142-486: Firswood is a suburban area of Stretford in the Metropolitan Borough of Trafford , Greater Manchester, England. Firswood borders Whalley Range , Old Trafford and Chorlton-cum-Hardy . It was largely occupied by Rye Bank Farm, which remained until 1930, when private housing was built along Rye Bank Road and Warwick Road. Social Housing was built on part of Firs Farm after WW2. The remainder of Firs Farm
284-594: A seating capacity of 1,400 in the stalls and 600 in the circle, with a further 146 seats in the café area. When built, the cinema had a short pedestrian approach to the facade, which was removed when the A56 was widened. During the Second World War the building was used for concerts, including one given by a young Julie Andrews . It also played host to the Hallé Orchestra after the orchestra's own home,
426-512: A 1,500 V DC overhead line . At the same time, a new Altrincham station was opened on the same line, at Navigation Road, serving housing developments in the area. By 1937, 130 train services ran daily between Manchester and Altrincham. The line was renovated in the early 1990s to form part of the Manchester Metrolink light rail system. Broadheath railway station served the northern part of Altrincham between 1853 and 1962, on
568-689: A bronze award from the Greenspace award scheme. John Leigh Park, located in the area of Oldfield Brow, was the site of Oldfield Hall until 1917 when it fell into disrepair after being purchased by the Earl of Stamford. That year Mr John Leigh purchased the land from the widowed Countess of Stamford and gifted it to the local council to be used as a park for soldiers and workers. The park was named 'John Leigh Park' and opened on 22 July 1917. Altrincham has its own annual festival that has taken place for over 40 years (except during Covid). The event takes place at
710-487: A community based station. The town's local newspapers are Sale & Altrincham Messenger and Altrincham Today . As Altrincham was part of the Bowdon parish, children from the township may have gone to the 16th-century school established at Bowdon; before that point, the town had no formal education system. A salt merchant from Dunham Woodhouses founded a school at Oldfield House intended for 40 boys aged 8–11 from
852-696: A direct connection from the Metrolink line at Altrincham Interchange. The artist Helen Allingham , born in 1848, lived in Altrincham and then Bowdon during her childhood years. Abstract artist Jeremy Moon was born in Altrincham in 1934. The composer and music teacher John Ireland was born in Bowdon in 1879. Alison Uttley wrote the Little Grey Rabbit books while living in Bowdon. Dramatist Ronald Gow lived there in his youth and later taught at Altrincham Grammar School for Boys. The town
994-858: A drying kiln or malting floor. During the English Civil War , men from Altrincham fought for the Parliamentarian Sir George Booth . During the war, armies camped on nearby Bowdon Downs on several occasions. In 1754, a stretch of road south of Altrincham, along the Manchester to Chester route, was turnpiked . Turnpikes were toll roads which taxed passengers for the maintenance of the road. Further sections were turnpiked in 1765 from Timperley to Sale, and 1821 from Altrincham to Stockport. The maintenance of roads passed to local authorities in 1888, although by then most turnpike trusts had already declined. The connection of
1136-638: A fashionable place to live in the mid-19th century. Large recreation areas were established, such as the Royal Botanical Gardens, opened in 1831. The gardens were sited in Old Trafford on the advice of scientist John Dalton , because the prevailing southwesterly wind kept the area clear of the city's airborne pollution. In 1857, the gardens hosted the Art Treasures Exhibition , the largest art exhibition ever held in
1278-511: A flat concrete roof, a concave façade, and is faced in Portland red stone and Lancashire brick. It is regarded as one of the most advanced examples of early 20th-century domestic architecture, and is referenced in architectural digests. It has been a Grade I listed building since 1975, one of six such buildings in Trafford. The Grade II listed clock outside the main transport interchange
1420-415: A lack of investment and the development of more established industrial areas such as Manchester , Ashton-under-Lyne , and Oldham . During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, heavier industries moved into Broadheath, providing local employment. The area steadily declined during the second half of the 20th century, with employment at Broadheath falling from 8,000 to 5,000 between 1960 and 1970. Despite
1562-489: A later Hamon de Mascy gave the Stretford manor to his daughter, Margery. She in turn, in about 1260, granted Stretford to Richard de Trafford at a rent of one penny. The de Mascy family shortly afterwards released all rights to their lands in Stretford to Henry de Trafford, the Trafford family thus acquiring the whole of Stretford, since when the two manors descended together. The de Trafford family leased out large parts of
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#17327827346151704-437: A new public square linking it to the nearby Altrincham Interchange , which underwent a £19million refurbishment in 2015. A 2010 survey found that despite being in one of the country's most affluent areas, nearly a third of the shops in Altrincham were vacant; Trafford council attributed the high number (78) to the effects of the recession and plans to refurbish Stamford House, which left most of its shops unused. According to
1846-509: A par with the Cheshire town of Macclesfield and above Stockport and Knutsford . The earliest known residence in Altrincham was "the Knoll" , on Stamford Street near the centre of the medieval town. A 1983 excavation on the demolished building, made by South Trafford Archaeological Group , discovered evidence that the house dated from the 13th or 14th century, and that it may have contained
1988-521: A population of 52,419. Within the boundaries of the historic county of Cheshire , Altrincham was established as a market town in 1290, a time when the economy of most communities was based on agriculture rather than trade, and there is still a market in the town. Further socioeconomic development came with the extension of the Bridgewater Canal to Altrincham in 1765 and the arrival of the railway in 1849, stimulating industrial activity in
2130-549: A proposal was put forward by Trafford Council to bring the Essoldo back into use as part of the new University Academy 92, to provide student amenities and other community facilities such as an enhanced library. The Great Stone, which gave its name to the Great Stone Road, where it was located until being moved in 1925, is one of Stretford's most easily overlooked landmarks. The stone is composed of millstone grit and
2272-823: A religion. Altrincham is in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Shrewsbury, and the Church of England Diocese of Chester. The nearest synagogue, belonging to Hale and District Hebrew Congregation, is on Shay Lane in Hale Barns. Construction of the Manchester South Junction and Altrincham Railway began in 1845. The line was opened in October 1849, with services from Manchester London Road via Sale to Altrincham. In 1931, it became one of Great Britain's first electrified railway lines, with
2414-473: A residential area in the 19th century although it retains its retail heritage in the Old Market Place (a conservation area ) and a new pedestrianised shopping centre. The retail districts of the town have more recently fallen victim to decline due to competition from the nearby Trafford Centre and a regenerated Manchester city centre. In 2006 Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council unveiled plans for
