Stockport Masonic Guildhall

This is the Wellington Road South entrance to Stockport Masonic Guildhall which was built in 1868 and is now used as a conference centre and a wedding venue.

A contribution to Whimsical Windows, Delirious Doors
as well as Our World Tuesday
and for the letter G at ABC Wednesday.

Armoury Blue Plaque

Yesterday I posted photographs of the Stockport Volunteer Armoury.

A Blue Plaque on the tower was unveiled in 2007 by the Stockport Heritage Trust.

A contribution to signs, signs.

A is for Armoury

The Stockport Volunteer Armoury (the one on the left) is Grade II listed. It was built in 1860 and consists mainly of an octagonal tower in red brick with pointed copper cap. Raised by public subscription for the 4th Cheshire Battalion Rifle Volunteers in defence against Napoleon III. It was opened in 1862 and has been occupied by Volunteer Regiments, principally the 22nd (Cheshire) Regiment.

It is now in use by the Territorial Army. The building has been altered with loss of the original gateway and Sergeant Major’s quarters. An extension to the front in the angle between the tower and the mess/office range was probably made in the late 19th century and is shown in early 20th century photographs. A variety of other extensions and additions, mainly to the north side, were made in the mid and later 20th century.

The other "Armoury" across Greek Street on the corner of Shaw Heath is a Robinson's pub noted for its Darts Super Leauge Team.

A contribution to ABC Wednesday.

Iranian Culture & Art Community

Sign for the the Iranian Culture & Art Community (Manchester) at the former Zantec Workshop on Bamford Street.

A contribution to signs, signs.

Z is for Zantec Workshop

Zantec is an independent, company (established 1990) that specialises in the design, supply, installation and commissioning of industrial catering equipment and ancillary products.

Having relocated to Dialstone Road, their former premises on Bamford Street are currently the home of the Iranian Culture & Art Community (Manchester)

A contribution to ABC Wednesday.

R is for Rat Pit

A plaque on the wall of the Rat Pit, unveiled in 2007, commemorates William Watson who was born in a house that previously stood on the site. He was a stoker on the ill-fated Titanic and was buried at sea on the 24th April 1912, aged 27 years.

More of his story can be seen on the Bents Lane Social Club website.

Bents Lane Social Club was named after the former wooden building built on stilts, which it replaced. It had been known locally as "The Rat Pit", and now boasts that name on its frontage.

The building is the local polling station for elections. Can the locals be the only ones in the United Kingdom to vote at an officially designated rat pit?

A contribution to ABC Wednesday and A contribution to signs, signs.

Abbey House

Sandwiched between the Prudential Assurance Building (1922) and The Imperial on St Petersgate is Abbey House. It was built on the site of the Theatre Royal which closed in the late 1950s and was demolished in 1962. Originally the Stockport branch of the Abbey National Building Society (before it became a bank), in the noughties it was a nightclub called "sk One" which closed around 2008/9. Some of the upper storeys have been/are being used as offices.

A contribution to ABC Wednesday.

The Bambooza

Next to the Bulls Head on Market Place is the nightclub, Bambooza. The grade II listed building was erected for the Bank of Stockport to designs of T. A. Allen in 1868. It was taken over by the Manchester County Bank in 1871, which was itself subsequently taken over by the National Westminster Bank.

A contribution to Our World Tuesday.

R is for Rat Pit

Bents Lane Social Club at Bredbury was named after a former wooden building built on stilts, which it replaced. It had been known locally as "The Rat Pit", and it now boasts that name on its frontage.

A plaque on the wall commemorates William Watson who was born in a house that previously stood on the site. He was a stoker on the Titanic and the only person from Stockport to perish on the ship. It was unveiled in 2007 by Stockport Heritage Trust.

A contribution to ABC Wednesday.