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The Mayor of the City of Salford says:
THIS IS SALFORD CIVIC CENTRE in Swinton. It's the administrative headquarters
of the new City of Salford. I say new City of Salford, because the current
City of Salford consists of five authorities which were amalgamated in
1974. This site was chosen as the headquarters of the new local authority
because it's fairly central geographically. Further, this is the former
Swinton and Pendlebury town hall and it was decided that to use a town
hall other than the old Salford town hall would be an additional unifying
factor. It has a more modern feel to it than the old classically designed
Town Hall in Bexley Square, off Chapel St. Swinton Civic Centre was built
in 1934. It has a simplicity of design and is very functional. It has
a uniformity that I like. The Mayor's parlour is located on the first
floor to the left of the main entrance.
EWM says:
The building is one of the last of the great town halls to be constructed
before World War Two and the arrival of modernist civic architecture.
It has a spartan quality with windows reminiscent of a French chateau,
and a clock tower like a cenotaph. The open lawns at the front add to
its grandeur
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The Mayor of the City of Salford says:
WE NOW HAVE AN ILLUMINATED COAT OF ARMS which was initially designed
as a Christmas lights decoration, but because of the popularity and the
positive feedback from the public who walk by, we decided to retain it
as a permanent feature. That is probably the only addition to the facade
since the original building was opened. The ship signifies the waterways,
including Salford Docks, later Salford Quays. The five bees represent
the growth of the five industrial communities which make up the City of
Salford, the shuttle is symbolic of the textile industry which was one
of our larger industries.
EWM says:
The coat of arms is an attractive feature on the front of Swinton Civic
Centre. The illumination has been meticulously crafted to include all
the main details of the coat of arms. A very nice piece of work and proof
you don't have to go to Blackpool in search of the bright lights!
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The Mayor of the City of Salford says:
Salford Museum & Art Gallery first opened in November 1850 as the Royal
Museum & Public Library. It was built on the site of Lark Hill estate
and Mansion, which was purchased by public subscription. The park was
named Peel Park after Robert Peel who contributed to the subscription
fund. The Library is of special significance as it was the first unconditionally
free public library in the country. A recent study revealed that the building
is of greater significance than was previously thought: It is an early
example in Victorian England of a municipal museum, art gallery and public
library.
I have used Salford Museum & Art Gallery on many occasions both for
pleasure and business. I simply like the ambiance of the place. It is
its 'thereness' as a firm reminder of the past, as the first home of the
famous Lowry collection and its adaptability to embrace and display the
ever changing face of Salford.
I attended many official ceremonies there, including an event called the
'Life of Riley'. This was an appreciation dinner for Harold Riley, Salford
artist, and friend of Lowry. I had to deliver a speech on my contacts
with Harold Riley and what I believed to be his place in the life of the
City. I also attended the launch of the New Deal for Disabled People by
Junior Minister, Maria Eagle. I was asked to speak at the launch and then
as Mayor welcomed the Minister to Salford to launch the event.
EWM says:
Salford Museum and Art Gallery are undoubtedly one of the city's treasures.
Lark Hill Place, the reconstructed street, still provides a vivid and
humorous reminder of the Salford of past times. The local history library
has many fascinating old photos, maps and books. All in all well worth
a visit!
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The Mayor of the City of Salford says:
SALFORD CATHEDRAL is the headquarters of the Catholic Bishopric of
the Salford diocese. It's the leading architectural feature on the Chapel
Street corridor. I think it's a very important building to the city because
in the past, in order to become a city, one of the conditions was that
there had to be a cathedral, and Salford has its own cathedral. The diocese
of Salford covers most of the Greater Manchester area. It stretches up
to Preston, Lancashire and borders with the bishopric of Liverpool.
EWM says:
Catholic churches far beyond the boundaries of the City of Salford are
part of the diocese of Salford. South of the Mersey, the diocese is Shrewsbury.
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The Mayor of the City of Salford says:
WARDLEY HALL is one of the few buildings in the north west that's mentioned
in the Domesday Book. The present hall was built in the 16th century,
and has had a succession of owners, including the Duke of Bridgewater.
Wardley Hall is known as 'The House of the Skull' because a human skull,
believed to be that of the martyr Saint Ambrose Barlow, is placed in a
glass case in the stairs. The previous owner was Thomas Nuttall, who bought
the Hall in 1924 but later decided to sell it when it became known that
the East Lancs Road would cut the estate in two. In 1930, after negotiations,
the Catholic Diocese of Salford bought the land for use as a catholic
cemetery, and Captain Nuttall donated the hall and surrounding land, on
condition it would be maintained in its ancient and venerable state. The
Bishop of Salford, Bishop Terence Brain, now lives in Wardley Hall.
EWM says:
Wardley Hall is a remarkable place, and I'm very glad to have had the
opportunity to visit, thanks to Councillor King. It's fitting that a house
with Roman Catholic connections going back to the Middle Ages should in
the 20th century become the Catholic bishop's residence. That skull must
be spooky in the middle of the night though, if you're on your way down
the stairs for a cup of cocoa.
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The Mayor of the City of Salford says:
GOOD OLD ORDSALL HALL! We should thank the city fathers of the 1960's
and 70's for protecting this building which at that time was under threat
of demolition. Because of its age and its history, it's one of the gems
of the region. It's our only grade 1 listed buildings, and it has a lot
of anecdotal history. The family who lived there were a Catholic family.
Because they were one of the few Catholic families left, the rumour is that
Guy Fawkes planned his deeds in the hall. It's historically dubious, but
it's a good story! Next to the hall there's a Guy Fawkes Street. Although
the hall is very ancient - going back to the 14th century - it's now being
incorporated into uses for the local community, which I think is very important.
Locally, people feel it's part of them now. It's used by local schools and
for costume events. It also stands out in that all round it is mostly modern
buildings.
EWM
says: It is almost unbelievable that this ancient building, once set in
open countryside, should have been under threat of demolition. Ordsall Hall
has a fascinating interior. The only thing I'm not keen on is the modern
entrance porch, which I've cropped out. |