2556-427: A steady increase in Altrincham's middle classes since the 19th century. It is also home to Altrincham F.C. and three ice hockey clubs: Manchester Storm , Altrincham Aces and Trafford Tornados. Local evidence of prehistoric human activity exists in the form of two Neolithic arrowheads found in Altrincham, and, further afield, a concentration of artefacts around Dunham. The remains of a Roman road , part of one of
2698-546: A type of sandstone, and water retrieved from those rocks is very hard and often saline, making it undrinkable. The town's climate is generally temperate , with few extremes of temperature or weather. The mean temperature is slightly above average for the United Kingdom; whereas both annual rainfall and average hours of sunshine are slightly below the average for the UK. Along with Sale, Stretford and Urmston , Altrincham
2840-517: A £1.5 million redevelopment for the town centre. The renovation will create 146,000 square feet (13,600 m ) of new retail space and 203,000 square feet (18,900 m ) of refurbished space, providing 349,000 square feet (32,400 m ) in total. Construction on Altair, a £100 million development on Oakfield Road, began in September 2019 after many years of delay. The scheme includes apartments, shops and eating places and will create
2982-566: Is 24 feet (7 m) high and 11 feet (3 m) wide at its base. It cost £2,000 to build, raised by public subscription and a donation from the Stretford Red Cross. The memorial bears the legend "They died that we might live" on one side, and "In memory of the heroic dead" on the other. It is a Grade II listed structure. Stretford's remembrance parade, which is made up of the Scouting, Girl Guiding and Boys Brigade divisions from
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#17327827346153124-463: Is 37.4 inhabitants per hectare, with the population consisting of 49.0% males and 51.0% females. Of those aged 16 and over, 15.2 per cent had no academic qualifications , similar to the 18.6 per cent in all of Trafford. At 8.4 percent, Altrincham has a low proportion of non-white people. Asians are the area's largest ethnic minority, at 4.9 per cent of the population. In 1931, 14.6 per cent of Altrincham's population
3266-576: Is a Grade II listed structure. Stretford Cenotaph, opposite the Chester Road entrance to Gorse Hill Park, was built as a memorial to the 580 Stretford men who lost their lives in the First World War. Their names and regiments are listed on a large bronze plaque on the wall behind the cenotaph. It was formally unveiled in 1923, by the Earl of Derby , Secretary of State for War. The cenotaph
3408-495: Is a mixed school for 11- to 19-year-olds who have special needs or learning difficulties. Altrincham is home to one of the longest established, family-owned nursery schools in the UK, Oakfield Nursery School . Oakfield was voted 'UK Nursery of the Year' in 2014 and 'Best Individual Nursery' in 2008. During the medieval and post-medieval periods the township of Altrincham was part of Bowdon parish. Low population density meant that
3550-462: Is also a high proportion of non-white people, as 63% of residents were recorded as white. The largest minority group was Asian , at 21% of the population. In 1931, 19% of Stretford's population was middle class and 20% working class compared to 14% middle class and 36% working class nationally. The rest of the population was made up of clerical workers and skilled manual workers. By 1971, the middle class in Stretford had declined steadily to 15% whilst
3692-462: Is also served by the nearby Old Trafford tram stop , on the Altrincham to Bury line , and the number 15 bus. Stretford Memorial Hospital , originally known as Basford House, was converted into a cottage hospital as a memorial to those who lost their lives in the First World War. On opening it had a children's ward, a maternity unity and a geriatric ward. Until its closure in October 2015, it
3834-558: Is also thought to have been the base of an Anglo-Saxon cross shaft. A local legend had it that the stone was slowly sinking into the earth, and that its ultimate disappearance would mark the end of the world. When the Great Stone Road was widened in the late 19th century, the stone was moved back from the road slightly. In 1925, the stone was moved again, to its current location outside the North Lodge of Gorse Hill Park, about 328 feet (100 m) from its historical location. The stone
3976-749: Is divided into seven electoral wards : Altrincham , Bowdon , Broadheath , Hale Barns and Timperley South , Hale , Timperley Central , and Timperley North . These wards have 21 out of the 63 seats on the Trafford Council; as of the 2023 local elections seven of these seats were held by the Conservative Party , six by the Liberal Democrats (UK) , six by the Green Party , and two by the Labour Party . Altrincham
4118-529: Is generally flat, sloping slightly southwards towards the river valley, and is approximately 150 feet (46 m) above sea level at its highest point. The most southerly part of Stretford lies within the flood plain of the River Mersey, and so has historically been prone to flooding. A great deal of flood mitigation work has been carried out in the Mersey Valley since the 1970s, with the stretch of
4260-549: Is held by Trafford MBC, allowed a weekly market to be held, and it is possible that de Massey established the town to generate income through taxes on trade and tolls. This suggests that Altrincham may have been a planned market town, unusual during the Middle Ages, when most communities were agricultural. Altrincham was probably chosen as the site of the planned town rather than Dunham – which would have been protected by Dunham Castle – because its good access to roads
4402-719: Is on the southwestern edge of the Greater Manchester Urban Area , immediately south of the town of Sale , and 8 miles (13 km) southwest of Manchester city centre. It lies in the northwest corner of the Cheshire Plain , just south of the River Mersey . The Bridgewater Canal passes through the Broadheath area of the town. Altrincham's drinking water is supplied by United Utilities . The local bedrock consists mainly of Keuper Waterstone,
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4544-477: Is one of the few towns in north-west England with an ice rink and has had an ice hockey team since 1961, when Altrincham Ice Rink was built in Broadheath . The Altrincham Aces (later renamed the Trafford Metros) played from 1961 until 2003, when Altrincham Ice Rink closed. The town then had a three-year period without a rink or ice hockey team, until construction of the 2,500 capacity Altrincham Ice Dome
4686-408: Is one of the four major urban areas in Trafford. The Altrincham area, as defined by Trafford Council, comprises the south of Trafford. In addition to the town of Altrincham, it includes the villages of Timperley , Bowdon , Hale and Hale Barns . The Broadheath area of the town was a light industrial centre until the 1970s and is now a retail park. The most densely populated part of the town is around
4828-433: Is roughly in line with national figures, except for the town's relatively low percentage of agricultural workers. The 2011 census recorded the economic activity of residents aged 16–74 as 39.3% in full-time employment, 13.6% in part-time employment, 7.5% self-employed, 5.7% unemployed, 5.9% students, 9.5% retired, 5.6% looking after home or family, and 6.1% permanently sick or disabled. The 5.7% unemployment rate in Stretford
4970-399: Is slightly above average for the United Kingdom. Annual rainfall and average amount of sunshine are both slightly below the average for the UK. Stretford's built environment developed along the A56 road in two separate sections, corresponding to the original two manors. The area in the south, near to the border with Sale, grew around the church of St Matthew – an old alternative name for
