Issue No 38 Winter 2015/16£2.00

Sharing Salford’s fantastic story

A Street full of MemoriesJOIN US ON A JOURNEY INTO SALFORD’S PAST A “new look” at the Local History Library... a Salford connection with Waterloo... Salford’s Georgian prison... and much more inside!

Useful contacts

Sarah SpenceHead of Libraries and HeritageO161 778 0840

Peter TurnerCollections Assistant 0161 778 0809

Amy GoodwinExhibitions Officer0161 778 0883

Peter OgilvieCollections Manager0161 778 0825

Ceri HorrocksHeritage Development Officer (Learning)0161 778 0820

Amy Whitehead Learning Officer, Ordsall Hall0161 686 7442

Luisa Neil Learning Officer, Salford Museum0161 778 0821

Naomi Lewis,Outreach Officer 0161 778 0881

Liz McNabb Ordsall Hall Manager0161 686 7446

Caroline StorrHeritage Development Manager (Ordsall Hall)0161 686 7446

David PottsVolunteer and Training Manager0161 686 7445

Lindsay BerryHead Gardener and Trainer0161 872 0251

Amy SenoglesRetail and Catering Manager0161 778 0818

Kellie BrownMarketing Officer0161 778 0819

Duncan McCormickSalford Local History Librarian0161 778 0814

TO CONTACT MUSEUM SWITCHBOARDS:Salford Museum & Art Gallery0161 778 0800

Ordsall Hall0161 872 0251

Friends of Salford Museums:enquiries@friendsofsalfordmuseums.org

Useful websitessalfordcommunityleisure.co.uk/culture For all museum and culture related topics

salfordcommunityleisure.co.uk/culture/whats-onFind out about concerts, walks, talks and other events in Salford

www.wcml.org.ukFor Working Class Movement Library

www.visitsalford.infoWhat to do, where to stay and what to see in Salford

EditorialWELCOME TO THE 2015 WINTER EDITION OF LIFETIMES LINK

LifeTimes Link magazine was introduced around the turn of the Millennium to complement the work being done in the LifeTimes Department at Salford Museum and Art Gallery. Over three dozen issues have been produced since then, containing a range of articles concerning Salford’s heritage. Cuts in finance and staffing have meant that plans for the Gallery have been scaled back. The Link is now edited by the Friends of the Salford Museums’ Association (FSMA).

Philip and I hope that this edition will intrigue and inform you, with its mix of reminiscences, researched articles and information about what is planned in the arts and local history scene over coming months. FSMA will be celebrating its Diamond Jubilee in 2016. There will be an exhibition at Salford Museum and Art Gallery starting in April. We hope to use that and The Link as a means to increase FSMA membership and subscriptions to the Magazine.

We were saddened to hear of the death of Tony Frankland at the end of June. Tony had worked in the Local History Library for 25 years until his retirement in 1997. He had helped hundreds of people with their research, be it genealogy, material for school projects or student theses, articles for local newspapers or photographs for films and documentaries. He had a huge knowledge of, and love for, this city and its history and was a founder member of Salford Local History Society. His publications included “The Diary of Abraham Driver – the story of a Broughton Constable”, “Salford’s Prison, an account of New Bailey Prison in 1836” and “Salford in Print”. Issued in 1975, “In Print” has not been out of print since!

Tony compiled dozens of fact sheets and led countless history trails in the area. Known far and wide, his popularity was reflected in the size of the gathering at his funeral at Agecroft Crematorium. He had been married to Marjorie for almost fifty years. Our condolences go to her and to his many friends. Farewell, then, to “The History Man”.

LINK has always relied on and been grateful for two things: - help from staff at the Museum and Ordsall Hall in supplying encouragement, information and background material, and articles and letters from readers. Whilst staff participation is still forthcoming, input from The Link subscribers and friends has become somewhat sparser of late. May I urge readers, if you want this magazine to continue as a means of connecting to our City’s rich heritage, to consider contributing. Reminiscences of schooldays, home life, work, church, sport and hobbies are all of interest, especially if there are accompanying photographs.

Do get in touch if you have any ideas.

Philip HeyesDon Rainger

Joint editors

WHY NOT JOIN THE FRIENDS OF SALFORD MUSEUMS?Tthe Friends were formed nearly 60 years ago and have since then been at the heart of supporting both the Museum and Art Gallery and Ordsall Hall. New members are warmly welcomed.

To join the Friends, please complete the enclosed application form and send with stamped addressed envelope to The Treasurer, F.S.M.A., Salford Museum and Art Gallery, Peel Park, Crescent, SALFORD M5 4WU. Annual Subscription is £10 per member.

To find more details about the Friends, and what they do, please go to: www.FriendsofSalfordMuseums.org

The History Man as many will remember him: Tony Frankland in the Local History Library in 1987. (Image courtesy of Salford Local History Library)

Page 4 - 5 Salford Companionship Circle for the Elderly Don Rainger

Page 6Changing History – the new face of our Local History LibraryDuncan McCormick

Page 7“Is Anything Alright? My Titanics Story” by Stanley HymanReviewed by Don Rainger

“You write” Salford Then and Now: Chris Dillon on the changing face of Broad Street

Page 8 Communities and OutreachConnecting people with their historyNaomi Lewis

Page 9“Recollections of Salford” by members of S.L.H.S.Reviewed by David George

“A History of Weaste and Seedley” by Roy BullockReviewed by Don Rainger

Page 10 - 11The Waterloo Trail – Salford’s connection with the great battlePaul Hassall

Page 12 - 13Collections CornerPeter Turner on recent Museum acquisitions

Pages 14 - 15My Association with Ordsall Hall and Agecroft HallJohn Finley

Page 16 Restoring Agecroft’s Cemetery ChapelPete Kilvert

Page 17Lark Hill Place at War – plans for 2017Ceri Horrocks

Pages 18 – 19Industrialising Prison – Georgian Style Unearthing New Bailey Prison’s pastDr Michael Nevell

Pages 20 – 21Link Listings

Page 22Mystery PixOn last Issue’s Pix – see p.16

Page 23Local History Round Up

ContentsCHRISTMAS ATSALFORD HERITAGESeasonal Activities for all ages

AT SALFORD MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY

A MUSICAL CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONSaturday 5 December / 12:00 - 4:00pmSunday 6 December / 12:00 - 4:00pm Free! £4.00 to meet Father Christmas in his grotto

Join us for a weekend of Christmas celebrations as we begin the festivities including music, songs, crafts and a chance to meet Father Christmas.

Musical entertainment by the ‘Golden Voices’, on Saturday 5th December and by ‘The Monton Voices’ (Supported by Friends of Salford Museums) on Sunday 6th December.

AT ORDSALL HALL

GHOST STORIES FOR CHRISTMASFriday 4 December 2015 / 7:30pm£10.00, £8.00 concessions. Booking required

Ghost Stories for Christmas is a theatre show featuring original spine-chillers in a vintage vein. An evening of vengeful revenants, restless spirits and malevolent ghouls is guaranteed for those brave enough to join us! See website for further information

SALFORD MUSIC AND PERFORMING ARTS CHRISTMAS CONCERTSunday 6 December / 2:00 - 3:30pmFree! No booking required

Listen to the festive sounds of talented Salford school children as they perform yuletide classics in the stunning Great Hall.

Enjoy a festive glass of mulled wine and a mince pie afterwards.

CHRISTMAS GROTTO AT THE HALLSunday 13 December / 1:00 - 4:00pm£4.00 per child. No booking requiredCome and meet Father Christmas in his grotto and receive a gift!

You can also meet Father Christmas / 1.00 - 4.00pmSunday 20 December and Monday 21 December

2016 HALF TERM AND EASTER HOLIDAYS AT SALFORD HERITAGEWe always have fun during the holidays at Ordsall Hall and Salford Museum and Art Gallery.

2016 WORKSHOPS AND CLASSESAs well as activities for children we also have a range of workshops and classes for adults – a great chance to learn a new skill in a relaxed and informal atmosphere.

For both school holiday activities and workshops and classes and to find out what we’ve got coming up - visit our website: www.salfordcommunityleisure.co.uk/culture Look in the ‘what’s on’ section

LifeTimes Link subscriptionsWhy not subscribe to LifeTimes Link either for yourself or as a gift for a loved one? UK subscriptions cost £6 for one year and include two editions posted direct to your door.

If you require further information please go to www.salfordcommunityleisure.co.uk/culture or call 0161 778 0800 for more details.

