Central School

[poppy]

A beautiful building now reduced to a pile of rubble. Shame

[Old Cruser]

Where's that school then Poppy? 

[Slacker]

The building that became Manor College that will make way for a modern and much needed new doctors' surgery in the area thanks to the extension of the conservation area being kicked out.

[poppy]

OC the building was at the top of Ashgate Road. It was part of Manor School until reorganisation in the 90's when it became part of Brookfield for a short time then as Slacker says it became Manor College. The Avondale Rd team of doctors bought it to build their new surgery. There was a bit of a protest but it has now been demolished and the docs will get a new surgery. I would have loved to see them keep the old building, it had a large central hall with the classrooms surrounding it. Seemed a perfect layout for waiting room and lots of consulting rooms to me. Pity.

[Pete]

My daughter worked there for a while quite recently and said it was in very poor condition with certain areas that were a bit dangerous and that they were not allowed to go there for safety reasons.

I think the cost of bringing it back would have been prohibitive.

We've seen other examples of buildings that were old and in bad condition that no one would buy because of the costs involved - with the new owners under the cosh of the planning rules and regulations.

I remember a building on Sheffield Road that was once owned by Stylax & Paradise (sp) opposite the old Grammar School. A friend wanted to buy it but couldn't afford all the costs laid down by the preservation folks. It just rotted away until it had to be pulled down.

Tricky situations...

[poppy]

I think you're right Pete. In fairness it was pretty run down when I worked there in the 90's. Funny you should mention the old Stylax factory. We were looking at some slides recently of when they pulled it down. It used to be the roller skating rink and the floors were a bit dodgy. The lady who worked there said it was a very spooky place.

[Pete]

Here ya go Poppy:

[Slacker]

It was only when the (manor) building failed to be given listed status that there were attempts to extend the conservation area to save it. It was not particularly interesting because it had unsympathetic alterations and extensions over the years. Neither was it practical to meet the requirements of access of a modern surgery.

[poppy]

Brilliant pic! Thanks Pete

[Pete]

NP

(That's me on the left...)

[Fly]

[cough]Really ?[/cough]

 

[Pete]

I'd try Benylin if it were me Flyboy... 

[poppy]

(That's me on the left...)


Very stylish!!

[Kent]

NP

(That's me on the left...)

what's your Left hand Doing ? 

[Pete]

I hope you mean the chap on the right! Looks like he's playing Pocket Billiards to me... 

(I'm the one in the Sgt Pepper outfit.)