5112-437: Is still a very significant source of employment, containing an estimated 1,400 companies and employing about 44,000 people. The main shopping centre is Stretford Mall in the commercial centre of Stretford, previously known as Stretford Arndale . It was opened in 1969 and changed its name in 2003. It is still (as of 2022) referred to as the "Stretford Arndale" on local bus timetables and recorded announcements. Stretford Mall
5254-532: Is the most recognisable place in the area. In the centre are public gardens and parking, Around this leafy green space is the Quadrant public house , a former public library now a Beacon Centre , and a number of shops, a barber and an established Holistic Therapy Centre . Firswood is served by the Manchester Metrolink light rail network. Firswood tram stop is on Rye Bank Road, where it opened in July 2011, after
5396-429: The 2011 UK census , the Stretford area wards of Clifford, Gorse Hill, Longford and Stretford had a total population of 46,910 and a population density of 8,907 persons per square mile (3,439 per km ). Stretford residents had an average age of 36 years, younger than the 39.3 Trafford average. For every 100 females, there were 97.8 males. Of all residents, 42% were single (never married): in Trafford, 33% were single. Of
5538-534: The A56 Chester Road , follows the line of the old Roman road from Deva Victrix ( Chester ) to Mamucium ( Manchester ), crossing the Mersey into Stretford at Crossford Bridge, built at the location of the ancient ford. The earliest evidence of human occupation around Stretford comes from Neolithic stone axes found in the area, dating from about 2000 BC. Stretford was part of the land occupied by
5680-700: The Altrincham Garrick Playhouse and the Club Theatre (latterly known as the Altrincham Little Theatre). The Altrincham Garrick group was formed in 1913. The Garrick held the world stage premiere of Psycho in 1982. In 1998, it received a grant of £675,000 from the National Lottery as part of a £900,000 redevelopment of the theatre, which was completed in 1999. The Club Theatre group began in 1896, as
5822-414: The Bridgewater Canal to Altrincham in 1765 stimulated the development of market gardening , and for many years Altrincham was noted for its vegetables. By 1767, warehouses had been built alongside the canal at Broadheath, the first step in the development of Broadheath as an industrial area and the beginning of Altrincham's industrialisation. The canal was connected in 1776 to the River Mersey , providing
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5964-611: The British Army . He was posthumously awarded the last Victoria Cross awarded in the European theatre of the Second World War. A road was subsequently named after him, on the nearby Firs Farm development. This Greater Manchester location article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Stretford Stretford is a market town in Trafford , Greater Manchester, England, sited on flat ground between
6106-637: The Celtic Brigantes tribe before and during the Roman occupation, and lay on their border with the Cornovii on the southern side of the Mersey. By 1212, there were two manors in the area now called Stretford. The land in the south, close to the River Mersey, was held by Hamon de Mascy , while the land in the north, closer to the River Irwell , was held by Henry de Trafford. In about 1250,
6248-516: The Cheshire Lines Committee ), who opened their line from Altrincham to Knutsford. With its new railway links, Altrincham and the surrounding areas became desirable places for the middle classes and commuters to live. Professionals and industrialists moved to the town, commuting into Manchester. While some travelled daily by coach, the less well–to–do commuted by express or "flyer" barges from Broadheath. Between 1851 and 1881
6390-979: The Church of St Alban , the Church of St George , the Church of St John the Evangelist and Trinity United Reformed Church. Of the nine Grade II* listed buildings in Trafford, three are in Altrincham: the Church of St Margaret, the Church of St John the Divine and Hale Chapel in Hale Barns . As of the 2001 UK census, 78.8 per cent of Altrincham's residents reported themselves as being Christian, 1.1 per cent Jewish, 1.1 per cent Muslim, 0.4 per cent Hindu, 0.2 per cent Buddhist and 0.1 per cent Sikh. The census recorded 12.1 per cent as having no religion, 0.2 per cent with an alternative religion, while 6.1 per cent did not state
6532-622: The Free Trade Hall , was bombed and severely damaged during the Manchester Blitz of 1940. After a change of ownership in 1950, the cinema was renamed the Stretford Essoldo. It continued to operate as a cinema until 1965, when it was converted into a bingo hall, which it remained until its closure in 1995. The building has been unused since then. It was designated a Grade II listed building in 1994. In 2017
6674-536: The Local Government Act 1894 . Altrincham Urban District was expanded in 1920 when parts of Carrington and Dunham Massey Civil Parishes were added. Altrincham Town Hall was designed by Charles Albert Hindle and completed in November 1901. A further expansion took place in 1936; Timperley Civil Parish was abolished and most of its area incorporated into Altrincham UD. At the same time, there
6816-489: The River Mersey and the Manchester Ship Canal ; the Bridgewater Canal bisects the town. The town is located 4 miles (6.4 km) south of Manchester , 3 miles (4.8 km) south of Salford and 4 miles (6.4 km) north-east of Altrincham . Stretford borders Chorlton-cum-Hardy to the east, Moss Side and Whalley Range to the south-east, Hulme to the north-east, Urmston to the west, Salford to
6958-400: The 19,209 households, 33% were one-person households, 56% were married couples with dependent children, and 15% were lone parents with dependent children. Of those aged 16–74 in Stretford, 23% had no academic qualifications , higher than the 18% in all of Trafford. With 78% of residents born in the United Kingdom, there is a relatively high proportion of foreign-born residents reported. There
7100-545: The 2011 UK census, the main industries of employment of residents in Altrincham were wholesale and retail trade (14.8%), human health and social work activities (13.0%), and professional, scientific and technical activities (11.6%). The census recorded the economic inactivity of residents aged 16–74 as 3.5 per cent looking after home or family, 2.8 per cent long-term sick or disabled, 4.1 per cent students, and 1.5 per cent economically inactive for other reasons. The 3.1 per cent unemployment rate of Altrincham
7242-509: The 63 seats on Trafford Council. The wards elect in thirds on a four yearly cycle . As of the 2014 local elections , all 12 councillors representing the Stretford area are members of the Labour Party. Stretford occupies an area of 4.1 square miles (10.6 km ), just north of the River Mersey , at 53°26′48″N 2°18′31″W / 53.44667°N 2.30861°W / 53.44667; -2.30861 (53.4466, −2.3086). The area
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#17327827346157384-482: The County High School for Girls, and Altrincham County High School for Boys, were founded in 1909, 1910, and 1912 respectively. Although still open these schools have since changed their names to Altrincham Grammar School for Girls , Altrincham Grammar School for Boys , and Loreto Grammar School . Altrincham received evacuees during the Second World War, and it was in this period that St. Ambrose College
7526-470: The Great Plague of 1655–56 the holes in the top of the stone were filled with vinegar or holy water, through which coins were passed in the belief that would halt the spread of the disease. But the holes are probably too deep for that to have been the stone's original purpose. It may have been a marker on the Roman road between Northwich and Manchester, or some kind of boundary marker. The Great Stone
7668-625: The Juniper. Altrincham F.C. , nicknamed The Robins , was founded in 1903 and play home matches at Moss Lane . The club plays in the National League . In the 1970s and 1980s, Altrincham F.C. built a reputation for giant-killing acts against Football League teams in FA Cup matches. The club has knocked out Football League opposition on a record 16 occasions, including a 1986 victory against top-flight Birmingham City . Altrincham won