Basic large print versions of this magazine are available Ring 0161 778 0800

ContributionsSend your letters, articles and copies of photographs to: The Editor, LifeTimes Link, F.S.M.A., Salford Museum and Art Gallery, Peel Park, Crescent, Salford, M5 4WU

Editor email: via Joint Editor, Philip Heyes, email: Jphilipheyes@aol.com

The deadline for items for the next issue (Summer Issue May 2016) is Friday 18th March 2016

Please note: we cannot accept any responsibility for the loss or damage to contributor’s material in the post. We cannot guarantee publication of your material and we reserve the right to edit any contributions we do use.

FINDING US ON-LINE

And accessing BACK NUMBERS of LifeTimes Link - Winter 2006 to Summer 2015

Go to Salford Museum’s Website:www.salfordcommunityleisure.co.uk/culture/salford-museum-and-art-gallery and follow the links to LifeTimes.

If the LifeTimes Link issue you require isn’t available to download please email

lifetimes@scll.co.uk or call 0161 778 0813.

Print copies of most back numbers are still in stock – price £2 each.

OUR FRONT COVERIn anticipation of the proposed “re-ordering” of Lark Hill Place to fit the war-time period of 1917 (see article by Ceri Horrocks in this issue) we make no apologies for including this fine colour photo of “The Street” decked out in patriotic mode. Photo by Nick Harrison © Harrison Phair Photography

The City of Salford Companionship Circle for the Elderly BY DON RAINGER

the Better Care of the Elderly in their own Homes”, and Mrs Rothwell’s main message was that “the elderly woman wants to be wanted”. The big problem when the war ended was housing. Salford was faced with the fact that many old people would have no opportunity of getting a home of their own if they waited for new building to give them the typical one-bed flat or bungalow they longed for.

There followed talks on home visiting of the old and infirm; home helps for the elderly; and Salford’s Good Neighbours Association which was in its fourth year and had 29 willing volunteers. Mr S H Worthington, Salford’s Director of Civic Welfare, spoke about Domiciliary Welfare and a Mrs Gaunt of New River Street enthused about her Darby and Joan Club. “An Old Man’s Point of View”, by Mr Frank Langshaw, a chef, of Falkland Avenue, contained the following: “The conditions under which some of the elderly men, many of them veterans of the South African and 1914-18 Wars, live are appalling and it is very necessary that something is done as soon as possible.” He paid tribute to the work being done by the WVS in running the Darby and Joan Clubs. “They (the WVS) are the Florence Nightingales of today, carrying the lamp and taking the light into old people’s hearts”.

The Manchester & Salford Family Service Unit’s contribution was entitled “Helping the Derelict Aged”, whilst Mr F Douglas Weeks of the Manchester & Salford Council of Social Services maintained that “human sympathy and an understanding of human nature will help us to find the right way to do the particular piece of work which lies on our doorstep”.

Introduction

The following is a brief history of the start of the process, gleaned from documents in the Local History Library and articles in the Salford City Reporter. I have included certain direct quotations. You may find some of the language used sixty and more years ago would not be acceptable today.

“The problem of the care of old people is one with which we must all concern ourselves. Since the age balance of the population shows an increasing tendency to be weighted with older people, their welfare and care must occupy an increasing amount of our time and labours, but … it must be a labour of love with none of the rigours of officialdom and institutionalism with which some of the welfare work of the past has sometimes been tainted.”

The sentiments contained in this paragraph may well have come from a press release sent last week, so relevant are they to issues currently in the public domain. They were in fact spoken on 17th November 1949 by the then Mayor of Salford, Cllr C.R.V. Haynes, J.P. at an informal conference on the care of old people held at the Town Hall, with an impressive list of speakers.

The way we were – A 1949 Perspective

The Mayor began with two statistics to make those assembled aware of Salford’s task. At that date, there were 17,000 people aged over 65 years in the City, with a further 18,000 approaching “official old age”, in a population of about 175,000.

The opening address was given by Sir William Douglas. KCE, KBE, Secretary at the Ministry of Health. He pointed out that in 1947, two years prior to this meeting, 13.7% of the population were already of pensionable age.

Sir William was followed by a Miss S Doherty, Domestic Help Organiser in Preston, who spoke about the “Meals on Wheels” service, before Mrs D G Rothwell MBE, JP, stood up to talk about elderly women in Salford. The conference was called “Towards

A fundraising Fair under way at Immanuel Methodist Church. Image courtesy of Salford Local History Library, Salford Museum & Art Gallery

The notes of this conference were typed up and issued in foolscap form. The final word was left with David Lloyd George:

“How we treat our old people is a crucial test of our national quality. A nation that lacks gratitude to those who have honestly worked for her in the past while they had the strength to do so, does not deserve a future, for she has lost her sense of justice and her instinct of mercy.”

1955 – The Beginning of the Companionship Circle

It was against this background that the Companionship Circle for the Elderly was inaugurated in June 1955 at a meeting convened by the Civic Welfare Committee. Invitations were extended to 34 voluntary associations, religious, political and youth groups, and Trade Unions to send representatives.

Among the aims and objectives in the constitution were:

• The organisation is established with a voluntary aspect to use every effort for the purpose of furthering the welfare of elderly persons in Salford by assisting the work of the statutory authorities and voluntary organisations in relieving distress or sickness, developing physical improvement and physical and mental recreation.

• The organisation shall be absolutely non-political and non-sectarian.

• To arrange for forwarding to the proper authorities and organisations the relevant facts regarding cases of elderly needs and causes of distress, as are within the power of those authorities to investigate

The work of the Circle in 1957

The Circle’s second Annual Report dated 29th April 1957 stated:

“There is no doubt that the range of services envisaged at the inaugural meeting in January 1955 has been far outstripped due to the enthusiasm, interest and practical voluntary effort of the 40 or so organisations now co-ordinated in the Circle’s activities.”

So this was a better than envisaged beginning.

The Report went on:

“This year in particular (1956-57) has been fortunate in the profound interest evinced by the President, the Mayor of Salford, Ald. J. Openshaw, JP, himself a “not so young” citizen of 82 years, and also from the Mayoress, Mrs N. Openshaw, their assistance given so generously at all times without reserve, being an inspiration to us all.”

It was known that around 4,000 elderly persons lived alone in Salford in 1957. Admirable duties were undertaken by senior Pendleton High School pupils with the Shaftesbury Society in the sphere of home visitation, “their cheerful, youthful exuberance” bringing “sunshine into the somewhat monotonous existence of elderly persons”.

This second report of the Circle contained a long list of other forms of assistance. These included providing walking sticks, dentures, spectacles, and a grant towards the purchase of writing pads for a prolific letter writer, hot water bottles, 23 bottles of Mackeson Stout, and repairs of self-propelling chairs. Money was provided to allow elderly people to visit Brooke Bond films (does anyone remember these? – Ed) at the Docks Hall and to watch the Broughton Drama Group’s production of Candida, Chaseley Fields Players performance of “Hobson’s Choice” and Salford Amateur Operatic Society rendering of Trial by Jury and Pirates of Penzance. The second Christmas Appeal raised £339 – 9s - 9d. Thought was being given to providing a Holiday Home at a seaside resort.

The report concluded that it was “gratifying to find that many MPs, organisations and local authorities have sought during the year information on the constitution of the Circle, suggesting that similar organisations will be forthcoming.”

So, what Salford does today ….

[To be continued]

NOTE: These photographs clearly represent a period somewhat later than that described in Don’s article. The author has tried without success to find any photographs of “work with the elderly” in the 1950s. However these photographs give a “feel” of the type of work which was being done. If you have photographs from the 1950s do please share these with us. - Ed

Gilda Brook Home - The presentation of chairs in May 1976L-R back: Val Scerri, C.A. Siddall (ARBA Director of Social. Servicess), Mrs B. Southern, Cllr H. Singleton, Rolph Haslam (20 yrs in the Home), Mrs Gladys Gregson (WRVS), William L Connor (Supervisor), Mrs Mary Croft (WRVS), Mrs Elizabeth Connor. L-R seated: Frank Carlton, unknown, unknown.Image courtesy of Salford Local History Library, Salford Museum & Art Gallery – taken from SalfordOnline website.

The Local History Library has been through some interesting changes this summer. For those regular to the service they will have noticed that we were closed for nine weeks to allow for some much needed maintenance work. However, what they may not know is how much more than just a lick of paint and a tidy up has taken place whilst the doors were closed.

