T
The Mancunian Way
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The following article appeared in yesterday's M.E.N. along with a big picture of The Smiths huddled together at the door of the SLC.
'Heritage Bid by club The Smiths made famous'
From Music Mecca to National Treasure?
A building that attracts music fans from around the world is trying to preserve its place in history.
Salford Lads Club hopes to mark its centenary by gaining listed building staus.
The red bricked Edwardian gem on the Ordsall estate is already famous world wide after 1980's cult band, The Smiths, used it for a photo shoot.
Over the years thousands of Smiths fans from across the globe have made the pilgrimage to the building.
Now an architectural historian and author has helped the club submit an application to the government for it to be recognised as a building of national importance.
Only two years ago, National Lottery chiefs suggested the building be demolished when the club made an unsuccessful bid for £400,000 needed for urgent repairs to the roof.
They suggested knocking the building down and replacing it with a new one which would be a cheaper option.
Brian Ball the honorary secretary of the club said 'it's one of the the very few architecturally important buildings left standing in Salford. It would be a great way to celebrate our centenary. We still need funding to repair the roof but we are getting money from other organisations.
Thw building was opened in 1903 by Lord Baden Powell - we are hoping to stage an exhibition later this year depicting its history.'
Community artist Leslie Holmes, who has been involved in heritage projects at the club said 'Salford Lads Club should be recognised as a national treasure. For it to be used for the purpose it was built for 100 years later shows how much the community continue to value it.'
The Smiths posed outside the club for the inside cover of 'The Queen is Dead' album in 1986 and also used it as a backdrop for the 'Stop me if you think that you've heard this one before' promo in 1987. It also appeared on the cover of Russel Watson's album 'The Voice'.
'Heritage Bid by club The Smiths made famous'
From Music Mecca to National Treasure?
A building that attracts music fans from around the world is trying to preserve its place in history.
Salford Lads Club hopes to mark its centenary by gaining listed building staus.
The red bricked Edwardian gem on the Ordsall estate is already famous world wide after 1980's cult band, The Smiths, used it for a photo shoot.
Over the years thousands of Smiths fans from across the globe have made the pilgrimage to the building.
Now an architectural historian and author has helped the club submit an application to the government for it to be recognised as a building of national importance.
Only two years ago, National Lottery chiefs suggested the building be demolished when the club made an unsuccessful bid for £400,000 needed for urgent repairs to the roof.
They suggested knocking the building down and replacing it with a new one which would be a cheaper option.
Brian Ball the honorary secretary of the club said 'it's one of the the very few architecturally important buildings left standing in Salford. It would be a great way to celebrate our centenary. We still need funding to repair the roof but we are getting money from other organisations.
Thw building was opened in 1903 by Lord Baden Powell - we are hoping to stage an exhibition later this year depicting its history.'
Community artist Leslie Holmes, who has been involved in heritage projects at the club said 'Salford Lads Club should be recognised as a national treasure. For it to be used for the purpose it was built for 100 years later shows how much the community continue to value it.'
The Smiths posed outside the club for the inside cover of 'The Queen is Dead' album in 1986 and also used it as a backdrop for the 'Stop me if you think that you've heard this one before' promo in 1987. It also appeared on the cover of Russel Watson's album 'The Voice'.