7810-582: The Linotype Housing Estate and Stamford New Road. On the town's outskirts is the 18th-century Dunham Massey Hall , surrounded by its 250-acre (1 km ) deer park, both now owned by the National Trust . The hall is early Georgian in style, and along with its stables and carriage house, is a Grade I listed building . Royd House was built between 1914 and 1916, by local architect Edgar Wood , as his own residence. It has
7952-590: The Linotype and Machinery Company, established Broadheath as an industrial area of national standing. By 1914, 14 companies operated in Broadheath, employing thousands of workers. One of those was the Budenberg Gauge Company . Linotype also created 172 workers' homes near its factory, helping cater for the population boom created by Broadheath's industrialisation. Between 1891 and 1901
8094-566: The Manchester Ship Canal in 1894, and the subsequent development of the Trafford Park industrial estate, accelerated the industrialisation that had begun in the late 19th century. By 2001, less than one per cent of Stretford's population was employed in agriculture. Stretford has been the home of Manchester United Football Club since 1910 and of Lancashire County Cricket Club since 1864. Notable residents have included
8236-441: The Manchester market each week. Stretford also became well known for its pig market and the production of black puddings , leading to the village being given the nickname of Porkhampton. A local dish, known as Stretford goose, was made from pork stuffed with sage and onions. During the 1830s, between 800 and 1,000 pigs a week were being slaughtered for the Manchester market. Situated on the border with Manchester, Stretford became
8378-483: The Mersey through Stretford canalised to speed up the passage of floodwater. Emergency floodbasins have also been constructed, Sale Water Park being a prominent local example, lying immediately to the south of Stretford. Stretford comprises the local areas of Old Trafford , Firswood , Gorse Hill , and Trafford Park and represents the northeastern tip of Trafford . Its climate is generally temperate , with few extremes of temperature or weather. The mean temperature
8520-539: The North Lancashire and Cumbria League for 2018–19. The club has produced England and Sale Sharks players Mark Cueto and Chris Jones and continues to produce players for the Sale Jets. Altrincham and District Athletics Club was founded in 1961 and provides training facilities for track and field, road running , cross-country running and fell running . Seamons Cycling Club was formed in 1948 in
8662-534: The Old Market Place in his Confessions of an English Opium Eater while travelling from Manchester to Chester. He noted how little the place had changed since his visit 14 years earlier at the age of three, and that "fruits, such as can be had in July, and flowers were scattered about in profusion: even the stalls of the butchers, from their brilliant cleanliness, appeared attractive: and bonny young women of Altrincham were all tripping about in caps and aprons coquettishly disposed" In 1974 Altrincham artist George Allen
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#17327827346158804-779: The St Margaret's Church Institute Amateur Dramatics Society. It provides a venue for the Trafford Youth Theatre production each year, and it runs the Hale One Act Festival, an annual week-long event started in 1972. The club has received awards from both the Greater Manchester Drama Federation and the Cheshire Theatre Guild. Altrincham also had Greater Manchester's only Michelin starred restaurant,
8946-451: The Trafford area. The growth of the settlement was a result of the Industrial Revolution, and although Altrincham was one of the fastest-growing townships in the Trafford area, but paled in comparison to new industrial areas such as Ashton-under-Lyne , Hyde , and Manchester. In the second half of the 19th century, Altrincham's population grew by 275 per cent, higher than the 235 per cent for Trafford and 69 per cent nationally in
9088-446: The United Kingdom. A purpose-built iron and glass building was constructed at a cost of £38,000 to house the 16,000 exhibits. The gardens were also chosen as a site for the Royal Jubilee Exhibition of 1887, celebrating Queen Victoria 's 50-year reign. The exhibition ran for more than six months and was attended by more than 4.75 million visitors. The gardens were converted into an entertainment resort in 1907, and hosted
9230-404: The White City Retail Park was built. The arrival of the Manchester Ship Canal in 1894, and the subsequent development of the Trafford Park industrial estate in the north of the town – the first planned industrial estate in the world – had a substantial effect on Stretford's growth. The population in 1891 was 21,751, but by 1901 it had increased by 40% to 30,436 as people were drawn to
9372-411: The architect Henry Elder, it was the height of Art Deco fashion when it was opened by the Mayor of Stretford in 1936. Its unusual "cash register" frontage was intended to symbolise the business aspect of show business. The building incorporated many modern features, such as sound-proofing and under-seat heating, and it was also the first cinema in Britain to make use of concealed neon lighting. It had
9514-425: The area as well as the cadets finishes here, in a semi-circle around the Cenotaph whilst the public and independent representatives stand on the main road which is closed for the occasion. The march goes from the Metro Club to the Cenotaph and back, with the Boys Brigade Band striking up the music for this event. For more information, see Longford Park Stretford Public Hall was built in 1878 by John Rylands . It
9656-545: The area near the Old Market Place from the 17th century until the late 19th century was also the site for dispensing early local justice. A courtroom, stocks and whipping post saw public floggings take place there until the early 19th century. The whipping post and stocks were restored as a tourist attraction by local traders in the 1990s. However, the Buttermarket area was also a site of religious importance, since prospective brides and grooms are thought to have declared their intentions here. In 1814 Thomas de Quincey described
9798-428: The area of Altrincham known locally as Seamons Moss. Local news and television programmes are provided by BBC North West and ITV Granada . Television signals are received from the Winter Hill TV transmitter. Local radio stations are BBC Radio Manchester , Heart North West , Smooth North West , XS Manchester , Greatest Hits Radio Manchester & The North West , Capital Manchester and Lancashire and RadioAlty,
9940-447: The authority to levy rates to pay for those services. The local board continued in that role until it was superseded by the creation of Stretford Urban District Council in 1894, as a result of the Local Government Act 1894 . Stretford Urban District became the Municipal Borough of Stretford in 1933, giving it borough status in the United Kingdom . Stretford Borough Council was granted its arms on 20 February 1933. The roses are
10082-460: The blitz of December 1940. Between 1972 and 1975, what is now a closed B&Q store (originally constructed as a multi-lane Bowling Alley) in Great Stone Road was the 3,000-capacity Hardrock Theatre and Village Discothèque, hosting some of that period's major artists in their prime. Led Zeppelin , David Bowie , Bob Marley , Elton John , Hawkwind , Yes , Chaka Khan , Curved Air and Lou Reed were amongst those who appeared. Tangerine Dream
