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WIGAN TECH.

15 Comments

Wigan Technical College 1900
Wigan Technical College 1900
Photo: RON HUNT
Views: 2,229
Item #: 25984
This is the drawing and plan,of the winning design, for the building of the Wigan Technical Collage in Library street. From the Building News July 20th 1900

Comment by: Giovanni on 8th February 2015 at 11:36

Interesting to note that the Scottish architects, Briggs & Wolstenholme also designed the Port of Liverpool Building, part of the "Three Graces".
Aside, I remember attending a few dances there in the 60's organised by the students from the "new tech".

Comment by: Albert. on 8th February 2015 at 12:45

I was a day release, and a night school student here, in 1951/52
Because of matters beyond my control. I did not complete the course, and in consequence, I joined the R.A.F. It proved eventually, to have been by far, my better judgement.

Comment by: Aubrey on 8th February 2015 at 13:45

Interesting to see the terrraced houses in Millgate where the baths are now situated. Another good set Ron.

Comment by: RON HUNT on 8th February 2015 at 15:08

Hi Aubrey, yes the views of the houses where primarily why I put this picture on the site. The one on the left must be what was PENNIGTONS, the building is still there but empty. Don't know who owns it, but it is a listed building. No doubt THEY???? will wait until it falls into so much disrepair it will have to be demolished like the old police station.

Comment by: RON HUNT on 8th February 2015 at 15:26

Just looked at the original again and the house I thought was PENNINGTONS appears to be on the same side of Millgate as the college as it's the back of the house you can see.

Comment by: Aubrey on 8th February 2015 at 15:41

Yes Ron, they are the back of the houses and they all seem to have been built with an extension to the rear

Comment by: Aubrey on 8th February 2015 at 15:57

It seems this drawing did become the eventual building though it would appear an extension was added at the rear, probably re-placing those houses across from Pennington's.

Comment by: Keith on 8th February 2015 at 17:30

The houses referred to, are they not next to the Mining College (as opposed to being "across the road"), in this illustration, and were they not removed so that an extension could be built. If you look at the present day google map and compare you can see that there is more Technical College building going beyond the farthest "triangular arch" and side entrance in Hewlett Street, shown on the illustration. Don't know when an extension was added but the don't appear on these plans.

Comment by: Ernest Pyke on 8th February 2015 at 23:11

See photo #23446 which is last on page 2 in Album, Schools. Wigan Mining and Technical College - read my comments.

Comment by: Helen on 9th February 2015 at 09:05

This is where my Grandfather Thomas Bryson was a lecturer in Mining back in the 30/40's

Comment by: DerekB on 9th February 2015 at 14:06

This must be a strong contender for The Ugliest Building in The World award.

Comment by: Ben on 9th February 2015 at 17:47

Extension added 1928.

Comment by: Josh on 9th February 2015 at 17:50

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Comment by: DerekB on 10th February 2015 at 15:39

Josh, couldn't agree more with your comment about beauty being in the eye of the beholder - each to his own. I know that by no means does everyone share my view that all Victorian/Edwardian architecture is ugly and depressing to look at. no one was more pleased than I was when there was forced demolition on what was left of the old town hall in King St.

Comment by: trewyth on 20th February 2015 at 07:47

The large glass panels in the roof gave light to studios for the art school.

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