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20th November 2008
Cathedral Honours Browns Construction Team
Cathedral honours Browns Construction Team
The IRA bombing of Manchester twelve years ago was not the first time the city had seen devastation at the hands of its enemies.
At Christmas 1940, a Second World War land mine destroyed much of Manchester Cathedral leaving the famous Humphrey Chetham Memorial standing amidst smoke and rubble.
‘If she is to rise from her ruins’ a new exhibition that is open until 7th December 2008, honours those that pulled together to restore the Cathedral and commends in particular the role of local construction firm L. Brown & Sons of Wilmslow, now Browns Construction Group Ltd.
Headed by the then Chairman, eighty year old James Brown, Browns responded to a fundraising call by Dean Garfield Williams asking Manchester to restore the Cathedral "if it still wanted her to be the centre of its life".
Browns deployed a team of local craftsmen and a coveted supply of precious English Oak to tackle the repairs. It took over a decade and sadly James died in 1947 just as work was commencing but a comment he made before his death summed up the importance of the project, both professionally and personally, to the team involved. He said, "This Blitz has given me a new lease of life; I have something to live for, to get the place right again."
On 16th Nov 1951, the Queen visited Manchester Cathedral to rededicate the newly restored Regiment Chapel and also met some of the local craftsmen who had worked on restoring the Chapel.
Ted Jones, the foreman in charge of the restoration project, was awarded the British Empire Medal in 1957 in recognition of his work. He joined Browns straight from school as an apprentice and had worked on the project for 11 years, receiving the honour for displaying great skill and craftsmanship during the supervision of the Cathedral restoration.
The new exhibition is illustrated with fascinating photographs and equally colourful tales from the time of the restoration, including the story of three Browns workers who, determined to have their involvement in the project remembered, created their own time capsule intended ‘for other workmen in years to come’. Their capsule, in the form of a bottle, included details on food rationing, the fuel crisis, why work was being undertaken on the Cathedral and the, all-important, price of beer!
Rentokil employees treating woodworm in the Cathedral roof accidentally discovered the bottle in 1984. The amateur historians, listed on a Browns worksheet as T. Jones (Knutsford), R. Bancroft (Alderley Edge) and R. Acton (Wilmslow), were disappointed that their stash had been discovered so early. At their request the time capsule was returned to its secret hideaway.
Details of opening times of exhibition and a link for more information can be found at www.manchestercathedral.org or call 0161 833 222.
For more information on Browns Construction Group, its present day activities and its 148 year history contact 0845 500 1860 or visit www.bcgl.co.uk
