ABC Wednesday: G is forGrand Theatre, Blackpool

The Grand Theatre in Blackpool is a Grade II* listed building.

It was designed for Thomas Sergenson by Frank Matcham, and built for £20,000 in just seven months between December 1893 and July 1894.

The three storey decorated stone corner entrance block rises to a domed roof of copper fishscale tiles surmounted by a cupola. The auditorium, with three double-curved balconies, features plaster decoration in a very ornate Baroque style, painted white and gold. The semi-circular proscenium arch is flanked by curved and decorated boxes. The painted ceiling is surrounded by panels with painted portrait medallions and garlands, and two large chandeliers hang from heavily moulded circular bosses.

A blue plaque on the Matcham Close side of the theatre reads:

BLACKPOOL CIVIC TRUST HERITAGE TRAIL

THE GRAND THEATRE
(Grade II* Listed)

The leading Victorian theatre architect, Frank Matcham, was commissioned by Thomas Sergenson to build 'the best, prettiest and cosiest theatre possible' and the Grand was opened on July 23 1894.

In 1973 the theatre was saved from demolition at a public inquiry and, in 1977, was refurbished and opened as a bingo hall.

It was bought by the Grand Theatre Trust in 1980, reopened as a theatre on March 23 1981, and two months later was officially opened by the Prince of Wales at a Royal Variety Show.

This Listed Building is one of the finest examples of Matcham's work. The Grand Theatre Trust and the Friends of the Grand have endeavoured to ensure that 'the Glorious Grand' is preserved for posterity.

Kindly Donated by Friends of The Grand

A green plaque below the name sign Matcham Court above the Grand Theatre stage door celebrates theatre architect Frank Matcham (1854 - 1920) and was placed here by the Frank Matcham Society.

A contribution to ABC Wednesday and signs, signs.

Denton Mural 2014

I was in Victoria Park, Denton last week and was wondering if the crocuses were sprouting yet but they are not. In the background is the Millennium Mural on the side of the swimming baths.

For more information and a closer look see my series of posts in March 2012.

A contribution to Monday Murals.

ABC Wednesday: F is for theFriendship Tavern

The Friendship Tavern is on Hyde Road, Gorton, Manchester on the corner of Friendship Avenue.

Its architectural style harks back to the Victorian period although the light-coloured stonework would have originally looked very dark. The redbrick sections would be the result of early 20th century renovations. I haven't been able to find out anything about the history of the pub so this is mostly conjecture.

This view shows how it is set alongside the normally busy A57 (I managed to pick a brief quiet moment on a Monday mid-morning to take these photographs) by the Reddish turnoff opposite Debdale Park.

A contribution to ABC Wednesday and signs, signs.

Black & White in Blackpool

The tide rolls in along Blackpool's South Promenade.

Based on an original photograph taken in April 2013.

A contribution to The Weekend in Black and White.

ABC Wednesday: E is forExchange Square, Manchester

Exchange Square square was created after the IRA 1996 Manchester bombing. The reconstruction included the structural relocation of two pubs to make room for the new Marks & Spencer store. Today the square is a major shopping area including a branch of Selfridges, New Cathedral Street, The Triangle shopping centre and an entrance to the Manchester Arndale, the most-visited shopping centre in the United Kingdom.

The entrance to the Arndale Centre is on the left while on the right is Selfridge's. In the foreground is a water feature.

A notice on the wall reads:

In The Interest Of Safety
Please Refrain From Climbing
On The Water Feature
______________________________
Do Not Drink The Water

A contribution to Our World Tuesday,
Outdoor Wednesday
and ABC Wednesday.

Deansgate Locks

A week ago I showed photographs of the Rochdale Canal at Castlefield. Originally that section of the canal up to lock 91 at the end of Whitworth Street West ran through a shallow tunnel. In 1902 this was opened up except for the short Gaythorn Tunnel taking it under Deansgate.

Lock 91 is one of the "Rochdale Nine". When the rest of the Rochdale Canal was closed to navigation in 1952, the nine locks, which link the Ashton and Bridgewater Canals through the centre of Manchester, were the only part of the canal to remain open, forming part of the "Cheshire Ring".

This bar above the Rochdale Canal at Deansgate Locks, takes its name from the number of the lock below. It was originally built in 1804-5 as the lock keeper's cottage.

Both the lock and the lock keeper's cottage are Grade II listed buildings.

The "bridge" at the top is the walkway that links Deansgate Station with the Castlefield-Deansgate Metrolink tram stop.

Between locks 91 and 90 the canal passes between Whitworth Street West on the right and the Deansgate Locks Viaduct on the left that now carries the Metrolink tramway. Footbridges connect the business (mostly bars) under the arches with Whitworth Street West.

  © Copyright Dr Neil Clifton and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

This is how it looked in 1981.

Lock 90 is also known as Albion Lock after the name of a nearby mill.

A contribution to Sunday Bridges at San Francisco Bay Daily Photo.

ABC Wednesday: D is forDeansgate Station

The train standing on platform 2 is from Buxton via Davenport (see the train arriving there on Stockport Daily Photo) and Piccadilly to Preston via Bolton and Chorley.

The station was opened as Knott Mill and Deansgate on 20 July 1849 by the Manchester, South Junction and Altrincham Railway. It used wooden buildings near the site of the annual Knott Mill Fair, a decades old event, which hosted acts such as Pablo Fanque's Circus Royal and George Wombwell's Menagerie.

In 1884 Manchester Corporation approached the MSJAR about the station as it was an "eyesore and nuisance." Improvement plans were drawn up but it was not until 1891 that an Act was obtained to reconstruct the station and acquire the necessary land. The rebuilding was completed in 1896. The station became Knott Mill and Deansgate around 1900 and Deansgate on 3 May 1971.

Free Metro-shuttle buses can be caught outside on Whitworth Street West - see yesterday's post.

A contribution to ABC Wednesday.

Victorian Post Box and Green Bus

In the foreground is a Victorian postbox M3 116 originally located at Knott Mill Station, junction of Deansgate and Chester Road, but now across the road from Deansgate Station (as it is now called) on Whitworth Street West.

In the background is one of the Manchester city centre Metroshuttles, free buses that link the main rail stations, car parks, shopping areas and businesses in Manchester city centre. Metroshuttle buses run from Piccadilly, Salford Central, Victoria, Oxford Road and Deansgate rail stations. There are three circular routes covering the main areas in the city centre. The service is funded by Manchester City Council, Transport for Greater Manchester, NCP and Allied London. The diesel-electric hybrid vehicles use less fuel and produce lower emissions than most standard buses and are made possible through the Green Bus Fund from the Department for Transport.

A contribution to Ruby Tuesday and Our World Tuesday.

The Rochdale Canal at Castlefields

In the Castlefields area of Manchester, an arch of the Castlefield Viaduct crosses the Rochdale Canal.

Reflected in the canal is part of Manchester's highest building, the Beetham Tower.

The canalside is home to Canada Geese. A ramped walkway leads down to the towpath.

Looking back from the towpath under the viaduct which carries the mainline railway through Deansgate. On the right is a former railway line now converted to carry the Metrolink Tramway.

A contribution to Weekend Reflections and Scenic Weekends as well as Sunday Bridges at San Francisco Bay Daily Photo.