Turn Right At Mottram Roundabout - Episode 23
Tue 3rd January 2017 | General | By Stewart Taylor
The club we were visiting in Episode 22 was Padiham.
There are close to 200 pubs in the UK called the Hare and Hounds but the particular one in the photo will be recognisable to all who have visited Padiham FC as being the pub at the bottom of the narrow street which leads to the ground. The street is Well Street and the name can be seen, just, on the right hand side of the photo.
The quick link was architectural and concerned a link between this place and the Royal Exchange building in Central Manchester.
The Royal Exchange was designed by architects Bradshaw Gass and Hope who were also responsible for the impressive Town Hall in Padiham.
Continuing the theme of architecture, our destination today gives you just about all you need and more. Previous references to the character and enduring qualities of Victorian and Edwardian edifices have been contrasted with the rather less sustainable nature of later, so called cutting edge, structures. A selected virtual tour of this place, from an architectural perspective, is most rewarding.
A good place to start is the entrance to the railway station and, believe me, if you want to visit this place then travel by train is highly recommended. Directly opposite the railway station is an early-Victorian Grade I listed building in the Neoclassical style considered by many to be amongst the finest neo-Grecian buildings in the world.
Originally conceived to be a venue for music festivals, the design was modified to include provision for law courts by the architect Harvey Lonsdale Elmes. Amongst many functions held in the building these days is a rather large beer festival.
Talking of beer, our next stop is a pub built in the late Victorian times but what a pub! Imposing from the outside as an example of an exuberant free style of architecture featuring stepped gables, turrets with ogee domes and many more recognisable styles; it’s the inside of this Grade II* listed building which really catches the eye.
Decorated in a grand style featuring elaborate plasterwork, mosaics and mahogany, the theme is musical to reflect the nearby concert hall. A particularly fine feature is the high quality of the gent’s urinals – not to be missed!
Moving south, we come to a rather large building in an elevated position built in the Gothic Revival style and started in the first decade of the 20th century under the watchful gaze of the architect Giles Gilbert Scott.
Incidentally, if the name Giles Gilbert Scott rings any bells it may well be for the reason that he designed the very well know telephone boxes (the K-series) which were painted in British Standard BS381C – Red 539.
Although not completed until 1961 the quality of the design is such that this is another Grade I listed building.
Not too far away we find an area of rather greater age in terms of the buildings. This area is Georgian in style and features grid patterns of expensive houses built for the rich merchants of this prosperous place. Attention is drawn to the group of five red brick built houses dated around 1840 which is Mornington Terrace – superb and Grade II listed. In this area we will find an Institute of Performing Arts inspired by a local musician.
The above is just a snapshot of what this place can offer in terms of unspoilt gems of the architectural heritage of England. We now move in a generally westerly direction to more modern architectural styles. To take just one example, we arrive at a structure which is highly modernistic in style designed by a Danish architectural practice whose design ethos can be summed up as “a nexus between science and art; iconic design and context”.
The building in question was opened as recently as 2011 but, as you read this, it will be closed for “essential works”. It is understood that these essential works will relate to the external construction issues of the building’s steps and terraces and some internal design issues relating to some ceilings. Further, it is understood that the closure of the whole building during these works is related to our old friend Health & Safety.
I will make no comment concerning this contrast between structures which are now getting on a bit in years and 21st century icons but, rather, leave the reader to come to their own conclusions.
You will have worked out where we are by now but before I forget that these pieces are destined for football website it’s about time we mentioned the beautiful game – I always thought that this sounds rather better in Portuguese as enunciated by the great Pele - o jogo bonito - and not the better known - joga bonito - which means “play beautifully” and is used to promote football products by a well known multinational company.
This place has one of the richest and most diverse footballing histories of anywhere in England. From clubs formed at the very beginning of organised football to much more recently founded clubs and it is one of the latter which is our destination today. Founded very recently and seeking to represent the regional identity, this club have made great strides forward in a short space of time. Fervently ambitious, it will be fascinating to watch the development of this fan owned club over the coming years.
Quick link - What links this club to a famous marble statue by Antonio Canova the first version of which is now in the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg?
