Extract
from the Northwich guardian September 23rd 1893
The
new boys school for witton.laying the foundation stone
The
interesting ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new Witton national
school for boys was performed on Wednesday afternoon by the local bishop of
Chester; the site of the schools is the glebe land near church walk, the total
area being 1 acre. This plot was given
to the trustees of Witton schools by the ecclelastical commissioners, both the
bishop and the vicar of Witton having taken on active part in securing this
valuable gift.
The schools are being built from the competitive
designs of Mr M.K Ellerton architect Northwich. The site is in close proximity to the parish church and the
architect in compliance with the instructions of the committee has prepared
drawings for the errection of a building that will harmonise with the fine old
edifice. This in regard to external
appearance he has placed foremost in the conception of the design. While avoiding any sacrifice in the utility
of the arrangement of the plan. The
outer work is to be of faced brick with stone dressings to openings. The schools which are intended to accommodate
400 children will compromise a central hall 48 ft by 36 ft and 7 classrooms of
which one will be 48 ft by 24 ft and may be converted into 2 rooms and 4 24 ft
square.
Efficient lighting and ventilation of the building
throughout has been carefully studied and clear attention has also been paid to
the important consideration of exit in case of panic or fire. An external porch is provided at the south
end of the central hall ample provision is made for book stores, gallery for models, cellars and the usual
yard offices. It is proposed to warm
the building by hot water pipes the design as originally submitted embodied a
gallery with a direct approach from the outer entrance. But owing to the cost it was found necessary
to omit this and also to reduce the area of the central hall from 72 ft by 36
to 48 by 36 and take off 2 class rooms in meeting these requirements of the
committee Mr Ellerton so modified the plans that the parts left out can at any
future time be added without interfering with the general design.
The building of the schools has been entrusted to Mr
William Molyneux of Northwich the amount of whose contract was £3186 the total
cost of the work including the furnishings of the school and the fencing of the
playground which will occupy ¾ of an acre is estimated at £3500 towards this
outlay there has been collected or promised about £2800.
A large gathering assembled to witness the
proceedings on Wednesday; the church
walk and lower portion of the churchyard being crowded. Flags were displayed in
all directions and a platform had been raised round the base of the building
which has already been erected and on this the officiating clergy many of the
school managers and members of the church and the combined choirs of Witton,
Castle, Dane Bridge and Winnington, which under the conductorship of Mr J.P Shaw
rendered hymns. The clergy present were
the revs W H Binney vicar of Witton, C Packer vicar of St Paul's Dane
Bridge, F G A Philips vicar of Holy
Trinity Castle, W W E Lancaster, curate
Witton. The managers of the schools
present were the vicars messers T Ward,
H Hattcook, J Worsley and J Chamberlain.
The service was commenced with the singing of the
hymn “O word of god incarnate” and the vicar then offered prayer. The 127th psalm having been
sung, the bishop then blessed the stone
which had been placed in position by Mr Molyneux the builder and on which were
the words “This stone was laid by the lord bishop of Chester September 20th
1893.” Under the stone was
placed a bottle containing the parish
magazine for the current month and a copy of that days Northwich Guardian. Mr M K Ellerton, architect, acting on behalf
of the school managers, handed to the
lord bishop a handsome trowel with ivory handle upon which some delicate
engraving surrounded the inscription: “presented to the right rev F J Jayne DD
lord bishop of Chester on the laying the foundation stone of a new national
school for boys at Witton September 20th 1893”.
The bishop
having with the aid of the trowel and a presentation mallet duly laid the stone
said “ in the faith of Jesus Christ we place this stone in the name of the
father the son and the holy ghost that here true faith the fear of god and
brotherly love may dwell and that this place may be set apart for the
instruction of the gaining and for the honour of the name of the same our lord
Jesus Christ who liveth and resideth with thee O father and thee O holy ghost
ever one god world without end.” His
lordship then offered prayer and pronounced the benediction; the service being brought to a close with
the singing of the hymn “O god our help in ages past”
It maybe mentioned that at a service in the church
in connection with the consecration of the new cemetery bishop Jayne spoke of
the value of education. A full report
of his lordships remarks will be found in the consecration account.
The school is to be
demolished. Fund raising is in progress
for a new building, elsewhere. (2003)