordshire, had been discovered in the India Museum, Kolkata. This find, dating from the 1880s, considered to be of great importance, contributes to a greater understanding of India’s noble textile history. The samples provide the only comprehensive, analytical record of India’s vast range of natural dyestuffs. India’s contemporary dyers are taking a renewed interest in their heritage and Wardle’s Brenda King, with the Wardle volumes, the India Museum Kolkata, 2010 samples attracted many practitioners recognised me. More importantly have no such luck. I have been when they were exhibited in Kolkata. he had been so influenced by the searching for the corresponding set The symposium paper discussed the historic dye samples that he was of samples in Britain for over fifteen years of intensive, scientific research inspired to try out new dye recipes. I years. As can be seen above, the undertaken by Wardle, a silk dyer can’t think of a more fitting tribute to samples are hard-bound into fifteen and chemist, in Leek. As a result of Wardle than this; that his research huge volumes, so they will not be found which he became internationally is clearly still having a positive effect behind a cupboard where they may acknowledged as the authority on and at the highest level. Things had have accidentally fallen. Someone, India’s dye stuffs and wild silks. certainly turned full circle. The dye somewhere, took the decision to Although for some time he was samples have now been photographed de-accession them, or simply throw consigned to a footnote by historians although conservation of these them out. I would dearly love to know of the Arts and Crafts movement. valuable and vulnerable sample books who it was who thought with utter has yet to be undertaken. Although in conviction that these fifteen large In February 2012, I visited the need of care the books have at least volumes, containing thousands of workshops of an eminent dyeing survived. This maybe because the textile samples, all carefully mounted and printing family in Gujarat. The India Museum has not undergone and labelled, should be disposed workshops, which use traditional a redevelopment programme and of? Who was the person with so little methods, are in a rural location and is little changed since the 19th vision that they considered them to I pitched up unannounced. I was century, when it was built on the be of no interest whatever to anyone, greeted warmly by Sufiyan Ismail South Kensington model. At least we ever? How wrong they were. I remain Khatri, a tenth generation textile dyer know where the dye samples are and slightly optimistic and the hunt goes and printer. He had been at the India’s dyers can refer to them and on. Kolkata symposium in 2010 and learn from their past. British dyers In India I had the great pleasure of selecting a range of hand-printed cotton textiles for the William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow. The Gallery is currently closed as a major renovation programme is underway. Gallery staff realise how influential India’s textiles were for Morris and Wardle. They are keen to acknow- ledge this in their educational programmes when they re-open this summer. Wardle will be given due recognition in the new gallery displays. Many of the textiles which he block-printed for Morris, between 1875-1877, had evident Indian or Persian influences. I was able to find contemporary textiles which related Thomas Wardle surrounded by ten of his surviving children, Leek, c1878 to these in some way, as after

7 I am researching for my third publication on the Wardles which will be published in 2013 and I am still amazed by what I am discovering.

Brenda King April 2012

Dr Brenda King is the Chair of the Textile Society and a member of the Victorian Society. She is a textile historian, lecturer, curator and author She has been researching the life and works of Thomas Wardle for the past fifteen years and is now concentrating on the Leek Embroidery Society which will culminate in an exhibition and publication in 2013. Leek embroidery in tussor thread on Indian woven tussor silk ground c1880s, designed by J D Sedding. Collection: Brenda King centuries they are still produced are generally well maintained and the MANCHESTER GROUP - EVENT using traditional methods and are still textiles, which are particularly vulner- REVIEWS popular in India. able, are in good condition. Some are in regular use; others are mounted William Fairbairn (1789-1874) In 1879 Thomas Wardle and his wife behind glass and are on display. Many Journeyman Millwright to World Elizabeth started the Leek Embroidery have been conserved and the Famous Engineer by Richard Society. India’s silks, dyestuffs and needlework remounted onto modern Byrom. 27 October 2011 YHA patterns played a major part in its materials; some more Richard Byrom, a retired architect huge success. Prior to the formation sympathetically than others. from Byrom Clark Roberts, has had a of the Society, from 1864, Elizabeth fascination with William Fairbairn ever and Thomas Wardle worked Conservation advice has been since writing an essay on him as a alongside many major architects who funded and sessions well attended Manchester University undergraduate. were commissioned to build or by those volunteers who care for this The extent of his scholarship and his renovate churches in north Stafford- important aspect of their church’s admiration for the man were apparent shire. They had shared objectives. interior. Nevertheless there is a from this immensely informative talk. Thomas Wardle, was a craftsman genuine, growing concern that as with a major interest in his raw congregations rapidly decline and We started with an account of materials. He was also a geologist rural churches in particular are not Fairbairn’s early years, moving from his who had completed a major study of heated, the