Turn Right At Mottram Roundabout - Episode 23
Tue 3rd January 2017 | General
By Stewart Taylor
The club we were visiting in Episode 22 was Padiham.
There are close to 200 pubs in the UK called the Hare and Hounds but the particular one in the photo will be recognisable to all who have visited Padiham FC as being the pub at the bottom of the narrow street which leads to the ground. The street is Well Street and the name can be seen, just, on the right hand side of the photo.
The quick link was architectural and concerned a link between this place and the Royal Exchange building in Central Manchester.
The Royal Exchange was designed by architects Bradshaw Gass and Hope who were also responsible for the impressive Town Hall in Padiham.
Continuing the theme of architecture, our destination today gives you just about all you need and more. Previous references to the character and enduring qualities of Victorian and Edwardian edifices have been contrasted with the rather less sustainable nature of later, so called cutting edge, structures. A selected virtual tour of this place, from an architectural perspective, is most rewarding.
A good place to start is the entrance to the railway station and, believe me, if you want to visit this place then travel by train is highly recommended. Directly opposite the railway station is an early-Victorian Grade I listed building in the Neoclassical style considered by many to be amongst the finest neo-Grecian buildings in the world.
Originally conceived to be a venue for music festivals, the design was modified to include provision for law courts by the architect Harvey Lonsdale Elmes. Amongst many functions held in the building these days is a rather large beer festival.
Talking of beer, our next stop is a pub built in the late Victorian times but what a pub! Imposing from the outside as an example of an exuberant free style of architecture featuring stepped gables, turrets with ogee domes and many more recognisable styles; it’s the inside of this Grade II* listed building which really catches the eye.
Decorated in a grand style featuring elaborate plasterwork, mosaics and mahogany, the theme is musical to reflect the nearby concert hall. A particularly fine feature is the high quality of the gent’s urinals – not to be missed!
Moving south, we come to a rather large building in an elevated position built in the Gothic Revival style and started in the first decade of the 20th century under the watchful gaze of the architect Giles Gilbert Scott.
Incidentally, if the name Giles Gilbert Scott rings any bells it may well be for the reason that he designed the very well know telephone boxes (the K-series) which were painted in British Standard BS381C – Red 539.
Although not completed until 1961 the quality of the design is such that this is another Grade I listed building.
Not too far away we find an area of rather greater age in terms of the buildings. This area is Georgian in style and features grid patterns of expensive houses built for the rich merchants of this prosperous place. Attention is drawn to the group of five red brick built houses dated around 1840 which is Mornington Terrace – superb and Grade II listed. In this area we will find an Institute of Performing Arts inspired by a local musician.
The above is just a snapshot of what this place can offer in terms of unspoilt gems of the architectural heritage of England. We now move in a generally westerly direction to more modern architectural styles. To take just one example, we arrive at a structure which is highly modernistic in style designed by a Danish architectural practice whose design ethos can be summed up as “a nexus between science and art; iconic design and context”.
The building in question was opened as recently as 2011 but, as you read this, it will be closed for “essential works”. It is understood that these essential works will relate to the external construction issues of the building’s steps and terraces and some internal design issues relating to some ceilings. Further, it is understood that the closure of the whole building during these works is related to our old friend Health & Safety.
I will make no comment concerning this contrast between structures which are now getting on a bit in years and 21st century icons but, rather, leave the reader to come to their own conclusions.
You will have worked out where we are by now but before I forget that these pieces are destined for football website it’s about time we mentioned the beautiful game – I always thought that this sounds rather better in Portuguese as enunciated by the great Pele - o jogo bonito - and not the better known - joga bonito - which means “play beautifully” and is used to promote football products by a well known multinational company.
This place has one of the richest and most diverse footballing histories of anywhere in England. From clubs formed at the very beginning of organised football to much more recently founded clubs and it is one of the latter which is our destination today. Founded very recently and seeking to represent the regional identity, this club have made great strides forward in a short space of time. Fervently ambitious, it will be fascinating to watch the development of this fan owned club over the coming years.
Quick link - What links this club to a famous marble statue by Antonio Canova the first version of which is now in the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg?
