Tag Archives: Barton Villa

A short walk around the site –

Friday 26th February 2016, Ashton-Under-Lyne 

OK – so Day 1 began with a project team meeting and then a walk around the site.

A few of the Tameside Macmillan Unit Project Team. Tameside Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Image by Project Artist Christopher Tipping
A few of the Tameside Macmillan Unit Project Team and Art Steering Group members. Left to right – Michael Hughes Project Architect IBI Group – Gareth Llewellyn Capital Projects Manager for the Trust – Sarah Lowiss Haematology Cancer Specialist Nurse – Vanessa Hickson Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialist: Breast Care – Stewart Ramsden Patient User Representative. Tameside Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Image by Project Artist Christopher Tipping

All those mentioned above are standing outside the Ladysmith Building. Bronwen Gwillim of Willis Newson, was part of the group but not in the image –

The Ladysmith Building will be completely refurbished under the new Tameside Macmillan Unit proposals. The project is very exciting and the architects proposals will radically alter the interior and exterior spaces. A transformational experience for staff, service users and visitors alike.

Tameside Hospital, Ladysmith Building Courtyard awaiting refurbishment. Image: Christopher Tipping
Tameside Hospital, Ladysmith Building Courtyard awaiting refurbishment. Image: Christopher Tipping
Interior of the Ladysmith Building, Tameside Hospital, prior to refurbishment. Image: Christopher Tipping
Interior of the Ladysmith Building, Tameside Hospital, prior to refurbishment. Image: Christopher Tipping
The view from the entrance to the new Tameside Macmillan Unit. Image: Christopher Tipping
The view from the entrance to the new Tameside Macmillan Unit. Image: Christopher Tipping
The new Tameside Macmillan Unit will be housed in the single storey building on the far left of this image behind the Heras fencing. Image: Christopher Tipping
The new Tameside Macmillan Unit will be housed in the single storey building on the far left of this image behind the Heras fencing. Image: Christopher Tipping

The new Macmillan Unit will need to be visible and welcoming to compete with the large scale and massing of adjacent buildings along this hospital road.

Zen-like barrier planting at Tameside Hospital. Image: Christopher Tipping
Zen-like barrier planting at Tameside Hospital. Image: Christopher Tipping

I like the way that this barrier planting has been maintained & has created a Zen-like ambience than was probably intentioned !

The tall brick chimney on the Tameside Hospital site can be clearly seen from the top of Wild Bank. Image: Christopher Tipping
The tall brick chimney on the Tameside Hospital site can be clearly seen from the top of Wild Bank. Image: Christopher Tipping

As with most hospital sites, the developments have been ad-hoc, often within an original boundary, into which the hospital has expanded to fit ! A wide range of buildings, from early industrial and workhouse architecture is still evident amidst the larger scale of later 20th century developments. The hospital recently completed a massive PFI build which has brought the site into the 21st century.

 

 

 

 

 

Crossing Canals

Friday 26th February 2016 – Ashton-Under-Lyne / Dukinfield

Blown away by some of the architecture here – only regret that I didn’t make it to those buildings I could see in the distance –  views down streets and across Canals. Cavendish Mills and the Old Swimming Baths, just two of the landmarks I will have to wait to see up close.

Make my way across town towards Dukinfield, where I am staying at Barton Villa. Crossing the Ashton Canal and then the River Tame.  The two waterways are very intertwined at this point and sit metres apart.

Crossing the Ashton Canal, Ashton-Under-Lyne. Image: Christopher Tipping
Crossing the Ashton Canal, Ashton-Under-Lyne. Image: Christopher Tipping
River Tame, Ashton-Under-Lyne. Image: Christopher Tipping
River Tame, Ashton-Under-Lyne. Image: Christopher Tipping
The Bridge over the River Tame - Dukinfield Bridge -  Widened 1903. Image: Christopher Tipping
The Bridge over the River Tame – Dukinfield Bridge – Widened 1903. Image: Christopher Tipping
Dukinfield Bridge - the historic dividing line between Lancashire and Cheshire. Image: Christopher Tipping
Dukinfield Bridge – the historic dividing line between Lancashire and Cheshire. Image: Christopher Tipping
Dukinfield Bridge - the historic dividing line between Cheshire and Lancashire. Image: Christopher Tipping
Dukinfield Bridge – the historic dividing line between Cheshire and Lancashire. Image: Christopher Tipping

 

 

 

…and finally arrive at Barton Villa

Friday 26th February 2016 – 6pm ish !

A really long day – and up bright and early tomorrow for a what I think will be a 6 mile walk. (we eventually do a 12 mile walk !) –

Barton Villa, Dukinfield. Image: Christopher Tipping
Barton Villa, Dukinfield. Image: Christopher Tipping

Really nice place to stay ! – Bronwen said it was good !

Encaustic Tile Hallway - Barton Villa, Dukinfield. Image: Christopher Tipping
Encaustic Tile Hallway – Barton Villa, Dukinfield. Image: Christopher Tipping
The view into Ashton -Under-Lyne from my room - with the Spire of Albion Church in the distance. Image: Christopher Tipping
The view into Ashton -Under-Lyne from my room – with the Spire of Albion Church in the distance. Image: Christopher Tipping