LifeTimes Link 36 - Salford Community Leisure

Sharing Salford’s fantastic story
Issue No 36 Winter 2014 - 15
£2.00
Join us in celebrating Salford Past and Present
QUITE A VARIED COLLECTION FOR OUR WINTER ISSUE!
From Ordsall to Cadishead we take a wide-ranging look across our City
from the impact of Victorian industries on our surroundings to Peel Park and
Chapel Street in the post-modern age. We also look back at Salford Museum
and Art Gallery a century ago.
Useful contacts
John Sculley
Head of Museums, Heritage
and Arts Development
0161 778 0816
Peter Turner
Collections Assistant
0161 778 0809
Amy Goodwin
Exhibitions Officer
0161 778 0883
Peter Ogilvie
Collections Manager
0161 778 0825
Ceri Horrocks
Heritage Development
Officer (Learning)
0161 778 0820
Amy Whitehead
Learning Officer
Ordsall Hall
0161 686 7442
Luisa Neil
Learning Officer
Salford Museum
0161 778 0821
Naomi Lewis
Outreach Officer
0161 778 0881
Jennifer Doherty
World War One Co-ordinator
0161 778 0801
Liz McNabb
Ordsall Hall Manager
0161 686 7446
Caroline Storr
Heritage Development Manager
0161 686 7446
David Potts
Volunteer and Training Manager
0161 686 7445
Lindsay Berry
Head Gardener and Trainer
0161 872 0251
Amy Senogles
Sales and Catering Manager
0161 778 0818
Kellie Brown
Marketing Officer
0161 778 0819
Duncan McCormick
Salford Local History Librarian
0161 778 0814
Salford Museum &
Art Gallery
0161 778 0800
Ordsall Hall
0161 872 0251
Useful websites
www.salfordcommunityleisure.
co.uk/culture – for all museum
and culture related topics
www.salfordcommunityleisure.
co.uk/culture/whats-on – find out
about concerts, walks, talks and
other events in Salford
www.wcml.org.uk – website for
Working Class Movement Library
www.visitsalford.info – what to do,
where to stay and what to see in
Salford
Editorial
Welcome to the 2014/15, Winter
edition of LifeTimes Link.
“The falling leaves drift by the window
The autumn leaves of red and gold … “
[as sung by Frank Sinatra, Eric Clapton and Eva Cassidy]
I’m sitting in the Local History Library in Salford
Museum and Art Gallerywatching the leaves
spiralling to the ground in Peel Park and
considering what has happened since the last
edition of LifeTimes Link was published when
the spring flowers were blooming. Much has
occurred. Our World War One activities coordinator, Jenny Doherty, began work on a
2-day week basis in June. Her 2 year post is
supported by a Heritage Lottery Fund grant
which was promoted by the Friends of Salford
Museums’ Association. Jenny is spending a
good deal of her time meeting individuals and
groups who have ideas for, or have already
started preparing, activities connected with
WWI. Supported by an existing working party,
Jenny, who knows the City well, will also plan
training sessions and give details of small
amounts of funding for groups to advertise and
promote their ideas.
The last edition of The Link was well received.
The inclusion of subscription forms resulted
in increased sales, but we can still do more.
Similarly, the form we included for Friends of
Salford Museumsbrought in two dozen new
members. This is encouraging, but in a City
the size of Salford I feel we should be able
to nudge that number above the three figure
mark. Consider that the Harris Museum in
the City of Preston has 300 Friends. If you are
not already a member of the Salford Friends,
please take out a £10 subscription. Similarly,
a year’s subscription to The Link costs just £6.
Once again, Philip and I have included here a
mixture of articles concerning Salford’s heritage.
Feedback suggests readers enjoy reminiscencestyle articles alongside researched historical
accounts. Do put on your thinking caps and
submit your recollections of yesteryear in
Salford, be they of school-days, homes, families,
shops, church or social activities.
The Local History Library itself made history
during the summer, when it played a part in a
storyline in “Coronation Street”. Filming took
place over a couple of days. The café at Salford
Museum and Art Gallery did a roaring trade
and some of the programme’s main characters
were happy to sign autographs and pose for
photographs.
Seventy-six years ago, on 25th November,
in Hope Hospital, Eccles Old Road, Salford,
a baby girl was born. Before she had left her
teens that girl, Sheila (later Shelagh) Delaney
was to write a script that would send seismic
shocks through the world of drama. Her
play, “A Taste of Honey” used themes and
language that revolutionised her genre. To
mark her contribution to Salford’s cultural
heritage, 25th November has been designated
as Shelagh Delaney Day in the City. “Sweetly
Sings Delaney” is John Harding’s thoroughly
researched, historically grounded account of
Delaney’s work between 1958 and 68. As the
“blurb” states: “Delaney’s work scandalised her
home city of Salford but established her as one
of the country’s most original and exhilarating
young playwrights during a period in theatre
history when women writers were rare and
acceptance hard to achieve.” If you have not
found Harding’s work yet, seek it out. It is a
good read.
“A good read” is what we hope you will find
within these pages. Thank you to all who have
contributed and to the staff at Salford Museum
and Art Gallery and Ordsall Hall for their
continuing support and encouragement.
Do let us know your thoughts and ideas. In
the meantime, the leaves continue to fall and
the lawn accumulates a carpet of copper and
vermillion.
Please keep your contributions coming in!
Philip Heyes
Don Rainger
Joint editors
WHY NOT JOIN THE FRIENDS OF SALFORD MUSEUMS?
The Friends were formed over 50 years ago and have since then been at the heart of supporting
both the Museum and Art Gallery and Ordsall Hall. We warmly welcome new members.
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 & Art Gallery, Peel Park, Crescent, SALFORD M5 4WU.
Annual Subscription £10 per member.
To find more details about the Friends, and what they do, please go to their Website:
www.FriendsofSalfordMuseums.org
Christmas at
Salford Heritage
Seasonal s for all ages
LifeTimes Link
subscriptions
Why 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.
SALFORD MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY
Victorian Christmas
Sat 29th and Sun 30th November
12:00 – 4:00pm
Come and begin your Christmas festivities at
Salford Museum. Meet Father Christmas, hear
festive music in our Victorian Gallery and enjoy
some seasonal refreshments in our café! With a
Christmas quiz and craft activities for our younger
visitors, there really is something for all the family!
(£3.50 per child to see Father Christmas.)
ORDSALL HALL
Father Christmas at Ordsall Hall
Sunday 7th and 14th December
1:00 - 4:00pm / £3.50
Come and meet Father Christmas in his grotto at
Ordsall Hall and receive a gift.
Christmas Concert
Sunday 14th December
2:00 - 3:30pm
Listen to the festive sounds of talented Salford
school children as they perform yuletide classics
in the stunning Great Hall.
Enjoy home-made mulled cider and mince pies
from the Ordsall Hall café to mark the occasion!
2015 Half Term &
Easter Holidays at
Salford Heritage
We always have fun during the
holidays at Ordsall Hall and
Salford Museum and Art Gallery.
If you require further information please go
to www.salfordcommunityleisure.co.uk/
culture/salford-museum-and-art-gallery/
lifetimes/lifetimes-link-magazine
or call 0161 778 0818 for more details.
Basic large print versions of
this magazine are available
Ring 0161 778 0800
Contributions
Send 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
Joint Editor email: Jphilipheyes@aol.com
The deadline for items for the next issue
(Summer Issue May 2015) is Friday 20th
March 2015
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.
Contents
Page 4
Back to the Future-- in Peel Park
David Greenfield
Page 5
You Write
Letters from contributors
Page 6-7
Ordsall Hall Allotments in the 40s & 50s
Jim Bottomley
Page 8-9
“The Way we were” the Museum in 1913.
Don Rainger
Page 10-11
The Museum and Libraries in Wartime
Don Rainger on the war years 1914–19
Page 11
“Walkden Yard”
A D George reviews A Davies’ recent book
Page 12-13
Collections Corner
Peter Turner on recent Museum
acquisitions
Page 14
The Wall Must Be Rebuilt!
A Chapel St story
Jen Wu
Page 15
Kinder McDonald –
the story of a local firm.
Debbie Yates, Irlam & Cadishead LHS
Page 16-17
Jack Trenbath – a soldier’s letters Part 2
Paul Hassall
Page 18-19
Elderly at 14!
Don Rainger
FINDING US ON-LINE
Page 19
Photo from the past
The Friends’ Carol Concert, 1965
And accessing BACK NUMBERS of
LifeTimes Link
Page 20-21
Link Listings
Go to Salford Museum’s Website:
www.salfordcommunityleisure.co.uk/
culture/salford-museum-and-art-gallery
and follow the links to LifeTimes and from
there to LifeTimes Link Magazine.
