Embedded Files
Demolition: first phase, 1980
The former school building appears to have been demolished in two phases: in 1980 and in 1992. The first phase, which commenced in April 1980, followed the decision by the Salford Diocesan officials to give the go-ahead for the demolition of the south wing on Ardwick Green North. This was despite an Environment Department protection listing the historic three-storey Grade 2 building at No 75 Ardwick Green North that once housed John Rylands and was noted for its architectural importance.
Demolition got under way, but was halted when the importance of the building was realised. In a joint report to the Planning Committee, town clerk Mr James Hetherington and the city planning officer, Mr Brian Parnell, said that despite the listing notice having been served on the diocesan trustees in January 1975, demolition had started in April 1980. The report added that the trustees had said that because of the illness and subsequent death in 1975 of their secretary, the notice was filed before it was recorded.
Manchester city planning chiefs accepted that a genuine mistake had been made on the part of the trustees and that there had been no attempt at “wilful demolition” – a statutory offence punishable by a fine or imprisonment.
By the time it was spotted, the job was so far advanced that demolition had to be continued – a process that was completed in September 1980.
At the time, this action became an issue of public interest and was featured in an article in the Manchester Evening News under the eye-catching headline: “Ex-school flattened despite being ‘listed’.”
The Planning Committee also gave the go-ahead to a proposal to redevelop numbers 73, 75 and 77 Ardwick Green North, but stipulated that the scheme must have the former Georgian façade of No 75 re-created in it. It was reported that a housing association was anxious to build flats on the site.
Below are photographs taken in August 1980 at the time of the demolition of the old building on Ardwick Green North.
Former pupil Mike Birchall (1961-65) on Ardwick Green North
Boarded up and with broken windows, the old and dilapidated building is in the process of being demolished. Mike left the school in December 1965 to emigrate to Australia. He is pictured here on a visit to the UK in 1980.
View across the playground from Durling Street
View from Durling Street
View across the lower playground
Note the ramp to the upper playground and former sixth-form block in the distance.
View across the upper playground towards Durling Street
Rare photograph of the lower playground and east wing
Demolition of the south wing – facing the park – is in progress
View across part of the upper playground
Note the old ATC building across the yard, left, and the metalwork and woodwork rooms, right. Metal grilles have been installed in front of the windows for protection and security. Overgrown weeds give an untidy appearance to the premises and add to the sense of neglect.
This was the environment in which pupils worked for the last twelve months of the school’s use.
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