Ian to put focus on hidden gems
MACCLESFIELD has a rich architectural history and a photographer has captured it all on camera.
Around 70 buildings in the town appear in the Pevsner Architectural Guides - a series of books by esteemed expert Nikolas Pevsner.
They contain all significant buildings in England and are seen as a definitive guide in the field.
Ian Tatlock, an architecture enthusiast, says Macclesfield and its buildings feature so frequently because of the town’s industrial heritage.
Mills brought in people, which in turn led to further building, for example of churches.
Ian, who is also a photographer who has worked for the Victorian Society and BBC, has pictured all of Macclesfield’s entries into Pevsner’s guide.
He said: “It was a great project for the first lockdown when we couldn’t really go very far. I spent a very nice two days doing this.
”Macclesfield punches above its weight in terms of architecture.”
So at the Macclesfield Express we are going to periodically feature Ian’s pictures of our architectural heritage alongside a little of his commentary on each building to provide an insight to its history.
We start this week with the former Militia Barracks, on Crompton Road.
Ian said: “It was designed by Macclesfieldbased architect James Stevens (with help from one Mr Pownall of London), between 1858 and 1859, and is now a private residence.
“It dominates the large open space formerly used by soldiers as a parade ground.
“Resembling a 17th century French chateau, I think it’s one of the town’s hidden gems.”
Mr Stevens was born in
London and moved to Macclesfield in 1849, living at Chester Road until his death in 1902, aged 76.
During these years he also designed Macclesfield Town Hall’s extension, the Chadwick Free Library, on Park Green, the then Macclesfield Infirmary, the curent main library and the lodge and chapels at Macclesfield Cemetery.