The library closed at the end of June for re-plastering and painting work due to a water damaged wall. As these works could not take place with the library open, we decided it would be a good opportunity to do some much needed maintenance that was overdue on how our users access our resources. The library has remained relatively untouched for some thirty years, but the collection has grown and with it various indexes and card catalogues – mainly from Eccles and Swinton. These have now all been consolidated into separate information indexes for each area, with a single biography and author index for the entire collection. This, along with some furniture moving and replacing, has freed up a lot of space for use in holding talks and school tours. However, this work also highlighted how harsh the past thirty years have been on our floor. As luck would have it, some money was available to allow us to replace the carpet – which was very good timing. We have also worked very hard to box all our pamphlets and leaflets in one series, for ease of searching. Likewise, our books have been organised so oversized books now follow the same Dewey shelf marks as those above them.

CHANGING HISTORY BY DUNCAN MCCORMICK, SALFORD LOCAL HISTORY LIBRARIAN

As with most redevelopments, these improvements should be unnoticed by many of our users – but will make searching much simpler, without the need to ask for assistance. Researching in our library should be an adventure, and our users are encouraged to discover things on their own.

The improvements don’t end there, though. In October we also launched our Digital Salford photo archive (www.salford.photos). This is a small part of the collection of over 70,000 images and photographs we hold in the library – and our volunteers are still scanning more images! With assistance from the Friends of Salford Museums’ Association, we now have better storage for our maps and plans, to allow simpler access and free up more much needed space.

These are just a part of our continued commitments to try and improve services in the library without tearing the heart out of a much loved service. History doesn’t change, but the way we access it does and we are always looking to the expectations of our users to assist in how they find the information they require.

Library immediately before this year’s changes (all photos courtesy of Salford Local History Library)

After: The Library as it is now

Before: The Library in 1988

“IS ANYTHING ALRIGHT? - MY TITANICS STORY” BY STANLEY HYMAN

OK, I admit it immediately. This book is not Salford-based, but because it is only just over the Irwell (in Strangeways and Cheetham Hill), because it is by a well-known personality, because it is funny, human, quirky and insightful, and because, let’s face it, I’m joint editor of LifeTimes Link, here it is!

Stanley Hyman’s granddad, a Russian Jew, came to Glasgow, married a Manchester lass, settled in Lord Street, Cheetham and eked out a living selling sour cream and cream cheese. An American relative urged him to emigrate to Philadelphia. He decided to do so and booked a passage on the maiden voyage of the Titanic in April 1912. The rest they say ….

Rescued by the Carpathia he eventually came back to Manchester, full of ideas picked up in New York. He moved the family from Lord Street to Waterloo Road, opened a delicatessen and the locals took little time in naming it “Titanics”. The shop passed down the family and Stanley was guardian from the early 1970s until “2000 and something”.

He was actually involved for 50 years and this book of anecdotes, with him at the hub of Jewish communal food sales, positively reeks of pickled cucumber, smoked salmon and kosher chicken.

There are stories for all the main Jewish festivals – Passover, Rosh Hashanah (New Year), Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) and Channucah, and references to both the Ashkenazi and Sephardi communities in Manchester. Some readers will recognize the names of prominent local families and smile at the idiosyncrasies of the religious authorities.

We go from the days when food was in barrels to today’s multi-wrapped purchases; from when housewives koshered meat at home to nowadays when most is prepared by the butcher. There are short chapters on ‘To Kvetch or Not to Kvetch’ (kvetching was touching and squeezing fresh chickens) and a Fish Fressing competition, “fressing” being “eating”.

The book rattles along at quite some pace, and is sometimes written in “broken biscuits” , the Scottish English with a Russian accent language of Stanley’s grandfather.

But, fear not, as the ever-resourceful author / deli-owner places a glossary at the end of his writing, so every reference can be translated and understood.

“Is Anything Alright?” provides an insight into a world which may be unknown to many Link readers but it is a charming read – and who knows, once you have consumed this, you may wish to look for fictional accounts of the same area, such as “Magnolia Street” by Louis Golding and “Shabby Tiger” and “Rachel Rosing” by Howard Spring, “A Kid for Two Farthings” by Wolf Mankowitz and the “Almonds and Raisins” trilogy by Maisy Mosco.

REVIEWED FOR LIFETIMES LINK BY DON RAINGER

Price £9.99 Stellar BooksStellarbooks.co.uk, 216 pages.

YOU WRITE:One of our readers, Chris Dillon, writing from New South Wales, comments on the “Now” picture of Broad Street from the Article “Salford Then and Now” by Don Rainger on page 15 of our last issue (Link no. 37).

“Thank you for your email and the very interesting copy of LifeTimes Link. Many of the scenes were familiar to me including the block of flats near Broad Street, where my parents moved to after the demolition of the slums in Joseph Street off Liverpool Street. They were thrilled at the time to have hot water, bath and indoor toilet, but the flats soon became modern slums, and I believe the building was demolished when the tenants were intimidated by vandals, and felt threatened when leaving the building.” Looking across Broad Street, Pendleton, from the junction

with Frederick Road. The “Now” picture - today’s Broad Street with which we have become familiar. © Swinton Photographic Society.

COMMUNITIES AND OUTREACH BY NAOMI LEWIS, OUTREACH OFFICER, SALFORD MUSEUM

Museums and heritage sites play a crucial role in connecting local communities with the history of their city and its people. Salford Heritage Services’ communities and outreach team works in a collaborative and responsive way with communities, groups, societies and organisations from across Salford to inspire them to learn about, and engage with the city’s rich heritage.

Community and outreach work often involves supporting groups in developing and delivering projects, such as activities currently being run in the city to commemorate the 100th anniversary of World War One. The team also develops partnerships with many different organisations and audiences, including older people, young groups, local history societies and schools, to run projects around heritage themes. Recent examples include marking the 250th anniversary of the Bridgewater Canal in Salford, and collecting oral histories from former farming communities on Chat Moss to inspire younger generations. These projects aim to offer community involvement and ownership at all levels, and help local people gain an insight into the broad heritage of Salford in a variety of ways, ranging from oral history collection to participatory art.

Throughout the year, the team also delivers local history talks, on topics ranging from Women in War to the Victorian Workhouse, to local interest groups, as well as organising talks and walks based at our sites, Salford Museum and Art Gallery and Ordsall Hall.

Another key area of work for the communities and outreach team is around reminiscence, supporting older people to participate in stimulating and enjoyable memory-based activity, and training care staff to facilitate it effectively. The Memories Matter reminiscence resource loans service offers free access to museum objects, photographs and exhibitions for anyone working with older people in Salford.

Alongside this, the new ArtBox service has been launched to provide creative activities for people living with dementia, allowing them to use their imagination through visual art, drama, creative writing and movement-based activities. In this region, these services in heritage provision for older audiences lead the field, and are very popular with local care providers and charities.

Conversation piece © Salford Museum and Art Gallery Cadishead tapestry © Salford Museum and Art Gallery

Embroiderer at work © Salford Museum and Art Gallery

For more information on Communities and Outreach, contact Naomi Lewis at Naomi.lewis@scll.co.uk

RECOLLECTIONS OF SALFORD

It was a pleasant surprise to find this reprint at The Lowry Bookshop. It is a very unusual publication in that no fewer than 50 or so members of the Society were persuaded to record their memories or to write a poem. Subjects range from childhood upbringings to Hanky Park, Trams, Holidays, Schools, Police, Fire and Home Guard, Cinemas and Theatres and the Whit Walks.

Your reviewer particularly enjoyed the account of Fairhope, a large house on the “millionaire’s mile” in Pendleton belonging to the Prestwich Family of Protector Lamp fame (which later became the site of a motor garage business) and the account of working in the Peel Building of 1945 – 65.

Also, very relevant to today’s efforts to revive interest in the past of Salford Quays, is the article: “Working in the Dock Office”.

The black and white photos accompanying these chapters are clear and were selected by the then staff at the Local History Library. There is indeed something for everyone here. The book nicely complements the more academic and professional publications such as “Salford and its Past” .

Most Local History Societies are content to turn out once a month and listen to expert speakers; here a group has written its own history and deserves retrospective congratulations.

REVIEWED FOR LIFETIMES LINK BY DAVID GEORGE

by Members and Friends of Salford Local History Society: originally printed in 1992 with a foreword by Don Rainger (Chairman) 117 pages - £5.95.