Page 22
Mystery Pix
Page 23
Local History Round Up
If the LifeTimes Link issue you require isn’t
available to download please email
lifetimes@scll.co.uk or call 0161 778 0813.
2015 WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES
As 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
Print copies of most back numbers are still in
stock – price £2 each.
OUR FRONT COVER
Enjoying her work! A female textile worker tends her machine at Richard
Haworth’s Mill, Ordsall Lane, Salford. Jim Bottomley’s article in this issue
describes how this Mill overshadowed life in that part of the world.
Source, Salford Local History Library.
“Back to the Future” - in Peel Park
by David Greenfield, Principal Planner, Salford City Council
The Council is also proposing to bring
the statue of Sir Robert Peel back
to the park from his current home in
Gawthorpe Hall and to restore the
fountain and other features.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE
FRIENDS OF PEEL PARK
See their website:
www.friendsofpeelpark.co.uk
Or contact the secretary:
Roger Baldry,
c/o Humphrey Booth Learning Centre,
Heath Ave, Salford M7 1NY
The Council’s website for the park will
be updated as proposals develop:
www.salford.gov.uk/peelpark.htm
The Park in the 1890s. Salford Local History Library.
PEEL PARK IN SALFORD IS ONE OF THE UK’S EARLIEST
PARKS OPEN TO ALL CLASSES AND WITHOUT CHARGE.
By the end of the nineteenth century the park had
for over 50 years been Salford’ main civic space
with circular flower beds, a bandstand for concerts,
ponds, fountains, bowling greens and pavilions. It
was the place for events and for promenading. From
the 1950s the role of the park declined. In spite of the
building of the University of Salford on its edge, the
park became lonely and underused.
In 2013 Salford City Council and the University of
Salford decided to reverse this decline. The aim was
to create an attractive, well used park for 21st century
living; a place for
enjoyment
and reflection, a source of local pride. Local people
set up a Friends Group chaired by Canon Andy
Salmon and they have been closely involved with the
development of proposals.
An initial bid to cover preparatory work was made to
Flower Beds, admirers and Park Keeper – Peel Park in the 1890s. Salford Local History Library.
the Heritage Lottery Fund in 2013 under the “Parks
for People” scheme. A second, more detailed bid will be submitted to HLF early next
year. The grant being sought is to fund a programme of improvements and activities
between 2015 and 2020. However, work will start this year with the reopening of the
Irwell Bridge and improvements to the riverside path to open up views of the Park and
the Irwell.
If the bid is successful, a Park Keeper will once again be based in the park. As well as
keeping an eye on the park, he or she will manage a range of activities including the
“Peel Back” programme looking at its history. Events from its past will be told through
traditional means and on-line. The structure of the park will be restored to its 1890s
condition, opening up views by woodland management, improvements to the play
area and a new performance space.
The park in the 1950s. Salford Local History Library.
You Write
Judith Redfern, one of our
regular subscribers wrote in:
I am a new member of FSMA but have
received the LifeTimes mag by post for
many, many years.
So this comment is NOT in direct reference
to the FSMA taking over editorship. It’s that
what I liked most about the magazine was
the everyday stories sent in by readers.
Either about their lives growing up in
Salford or a relative/ancestor or particular
place they had fond memories about etc.,
photos too sent in for submission.
These last couple of years they have
been sadly missing and in my view, the
LifeTimes mag has suffered. I think if
I’m not mistaken you can still access old
issues of Life Times online and I think you’ll
see what I mean.
Hope you’ll take this as constructive
criticism and not moaning.
Editor responds:
First, a word of thanks to all those who
keep sending in their memories and
photographs to The Link and which I’m
sure have brought interest and pleasure
to many readers.
The LifeTimes Project was conceived in
1999 as a way of recording and preserving
the collective memories of Salford
citizens, particularly over the earlier
years of the 20th Century, and enabling
Salfordians to share these. Salford
has a rich heritage, both industrial and
cultural, and we are continually seeking
to bring more of this together. So please
keep sending us your contributions and
photographs! Only if we share these can
we bring the past to life.
Hill’s Pawnbrokers on High Street, “Hanky Park”, during the filming of Love on the Dole in 1941.
Walter Greenwood in dark hat and gabardine strides out, Salford Local History Library.
Chris Dillon, who now lives in New South Wales tells us how his memories of life
around High Street and Clarendon Road were awakened by reading a back number
of The Link. He still tries to bring Salford of yesteryear to life in his paintings:
I read your edition [Issue No 19: May – October 2006] of LifeTimes Link with interest,
and I connected with many of the facts in reference to Salford.
The article by Dennis Hope, titled Salford to Queensland via Lancaster was of particular
interest to me, as, like Dennis, I went to Tootal Road Mod.sec School and recognized
some of his teachers. I was born in 1933. And like Dennis I attended the art college at
Peel Park, where L. S. Lowry used to drop in to advise and comment on the students’
work. I met him on a number of occasions. This week-end I will be exhibiting some
paintings of my early childhood memories, one of which has a similarity to Dennis
Hope’s evacuation to Lancaster. My painting shows the kids on the railway platform
with destination tags and gasmasks. I had trouble breathing through my mask, and
it was later revealed that thousands of masks were faulty, as the filter had been fitted
upside-down.
I lived in Joseph Street, which no longer exists. It was off Liverpool Street and Clarendon
Road. One article in your edition refers to a pawn shop in Clarendon Road, and to my
knowledge there wasn’t one in that road. It was on nearby High Street, off Fitzwarren
Street, opposite the Priory pub, which is also (now) non-existent. The pawn shop was
owned by a Mr Hill and I frequented the place each week to pawn my father’s suit. This
is also a subject for one of my paintings.
PH
Other paintings include Bella, the knocker-upper, Donkey-stoning the step, the Rag
and Bone Man, the Chimney Sweep, etc. All depicting life in the 1930s in Salford.
Yes, you can indeed look out back numbers of the Link on the Salford Community Leisure website:
salfordcommunityleisure.co.uk/culture/salford-museum-and-art-gallery/lifetimes lifetimes-link-magazine
also by contacting the Museum on 0161 778 0813.
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.
My recollections of the Ordsall allotments
in the 1940s and 1950s
JIM BOTTOMLEY
In about 1950 Dad had a dream come
true when he received news that an
allotment at Ordsall Hall had become
available. I think that he had been on
the waiting list for quite a while, and
this gave him the opportunity to enjoy
gardening, a rare pastime in Ordsall,
where even grass was grown behind
railings in Ordsall Park.
His passion for growing vegetation
began years earlier when in his late
teens he took a job working at a nursery
in a posher corner of Salford. The
allotment now took up much of his spare
time after work in the lighter evenings
and weekends, and I would join him
occasionally, although my enthusiasm
was somewhat less than Dad’s.
Dad’s plot was about 15 yards by 10
yards, or maybe slightly bigger. It had a
water well in one corner (as all plots had)
covered by planks of wood, which were
not always replaced after a watering
session, giving rise to dangers of falling
in one. I’m not sure if the wells were selfOrdsall Hall, entrance from Taylorson Street in the 1950s. This gives an idea of the wall around the allotments which Jim Bottomley
filling with rainwater or whether they were
mentions in his article. “St Cyps” can be glimpsed on the left. Salford Local History Library.
sunken oil drums which were filled by
In the uppermost pane of each casement
hose. The plot’s position was a middle one next to the Ordsall Lane wall, in the morning
was an extractor fan blowing streamers
shadow of one of Dickie Haworth’s cotton mills.
of stubbornly attached flock and
humming with a constant noise, which,
Why and when these allotments were established I am not so sure. I can only speculate
I am sure, would have driven me mad if
that because only a few years earlier, the nation was encouraged to “Dig for Victory”, the
I had lived across the way like Fred and
then owners saw an opportunity for such a purpose, thereby escaping maintenance.
his neighbours did.