future of these delicate birthplace of Kelso to Manchester via the regions geology which gained items is in doubt. This unease is the Highlands, Tyneside, the Home him an FGS. As Churchwarden, he replicated across the country as Counties, London, the West Country, was concerned about appropriate committed custodians battle against Dublin and Liverpool, enduring the most church renovation using local stone, the damp and the mould that results, arduous conditions of travel and work when he worked with G.G. Scott Jnr. along with the well-grounded fear that and receiving very little education. on the renovation of St Edward the no one else will take their place. Arriving and settling in Manchester in Confessor in Cheddleton, (1863-4). These glorious textiles embody many 1816 he began to experience Later he was a founder and active beliefs, histories and skills. They success at last. With partner James member of SPAB. His advice on a represent regional, national, interna- Lillie he started a business building number of renovation projects in tional, ecclesiastical, textile and and improving corn and textile mills. Leek, including the provision of women’s history. Whose responsi- The partnership ended in 1832 but stained glass windows, was often bility is it to ensure their future? Fairbairn flourished on his own, sought and freely given. Elizabeth branching out into other products Wardle, along with local needle- The remarkable Wardles will be such as iron boats and ships, railway women, supplied a truly amazing celebrated as important members of and other engines, bridges and range of needlework designed for the Arts and Crafts movement in an cranes. The constant themes were their churches by G.G Scott Jnr, G. F. exhibition on the work of the Leek iron and innovation. Among his Bodley, G. E. Street, John Dando Embroidery Society. This will take achievements were the tallest Sedding, R. Norman Shaw, Gerald place throughout July and August chimney in the world, the first riveting Horsley and for J. L. Pearson’s 2013, in the Nicholson Institute, machines, the first iron royal yacht, renovation of Shrewsbury Abbey. Leek, Staffordshire; walks, talks the first three-storey iron-framed Most of the embroideries are still in and workshops will also take place. building, the Lancashire boiler, a the places for which they were made. Many local churches will display their floating corn mill (for the Crimean This remarkable group of churches historic Leek embroideries. War), the first steam locomotive in 8 Brazil, the development of the tubular explosions, which led to a system of Co-op’s work, often overlooked, is bridge and crane jib, the use of boiler inspections. He was a founding housing which was a major issue at wrought iron frames for buildings, member of the Manchester the time. Equitable Street and fatigue testing of wrought iron, the Mechanics Institute and Ancoats Pioneer Street were built in Rochdale manufacture of Transatlantic cables Lyceum. He was a Unitarian but can with similarly named streets through- and the elliptical iron roof structure have had little time for attending out the country. The Co-op also had for the Royal Albert Hall which was church. Although he was vice- a big interest in the Manchester Ship assembled at Fairbairn’s works, president of the Manchester Canal because of the quantity of dismantled and shipped to London. Photographic Society he had little goods their shipping fleet brought interest in the arts, in contrast to his from Liverpool to Manchester. They Fairbairn first travelled to the son Thomas (chairman of the Art ensured that the first steamship to Continent in 1824 and this led to Treasures Exhibition and a supporter unload cargo in Manchester was a a series of contracts throughout of the Pre-Raphaelites), whose Co-op vessel, the SS Pioneer, with a Europe and in such diverse places interest eclipsed that in engineering, cargo of cube sugar from Rouen. as Turkey, Russia, India and Brazil. to the detriment of the firm. He of course did much work on mills Gillian illustrated the development of in the Manchester area; examples In summary, Fairbairn typified all the Christmas celebrations with material are at Ancoats, Gorton, Eagley, virtues of the Victorian period: hard from Co-operative magazines in the Stockport, Ashton and Dukinfield. He work, resourcefulness, open- National Co-operative Archive in also replaced the timber arches of mindedness and philanthropy. His Manchester. By 1890 adverts were the Etherow and Dinting viaducts – work had far-reaching effects and he appearing for Co-op products such without interruption to traffic! deserves to be better known today. as mince pies, almonds and figs. It was proudly stated: ‘We do not do Fairbairn opened a works in Ancoats Roger Barton November 2011 special blends of Christmas; we in 1820, starting with one employee always do special blends.’ Co-op (a Mr Murphy) and ending up with A Co-operative Christmas Carol hampers were sent to all parts of the over 2000. Several of his trainees by Gillian Lonergan. 