10224-591: The control of the Lord of the Manor and the Court Leet until its final abolition in 1886. The Public Health Act of 1848 led to the creation of Altrincham's Local Board of Health in 1851 to address the unsanitary conditions created by the town's growing population – the first such board in Trafford. The local board was reconstituted as an urban district council in the administrative county of Cheshire under
10366-541: The creation of a merchants' guild, run by the town's burgesses to tax people passing through the borough. Burgesses were free men who lived in the town. The borough was ruled by a Court Leet and elected a mayor since at least 1452. Amongst the court's responsibilities were keeping the public peace and regulating the markets and fairs. The borough was not one of those reformed by the Municipal Corporations Act of 1835 , and continued to exist under
10508-422: The day. Altrincham Altrincham ( / ˈ ɒ l t r ɪ ŋ əm / OL -tring-əm , locally / ˈ ɒ l t r ɪ ŋ ɡ əm / ) is a market town in Trafford , Greater Manchester , England, south of the River Mersey . It is 8 miles (13 km) southwest of Manchester , 3 miles (5 km) southwest of Sale and 10 miles (16 km) east of Warrington . At the 2011 census , it had
10650-605: The earliest forms of public transport through Stretford was the stagecoach ; the Angel Hotel, on the present day site of what used to be the Bass Drum public house, was one of the main stopping places for stagecoaches in Stretford, and the Trafford Arms was another. Horse-drawn omnibuses replaced the stagecoach service through Stretford in 1845. The Manchester Carriage Company 's tramway from Manchester to Stretford
10792-492: The end of June/Early July. The festival, which is entirely self funded and arranged by volunteers, consists of a Parade through the town and culminates in a 2-day music and family event at Beechfields. The family event consists of a stage showcasing local music and culture, together with a fun fair, food village and community stalls. The event is the largest free family event in the Borough of Trafford. Altrincham has two theatres,
10934-409: The existing disused Cheshire Lines Committee railway track was cleared and upgraded as part of Metrolink ‘Big Bang' extension. The tram stop is served by two lines: Rochdale to East Didsbury, and Victoria to Manchester Airport. This means there are direct services from Firswood to Manchester city centre , Rochdale , Oldham , Chorlton , Didsbury , Wythenshawe and Manchester Airport . The area
11076-586: The first speedway meeting in Greater Manchester on 16 June 1928. There was also greyhound racing from 1930, and an athletics track. The complex was demolished in the late 1980s, and all that remains is the entrance gates, close to what is now the White City Retail Park. The gates were designated a Grade II listed structure in 1987. The gates are not in their original position but were dismantled and turned through ninety degrees when
11218-780: The forerunner of the Football Conference in its first two seasons, but was denied election to the Football League on both occasions, falling a single vote short in 1980. Altrincham have since had mixed fortunes. Relegated to the Northern Premier League in 1997 , the club has since earned 5 promotions and suffered 5 relegations, most recently gaining promotion to the National League in the 2019-20 season . The club's main rivals are Macclesfield Town and Northwich Victoria . Altrincham
11360-522: The granting of Stretford's charter, on 16 September 1933. In 1974, on the formation of the new Trafford Metropolitan Borough, Stretford Town Hall was adopted as the base for the new council and renamed Trafford Town Hall; it was designated a Grade II listed building in 2007. The Union Church was formed in 1862, with John Rylands as its patron; he laid the foundation stone of its building in Edge Lane, close to Longford Park's southern entrance, in 1867. In
11502-433: The industrialist, philanthropist and Manchester's first multi-millionaire John Rylands , the suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst , the painter L. S. Lowry , Smiths front-man Morrissey , Joy Division front-man Ian Curtis , pop singer Andy Gibb and Jay Kay of Jamiroquai . The origin of the name Stretford is " street " ( Old English strǣt ) on a ford across the River Mersey . The principal road through Stretford,
11644-551: The land, much of it to tenants who farmed at subsistence levels. Although there is known to have been a papermill operating in 1765, the area remained largely rural until the early 20th-century development of Trafford Park in the Old Trafford district north of the town. Until then Stretford "remained in the background of daily life in England", except for a brief cameo role during the Jacobite rising of 1745 , when Crossford Bridge
11786-538: The largest in the UK outside London, is 5 miles (8 km) to the south-east of the town and is connected via the Manchester Piccadilly–Crewe line. There are plans to create a new link between Manchester Airport and the Mid-Cheshire Line, which Altrincham Interchange is a station on. Recently the Metrolink completed connections to this airport and opened the line 12 months early, but this is not
11928-490: The latter part of the 20th century the church was converted into office accommodation but by the early 21st century was standing empty. In 2012 it was restored to its original use a church having been bought by the Church of Christ – Iglesia ni Cristo. Stretford Metrolink station is part of the Manchester Metrolink tram system and lies on the Altrincham to Bury line. Trams leave about every six minutes between 7:15 and 18:30, but every 12 minutes at other times of
12070-419: The line from Manchester, via Lymm, to Warrington. Altrincham Interchange is one of the Metrolink's termini. The interchange was refurbished (2015–16) and now includes a brand new footbridge, with three lifts to cope with increased passenger demands, a larger-scale ticket office and a modern bus interchange. The Interchange connects the town to several locations in Greater Manchester, such as Sale and Bury ;
12212-475: The major Roman roads in North West England connecting the legionary fortresses of Chester ( Deva Victrix ) and York ( Eboracum ), run through the Broadheath area. As it shows signs of having been repaired, the road was in use for a considerable period of time. The name Altrincham first appears as "Aldringeham", probably meaning "homestead of Aldhere's people". As recently as the 19th century it
12354-480: The market still continues. During the Industrial Revolution , Altrincham grew as an industrial town, particularly the Broadheath area, which was developed into an industrial estate. In 1801 there were four cotton mills in Altrincham, although they had closed by the 1851 census . The decline of the textile industry in Altrincham mirrored the decline of the industry in the Trafford area as a result of
12496-451: The mechanised cotton mills of nearby Manchester replaced handlooms. As Manchester continued to grow, it offered a good and easily accessible market for Stretford's agricultural products, in particular rhubarb , once known locally as Stretford beef. By 1836 market gardening had become so extensive around Stretford that one writer described it as the "garden of Lancashire"; in 1845 more than 500 tons of vegetables were being produced for
12638-471: The nights of 22/23 and 23/24 December 1940 alone, 124 incendiaries and 120 high-explosive bombs fell on the town, killing 73 people and injuring many more. Among the buildings damaged or destroyed during the war were Manchester United 's Old Trafford football ground , All Saints' Church, St Hilda's Church, and the children's library in King Street. Smoke generators were set up in the north of
12780-471: The north and Sale to the south. In 2011 it had a population of 46,910. Within the boundaries of the historic county of Lancashire , Stretford was an agricultural village in the 19th century; it was known locally as Porkhampton , due to the large number of pigs produced for the Manchester market. It was also an extensive market-gardening area, producing more than 500 long tons (508 t) of vegetables each week for sale in Manchester by 1845. The arrival of
