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View Full Version : Manchester City Hall. Heritage Day. Sept 12th 2010. Pic Heavy.



SilentHill
13-09-2010, 02:13 PM
Day two of the Heritage weekend saw myself, Juddersman62 and joybee head over to Manchester to see the magnificent Town Hall. We had intended to take in the Law Library and the Victorian Baths as well, but this place was just too beautiful to leave. If any of you haven't been here before! Then I highly recommend you do. It literally took my breath away.

Here's some of the history.

The building of Manchester Town Hall (1868 - 77) was undertaken because the neo-classical Town Hall in King Street had become too small to house the expanding business of the Corporation. A competition was held and won by Alfred Waterhouse (1830 - 1905), mainly for his ingenious planning. The site was an irregular triangle on which had to be fitted a large hall, a suite of reception rooms and living quarters for the Lord Mayor, as well as offices for all the Corporation departments and a chamber for Council meetings. Waterhouse successfully combined the ceremonial and workaday requirements.

The Town Hall was designed in the thirteenth century Gothic style but it was, in Waterhouse's words, a building "essentially of the nineteenth century." It incorporated such innovations as a warm air heating system. The structure comprises fourteen million bricks encased in spinkwell stone.

The exterior of the Town Hall, which is now a Grade One listed building, bears some notable sculptures. Over the main door is a statue of the Roman General Agricola, who founded Mamucium in 79 AD. Above him are Henry III and Elizabeth I, while at the apex of the main door gable is a statue of St. George.

Centrally placed is the imposing 280 foot high clock tower. The clock mechanism was made by Gillet and Bland, and was started on New Year's Day 1879. The inscription on the three clock faces which are visible from Albert Square reads "Teach us to number our Days." There are 24 bells in the tower; the Great Hour Bell weighs 8 ton and 2 cwt and is called Great Abel, named after Abel Heywood, the Mayor at the time of the official opening. He laid the pinnacle stone of the spire on December 4th 1875. The formal opening ceremony took place on 13 September 1877.

The cost of the Town Hall was around £1 million. The main Albert Square entrance has an archway 7 feet deep - the thickness of the wall supporting the main tower. In the glass mosaic roof of the entrance hall is an oak trapdoor through which the tower's bells can be lowered to street level. On one side of the entrance hall is Chantrey's statue of the famous chemist and philosopher, John Dalton and on the other, a statue of the great physicist, James Joule.
Sculpture Hall

The Sculpture Hall is on the right of the main entrance. This unusual hall measures 53 feet by 33 feet wide, with a groined roof of Bath stone brought from the Forest of Dean. Amongst the statues are those of conductor Sir Charles Hallé; Anti-corn Law League campaigners, Richard Cobden and John Bright and the remarkable triptych of celebrated Hallé Orchestra conductor, Sir John Barbirolli.
Staircases

Seven staircases lead from level one to level two. The first two make up the grand staircases leading up from the Sculpture Hall to the state rooms; then there are the two centre block staircases followed by the three spiral staircases which are known as the English, Scottish and Irish staircases because each country provided granite for the steps and columns of one of them. Waterhouse designed the "easy tread stairs" to enable the Victorian ladies in their finery to ascend the stairs without having to look down. He ingeniously concealed the gas pipe, which carried the gas for the lighting, underneath the banister rails of the spiral staircases.
Great Hall and state rooms

The second floor is the most impressive of the Town Hall and contains the Great Hall and the staterooms.

* The Lord Mayor's Parlour is a lofty room hung with portraits of public figures and paintings presented to the authority.
* The Reception Room has a fireplace of alabaster and bears the figures of Truth and Justice.
* The Banqueting Room boasts two fireplaces, one of Hopton Wood stone and the other of oak. Above one of the fireplaces is the minstrels' gallery.
* The Conference Hall, which was the original Council Chamber, contains an interesting oak screen and canopy and a gallery. Above the landing in front of
* The Great Hall is a glazed skylight on which are inscribed the names of mayors, lord mayors and chairs of the Council since Manchester received its Charter of Corporation in 1838. The superb ceiling of the Great Hall is separated into panels bearing the arms of the principal countries and towns with which Manchester traded. The landing outside the Great Hall is known as the Bees. On the mosaic floor is a pattern of bees. The bee is symbolic of Manchester's industry and is found on the city's coat of arms. Manchester's involvement in the cotton trade is commemorated by a border of white strands and stylised cotton flowers on the mosaic floors. The 4,500 yards of marble flooring was laid by Venetian craftsmen.


The usual externals to kick things off.