23 November world. These included Christmas became professors of engineering or 2011 YHA crackers called ‘Cossacks’ as the earned knighthoods. From humble sound they made was supposed to beginnings Fairbairn became The theme of Gillian Lonergan’s talk be like the cracking of whips in the recognised as a leading engineer. By was the development of the Crimean War. The magazines often chance he met George Stephenson Co-operative movement and how had a special piece on a Christmas in his teens and later he collaborated that development was reflected in the topic by a famous writer. Moralistic with his son Robert in building the changing ways of celebrating stories about children behaving badly Menai Straits bridge, but he came Christmas. but rewarded when they mended to know all the leading engineers of their ways was a common theme. his day, becoming president of the The first meeting of the group took Institute of Mechanical Engineers in place at Lowbands Farm, Rochdale Education was never far away. Many 1854. He even met members of the in 1860, the second in a temperance Co-ops had reading rooms above the royal families of Europe and Russia. hall adapted from a railway arch at stores. In 1906 a four page article Knott Mill on Christmas day that year. about currants and dried fruit Fairbairn took his sons Thomas and This was then considered a good day explained how the products were William Andrew into partnership in to meet as all were on holiday. There harvested, transported to the UK and 1841, and in 1854 ownership of W were 50 to 60 delegates and processed. Gillian’s presentation Fairbairn & Sons passed to them, discussions continued until 6:30. It ended with an animated film which with Fairbairn as consultant. William was described as an ‘heroic way of showed the continuity of the Andrew had little aptitude and spending Christmas’. For the next cooperative movement and its ideals, Thomas had little interest in the two years meetings took on and the similarities with today’s business, moving south in 1861 and Christmas day. By 1863 the Fairtrade movement. leaving a manager in charge. The movement had achieved many of the firm closed soon after Fairbairn died changes in law that it sought. Questions at the end of the talk in 1875, shipbuilding having already inevitably turned to the future of finished in 1842 and locomotive The sheer scope of the Co-op’s historic Co-op buildings and it construction in 1864. One of the last activities was described. Apart from was encouraging to hear that the contracts was the ironwork for the influences on politics and society in architects involved are taking due basement of Manchester Town Hall. the north west, the Co-op hosted account of their architectural and visits from all parts of the world: social significance. Fairbairn was not keen on trades Buenos Aries in 1871 and Japan in unions but did much to improve the 1872. Support for the north in the Thanks to Gillian for a seasonal and lot of workers in other ways. He was American civil war was reflected in entertaining presentation. a supporter of the ten-hour bill and the spelling of ‘labor’ in the Co-op’s chaired an inquiry into boiler logo. One significant aspect of the David French February 2012 9 Christmas Lunch and Excursion to Halifax with Colum Giles. 10 December 2011 SAVING A CENTURY

Setting out from Halifax train station, A photographic exhibition celebrating the work of the the group accompanied David Nortcliffe, local historian and guide, Victorian Society 6 - 30 JUNE 2012 as he pointed out significant archi- FLORAL HALL WINTER GARDENS tectural features and outlined the CHURCH STREET, BLACKPOOL FY1 1HW town’s history. The importance of open daily 11 am to 3 pm admission free Halifax as a centre for textile trading grew from medieval times and This exhibition of photos from around the country shows examples of the walking through the Piece Hall best Victorian and Edwardian buildings and structures that the Society has (Grade 1) opened in 1779, one campaigned to save, and some that have been lost. sensed the confidence and ambition of those eighteenth century cloth It demonstrates the Society’s success in changing public attitudes towards manufacturers and traders. the architecture of the nineteenth century, and its continued relevance for the twenty-first century. Two major phases of redevelopment in the second half of the nineteenth The Victorian Society is the national charity campaigning for the century overlaid the over-crowded and Victorian and Edwardian historic environment. insanitary Medieval and Georgian streets. The first phase in the 1850s Tel. 020 8994 1019 or go to and 1860s saw the development of www.victoriansociety.org.uk Crossley and Princess Streets, the construction of Charles Barry’s magnificent town hall, opened by the Prince of Wales in 1863, and improvements to Crown Street and Old Market. The second phase in the 1880s and 1890s included the major Commercial Street development and the reconstruction of the borough markets.

The Mayor, Cllr Dr Nader Fekri JP, welcomed our party to the Town Hall with evident pride and interest. Two groups lead by David Nortcliffe and Peter Burton, the buildings manager, toured the building.

The special committee set by the Town Council in 1858 initially sought the advice of Sir Charles Barry on The exhibition is supported by previously submitted schemes but Listed Property Services, Shaws Terracotta, J & J W Longbottom Ltd Barry didn’t like any of them and the committee asked him to prepare his own design. The resulting building The Floral Hall opened in 1878 and has just come to the end of a £2.5m cost considerably more than the refurbishment. The exhibition has been curated and updated on free- original budget and was completed standing banners by noted architectural historian and author Gavin by Barry’s son, Edward Middleton Stamp, and shows the best Victorian and Edwardian buildings and Barry, following Barry’s death in structures that the Society has campaigned to save for the nation. The 1860. One description of the building exhibition is a testament to the energy and vision of the early members calls it ‘a masterpiece of the nascent of the Victorian Society as well as a sobering reminder of the way that High Victorian style’. The profusion public opinion and tastes change. of decorative stonework was carved by sculptor John Thomas who SAVING A CENTURY will also be shown, in its original format, at Christ worked with Barry on the Houses of Church, Darley Ave. West Didsbury, M20 2ZD between 6 and 30 Sept Parliament. He has a Manchester 2012 as part of Heritage Open Days and Didsbury Arts Festival. Please connection as the sculptor of the check the Victorian Society website, or phone 0161 445 4152 facade of Free Trade Hall. for opening days and times. 