12922-471: The passage of the Local Government Act 1972 , the administrative counties and municipal boroughs were abolished and Altrincham became part of the Metropolitan Borough of Trafford in Greater Manchester on 1 April 1974. Trafford Council is responsible for the administration of local services, such as education, social services, town planning, waste collection and council housing . The area
13064-477: The population increased from 4,488 to 11,250. Broadheath's industrial area, covering about 250 acres (1.0 km ), was founded in 1885 by Harry Grey, 8th Earl of Stamford , to attract businesses. By 1900 Broadheath had its own docks, warehouses and electricity generating station. The site's proximity to rail, canal and road links proved attractive to companies making machine tools, cameras and grinding machines. The presence of companies like Tilghmans Sand Blast, and
13206-556: The population of Altrincham increased by 35 per cent, from 12,440 to 16,831. From the turn of the 20th century to the start of the Second World War , there were few changes in Altrincham. Although the town was witness to some of the Luftwaffe 's raids on the Manchester area in the latter war, it emerged from the war relatively unscathed having lost only 23 civilian residents through enemy action, and as with
13348-510: The presence of retailers such as Tesco , Sainsbury's and Marks & Spencer in the town, a new Asda superstore in Broadheath, and redevelopment schemes costing over £100 million, Altrincham's 15.5 per cent level of employment in retail is below the national average of 16.9 per cent. Altrincham, with its neighbours Bowdon and Hale , is said to constitute a "stockbroker belt", with well-appointed dwellings in an area of sylvan opulence. The historic market town developed as
13490-521: The railway in 1849. The completion of the Manchester South Junction and Altrincham Railway (MSJAR) in 1849, passing through Stretford, led to the population of the town nearly doubling in a decade, from 4,998 in 1851 to 8,757 by 1861. Because Stretford is situated on the main A56 road between Chester and Manchester many travellers passed through the village, and as this traffic increased, more inns were built to provide travellers with stopping places. One of
13632-689: The rear of the building, accessed via Cyprus Street. In 1940 the new Stretford Library was opened on King Street, and the public hall was rendered surplus. The building re-opened in March 1949 as the Stretford Civic Theatre, with a well-equipped stage for the use of local groups. After the Stretford Leisure Centre opened in 1983 now Stretford Sports Village, the Cyprus Street Baths wing fell into disuse, and
13774-433: The red roses of Lancashire, and the lion in the centre represents John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster . Above the lion are a crossed flail and scythe; the flail comes from the arms of the de Trafford family; the scythe is a reminder of the agricultural history of the area; the thunderbolts above represent the importance of electricity in Stretford's industrial development. The boat at the bottom represents Stretford's links to
13916-582: The relief of the poor, Stretford joined the Chorlton Poor Law Union in 1837, one of three such unions in Manchester, before transferring to the Barton-upon-Irwell Poor Law Union in 1849. In 1867, Stretford Local Board of Health was established, assuming responsibility for the local government of the area in 1868. The board's responsibilities included sanitation and the maintenance of the highways, and it had
14058-533: The rest of Britain, experienced an economic boom. This manifested itself in the construction of new housing and the 1960s rebuilding of the town centre. However, during the 1970s employment at Broadheath declined by nearly 40 per cent. Altrincham became a free borough and a self-governing township when it was granted its charter in June 1290 by the Lord of the Manor , Hamon de Massey V. The charter allowed for
14200-487: The same period. This was due to the late industrialisation of the area and the introduction of the Manchester South Junction and Altrincham Railway in 1849. Historically, Altrincham was a market town and the two main areas of employment were agriculture and market trade. Although the town went into decline in the 15th century, it recovered and the annual fairs lasted until the mid-19th century and
14342-543: The sea via the Manchester Ship Canal. In 1974, as a result of the Local Government Act 1972 , the Municipal Borough of Stretford was abolished and Stretford has, since 1 April 1974, formed part of the Metropolitan Borough of Trafford , in Greater Manchester . Trafford Town Hall – previously Stretford Town Hall – is the administrative centre of Trafford. The constituency of Stretford
14484-430: The service also includes Navigation Road station . Metrolink services leave around every six minutes, between 07:15 and 19:30 on weekdays and less frequently at other times. National Rail services link the Altrincham and Navigation Road stations with Chester (via Northwich ) and with Manchester (via Stockport ). Altrincham Interchange , next to the railway station, is a hub for local bus routes. Manchester Airport ,
14626-568: The surrounding area. Sunday schools were set up in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Altrincham's increasing population prompted the founding of more schools during the early 19th century and by 1856 the town had 9 schools, 1 college, and 23 teachers. The introduction of compulsory education during the second half of the 19th century increased the demand for schools, and by 1886 Altrincham had 12 church schools and 8 private schools. Responsibility for local education fell to Cheshire County Council in 1903. Loreto Convent,
14768-760: The town by the promise of work in the new industries at Trafford Park. During the Second World War Trafford Park was largely turned over to the production of matériel , including the Avro Manchester heavy bomber, and the Rolls-Royce Merlin engines used to power both the Spitfire and the Lancaster . That resulted in Stretford being the target for heavy bombing, particularly during the Manchester Blitz of 1940. On
14910-476: The town centre, with the less populated areas and more green space further from the centre of town in villages such as Bowdon and Hale. The Oldfield Brow area lies on the outskirts of the town beside the Bridgewater Canal and close to Dunham Massey . As of the 2011 UK census , the town of Altrincham had a total population of 52,419. Of its 41,530 residents aged 16 and over, 62.1 per cent were couples living together. The town's population density
15052-542: The town close to Trafford Park in an effort to hide it from enemy aircraft, and 11,900 children were evacuated to safer areas in Lancashire, Cheshire, Derbyshire, and Staffordshire, along with their teachers and supervisors. A memorial to those residents who lost their lives in the bombing was erected in Stretford Cemetery in 1948, over the communal grave of the 17 unidentified people who were killed in
15194-601: The town did not have a church until the Anglican church established a chapel of ease in 1799. Nonconformists were also present in Altrincham; Methodists set up a chapel in 1790, and Baptists built one in the 1870s. Irish immigrants in the 1830s and 1840s also returned Roman Catholicism to the area, the first Roman Catholic church built in Altrincham being St Vincent's, in 1860. Several churches in Altrincham are deemed architecturally important enough to be designated Grade II listed buildings. These are Christ Church,
15336-504: The town not only with a water route to Manchester, but also to the Irish Sea . Moves to connect the town to the UK's railway network gained pace in 1845, when the Act of Parliament for the construction of the Manchester South Junction and Altrincham Railway (MSJAR) was passed. The first train left Altrincham early on 20 July 1849, carrying 65 passengers. The MSJAR had two stations in