The grounds were sandwiched between the run-down Hall and Ordsall Lane, across
from the cotton mills. A high brick wall kept it private from Ordsall Lane and Rixton
Across the allotments on the western
Street. Entry was via a door in the Rixton Street wall.
boundary was Ordsall Hall itself, then
much neglected and surrounded by
The Ordsall Lane wall abutted the end house of a short terrace of 5 or 6 houses which
the urban products of the Industrial
ended at Guy Fawkes Street. The end house was one that I would frequently visit. It
Revolution. I thought it a very spooky
was occupied by Fred Hopman and his family. Fred was a fellow drinker with my Dad at
building, again blackened by Ordsall
“The Nelson” just a short distance down the Lane. More importantly, he was the agent
soot with off-white panels and leaded
for the football pools, so that when Dad was late handing his coupon in, which was
lights which, although more accessible
often, I had to run with it to Fred’s before the Friday evening deadline.
than Dickie Haworth’s windows,
suffered the same lack of cleaning. The
The gaunt, multi-storied cotton mill dominated the whole area, its soot-blackened walls
remaining grounds were a tangle of
had rows of windows on all floors, each allowing a weak yellow light to escape through
overgrown shrubs and brambles, and as
the mucky glass.
far as I can recall the building was only
used for storage. Today, I have a vague
In later life I would accompany my Dad to the local pub in Stretford for a game of
recollection of attending a pantomime
Dominoes and where a group of us would spend Friday evenings playing with 9-spot
there, but it could have been at St Cyp’s
dominoes. In those games the double nIne was referred to as “Dickie ‘aworth’s Winders
(Cyprian’s) next door. Tales of Guy
(windows)”, and now, on reflection, it is obvious why it was.
Fawkes’ ghost haunting didn’t engender
a fondness for Ordsall Hall.
Thankfully, years later, somebody
recognized that Salford had a hidden
though neglected gem, and it has since
been lovingly restored to become the
Salford treasure we see today.
In 1954 we left Salford much against my
wishes, to take residence in Stretford.
Dad now had his own garden, over twice
the size of the allotment plot where he
laboured with loving care for many years.
Although the high walls were supposed
to be a deterrent against trespassing,
in Ordsall high walls were seen as a
challenge to the local kids. I can vouch
West flank of Ordsall Hall. “Dickie” Haworth’s Mills loom in the
for this because the walls around St
background. Salford Local History Library.
Clements school yard were a constant
challenge to me and my pals from a very early age, as were the walls and cellars of
Dock Mission. No harm was being done.
Relinquishing the allotment tenancy, Dad
gave another Ordsall resident opportunity
to have a dream come true.
Had I lived nearer to Ordsall Hall, I too would have used the allotments as an adventure
playground, an alternative to getting on a bus to Stretford Meadows, or Worsley Woods.
Unfortunately, after their adventure, the local kids would take a prize home, such as a
cabbage or cauliflower, which was disappointing for the growers who had put so much
effort into their work.
To minimize their losses, the allotment holders tried to arrange for somebody always to
be working there during daylight hours. This fell mainly to the retired, but, like crows in
a cherry orchard, the kids always got a good percentage.
Dad got around the problem by “going underground”. Instead of growing vegetables
that were easily recognized as those normally seen in a greengrocer’s, he grew
root vegetables like potatoes, carrots and beetroot, the tops of which would not be
recognized as different from flower foliage by urban “wall-challenged” kids.
I don’t know how much longer the
allotments continued for. The last time I
travelled down Ordsall Lane, the mill had
gone, the Victorian terraced houses had
gone, even the docks had gone. That
one-time plot of pleasure for so many is
now part of a well-manicured lawn, a fine
frontage to the now elegant Ordsall Hall.
When at school, I learned how important
bees are in the propagation of plant life.
What could possibly have induced a bee
to cross a plant-less urban expanse to
collect pollen and hence pollinate plants,
in a small area of allotments. Such is the
wonder of nature!
Jim Bottomley
Dad’s enthusiasm never waned; it was bruised a few times, but, being a grower that was
to be expected; mother nature can be the cruellest antagonist.
Unlike other tenants, Dad took most of his implements home. He must have looked a
bit out of place carrying his spade and fork through Ordsall Park each evening! Many
fellow gardeners kept their tools in locked sheds. I cannot imagine why anyone in
Ordsall would want to pinch a garden fork. What would they use it for? He did keep
some things in a locker, like his watering can. I was glad about that, what would he have
looked like carrying that across the Park as well !!
Imagine having your back to Ordsall Lane with the cotton mill towering above it. Ignore
the hum of the fans and the engine powering the looms. Ignore the smell of timber
or corn drifting over from the docks. Blinker your eyes from the slate roofs of the
neighbouring streets, and you have a green oasis in a Tudor setting. Idyllic!
Children playing in an Ordsall park, no date – Salford Museum Digital Salford collection
“The Nelson” Pub on Ordsall Lane – the late Neil Richardson,
taken from Pubs of Manchester Website
WHAT THE MUSEUM WAS DOING
100 YEARS AGO
by Don Rainger
A REPORT OF THE TIME CASTS AN INTERESTING LIGHT ON “THE WAY WE WERE”
Museum Entrance, Peel Park, Courtesy of Salford Local History Library
From the Reporter for the County Borough of Salford published
28th March, 1914:
John Heywood Ltd, Excelsior Printing and Bookbinding works,
Manchester had just published the 65th Annual Report of the
Museum, Libraries and Parks committee. It covered the 12
months ending 31st October 1913.
It was reported that during the year numerous interesting objects had been added to
the collection. A new section had been established devoted to furniture, wood carving
and domestic metalwork, and this had been amply justified by the interest which had
been awakened. Coloured casts and wood carvings, purchased the previous year
and which in appearance so closely resembled the originals in the V & A Museum
were said to be of direct practical value to the designer, architect, builder, craftsman
and amateur carver. The committee had added a varied collection of original carved
wood mouldings from cornices, skirtings, shutters, fireplaces and architraves in
English houses from the 17th and 18th centuries.
A satisfactory start had been made to forming a collection of domestic furniture
typical of different periods and styles including three chairs of the late Stuart period,
a Jacobean Derbyshire oak settee and a fine carved oak Jacobean bible-box. The
committee was indebted to the Board of Education and authorities of the V & A for the
grant of half the cost of these items.
Portraits of Sir Robert Peel by Sir Thomas Lawrence, PRA, and Lawrence Stern, by
Thomas Gainsborough, RA, had been loaned to Bury Art Gallery. During the past 10
years 26 Salford pictures had been borrowed by 18 venues across the country.
Two important changes had been made
from the custom of recent years (1)
by permitting visitors to take into the
museum their sticks and umbrellas
and (2) by throwing the building open
on Fridays as on other weekdays. The
results had completely justified these
steps. Visitors had shown a gratifying
care of the exhibits and their numbers as
recorded by the turnstile had increased
from 62,652 in the previous year to
106,697. Fridays alone accounted for
an extra 8,636 persons. Also through
the kind co-operation of the education
authorities, it had been widely made
known that visits of well-behaved
children were always welcomed. It was
concluded that the “steadily growing
attractiveness and usefulness of the
museum in the intellectual cultivation
and enlightenment of the people and
the increased pleasure this brought
into their daily life, accounted in no
small measure for the large number of
persons who now enter the door.”
Museum Entrance Hall, Courtesy of Salford LHL
How visitor numbers have grown
The Museum and Art Gallery had opened in April 1850. In that truncated year it
welcomed 160,000 visitors on 129 days (daily average 1,240). It was enlarged the
following year and 276,500 people attended on 188 days (1,465). The collections
increased in 1852 and 303,140 visitors over 200 days gave an average of 1,520. The
Museum was enlarged again the following year and 448,220 visitors on 260 days
raised the daily average to 1,720. Even better was to come in 1856 with the opening
of the South Wing. Although open 19 fewer days a total of just over 580,000 gave an
average of 2,408 per day.
In 1857 a local artists’ exhibition, the first to be staged at Peel Park, brought in a
further 308,000 visitors. The total of 888,830 over 279 days (average 3,508) was never
bettered. By 1894 when registering turnstiles were first erected 153,717 visitors on
225 days (av. 683) visited the Jubilee (Loan) Exhibition of Paintings. The average had
fallen below 1,000 per day in 1888 and was down to 425 in 1895. It had improved to
463 the following year, when the building was first permanently opened on Sundays.
During 1912-13 a small but interesting group of birds’ feet was exhibited, showing
various modifications in form and integument [skin/natural covering], depending on
the mode of life of the bird. Several additions had been made to the Children’s Room,
as well as to the Arts of Life. It was stated that many objects had a direct bearing on
the history and social life as it was then perceived and “lead directly to the important
archaeological and ethnographical collections in the Museum, where the course of
development ‘from savagery to civilisation’ can be studied in various stages.”
A number of plans, engravings and pictures, illustrating the growth of Salford and
district from the time of the Roman occupation had been brought together. It was
thought that it would “awaken and develop amongst the young and others an interest
in the history of this ancient town.”
An exhibition of wild flowers was maintained in the Children’s Room throughout the
summer. Among purchases made for the Museum was a 2nd century Roman iron
finger ring found five feet down in clay in Higher Broughton.
