After completing their eight weeks course, four of the ‘youngsters’ show off their certificates of attendance. A thank you to Karen of Pride Media Association for putting on the course in the lecture room of the EW centre. Karen would like to return in the future to put on similar courses. ‘Apps’ she will next year if not sooner.
Middleton in Bloom
The inspection for Middleton in Bloom takes place tomorrow, Thursday 20th July. The route takes the inspectors up Long Street and past Long Street Methodist Church and School. The Edgar Wood Society team have been out doing their bit to help and the garden is looking good with the lavender flowering at its peak. The Middleton in Bloom committee have provided plants and a planter for the front steps, for which we are grateful. A big thank you to this group of volunteers for their work in improving the visual environment of the area.
The furthest travelled group to the Edgar Wood Centre yet
A small group of Arts and Crafts enthusiasts from America, visited the Edgar Wood Centre to conclude their day in Manchester, under the guidance of Julian Holder (Salford University, formally of English Heritage). Earlier in the day their itinerary included the Rylands Library and the Beehive Mills in Ancoats.
POLLING STARTS EARLY
Members of the Edgar Wood Society were up with the lark to open up at 6.30am for polling. The second time this week that the small lecture room has been in ‘commercial’ use. There is certainly a demand in the area for this size of room with easy access at the rear.
It could be a late supper for the Edgar Wood Society member who clears away the polling booth and locks up after an even longer day for the presiding officers!
Course for Tablets for the Over Fifties!
The first of 8 sessions for getting the best out of your tablet (the computer type) for the young at heart, took place this morning in the small lecture room at the Edgar Wood Centre.
This is a free course run by Pride Media Association of Rochdale and was fully subscribed, the small numbers allowing for individual tutition. The location being chosen, because of the bright aspect of the room and the easy access.
We look forward to further courses at the centre, but book early.
Preparation for Middleton in Bloom
The Fifth Tour Group of the Season
Our fifth group of the season, the College of the 3rd Age, Crumpsall , visited the Church and School Rooms this morning and were welcomed on the steps by the tour guide of the day, Christine. Previous group visits include a group of fourteen led by Manchester Tour Guide Sibby, who is also a committee member of the EWS. Two groups of over twenty from the Oldham U3A members, a photographic group organised by Pride Media Arts and the Rochdale Circle. If you would like to organise a tour around the Church or the Golden Cluster buildings or Edgar Wood properties, get in touch via the artsandcraftschurch.org web site or tel. 0161 6530512
The Edgar Wood Society at the Victoria Baths
The EWS were on hand in the men’s second class pool (now with floor) at the Heritage and History fair at the Victoria Baths, Hathersage Road. It was a good opportunity to engage with members of the public about EW and to meet other groups promoting their interests. After being closed for 24 years, if you would like a swim in the first class pool on Sunday 14 May then get your ticket by lunch on 14 April. Information is on the Victoria Baths web site.
A Musical Treat
A good audience gave a standing ovation at the conclusion of today’s performance by the Mendelssohn on Mull Festival Ensemble. The 8 young profession musicians, introduced by Richard Jeffcoat (curator) played items by, Hayden, Shostakovich and of course Mendelssohn’s octet.
This was a cultural treat and we would like to think that this could be the start of a lasting partnership.
Their next performance is in St. Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh on Friday 21st April, why not pay a visit?
Vicky Welcomes the Edgar Wood Society to Briarcourt
Twenty members of the EWS were given a warm welcome to Briarcourt on a sunny afternoon today. The purpose of the visit was to see the progress of the work that Vicky and Duncan are making in restoring this grand house designed and built in 1895 by EW for his cousin Herbert Higginson Sykes, a wedding present from the Sykes family. This gave EW his first opportunity to build in Huddersfield.
The house is in the style of a Yorkshire Jacobean manor. It is imposing externally, with its fine porch, deep bay windows and multiple gables. Internally, stained glass, decorative plaster work and painted a frieze in the morning room by Middleton artist Frederick Jackson. The frieze has been recently restored and one of the main reasons for the visit. A big thank you to Vicky and Duncan for the privilege of viewing their progress so far and their warm welcome.
