Greater Manchester Building Preservation Trust is applying to Viridor for a grant to save Edgar Wood’s Arts & Crafts Long Street School. Restoration will mean that the premises will be available for community use.
Please show your support in the Leave a Reply box below or send an email to gpg@talktalk.net by Monday 25th September.
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I support the grant application to Viridor for to restore the Edgar Wood School buildings at Long Street, Middleton so that they can be brought back into community use.
Click here for more information on the building.
Many thanks,
Christine and Geoff Grime
Edgar Wood Society, Middleton Long Street Methodist Church & School, Lever Street, Middleton, Manchester. M24 5UE
save this masterpiece by Edgar wood
I support the application . It is important to save this type of architecture and it is also important to create a community facility.
The Society for the Arts and Crafts Movement in Surrey supports the grant application to Viridor to restore the Edgar Wood School buildings at Long Street, Middleton so that they may be brought back into community use.
Society for the Arts and Crafts Movement in Surrey exists to celebrate and foster interest
in all forms of art, architecture and design of ‘the Arts and Crafts Era’ – the period from
1860 to 1930. The Society is concerned with the conservation and awareness of works associated with the period and is gathering together information such as publications, photographs and drawings relating to this extraordinary period of creativity in Surrey.
The Society was formed in 1996 to act as a forum for those who share this interest and enthusiasm and currently there are around 200 members.
http://www.artsandcraftsmovementinsurrey.org.uk
In early September twenty four members of our Society visited the Middleton Wesleyan Church and Schools designed by Edgar Wood and had a guided tour of local houses and buildings by Wood that was led by knowledgeable and enthusiastic members of the Edgar Wood Society.
On a subsequent day we were able to view the exterior and interior of the First Church of Christ Scientist in Victoria Park designed by Wood at a later date and demonstrating his architectural development in an imaginative and striking composition using a splayed plan.
We were greatly impressed by the originality of design and the fitness for purpose of the earlier Long Street Church and School. The simplicity of the buildings, set around the courtyard garden, with the contrasting scale and form of the tall Gothic style Church and the domestic grouping of the School buildings is most effective. Where used – and generally used sparingly to highlight the most significant features – the decorative detailing to be found in the buildings, whether in brick, stone, wood, metal or glass is of the highest quality and craftsmanship; the epitome of Arts and Crafts design.
We would stress the importance of the Middleton Wesleyan Church in the roll call of Arts and Crafts churches in Britain that present a harmonious entity of design of building structure, church fittings and decoration. St Mary the Virgin, Great Warley, All Saints, Brockhampton, St Andrew’s, Roker, St Martin’s, Blackheath, and St Sophia, Lower Kingswood – and most famously
– Holy Trinity, Sloane Street, Chelsea are amongst the few gems of the period.
Our collective experience of viewing Arts and Crafts buildings over a period of the twenty years of our Society’s existence and especially our knowledge of the wide-range of examples of Surrey’s Arts and Crafts buildings – by the famous names of the period – Lutyens, Voysey, Baillie-Scott and their pre-cursors GG Scott, GE Street, Norman Shaw and those less well known names such as Harrison Townsend, Thakeray Turner, Christopher Hatton Turnor or Alfred Powell, provide a platform from which the significance and quality of the work of Edgar Wood may be considered comparable with the best of the Arts and Crafts architects and his is one whose name should be better known.
It must be acknowledged that the Long Street School buildings, whilst having the advantage of retaining original features, face the challenge that some areas of the buildings are deteriorating in condition and may not meet modern requirements for facilities and services. The best way to safeguard this significant example of Middleton’s Arts and Crafts heritage is to ensure an on-going future use by the local community with restoration of the buildings for this purpose. Community use would be most appropriate, reflecting the historic use of the site and being more likely to involve fewer and more sympathetic changes to the buildings than other uses might require.
This seems a very worthwhile application, and well worth saving for the community of people in Middleton.
I support the application for restoration
I fully support the saving of these buildings so that they can be brought back into use by the community and appreciated for alll their historical and architectural importance.
We support the application to restore the edger woods building
I fully support this grant application. Edgar Wood and his buildings, especially historically important ones like Long Street Church and its adjoining school buildings are landmarks in Architectural History and deserve greater recognition. The school buildings should be restored and maintained by being brought back into life through community use, which will not only bring benefits to the people of Middleton but will help to raise the profile of Edgar Wood and his work.
I would like to add my support for this restoration project.
