Gallery

Link: Email address for the Sandbach Literary Institute = sandbachliterary@gmail.com

Home History Gallery What's On

Scroll down to explore images of the Sandbach Literary Institute building.

Please contact us if you have any images that you are willing to share of the building or past events.

Exterior of the Sandbach Literary Institute building from from the perspective of Bold Street

Image of newly painted doors - brown to match the original colour - of the Sandbach Literary Institute

Exterior image of the Sandbach Literary Institute building from the perspective of Hightown roundabout

Image of commemorative plaque that reads: The Literary Institute - Designed by Sir George Scott and built by Samuel Faram (Wheelock) in 1857, "for purpose of affording accommodation to the inhabitants of the town and providing a suitable places as a market and corn exchange. Erected jointly by Sandbach History Society, Rotary Club and Town Council

Close up image of the exterior of Sandbach Literary Institute building from the perspective of Hightown

Image of sign that reads: To the ancient crosses

Image showing the interior view of the Sandbach Literary Institute from the other side of the main entrance looking from the ground floor up to the dome-like ceiling

Image of the stone winding staircase within the Sandbach Literary Institute leading to the first floor ballroom entrance

Image of the first floor ballroom with decorative vaulted ceiling

Image of one of the stone gargoyles that decorate the upper exterior of the Sandbach Literary Institute

It is rumoured that the stone carved heads adorning the building are those of prominent Sandbach residents.

Image of the Roll of Honour commemorating those lost in the European War 1914-19

Image of a historical carved oak chair with green velvet seat and back, featuring a decorative plaque

National United Order of Free Gardeners

Bud of Hope Lodge

No. 477

This chair was purchased by the voluntary contributions of members and friends and presented to the LODGE as a memorial of the late bro. Noah Lees in recognition of faithful services over a period of 50 years (March 1893).

The Free Gardeners Friendly Society had its headquarters in Sandbach. Offices were at several locations in the town the last being on Middlewich Road.

Prior to the NHS being set up in 1948 it was a sickness and benefit society, an insurance policy. Members paid their contribution via a collection agent on a weekly or monthly basis. If and when members were ill the Society paid doctors' bills and when anyone died paid the funeral expenses.

Once the NHS was set up the need for the sickness benefit was no longer required. However, it continued as a life insurance policy to pay funeral expenses.

Before the Sandbach office closed the last Free Gardeners' chief officer spoke to friends in the History Society.

The History Society paid for the refurbishment of the "chair" and negotiated for it be placed in Sandbach Library where it remained for several years.

It was agreed with the trustees that it could be relocated to the Institute where it remains to this day.

Thank you to Sandbach History Society for providing the above details. If you would like to know more, please contact them via the website: https://sandbachhistorysociety.org.uk

Image of the main entrance to the Sandbach Literary Institute featuring a large arched stone doorway with ornate red wooden doors, steps, and a black railing.

Image of the left hand door - freshly painted in the original brown/black colour scheme - of the main entrance of the Sandbach Literary Institute

Image of the right hand door - freshly painted in the original brown/black colour scheme - of the main entrance of the Sandbach Literary Institute

The repair and repainting of the doors, taking them back to the original brown in June 2025.

The work was carried out by Jason, a talented local decorator from Refresh Decor.

Tel: 07768 692188

Email: refreshdecor01@gmail.com

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse