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Library
Introduction
By L.M.
Angus - Butterworth M.A., D. Litt., C. Eng., F.I. Mech. E. (Past
President).
In the course of its long history, the Salford Technical and Engineering
Association has accumulated many documents and other items of interest
relating to the development of technical education in the City of
Salford and the personalities of those responsible. As the Association
has no permanent premises of its own, it was considered highly desirable
that this material should be deposited in some safe place.
The Librarian of the University of Salford, Mr. A.C. Bubb, was
consulted, and readily agreed to accept custody. He and the Deputy
Librarian, Miss Audrey E. Lumb, have been most kind in their
co-operation, and liaison with the Association has been maintained
through the good offices of Mr Richard Harris, a member since 1928,
whose father was elected in 1895. The present catalogue is the outcome
of this collaboration.
The range of the collection is extensive but no doubt can only be
considered as a nucleus, for many people in Salford must have things
worth adding to it which they are prepared to offer. In future years,
too, the association itself will have minute books and other new records
of its work for which a home will be needed. The collection already
includes lecture programmes, lists of work visits, certificates,
photographs of both a technical and personal nature, and tape recordings
of speeches made on special occasions.
The importance of the collection lies partly in the fact that the
association has played a significant if modest part in the development
in technical education in the region, leading to the crowning
achievement of the University of Salford. The technical instruction act
of 1889 enabled the royal borough of Salford to finance technical
instruction. In 1891 before the previsions of the act could be carried
into effect, our association was formed by a group of science students
who persuaded one John Morris to teach them in his spare time. For all
concerned the teachings had to be in the evenings. The group chose the
title of the Salford’s Science students’ association.
When the royal technical institute (later college) was founded on 1896,
John Morris was appointed head of the department of mechanical
engineering, and the association held its meetings there. By 1909 the
association had extended its scope and included graduates and
professional engineers among its members. It was therefore felt to be
more appropriate to change the title to the Salford Technical and
Engineering Association.
In recent years there have been very remarkable developments in the
activities of the association. Perhaps the most important was the
establishment of the annual civic extra-mural lecture in conjunction
with the university. In taking the initiative for this the association
maintained its traditional roll of bringing scientific and technical
knowledge in a popular form within reach of students, members of
professional bodies, and the general public. At the first of these
lectures, delivered in 1970 by professor A.W.J. Chisholm in the Great
Hall of the University, and graced by the presence of the Mayor, over
800 people were present. The successful accomplishment of this ambitious
project owed much to the hard work of Mr. Alan Bailey.
The association has for a long period donated part of its funds to the
provision of prizes to encourage students in the early stages of their
careers, an in this field also there have been very interesting
developments. The first award to be established by the association was
the John Morris Memorial prize, given each year to the student of the
Salford College of Technology who in the opinion of the trustees of the
prize fund has obtained the best record in O.N.C. at the college. In the
same way the president’s prizes are awarded to apprentices in the
Salford area who in the opinion of a selection committee have diligently
pursued there training and received a required standard of practical
skill.
The latest of these foundations, dating from 1973, is the S.T.E.A.
Engineering Design Awards. This consists of first and second prizes for
design projects submitted by students of the University of Salford in
the final year of their degree courses. Mr. Eric Brady, a member of the
council of the institution of Design Engineers, and Mr. John Crawley,
the Hon. Treasurer of our Association, have been largely concerned with
this new departure.
As demonstrated in the documents now in the care of the University of
Salford, the passing years have seen the Salford Technical and
Engineering Association gain in usefulness and standing. It now has
close links with both the Salford Technical College and the University.
Apart from its educational side there is increasing social activity,
arranged by the Hon. Secretary, Mr Frank Mottershead, and Miss Connie
Lofthouse, a past chairman, including an Annual Dinner in November, and
family occasions in the summer, such as a boat trip along the water ways
of Cheshire, or an excursion to a narrow gauge railway in Wales. Many
enduring friendships have been formed among the members in this way.
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