15478-471: The town was Stretford St. Matthew. The northern part of Stretford was centred on Old Trafford, with undeveloped countryside separating them. During the 19th century, the sections merged. The western terminus of the early medieval linear earthwork Nico Ditch is in Hough Moss, just to the east of Stretford; it was probably used as an administrative boundary and dates from the 8th or 9th century. As at
15620-434: The town. Outlying villages were absorbed by Altrincham's subsequent growth, along with the grounds of Dunham Massey Hall , formerly the home of the Earl of Stamford , and now a tourist attraction with three Grade I Listed Buildings and a deer park. Altrincham has good transport links to Manchester, Sale, Stretford, Warrington and Stockport among other destinations. The town has a strong middle-class presence: there has been
15762-564: The town: Altrincham , on Stockport Road, and Bowdon – though not actually in Bowdon – on Lloyd Street/Railway Street. Both were replaced in 1881 by Altrincham & Bowdon railway station on Stamford New Road. The London and North Western Railway 's station at Broadheath, on the town's northern edge, was opened in 1854, while a further connection was created on 12 May 1862 by the Cheshire Midland Railway (later
15904-513: The vote. Stretford is one of the four major urban areas in Trafford; the other three are Altrincham , Sale and Urmston . The area historically known as Stretford, between the River Irwell in the north and the River Mersey in the south, has since 2004 been divided between the Trafford local government wards of Clifford , Longford , Gorse Hill , and Stretford . Each ward is represented by three local councillors, giving Stretford 12 of
16046-466: The vote. The Conservatives took 27.0% of the vote, UKIP 2.2%, the Liberal Democrats 2.0%, the Green Party 1.3%, and the Christian Party 0.2%. Green resigned as MP in 2022 to replace Hughes as her role as Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester , and the following by-election was won by Leader of Trafford Council Andrew Western , retaining the seat for Labour with an increased share of
16188-526: The western side is a memorial to the casualties of the Second World War and to the east a newer section of the cemetery. Trafford Town Hall stands in a large site at the junction of Talbot Road and Warwick Road, directly opposite the Old Trafford Cricket Ground . Work on the building, designed by architects Bradshaw Gass & Hope of Bolton, began on 21 August 1931. The town hall officially came into use as Stretford Town Hall on
16330-548: The working class had grown to 31% compared to 24% middle class and 26% working class nationally. Until the end of the 19th century Stretford was a largely agricultural village. The development of the Trafford Park industrial estate in the north of the town, beginning in the late 19th century, had a significant effect on Stretford's subsequent development. At its peak in 1945 the park employed an estimated 75,000 workers; housing and other amenities had to be constructed on what had previously been agricultural land. Trafford Park
16472-467: Was a minor exchange of areas with Hale Urban District ; a minor addition from Bowdon Urban District ; and a further substantial portion of Dunham Massey Civil Parish was added. In 1937 the urban district was granted a charter of incorporation and became a municipal borough . The new borough was granted armorial bearings which featured heraldic references to the Masseys and Earls of Stamford. With
16614-609: Was also the birthplace of the film and television actress Angela Cartwright . Ian Brown and John Squire of the Stone Roses both attended Altrincham Grammar School for Boys, and Paul Young of Sad Café and Mike and the Mechanics lived in Altrincham until his death in 2000. Nick Estcourt , mountain climber, opened a climbing shop on Stamford New Road in Altrincham shortly before being swept to his death by an avalanche during an expedition to climb K2 in 1978 (the shop
16756-594: Was approached by Trafford Council to paint a picture of The Old Market Place. This picture was used to produce postcards which were sold to promote Altrincham, and are still sold today to raise funds for a local charity. Another of Altrincham's attractions is the historic market , set up over 700 years ago when the town was first established. Of the 21 conservation areas in Trafford, ten are in Altrincham: The Downs, The Devisdale, Bowdon, Ashley Heath, Goose Green , Old Market Place, Sandiway, George Street,
16898-633: Was born in Altrincham. Two Victoria Cross recipients were born at Altrincham. Edward Kinder Bradbury was born (16 August 1881) in the town, he was awarded the Victoria Cross for gallantry and ability in organising the defence of 'L' Battery against heavy odds at Nery on 1 September 1914 in World War I . Altrincham born Bill Speakman received the Victoria Cross for valour in 1951 in the Korean War . Sir Michael Pollock , an officer in
17040-494: Was built in 1879, terminating at the Old Cock Hotel on the A56 road, next to which a small depot was built to house the cars and horses. A 1900 timetable shows that trams left for Manchester every 10 minutes between 8:00 am and 10:15 pm. The horse-drawn trams were replaced with electric trams in 1902, and after the Second World War the trams were replaced by buses. The MSJAR railway line through Stretford
17182-491: Was built in 1880. The 16-acre (6.5 ha) Stamford Park was designed by landscape gardener John Shaw. It opened to the public in 1880, as a sports park with areas for cricket and football. The land was donated by George Grey , the 7th Earl of Stamford , and is now owned and run by Trafford Council. The park is listed as Grade II on the Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England , and has won
17324-657: Was built on the site of the original shopping centre in the former King Street. The Trafford Centre , a large shopping and leisure complex opened in September 1998, lies to the northwest of Stretford about 2.5 miles (4.0 km) away. According to the 2011 UK census, the industry of employment of residents in Stretford was 17% retail and wholesale, 11% health and social work, 11% education, 7% manufacturing, 6% transport and storage, 6% public administration and defence, 6% professional, scientific and technical activities, 5% hotels and restaurants, 5% construction, 5% finance, 1% energy and water supply, 0.06% agriculture and 5% other. This
17466-671: Was completed. Manchester Phoenix , a club having a professional presence in the English Premier Ice Hockey League and an extensive junior development aspect, relocated to the Ice Dome during the 2006–07 season, having withdrawn from competition two years earlier due to the high cost of playing matches at Manchester's MEN Arena . In 2009, the Manchester Phoenix English National Ice Hockey League team
17608-564: Was created in 1885, and existed until 1997, when it was replaced by the present constituency of Stretford and Urmston . Beverley Hughes was Labour MP during the New Labour government. Kate Green , a member of the Labour Party , became the MP at the 2010 General Election , with a majority of 8,935, representing 48.6% of the vote. She retained the seat at the 2017 General Election with an increased majority of 19,705, which represents 66.8% of
17750-484: Was demolished in 1960, and St.Hilda's Junior School was built on the site. Before being drained, the area was largely a peat bog, which explains the lack of development before the 20th century. The oldest residential part of the area is Darley Park, which shares some characteristics with neighbouring Whalley Range and Chorltonville. St Teresa's church (1928) is a parish church in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Salford. The Quadrant, where Kings Road meets Great Stone Road