During the year, the Chairman of the Museum and Art Galleries Sub-committee, Ald.
Phillips JP, and the curator, Ben H Mullen MA, had had interviews with local education
authorities to prepare the ground for an organised plan for making increased use of
the museum as an adjunct to the educational system in the town. This had for many
years been the ambition and aim of the Committee. Already 17 organised visits, with
a total of 638 scholars and accompanying teachers, had been made.
At the lending library in Peel Park
additional accommodation had been
provided for the stock of books. New
heating apparatus in the Museum had
greatly increased the comfort in the
reading room. The library recorded
the occupations of new borrowers.
These ranged from accountants, bookkeepers and clerks (341 male, 79 female)
to wood-turners and carvers (4 male).
Among others included was a male
chimney sweep, 2 male crane-drivers,
one female corset-maker, 3 female
envelope makers, 3 male lamplighters,
3 male physicians and surgeons, 4 male
and 1 female sanitary inspectors, 33
male and 185 female schoolteachers,
one male ships-rigger, 17 male tram
conductors, one female umbrella maker
and one male undertaker.
And outside …
In the Parks there had been 75 musical
concerts. 300 deck chairs, for which
1d (one old penny) per chair was
charged for hire, arranged around the
bandstand in Buile Hill Park. Bands
which played included Salford Police,
Salford Tramways, The Dock Mission
Boys Brass Band, Pendleton Old Prize
and Irwell Old Prize Bands, Salford
Silver, Whit Lane Prize, The Certified
Industrial Schools, Weaste Public Prize
and Pendleton Co-op.
DON RAINGER...
looks back on the war years at Salford Museums
and Libraries, 1914 - 1919
EXTRACTS TAKEN from the Reports of the Museum, Libraries and Parks Committee to the Council of the County
Borough of Salford for the years ended 31st October 1915 – 1919
The following members of staff have
joined the Colours:
a) Charles A Crossley (Librarian) at
Pendleton Branch Library – Squadron
Quartermaster – Sergeant, Duke of
Lancaster’s Own Yeomanry.
b) Francis Orr, assistant at Irlams-o’th’- Height Branch Library – Private,
19th Service Battalion, Manchester
Regiment.
c) William Hancock, Assistant,
Greengate Branch Library – Private,
Royal Scots Regiment.
d) George Preston, assistant, Weaste
Branch Library – Private, Border
Regiment, 7th Batallion
e) Peter Agnew, assistant, Irlams o’
th’ Height Branch Library – Lance
Sergeant, 7th Lancashire Fusiliers.
“Called to the Colours.”- Minden Day in Bexley Square, 1st August 1917. Minden Day is the 1st August and commemorates the Battle of
Minden, Northern Germany, that day in 1759. This scene is from 1917. Salford Museum’s Digital Salford Collection (also appears on p
29 of Roy Bullock’s Salford 1914 – 1920, a very good source for Salford in this period).
Year to 31st October 1915. A comparison has been made of the
public use of the Museums and Libraries during the first year of the
War, with that of the year preceding it. As a result the attendance
at the Museums shows a slight decrease.
“The attendance in the Reading Rooms shows a decrease of 1.1% and that in the
Recreation Room 10.7%. In the former case, the absence of men with the Colours
is about balanced by the visits of others who were anxious to consult the daily papers.
Figures demonstrate that the Public Libraries are being largely used “to relieve the
mental and emotional strain that is caused by the War.”
During nearly 6 months, the recreation room at the Regent Road Library was lent to
the Recruiting Authorities for the purpose of enrolling men for the Army.
The Parliamentary Recruiting Committee, the Munitions Parliamentary Committee
and the Parliamentary War Savings Committee were freely and willingly helped by
permitting the display of numerous posters and by the distribution of many thousands
of pamphlets and leaflets connected with their important national work.
The Libraries staff rendered much willing assistance to work connected with
preparation for the Recruiting Canvass to take place in November. The Committee
has “arranged to lend for the actual work of the canvass several of the reading rooms
and recreation rooms to be used as Ward recruiting centres.”
f) William Frost, attendant, Peel Park
Museum and Art Galleries – Driver,
Royal Field Artillery.
In the following year’s report for the year
ending 31st October 1916, it was noted
with regret that George Preston had
died of wounds in France on 27th April.
He had given faithful and willing service
on the staff of Public Libraries for nearly
11 years and was Sergeant when he
was killed.
Francis Orr, also mentioned in the list of
those first to volunteer had been severely
wounded in many places, unfortunately
losing the sight of one eye, while serving
in France in July.
“As members of the libraries staff are
called to the Colours, their places are
temporarily filled by girls (sic), who are
quick in learning their duties and give
satisfaction.” The posts temporarily
vacated by Attendants are satisfactorily
filled by discharged soldiers.
David George reviews a
recent book on the Colliery
Workshops at Walkden:
DAVIES A (2013): WALKDEN YARD
– THE LANCASHIRE CENTRAL
COALFIELD WORKSHOPS
ISBN 978-1-84868-925-1 – pp 159
Price £14.99 Amberley Publishing
Women at work. A woman tram guard adjusts the contact pole on a Salford tram at Victoria Bridge Street terminus. Salford Museum’s
Digital Salford Collection
Greengate Library’s William Hancock
had been promoted to Lance Corporal
by the time the Committee reported
in October 1917. Twelve months later
it was noted that Peter Agnew had
been commissioned 2nd Lieutenant,
7th Manchester, attached RAF and
William Hancock had been promoted to
sergeant.
By the time the Report of the year
ending 31st October 1919 was issued,
it was noted that all the members of
staff from Museums and Libraries who
had served with H M Forces in the War
had resumed duties, with the exception
of Samuel Hudson, an assistant at Peel
Park Library, who had been wounded in
both legs early in November 1918 and
whose right foot had been amputated in
the same month.
In the next edition I hope to complete
the list of those staff from the Galleries,
Museums and Libraries in Salford who
served in World War I. I will also include
the plans for a Local War Museum. This
had been mentioned in the Committee
Report for the year ended 31st October
1917.
The Committee had been anxious that
“the town should possess a special
museum in which to preserve objects
of interest associated with the War…
Already they have obtained many
objects as gifts or on loan and they
have been affiliated with the Local War
Museums Association, funded with the
approval of H M Government to assist
the promotion of War Museums in
various centres throughout the United
Kingdom.”
“The aim of the Committee will be to
make the War Museum educational,
historical and memorial, and care will be
taken when the collection is permanently
settled to avoid anything that is trivial
or unimportant. The assistance of the
Government is promised in securing
such relics (guns, etc) as may possess
special local interest.”
Research into this Local War Museum,
and indeed as to whether it was ever
established, continues.
DON RAINGER
The Bridgewater Colliery Workshops, or Walkden
Yard, of which the entrance was on Tynesbank
Road, were opened in 1875. Latterly they were
the Divisional Engineering Workshops of the
N.C.B. They consisted of a group of workshops
around a yard with a rail siding. Most of the
machine tools and forging equipment were of
course modern, but the locomotive shed housed
some obsolescent 0-6-0 colliery locomotives
built, for instance, by The Hunslet Engine Co.,
particularly after the closure of the Bridgewater
Colliery Railways. The foundry buildings were
of an early date and a great deal of colliery
equipment was handled in the shape of props,
cages, wagons, tubs, winding gear etc.
Davies’ new book gives the historical
background, the 1930s heyday, some workers’
reminiscences, the N.C.B. era and the final
years. Final closure came in 1986. Davies also
maps the location of pits, the early tramways,
the old Worsley Yard and supplies pictures of
the main collieries. There are some financial
accounts for locos and equipment, and drawings
and illustrations of the locomotives. The work
carried out in each workshop is described, and
some internal shots show work in progress.
Altogether, this is a very comprehensive study
which adds much to our knowledge of the South
Lancs Coal Industry. A three-page bibliography
is supplied.
A.D.GEORGE – 09/2014
Collections Corner
Collections Corner November 2014 by Peter Turner, Collections Assistant.
Salford’s social history, people, religious life and fine art are reflected in this issue’s selection
of objects that have been acquired by Salford Museum.
Tube Girls by Mandy McCartin
Several art works have been accepted into
Salford’s collections in the past few months.
The most recently created work is the mixed
media ‘Tube Girls’ by Mandy McCartin
from 1993. It was previously on display at
Salford Museum and Art Gallery as part of
the ‘Fellow Travellers’ exhibition held in
2007 and was purchased for Salford by a
generous grant from the Nerys Johnson
Contemporary Art Fund.