10 Following the tour of the Town Hall ment and high property prices. The channel because of restrictions on the group made its way to the collapse of the resulting property public demonstrations and self- Imperial Crown Hotel for a very bubble has led to its own problems censorship by the press, although acceptable lunch in the Edwardian as developers try to recoup their social media are now providing a Archive, a book lined dining room in losses. Threats to buildings are major outlet for protest. MAPS, a a former warehouse. Colum Giles’ exacerbated by prolonged legal voluntary body set up by a group of illustrated talk ‘The building of wrangles, poor infrastructure, foreign journalists, has had some Halifax; history through the town’s changes in the water table and a influence because of the goverment’s architecture’ enhanced our under- lack of experienced conservation sensitivity to adverse publicity abroad. standing of the history of this architects. MAPS has produced two reports on important town. Moscow in conjunction with SAVE A government conservation body Britain’s Heritage, and a report on St On leaving the dining room, guests with a listing system exists but it Petersburg is in preparation. were invited to sample the local is largely ineffective and there are confectionery, Quality Street, now inherent weaknesses: the importance UNESCO has also had a useful unfortunately made by Nestle, which of retaining original fabric is not input. There have been home-grown was created by John Mackintosh, a appreciated; there are no statutory successes in the re-use of buildings world famous local confectioner in consultees; the consequences of and the speaker showed us some 1936. ‘Sweets to the Sweet’ as Major listing are ill-defined; list descriptions examples. An encouraging sign for Quality said to Miss Sweetly. can be inaccurate and penalties for the future is that one current project infringements of the law are mild. includes a plan to train building Paula Moorhouse January 2012 However, the biggest problem is craftsmen on site. corruption. Conservation staff are poorly paid and easily bought off. Roger Barton February 2012 AGM and Talk: An Uphill Struggle Developers have close associations for Historic Moscow by Edmund with government and it is easy to Harris. 28 January 2012 YHA Building the Big Ditch a Victorian produce forged documents, for Magic Lantern Show with Glen Ensuring the preservation of historic example stating that a sound building Atkinson. 29 February 2012 YHA buildings was never likely to be easy is unsafe and must be demolished. in post-Communist Russia. In his This talk by retired engineer Glen talk Edmund Harris, the Society’s A common consequence of all Atkinson, using original ‘Magic churches conservation adviser, gave this is that existing buildings are Lantern Slides’ made from progress us a sobering insight into the nature replaced by much larger ones, photographs taken during the canal’s and extent of the problems and what sometimes retaining the façade construction, was the group’s can be done about them. Edmund but often being completely rebuilt contribution to the 2012 Manchester spoke from his experience of living in to a superficially similar design Histories Festival. Russia from 2003 to 2009 and as a in a nod to conservation. In other member of the Moscow Architecture cases the replacement is a high-rise In the 19th century, Manchester Preservation Society (MAPS). building where none existed before. merchants had long nurtured Sometimes rebuilding is preceded by ambitions of circumventing the costs Edmund started with an outline of a fire of unknown origin. associated with using the Port of Moscow’s history as a city fortified Pre-revolutionary residential buildings Liverpool. The only way of doing so against the Mongols, reaching have been particularly badly affected was to allow ocean-going vessels something recognisable today by the but any sort of building can be at direct access from Manchester to the seventeenth century and retaining risk. The speaker showed us many sea. In the 1880s, following Britain’s a well-preserved centre, with huge examples, including well-known acquisition of the successful Suez numbers of churches, until 1917. buildings such as Hotel Moskva and Canal, it was seen that this was a The speaker also took us through Children’s World. Currently a huge realizable ambition and the well the phases of Russian architecture, historic chocolate factory on the known meeting chaired by Daniel which became more mainstream opposite side of the Moscow River Adamson took place at his home in European until the Communist era from the Kremlin is also under threat. Didsbury. when ideological considerations came to predominate. Not all the Secondary consequences of these The resulting project, to build a canal 30 later work was bad and Stalinist changes are obstruction of sight lines feet deep by 35 miles long and involving modernism in particular has been to buildings such as important several sets of locks, stretched the under-appreciated. churches, loss of context for existing financial and engineering resources of historic buildings and transformation the time and employed up to 16,000 The problems associated with of the skyline, even in St Petersburg workmen. As an additional compli- historic buildings arise from many where it is one of the city’s glories. cation the canal had to be crossed by sources. The vogue for being located numerous high-level and swing in central Moscow has caused The popular feeling for the retention bridges, the most remarkable one relentless pressure for redevelop- of historic buildings has been hard to being the Barton Aqueduct carrying 11 the Bridgewater canal. These bridges The Manchester Board Schools education authorities. By this time involved the construction of numerous 1870 to 1902 with Samantha there were 39 schools in Manchester embankments plus stone and brick Barnes. 