Public Hall and Institute, Ansdell

ANSDELL, LANCASHIRE - The building committee of the Ansdell (near Lytham) New Public Hall and Institute, having invited a number of architects practising in Manchester, Blackburn Lytham and St Anne’s to submit schemes in a limited competition, have chosen for execution the design prepared by Mr G H Willoughby FRIBA of Parr’s Bank Chambers Manchester. The work is to be proceeded with forthwith in order that the foundation stone may be laid early in the autumn. [Building News 10 July 1908 Page 44]

ANSDELL INSTITUTE AND PUBLIC HALL - This design was chosen in competition, and will be built accordingly. The site is at the corner of Woodlands Road and Rossall Road. The building provides for two complete sections, a Public Hall and an Institute. The former is 75 feet by 34 feet wide, providing ample seating accommodation for 400 people, adequate cloakrooms etc., at the entrance, with large raised platform - having artistes' retiring rooms at the other end, together with a supplementary room that can be readily used for refreshments, and catering at dances, tea parties, and other social gatherings. Abundant light and ventilation have been provided, also a large chair store, planned to go beneath the raised platform, when the hall is being used either for dancing or tea-parties. The Institute section provides accommodation for educational and recreational purposes. By the utilisation of the difference in the road level of Woodlands Road, a large assembly room - divided by folding partitions - is obtained on the lower ground floor let. On the principal floor provision is made for a large reading-room, library' small billiard room, refreshment and committee rooms, with suitable lavatory accommodation, together with card room and large billiard room (with ample space for three full-sized tables and comfortable seating allowance) on the first floor.

THE ANSDELL INSTITUTE, ANSDELL, LANCASHIRE - The design for this building was selected in competition. The plan provides for two complete sections viz., a Public Hall and an Institute. The Hall, 75 ft. by 34 ft., has seating accommodation for 400 people, cloakrooms, etc.. for both sexes at the entrance, and a large platform with artistes' retiring-rooms at the other end. A large chair-store has been planned beneath the raised platform for use when required. The Institute section contains, on the principal floor, a reading-room, library, small billiard-room. refreshment and committee rooms, with suitable lavatory accommodation, together with cardroom and a large billiard-room on the first floor. The various rooms throughout will be heated by hot water on the low-pressure system, divided into sections to correspond with the several divisions of the building. The building is faced with plastic "Nori" Accrington bricks, and the floor of the Public Hall will be of polished oak on spring construction supplied by Messrs. Goodall and Company of Manchester. The general contractors arc Messrs. Dryland & Preston, of Blackpool and Littleborough; and the terra-cotta modelling is by Mr. J. J. Millson, of Manchester. The estimated cost is about £4,500. Mr. G. H. Willoughby, of Manchester, is the architect.  [Builder 30 January 1909 page 120]

Carving        J J Millson

Reference    Building News 10 July 1908 Page 44
Reference    Builder 30 January 1909 Page 120 and illustration. Plan page 123
Reference    Builder 16 October 1909 Page 420 – opening
Reference    Building News 12 November 1909 Page 717 and illustration