David Moffat of Ontario, Canada has donated portraits of Joseph Foveaux Mart (1816-1890)
and his wife Ann Waterloo Mart (1818-1891) as well as the blouse worn by Ann in the portrait.
Painted around 1845 by an unknown artist, until recently these oil on canvas portraits belonged
to the late Marjory Tilley, who was the great granddaughter of the subjects. Joseph Foveaux
Mart, who was a tea merchant, lived for many years in Salford and resided at 47, Crescent at
the time of his death. He was a prominent Catholic, a Justice of the Peace, a member of the first
Salford School Board and a Poor Law Guardian. The portraits were probably wedding portraits,
commissioned shortly after Mart’s marriage to Ann Waterloo Barlow in 1844.
Emma Leadbetter’s blouse
A blouse worn by Emma Leadbetter (née Hearn) 1857-1932 has been donated by Michael
Rhodes whose mother kept the blouse in memory of her ‘Auntie Emmie’ whom she was regularly
taken to see at the fish and chip shop on Tootal Road, Salford. Emmie previously ran the shop
with her husband, but following his death, illness left her bedridden due to her large size. When
she died in 1932, the first floor window of her bedroom had to be removed so that her coffin
could be winched out.
A watercolour by local artist Alan Cownie
has also been donated by Elizabeth Jones.
Cownie, who worked at the University of
Salford, painted this watercolour of a female
nude in 1978.
Salford 7 inch single by Klive James
Pat Bellotti has donated a 7 inch single
record called ‘Salford’ by Klive James
which was released in 1982. In the song,
which appears on both the A and B sides,
the singer tries “to capture in song the
characters and places in Salford” which were
disappearing at the time that it was recorded.
The donor was given this record by the singer
in a pub where he was performing his songs.
Female nude by Alan Cownie
King of Walkden costume 1911
St. Andrews Church Eccles commemorative medal
Pauline Williamson has donated a King
of Walkden costume from 1911 and
a photograph of it being worn by her
uncle, John Flannery, with the Queen of
Walkden. The King of Walkden was consort
to the Rose Queen. The costume (made by
Kettering Cloth Manufacturers Cooperative
Society) is still in the original box in which it
was delivered to the Co-op in Walkden.
Designed by Herbert Tijon, St. Andrews Church in Eccles was consecrated in 1879, although
the tower wasn’t completed until 1889. Hilary Hughes has donated a medal commemorating
these events. The case which contains the medal is initialled WR, which the donor believes refers
to a member of the Roe family who were influential in Salford and to whom she is connected.
John William Horrocks is honoured on the Andover Street roll of honour currently on display
in Salford Museum’s First World War exhibition. Lillie Taylor, his daughter, has kindly donated a
First World War drummer’s badge that belonged to her father after seeing his name on the roll
of honour. John signed up with the Cheshire Regiment in 1914 along with his father, also called
John Horrocks and honoured on the same roll of
honour. When he enlisted he was just 14 years
old, having lied about his age, and both he and his
father survived the war.
First World War drummer’s badge
Hope Chapel Salford ceramic bowl
John Maxwell has donated a ‘Hope Chapel Salford’ white ceramic bowl which was used to
christen his mother on the bed of her grandfather in 1902. It was thought to belong to the donor’s
great-great-grandparents, Charles and Susannah Haigh who had a drapers business and lived at
3 Crescent. Hope Chapel stood at the Oldfield Road end of Liverpool Street.
If readers have any comments or further
information on any of the above objects
please write to LifeTimes Link.
Details on page 3.
RESCUING CHAPEL STREET’S VITAL HERITAGE
- THE WALL MUST BE REBUILT!
BY JEN WU
As Chapel Street undergoes urban renewal, and old makes way
for new, an important part of its cultural heritage has been given
permission to be retained - through a project entitled ‘The Wall’
Earlier this year, the Old Bank Theatre at 301 Chapel Street was demolished as part of
Salford’s vital regeneration. The building was erected in 1930 by Royal Liver Friendly
Society, an industrial assurance organisation set up in 1850 by nine Liverpudlian
workers. No. 301 was born of the same financial crisis giving rise to 1931’s Battle of
Bexley Square, only a year later, along Chapel Street.
The Royal Liver Building, Chapel Street, when new, early 1930s
Salford LHL
In the wake of 1929’s Great Crash,
Salfordians particularly suffered. The
government was on the brink of collapse
and soon to prioritise the national budget
over the welfare of its people, introducing
austerity measures targeting the working
class.
“Means-test suicides” were
amongst its tragic results.
Organisations like Royal Liver, however,
were created and strengthened, not
simply by a working class, but by
an ethos founded on collective care.
During the mass unemployment of the
interwar years, as many fell into arrears,
it made numerous alterations to its rules
so members could maintain policies.
Amidst the poverty and devastation
striking Salford in 1930, this sensibility,
empowered by local support, enabled
the building’s construction.
Its significance within Chapel Street’s
heritage is as a narrator of this social
history, an architectural emblem within
Salford’s civic and financial centre
of collective strength and care. It
persevered in this pursuit until its last
days, after the seat of local government
moved, and through the area’s decline.
Royal Liver remained until 1979, after
which the building became known as
a “community theatre”, with classes in
drama and dance. Even in its final years
of dereliction, it sheltered a community
– as discovered by the demolition crew
who found used heroin needles inside.
The bricks in the wall are numbered prior to dismantling. 13 Sept 2013. Alex Hindle.
The numbered bricks are now stacked, ready for further attention. 27 Sept 2013. Jen Wu
Over 2013-14, prior to demolition, and in collaboration with Salford City Council, the
exterior bricks of the building’s east flank wall were hand-numbered from 1 to 4,168.
After the Old Bank Theatre’s demolition, they and the stone façade were salvaged
and moved 100 metres east to a plot of land opposite Bexley Square. Here they are
in the process of being reclaimed so that ‘The Wall’, with the permission of English
Cities Fund, can be rebuilt to stand as a semi-permanent monument and artwork for
the next two years.
14
‘The Wall’ is an opportunity not only to save
this cultural heritage, but also to reinvigorate
the spirit by which it was built. It has been
made possible thus 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:
e. thewallmustberebuilt@gmail.com
t. 07766 130 860
facebook & twitter: thesalfordwall
www.thewallmustberebuilt.org
KINDER, MCDOUGALL & CO
The story of Cadishead Wallpaper Manufacturers
BY DEBBIE YATES
At the works: Kinder & Co. delivery lorry – Supplied by Debbie Yates, Irlam Local History Society
One of the early industries to establish itself in the district was
Kinder McDougall wallpaper manufacturers. The factory came
into full production in 1907 on Dean Road, Cadishead, having
good access to both the railways and the main Liverpool to
Manchester road.
About fifteen months after opening there
was such a demand for their wallpaper
that they found the factory inadequate.
In 1909 plans were drawn up for the
extension of the works which were
completed in 1910. Once completed
the factory was one of the most
economical and up to date factories in
the wallpaper manufacturing trade. The
new machinery that was installed more
than doubled their output.
During World War II, the supply of
wallpaper dried up. This was classed as
a luxury and so production moved over
to manufacture materials to support the
war effort, including parts for tanks. It
was so busy that shift work was brought
into operation.
By the end of the war the supply of
paper suitable for the manufacture
of wallpaper began to appear on the
market, but it wasn’t until 1950 that
Kinders were back in full production.
Industrial Process: Producing wallpaper in Cadishead - Supplied
by Debbie Yates, Irlam Local History Society
Both Mr Kinder and Mr McDougall were associated with the wallpaper trade for over
thirty years and formed a combine which tried to monopolise the wallpaper trade. This
caused an increase in prices which lead to an enormous increase in the importing
of foreign paper-hangings. This in turn caused a number of British wallpaper firms
to close down. Before the formation of the combine, there was very little wallpaper
imported into this country.
With the rationalisation of the wallpaper
industry the printing of the paper was
transferred to Pendleton. A coach was
laid on for the employees who still
worked for Kinders to enable them to
get to Pendleton.
The Cadishead works was turned over
to the making of the colours for all the
paper trade. This became known as
Irlam Inks.
Kinder and MacDougal managed to survive and had branch warehouses in several
parts of the country including Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield. Their goods were
stocked in most large towns from London to Glasgow.
15
JACK TRENBATH
Lines from the Front – Part 2
Paul Hassall continues the story from the Summer 2014 Link Issue
Jack helped distribute the rations and made frequent comments on the
good standard of the food.
For quite a long time now we have been very well fed indeed. There are always some
cheerful idiots who tell you that we live on Bully and biscuits. We don’t and never have
done for very long spells, it’s about three months since I mealed on either of them.