8 March 2012 YHA as well as schools in districts not yet abutments. At the Liverpool end of incorporated, such as Crumpsall, the canal, Eastham Locks, the canal Samantha Barnes’s talk, based on Moss Side, Levenshulme and itself needed an embankment 13 research for her book published in Withington, which had their own miles long. 2009, started with some historical boards. background. School boards were set The Big Ditch project was not a pick up under the 1870 Education Act, Samantha ended by giving a survey and shovel under-taking - steam after a survey of four large cities, of the nine board schools still powered concrete mixers, cranes including Manchester by the first surviving in 2007: Ducie Avenue, and excavators moving on railways Gladstone government, concluded Greenheys (the earliest, from 1881); were employed throughout. At an that only half the educational needs Nelson Street, Miles Platting; Varna early stage, railway lines were laid were being met. The providers Street, Openshaw; Moston Lane, down running the entire length and (private foundations and the church) Moston; Clayton; New Central (a route of the proposed canal with over were required to improve their ‘higher grade’ school); Queen Street, a hundred steam locomotives using facilities and the gaps were to be Hulme; Stanley Grove, Longsight; them. Moving materials such as filled by the school boards, which had and Upper Lloyd Street, Moss Side concrete and stone along the site the power to create by-laws. (Moss Side School Board). The and disposing of spoil was a major architects were Potts, Son and transport undertaking in itself. The new schools soon developed Pickup in four cases, J W Beaumont Gunpowder was used to blast out from the traditional single school- in one, Royle and Bennett in one and rock and paraffin fuelled artificial room to buildings with individual unknown in the remainder. The lighting employed to permit working classrooms divided by curtains to schools differed in size, number of far into the winter evenings. The rate allow flexibility. There were galleries storeys (up to three) and layout; infants of progress and the scale of the and exercise yards, and standards and juniors could be on different floors enterprise were astonishing – half a for light, space and ventilation were or in separate buildings. Boys and girls linear mile of canal completed every observed. E R Robson, the London (if any) had separate entrances. The month. The construction activity Board’s architect, published a book architectural styles also varied, with became a visitor attraction in its own on school architecture recommend- successive use of Gothic, Dutch, right. ing Queen Anne and Georgian styles Renaissance and Art Nouveau as conferring a non-ecclesiastical elements. Some schools such as Inevitably the workforce suffered character. We were given a brief Clayton were austere while others many accidents, 6,500 being recorded survey of board schools in London, had ornamental ventilation towers or, including 120 fatalities. The details Birmingham and Sheffield, which in the case of New Central, an revealed in many of the images showed that this advice was not elaborate cupola illustrated a pre-modern approach always followed, with Gothic as well to health and safety enabling the as Classical elements included. All Two of these schools, Ducie Avenue lecturer to make many comic asides these boards retained their own and Nelson Street, have now been about the practices on view. Despite architects, although some schools demolished. Most of the others are the advanced steam machinery, were designed by other architects. still used for their original purpose, several of the slides showed gravity More board schools have survived in albeit with much reduced numbers defying stunts with planks, buckets these cities than in Manchester. of pupils. New Central is now a and wheelbarrows. However, to be college and Upper Lloyd Street an historically correct it was stressed In Manchester the school board was adult education centre, while Queen that the medical care extended to set up in 1870 under the chairmanship Street has changed its use entirely, injured workmen was both medically of Herbert Birley, based first in King to that of an enterprise centre. Only and socially very advanced for the Street but moving in 1889 to purpose- two of the schools, New Central time. Seriously injured workmen built offices in Deansgate. The first and Upper Lloyd Street, are listed, were taken to either Liverpool or schools were in areas of greatest but Samantha was in the process Manchester infirmaries for treatment need such as Hulme and Ardwick. of proposing two others for listing. at the company’s expense. Unusually, Manchester did not have Varna Street has many original designated architects but placed its features, including fireplaces in class- Glen’s talk, combining professional schools in open competition, with rooms for ventilation, fixed glazed insights with a humorous light touch, designs chosen by ballot before screens and coloured glass with the and dealing with a Manchester being submitted for approval in city’s motto; it also has a separate original opened officially in 1894 by London. Good records were kept caretaker’s house. It is under threat Queen Victoria herself, made a fitting until 1899, after which the identity of because a new school is nearing Society contribution to the Histories some architects is unknown. completion. Queen Street also Festival. Commissioning of board schools retains some original features although others have disappeared David Astbury May 2011 ended with the passing of the 1902 Education Act, which created local with the change of use.

