THEN & NOW CHETHAM’S SCHOOL

WELCOME to Then and Now, where each week we compare images of Manchester streets, landmarks and buildings from bygone days with how they look today.

Our main image this week shows schoolboys at Chetham’s School in Manchester welcoming home the first wounded soldiers to return from France in late September 1914.

The First Battle of the Marne had just been fought, resulting in an Allied victory against the German armies in the west. It was the culmination of the German advance into France after invading Luxembourg and Belgium.

The mullioned stone frontage of Chetham’s medieval stone buildings can clearly be seen behind the students. Modern, contemporary buildings are now also a feature of the site.

As far back as 1538, Chetham’s Hospital and Library was described by the English poet and historian John Leland as a ‘fair builded college.’ It was about 100 years old when he put quill to paper.

Chetham’s is probably the oldest continuously inhabited place in Manchester, possibly dating back to Saxon times.

The internationally renowned musical institution was originally a baronial manor house, converted to a college and later dissolved with the monasteries in Tudor times.

Thanks to the legacy of Manchester merchant Humphrey Chetham, the buildings were renovated in 1651. The college was refounded as a free public library and free school for 40 poor boys.

Specialising in music since the 1950s, the school now caters for almost 300 students, aged between eight and 18, selected by audition for their musical excellence.

Chetham’s Library remains the oldest free public reference library in the English-speaking world.

Many more images from Then and Now are featured in The Changing Face of Manchester published to mark the 150th anniversary of the M.E.N. It’s on sale at £14.99 including postage and packing. Order your copy online at inostalgia.co.uk or ring the order hotline on 01928 503777.