Clayton, Greater Manchester
Encyclopedia
Clayton is a suburb of the city of Manchester
, in North West England
. It is situated about 3 miles east of the city centre
, on Ashton New Road. Clayton takes its name from the Clayton family who owned large parts of land around the area, including Clayton Vale
, through which the River Medlock
flows (separating Clayton from neighbouring Newton Heath
). Clayton was once under the township of Droylsden
up until around 1890 when alterations to the Manchester boundary took place. Other towns added to Manchester around this time were Blackley
, Crumpsall
, Moston
, Openshaw
and Gorton
.
for 17 years from 1893 to 1910. As Newton Heath L&YR F.C., they played at North Road in Newton Heath from their formation in 1878 until 1893 when they moved to a ground on Bank Street, before moving to Old Trafford
in 1910. Just after United vacated the Bank Street stadium, it was severely damaged in a storm and the remains were demolished soon after.
The club was renamed Manchester United in 1902 and they moved to their present ground in Old Trafford, just outside Manchester, in 1910.
Manchester Velodrome
opened at Clayton in September 1994 and a car park serving it was constructed on the site of Manchester United's old stadium.
Less than 700 yards away from the original home of Manchester United in Clayton, Manchester City F.C.
moved into their new 48,000-seat stadium
in 2003, which is situated approximately one mile away from the area where Manchester City first formed as St. Mark's, in west Gorton
.
Clayton Hall
is a 15th century hall on Ashton New Road, in Manchester
, hidden behind trees in a small park. The Hall is a Grade II* listed building, a scheduled ancient monument
, and is rare example of a medieval moat
ed site . It was originally built for the Clayton Family, it passed on into the hands of the Byron family (of which the poet Lord Byron was a member) in 1194. They lived there until they sold it to two London merchants, George and Humphrey Chetham, in 1620. Humphrey Chetham is famous for founding Chetham's School and Library
in the centre of Manchester.
During the Civil War
, Royalist
cavalry were stationed here, before the attack on Manchester. Afterwards, according to legend, Oliver Cromwell
was said to have spent three nights at the Hall. In 1897 the building was acquired by Manchester City Corporation, ensuring its survival.
for Manchester, opened it in 1846. It was the first of its kind in the whole of the then Great Britain and Ireland
and it set the standard for many others that soon followed in towns and cities throughout Britain. It was designed to have walks, expansive lakes and glasshouses for exotic plants. It is also famous for its annual Tulip Festival, which is still held every year. Philips Park Cemetery was opened in 1863.
The majority of houses in Clayton are council homes. The first council (or then known as corporation) homes to built took place around the late 1920s, building near the border of Droylsden (Bristowe Street and South Crescent, followed by North Crescent). Many more homes were to be built afterwards, building on a brick works surrounding Clayton Street, a golf course off what is now Folkstone Road West and East and cricket & football grounds off North Road and Vale Street, now known as Lingfield Road. The building associated with the cricket and football grounds still stands today, now used as a boxing
club.
Frank Pritchard, on recalling his memories of living in Clayton as young child during the 1920s in his book East Manchester Remembered, says "... Clayton was rather a posh area. Beyond Bank Street one rarely saw children bare-footed, or with their breeches' behind torn and tattered which were common sights in the streets round where I lived."
After a period of general decline from around the mid to late 1980s to around 2004, Clayton residents have since seen some improvements along its main routes, both in terms of housing repairs/modernisation and road reconstructions. In 2009-10 these improvements have been extended to some of Clayton's back streets; more notably in the Stanton Street and surrounding area.
at St. Willibrord's Church. The church had some alterations to its interior in 2006-07 making the back of the church a focal point for various local community assemblies, where various charity
fund-raising events are organised.
The Church of St Cross was built in the 19th century and designed by William Butterfield
. Butterfield was known for his budget conscious churches. The building is unique for its patterned brickwork and the richly furnished interior.
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, in North West England
North West England
North West England, informally known as The North West, is one of the nine official regions of England.North West England had a 2006 estimated population of 6,853,201 the third most populated region after London and the South East...
. It is situated about 3 miles east of the city centre
Manchester City Centre
Manchester city centre is the central business district of Manchester, England. It lies within the Manchester Inner Ring Road, next to the River Irwell...