We fully support the application.
Gill & Trev Hayward
We fully support the application
I support the grant application to Viridor to restore the Edgar Wood School buildings at Long Street, Middleton so that they can be brought back into community use.
As part of a wider community of conservation professionals who appreciate and value the Long Street Edgar Wood buildings, I support the application for grant to provide a viable future use for these buildings.
I support the grant application to Viridor for to restore the Edgar Wood School buildings at Long Street, Middleton so that they can be brought back into community use
We loved the whole area. Please keep it going for all to enjoy. The volunteers have done a brilliant job.
The significance of Edgar Wood’s Middleton Wesleyan Church and Schools can hardly be overstated. It stands alongside his First Church of Christ Scientist in Fallowfield as the only remaining uncompromised example of his innovative and imaginative church architecture – and, wonderfully, Middleton retains all of its internal fittings. Wood’s leading role in the Northern Art Workers Guild indicates his importance in proselytizing Arts & Crafts ideas in Lancashire, and bringing freshness and originality to architectural design comparable with what was emerging meanwhile in London, Glasgow and Birmingham. The buildings at Middleton express a defiant, positive, progressive attitude amongst Methodists in Lancashire at the start of the 20th century which seems now both brave and inexplicable – yet which foreshadows in a way the “faith school” approach to education of more recent governments, integrating education and ethical values. And, on top of all that, it has some of the most beautiful Arts & Crafts glass in its doors, reminiscent of the work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh. It is a jewel which must be treasured so that all can benefit from its magnificence. In architectural history terms, Middleton stands alongside a small group of Arts & Crafts ecclesiastical masterpieces which are only now – not a moment too soon – being recognised and appreciated for their importance in Britain’s cultural history: Holy Trinity, Sloane Street, Chelsea; All Saints, Brockhampton, Herefordshire; St Andrew’s, Roker; and Edward the Confessor, Kempley, Glos. I wholeheartedly support and commend the application to Viridor for a grant to help in its restoration.
Recently visited the work of Edgar Wood in Middleton with a group from the Arts and Crafts Movement in Surrey. All 24 in the group were most impressed with Long Street Church and Schools which are a fine example of his work. It is clear that a dedicated band of enthusiasts have put a huge amount of effort into doing what they can to preserve these buildings. However, it was also clear that much still needed to be done to help preserve them. We wholeheartedly support this grant application.
Nice to see a remarkable heritage building being saved rather than destroyed.
We fully support this grant application to Viridor in order to restore the Edgar Wood School buildings at Long Street, Middleton.
I fully support this great project and believe that this building could play even more of a strong part in our community.
I fully support the grant application to Viridor for to restore the Edgar Wood School buildings at Long Street, Middleton so that they can be brought back into community use.
We are standing at pivotal moments regarding our historical architectures and need to save building such as this. If we don’t we risk being condemned by future generation for our reckless disregard for precious things that quite simply can never be replaced.
To restore the Edgar Wood School buildings at Long Street, Middleton so that they can be brought back into community use seems like an excellent and viable reuse. Keeping the structures inhabited and used is vital for their long term survival and I support the grant application by Viridor.
I support the grant application to Viridor for to restore the Edgar Wood School buildings at Long Street, Middleton so that they can be brought back into community use.
I have been a committee member for the Edgar Wood Society since it’s formation, and have been a huge Edgar Wood fan since I was a child. His buildings are what makes me most proud to be from Middleton, they are a legacy of the most forward thinking, innovative and ground-breaking architect that this country has produced. He was a true pioneer with examples in one small town that pre-date the accepted thinking on both Art Deco and Art Nouveau design. Long Street School is a true Arts and Crafts wonder and this grant would be a wonderful way to help preserve this world-class complex.
We fully support this application to restore and to bring back into community use this masterpiece of Edgar Wood. Wood is to Middleton, Manchester and the northwest what Mackintosh is to Glasgow and Scotland and this project will help to ensure that his architectural legacy is preserved and is given the local and indeed national recognition it deserves
I support the application to restore this wonderful arts and crafts masterpiece for the local community and the nation.
Kerrie Melrose
Huddersfield
I support the grant application to Viridor for to restore the Edgar Wood School buildings at Long Street, Middleton so that they can be brought back into community use.
I support this grant project
I support the grant application to Viridor to restore the Edgar Wood School buildings at Long Street, Middleton so that they can be brought back into community use.
