The New Museum: History of the Arts and Crafts Centre

A brief History of the Arts and Crafts technical college, from 1894 to 2004 and its part in Adult Education in Bury.

Complied by Molly Smith in 1889. Revised 1991 and 1994 to include the Centenary

During the 1890's Bury was a flourishing industrial town with its factories busily producing cotton, engineering and papermaking products. Those in control of these industries persuaded the Local Authority to build a technical school to provide the children of working people with the opportunity to learn the essential skills of craftsmanship needed to work in the local industries.

The Foundation Stone was laid in June 1893 and was completed building was opened by Lord Derby on the 15th of September 1894. Local industrialists contributed specialised equipment and Henry Whitehead, a 'captain of industry' paid for Sparrow Park to be laid out, - it had been bought by the Local Authority should the Technical School need to be extended. It was widely accepted that the building of the Broad Street premises introduced a new era in the town's educational provision. The Art Exhibition which formed part of the opening festivities was visited by 40 000 people and this popularity prompted the Bury Times to urge the provision of a free Library and Art Gallery. It was accepted locally that the success of the Broad Street project helped to hasten the building of the excellent Library and Art Gallery that opened to the public in 1901.

The Technical School was the first school built by the Local Authority of Bury and included a replica of a 'Weaving Shed' with its specialised glass roof-lighting. This room was in continuous use for a variety of activities 100 years after its inception until the Arts and Crafts centre moved to its new building in 2004. The following is copied from "Jubilee Souvenir 1876 - 1926":

"The first step by the council in Education Matters was the provision of the Technical School and school of art in 1894 at a cost of £22, 102. These were intended to provide better facilities for practical work in Technical Education. These premises have been of great service to the town, providing not only for Technical Work but Commercial Classes as well. From 1899 to 1911, they were used as a Training Centre for Pupil Teachers, and are now home of the Junior Technical School.
In 1903, the Local Education Authority was made responsible for the schools in its area and the Board of Education was pressing for better organisation, so the Council advertised for a Principal of the Technical Day School and School of Art and Advisor on Co-Ordination of all types of Education. Some time later, in 1905, this office was merged in that of Director of Education.
From this time onward great improvements have been made. Instead of Elementary Schools being isolated units they form part of the united body, with definite work'… more details follow which end with the information … 'At thirteen, capable boys are admitted to the Junior Technical School where special training was given to prospective artisans. Evening Schools give additional chances to those who avail themselves of the opportunity of befitting by them, for many Scholarships are awarded whereby free tuition may be obtained at the Technical School and School of Art (The Municipal College). From the more advanced educational centres further Scholarships may be obtained to the Universities and Training Colleges … what glorious changes compared with 50 years ago."

The First-Time innovations stated above were an important factor in the historical value of the educational provisions in Bury. Inheriting first-time innovations which were to continue throughout forthcoming decades.

Eventually other subjects were added to the curriculum, such as science, french, maths, drawing, music, literature, natural history and domestic subjects that had been initiated by various local organisations - the Co-operative Movement, The Athenaeum Society and the Y.M.C.A - were gradually integrated into the class provision within the Broad Street Premises.

The wide variety of vocational and non-vocational subjects taught during the day time and evening classes continues to evolve through decades of change and the First World War. In the 1930's during the European craze for physical education led to keep-fit for women being introduced to the available classes at the Arts and Crafts centre. During this time the building was also the location of the Juvenile Magistrates Court.

The success of Technical Education at Broad Street encouraged the Local Authority to build a new Technical College on Market Street in Bury. This new College was completed in 1939 but the World War II was imminent and the new premises were taken over by the War Ministry (now MOD) for the duration of the war. The Arts and Crafts building remained the Technical School until 1946 with evening classes and a full time Art school. Those attending classes during wartime organised voluntary 'workshops' to make articles for servicemen overseas.

Post war period.

When the Technical pupils moved to the Market Street Building in 1946 Broad Street continued to be used. Pupils from schools throughout Bury for cookery, woodwork, and metalwork classes as most schools did not have the craft-room facilities. During the post war period apprentices of the painting and decorating trade attended Day-release courses leading to qualifications as recognised tradesmen. Most of their practical work was done in the 'weaving-shed.

The success of the provision for day-school pupils to learn the above subjects encouraged the Local Authority to introduce the building of 'craft rooms in the local schools. This is another example of the influence on the education provision in Bury due to the development within the premises on Broad Street.