, on Ashton New Road. Clayton takes its name from the Clayton family who owned large parts of land around the area, including Clayton Vale
Clayton Vale
Clayton Vale is an area of green space in Clayton, Greater Manchester, through which the River Medlock flows. Redeveloped in 1986, the land has a rich industrial and social history. Today the area is a natural habitat for wildlife.-Natural history:...
, through which the River Medlock
River Medlock
The River Medlock is a river of Greater Manchester in North West England. It rises near Oldham and flows, south and west, for ten miles to join the River Irwell in the extreme southwest of Manchester city centre.-Source:...
flows (separating Clayton from neighbouring Newton Heath
Newton Heath
Newton Heath is an urban area of the city of Manchester, in Greater Manchester, England. It is east north east of Manchester city centre and has a population of 9,883....
). Clayton was once under the township of Droylsden
Droylsden
Droylsden is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Tameside, in Greater Manchester, England. It is to the east of Manchester city centre, and west-southwest of Ashton-under-Lyne, it has a population of 23,172....
up until around 1890 when alterations to the Manchester boundary took place. Other towns added to Manchester around this time were Blackley
Blackley
Blackley is an area of the city of Manchester, in Greater Manchester, England. It is north of Manchester city centre, by a meander of the River Irk. Further north is Middleton...
, Crumpsall
Crumpsall
Crumpsall is a suburban area and electoral ward of the city of Manchester, in Greater Manchester, England. It is about north of Manchester city centre...
, Moston
Moston, Greater Manchester
Moston is a district of Manchester, in North West England, approximately 3 miles north east of the city centre. Historically a part of Lancashire, Moston is a predominantly residential area, with a population of about 12,500 and covering approximately .-History:The name Moston may derive...
, Openshaw
Openshaw
Openshaw is a ward of the city of Manchester, in Greater Manchester, North West England. It lies about two miles east of Manchester city centre. Historically a part of Lancashire, Openshaw was incorporated into the city of Manchester in 1890. Its name derives from the Old English Opinschawe, which...
and Gorton
Gorton
Gorton is an area of the city of Manchester, in North West England. It is located to the southeast of Manchester city centre. Neighbouring areas include Longsight and Levenshulme....
.
Football connection
Clayton was home to Manchester United F.C.Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
for 17 years from 1893 to 1910. As Newton Heath L&YR F.C., they played at North Road in Newton Heath from their formation in 1878 until 1893 when they moved to a ground on Bank Street, before moving to Old Trafford
Old Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
in 1910. Just after United vacated the Bank Street stadium, it was severely damaged in a storm and the remains were demolished soon after.
The club was renamed Manchester United in 1902 and they moved to their present ground in Old Trafford, just outside Manchester, in 1910.
Manchester Velodrome
Manchester Velodrome
Manchester Velodrome is an indoor cycle-racing track or velodrome in Manchester, northwest England. It opened in September 1994 and is the leading indoor Olympic-standard track in the United Kingdom. It houses the National Cycling Centre and British Cycling...
opened at Clayton in September 1994 and a car park serving it was constructed on the site of Manchester United's old stadium.
Less than 700 yards away from the original home of Manchester United in Clayton, Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
moved into their new 48,000-seat stadium
City of Manchester Stadium
The City of Manchester Stadium in Manchester, England – also known as the Etihad Stadium for sponsorship purposes– is the home ground of...
in 2003, which is situated approximately one mile away from the area where Manchester City first formed as St. Mark's, in west Gorton
Gorton
Gorton is an area of the city of Manchester, in North West England. It is located to the southeast of Manchester city centre. Neighbouring areas include Longsight and Levenshulme....
.
Clayton Hall
Clayton Hall
Clayton Hall is on Ashton New Road, in Clayton, Manchester, hidden behind trees in a small park. The Hall is a Grade II* listed building, a scheduled ancient monument, and is a rare example of a medieval moated site ....
is a 15th century hall on Ashton New Road, in Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, hidden behind trees in a small park. The Hall is a Grade II* listed building, a scheduled ancient monument
Scheduled Ancient Monument
In the United Kingdom, a scheduled monument is a 'nationally important' archaeological site or historic building, given protection against unauthorized change. The various pieces of legislation used for legally protecting heritage assets from damage and destruction are grouped under the term...
