Chorlton Mosaic Group

10/08/2025

*UPDATE*
Today, a fundraiser has been set up by members of the Chorlton community to help us to ensure these mosaics are kept and restored for future generations to enjoy. There will be a very inclusive social engagement project around the restoration work that everybody will be welcome to take part in. https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-part-of-chorltons-heritage

This absolutely beautiful interior mosaic scheme has been revealed within the partially demolished former Islamic High School for Girls building on High Lane in Chorlton-cum-Hardy.

The building itself was originally part of the block of RC buildings extending from the St.John’s Centre on the corner of Chequers Road to St. John’s RC Church on the corner of St.Clements Rd. St John’s church boasts a world renowned mosaic scheme designed by Eric Newton and fabricated by the family business down the road in Old Trafford. The factory produced high quality mosaics for important buildings throughout France, Ireland and the UK during its active period between 1865 and 1965.

The interior mosaics revealed at the High Lane site are made of Venetian glass smalti, including gold leaf smalti, combined with historic Jesse Rust recycled glass, made in London. During its recent lifetime, the mosaic was clearly covered over - probably with plaster boards - as evidenced by residual daubs of adhesive used in the “dot and dab” fixing process.

There has been some publicity about a smaller exterior mosaic on one of the adjacent school buildings on Stockton Road and a campaign to raise funds for it to be rehoused at another school.
(It is no simple task to do this properly and, as many of my fellow mosaic friends know, requires specialist skills and equipment)

Im hoping that the discovery of the interior mosaic will prompt further enquiry so that it’s enormous value can be appreciated and it’s demolition prevented. Time is of the absolute essence!!

10/08/2025

Please read about this exceptional mosaic scheme, rescued at the very last minute from imminent demolition last week...

This absolutely beautiful interior mosaic scheme has been revealed within the partially demolished former Islamic High School for Girls building on High Lane in Chorlton-cum-Hardy.

The building itself was originally part of the block of RC buildings extending from the St.John’s Centre on the corner of Chequers Road to St. John’s RC Church on the corner of St.Clements Rd. St John’s church boasts a world renowned mosaic scheme designed by Eric Newton and fabricated by the family business down the road in Old Trafford. The factory produced high quality mosaics for important buildings throughout France, Ireland and the UK during its active period between 1865 and 1965.

The interior mosaics revealed at the High Lane site are made of Venetian glass smalti, including gold leaf smalti, combined with historic Jesse Rust recycled glass, made in London. During its recent lifetime, the mosaic was clearly covered over - probably with plaster boards - as evidenced by residual daubs of adhesive used in the “dot and dab” fixing process.

There has been some publicity about a smaller exterior mosaic on one of the adjacent school buildings on Stockton Road and a campaign to raise funds for it to be rehoused at another school.
(It is no simple task to do this properly and, as many of my fellow mosaic friends know, requires specialist skills and equipment)

Im hoping that the discovery of the interior mosaic will prompt further enquiry so that it’s enormous value can be appreciated and it’s demolition prevented. Time is of the absolute essence!!

10/08/2025

This absolutely beautiful interior mosaic scheme has been revealed within the partially demolished former Islamic High School for Girls building on High Lane in Chorlton-cum-Hardy.

The building itself was originally part of the block of RC buildings extending from the St.John’s Centre on the corner of Chequers Road to St. John’s RC Church on the corner of St.Clements Rd. St John’s church boasts a world renowned mosaic scheme designed by Eric Newton and fabricated by the family business down the road in Old Trafford. The factory produced high quality mosaics for important buildings throughout France, Ireland and the UK during its active period between 1865 and 1965.

The interior mosaics revealed at the High Lane site are made of Venetian glass smalti, including gold leaf smalti, combined with historic Jesse Rust recycled glass, made in London. During its recent lifetime, the mosaic was clearly covered over - probably with plaster boards - as evidenced by residual daubs of adhesive used in the “dot and dab” fixing process.

There has been some publicity about a smaller exterior mosaic on one of the adjacent school buildings on Stockton Road and a campaign to raise funds for it to be rehoused at another school.
(It is no simple task to do this properly and, as many of my fellow mosaic friends know, requires specialist skills and equipment)

Im hoping that the discovery of the interior mosaic will prompt further enquiry so that it’s enormous value can be appreciated and it’s demolition prevented. Time is of the absolute essence!!

08/09/2023

Following the success of our recent Mosaic Drop In session at Grit Studios we’re doing another on Saturday 28th October starting at 1pm. Full details and booking here: https://www.traceycartledge.co.uk/shop/mosaic_studio_drop_in_28th_october/

These sessions are for those of you who have previously attended mosaic workshops with me or the mosaic evening class in Chorlton.

Look forward to seeing you if you can make it!!

An opportunity to spend dedicated creative time working on any ongoing mosaic project of your own at my studio in Stockport. I’ll be there throughout and although I might be working on something of my own or running a workshop, you’ll be part of the group and able to get any advice you might nee...