Another view of the old workhouse

This view of the former St Thomas' Hospital is from Junction Street looking over the site of Hollands Mill, itself demolished in 2007, only its gateposts remain.

The new Stockport Union Workhouse was erected in 1841. It was designed by Henry Bowman who was also responsible for the Congleton workhouse. It was built at Shaw Heath and was intended to accommodate up to 690 inmates.

The workhouse comprised a two-storey entrance block facing the main road at the south-west. Assorted other buildings were subsequently added at each side. The main accommodation building stood to the rear. It was a substantial red-brick building, largely four storeys high. Males were accommodated at the north side and females at the south. Children's quarters and school rooms were located in cross wings at each end of the main block, with the area to the front containing enclosed boys' and girls' exercise yards. To the rear, the men's and women's sides were divided by the kitchens, dining-hall and bakery. A wash-house and drying ground for laundering linen and clothes were located at the women's side, while a smithy and pig-sties were placed at the men's side.

After 1912, the workhouse was officially known as Stockport Poor Law Institution. It later became Shaw Heath Hospital, then from 1954 was known as St Thomas' Hospital. The hospital finally closed in 2003 and the site acquired by Stockport College as part of their campus expansion plans. Although planned for completion in 2011, the buildings remain derelict.

A closer view of the weather vane can be found in our post of 21st February.

A contribution to Skywatch Friday.

Half a Ghost

Wandering down Shaw Heath recently I came across this ghost sign on the gable end of a house.

The house is called Studley Villa and a name stone is embedded in the front wall.

According to a reference on rootsweb Robert Howell Jones died sometime after 1943, and at his death he was living at Studley Villa, 124 Shaw Heath, Stockport. He was a painter and decorator by trade.

This is the only information I could find about the house and the sign must date back to at least the 1940s.

A contribution to signs, signs.

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.

South of Stockport Station

From the top of Shaw Heath looking over the lines to the south of Stockport (formerly Edgeley) Station. The end of the middle platforms are just visible under the footbridge that connects King Street West to Thomson Street. On the right are buildings belonging to the Territorial Army Centre.

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

Workhouse cupola and weather vane

Two views of the cupola and weather vane on the top of the former St Thomas' Hospital, originally the Shaw Heath workhouse.

The left-hand view is from the site of Hollands Mill as glimpsed in the post of 16th February.

The right-hand view is from Flint Street as glimpsed in the post of 19th February.

A contribution to Skywatch Friday.

Signs at Junction Road

Junction Road is a narrow street that leads off Shaw Heath by its junction with Longshut Lane West.

The name sign is typical of the old style of street-name signs throughout Stockport.

There is a weight-restriction sign prohibiting vehicles of over 3.5 tons "except for access".

A wider view of Junction Road can be seen on Geograph.

A contribution to signs, signs.

F is for Flint Street

Flint Street is off Shaw Heath. On the left is Our Lady and the Apostles Social Club. On the right are buildings previously belonging to St Thomas' Hospital. In the background is part of Stockport College.

This view is looking into the grounds of the former hospital, originally a workhouse.

For more information about it see the post Shadows outside the workhouse which shows it from the other side.

A contribution to ABC Wednesday.

Hollands Mill Gatepost

All that is left of Hollands Mill which was demolished in 2007 is this gatepost on the corner of Shaw Heath.

To the left is the former St Thomas' Hospital. If you look up the road on the right you'll see a tree which is the same tree featured in yesterday's post Shadows outside the workhouse where you can read more about the former hospital.

This is the view across from the site of Hollands Mill looking up Shaw Heath.

I don't know what the figures actually represent but they may have something to do with the fact that the Armoury is at the other end of the road as shown in our post of 15th January.

A contribution to Monday Murals.

Shadows outside the workhouse

A view of one of the derelict buildings belonging to the former St Thomas' Hospital.

The new Stockport Union Workhouse was erected in 1841. It was designed by Henry Bowman who was also responsible for the Congleton workhouse. It was built at Shaw Heath and was intended to accommodate up to 690 inmates.

The workhouse comprised a two-storey entrance block facing the main road at the south-west. Assorted other buildings were subsequently added at each side. The main accommodation building stood to the rear. It was a substantial red-brick building, largely four storeys high. Males were accommodated at the north side and females at the south. Children's quarters and school rooms were located in cross wings at each end of the main block, with the area to the front containing enclosed boys' and girls' exercise yards. To the rear, the men's and women's sides were divided by the kitchens, dining-hall and bakery. A wash-house and drying ground for laundering linen and clothes were located at the women's side, while a smithy and pig-sties were placed at the men's side.

In 1905, a new office and board-room block was erected at the west of the workhouse site at the corner of Flint Street which was featured in a post here on 4th February.

A plan of the workhouse in 1851 and photographs by Peter Higginbotham dated 2001 and 2006 can be found on the Workhouses website.

After 1912, the workhouse was officially known as Stockport Poor Law Institution. It later became Shaw Heath Hospital, then from 1954 was known as St Thomas' Hospital. The hospital finally closed in 2003 and the site acquired by Stockport College as part of their campus expansion plans. Although planned for completion in 2011, the buildings remain derelict.

A contribution to Shadow Shot Sunday.

Signs on the old workhouse

"Welcome to edge hill Faculty of Health" says the sign on the left of the doorway of the former workhouse building once part of St Thomas' Hospital. "Press buzzer and wait for response" it says underneath but the building has been empty and derelict for some time - see earlier post Union Offices of Shaw Heath Workhouse for more details.

The sign on the door itself informs "Stockport Community Drugs Team is located around the corner of Flint Street".

A contribution to signs, signs.

Union Offices of Shaw Heath Workhouse

A workhouse was designed by Henry Bowman and built at Shaw Heath to accommodate up to 690 inmates. The workhouse later became Shaw Heath Hospital, then from 1954 was known as St Thomas' Hospital. The hospital finally closed in 2004 and the site acquired by Stockport College as part of their campus expansion. This building photographed here was built in 1905 as a new office and board-room block and was erected at the west of the workhouse site at the corner of Flint Street.

Information is scarce as to its exact function prior to closing in 2004. What is known is that it was used by Edge Hill University as a Faculty of Health comprising several functions including teaching. It was also used by Stockport Community Alcohol Team as a drop in centre and needle exchange. Additionally it was a drop in centre for victims of domestic violence.

Photographs of the derelict interior can be found on the Derelict Places website.

A contribution to Ruby Tuesday and Our World Tuesday.

Our Lady & The Apostles

The Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady and the Apostles was built in 1903-5 to replace an earlier church dedicated to St Philip and St James. It was designed by Edmund Kirby of Liverpool, the west front being similar to that of the Church of the Sacred Heart, Chorley by Kirby, 1894. In 1925 the sanctuary was redesigned as a First World War memorial with a new high altar backed by a cawed oak screen. Re-ordering of the church in circa 1989 saw the extension of this screen converting the sanctuary into an enclosed sanctuary chapel, with a new high altar, font and lectern placed before the chancel arch.

It was designated as Grade II listed for the following principal reasons:

1. Its architecturally impressive exterior, particularly the treatment of the west front facing Shaw Heath;
2. The high quality of its interior, both in terms of overall design and the detailing, especially the early C2O fittings;
3. The additional interest of later alterations such as the sanctuary chapel with its war memorial high altar and the eastern stained glass windows.

More information can be found on the church website.

A contribution to Inspired Sundays.

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.