152 AND 154, SOUTH ROAD

BRETHERTON SOUTH ROAD SD 42 SE 3/29 Nos.152 and 154 (Formerly listed 17.4.67 as Bretherton Free School) GV II

School, now 2 houses. Dated 1653 on lintel; altered. Roughcast brick, common brick rear, slate roof. Rectangular plan, 3 bays, altered. Two storeys; no.154 on left has single-storey gabled porch of squared sandstone, segmental-headed doorway breaking into a large rectangular datestone displaying a lengthy inscription in raised lettering:

THIS FREE SCHOOL WAS ERECTED AND BUILT AT THE PROPER COSTS AND CHARGES OF JAMES FLETCHER OF LONDON MARCANT AND AT THE REQUEST OF MISTRIS JANE FLETCHER HIS WIFE WHO WAS BORNE IN THIS TOWNE. JUNE THE FOURTEENTH ANNODONI 1653

One window on each side of porch on each floor, all C19 4-pane sashes; 2 similar but smaller windows on each floor of no.152 to right; ridge chimney at junction, gable chimney at right end. Rear of less interest. Interior: altered, but no.154 has 2 stopped 1/4-round moulded beams, and no.152 has a roughly-hewn chamfered beam, cambered in the centre.

Listing NGR: SD4764320412