12 Manchester’s schools are of particular The list of Dancer’s non-patented interest because of the use of inventions (easily accessed on the Gothic and the variety of architects web) demonstrates his technical employed, and they merit more brilliance and perhaps explains his protection than they currently enjoy. old age in ill-health and relative Roger Barton March 2012 poverty. He lived to the age of 75 and was buried in Brooklands Cemetery, Manchester, Microscopes, Sale. Microphotography & Measurement - John Benjamin Dancer Mike Mahon’s presentation brought with Mike Mahon 4 April 2012. YHA to life this talented and earnest Victorian worthy and placed him in John Benjamin Dancer (1812 – 1887) his Manchester context, perhaps first was born in London and inherited, amongst equals, alongside a consid- in his early twenties, the family firm erable community of skilled scientific of scientific instrument makers then instrument makers. based in Liverpool. The firm made microscopes, telescopes, binoculars David Astbury April 2012 and barometers. In 1841 he moved to mounts with Mr Whitworth’s screw Manchester, formed the partnership threads. His invention of the binocular of Abraham & Dancer and is credited microscope; its successors still the Manchester group in that year with taking the first standard life sciences laboratory tool of 2012-2013 Events photographs of the city. Around this today, led to one of the few inventions time, he produced the world’s first he did patent - the stereoscopic Saturday 9 June 2012 microphotographs (of the common camera. He is also credited with An excursion flea) but, sadly and typically, did not inventing the limelight projector to More Tafology in Victorian patent his process. Dancer was a show lantern slides and the image- Manchester: Sale Cemetery skilled craftsman/engineer with a to-image dissolve so effective in Brought to LIfe seeming ability to improve the design presentations. with Mark Watson and Michael Riley, and construction of everything he touched. He continued in business However, Dancer’s most famous 2 pm for 2.15 pm Meet at Sale on his own in Manchester and invention remains the microphotograph, Cemetery Lodge opposite concentrated on microscopes. a photographic image reduced to the Brooklands Metrolink. size of a dot which can only be read Dancer supplied his state-of-the-art with the use of a microscope. Totally Cost: £10.00 per person including brass instruments to the Manchester remarkable in view of the technology afternoon tea. Lit & Phil and in 1842 was nominated of photographic emulsions and lenses for membership of the society by its of his time - sufficient to sustain it for Booking Form on page 17 then president John Dalton. Dancer 150 years in the fact and fiction of Details in Autumn 2011 newsletter was probably responsible for the espionage. formation of the society’s microscopy section and he produced scientific Dancer acquired a Royal Warrant, saturday 28 july 2012 instruments for Joule, including supplied the Prince of Wales with a thermometer of unprecedented opera glasses and Queen Victoria An excursion to Nottingham by accuracy for the calorific work. with a family portrait photomicrograph train with Elain Harwood and Mark Watson Dancer continued to develop and incorporated into a piece of jewellery improve his microscopes, incorpo- - the latter possibly influenced by A walking tour of Nottingham City rating achromatic lenses (non-colour Prince Albert’s well known interest in centre the main highlights of which fringing) and standardising the lens photography. include the Lace Market, where there will be the opportunity to have lunch, St Mary’s Church, restored by G G Scott, G. F. Bodley and Temple Moore, and buildings by Watson Fothergill, including his office and the headquarters of the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Bank, the Park. At St Barnabas RC Cathedral (A W N Pugin), we shall have a sandwich and cake tea (included in the price of the event). There will also be an opportunity to find your own lunch in

13 the Lace Market. Black Horse (Grade 11)1898 and St air pollution in northern British cities Wilfrid’s Jesuit Chapel (1793). such as Manchester and Leeds will Elain Harwood is a historian with be explored. Urban environmental English Heritage, with a special Dominic Roberts RIBA is in degradation was rationalised and interest in post-war architecture, partnership with his father at Francis naturalised – as well as criticised – by though her first architectural Roberts Architects. He is a member the stories contemporaries told about research was into Victorian lunatic of the Victorian Society Northern smoke. To conclude, the reasons why asylums, which led to her becoming Buildings Committee and an the concept of smoke control did not a member of the Southern Buildings Associate Lecturer in Architecture at capture the public’s imagination are Committee. She has written several Manchester University. considered. books, including the Pevsner City Guide to Nottingham (2008) and Meet at Piccadilly Train Station from Stephen Mosley is Senior Lecturer England’s Schools (2010), and most 9.15 am for the 9.46 am train to Preston. in History at Leeds Metropolitan recently contributed to Manchester Return train is back in Manchester 18.56 University and editor of the journal Modernism, vol. 4 on Brutalism. pm. If you are making your own travel Environment and History. His arrangements we will assemble at publications include: Common Meet at Piccadilly Train Station from Preston Station at 10.33 am. Ground: Integrating the Social and 9.15 am for the 9.43 am train to Environmental in History (2011, with Nottingham. Return train is back in Cost is £15 excluding travel and Geneviève Massard-Guilbaud); The Manchester 18.37 pm. including a sandwich lunch Environment in World History (2010); and The Chimney of the World: A Cost is £15 excluding travel and Please wear suitable walking shoes History of Smoke Pollution in Victorian lunch, including a sandwich/cake tea and be prepared for the weather. and Edwardian Manchester (new paperback edition, 2008). Please wear suitable walking shoes Booking form can be found on page and be prepared for the weather. 