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Posted by TomSO on 1st December 2011 at 07:05 PM
Video: Unseen Salford History - Part 3
by Tony Flynn and Tom Rodgers

In this episode continuing our journey around Salford Magistrates Court, we move out of the crumbling, damp cellars to take a look at more of the hidden treasures of this building.

But before we leave the cellars, it is worth mentioning the downstairs Gents, eight porcelain urinals in all, made by the Salford company of Giddings and Dacre.

These would have been used by the staff at the Town Hall but certainly not the prisoners in the cells, no such luxuries for them!

As we ascend upstairs to the ground floor we pass along tiled corridors, mosaic tiled floors and a huge tiled stairwell with awesome emerald green tiles in an ornate Art Nouveau style.

We believe these tiles may have been made by the local pottery company of Pilkington's, again we are fascinated to know what will happen to them when the building finally shuts down on 21st December 2011.

Did you know that this building has an upstairs ballroom? Neither did we.

It is more of a function room with a bar, however there is a small dancefloor for wandering magistrates....

Coronation Street have filmed part-episodes in the upstairs space, and the room has been used by several film companies including the BBC and Red Productions, who made a retrospective look at the early career of Morcambe and Wise.

However, the highlight of this tour is the three incredible stained glass windows on the first floor which depict the history of our beloved city and are truly magnificent to behold.

The detail and craftsmanship is breathtaking and it would be a criminal act if these stained glass windows were to be destroyed or moved when the courts leave Salford.



Related Links

WATCH: Part 1 click here
WATCH: Part 2 click here
WATCH: Part 4 click here
Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by fish4 ( member )  22nd December 2011
Wow.tiles!!!, so many fantastic examples of Victorian tiles have been bulldozed away, even lowly pubs were decorated with them, hope these dont go the same way. Stained glass winders!, love them!, sad as it sounds; I could sit and look at these for hours!, maybe I suffer from some sort of 'ism' but more likely that I see then as jewels!. The painted designs; heat treated onto glass?, however, they are beautiful examples of somebody's talent. Cannot get enough of tiles and stained glass!. thanks for sharing this vid Tony, love it!.

Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Joe Bradaun ( member )  3rd December 2011
This is brilliant, thanks fellas! I'd love to have a rummage around such a building, I hope it's handed to somebody responsible who will cherish its history and beauty more than its financial potential!

Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Salford and Proud ( member )  1st December 2011
What incredible stained glass windows and the tiled stairs, please keep them in Salford, love the bit about the blokes bog's. Keep 'em coming.

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