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100 years of Lads Club history

30/ 6/2003

THE rich pop heritage of Salford Lads Club made it famous - and to mark National Architecture Week the red brick building at Ordsall opened its doors to the public.

The landmark, which celebrates its centenary this year and is being considered for listed status, hosted a project this week organised by local artist Leslie Holmes.

'Views of Ordsall' is being staged at the club and includes a photography exhibition, art workshops and a documentary film.

The building was used by cult 80s band The Smiths for a photo shoot and the Hollies used to practise there before they made it big in the 60s. Alan Clarke and Graham Nash of the Hollies were both club members and their membership cards remain in the archives.

Peter Hook, Joy Division and New Order bassist, who lived on the Ordsall estate until he was 19, introduces the film documentary. It was made with the help of elderly residents and young members of the club and is a mix of interviews and location shots.

Leslie said: "The idea is to link views of Ordsall from 1903 when the club and the Barracks estate were first built right through to 2003 and the new Ordsall of The Lowry and Salford Quays."

Artist Jackie Griggs has turned the band room which the Hollies used into a Camera Obscura - the room has been blacked out and a lens set up which projects an image from outside onto a large screen.

Archive photographs show dramatic changes to the estate during the 1960s as well as a stunning view from the tower of the Imperial War Museum North which looks out over the Quays

Last weekend 150 people visited the club including Smiths fans from Norway.

The artists now plan to move the exhibition to the Lowry Centre.

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