Mid 1950's and 60's.

During the mid-1950's National Government regulations closed the Bury Art School. Following this decision the Local Education Committee made the momentous decision to use the premises as and Adult Education Centre to be known as the 'Bury School for Arts and Crafts'. During the late 1950's and early 1960's LS Lowry taught at the school, in the art room on the second floor.

In the 1960's it became the first (not confirmable) nationwide Local Education Authority (LEA) building to be used solely for the provision of Adult Education classes. With both day and evening classes. Extensive alteration were made within the structure of the building yet retaining much of its original design including the complete beautifully furnished Board-room.

During the 1960's many 'firsts' were introduced into the provision within the building, to give the local population the opportunity to develop their own potential. The National Coldsteam Committee visited the centre confirming that the provision offered was an example to be spread throughout the United Kingdom. From the Broad Street premises classes were spread into other buildings north, south, east and west of Bury town centre. Pre-fabricated buildings, which had once been part of Bury Church School, became a flourishing annexe. This annexe had its own canteen administered as was the one at Broad Street by the Students Association established in 1962.

As well as the wide variety of vocational and non-vocational classes there were many 'first meetings' of organisations that were later to become and accepted part of available services in the town such as Age concern. Nursery provision for students attending classes was introduced and training courses for volunteers for several voluntary organisations were developed and proved successful. The City and Guild Hairdressing courses - later transferred to the Bury College on Market Street - were first taught in the Arts and Crafts building.

Developments brought about the formation of the 'Centre Committee' with members from the Local Authority, full time and part time teaching and ancillary staff, students and user groups with representatives being elected to serve on the LEA Governing Body. The student's committee covered expenses until the introduction of the Membership Fee to be paid by all individuals attending the centre.

In 1968 there was an inexplicable controversial decision by the Education Committee to close the thriving Adult Education Service. The Student body gathered together to persuade the Local Authority to retain the service. The concentrated efforts were successful in saving the service but financial restrictions were placed on the provision which were to continue throughout the next twenty years.

The 1970's.

In 1974 on the introduction of the Metropolitan Borough of Bury, Bury School for Arts and Crafts, became part of the newly formed College of Adult Education. Having already lost its outlying districts, and the use of the Tenters Street Annexe the now 'Bury Arts and Crafts Centre was to see its provision reduced. This was to share the costs with the larger number of Adult Education Centres as the Borough had taken the centres in Radcliff, Prestwich, Whitefield and Ramsbottom and Tottington from Lancashire. During this period the Basic Adult Education unit became part of the provision.

The 1990's.

In the 1990's the building, which has been the centre of the development of Education in the Bury was again threatened with closure. The Student's Association initiated a campaign to retain Adult Education in the Borough and to save the Broad Street premises in particular - it was a difficult task. At the same time the student body including two architects convinced English Heritage that the building should be 'listed'. So it now has a grade II listing ensuring that any changes to the building have to be in sympathy with its and that its future is ensured. This success was soon followed by a further success against the Government decision to end Adult Education. The result was the Community Education Service which continues to this day.

By 1994 there had been a 100 years of continuous use as an Education establishment within the walls of the Victorian building in Bury town centre. The new administrators recognised this achievement with a centenary celebration. It included an exhibition within the centre and an exhibition of works of Art by artists connected with the varied provision within the building during the past 100 years hosted by Bury Art Gallery.

The Future.

"into a new era with a new Service and the beginning of another century of education, hopefully within this unusual building surrounding the base of its decorative chimney. … This chimney, with its carvings in the stonework could become a 'tourist attraction' as a monument to the period when factory chimneys littered the skyline above the town of Bury"

Molly Smith ended her recollections with this view of the future. The idea of a Tourist attraction will hopefully be realised with the move of the new Fusiliers Museum, Lancashire into this much loved building in 2008. The majority of the Adult Education provision moving to a new building near to Bury town hall known as the 'Halifax building' in 2004. The building is however not empty Adult educations classes, in Silver jewelry and pottery still continue in the basement. Art also continues to be a part of the building with 'Creative Industries' continuing to also occupy the building. The new museum will have a shop proving an outlet for the items made on the premises and the history of the building will be displayed in the new café.

Included on the web site with kind permission of Molly Smith now one of our much needed volunteer team and added to by Anna Bowman former Assistant Development Officer.