As a matter of fact I don’t eat anything like all the bread I have issued.
When fresh meat is not obtainable we get “Maconochie rations” [ready prepared food]
which are boiled in tins and contain a first class meal of meat and vegetables of all
descriptions. They are top-hole and I prefer them many a time to fresh stuff.
For use with the brazier we have a frying pan to cook our food. This consists of a petrol
can with one side cut out. All the same it acts admirably.
Once per week we get cold roast with pickles and at odd intervals steak and chips, fig
and date puddings, rice and altogether better grub than we get in England.
It is amazing to see the quantity of the letters sent by Jack (and presumably he received
a similar number). They were sent at
regular intervals and seem to have arrived
swiftly and accurately - all very welcome.
Equally amazing was the number of
parcels of food received by Jack:
I received the third parcel from you last
night but one and the contents were
fine. The bread was simply A1 and the
parkin was champion. The eggs were
lovely too. In fact the whole lot was past
description. Last night I received one
from Auntie Millie also some cigarettes
from Eric. We nearly went mad at the
sight of some “Three Castles”. You know
I have to smoke anything I can get, and
it is generally Woodbines or something
worse. Here you have chaps who in
civil life smoked cigars and Abdullas,
begging a cigarette, however common.
Jack Trenbath portrait.
Bedlam pandemonium! Some of the guns
go off with a livid yellowish spurt whilst
others give out a red Mephistophelian
glare and the combination was too
weird for words. Overhead it seemed
as if ten thousand express trains were
tearing away and rending the air with an
ear-splitting din. For the first time I saw
shells actually on their way. You know
that the friction of their passage through
the air makes them red hot, and you
can see them describing their important
trajectories through the air.
Fritz’s line absolutely danced under the
busting shells (high explosive) and the
air was crowded with the red flash of
burning shrapnel. However, Fritz is not
yet in such a parlous state that he will
stand such a bumping without replying.
So over came his infernal stuff. It’s a
good job for me that some of his shells
don’t go off and that those that did go
off sent no shrapnel in my direction.
Anyway it made me sweat some.
A couple of quotes on parcels received:
An “amazing quantity of letters” passed between Jack and his
“The parcel was A1. The strawberries
family. Here is a letter-card sent by Jack as a speedy and (in
and cream were top hole. The ham I have notthis case) re-assuring reply. Supplied by author.
yet cooked though it is good.”
“...............2 parcels......one containing amongst many other things a pair of socks
from Sunday School – very good of them all.”
Sometimes a parcel arrived, but it was difficult to consume the contents!
Your parcel arrived just before we went into the trenches so I carried it in and opened
it there, but on the way it had quite an exciting passage. We went down under one of
our own barrages, something enough to turn your hair grey. The night was perfectly
quiet until all the guns in the neighbourhood suddenly spouted forth together.
Jack’s name appears on the Salford Grammar School
Salfordians Association memorial, now located in the Peel
Building, Salford University. From Manchester & Lancashire
Family History Society web-site. Image Copyright,© Mike Berrell.
16
in rapid succession by countless others. Then you feel perfectly safe and give not the
slightest heed to Fritz and his infernal stuff.
I am going to tell you something but I don’t want you to worry about it. The first day
up here I was going down the trench when suddenly there palled upon my ears the
tell-tale sound of a “Minnie”. I saw it coming straight for me; like a frightened rat I
skittled away but found as usual that it had swerved and was coming in my direction.
Thereupon I doubled back, stopped and ran on and then CRASH it came just behind
me only over the parapet. The concussion threw me head first down the trench and
I lay on my chest to be covered with the falling earth. Events moved rather quickly –
rather too quickly to be healthy – it took less time than it takes to write. If you could
have seen me you would have laughed. Just down the trench a working party seemed
highly delighted with my feats.
Initial WW1 Grave Marker for Jack Trenbath, later replaced by
a standard War Graves commission headstone in the military
cemetery at Pont d’Achelles.. Supplied by author.
Jack made reference to the horrors of
the mud, which is well known, but did
you know about the rats!
The things up at Messines are horrible what with eruptions more violent than any
earthquake and those “new and terrible engines of war.” These latter are I presume
unknown to you except by name, though I have an idea of their terrible character.
With regard to the explosions, only those who know the violence of a few pounds of
Ammonal [a volatile explosive used in mining below enemy lines] can realise or form
any opinion of the explosion and the hole left by them. At present we are on a similar
hole the dimensions of which would astound you.
It seems like Jack’s sister wasn’t too sure of aeroplanes and told him not to stand
underneath one as it might drop out of the sky! The Germans used a type of trench
mortar called a Minenwerfer – “Minnie” to the allies. Finally, is a “new and terrible
engine of war” a tank?
Jack was a committed and dedicated
soldier. A number of times in his letters
he spoke sympathetically of individual
German soldiers, despite his hatred for
the Bosche.
From head to foot I am one mass of mud
inches thick. I have got a pair of those
rubber waders which come right up the
thighs and are a boon in the wet places.
The weather is very bad and the trenches
are waist deep in mud. Communication
is awfully bad. Still when things are like
this it is generally quieter.
As you say they are giving Fritz a warm
time of it in this part of the globe. Such
a gruelling that I don’t imagine he can
stand much of. The worse he gets it
the sooner he will give up, although of
course that is a callous sort of thing to
say when you think of the individual
Bosche.
By the way talking about rats! They
swarm in dozens about a piece of bread
and provide much fun for we who have
revolvers. Some of them are too fat
to do anything but crawl and you can
easily kick them as they pass. It is quite
a novel experience to wake up and not
find a battalion of them crossing your
chest in column of route.
Jack seems to be intelligent and
observant of the events around him.
He mentions (censorship allowing)
some of the new technologies of war:
Aeroplanes and aeroplane fights are
common order of the day. Observation
balloons lift their ungraceful shapes
before our door. The night is characterised
by the sharp rattle of machine gun
fire whilst the vivid flashes in the sky
proclaim the increasing vigilance of our
guns. In the trenches when Fritz has a
saucy mood on and throws all kinds of
horrible things over, you suddenly hear
the scream of one of our shells followed
Press notice of Jack’s death in 1918 taken from the Glossop
Chronicle 20th September 1918. Supplied by author.
Jack warned his readers to beware of
exaggerated and misleading stories of
the war. His foresight was spot on when
he said that the “economic question”
would be a deciding factor in who
would win the war.
On a number of occasions Jack wrote of his attempts to obtain a Commission.
The London Gazette of 13th July 1918 recorded that he was commissioned as
a 2nd Lieutenant in the East Lancs Regiment. Sadly only a few days later, on
8th September he died in action. His battalion had been involved in fighting at
Riencourt [-lès-Cagnicourt] near Bapaume (Picardy) in early September. However,
no specific fighting on the 8th September has been identified in that area and
exact circumstances of Jack’s death are not known. Jack is buried at Nieppe, nr
Armentieres at Pont d’Achelles Military Cemetery.
17
ELDERLY AT FOURTEEN
Schoolboys help out to aid the city’s OAP’s
BY DON RAINGER
The Salford Companionship Circle for the Elderly was inaugurated in 1955 with
the co-operation of the Welfare Department. One of its functions was to ensure
that the 4,000 people living alone in the City were visited at least once every 6
months. I joined (was volunteered for) the Circle in 1963. I was 14 at the time.
There had arrived at Salford Grammar School an appeal for helpers for Salford Food
Week, a street collection of Christmas Goodies which were boxed and given out to
local Old Age Pensioners. My house-master, Mr E H “Ernie” Ashton immediately put
my name down (“Ah, Rainger, you’ll do it, won’t you…?”) and in no time I was out on
the streets around Lancaster Road, Pendleton, pushing explanatory leaflets through
letterboxes under the supervision of a prefect.
The following year, I was upgraded! I was now a House Prefect and responsible
for THE MAP, that is, I decided which areas the 4 Houses at SGS (York, Gloucester,
Warwick and Lancaster) would collect, and made sure there were enough volunteers
amongst the boys and the staff (we needed their cars to carry the food back to school).
My House was York and our base was the Oakwood Hotel which stood at the East
Lancs Road end of Lancaster Road.
The kindly landlord there allowed us to use the spacious entrance hall as a temporary
respite. This was particularly useful, as on the night of the collection, 26th November,
there was a tremendous hailstorm. Boys staggered in, white and bowed low with
haversacks-full of tins, mothers’ shopping bags full of tea, puddings and an occasional
unlabelled tin.
