Saint Martin’s Church, Marple HERITAGE  OPEN  DAYS

With both Middleton Parish Church and Long Street Methodist Church not being open these coming Heritage Open Days, why not visit St Martin’s Church, Low Marple, Cheshire instead? This is an Arts and Crafts Church loved and even painted by Middleton’s Edgar Wood. Opens Friday 18 September 2020, 14.00-18.00 and Saturday 19 September 2020, 10.00-15.00…

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Edgar Wood film success in London and Huddersfield

Anthony Dolan’s film, Edgar Wood, a Painted Veil, had a good reception at the Art Worker’s Guild, London last week, despite the appalling weather. It was shown again tonight at Lindley Methodist Church, Huddersfield. After the film, there was a lively question and answer session. The photo shows Anthony welcoming everyone at Lindley. Don’t miss…

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Andy Marshall wraps up Golden Cluster Month 2017

Middleton architectural photographer, Andy Marshall, wrapped up Middleton’s month long heritage festival on Saturday with an enjoyable workshop sharing tips and secrets in the art of heritage photography (above). It marked the end of a great Golden Cluster Month this year, spoilt only by the rain restricting the Middleton Archaeological Society’s digs at Clarke Brow and…

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Students from the University Return for Another Look

Students from the University of Salford (School of Built Environment) under the supervision of the Program Director of Building Survey, Simon Mclean, return for a more in depth look at the rooms in the ‘community wing’. There was speculation as to the reasons for the cracks in the brickwork starting at high level and extending…

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Manchester Architects 150 Exhibition: Wood and Sellers Evening

Many Wood and Sellers enthusiasts popped into the Wood and Sellers evening and exhibition on March 10th at Manchester Metropolitan University. The event celebrated the two architects’ contribution to Greater Manchester’s architectural heritage and included Edgar Wood’s watercolour of J. Henry Sellers’ design for Lee House, Manchester. The painting shows how these Arts & Crafts…

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Manchester Histories Community Award

Christine was nominated by Dave Lees for a Manchester Histories Community Award. Christine was one of three short listed for the Pickstone prize and is shown holding the award for being highly recommended by the judging panel. The ceremony took place in the grand surroundings of banqueting room of the Manchester Town Hall. Dave gave…

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Historic Building Refurb Update

Baguley_Hall

Baguley Hall, Wythenshaw – Roger May, Wikimedia Commons

Here is a selection of refurbishment news for Greater Manchester’s heritage. Just click on the links…

Historic Baguley Hall loses out on £1.5m of funding as agency withdraws cash offer

Urban Splash reveals plans for Stubbs Mill

Manchester’s oldest construction firm moves to Ancoats landmark

Chorlton Library to get major refurbishment

March start for £4.6m Bury Met revamp

The Hallé unveils winning design for St Peter’s extension

Sir Norman digs up a million for Gorton Monastery

Saving a Century – Victorian Society Exhibition

Saving a Century – Victorian Society Exhibition The Victorian Society’s photographic exhibition Saving a Century, curated by noted architectural historian Gavin Stamp, is on show free of charge at The John Rylands Library, 150 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 3EH, from 8 January – 24 March, daily during Library hours. Using archive photographs and material from over…

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Family Archive on Edgar Wood’s Arkholme Saved

A collection of documents and photographs about Edgar Wood’s Arkholme, 1 Towncroft Avenue formerly belonging to the Taylor family is to go to the Edgar Wood Middleton archive, thanks to historian Geoff Wellens. The collection is a crucial source of information on what is Edgar Wood’s very first flat roofed design. It was erected in…

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Tests show iconic boozer dates back to early 1600s

Ye Olde Boar's Head 1024x411Manchester Evening News report on Ye Olde Boar’s Head tree ring dating – Click Here

Rochdale RochPhotos show progress of £4.9m project to reopen River Roch

This visionary project for Rochdale town centre is nearing completion and is shortlisted for an award. Click Here for the report and aerial photos.

The photo-montage opposite combines a Victorian photo of the river with the modern scene and was one of the early illustrations of the potential of the river reopening.

The 'Toast Rack', Photo by Mikey aka Gene Hunt

The ‘Toast Rack’, Photo by Mikey aka Gene Hunt

Long maligned as eyesores and an offence to human values, modernist architecture is enjoying a passionate upsurge in interest. Edgar Wood admirer and all round modernist, Eddy Rhead, features in an excellent overview of Manchester’s brutalist architecture. Click HERE to read the article.

Arts & Crafts Awakening project meeting 6pm Thursday 11th February

Painting by the late Colin Gilbert

Painting by the late Colin Gilbert

We had a great meeting on the evening of Thursday 11th, with an excellent turnout. Fortified by pizza, cheese and biscuits and cake, we worked through the upcoming activities and plans, not least the planning of September Golden Cluster Month. With the establishment of the not-for-profit company, tACT (the Arts & Crafts Trust) last year, Middleton Heritage is now developing new areas of community heritage activity, conservation and research. Rupert Hilton gave us an update on the Redcroft restoration, which is finishing very soon. As the scaffold is wrapped in plastic sheeting, we can’t wait to see the result when it all comes off.  We also discussed some of the other up and coming THI grant schemes, not least the one for the Middleton Edgar Wood Centre, at the former Long Street Methodist Sunday School! Because of the excellent communication among group members, we are moving to a quarterly formal meeting to free up time for these new things.