NOTE: A word of thanks to David George for this timely contribution. The Editors of LIfeTimes Link wish to congratulate David on his recently being made a Life Member of The Eccles & District History Society for his services to the Society and to the study of local history.

by Roy Bullock, published by Neil Richardson, 76 pages, price £6.00.“A HISTORY OF WEASTE AND SEEDLEY”REVIEWED BY DON RAINGER

Roy Bullock has, for many years, been producing books under the Neil Richardson imprint. Extensive research in local newspapers, keen attention to detail, an ear attuned to the Salford psyche and an abundant selection of photographs has meant that his works have always been popular. That recipe has been used again in his latest book on Weaste and Seedley and it has brought him the reward of the Frank Mullineux Local History Award given by the Eccles & District History Society. The award, unique among local history societies in the City, is offered for work in local history.

In 76 pages, packed with maps, drawings, extracts from trade directories, photographs, sketches, the story of this area of Salford , [not easily geographically defined,] is told in concise fashion from its days in rural times up to [the most recent developments in] 2014. The improvement of the road system, the coming of the railway, the building of houses and factories, as well as schools, churches and parks – all of the infrastructure we know today is recorded. Woven into the narrative are human, and sometimes animal, stories taken from newspapers. Often these tales are from locals enjoying or enduring their “fifteen minutes” through wedding anniversaries, employment landmarks or appearances in court. Those whose names were more widely known also receive a mention: Elkanah Armitage, Rev Hugh Stowell, Sir Charles Halle, Sir Thomas Potter and Frances Hodgson Burnett (writer of “Little Lord Fauntleroy” and “The Secret Garden”) were all resident in the area.

Emmeline Goulden, who married Richard Pankhurst at St Luke’s church, had lived in the Seedley area from the age of nine. In the early 1900s, when in her forties, she was present at many suffrage meetings there, with her daughters Christabel, Sylvia and Adele.

A Jewish wedding at the Royal Hotel, later the Flat Iron on Church Street, in 1891 aroused a huge local interest. There was a large Jewish population in Pendleton at the time and the ceremony was given coverage in “The Reporter”.

Barmy Mick, John Wallwork, the barber, and Francis Ainsworth (wallpaper specialist) rub shoulders in this most readable volume with Isaac Daniels (porter and later

stationmaster, with one month under fifty years’ service at Weaste Station) and Mr J E C Lord, (tar distiller, philanthropist, magistrate, Mason and, until his death in 1926, President of Weaste Cricket Club). The station closed over 60 years ago and the Cricket Club has recently become a housing estate.

That pre-Victorian rural area that Roy Bullock begins his account with is now a heavily populated, multi-ethnic, bustling place that one can speed through on the M602 or by the newly-electrified railway from Manchester to Liverpool. This volume detailing these enormous changes is a valuable addition to Salford’s written history.

THE WATERLOO TRAIL BY PAUL HASSALL

In the last issue of LifeTimes Link I mentioned the tree planted in Parr Fold, Walkden to commemorate the victory at Waterloo. As this year is the 200th anniversary of the battle I wondered at other Salford links to Waterloo and the Duke of Wellington.

My first search took me to one of the heroes of the battle: Charles Ewart. Many of us will be aware of the famous picture by Richard Ansdell of The Fight for the Standard, which depicts one of the many heroic incidents which occurred on the field at Waterloo. However, it is less well known that the hero depicted, Charles Ewart, spent his later years living in Salford.

Ewart, born in 1769 near Kilmarnock, was a sergeant in the Royal Scots Greys. The picture shows him capturing one of the two imperial eagles. Ewart described the feat: “It was in the first charge that I took the Eagle from the enemy. The Frenchman and I had a hard contest for it. He thrust for my groin; I parried it off and cut him through the head; after which I was attacked by one of their Lancers who threw his lance at me, but missed the mark by my throwing it off with my sword by my right side; then I cut him from the chin upwards, which cut went through his teeth. Next I was attacked by a foot soldier, who, after firing at me, charged me with his bayonet; but he very soon lost the combat, for I parried it, and cut him down through the head; so that finished the contest for the Eagle. After which I presumed to follow my comrades, Eagle and all, but was stopped by the General saying to me, ‘You brave fellow, take that to the rear; you have done enough till you get quit of it,’ which I was obliged to do. ... I took the Eagle into Brussels, amidst the acclamation of thousands of the spectators who saw it.”

Military campaigns were different in those days and families often accompanied their men to the battle, although this exposed them to the horrors of war. After the battle, Ewart’s wife, Maggie, spent the day seeking among the dead for the body of her husband, as she had had no news from him. She witnessed many people plundering the bodies, who were even killing those seriously wounded so they could rifle their pockets. After an ineffectual search she found a bed for the night in the home of a blacksmith. Later in the evening a number of grimy soldiers entered, with their horses, which they had brought to be shod. Suddenly Mrs Ewart shot up “I’m sure that’s Ewart’s voice”. Ewart saw her as she advanced and calling out “Maggie! Maggie!” rushed to embrace her.

Ewart was rewarded with a commission, and to this day there is a pub named after him on Edinbugh’s Royal Mile. Ewart served for another twenty-four years and on leaving the army resided in Tranmere, Ulverston and then Salford. He lived on Hampson Street, near Oldfield Road. He used his military experience to teach sword fighting. His final days, with his faithful wife, Maggie were spent in a cottage in Davyhulme. He died on 23rd March, 1846, aged 77 years, and was buried in the graveyard of the New Jerusalem Temple in Bolton Street, Salford. Sadly, his grave was paved over and forgotten for many years, being uncovered in the 1930s, and he was reburied by the Royal Scots Greys on the esplanade of Edinbugh castle in 1938.

Interestingly, the Manchester Literary Club papers of 1878, which detail his life, also mention that his sword was in the possession of a man in Lytham, but his watch had been donated to Peel Park Museum (donated by Mayor R.P. Livingstone). This led to the next phase of the trail. I asked Peter Ogilvie, Collections Manager, if he could find the watch in the museum collection. He was unable to do so, but was very helpful in unearthing two other items connected to Waterloo:

The first of Peter’s discoveries was the medal shown here:

Waterloo Medal – face (with the Prince Regent)Salford Museum & Art Gallery

Waterloo Medal – obverse (with Eagle)Salford Museum & Art Gallery

References:www.manchestergazette.co.uk/19720/peterloo-massacre-cavalry-barrackshttp://archive.salfordonline.com/salfordvideos_page/33496-video:_st_thomas’s_church,_pendleton_-_part_1:_foundations.htmlwww.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_EwartManchester Literary Club papers. Vol 5 – 1878 – 7 http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Richard_Ansdell_%E2%80%94_The_Fight_For_The_Standard.jpgCornwell, B. Waterloo: The history of four days, three armies and three battles (William Collins 2014)Gaskell, A. The History and Traditions of Clifton (1960s)

All images of Salford Museum artefacts are copyright of Salford Museum

The second Museum discovery was this faded commemorative handkerchief donated from Manchester Museum. We inspected the various tableau, before, with excitement, we discovered Sergeant Ewart’s name and an image of a solider carrying an Eagle!

Richard Ansdell: The Fight for the Standard (depicting Salfordian Charles Ewart) Original painting in the care of Historic Scotland at Edinburgh Castle. This image courtesy of Eric Gaba – Wikimedia Commons user: Sting. File licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

The name Waterloo also brings up the name Peterloo. In 1819, the 15th King’s Hussars, alongside the part-time Manchester and Salford Yeomanry, mobilised to disperse up to 80,000 protestors who had gathered in St Peter’s Field, Manchester, to demand political reform. The resulting sabre charge left approximately 15 dead and up to 700 injured. The Hussars were responsible for charging in to break up the crowd. The event was popularly dubbed the Peterloo Massacre in reference to the 1815 battle of Waterloo. I couldn’t find out if Charles Ewart was present at Peterloo.

Further research into the battle of Waterloo led me to the following information from Salford Online. St Thomas’ Church, Pendleton, was one of a number of new churches financed and built throughout the country after an Act of Parliament in 1818 granted £1 million. These churches were known as Waterloo Churches, the Nation’s thanksgiving to God for the victory over Napoleon “lest a Godless people might also be a revolutionary people”.

Whilst reading about the history of Clifton, I also read that there was “rejoicing in commemoration of the battle of Waterloo. The Fletchers made lavish gifts to the poor of Clifton.” Were there celebrations in other local areas?

