Board of Health Offices Hyde Road Gorton.

NEW OFFICES FOR THE GORTON LOCAL BOARD OF HEALTH. Gorton was originally a chapelry, in the parish of Manchester, but is now a parish with separate local jurisdiction except as regards the admission of poor relief, which is controlled by the guardians of the Chorlton Union, of which Gorton forms part. The township, during the past few years, has made rapid strides, both in respect to industrial progress as well as the number of the population, which has increased from 4,000 in 1851 to 13,000—the present number of inhabitants.

The lover of nature would in vain look for many of the sequestered cloughs it formerly contained, for they are mostly occupied by manufactories and work people's dwellings; but the surrounding district is nevertheless very charming. Amongst the extensive works within the township, and its immediate boundaries are the depots of the London and North Western Railway Company, at Longsight, the large machine works of Messrs. Beyer and Peacock, the cotton mills owned by John Rylands, Esq., Messrs. Heywood, Higginbottom, Smith and Co.'s paper hanging manufactory, the Lancashire Steel Works (in course of erection), the Ashbury Carriage Works, and numerous others, affording employment to thousands of hands. This change has naturally called for many improvements in drainage, lighting, etc., and, after various discussions, it was decided to adopt the Local Government Act, and on October 16th, 1863, the board was formed. It was soon found that more commodious business premises than they at first occupied were required, and accordingly Messrs. Whyatt and Redford, architects, of Manchester and Heywood, were instructed to prepare designs for a suitable building, to be erected upon a plot of ground at the corner of Hyde-road and Kirkmanshulme-lane. The site, which is near the Belle-vue Gardens, is extremely well chosen, and commands a beautiful well as varied prospect, extending to the distant hills of Cheshire, Derbyshire, and Yorkshire. The building has been designed with strict regard to economy; the main material employed being common bricks, set in old English bond, with dressings of Grinshill stone. The principal exterior decoration is the filling in to the spandrels of the upper windows in different coloured tiles; the arches being formed with ornamental brickwork, parti-coloured. A “Ringhiera," or balcony, is introduced to the board-room, from which constituents can be addressed at election times; and broad steps have also been placed at the entrance for a like purpose. In the centre of the building ia placed an octagonal clock tower. The offices will be situated on the ground storey; and a commodious hall will contain stone steps leading to the board-room on the first floor. This room will be a handsome apartment 32ft. by 18ft, having an open timbered roof, and adjoining it will be a waiting room. The collector's residence has been erected with the idea that should the future wants of the township increase, this portion may be absorbed into the offices. The structure is an adaptation of the style in which, during the 13th century, were built the "Broletti," or town halls of the Lombardic cities, as Monza, Como,etc. Mr. Thomas Clay, of Audenshaw, has undertaken the contract for the sum £1,443, exclusive of fittings. The probable cost of the building, when completed, will be about £2,000. The foundation stone was laid on Thursday by Mr. Richard Peacock, chairman of the Local Board. [Manchester Courier 6 May 1865 page 6]

MANCHESTER - New offices have been built for the Gorton Local Board of Health, Manchester. Messrs. Whyatt and Redford, of Manchester, were the architects. The building has been designed with a strict regard to economy; the main material employed being common bricks, set in old English bond, with dressings of Grinshill stone. The principal exterior decoration is the filling in to the spandrels of the upper windows in different coloured tiles; the arches being formed with ornamental brickwork, parti-coloured. A “Ringhiera,” or balcony, is introduced to the board-room, from which constituents can be addressed at election times. In the centre of the building is placed an octagonal clock tower. The structure is an adaptation of the style in which during the thirteenth century, were built the “Broletti,” or town halls of the Lombardic cities, as Monza, Como, etc. Mr Thomas Clay, of Audenshaw, has undertaken the contract for the sum of £1,443. [Building News 12 May 1865 page 346]

Reference    Manchester Guardian 25 February 1865 Page 2 (Contracts)
Reference    Manchester Courier 6 May 1865 page 6
Reference    Building News 12 May 1865 page 346