, and is rare example of a medieval moat
Moat
A moat is a deep, broad ditch, either dry or filled with water, that surrounds a castle, other building or town, historically to provide it with a preliminary line of defence. In some places moats evolved into more extensive water defences, including natural or artificial lakes, dams and sluices...
ed site . It was originally built for the Clayton Family, it passed on into the hands of the Byron family (of which the poet Lord Byron was a member) in 1194. They lived there until they sold it to two London merchants, George and Humphrey Chetham, in 1620. Humphrey Chetham is famous for founding Chetham's School and Library
Chetham's Library
Chetham's Library in Manchester, England is the oldest free public reference library in the United Kingdom. Chetham's Hospital, which contains both the library and Chetham's School of Music, was established in 1653 under the will of Humphrey Chetham , for the education of "the sons of honest,...
in the centre of Manchester.
During the Civil War
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
, Royalist
Cavalier
Cavalier was the name used by Parliamentarians for a Royalist supporter of King Charles I and son Charles II during the English Civil War, the Interregnum, and the Restoration...
cavalry were stationed here, before the attack on Manchester. Afterwards, according to legend, Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader who overthrew the English monarchy and temporarily turned England into a republican Commonwealth, and served as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland....
was said to have spent three nights at the Hall. In 1897 the building was acquired by Manchester City Corporation, ensuring its survival.
Clayton today
Philips Park is on the south side of the River Medlock and Philips Park Cemetery is on the north side. The park has the distinction of being Manchester's first public park and Mark Philips, who was the Member of ParliamentMember of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for Manchester, opened it in 1846. It was the first of its kind in the whole of the then Great Britain and Ireland
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was the formal name of the United Kingdom during the period when what is now the Republic of Ireland formed a part of it....
and it set the standard for many others that soon followed in towns and cities throughout Britain. It was designed to have walks, expansive lakes and glasshouses for exotic plants. It is also famous for its annual Tulip Festival, which is still held every year. Philips Park Cemetery was opened in 1863.
The majority of houses in Clayton are council homes. The first council (or then known as corporation) homes to built took place around the late 1920s, building near the border of Droylsden (Bristowe Street and South Crescent, followed by North Crescent). Many more homes were to be built afterwards, building on a brick works surrounding Clayton Street, a golf course off what is now Folkstone Road West and East and cricket & football grounds off North Road and Vale Street, now known as Lingfield Road. The building associated with the cricket and football grounds still stands today, now used as a boxing
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
club.
Frank Pritchard, on recalling his memories of living in Clayton as young child during the 1920s in his book East Manchester Remembered, says "... Clayton was rather a posh area. Beyond Bank Street one rarely saw children bare-footed, or with their breeches' behind torn and tattered which were common sights in the streets round where I lived."
After a period of general decline from around the mid to late 1980s to around 2004, Clayton residents have since seen some improvements along its main routes, both in terms of housing repairs/modernisation and road reconstructions. In 2009-10 these improvements have been extended to some of Clayton's back streets; more notably in the Stanton Street and surrounding area.
Church and community
Father Ansbro is the priestPriest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
at St. Willibrord's Church. The church had some alterations to its interior in 2006-07 making the back of the church a focal point for various local community assemblies, where various charity
Charity (practice)
The practice of charity means the voluntary giving of help to those in need who are not related to the giver.- Etymology :The word "charity" entered the English language through the Old French word "charité" which was derived from the Latin "caritas".Originally in Latin the word caritas meant...
fund-raising events are organised.
The Church of St Cross was built in the 19th century and designed by William Butterfield
William Butterfield
William Butterfield was a Gothic Revival architect and associated with the Oxford Movement . He is noted for his use of polychromy-Biography:...
. Butterfield was known for his budget conscious churches. The building is unique for its patterned brickwork and the richly furnished interior.
See also
- Bank Street (football ground)
- Manchester Clayton (UK Parliament constituency)Manchester Clayton (UK Parliament constituency)Manchester Clayton was a parliamentary constituency in the city of Manchester. It returned one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, elected by the first past the post system....
- John Edward SuttonJohn Edward SuttonJohn Edward Sutton was a British trades unionist and Labour Party politician.At the age of 14, Sutton took up employment at Bradford Colliery, Manchester. He became a check-weighman and secretary of the Bradford branch of the Lancashire and Cheshire Miners' Federation...
- Edward HopkinsonEdward HopkinsonEdward Hopkinson was a British electrical engineer and Conservative politician.He was the fourth son of John Hopkinson, an engineer who was mayor of Manchester in 1882/83. Hopkinson was educated at Owen's College, Manchester and Emmanuel College, Cambridge. He graduated from Emmanuel in 1881 and...
- Shane Ward