16 of this newsletter. 7 pm for 7.15 pm YHA Potato Wharf, off Liverpool Booking form can be found on page Road, Castlefield Manchester M3 17 of this newsletter. wednesday 26 september 2012 4NB Cost: £5.00 per person. An illustrated talk No need to book in advance Saturday 25 august 2012 Smoke and the City: Air Pollution in Urban Lancashire and Yorkshire Once Every Preston Guild : An with Stephen Mosley, Academic wednesday 31 October 2012 Excursion to Victorian Preston An illustrated talk with Dominic Roberts and Mark During the nineteenth and early Crematoria to Die For Watson. twentieth centuries, sulphurous with Hilary J Grainger black smoke billowing out from Chair of the Victorian Society An architectural tour of Preston city industrial and domestic chimneys centre including buildings from early dominated Britain’s cityscapes. Its Today seven out of ten deaths in Victorian to mid 20th century. We adverse effects on human health, Britain result in cremation. There are will start the visit at Preston Railway its destruction of vegetation and the currently 262 crematoria in Britain, Station where we arrive at 10.33 built environment, and the economic the first of which was opened in am. We will travel in taxis from the costs of wasting valuable and finite Woking, Surrey in 1889. Despite station to St Walburgh’s (Grade 1) fuel resources were all issues that more than three fifths of the total 1854, (RC) by J A Hansom. From St attracted contemporary criticism. provision having been built between Walburgh’s we make our way back However, despite the tangible nature 1950 and 1970, some of the most towards the city centre passing a of this particular form of air pollution, interesting examples date from the wide variety of Victorian buildings, most contemporaries endured living Victorian and Edwardian periods. As where we shall examine, amongst in smoke-blackened surroundings cremation slowly gained acceptance others, the Victorian Covered Market without much outward sign of in Britain, this progress was reflected Hall, the Harris Museum and Art complaint – largely because smoke in its architectural expression and Gallery, the Miller Arcade (with an was also closely associated with jobs each crematorium can therefore be optional diversion to Preston Bus and prosperity. seen as a ‘symbol of social change’. Station). Furthermore, crematoria and their This talk examines the complex issue gardens of remembrance created a A sandwich lunch will be provided of public perceptions of the ‘smoke new landscape for mourning. at Francis Roberts Architects, menace’. Drawing on a diverse range Ribblesdale Place. The visit will also of texts, including reports by the Royal The crematorium presents a series of take in Preston Corporation’s parks, Institute of British Architects, The challenges to the architect. It is a the Institute for the Diffusion of Useful competing narratives of ‘wealth’ and building frequented by a large Knowledge’ (later the Harris School ‘waste’ that gave meaning to, and cross-section of religious, secular of Art) a magnificent tiled pub - The created, common understandings of and ideological movements, all with 14 different, but overlapping needs. saturday 26 january 2013 Thursday 11 april 2013 From the outset the lack of a shared and clear expectation of what is AGM and illustrated talk An illustrated talk required from a crematorium has It’s Grim Down South - the Blackpool: a Victorian Iron World given rise to the cultural ambivalence North-South Divide in Building with Paul Dobraszczyk lying at the heart of many designs. Conservation. Leverhulme Fellow Not surprisingly architectural with Chris Costelloe responses have often been Conservation Advisor, Victorian 7 pm for 7.15 pm ambiguous and evasive. At once Society YHA Potato Wharf, off Liverpool utilitarian and symbolic, religious and Road, Castlefield Manchester M3 secular, crematoria are fraught with 1.45 pm to 4.30 pm 4NB complexity. YHA Potato Wharf, off Liverpool Cost: £5.00 per person. Road, Castlefield Manchester M3 No need to book in advance. This talk explores some of the ways 4NB in which these complexities found Attendance at the AGM is free but Further details in the Autumn 2012 architectural expression at Woking there is a charge of £5 for the talk newsletter. (1889), Manchester (1892), Glasgow, No need to book in advance Maryhill (1895), Hull (1901), Darlington (1901), Leicester (1902), Further details in the Autumn 2012 potato Wharf yha Birmingham (1903); Ilford (1904), newsletter Our venue for talks in 2012-2013 Leeds (1904), Sheffield (1905), will be the YHA, Potato Wharf, Bradford (1905), and at Golders Thursday 21 february 2013 Castlefield, Manchester M3 4NB (tel: Green Crematorium (1902) – 0161 839 9960) considered widely the most significant An illustrated talk and influential of all British Crematoria. Art Nouveau Tiles Directions to the YHA by public with Hans van Lemmen, President of transport 7 pm for 7.15 pm the Tiles and Architectural Ceramic YHA Potato Wharf, off Liverpool Society From Deansgate Castlefield or Road, Castlefield Manchester M3 Manchester Central (Metrolink) 4NB 7 pm for 7.15 pm stations: turn right along Deansgate, Cost: £5.00 per person. YHA Potato Wharf, off Liverpool then left along Liverpool Road as far No need to book in advance Road, Castlefield Manchester M3 as Castlefield Hotel (also known as the club – note this is not our venue). 