Ragged Schools Ainsworth Street, Dark Lane, Ardwick

DARK LANE RAGGED SCHOOLS - On Saturday, Mr H Birley MP laid the corner stone of a new building designed as a ragged school, in Ainsworth Street, Dark Lane, Ardwick. A ragged school has been in the district for many years, but the premises hitherto occupied being required by the owner for other purposes, the managers determined on looking out for a site on which to erect a building which should be entirely under their control. The site on Ainsworth Street was accordingly purchased, and an additional sum of £100 will be required for the completion of the new structure. ... Economy being an important consideration in the undertaking, very little will be spent on mere decoration, and the school, while constructed with a view to comfort and convenience, will be plain and unpretentious in appearance. The building will be of two storeys and will accommodate about 200 children. The ground floor will be divided into classrooms and the upper floor will form one large school or lecture hall 40 feet by 24 feet. The architect is Mr Henry Lord, John Dalton Street. [Manchester Guardian 4 November 1872 page 3]

Reference           Manchester Guardian 4 November 1872 page 3 (partially unreadable)