In 1965 I recorded in my diary (sounds like some great historical document, but
actually an embarrassingly precocious affair recording homework done, House points
scored, the weather and Rugby League scores) – Friday 3rd December, 3 van trips,
estimated at 2 ½ tons of food taken to the Civic Welfare Centre. The no. 25 bus which
left Manchester at 4.10 pm took 4 hours to reach the Oakwood because of FOG.
Well do I remember that night! Although most of the year’s food had been collected,
we still had a few roads to complete. My little band of helpers arrived at the Oakwood
in great enthusiasm, even though all homework was expected to be handed in the
following day. Indeed all homework was done in those days. Off we went into the fog.
My road was Welwyn Drive, at the end of which was the Swinton Park Golf Course.
The fog swirled around and became denser. Street lights disappeared. I groped
for garden gates and even though I carried a torch I could see nothing. Shouting
to the other boys proved useless. It was only when I had wandered around for 15
minutes that I realised I was on the golf course, a good distance from the nearest
house. Eventually I regained the road, collected a bagful of food and, hugging the
wall, regained the relative luxury of the Oakwood, where an anxious housemaster
was relieved to see me. Of course, he and the boys all enjoyed a good laugh, when I
explained my late arrival.
My final year of Christmas food collection was 1966. On 15th November, I was at a
briefing with Pendleton High School representatives, and staggered back with 4,000
leaflets to be distributed.
That year, we at Salford Grammar School collected 13 ½ tea chests full of food. I was
privileged to be invited with representative from other local schools, to a tea party at
the Town Hall with the Mayor, Alderman Bertha Davis.
“They plan a good time for the old folks”. Margaret Whitehead
was Mayor of Salford 1960 – 61, so this would be Christmas
1960, Cutting Supplied by Salford Local History Library.
Looking back, the outstanding features
of those times were the comradeships
which developed amongst staff and
boys; the frozen fingers and awful
weather; overloaded cars; the generosity
of the householders; the pottery room
and woodwork room at SGS submerged
in huge bags of sugar, tinned foods and
puddings – with consequent disruption
of lessons; the eagerness of the sorter;
and the smiles on the faces of those
who received a food parcel. The green
and gold blazer was a welcome sight to
those who were contemplating a frugal
Christmas dinner. The thank you letters
we received and read out at Assembly
were touching and sincere.
Over my 4 years’ involvement with
Food Week, I must have knocked at
a high proportion of the houses in an
area bordered by Swinton Park Road,
Lancaster Road, Oxford Road and Light
Oaks Road.
Christmas – A Humbug! No, but in
those early 1960s Christmas was
certainly plum puddings, mincemeat
and tinned fruits.
DON RAINGER
Woodwork room, Salford Grammar School, empty of people or effects, but at Christmas time in the 1960s, these benches groaned with
provisions for the elderly. Salford LHL
Sharing photos
Don Rainger has supplied this press cutting from the
Local History Library at SMAG. It shows one of the
Carol Concerts which took place at that time in Lark Hill
Place, shortly before Christmas each year. Salford Choral
Society sang carols and the audience joined in with the
regular favourites.
Because of concerns about fire safety these concerts
ceased to be held in the Street about 17 - 18 years ago
and these were subsequently held in the Victorian Gallery.
Later, the Choral Society moved the venue to St Philip’s
Church, Encombe Place, and the Friends sold some of
the tickets for the event.
For some years, the Choral Society’s Carol Concert has
taken place at the Royal Northern College of Music in
Manchester, but this year (18th December) it is back in
Salford at St Philips.
For details call Sue Hilton of the Choral Society on 0161
881 4318 or e mail her on tickets@salfordchoral.org.uk
(she adds: sorry no credit cards)
If you would like to share
your photos with us in future
issues of Link, please get in
touch with us.
We do recommend you only send
us copies of your photos and we
will return any photos sent in.
Friends’ Carol Concert in The Street: December 1965: Courtesy of Salford Local History Library
Link Listings
A taste of
forthcoming
heritage events
Exhibitions
Langworthy Gallery
North Gallery
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.
Immortal Love from Shanghai
15 November 2014 to 15 March 2015
Salford Art Club Annual Exhibition 2015
24 January to 26 April
Salford Museum & Art Gallery
Paris in the 1960s, his work is little known today.
This retrospective exhibition will celebrate his life
in the centenary year of his birth.
A popular yearly 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.
The Now, The North: Hugh Winterbottom
2 May to 6 September
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.
This exciting exhibition is a rare opportunity
to see traditional Chinese art brought over
especially from Shanghai. Highly respected
artists Mr and Mrs Chen have been working
with The Chinese Arts Association and
leaders from Manchester’s China Town
to curate the beautiful works you will see.
Traditional Chinese skills are used including
paper-cut, detailed Chinese, stone carving
for wax seals and traditional Chinese
watercolour painting. The artworks explore
Chinese culture and traditions, exhibited
alongside archive material from The Chinese
Arts Association to illustrate the development
of Manchester’s China Town.
This is the first time this work has been exhibited
in the UK and Salford Museum and Art Gallery are
honoured to host the show.
One Needs More Than Paint: Harry Ousey
A centenary exhibition
28 March to 5 July 2015
Born in Manchester in 1915, Harry Ousey’s
recognisable abstract paintings were
considered ahead of his time. Passionate
about nature and landscape, his work is
inspired by places he lived, including Hayfield
in Derbyshire, the coast of Cornwall and the
landscape of France, where he spent the last
years of his life. Although part of the art scene
in Cornwall in the 1950s and London and
Take a journey through Hugh Winterbottom’s
work from the cityscapes of central Manchester
and Salford, out into outskirt towns like Stockport,
and into the more rural villages of Derbyshire. A
local artist based in Greater Manchester, Hugh’s
colourful paintings show the north at all times of
day and in all weathers, in his fresh vibrant style.
Bluestairs Gallery
Made in Eccles
14 February to 19 April
Photography students from Eccles Sixth Form
Centre have worked on the theme ‘A sense of
place’ for this special exhibition. The first time this
work has been exhibited outside the college walls,
this is a rare opportunity to see these images which
reflect both Salford and Manchester.
Swinton Photographic Society
Annual Exhibition
25 April to 28 June
Ordsall Hall
Egerton Gallery
Salford Then and Now by Swinton
Photographic Society
8 February to 10 May
Family events and activities
at Salford Heritage Services
Salford Museum and Art
Gallery and Ordsall Hall run
a programme of activities for
children and families.
Please visit our website to
find out what is coming up!
salfordcommunityleisure.
co.uk/culture. Look in the
‘what’s on’ section for holiday
activities and weekend craft
sessions.
Members 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.
Lifetimes Gallery
Members of the society used old photographs
from Salford’s Local History Library and took
current images of exact locations, or as close
as possible, as they appear today. The images
captured and displayed in this exhibition will
not only demonstrate just how remarkably, or
perhaps not in some instances, such locations
have changed, but also how the people and
life in Salford has changed over past decades.
100 Years Ago: Salford at war
Until 15 Nov 2015
The Society is supported by Salford Council’s
Community Committee.
The Society is supported by Salford
Council’s Community Committee
‘100 Years Ago: Salford At War’, helps
uncover some of Salford’s unique stories
from World War One. The Exhibition
focuses on local characters, including the
Broughton poet, Winifred Mabel Letts,
Billy Unsworth, a soldier from Ordsall and
Dr James Niven, who helped fight the
Spanish Flu pandemic.
Albert Batty
Messengers and Promises
17 May to 20 September
Artist Kate Herbert and sculptor Angela
Sidwell have united for the first time to create
this exhibition. Together they explore human
relationships with animals and how these
have been presented over the past century.
From working partnerships to pampered pets,
the artists draw inspiration from Salford’s
collections and animals associated with
Ordsall Hall.
Kate has a lifelong interest in capturing
movement and character with line drawing,
whilst Angela creates sculptures from wood,
wire and textiles.
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
Salford Local History Library has over 70,000 photos in their collections.
Unfortunately, we can’t identify all of them. Drop us a line or give us a ring if you can help!
Mystery Pic No. 1
This is a side street, with few distinguishing features. The
child stands against a bill board “The sign of good bread”,
which suggests this is a street off a well – trafficked road.
Might it be that the building on the left is a bakery? What
sort of car is it in the background – a Hillman Minx, perhaps?
At a long shot – are you the boy in the picture or do you know
him? Do write to us with your ideas.
Mystery Pic No. 2.
Now for a corner shop, licensee’s name not clear. Here their
main line is Wilsons Ales, evidently a popular Manchester
product. The brewery later became part of Websters, a
Yorkshire firm. The rows of houses are close together, a
densely built up area. Perhaps Ordsall? Do you remember
buying an ice-cream here? This shop catered for children
as well as adults! Note the chewing gum machine and the
approaching pram.
