The first Site Progress Meeting took place on Tuesday 19th Dec. In attendance were Seven architect Lisa McFarlane, Stone Edge contractors, Conservation Officer Sue Oakley and GMBPT trustee Christine Grime.
Restoration Update
External Work Gets Started
You can now see things are happening on the outside. This gives a real sense that the restoration is on the move. Internal work has been put on hold as more asbestos has been uncovered and notification is required to give a 14 day HSE notification period prior to any further removal.
Restoration Launch Celebration and Window Appeal
The launch of the restoration of the schools rooms took place last night, with over 60 guests in attendance. Canapes and mulled wine hit the spot on a cold winter night setting the tone for a convivial evening.
Continue reading “Restoration Launch Celebration and Window Appeal”
Restoration Update
Inside work is halted for the time being, unfortunately more locations of potential asbestos have been found under floors. Until this is or is not confirmed by lab reports, it is a no go area. As a result Stuart is braving the cold investigating the condition of the stonework – can it be resurfaced or must the block be cut out and replaced?
Restoration Week One
One week on and the kitchen has been stripped out, the next job in the area will be the removal of the a dividing wall to make a larger and more useful room, access is limited while asbestos is removed from various locations. The broom cupboard under the stairs and the band storage cupboard on the landing have also gone opening up these areas and what a difference. Shrubs and plants down the community wing have been dug out to allow for render to be removed and then scaffold erected for high level work. Continue reading “Restoration Week One”
Contractors and Volunteers Get Started
Stone Edge contractors have started removing the cement render that replaced the lime render in the 1970s. Cement stops the bricks ‘breathing’ and results in damp. At the same time the EW volunteers are removing the shrubs so scaffolding can be positioned for the high level work. Hidden damage to the stonework is revealed, caused again by the use of cement. The damaged stonework can be seen in the middle right of the centre picture and the lower image shows the extent of the damage. The new render will be lime based as used originally by Edgar Wood. Continue reading “Contractors and Volunteers Get Started”
Restoration of the School Rooms is Underway
Lisa of Seven Architects who is heading up the restoration was on site this morning together with Stuart the site manager of the contractors, Stone Edge. The ‘demolition’ of the old kitchen has been started prior to an adjoining wall being removed later this week. This room will become a community meeting room. The units that are in a good condition will be reused in two community areas, with the addition of new work surfaces. Watch this space for regular updates. Continue reading “Restoration of the School Rooms is Underway”
Restoration is ‘Go’ for the School Rooms at Long St. Methodist Church
Following delay after delay, the contract for the restoration of the school rooms has been signed and the contractors, Stone Edge will move in on Monday. All was confirmed at the meeting this morning. The photograph below shows Lisa of Seven Architects on the left , followed by Sue the Conservation officer managing the THI and Keith, Mark and Stuart from Stone Edge. Also in attendance were representatives of the Greater Manchester Building Preservation Trust.
A press release appeared in today’s publication of the Middleton Guardian stating that “The Long Street Methodist School is Grade 11*, which means it’s in the top 5% of important historic buildings in the country”. Also when completed in 1900 by the famous Middleton born architect Edgar Wood, “The design was ground-breaking at the time because it featured the Arts and Crafts style that EW was famous for, but also showcases the beginning of the Art Nouveau influence before this architectural style became widely popular.”
What is Destroying the Lawn in the Church Garden?
Extensive damage is occurring to the lawn as can be seen in the images. It has been suggested that it may be foxes, cats, badgers or birds. Whatever animal it is and what it is looking for is not the 20p piece, this just for scale. Any suggestion and cure would be welcomed.Restoration of the Wesleyan School – Update
The Greater Manchester Building Preservation Trust’s THI grant scheme to restore the Long Street Wesleyan School has been racing along these last few months, headed by architect, Lisa Mcfarlane of Seven Architecture. The finance is almost all in place, the work has been tendered and a contractor chosen. Now the final details are being nailed down.
Continue reading “Restoration of the Wesleyan School – Update”
Edgar Wood pays a visit
Edgar Wood has been revisiting the Arts & Crafts Church… more HERE
Edgar Wood Film Shoot at Briarcourt
The Edgar Wood film is now well under way and with this (largely) sunny weather, no time is being wasted. Below are some photos of the shoot at Briarcourt, Lindley, near Huddersfield, while here is an excellent report in Rochdale Online.
Banney Royd – online 3D model
Jubilee Fountain Steps & Exedra update
Edgar Wood’s Jubilee Fountain is currently being restored… see photos and a video on our sister site HERE
South Hale Conservation Area Appraisal completed
Trafford Council under the provisions of the 1990 Planning (Listed Buildings & Conservation Areas) Act has approved…
- SPD5.21 – South Hale Conservation Area Appraisal (March 2017)
- SPD5.21a – South Hale Conservation Area Management Plan (March 2017)
The South Hale Conservation Area includes all of Hale’s Edgar Wood designed houses, including the Grade I listed Royd House. Continue reading “South Hale Conservation Area Appraisal completed”
Edgar Wood Centre repair and restoration scheme approved
The application by Greater Manchester Building Preservation Trust for listed building consent (Ref: 16/01312/LBC) to restore the School buildings at Long Street Methodist was approved by Rochdale planning department on 7th April. The scheme was drawn up by Alan Gardner Associates last November, with assistance from Greater Manchester Building Preservation Trust conservation officer, David Morris. You can see the approved restoration work by clicking the ‘Documents’ tab on the online planning file HERE
This is part of the rescue plan for the buildings, which so many people supported last Autumn CLICK HERE and HERE . Detailed grant bids are now being drawn up and it is hoped that restoration work will begin late summer or early autumn.
Restoration of Edgar Wood’s Guardian Buildings – A Review
An early Edgar Wood designed commercial building has been restored by the Edgar Wood and Middleton Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) conservation scheme. The building was in a terribly mutilated state and its appearance is now a hundred times better than it was. The THI, which is superbly managed by Sue Oakley Rochdale MBC conservation officer, is warmly congratulated for its achievement. Bringing historic buildings forward for restoration is a slow and complicated procedure and one that doesn’t always bear fruit. Continue reading “Restoration of Edgar Wood’s Guardian Buildings – A Review”
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.
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.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.