I hope you enjoy :thumb

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/Manchester%20City%20Hall/CH13.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/Manchester%20City%20Hall/CH12.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/Manchester%20City%20Hall/CH1.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/Manchester%20City%20Hall/CH9.jpg

The Central Courtyard.

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/Manchester%20City%20Hall/CH38.jpg

The Arched Walkway.

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/Manchester%20City%20Hall/CH3.jpg

The dramatic curvature between the Town Hall extension and the Library.

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/Manchester%20City%20Hall/CH7.jpg

And now the interior of this stunning building.

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/Manchester%20City%20Hall/MC51.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/Manchester%20City%20Hall/CH40.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/Manchester%20City%20Hall/CH41.jpg

I love the way the light makes the 24 carat gold leaf on the ceiling glow.

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/Manchester%20City%20Hall/MC53.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/Manchester%20City%20Hall/CH42.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/Manchester%20City%20Hall/CH43.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/Manchester%20City%20Hall/CH51.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/Manchester%20City%20Hall/CH47.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/Manchester%20City%20Hall/CH50.jpg

The Bees :)

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/Manchester%20City%20Hall/CH35.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/Manchester%20City%20Hall/CH44.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/Manchester%20City%20Hall/CH15.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/Manchester%20City%20Hall/CH27.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/Manchester%20City%20Hall/CH24.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/Manchester%20City%20Hall/CH25.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/Manchester%20City%20Hall/CH29.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/Manchester%20City%20Hall/CH46.jpg

More to follow :thumb

SilentHill
13-09-2010, 02:28 PM
And the rest.........

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/Manchester%20City%20Hall/MC50.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/Manchester%20City%20Hall/MC55.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/Manchester%20City%20Hall/MC54.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/Manchester%20City%20Hall/CH37.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/Manchester%20City%20Hall/CH19.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/Manchester%20City%20Hall/CH52.jpg

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http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/Manchester%20City%20Hall/CH20.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/Manchester%20City%20Hall/CH22.jpg

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http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/Manchester%20City%20Hall/CH28.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/Manchester%20City%20Hall/CH31.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/Manchester%20City%20Hall/CH30.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/Manchester%20City%20Hall/CH34.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/Manchester%20City%20Hall/CH33.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/Manchester%20City%20Hall/CH36.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/Manchester%20City%20Hall/CH16.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/Manchester%20City%20Hall/CH32.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/Manchester%20City%20Hall/CH17.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/SilentThrill/Manchester%20City%20Hall/CH45.jpg

Thanks for looking :thumb

ceejam
13-09-2010, 02:38 PM
What a superb report on a truly stunning place, :thumb
"And the rest" you are so sad fella.....:lol:
Keep it up fella truly magnificent stuff you are pumping out lately bud :thumb

SilentHill
13-09-2010, 02:41 PM
Get yer arse here ceejam....... You will simply love it ;)

ceejam
13-09-2010, 02:48 PM
So wish I could have done it, yes I think I would love it too, Just a good job you captured it so well. It certainly is as close to being there when you've done it so well. :thumb

ERNIE99_UK
13-09-2010, 02:55 PM
Thats cool, the halls a bit harry potter.

S8
13-09-2010, 03:50 PM
Bloody hell fire, who knew Manchester would have something so Grand :lol:

SilentHill
13-09-2010, 04:05 PM
wow incredible, from the Bees to the arches!! how often is that place open? id drive over to see that anytime!!

You're best bet is to ring them mate. We decided against joining the hourly mass tour and wandered at will. Although we did have to sign a disclaimer seeing as we looked the part with a multitude of camera gear :lol:

It's deffo worth the trip if you can get permission to photograph it :thumb

evilnoodle
13-09-2010, 04:40 PM
Totally stunning :smclap

bucolic
13-09-2010, 05:34 PM
Just ring they will always let you take images over the weekends had a good old mooch here in the past myself, all so at night we was just getting some shelter from the rain in the door way security said cool to have a wonder on the open parts some years back but there relaxed about people taking images.. Stunning set BTW..

judderman62
13-09-2010, 07:36 PM
meh it was OK

Some absolute belters there mate - nicely captured.

S8
13-09-2010, 08:34 PM
:lol::lol::lol: i was thinking the same thing too whilst looking at this report,stunning,nice pics bud:thumb

:lol:

I keep thinking the same of Liverpool :lol:\\\\\

scrappy
13-09-2010, 08:57 PM
what a great report, thanks for sharing that, every pics a great one! really wish i got to go somewhere this weekend for the open days, but for some bloody reason i had it in my head it was this weekend coming up so missed out! :(

Midnight Rambler
13-09-2010, 09:10 PM
Absolutely stunning building! :thumb

KingElvis
14-09-2010, 08:10 AM
That's lovely, is this the one that has a posh floor which is covered up and only wheeled out every ten years?