Mystery Pic No. 1
Mystery Pic No. 3.
A well-populated class-room! This, like its predecessor,
probably dates back to the 50s. Probably a primary school,
perhaps the top class? There are nearly 50 children in the
photo. Open plan classrooms are still things of the future.
One or two of the boys have blazers (uniform: note “CCS”
monogram) so this should be a give-away to anyone who
went to this busy school. There seems to be someone
looking in through a window. Perhaps gives on to a corridor,
or even another class room? Anyone know where this is?
Can you name anyone in the photograph? Were you there?
Mystery Pic No. 2
And finally, co-editor Philip, a former
“Wogdener”, has to say in the absence
of any other takers, that the answer to
Mystery Pic No. 1 in Issue 34 (Winter
2013) appears to be Hilton Lane, Little
Hulton, looking south towards the
bridge carrying the Wigan – Atherton –
Manchester railway across the road. A
track off to the right once led to a farm
called “Harrop’s Fold”. This gave its
name to the present nearby secondary
school. If you can provide any further
information I’d be very glad to hear from
you.
Mystery Pic No. 3
Please send your information or comments to the LifeTimes Link, Salford Museum and Art Gallery,
Peel Park, Crescent, Salford M5 4WU or e-mail Editor – Jphilipheyes@aol.com.
LOCAL HISTORY ROUND UP
This 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.
BOOTHSTOWN & DISTRICT LOCAL HISTORY GROUP
Meetings have been held on the third Wednesday
of each month at Boothstown Community Centre,
Stansfield Place, Boothstown. For further information
about the group, please enquire at Boothstown
Community Centre
SALFORD LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY
Meetings are held on the last Wednesday of the
month (except December) at Salford Museum & Art
Gallery, Peel Park, Crescent, Salford at 2pm
CORRESPONDENCE: Mr D Rainger, 7 St George’s
Crescent, Salford M6 8JG
ECCLES AND DISTRICT HISTORY SOCIETY
Meet 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 £3.00
Contact Andrew Cross 0161 788 7263
email; eccleshistory@yahoo.co.uk
www.edhs.btck.co.uk
PROGRAMME FOR 2014/2015 SEASON
26th Nov / 101 Ways to die in Lark Hill Place
Ceri Horrocks
PROGRAMME FOR 2014/2015 SEASON
10th Dec / Seasonal refreshment
14th Jan / The Underground Canals at Worsley
Glen Atkinson
11th Feb / Buffalo Bill / John Aldred
Dec / No meeting
28th Jan / The Canal Below the City Streets
David George
25th Feb / The History of Trafford Park
Paul Callaghan
25th March / The Story of Worsley Green
John Aldred
29th Apr / AGM & Slide Show – Salford in the
1970s / Don Rainger
FRIENDS OF THE SALFORD MUSEUMS’
ASSOCIATION – F S M A
Meets at Museum and Art Gallery, Peel Park.
For information contact Don Rainger (Chairman)
on 0161 789 2071.
Details also from Jphilipheyes@aol.com and
www.friendsofsalfordmuseums.org
PROGRAMME FOR 2014/2015 SEASON
26th Nov / Fusiliers Museum at Bury including
tour (Meet at the Museum in Bury at 1pm).
18th Mar / 6:00pm / AGM
WORKING CLASS MOVEMENT LIBRARY
Meetings as advertised at 51 The 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
IRLAM, CADISHEAD AND DISTRICT LOCAL
HISTORY SOCIETY
We meet at St Paul’s Church, Liverpool Road, Irlam
7.30-9.00pm. The third Wednesday of each month.
Members £1.00 Visitors £2.00.
Contact: Deborah Yates - debbie.yated@yahoo.co.uk
PROGRAMME FOR 2014/2015 SEASON
24th Nov / Nursery Rhymes / Jean Finney
16th Feb / Victorian Times / Graham Stirrup
TALKS AT WCML
23rd Nov / 2:00pm
Salford Stories and Radical Readings
Peel Hall, University of Salford
Join Christopher Eccleston, Sheila Hancock and
Maxine Peake for an afternoon of prose, poetry and
drama telling the story of radicalism and revolution
and the history of the original “dirty old town”.
This is a fundraising event for the Library, and tickets
are £12 (£8 student concessions). Tickets are
available from the University of Salford online shop.
Enquiries to University events team on 0161 295
5241, or email events@salford.ac.uk.
Please do not contact the Library about tickets.
In conjunction with Salford University, the Library
is very grateful for their support.
PROGRAMME FOR 2014/2015 SEASON
2nd Mar / All The Queen’s Men / Stephen Sanders
14th Feb / 2:00pm / LGBT History Month talk
16th Mar / Wingates Band / David Kaye
7th Mar / 2:00pm
International Women’s Day talk
We mark International Women’s Day this year with a
talk by Tansy Hoskins about her book Stitched Up The Anti-Capitalist Book of Fashion.
Moving between Karl Lagerfeld and Karl Marx,
Stitched Up delves into the world of fashion,
exploring consumerism, class, and garment factories.
Admission free, all welcome
11th Mar / Fresh Air and Fun: the North West’s
holiday coast / Debbie Yates
8th Apr / What did you do in the War, Mum?
Irene Cunliffe
13th May / AGM followed by a presentation of local
interest (details to be announced).
17th Sept / AGM
15th Oct / Digital Salford / Ian Sutton
SWINTON & PENDLEBURY LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY
Venue: Swinton Library, Chorley Road, Swinton
Time: 10.00am
Cost: £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
2nd Feb / My Egghead Experience / Betty Hayhurst
30th Mar / History of Music Hall / David Hill
19th Nov / The Irlam Pals Recruitment in WW1
Pete Thomas and Neil Drum
13th Apr / Kersal Vale Bee-keepers / Harry Davies
12th December / Christmas Meal
27th Apr / Coach Trip
21st January / Rhyl / Deborah Yates
11th May / Cotton Comes to Lancashire / Paul Cross
18th Feb / The Chat Moss Project / Joanne Moore
1st June / The Seven Deadly Sins / Rev M Burgess
18th Mar / Big Ben / Don Palmer
15th June / A.G.M
15th Apr / Haig and his Generals
Richard Winpenny
20th May / TBA
17th June / Medieval Industry / Bernard Champness
Please note speakers are subject to change at short notice.
LOCAL HISTORY TALKS AT WORSLEY
Talks are held at The Secret Garden Cafe, 11 Barton
Road, Worsley at 7.30pm. Space is limited so visitors
MUST book in advance on 0161 793 4615
Details from David George on 0161 790 9904
26th Nov / 7:30pm / A taste of honey - Shelagh
Delaney’s Salford / A talk by Naomi Lewis
LOCAL HISTORY TALKS AT WALKDEN
Are arranged on a regular basis. Please watch for
future announcements.
Booking advisable. Tickets cost £3.50 per talk
For more information and to book, call in any
Salford library, phone 0161-909 6518 or email
walkden.library@scll.co.uk
Salford Museum and Art Gallery
Peel Park, Crescent, Salford M5 4WU
Tel: 0161 778 0800 • Fax: 0161 745 9490
Email: salford.museum@scll.co.uk
Ordsall Hall
322 Ordsall Lane, Salford M5 3AN
Tel: 0161 872 0251 • Fax: 0161 872 4951
Email: ordsall.hall@scll.co.uk
Opening times
Tuesday - Friday 10.00am - 4.45pm
Sat-Sun 12 noon – 4pm
Disabled access, gift shop, cafe.
Disabled access to nearly all rooms, gift shop, café
Museum café opening times
Weekdays (including Mondays) 8.30 am – 4.00 pm
Saturdays and Sundays: 12 noon – 3.00 pm
(Christmas: Closed from Monday 22nd December to Thursday 1st January
inclusive, Museum re-opens Fri 2nd January)
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 (now by appointment only)
Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10.00am - 1.00pm & 2.00pm - 4.45pm
Wednesday 10.00am - 1.00pm & 2.00pm-8.00pm
Closed weekends and Mondays
Booking for the Local History Library is essential so please telephone 0161
778 0814 or 0161 778 0800 (museum reception) to book an appointment
Opening times
Monday - Thursday 10.00am - 4.00pm
Sunday 1.00 - 4.00pm
Closed Friday and Saturday
Parking charges - £2.00 for up to 3 hrs; £5.00 for 3 hrs or more
(Christmas: Closed from Wednesday 24th December to Saturday 2nd
January inclusive, Hall re-opens Sun 4th January)