In the previous issue of LifeTimes Link I asked if anyone had any other Salford Waterloo connections. Evelyn Vigeon contacted us by email to say that there is a Waterloo Medal awarded to William Bridges at Eccles Parish Church.

There are a number of Waterloo Roads, Wellington Pubs etc. in Salford, so next time you visit one, try and think about the battle of Waterloo and the Salford hero: Charles Ewart.

Waterloo Commemorative Handkerchief – front Salford Museum & Art Gallery

Waterloo Commemorative Handkerchief – backSalford Museum & Art Gallery

Collections CornerBy Peter Turner, Collections Assistant

Recent months have seen the donation of objects to Salford’s collections which relate to different places and aspects of Salford’s social history as well as artistic representations of the city.

Two items relating to the First World War have been donated recently, both of which have been on display in the LifeTimes Gallery’s “100 Years Ago: Salford at War” exhibition. Marking 100 years since the first day of Britain’s full involvement in the First World War and created by artists Paul Cummings and Tom Piper, 888,246 ceramic poppies progressively filled the moat at the Tower of London between 17 July and 11 November 2014, each one representing a British or colonial military fatality during the war. Following the closure of this installation the hand painted ceramic poppies were available for purchase and one was acquired by Tindall Street Allotment Group in Eccles who generously donated it to Salford Museum and Art Gallery.

John Tetlow has donated a First World War whistle that was owned by William Grant De-Vere who was probably a sergeant during the war, although his regiment is unknown. He lived in Weaste Lane and Church Avenue, Weaste.

A doll found in the Star Chamber at Ordsall Hall by Rev. Nelson of St. Cyprian’s Church has been donated by Shelagh Rushbrook, who was given the doll around 1955. This bisque doll was made by Armand Marseille, a German manufacturer who produced dolls from 1885 until about 1930. The donor attended St. Cyprian’s church and helped the reverend’s wife with the ironing which was done in the room adjacent to the Star Chamber and from which there was a door into the Star Chamber where the doll was discovered. The donor’s father also owned the off-licence on the corner of Markendale Street and Gledhill Street.

Salford Corporation Tramway’s first electric trams ran in 1901 with electrification of outlying areas complete by 1903. Salford’s collection now includes two wonderful postcards showing trams in Winton which, according to hand written notes on the back by the donor’s mother, show the first trams from Winton to Salford and from Winton to Deansgate, Manchester. These were donated by Jack Middlehurst from Staffordshire.

Transparencies of the archaeological dig at Ordsall Hall prior to the construction of modern houses on the west side of the hall have been donated by Nick Higham. The archaeologists who worked on this dig were funded through the Manpower Services Commission using local young unemployed people.

Ceramic poppy from The Tower of London, November 2014.

Sergeant De-Vere’s WWI whistle.

A recent donation, once discovered in the Star Chamber at Ordsall: German bisque doll, ca. 1885 - 1930.

A smart turnout for the first tram from Winton to Salford.

The first tram from Winton to Deansgate, Manchester.

A scrapbook containing programmes and other items from the Victoria Theatre, Great Clowes Street, Broughton has been donated by Jean Turner. These are mainly from the late 1960s and early 1970s, a period when the building was once again a theatre after a period of different use. The scrapbook also contains two tickets from its last night of opening as a theatre. The theatre, which was opened by Sir Henry Irving in 1899, was designed by the renowned theatre architect Bertie Crewe and throughout its history has been used variously as a theatre and cinema as well as a bingo hall from 1973 to 2007 (with some periods of closure in the 1980s). There is now a campaign to save and restore this unique and architecturally important theatre.

Leaflet for the ‘Final Attraction’ at Broughton’s Victoria Theatre, 1972.

If readers have any comments or further information on any of the above objects please write to LifeTimes Link. Details on page 3.

An oil painting entitled ‘Swinton’ by Enid Williams has been donated by Salford Art Club. Enid was a long standing member of the art club who joined in the 1970s and when she passed away in 2014 her daughter donated the painting to Salford Art Club who subsequently donated it to the museum.

Neville Jones from Weymouth has donated an acrylic print of ‘Lord Duncan Street Salford 5’. The donor painted the original which is now in the hands of a private collector. The view of the street, in which the artist was born in 1929, features the public wash house chimney on Hodge Lane, the Spiritualist Church and Duncan Terrace at the end.

Other recent donations include an Independent Order of the Rechabites Certificate of Merit with Australian decorative detail donated by Wendy Sheridan, which illustrates the global extent of the order; a collection of Pilkington’s ceramics donated by Pam Edge whose grandparents worked at the company and acquired most of the pieces; and assorted keys from the engineering works of Sir James Farmer Norton’s Adelphi Works, Salford donated by Roy Bullock who acquired them on the works closing day sale of artefacts.

‘Lord Duncan Street, Salford 5’, print from original painting by Neville Jones, b. 1929.

Tickets from the Victoria’s ‘last night’.

Agecroft in Pendlebury

14

Salford historians will know that, at the end of the 19th century, industrialisation and coal mining swept through the Irwell Valley. Coal mines were built all around Agecroft Hall and railway tracks were laid. By 1925 Agecroft Hall was dilapidated and in a very poor state of repair and was sold at auction to Mr & Mrs Thomas C. Williams. He was a very wealthy entrepreneur with railroad interests. Having had all sections carefully labelled and crated, he then shipped Agecroft Hall to Windsor Farm, Richmond, Virginia, USA where it was re-built on the banks of the James River.

There, from the suburb of Manchester, Virginia, you can cross the James River by the Manchester Bridge, on the way to Agecroft Hall. The architect, Mr Morse was appointed, not to replicate Agecroft Hall as it was in Lancashire, but to create a comfortable, functional house reminiscent of how it was. Agecroft Hall’s gardens reflect English gardens with Elizabethan aromatics and herbals; they were designed by Charles Gillette. Reconstruction work took until Spring 1928, costing $250,000. Then the owners moved in to their new home.

Over the past 7 years, my wife, Martha and I have visited Agecroft Hall several times. On 21st.January 2015, four members of the Friends of Salford Museums, Philip Heyes and his wife Susan, Martha and I, paid their latest visit to Agecroft Hall.

One thing that is very noticeable, when you enter, is how straight, flat and at right angles everything is at Agecroft, where things were done to “modern” standards, in comparison with Ordsall Hall, where things were built, literally, by rule of thumb.

MY ASSOCIATION WITH ORDSALL HALL AND AGECROFT HALL BY JOHN FINLEY

My first association with Ordsall Hall began in 1959, when Salford Corporation first acquired Ordsall Hall. I was then 14 years old. My dad was appointed visiting caretaker, becoming resident caretaker in 1963. We moved into a purpose-built flat. The bathroom was downstairs, next to the front door, you went up the staircase to the flat. My dad made some brief notes of the dimensions and the layout of the fitted kitchen (9ft x 8ft) with electric cooker, washing machine etc. Across the corridor, was our living room, then my bedroom, mum and dad’s bedroom, all similarly compact and finally a box room, which became dad’s studio.

My dad’s artistic skills had been recognised when he was posted to Ruabon, North Wales as a cartographer, during World War II. By trade he was a furrier, but because the fur trade was a luxury after the war he had to find what work he could.

Not many people can say that they have associations with TWO of Salford’s Tudor historic manor houses

Ted Finley

Make a difference…PLEASE REMEMBER US IN YOUR WILL so future visitors can enjoy Salford’s heritage

To find out more please visit salfordcommunityleisure.co.uk/legacies

ADVERTISEMENT

15

Agecroft in Pendlebury

However, one day he was seen sketching in a note book by Mr Frape, the Gallery curator, who offered him a job as attendant at The Art Gallery, Peel Park, alternating with work at the (then) Natural History Museum, Buile Hill Park.

Along with Roy Mewha, another long-standing member of the Friends of Salford Museums, dad became a founder member of Salford Art Club in 1948. Meetings were first held at various locations, including Chairman Ernest Goodman‘s house in Worsley. Goodman was a teacher at Salford Grammar School. Another venue for meetings was the Chaseley Field Centre.

A word now about my early days at Ordsall. A firm from Alderley Edge was commissioned to take charge of restoration work at Ordsall. When the work was finished, their Mr Jock McAtee informed us that the Hall held 48 tons of grit stone on the roof. He said that repairs were obviously needed in many areas but, basically, the building was sound. There was very little woodworm, the roof beams in the great hall were trimmed on the surface, and only one was replaced by a rolled steel joist.

