Terracotta

Completed in 1902 this Grade II listed granite and terracotta building was donated to the people of Moretonhampstead by Thomas Benjamin Bowring. It was designed by Cornish architect Sylvanus Trevail. Upstairs there was a room fitted as a billiard room with Thomas Bowring acting as President of the Billiard and Snooker Club and donating prizes. Today it continues to be used as the town library.

Above the door at the premises of Wienholt, Pastrycook in Alderley Edge.

The premises the Alderley Edge pastrycook features a little terracotta decoration. After passing by in the car for many years I finally made the effort to stop and capture it on camera.

Jactin House in Ancoats was built by the Methodist Central Hall Mission to provide accommodation for men working in the nearby mills. Those who couldn't afford to pay for the accommodation were offered work in the adjoining work yard. This entrance on Murray Street indicates that it was erected in 1905 although there was a Men's Home on this site in the 1880s. It closed in 1951 and since then it has been used for a variety of small businesses but is now empty. It is likely to be converted to offices once the funding can be found.

The Albert Hall, on Peter Street in central Manchester, was built in 1910 as a Wesleyan Mission Hall. The baroque and gothic design with a frontage in buff faience is the work of architect W.J. Morley. It is listed Grade II but has been largely unused for several years.

The Bull and Gate on Waters Green, Macclesfield, closed as a pub some years ago and is now offices. The terracotta and round window reflect the rebuilding of the premises in 1927-28 by local firm George Rylance & Co at a cost of £4,400.

Castle Chambers, Opie St, Norwich, were buily in 1877 for solicitor Sydney Cozens-Hardy who had founded his practice in 1873. The building features yellow/buff brick with terracotta decoration and is listed Grade II. The firm of Cozens-Hardy LLP continues to occupy the building.

Art nouveau terracotta on the school at Over Peover.

The Slade Rooms, Broad Street, Wolverhampton. Much of the terracotta in central Wolverhampton seems to have a Green Man theme.

The Swan Lane No.3 Mill was built in 1914 to the design of Stott & Sons of Oldham. The Swan Lane Spinning Co Ltd. finally closed the mill in 1963 and it is now partly occupied by a range of businesses. It is listed Grade II* but is on the register of buildings at risk. This wonderful terracotta decoration is over the staff entrance which is hidden away in the mill yard.

Company name at the former offices of much loved shipbuilderson Navigation Rd in Northwich. I would not be surprised if this was a product of the local firm of Jabez Thompson and Sons Ltd.

The Tramway Offices on Mellor Street, Rochdale, are dated 1904. The brickwork on the building is all stamped Huncoat Plastic Accrington. The Rochdale Corporation Act of 1900 included proposals for new tramways. Construction started on 15 June 1901, and the first line was inspected on 15 May 1902 and opened one week later. The whole system was closed on 12 November 1932.

Battered terracotta on top of the disused Globe Inn, Whitworth Rd, Rochdale.

The Bolton School of Art and Design on Hilden Street was originally built in 1901 as Pupil Teachers' Centre. The architects were Bradshaw and Gass of Bolton. The building incorporates some fine terracotta ornamentation including a pair of shield-bearing lions which bear great similarity to those supplied by Dennis of Ruabon on the Co-op drapery building near the town centre.

The Shakespeare on Glynne Street, Farnworth, was built in 1926 for Bolton brewer Magee Marshall. The frontage is largely buff terracotta faience. It is listed Grade II for both the exterior and also the remarkably original interior.

The former Prince William Hotel at 11 Bradshawgate, Bolton displays a fine frontage of cream terracotta. It appeared to be closed down.

Plenty of Doulton terracotta on display at the entrance to the Refuge Building on Whitworth St, Manchester. This extension of the building along Whitworth Street was completed in 1932 by architect Stanley Birkett. It blends in superbly with the original building of 1891-95 and the first extension of 1910-12 which face onto Oxford Street. These days it is in multiple commercial uses.

Burmantofts terracotta including a pair of Wyverns on the side of an access stair at the Midland Hotel, Manchester. The Wyvern was the emblem of the Midland Railway Company, original owner of the hotel which opened in 1903.