Spring Gardening Starts Early
Illuminated After 115 Years
It has taken Ken Winters (top right) 15 years to achieve his goal of getting the Lindley Clock Tower illuminated. His ambition was realised at 5.30pm today as he and local Councillors activated the flood lighting. Representatives from the Edgar Wood Society (Middleton) attended giving support to their Yorkshire ‘cousins’.
James Sykes, Edgar Wood’s uncle commissioned EW to design the tower, which is some 83 feet tall with walls 2 feet thick and of local stone. Completed in 1902 with sculptures by Stirling Lee. More of Stirling Lee’s work can be seen in the Arts and Craft Church (Long Street Methodist) birth place of Edgar Wood and his ‘masterpiece’ in Middleton.
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 into the under croft.
Their survey reports for coursework will be submitted in December. I look forward with interest to read their conclusions.
Building Surveyors of the Future Learn about Conservation
Twenty plus, second year students from the University of Salford, School of Built Environment, under the charge of Simon Mclean (Program Director of Building Surveying) came to survey the school rooms and learn of the issues related to conservation. Reports will be written and submitted for their course assessment. It will be interesting to read their suggestions and ideas for the proposed improvements to prevent water ingress, the heating and the necessary services.
This is the second time that the University has used the Centre for part for their training program. Some ‘high tech’ gizmos were used, the two meters in the photograph were first being checked that they showed the same calibration. Not only did they give a moisture content readings, but also a core temperature and thermal image.
Too clever for me!
Roof Repairs Needed Again
Emergency roof work to replace slipped stone tiles has started. These are the latest ones to slip, which are occurring more frequently.Sign to Save an Edgar Wood Masterpiece
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.
If you don’t know what to say, here is a suggestion…
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
Arts & Crafts Enthusiasts from Surrey Visit Middleton
The Arts & Crafts Movement in Surrey group (26 members), arrived in Manchester on Monday for their annual trip. They spent this morning visiting Edgar Wood’s master piece in Middleton – Long St. Methodist Church and Schools.
This was followed by a walk around the conservation area looking at Wood’s houses and finally calling in at St. Leonards, with particular interest in the stained glass by Christopher Whall, but could not fail to be impressed by the rest of the Church.
The majority of the group did not know the name Edgar Wood, but after seeing and listening to Christine and Nick, they soon could put EW in context with Voysey, Mackintosh and the rest. With Nick’s knowledge base and his enthusiasm, he left them in no doubt about the importance EW’s work and influence. As Nick had to leave early, the group asked me to thank him and give him a round of applause.
Their itinerary for tomorrow includes visiting EW’s Church of the First Christian Scientists in Victoria Park, Manchester. We wish them well for the remainder of their visit.
Out With The Old, In With the New
The exhibition created and researched by Nick Baker and Richard Fletcher has at last been reproduced on permanent display boards and was arranged today by Ian with the help of Christine and Kirstie. Kirstie by profession is a Graphics Designer and we are grateful for the work she has done in creating the excellent visual impact of the boards. We are fortunate to have Kirstie on the committee team. You must come and have a look, we are open tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday as well as Tuesday and Friday throughout September.
Pilkington Royal Lancastrian Pottery & the Edgar Wood Connection
Angela and Barry Corbertt, archivists and experts of the Pilkington Society got our Autumn program of talks off to a flying start in the lecture room of the Edgar Wood Centre. They gave a fascinating account of this famous firm that created many of the most beautiful tiles and pottery of the Arts and Craft period. Members of the society brought along some of their Pilkington pottery for Barry and Angela to comment on.
The vase shown was made in 1931 and designed by William Mycroft, one of the firms longest serving designers.
We look forward to continuing our association with the Pilkington Society and a thank you to Angela and Barry for their talk.
Embroidery Master Class
A stitch in time saves nine!
Nine enrolled for the first of our embroidery classes at the Arts and Crafts Church. This was a taster for what we hope will become a regular event in 2017.
Helen Jones, who also runs courses at Hampton Court had maximum attention from the group and concentration was 100 %.
As the workshop progressed hardly a word was spoken by the group of ladies, proof of their concentration. A successful event in every way and thoroughly enjoyed by all participants.