It was whilst the Robin Hood gas boiler, and pipes for the central heating, were being installed, evidence of a hole in the ground was uncovered. Various theories were given, e.g. a well, but the consensus, then, was that it was a cess-pit.

I well remember shovelling snow in January and February 1963 during the very cold winter. In October of that year, as soon as I was 18 years’ old, I had to go on night work, month-on month-off, at Scientific Instruments, Barton Dock Road, working on electron microscopes and mass spectrometers.

I celebrated my twenty first birthday on 1st October 1966 with a midnight ghost hunt at Ordsall Hall. No luck! Didn’t see a thing - we must have frightened them all away. It’s strange to me that no one believes me when I say I did not see the White Lady or any other ghosts, when dad and I did our security rounds at night. In 1968 my dad took early retirement due to his emphysema. The Council helped mum and dad to find the flat at Pendleton which is now my home.

It was during August 2006 whilst I was Chairman of the Friends and we were first approached by SMAG to help in raising funds for Ordsall Hall’s restoration, that I first became acquainted with my wife, Martha. And so began my second association with Ordsall Hall.

I had sent an “open” e-mail regarding the Friends’ attempts to obtain a Lottery Fund Grant for the Hall, which Martha saw, when she was Curator of the Kinsale Museum in North-East Virginia. She was planning a courtesy visit to Kinsale, near Cork, in Ireland, before coming on to England to research her family history, and so

began a long correspondence between us. We exchanged emails - and other items of information by post - about our various organisations. Finally she flew from Cork to Manchester Airport on Friday 13th October 2006, which was when we first met, and I was able to introduce her to Salford. At that time Ordsall Hall was hosting a hog roast as part of Manchester Food and Drink Festival.

Later, at Martha’s instigation, I was invited to attend the Virginia Association of Museums Annual Conference at Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, in March 2007. This was, primarily, a celebration of the 400th anniversary of the founding of the first thirteen American Colonies - see Link no. 21 pages 8 – 9. As a thank you for their invitation, I bought a copy of a print of Bargoed, by L. S. Lowry (The Friends had been involved in raising funds to help the purchase of the original painting) and posted it to Martha. She then had it framed and I presented it to the Virginia Association. The Bargoed print was warmly received and put on display by the conference reception desk.

Martha and I were married in St. Paul’s Church in Salford on 13th July 2008 and appropriately held our reception in the Great Hall at Ordsall. Since our marriage, Martha has become keenly interested in Salford, and its rich and varied history.‘far by a substantial amount of voluntary work. Much more is needed however in order for it to be saved. To help support the project, e.g. by ‘looking after a brick’, please get in touch:

THE PROPOSED RESTORATION OF AGECROFT CEMETERY CHAPELA new project team has come together to restore Agecroft Cemetery Chapel. The team comprises members of the Greater Manchester Building Preservation Trust, the Victorian Society, the original Lantern Project and Friends of Salford Cemeteries Trust as well as Salford Council Officers and a Councillor.

The first job is to seek funding for a Feasibility Study to assess if a restored chapel is viable as a community asset. First thoughts appear to look at the possibility of an educational and mourning facility, and commercial possibilities include a cafe, refreshment facility, florist or monumental mason. The group has already applied for funding. If successful, the next steps would be to consult with the local community, apply for grant funding, carry out the restoration work, develop commercial partnerships and run the building for the benefit of the community.

The chapel was the original Church of England Chapel, opened with the Cemetery in 1903. (The non-conformist chapel is now the crematorium and a Roman Catholic chapel has been demolished.) The chapel and the cemetery were designed by Manchester Architects Sharp and Foster in a free Gothic style with Arts and Crafts influence. It is constructed from red sandstone and has a decorative wooden lantern that tops the tower. The layout of the cemetery and the construction of the chapels were undertaken by Gerrards of Swinton. The building is now in a sorry state, but its solid construction gives hope for restoring this icon of the Irwell valley.

BY PETE KILVERT Secretary, Agecroft Cemetery Chapel Restoration Group

If you would like further information about this project, or wish to offer help, please contact Pete via emai:pete.kilvert@ntlworld.com.

Agecroft Cemetery Chapel in springtime Photo supplied by Pete Kilvert

16

YOU WRITE

If you’d like to tell a story, share memories or ask “Where are they now?” send your letters to the Editor – full details on Page 3.

Image from p 22 Issue no. 37 – May 2015

Readers’ comments on the “Mystery Pix” in our last issue (no.37):

Link 37 – Mystery Pic no. 2

I think the picture is taken from the bottom of Oldfield Rd. looking up Franklin St., the building on the right being Mt Carmel church and the wall on the left enclosing the “reservoir”, used for Worrals Dye Works. The industrial premises in the background has got me puzzled – e mail from Jim Bottomley

Link 37 – Mystery Pic no. 3

The building was on Oldfield Road, opposite the main gates of St Bartholomew’s Church. I think the post which can be seen on the far right is part of the wall marking the perimeter of the church grounds. I have confirmed this by referring to a wonderful painting of the church by Ken Holt who now lives near Melton Mowbray. No one seemed to know what the building was for, and it appears to me that the windows had been bricked up sometime after construction. The radius of the circle of the brickwork is reminiscent of the former chapel and railway station on Liverpool Road, Manchester – e mail from Eric Youd

Image from p 22 Issue no. 37 – May 2015

Over the summer we have been fortunate to have a Masters degree placement student working with us on what we think is a very exciting project. Jaclyn Bradley came to us, as part of her MA in Museums Studies, for 2 months to help research an exciting re-display at Salford Museum and Art Gallery.

In an exclusive for LifeTimes Link we would like to share our thoughts to undertake a temporary re-display of Lark Hill Place (our Victorian Street display) in late 2017, to reflect how the street might have looked in 1917 following 3 years of war. Of course, the Victorian Street is so well loved we will definitely be returning it to how it is now in late 2018, but we thought this would be an interesting way to tell some of the stories of Salford in 1917/18.

Jaclyn started her research by looking into what High Streets were like in 1917 – how the attacks on the Atlantic convoys had restricted what was for sale in the shops, what propaganda posters would have been found on the streets, what community drives were going on to raise funds for tanks or to knit for the troops. Once she had an outline of this she started the laborious job of sorting through our collections!

She had to look at what is on display now and decide what items might still have been in a Salford street only 20 years on from when it is set now, what items would definitely have to go, and what we had in our collections that could be added. We were surprised to find how many of our well loved childhood stories had been published in this era

17

LARK HILL PLACE AT WAR

– perhaps some of these publications could replace the Victorian books in the toyshop.

One area where we found lots of potential to tell stories was the pub! Whilst the look of pubs would have been very similar, the war brought real social change in their use. The Defence of The Realm act brought in more licensing regulations to control opening hours, beer was watered down, more taxes were put on alcohol, spirits could not be sold on Saturdays and lastly, a ‘No Treating Order’ was created. This last order meant that you could not buy a round in, again to control alcohol consumption. Breaking the ‘No Treating Order’ could result in up to 6 months’ imprisonment!

Women also started frequenting the establishments in much larger numbers than before the war. Some women now found themselves with more disposable income and freed from many domestic restraints. There was concern that these women might be working in armament factories – what disasters could happen if they arrived at work with a hangover, or still drunk from the night before! One way women’s behaviour in pubs was sought to be brought in line was by changing the secretive snugs in pubs to more open dining rooms. Importantly these could now be seen from the street, so that passers-by would know which women were frequenting the pub and how they were behaving!

We will be busy continuing to research the project and aim to make these changes in November 2017, for display until November 2018. We hope that people will enjoy seeing some fresh objects and stories in the street, and that it will prove an interesting way for us to mark the end of the World War One Commemorations.

BY CERI HORROCKS Heritage Development Officer, Salford Museum & Art Gallery

Lark Hill Place – The Pub

Lark Hill Place – Mr Tomlinson’s Shop

Industrialising Prison, Georgian Style: Excavating New Bailey Prison BY DR MICHAEL NEVELL Head of Archaeology, School of Environment & Life Sciences, University of Salford

area covered the south-eastern part of the old county, which was one of the centres of the Industrial Revolution. It contained the booming manufacturing town of Manchester, whose population grew from 23,000 in 1773 to 74,000 in 1801. The prison acted as both a holding cell before trial and as a place of incarceration afterwards, should the defendant be unlucky enough to be found guilty of a misdemeanour or felony.

