Library + Bulls Head

Studied architecture at Liverpool University, before working under numerous architects including George Grenfell Baines.

Opened his own practice in 1949 after completing the project of the War Memorial Houses in Lytham St Annes. Worked on many educational projects including Schools and buildings for
universities at Birmingham and Salford.

He was inspired by the Swedish modernist architects Sven Markelius, Gunnar Asplund and Paul Hedqvist.

• Mellor was selected by Sir Peter Shepheard for the library and worked alongside the librarian Graham Mackenzie.
• Phase 1 completed 1966, followed by phase 2 in 1968 and phase 3 in 1971.
• Initial design aimed to hold 1 million books and was placed to allow for expansion.
• The West Building (an extension) was added in 1997 followed by a renovation in December 2015 by Sheppard Robson architects. This covered the central exterior courtyard with a glass roof.
• A further extension between 2019 and 2021 added extra study spaces for students (cost of £11milion, Scott Brownrigg Architects).
• The renovations aimed to retain aspects of the original design.
• It also incorporated modern elements such as LED lighting which improved efficiency.
• Mellor’s design fundamentally changed the concept of a library .
• The library’s design is constantly evolving to support the ever changing needs of the many students

Situated outside the Chaplaincy Centre.

Carved from recycled Shap Granite.

Carved in 1986 at Ambleside (a town in the Lake District) in the studio of his mentor, Josefina de Vasconcellos.

Represents the strength of nature through the power of mother earth. «The stone already
looked bull-like just needed releasing.»

Forms part of a collection of sculptures found around campus, including ‘Angel in Boots’ and ‘Jack, a working man’s terrier,’ which were arranged through the Peter Scott Gallery.
Significantly, Williamson sculpted the Angel in Boots in his well-being studio in Workington
which was a successful art therapy and school of imagination before many others. Williamson was lead sculptor who taught people from varied backgrounds and marginalised areas to use their creative skills to help find purpose. Lancaster University supported this process by commissioning this work.

Sculptor from Cumbria. As of 2023, Williamson has had 27 major public commissions to his name. Reflects the spiritual iconography of the British Isles using the local materials of Cumbria, such as particularly carboniferous limestone, Shap granite and Kirkstone slate. Links with several quarries and stone firms in Cumbria, including Gordon Greaves Slate, Kirkstone
Quarries and Realstone/Blockstone.

Josefina de Vasconcellos described his work to have a feeling of «primitive dynamism.»

• Humber College of Applied Arts & Technology, Toronto, Canada 1979-80 Pre-University entrance.
• Weymouth Technical College, Dorset 1980-82. Dip Stonecarving and Sculpture. City & Guilds Stonemasonry.
• University College of St Martin’s (Lancaster university) 1995. 2:1 Honours Degree Art & Design. Art Major, English Minor.

The weird thing about art is it can be all things to all people, but I don’t think it’s healthy to be involved in negative art