Fence Almshouse and Ye Olde Shoppe. Macclesfield

THE FENCE ALMSHOUSES AND "YE OLD SHOP," MACCLESFIELD. - The almshouses are built for Mr F. D. Brocklehurst in the form of a hollow square, the drawing illustrated being the centre block. The walls are of Ruabon bricks, with Hollington stone dressings. The half-timber work is of solid English oak. The roof is covered with stone slates. The contract was carried out by Messrs George Roylance and Co., Ltd., of Macclesfield. This shop was rebuilt a short time since. Some attempt has been made to retain the old world associations. The walls are of Ruabon brick, with Hollington stone dressings, and the timber work is of solid framing. The roof is covered with Yorkshire stone slates. The contract was carried out by Messrs Geo. Roylance and Co., Ltd., of Macclesfield. The following is an account of the finding of the beautiful timber window from an old oratory on the site. The photograph on the illustration plate shows its charm of detail. In 1897 one of the older landmarks of Macclesfield was removed. This was a tiny building in the Market place, known as "The Old Snuff Shop." When this was taken down a Medieval wall was revealed, consisting of a framework of oak beams, filled with "wattle and daub." In this wall is a 14th century window, divided into two lights by a centre mullion. The openings are arched and cusped, and the spandrel above is also cusped. The tracery and framework are all of oak. When found, the openings were filled in with "wattle and daub." The window had evidently been blocked up before the building of the little shop, which had been reared up against the older structure, and had thus preserved this precious fragment of Mediaeval Macclesfield. When the adjoining premises were rebuilt, all but this party wall was swept away. During some alterations in the property, human remains were discovered, showing that interments had taken place on what must have been the inside of the building. "Within a few feet of the window just described is the Angel Inn, and it is a matter of tradition and belief amongst the Roman Catholics in Macclesfield that this was the site of the original "Priest's House." Should this be the case there is every reason to conclude that this was an oratory window. It faces the east and overlooks the parish church. The oak framework and the window have been carefully preserved in situ. In taking down the old shop, two old signs were discovered similar to cart signs, painted on tin, in black letters on a white ground, "Needles sold here," and "Scanted Snuff sold here." Mr Walter Aston, F.R.I.B.A., of Manchester, is the architect of both works. The drawings reproduced are exceptionally remarkable, being neither in line nor in wash. They were drawn by Mr C. Bradshaw Roper, and our plate is reproduced from the originals. [Building News 5 August 1904 page 181].

Reference           Building News 5 August 1904 Page 181