I wholeheartedly support this grant application to Viridor to restore the Edgar Wood school buildings, Long Street, Middleton, Manchester.
Our family have used these buildings for generations, they are an important part of our heritage and it is essential that they are preserved for future generations to be able to appreciate and see the wonderful architecture and historical value they hold.
A definite community asset to the town, with the opportunity for people to take part in local heritage, cultural, art events to name a few..
We support the grant application to Viridor to restore the Edgar Wood School buildings at Long Street, Middleton so that they can be brought back into community use.
Unlike in the Home Counties, where the work of Arts and Crafts architects has long been valued, that of their equally talented colleagues in the North of England has been much less appreciated. Edgar Wood was probably the foremost pioneer of Arts and Crafts architecture in the North West and we must not miss the opportunity to conserve the Long Street complex, which is one of his most important works.
Barrie and Wendy Armstrong.
I support the grant application to Viridor for to restore the Edgar Wood School buildings at Long Street, Middleton so that they can be brought back into community use.
This project will help revitalise a historic building and greatly benefit the local and wider community. A very worthwhile venture.
I support the grant application to Viridor to restore the Edgar Wood School buildings at Long Street, Middleton
I support the grant application to Viridor for to restore the Edgar Wood School buildings at Long Street, Middleton so that they can be brought back into community use.
We support the grant application to viridor to restore the Edgar Wood school buildings at long Street Middleton . It is so important to retain this Arts and Crafts building .
Having served as the Area Manager North West and then the National Operations Manager for ENTRUST, the Government Appointed regulator of the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme, I would like to offer my support to this proposal.
I support the grant application to Viridor for to restore the Edgar Wood School buildings at Long Street, Middleton so that they can be brought back into community use.
I support the grant application to Viridor for to restore the Edgar Wood School buildings at Long Street, Middleton so that they can be brought back into community use.
I support the grant application to Viridor for to restore the Edgar Wood School buildings at Long Street, Middleton so that they can be brought back into community use.
I wholeheartedly support the application for this grant. As so much of our local heritage is sadly being lost as a horrific rate, whilst this wonderful building is loving looked after by volunteers. It is truly a jewel in Middleton’s crown and deserves to remain so, for generations to come.
I support the grant application to Viridor for to restore the Edgar Wood School buildings at Long Street, Middleton so that they can be brought back into community use.
I support the grant application to Viridor for to restore the Edgar Wood School buildings at Long Street, Middleton so that they can be brought back into community use.
I support the grant application to Viridor for to restore the Edgar Wood School buildings at Long Street, Middleton so that they can be brought back into community use.
I support the grant application to Viridor for to restore the Edgar Wood School buildings at Long Street, Middleton so that they can be brought back into community use.
I support the grant application to Viridor for the restoration of the Edgar Wood School Buildings at Long Street Middleton so that they can be brought back into community use.
I support the grant application to Viridor for to restore the Edgar Wood School buildings at Long Street, Middleton so that they can be brought back into community use.
We support the grant application to Viridor for he restoration of the Edgar Wood School buildings at Long Street, Middleton so that they can be preserved and brought back into community use.
I absolutely support the project to restore this fabulous building. There is no way that a building as beautiful as this, with so much architectural importance should not be restored for future generations to appreciate.
I wholeheartedly support the grant application to Viridor for to restore the Edgar Wood School buildings at Long Street, Middleton so that they can be brought back into community use. Too many unique buildings are being left to rot or demolished when they could be restored for future generations to love and appreciate.
The Edgar Wood School and Church building is not only a loved, and an important piece of the architectural heritage of the area. It also offers an array of spaces of varying sizes which can cater for a wide range of community needs and requirements, space which is becoming hard to come by. I wholly support the restoration of this building for the people of this generation and the next.
I support the grant application to Viridor for to restore the Edgar Wood School buildings at Long Street, Middleton so that they can be brought back into community use
We as a Family offer our full support for the grant application to Viridor for the restoration of the Long Street School buildings, this an outstanding and well loved part of Edgar Wood’s Arts and Crafts heritage in Middleton and offers great potential for wider community use.
This project will help revitalise a historic building and greatly benefit the local and wider community. A very worthwhile venture.
The school at Long Street by Edgar Wood is without any pre-cursor. Ongoing research is showing that the building is unique not only in local circles but also in national and international circles in terms of it’s revolutionary style and approach. This building is perhaps the only material embodiment of a relationship formed between its architect Edgar Wood and the internationally renowned architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
Edgar Wood was an architectural ‘pop star’ of his day and there is growing recognition of a man whose body of work was celebrated in Hermann Muthesius’s Das Englische Haus.