Love the bees too.

S8
14-09-2010, 08:53 AM
ahhh loads to see in Liverpool mate:lol::lol::wflag

:lol:

I know,. I keep finding more and more things everytime I am up! I need to go to the proper old skool pub in the centre of town!

boxerheaven
14-09-2010, 09:37 AM
wow thats fantastic :)

SilentHill
14-09-2010, 10:28 AM
That's lovely, is this the one that has a posh floor which is covered up and only wheeled out every ten years?

Love the bees too.

Not sure mate. Obviously there were certain parts that were sectioned off to the public which was a shame as I could have spent many more hours in here drooling and wondering what else this fantastic building had to offer.

S8
14-09-2010, 10:47 AM
So glad to read this is Grade I listed, English Heritage making sense, jeez!

boxfrenzy
14-09-2010, 01:49 PM
I like this place a lot. I like the pictures a lot. I like looking at them.

SilentHill
15-09-2010, 12:18 PM
Thanks to all for the comments :thumb Glad you enjoyed it.

scrappy
15-09-2010, 12:51 PM
Scrappy, plenty of the places are open again this friday and Saturday if you check the English Heritage website, last weekend i only did places i knew i couldnt do again and left a few for this weekend coming. Only a few thou, infact some locations are open all the time but not as part of heritage open days if you get me.

thanks mate ill have a look! :)

Rochester
16-09-2010, 11:06 AM
Absolutely stunning architecture and images, extremely well done SH..

SilentHill
16-09-2010, 11:16 AM
Absolutely stunning architecture and images, extremely well done SH..

Cheers fella :thumb

joybee
17-09-2010, 09:09 PM
Gorgeous stuff SH, as always :thumb

judderman62
18-09-2010, 11:31 PM
Ah well might as well chuck a few in. Truly wonderful place this and enjoyed every second.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4153/5002472240_bcc9303c78_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4108/5002473236_1d1836ac27_z.jpg

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http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4129/5001873285_87c4d9b334_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4083/5001874897_2f5831f8e8_z.jpg


Stairwell


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/5001880117_86759bdf84_z.jpg


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4110/5001882751_a58842abed_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4112/5002489320_7d845c726c_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4089/5002493450_736aacebff_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4112/5002495198_11df23daa0_z.jpg

few more to follow ....

Rochester
18-09-2010, 11:36 PM
Stunners there Judders..

judderman62
18-09-2010, 11:40 PM
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/5001893071_9765895c8b_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4131/5002501736_8fd882c050_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/5002503072_8e0cb6bdc7_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4150/5001902641_586c6c1e62_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4109/5001903427_db961acbd5_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4154/5002509452_c1a41d8f37_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4104/5002511420_5674895986_z.jpg

thanks for looking

judderman62
18-09-2010, 11:41 PM
thanks fella :)

Rochester
18-09-2010, 11:49 PM
thanks fella :)

most of those are outstanding mate.

judderman62
18-09-2010, 11:53 PM
most of those are outstanding mate.

thanks again :ty

joybee
19-09-2010, 10:45 AM
most of those are outstanding mate.

They certainly are :thumb Think mine better stay in the bowels of my photobucket! :wflag

ceejam
19-09-2010, 07:24 PM
Amazing stuff there fella. :thumb

Midnight Rambler
19-09-2010, 07:29 PM
Just a stunning place and the pics do it justice.

judderman62
19-09-2010, 07:37 PM
thanks folks

SilentHill
20-09-2010, 12:50 PM
Most excellent camera work Judders :thumb Justice indeed to a beautiful building.

bucolic
20-09-2010, 01:48 PM
Holy fuck some images there people contact them at The Town Hall i just know they will one love them and you might just sell them some.. Just fucking stunning goes of and hides and stops even thinking he is an image maker..

S8
20-09-2010, 02:11 PM
Holy fuck some images there people contact them at The Town Hall i just know they will one love them and you might just sell them some.. Just fucking stunning goes of and hides and stops even thinking he is an image maker..

Eh? What? Sprechen ze Deutche?

judderman62
27-09-2010, 08:50 PM
Viccie baths is good too though. Yeah Manchester Town Hall was a bit special I have to say

Trampit
16-08-2011, 10:57 PM
Town Hall pics...
WOW! AMAZING GAFF THAT. AWESOME PICS DUDE. WELL DONE!!!!!

SilentHill
17-08-2011, 03:47 PM
:ty:thumb