4NB Y There, turn left along Potato Wharf. Cost: £5.00 per person. thursday 29 november 2012 The youth hostel is on the left after you No need to book in advance go under the railway bridge. This is An illustrated talk approximately a 700 yard walk. Francis Doyle and Norman Shaw Further details in the Autumn 2012 in Liverpool newsletter From Piccadilly station: take a train with Guy Snaith to Deansgate or a tram to Manchester Retired Lecturer and Researcher central then follow the above directions. wednesday 20 march 2013 Alternatively, catch the number 3 free 7 pm for 7.15 pm An illustrated talk bus which runs every 10 minutes and the last bus is 19.00 from the forecourt YHA Potato Wharf, off Liverpool Arts and Crafts from the Tweed to - get off at the second stop on Quay Road, Castlefield Manchester M3 the Tees 4NB Street (after the Opera House). From with Wendy and Barrie Armstrong, there go back along Quay Street and Cost: £5.00 per person. Researchers and Authors No need to book in advance right along Lower Byrom Street to Liverpool Road. Turn right and proceed The talk is based Wendy and as above. This is approximately a 600 Further details in the Autumn 2012 Barries’s research for their latest yard walk. newsletter publication The Arts and Crafts Movement in the North East of From Piccadilly Gardens: catch the saturday 8 december 2012 England: a Handbook. number 33 bus which runs every 20 minutes, (currently at 18.28, 18.48, Christmas Excursion to Leeds 7 pm for 7.15 pm 19.08) to the second stop on Liverpool An Xmas Lunch, Walk and Talk at YHA Potato Wharf, off Liverpool Road (opposite the Science Museum). the Leeds Club. Road, Castlefield Manchester M3 Then go back to the Castlefield Hotel with Janet Douglas, Mark Watson 4NB and follow the above directions. This is and Chris Webster Cost: £5.00 per person. approximately a 200 yard walk. No need to book in advance From Oxford Road station: catch the Further details and booking form in number 2 free bus (times as for the the Autumn 2012 newsletter Further details in the Autumn 2012 number 3 above) from the forecourt to newsletter 15 Liverpool Road (first stop only). From Society’s main site at victorian- alter or postpone events if necessary. there follow the directions above. This society.org.uk/manchester/ as can The Victorian Society is a Registered is approximately a 400 yard walk. the current talks and visits. Charity No 1081435 and a Company Limited by Guarantee Registered in From Victoria station: catch the If you would like to receive an email England No 3940996 number 2 bus outside and get off at the version of the Newsletter please second stop outside the Great Northern email [email protected]. complex; continue down Deansgate, Please note that buildings we visit turn right along Liverpool Road and may present a variety of hazards follow the directions as above. Address Remember to let us know if you including uneven surfaces, stairs, low of the YHA: Potato Wharf, Off Liverpool change your email address! head heights, low lighting, building Road, Manchester M3 4NB and demolition works. We would MANCHESTER GROUP like all our events to be accessible to everyone, but there may be stairs NEWSLETTERS BY EMAIL The next Manchester Group or uneven surfaces which cannot be Newsletter will be published in Thank you to those members who have avoided, and long periods of walking October 2012. The next Events Card or standing. agreed to receive the Manchester (May 2013 to January 2014) will be Newsletter by email. This has published in April 2013. allowed us to reduce postage and Should you have any questions about your ability to participate in an event, copying costs. Disclaimer: Participants are reminded please contact us. Some of our that the Victorian Society does not accept events are unsuitable for children. If you lose your email copy or it any liability of any kind whatsoever If you have any special needs or disappears from your computer a pdf howsoever arising. The Victorian ideas about how we can improve our of the Newsletter can now be found Society reserves the right to cancel, on the Manchester page of Victorian events, please let us know.

Booking form : Manchester Victorian Society - Preston

SATURDAY 25 August 2012 An excursion and walking tour by train to Preston with Dominic Roberts RIBA and Mark Watson. Meet at Piccadilly Train Station from 9.15 am for the 9.46 am train to Preston. Return train is back in Manchester 18.56 pm. If you are making your own travel arrangements we will assemble at Preston Station at 10.33 am. Cost is £15 excluding travel and including a sandwich lunch .Further details page 14 the current newsletter

CLOSING DATE FOR BOOKINGS: 18 August 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...... I enclose an S.A.E. (confirmation will be sent by 20 June 2012). Enclose your completed form, a stamped self-addressed envelope and a cheque for £15.00 per person made payable to: The Victorian Society to: Mark Watson, 18 Thomas Telford Basin, Manchester M1 2NH. Tel 07831 267642 If you are using your own transport please tick...... ( ) 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] 16 Booking form : Manchester Victorian Society - Nottingham SATURDAY 28 July 2012 An excursion and walking tour by train to central Nottingham with Elain Harwood of English Heritage and Mark Watson. Meet at Piccadilly Train Station from 9.15 am for the 9.43 am train to Nottingham. Return train is back in Manchester 18.37 pm. Cost is £15 excluding travel and lunch, including a sandwich afternoon tea. Further details page 13/14 of the current newsletter

CLOSING DATE FOR BOOKINGS: 21 July 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......

Booking form : Manchester Victorian Society - Sale Cemetery

SATURDAY 9 June 2012 An excursion to Sale Cemetery with Michael Riley and Mark Watson followed by afternoon tea at St Paul’s Parish Hall. Meet at Sale Cemetery Lodge opposite Brooklands Metrolink at 2 pm - by own/public transport. Cost - including afternoon tea: £10.00 per person (excluding travel costs). Further details in the Autumn 2011 newsletter CLOSING DATE FOR BOOKINGS: 2 June 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...... I enclose an S.A.E. (confirmation and a map and train times will be sent by 5 June 2012). 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 Please wear suitable walking shoes and be prepared for the weather. 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]