Audlem History Society Review

UDLEM HISTORY SOCIETY September 2026 Talk

Nantwich Architects : 3 of the best from a small market town

On Thursday evening, Bill Pearson gave the inaugural talk of the new season to members and visitors of the Audlem History Society.

The “3 of the best” were George Latham (1793-1871), Thomas Bower (1837-1919), and Ernest Harcourt Edleston (1880-1964). Bill wove their histories and achievements to common themes such as a link with Hospital Street, Nantwich, and eventually the formation of Bower Edleston Architects, still in existence and one of the longest surviving architects practice in the world .

The reason for this change is that there is another firm, that may have a better chance claim to being the oldest.Bill dealt with each architect in turn, and his talk was copiously illustrated by photos of the many buildings each had designed, most of which were of course well-known to his audience.

George Latham’s style was described as “Jacobethan”, a mixture of Elizabethan & Jacobean periods. Examples of his work were Arley Hall in Cheshire for the Egerton family, both Northwich and Nantwich workhouses, Nantwich Market Hall, the Savings bank in Welsh Row, and Nantwich Town Hall, now demolished. He also designed churches, including St. Mary’s, Wistaston.

Thomas Bower was responsible for the Lamb Hotel in Hospital Street, the old Grammar School, Nantwich, the Midland Bank and the Conservative Club both on Nantwich Square, plus Nantwich Free Library (now the Museum), Sandbach Town Hall and, of especial interest to the audience, Audlem Cemetery.

Ernest Harcourt Edleston was well-known for his striking design for Chesters Store on the corner of Pillory and Hospital Streets. His son, Jim Edleston, was responsible for saving Sweet Briar Hall (built 1450), during the 1960s after it became infested with deathwatch beetle .

It was a very impressive tally of various styles and types of local buildings, and it was also the first time Bill had given his brand-new talk. He always gives great value in the amount of detail he includes in his subjects, plus we get added-value from his many asides which are of equal interest, and this was no exception.

Many thanks once more to Bill for a great evening’s talk.

Brenda Smethurst