Of course I had to have an obligatory photo taken...
The club was founded by Sir Robert Baden-Powell in 1903, who later founded the Scout Movement in 1907. As a guide for many years it was exciting to see what is apparently one of the best examples of a purpose built youth club dating pre First World War. It now welcomes girls too, and quite rightly.
It really gained notoriety thanks to The Smiths who used it as a backdrop for album art in the their album The Queen is Dead in 1986.
Photographer: Stephen Wright
Standing on the corner of Ignatius Way and Coronation Street
I was not disappointed by the exterior. Much of the local neighbourhood has gone the way of new housing and big superstores but Salford Lads club is a total gem.
Here are some shots of the interior...
Sadly no shots of the reception and stairs area but it's gorgeous! This is the main room and you can see the Smiths room on the bottom left...
The wall is covered with images of the Smiths and Smiths fans, aswell as hundreds of tribute messages by visiting fans. All in amongst old fashioned boxing equipment, as it served as a dressing room.
The ceiling
There is this booth where you can write your own message on a post it note...
More fun facts about the building can be gleaned from its Wikipedia page, including details of its longest serving volunteers and the fact that it was apparently on The Secret Millionaire programme on channel four! How did I miss that? Think you can watch it online here!
Salford Lads club will be open as part of Heritage Open Days! This will be on the weekend of 8-11 September 2011, click here for further details. Other opening times and details of activities are on the Club's website here, though it is advisable to always ring ahead if you want to enquire about visiting. Otherwise you can take a picture outside 24/7!
It is about 10 minutes walk from Anchorage Tram stop, or about the same from Salford Crescent railway station, so easily accessible from Manchester city centre.
All the colour photos in this post were either taken by me or fellow Smiths devotee, Tim. Sorry not all of them are terribly clear, the light was fairly uncooperative, but you get the jist!
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how have i never seen inside before?!! i only see people standing outside and if it's only open on those days you really would have to plan ahead. being a massive smiths fan i guess i better get there at some point in my life.
ReplyDeleteIt's so iconic Mat, I thought perhaps quite a few people may not have been inside though, so it was worth a photo post :)
ReplyDeleteI'm such a big Mozza fan, I need to visit!
ReplyDelete