In its first phase the prison comprised a rectangular enclosure surrounded by a boundary wall, within which were the prison gardens, a radial-plan Gaolers Building and a Gate Keeper’s Lodge. It was expanded in the 1810s with the clearance of Bolton and Faulkner Street, making way for the western extension of the New Bailey Prison. Within this extension four structures were erected housing the Male Felon Workshops and Yards (excavated in 2013), Male Felon Wards, a Cook House and a Hospital. A third phase of expansion up to the 1840s included the addition in the western half of the complex of a Turn Keys’ Office, Clerks’ Office and a new Chapel. In the eastern part of the site the original prison building was partially demolished to make way for

For several years now the University of Salford has been exploring the site of New Bailey Prison in the centre of Salford, ahead of regeneration led by Muse Developments. The site is spread across several redevelopment packages and this is the third excavation since 2013. The scale and impact of the prison are now very visible.

New Bailey was constructed between 1787 and 1790 and was the first prison in England to be built entirely in accordance with the reformist principles of John Howard, as set out in his landmark work The State of Prisons, published in 1777. His proposition was that prisoners could be reformed and morally improved through hard work, prayer, being categorised according to their level of offence and separated by sex, and from other inmates in individual cells. With Georgian England rapidly industrialising and urban populations booming, his ideas found a ready ear in Government. Although philanthropic in outlook, these new prisons, as implemented over the next 50 years, amounted to the industrialisation of prison life through the mass-concentration and control of felons in purpose-built and designed structures.

Lancashire was an early pioneer, with the Sheriff Thomas Butterworth Bayley (after whom the site was named) approving in 1787 the construction of a new prison to cope with the offenders in the Hundred of Salford, an ancient administrative district. This

View looking down on the prison site excavation, February 2015

Ground level view of the excavation in progress, 2015

the construction of a Tread Wheel (excavated in 2014), Stables and Mill House, a block of Male Misdemeanant Workshops and Yards, a block of Male Misdemeanant Wards and a block of Female Felon Workshops and Wards.

The prison was used for minor offences, rather than for capital crimes: several members of the crowd from the Peterloo Massacre were briefly held there in 1819. However, the Manchester Martyrs, three members of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, were hanged there in 1867.

By the 1860s the prison had become outmoded, and unfit for an urban conurbation of more than half a million people. It was replaced by Strangeways Prison, which opened in 1868. The site was sold to the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway who demolished it in 1871 and built railway sidings over the site.

The current excavations are looking at part of the mid- to late 1810s extension. This was erected at the end of the Napoleonic Wars and the timing might be significant. This part of the site, and the northern section excavated in 2013, have both been shown to have massive brick foundations built on the bedrock, in some areas over 2m deep, with relieving arches supporting the cell and workshop walls. Although the prisons were of two stories the site seems over engineered. Was it a case of job-creation to try to help off-set the unemployment in Manchester and Salford at the end of the wars?

The most striking feature of the current site is its curving plan, the excavations revealing a 90 degree arc of buildings. Though the extension might be thought to be an admission of the failure of the underlying principles of the original prison, these were nevertheless carried into the new design with rows of cells, each divided by day rooms along the inner part of the radius and larger workshops (used for rope unwinding and bobbin winding), separated by a wide passageway, along the outside of the radius. Exercise was an important part of the regime and each block of cells had access to a walled outdoor yard, with a sentry box in one corner.By the mid-19th century the site had become over-crowded with around 1000 prisoners. Two surprising aspects of the site are the lack of artefacts and the lack of rubble. Both are probably the result of careful demolition and the recycling of the building materials after the prison closed. Yet we do have two artefacts: the ceremonial trowel and mallet used at the laying of the first foundations in 1787.

These were recently rediscovered in a private store and are currently available for members of the public to see on the regular tours of the excavations.

It is easy to be horrified, from an early-21st-century perspective, at the nature of the harsh regime and lack of personal space within the prison: indeed the inner cells were smaller than those towards the rim of the radius so that tall prisoners would not have been able to lie down. Yet disease was not common, partly because the prisoners had access to a doctor, but also due to regular meals, washing facilities and clean clothing. They also had individual sleeping rooms.

As Frederick Engels recorded in his classic social commentary published in 1845, The Condition of the Working Class in England, the circumstances of thousands of urban working class people in central Salford and Manchester were much worse. Strict and regimented punishment might have been delivered on an industrial scale at New Bailey Prison, but perhaps the real horrors of the industrial city were to be found in the disease-ridden, poorly built and overcrowded slums of Ancoats, Little Ireland and New Islington.

Plan of the New Bailey Prison from the 1848 O S Map

Link Listings

A taste of forthcoming heritage events

A full programme of events and exhibitions can be found in our twice yearly (approx January and July) Events and Activities publication. Pick up a copy from our museum or any Salford library, or check www.salfordcommunityleisure.co.uk/culture for full events listings.

You can also find much more to see and do (as well as find out the most up to date venue or event details) at www.visitsalford.info

Remember - internet access is free at all Salford libraries and help is always available.

Exhibitions

Langworthy GalleryCulture, Barricades and BadgesPaintings (1980 - 2015) by John Sculley14 November 2015 to 21 February 2016This is the first retrospective exhibition by the prize-winning painter, John Sculley. The exhibition includes works illustrating the social and political unrest of the 1980s, the humour of family life, the passion of football, as well as the artist’s on-going admiration for the performing arts - music, dance, drama and circus.

Accompanying the exhibition is a collection of emblems and badges which, as well as complementing the paintings, offer a unique insight into the social and political history of the last 40 years.

Heart & Sold5 March to 5 June 2016A unique visual arts exhibition that will touch your heart and mind: experience the latest collection from established and developing artists that happen to have Down syndrome. With an eclectic mix of artwork from painting to photography to line drawing, witness how this condition can showcase unique perspectives and original insights.

North GalleryThe Lightfoot LettersMaria Walker and Angela Topping12 September 2015 to 17 January 2016Inspired by a chance meeting and an amazing coincidence surrounding a bundle of letters from the 1920s, visual artist Maria Walker and poet Angela Topping have formed an artistic collaboration that tells the story written in these letters through a combination of textile art, installations and poetry.

Salford Art Club Annual Exhibition 201623 January to 17 April 2016 A popular event for visitors, the annual Salford Art Club exhibition will present the very best works produced by members. A mixture of landscape, portrait and still life are shown in a variety of media.

Salford Museum & Art Gallery

Now & Then: 60th Anniversary of the Embroiderers’ Guild14 February to 22 May 2016The Manchester Branch of the Embroiderers’ Guild, now Megastitchers, was formed in 1956. There are currently about sixty members of all ages, and with a variety of interests – traditional and contemporary embroidery and also many related crafts, including patchwork and quilting, felt making, lace and beadwork.

Now & Then shows some of the more recent work, both group and individual, as well as pieces from the past. Members’ school and childhood embroidery is included, some dating back to the 1950s. Old and modern threads and magazines are also on display. Some of the work is from kits and patterns but most pieces are the stitcher’s own designs.

My Life Through My Lens: Graham Nash23 April to 3 July 2016 Graham Nash is an internationally renowned photographer and digital imaging pioneer whose revealing work captures brilliant, unexpected surrealism of everyday life. The images beautifully illustrate Nash’s celebrated talent as a compelling storyteller. Included in the exhibition are artfully crafted photographs of friends such as David Crosby, Joni Mitchell, Jerry Garcia and Johnny Cash.

Nash, of British pop group The Hollies and folk-rock supergroup Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young fame, was brought up in Salford. He recently received an honorary doctorate from Salford University and an OBE from the Queen.

Bluestairs GalleryTurn Sideways in the Wind: Ciara Leeming12 December 2015 to 7 February 2016Over the past decade, Britain has become home to sizeable communities of Romani people from central and Eastern Europe. Turn Sideways in the Wind tells the stories of young Roma adults who have made their lives in Salford and Manchester, in their own words. With documentary photography by Ciara Leeming.

Swinton Photographic Society 30 April to 10 July 2016Members of Swinton and District Amateur Photographic Society present works from their annual exhibition. Showing a range of subject matter, the photographs include natural history, pictorial, human life, record, still life studies and portraiture in both colour and monochrome.

Egerton GalleryColoured Interval: Liz West27 September 2015 to 31 January 2016Creative lighting installation artist Liz West responds to the unique spaces of Ordsall Hall’s attic in this unforgettable exhibition. West uses her in-depth knowledge of colour theory to create immersive sensory encounters for visitors to experience. The installation will be shown with West’s preparatory works on paper; these studies lead to the development of spatial and site-specific works.

