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About The Salford Technical and Engineering Association |
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The Objects of The Association The objects of the association were to bring together interested persons from Salford and its surrounding area for the purpose of encouraging a taste for scientific pursuits; of illustrating as far as possible the close connection between the various technical subjects studied and the occupations of its members and to promote a social and friendly atmosphere. Arrangements were made for lectures during the winter months, and for visiting places during the summer months. Free and open discussion was invited at all lectures.
The History of the STEA (1968)The association was founded in1891 by one John Morris, who resided in Eccles New Road. In the directory of the day he was classed as a science teacher. It is known that at this time, John Morris was
employed by Salford firm Mather & Platt, who were pioneers in the
field of apprentice training; John Morris was, in fact, their training
supervisor. John Morris at this time attended a Methodist
Chapel on Eccles New Road, which, by the way, can still be seen near the
cross lane end of the road, although it is not now used as a chapel. It
is said that one Sunday morning John Morris was approached by some young
men who were seeking tuition in their spare time. This John Morris
gladly gave them and soon after both teacher and students formed
themselves into the “Salford Science Students Association”. Soon after the inauguration of the association in
1891, a Technical Institute for the Royal Borough of Salford was mooted.
There can be no doubt that the association and John Morris were among
those who were instrumental in assisting in the foundation of the said
Institute. At the opening of the Institute in 1896, it is not
surprising to learn that, as the principle speaker, William Mather
delivered an address and that John Morris had been appointed head of the
Mechanical
Engineering Department. This clinched the liaison between the
Association and the Institute, which is maintained to the day. Both the Institute and the Association went from
strength to strength and within a decade of the turn of the century, the
Institute had become “The Royal Technical College” and the
Association “The Salford Technical and Engineering Association”. At
the time of the announcement of the change in title, the use by the
Association of the borough coat of arms was granted in recognition for
services rendered by the Association. Perhaps the most important service was for the
provision of public lectures at which it was not uncommon to have an
audience exceeding two hundred. Between the two world wars the Association can only
be seen to have played the part of an important bureau, due to the slump
in engineering. The Association emerged from the last war with a
membership of some 221 members. Like most other organisations it has
suffered at the hands of the affluent society of the last two decades
and some four years ago it was decided to rationalise the membership.
The association was then found to have almost seventy members. However
it is encouraging to learn that the attendance at its lectures averages
a third of its members, this perhaps is more than can be said of most
other institutions. Next year it is hoped that after a lapse of forty
odd years, it will be possible to resume the public lectures on a grand
scale, for in recognition of the work done by the Association, the
Salford University will present, via the auspices of the Association,
what is believed to be their first Extra- Mural lecture.
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