Mechanics Institute Stalybridge

"That the important town of Stalybridge, with its numerous population, and increasing prosperity, ought to possess a more eligible and commodious building for the purpose of a Mechanics' Institution."

F D P Astley, Esq, of Dukinfield Lodge, promised a piece of land in High Street, and supplemented it with a donation of £100 on the 25th January, 1861, and by 12 March 1861 subscriptions had already been received and promised amounting to ,1,734. On the 13th April, 1861, it was announced that the Building Committee had accepted the design of Messrs Blackwell and Sons, of Manchester, for the proposed Institution. The estimate for the erection of the building was accepted on the 4th June, 1861, the cost to be ,2,950, the contractors being Messrs Greenup and Company, Manchester. The foundation stone was laid on the 17th August, 1861, and the building was completed and opened in July 1862.

STALYBRIDGE MECHANICS' INSTITUTION - LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE - Several years ago a subscription list was got up in Stalybridge, headed by Mr. Robert Platt, for the erection of a new building for the Stalybridge Mechanics' Institution, and by renewed exertions the Committee have raised an amount of money, assisted by a liberal donation from Mr F D P Astley, and a still more liberal giftC a convenient siteCwhich has enabled them to commence the erection of a suitable structure, the foundation stone of which was laid by Mr. David Harrison, on Saturday afternoon, in the presence of many thousands of persons. The interest taken by the inhabitants generally in the erection of the building was manifested by the numerous banners, flags, etc, which were hung out along the line of the procession, and from the roofs and chimneys of the factories and workshops, and by the attendance of the various orders in the district. The procession, which was headed by the representatives of these orders, consisted of the 13th Cheshire Volunteer Rifle Corps and band ; the Grand United Order of Oddfellows, headed by the Catholic brass band ; the Ancient Order of Shepherds, and band ; the Independent Order of Oddfellows, and band ; the Order of Druids and band ; the honorary members of the Stalybridge Old Band ; the Ancient Order of Foresters, headed by the Stalybridge Old Band; the two inspectors of police and constables ; the magistrates, aldermen, and councillors of the borough; clergymen and ministers; Temperance brass band ; architects and contractors; clerk of the works; Mr. David Harrison and Mr. Thomas Harrison ; officers, honorary members, and friends of the Institution ; and the fire brigade, headed by a fife and drum band. The procession formed soon after four o'clock in Grosvenor‑square, and proceeded through the principal streets to the site of the building. When the site was reached the Old Hundredth Psalm was sung, and the Rev. W. W. Hoare offered up a prayer. Mr Thomas Harrison, the president of the Institution, then formally presented the trowel to Mr. David Harrison, who, after the usual formalities, declared the stone duly laid, amidst great cheers. Mr. Harrison, in a short address, trusted the erection of the building would lead to the education and happiness of the people. Mr. James Kirk then proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Astley, for the support he had given the institution, which was given amidst great cheering. Mr. Ralph Ashton proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Harrison, and called upon Mr. John Redgiven to second the motion, which was carried with acclamations. After Mr. Harrison had briefly returned thanks, the National Anthem was sung, and the proceedings terminated with three cheers for the success of the Stalybridge Mechanics' Institution. [Building News 23 August 1861 p690]

STALEYBRIDGE MECHANICS' INSTITUTION - Last week, as we announced, the foundation‑stone of a building for a new mechanics' institute was laid at the above place with all the usual ceremonies. The following is a description of the building, as furnished by the architects: The ground story will contain a reading‑room, conversation‑room, library, committee- room, secretary's room, class‑room, porter's‑room (with scullery), laboratory, water closet, and other conveniences; front entrance‑hall, vestibule, staircase, and staircase hall. Communicating with the principal staircase, by a corridor on the ground floor, will be library lobby and side entrance, and from this corridor there will also be a back staircase on to the chamber story for private use. The principal staircase and landings will be constructed of stone, with a centre flight of steps, and side‑flyers right and left; and from the top landing of this staircase, on the chamber floor, the assembly‑room and two ante‑rooms will be approached by corridors. The assembly‑room will be 81 feet long, 41 feet wide, and 24 feet high, having a platform at one end in direct communication with the principal ante‑room, and a gallery at the opposite end approached by a staircase from the corridor. The ceiling of the assembly‑room will be coved, and will be divided into panels by moulded ribs springing from the ornamental caps of the pilasters, by which the walls of the room will be divided into seven compartments in length and three in breadth. In the centre of each compartment of the front and one end wall will be a semi-circular‑headed window. The gallery end of the room will be blank, and the back or side wall of the room will have four doorways therein leading into the corridors, &c. The principal staircase will be 31 feet high, and will have a coved ceiling with moulded ribs springing from ornamental brackets. It will be lighted by a large semicircular headed window, divided into compartments by stone mullions. The principal rooms will have fire‑places therein, and, in addition to these, provisions will be made for heating the building with hot water, the apparatus for which will be in the cellar underneath the porter's‑room. The ventilating also of the respective rooms has been well considered. The building will be constructed of bricks, the two principal fronts being faced with stocks and having polished Yorkshire stone dressings. The Italian style has been adopted with, however, a considerable amount of Gothic feeling in the details. The two principal fronts will be divided into compartments by pilasters with moulded bases and imposts, from which will spring semicircular arches, the label mould over which will follow the form of the pointed arch, and will be laced together at the imposts. There will be plain and moulded horizontal bands of stone at intervals, and key‑stones, etc, will be introduced in the arches. The principal cornice will be supported by moulded and carved brackets springing from moulded stone string-course. The roof will be somewhat peculiar in construction, the "Mansard" form having been adopted, principally, as it appears, in order to obtain height for the ceiling of the assembly room. A portion of the roof will be slated with green and blue slates laid in alternate courses, and will have an ornamental Louvre ventilator thereon, and will also have on the ridge an ornamental iron cresting, with finials, etc. The lower story of windows will have segmental heads, and the upper story semi-circular heads. The principal entrance doorway will be approached by four steps, and will have moulded scroll, plinths, moulded inner and outer jambs and imposts, with a semi-circular fanlight over. Between the inner and outer jambs of the doorway will be two columns with moulded bases and carved caps, supporting imposts, from which will spring brick and stone arches with moulded and carved key‑stone. The cost of the building (exclusive of the warming, gas-fitting, and furnishing) will be about ,3,100. The plans and specifications have been prepared by Messrs Blackwell and Son, architects, Essex‑street, Manchester, under whose superintendence the building is to be carried out. Messrs Joseph Greenup and Company, of Miles Platting, are the contractors, and Mr Robson is the clerk of the works.  [Building News 30 August 1861 p711]

For The erection of the mechanic's institution, Staleybridge. Plans, etc from M. Blackwell and Son, architects, 8, Essex‑street, King‑street, Manchester, from 13th May. Tenders to be delivered not later than May 20. [Building News 10 May 1861 Page 401]

Reference    Manchester Guardian Saturday 4 May 1861 Page 2 - contracts
Reference    Building News 10 May 1861 Page 401- contracts
Reference    Building News 23 August 1861 p690
Reference    Building News 30 August 1861 p711
Reference    Manchester Guardian 19 August 1861 page 2
Reference    Samuel Hill: "Bygone Stalybridge". Small Paper Edition 1907. Page 167-168