17892-541: Was demolished. The remainder of the building began to fall into disrepair, despite being designated a Grade II listed structure in 1987, until Trafford Council refurbished and converted the hall to serve as council offices in the mid-1990s. It was re-opened in 1997, once again named Stretford Public Hall. Stretford Cemetery was designed by John Shaw and opened in 1885. Its chapel is in the Decorated style , designed by architects Bellamy & Hardy, and quite elaborate. On
18034-564: Was designed by N. Lofthouse and is on the western side of the A56 Chester Road, opposite the Longford Cinema. Stretford's first public lending library was established in the building in 1883. On the death of Rylands in 1888, his widow placed the building at the disposal of the local authority for a nominal rent, and on her own death in 1908, the building was bought by Stretford Council for £5,000. Public baths were built to
18176-404: Was destroyed to prevent a crossing by Bonnie Prince Charlie 's army during its abortive advance on London; the bridge was quickly rebuilt. Until the 1820s one of Stretford's main cottage industries was the hand-weaving of cotton. There were reported at one time to have been 302 handlooms operating in Stretford, providing employment for 780 workers, but by 1826 only four were still in use, as
18318-474: Was electrified in 1931 and converted to light rail operation in 1992, when it became part of the Manchester Metrolink tram network. The first Metrolink tram through Stretford ran on 15 June 1992. Stretford was part of the ancient parish of Manchester , within the historic county boundaries of Lancashire . Following the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834, a national scheme for dealing with
18460-892: Was founded. Altrincham now has eighteen primary schools, one special school and eight secondary schools, including five grammar schools ; the Trafford district maintains a selective education system assessed by entrance exams set by each school. Several of Altrincham's secondary schools have specialist status : Altrincham College ( arts ); Altrincham Grammar School for Boys ( language ); Altrincham Grammar School for Girls (language); Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College ( maths and computing ); Loreto Grammar School ( science and maths); and St. Ambrose College (maths and computing). Altrincham College of Arts, Altrincham Grammar School for Boys, Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College, Loreto Grammar School and St. Ambrose College were all rated as outstanding in 2011–12 Ofsted reports. Brentwood Special School
18602-451: Was high compared with the national rate of 3.2%. According to the Office for National Statistics estimates, between April 2001 and March 2002 the average gross income of households in Stretford was £415 per week (£21,664 per year). Longford Cinema, opposite Stretford Mall, on the eastern side of the A56 Chester Road , is perhaps the most visually striking building in the town. Designed by
18744-491: Was important for trade. Altrincham Fair became St James's Fair or Samjam in 1319 and continued until 1895. Fair days had their own court of Pye Powder (a corruption of the French for "dusty feet"), presided over by the mayor and held to settle disputes arising from the day's dealings. By 1348 the town had 120 burgage plots – ownership of land used as a measure of status and importance in an area – putting it on
18886-681: Was in the eponymous parliamentary constituency which was created in 1885. This lasted until 1945 when it was replaced by Altrincham and Sale. In 1997, this in turn became part of the newly created constituency of Altrincham and Sale West . 2024, Altrincham and Sale West has been represented in the House of Commons by the Labour MP , Connor Rand . This was one of only four Conservative seats in Greater Manchester . At 53°23′2″N 2°21′17″W / 53.38389°N 2.35472°W / 53.38389; -2.35472 (53.3838, −2.3547), Altrincham
19028-412: Was low compared with the national rate of 4.4 per cent. The Old Market Place is thought to stand on the site of the original town settlement. Now a registered conservation area it consists of a series of part timber-framed buildings echoing the wattle and daube constructions of the original houses and burgage plots. The cobblestone paving was replaced in 1896. The Buttermarket which stood in
19170-529: Was managed by Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust , and provided a range of services including geriatric medicine, ophthalmology and pain management. John Alcock , who along with Arthur Whitten Brown was the first man to fly across the Atlantic Ocean , was born in the lodge of Basford House on Seymour Grove, where his father was the coachman. Edward Colquhoun Charlton lived at 12 Basford Road, prior to his conscription into
19312-469: Was middle class, slightly higher than the figure for England and Wales, which was 14 per cent. By 1971 this gap had increased to 28.8 per cent compared to 24 per cent nationally, while the town's working class population had declined, from 30.3 per cent in 1931 (36 per cent in England and Wales) to 18.6 per cent (26 per cent nationwide). The remainder comprised clerical and skilled manual workers. This change in social structure
19454-467: Was probably deposited as a glacial erratic . It is rectangular in shape, about 5 feet (2 m) wide, 2 feet (1 m) deep, and 3 feet (1 m) tall, with two 7-inch (18 cm) deep rectangular slots cut into its upper surface. Several suggestions have been made for the history of the Great Stone. There was a succession of plagues in Manchester from the 14th century onwards, and during
19596-513: Was renamed Trafford Metros, bringing the old Altrincham team's name back into use. When not being used by Phoenix the Altrincham Ice Dome is open to the public for ice skating. Founded in 1897, Altrincham Kersal RUFC plays rugby union. They have played at level 6 since being relegated from North One in 2012. Following the withdrawal of a number of Lancashire clubs from the county's union, they have been level transferred to play in
19738-509: Was similar to that seen across the nation – although biased towards the middle classes – making Altrincham the middle-class town it is today. According to the hearth tax returns from 1664, the township of Altrincham had a population of about 636, making it the largest of the local settlements; this had increased to 1,692 in 1801. In the first half of the 19th century, the town's population increased by 165 per cent, higher than 89 per cent across England and 98 per cent in
19880-632: Was spelt both Altrincham and Altringham. Until the Normans invaded England, the manors surrounding Altrincham were owned by the Saxon thegn Alweard; after the invasion they became the property of Hamon de Massey , though Altrincham is not mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. The earliest documented reference to the town is from 1290, when it was granted its charter as a Free Borough by Baron Hamon de Massey V. The charter, which exists and
20022-418: Was subsequently run for many years by his wife, Carolyn). Estcourt was one of the closest friends of Chris Bonington , who lived for a time in Bowdon. Hewlett Johnson , later known as the "Red Dean" of Canterbury, was curate, and later vicar of St Margaret's in the town from 1904 to 1924. Footballer Jack Liggins was born within Altrincham in 1906. The Lancashire and England Test cricketer Paul Allott
20164-571: Was the last band to perform at the Hardrock, on 19 October 1975. In more recent years, Lancashire Cricket Club's Old Trafford ground, next door, has provided a concert venue for bands such as Oasis , Foo Fighters , The Cure , Radiohead , Coldplay , Arctic Monkeys and Pixies . Stretford's growth was fuelled by the transport revolutions of the 18th and especially the 19th century: the Bridgewater Canal reached Stretford in 1761, and
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