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| The Nicholson Institute | The tower of the Nicholson Institute |
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| Detail of Window Decoration | South wing, showing seven of the tableau. | |
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| Cookery | Needlework | |
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The Leek Municipal Technical and High School and County Silk School was opened by Her Royal Highness Princess Victoria May DUCHESS OF YORK on the twenty eighth day of July Anno Domini one thousand and nine hundred Robert Wright Chairman of Urban District
Council Wm. Sugden and Sons, Architects Thomas
Grace, Builder |
This Building devoted to the Physical
Education of the Youth of Leek is the gift of William Carr, a native of the town. This cornerstone was laid by His Royal Highness Prince George Frederick Ernest Albert DUKE of YORK on the twenty eighth day of July, Anno Domini one thousand nine hundred Robert Wright, Chairman of the Urban District Council John Hall, Chairman of the Education Committee Wm. Sugden and Sons, Architects Thomas
Grace, Builder |
The Nicholson Institute was built at the expense of Joshua Nicholson, a local manufacturer, in memory of Richard Cobden. It was opened in 1884. It is a brick-built three storey building designed by the Leek firm of architects W. Sugden and Son. It has a tower, surmounted by a dome and lantern. The institute provided a library, art gallery, museum and school of art. The library was free to people living within 6 miles of the town. After three years the library was supported by the town as the local authority, at that time the improvement commissioners. The library is now run by Staffordshire County Council. In 1900 the building was extended to create a school and silk school. It has ornamental modelling and and lettering by A. Broadbent. On the day that I took most of the photographs shown here, I was fortunate to meet the caretaker, who showed me some of the main features of the interior.
Given its position, set back from the Stockwell Street, the Institute is not easy to photograph in its entirety. From the main road, the building is partially obscured by the 17th century stone-built Greystones house. Among the features of interest on the exterior of the building are a set of fine tableaux over the windows depicting activities at the school. Among them are tableaux depicting Science, Physics and Chemistry, Music, Art, Literature, Cookery, Needlework, Dyeing, Manual Instruction, Weaving, Commerce and Agriculture. Inside there is a doorway with decoration over the lintel shown below, reminding students that time is flying. To the south of the main building is a the centre for physical education, added in 1900.
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| Old Time is Still a Flying | Plaque on the Extension |
The decoration over the door showing the clock reminds students that time is flying. I have erased digitally the modern red fire bell that spoils the overall appearance of the design. The stone plaque on the extension reads:
These Buildings (in Extension of the Nicholson Institute) are erected for the Leek School of Science and Technology and High School and County Silk School and are devoted in perpetuity to the Cause of Education to the Betterment of the State of all Members of the Community and to the Improvement of the trades of the town. This corner-stone was laid the 24th day of July one thousand eight hundred and ninety nine by Her Grace Millicent, fourth Duchess of Sutherland
Source:
The Victoria History of the County of Staffordshire, Volume VII, Leek and the Moorlands, OUP, 1996, ISBN 0-19-722786-4, page 153.
