Juxtapositions

Ordsall (pronounced Odzoll by the locals) Hall has to be Salford's loveliest building - and one of it's oldest. The most photographed view of it is from the back, with the lovely lavender garden as a foreground (see extra).

But more interesting is this jacobean building's juxtaposition with the edge of Salford Quays, and its location at one side of one of Salford's most deprived places - Ordsall itself. 

Ordsall was where the dockers lived when the then Manchester Docks were operational. It was where the riots started in the 1980's. It is where the Smith's were photographed standing in front of the Lad's Club. It's edgy. It's got great community spirit. And it is changing hugely. The new housing to the right of the Hall is part of Legendary Properties redevelopment, working with the local community, the City Council, and lots of others. A total contrast with the adjoining Hall, I think the juxtaposition of old and new works well.