Ordsall Hall

FAMILY EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES Salford Museum & Art Gallery and Ordsall Hall run a programme of activities for children & families.

Please visit our website to find out what is coming up!

salfordcommunityleisure.co.uk/cultureLook in the ‘what’s on’ section for holiday

activities and weekend craft sessions.

Alternatively e-mail salford.museum@scll.co.uk with your contact details if you would like to join our mailing list and receive a copy of our twice-

yearly events and activities brochure.

Mystery Pix

MYSTERY PIX NO. 1 A Charabanc outing! Any ideas where this could be? Is it in Salford? Is it a group of Salfordians – if so which group could it be? A pub outing? A church men’s group? Do let us know.

MYSTERY PIX NO. 2 You may have seen this one before? But we still do not know where it is. These are bay-windowed terraced houses, with cellars. The lamp post rather suggests a main road. Looked at closely you can just make out an old style “school” sign. The suggestion is that it may be in the Oldfield Road area. From the Alan Godfrey 1894 O S Map there were schools in Hope Street and Liverpool Street, both off Oldfield Road – any ideas?

MYSTERY PIX NO. 3 This looks like a photograph of the staff at a school, possibly from the numbers, a secondary school. I would hazard a guess that this was taken about 1960. The building would appear to be of a similar age. Do you recognize any of these people?

Photographs © Salford Local History Library

Salford Local History Library has over 70,000 photos in its collections. Unfortunately, we can’t identify all of them. Drop us a line or give us a ring if you can help!

Please send your information or comments to LifeTimes Link, Salford Museum and Art Gallery, Peel Park, Crescent, Salford M5 4WU or e-mail

Editor – Jphilipheyes@aol.com.

Mystery Pix No. 1

Mystery Pix No. 2

Mystery Pix No. 3

ECCLES AND DISTRICT HISTORY SOCIETYMeet at Alexandra House, 395 Liverpool Road, Peel Green, Eccles, at 7.30pm on the second Wednesday of the month.Membership subscription £15.00. Visitor’s fee £3.00Contact Andrew Cross 0161 788 7263email; eccleshistory@yahoo.co.ukwww.edhs.btck.co.uk

WINTER - SPRING 2015 /2016 PROGRAMME Wednesday 9 December / Christmas meal / TBA

Wednesday 13 January / Weavers’ cottages / David George

Wednesday 10 February / 60 years of Eccles and its history society / Chris Carson

Wednesday 9 March / Gardners of Patricroft / Paul Hassall

Wednesday 13 April / The Western Front during World War One / I. H. Walmsley

Wednesday 11 May / Annual General Meeting followed by a talk or film show / Speaker TBA

IRLAM, CADISHEAD AND DISTRICT LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETYWe meet at St Paul’s Church, Liverpool Road, Irlam 7.30-9pm. The third Wednesday of each month. Members £1.00 Visitors £2.00.Contact: Deborah Yates - debbie.yates@yahoo.co.ukwww. irlamandcadishead.net/irlam_and_cadishead_history_society

PROGRAMME FOR DECEMBER 2015 – JUNE 20164th December / (Friday Lunch – 12.30pm) / Christmas Meal, Red Lion – Hollins Green

20th January 2016 / New Brighton – Holidays of Yesteryear / Deborah Yates

17th February / St Kilda – A social history / Steve Halliwell

16h March / The Boys who Smashed the Van / The Manchester Martyrs / Alan Hayhurst

20th April / Our Boys on the Somme / Peter Thomas Neil Drum

18th May / Breach of Promise to Marry / Denise Bates

16th June / Wetlands Trust Chat Moss / Lydia McCool

SALFORD LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETYMeetings are held on the last Wednesday of the month (except December) at Salford Museum & Art Gallery, Peel Park, Crescent, Salford at 2pmCORRESPONDENCE: Mr D Rainger, 7 St George’s Crescent, Salford M6 8JG. slhs.btck.co.uk

JANUARY – APRIL 2016 PROGRAMME27th January / Edith Cavell / David Winston

24th February / Thomas Blood / Debbie Yates

30th March / Medicine and Magic / Peter Watson

27th April / AGM followed by Slides of Salford in the 1970s / Don Rainger

SWINTON & PENDLEBURY LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETYSwinton Library, Chorley Road, Swinton10am / £1.50 (Where there is a Speaker) or £1.00 (for other sessions)

Contact: Jean Appleby 0161 794 4570 or Marjory Williams 0161 793 7847

For details of meetings, contact the above, or call at Swinton Library.

FRIENDS OF THE SALFORD MUSEUMS’ ASSOCIATION – F S M AThe Friends promote, support and assist the improvement of the City of Salford museums and galleries in co-operation with their management and staff’. They actively support the Museum and Art Gallery at Peel Park and the Grade 1 listed manor house at Ordsall Hall.

The Friends arrange a series of talks and visits during the year. These are described on our website: www.FriendsofSalfordMuseums.orgMembership is only £10 pa and you can obtain more information from subs@friendsofsalfordmuseums.org or by contacting Don Rainger on 0161 789 2071.

WORKING CLASS MOVEMENT LIBRARY Meetings as advertised at 51 Crescent, Salford M5 4WX. For information contact Lynette Cawthra Library Manager on 0161 736 3601, or e-mail enquiries@wcml.org.uk.

Times of meetings vary: watch out for publicity or visit: www.wcml.org.uk

Exhibition: To End all Wars / 20th Nov 2015 to 1st Apr 2016 / Wed - Fri / 1:00 - 5:00pm, and the first Sat of most months 10:00am - 4:00pm An exhibition examining how local men opposed military conscription, introduced into Britain for the first time in 1916, and how local women developed organisations to agitate for peace.

Alongside the exhibition there will be performances of a “living history” play, No Power on Earth, about Salford conscientious objector James Hudson.

For full details seewww.wcml.org.uk/wariswrong. The exhibition and accompanying events are supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

LOCAL HISTORY ROUND UPThis calendar of local history and heritage activities is based on information supplied by the individual organisations, and is believed to be correct at the time of going to press. It may be advisable to confirm details with the organisation in advance of attending an event. Unfortunately, it has not been possible to include contact details in every case.Note to programme secretaries. For your group’s talks to be included in this listing please send your programme to us before the deadline as shown on page 3. Please note that some societies have their own websites.

Above: WORKING CLASS MOVEMENT LIBRARY, CRESCENT, SALFORD (IMAGE FROM THE WCML WEBSITE).

Left: THE FRIENDS VISITING MRS GASKELL’S HOUSE, MANCHESTER, 3RD AUGUST 2015 - PHOTOGRAPH BY ROSEMARY BOARDMAN.

Salford Museum and Art GalleryPeel Park, Crescent, Salford M5 4WUTel: 0161 778 0800 Email: salford.museum@scll.co.uk

Opening timesTuesday - Friday 10.00am - 4.45pm Saturday - Sunday 12.00pm – 4.00pmFully accessible, gift shop, cafe.

Museum café opening times Weekdays (including Mondays) 8.30am – 4.00pm Saturdays and Sundays: 12.00pm – 3.00pm(Note: Closed Bank Holidays)

Parking charges £2.00 for up to 3 hrs; £5.00 for 3 to 6 hrs; £8.00 for 6 to 12 hrs

Salford Local History Library at Salford Museum and Art Gallery Tel: 0161 778 0814

Opening times (by appointment only, except Wednesday - drop in all day):Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10.00am - 1.00pm & 2.00pm - 4.45pm and Wednesdays (no appointment necessary) 10.00am - 8.00pm Closed weekends and Mondays.

Booking for the Local History Library is essential on stated days so please telephone 0161 778 0814 or 0161 778 0800 (museum reception) to book an appointment.

Ordsall Hall 322 Ordsall Lane, Salford M5 3ANTel: 0161 872 0251 Email: ordsall.hall@scll.co.uk

Nearly all rooms fully accessible, gift shop, café

Opening timesMonday - Thursday 10.00am - 4.00pm Sunday 1.00pm - 4.00pm(Note: Closed Bank Holidays)

Parking charges - £2.00 for up to 3 hrs; £5.00 for 3 hrs or more

salfordcommunityleisure.co.uk/culture

FIND US ON FACEBOOK facebook.com/ordsallhall facebook.com/salfordmuseumandartgallery

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @TheOrdsallGhost @SalfordMuseum

Salford Quays

Exchange Quay