The building has always served the community and its best chances of survival remain in such service.
Andy Marshall
Bury
Lancs
I totally agree that Long Street School should be restored for community use. There are fewer places that can host community and charity events that are suitable for all ages. I feel it would be used greatly. I would certainly use it for charity events as I am sure other local charities would.
Samantha Fahmy
Fundraising Secretary
Oldham Cats Rescue in Middleton
If the local architect’s school buildings (Edgar Wood) can’t be saved, that is a great shame. I support this grant project for this reason.
Also I remember going to youth club here, it’s a beautiful building it must be opened back to the community.
Best of luck
I support the grant application to Viridor for to restore the Edgar Wood School buildings at Long Street, Middleton so that they can be brought back into community use. The design of the Church is architecturally fascinating and well deserving of preservation for future generations to appreciate the work of the great architect, Edgar Wood.
I strongly support the restoration of the school rooms at Long Street Methodist Church. I went Sunday School at Long Street and also progressed through the Cubs and Scouts. I was a member of the congregation and also participated in a number of activities in the various school rooms. The Church complex is a real masterpiece and is really worthy of saving for future generations.
Long Street school is of such local hisorical importance that i fully support the project to preserve it for future generations. To bring it back into use for the local community will be such a huge asset and legacy.
David Winder
Restoring the Edgar Wood School buildings at Long Street, Middleton will enable members of the community to use and enjoy them. I therefore support the grant application to Viridor.
I would like to show my support of the work required to upgrade facilities at Long Street Methodist Church to a standard acceptable to allow the buildings to be brought back into community use and to help preserve the future of this important Grade II* listed building designed by Edgar Wood. As a local, I value our buildings of heritage and fully support the good work of the Arts and Crafts Trust.
My daughter was part of brownies and girl guides they would use that room for srt&craft badge work
I also support the grant application to viridor for to restore the Edgar Wood school buildings at
Long street Middleton so that it can be used by the community in and around Middleton.
Best Regards.
John Randles.
I totally support this grant project Long Street School is an Arts and Crafts masterpiece and should be loved and cared for so the whole community and future generations can benefit.
Susan Lally
Rochdale, Lancashire
I wholeheartedly support the grant application to Viridor for to restore the Edgar Wood School buildings at Long Street, Middleton so that they can be brought back into community use.
I went to Sunday School at Edgar Wood’s Long Street school so, as a former member of the congregation at the Methodist Church who also got married there, I have a strong connection with the building.
To see it used to its full potential would be an asset to the community of my old hometown.
I consider Edgar Wood to be one of the most important Arts & Crafts architects of the north of England. His work is important nationally and internationally. His design and deal work is on a par with Baillie Scott and Guy Dawber in my opinion. To lose this important building would be tragedy in terms of architectural loss and community use. I hope that it can be retained, loved and used as it was intended and that Manchester recognises and retains this important heritage asset.
Neil Quinn (former Manchester resident and Architect)
BA Hons Arch Dip Arch ARB RIBA IHBC
Edgar Wood’s reputation as one of the country’s outstanding arts and crafts architects is well established- and well deserved. I support the protection of his work.
Barry Joyce MBE, Dip Arch, MSc conservation.
Edgar Wood reputation as one of the outstanding arts and crafts architects is well established- and well deserved. I support the protection of his work.
Barry Joyce MBE, Dip Arch, MSc conservation.
Buildings such as this are vital to the history of the arts & crafts movement. I support the grant application to Viridor for to restore the Edgar Wood School buildings at Long Street, Middleton so that they can be brought back into community use.
I would be very interested in hearing if any future news & development
I gave my support by email, saying
“I would like to express my support for the restoration of Long Street
School.
I have visited the school and neighboring church before to see the
unusual architecture, and was fascinated by the design and history.
Edgar Wood is an architect that Middleton should be really proud of, and
the architecture, while beautiful and important, is also very calming
and non-threatening. I think these things make it a great venue for
community use.
Kind Regards
Anna Morris
Clitheroe, Lancashire”
I enthusiastically support this grant project. Long Street School is an Arts and Crafts masterpiece that is lovingly cared for by a team of volunteers. It has great potential for community, heritage and cultural events.
David Morris
Blackburn, Lancashire