Do you want to know what's happening? Are you far away...feeling homesick? Well then, 'Bridge' that Gap!
Welcome to Stalybridge
Online - 
Come on in and take a look at 'The Bridge'
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Do you want to know what's happening? Are you far away...feeling homesick? Well then, 'Bridge' that Gap!
Welcome to Stalybridge
Online - Come on in and take a look at 'The Bridge' |
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Local History Of Stalybridge The name Stalybridge originally came about due to the local Manor of Stayley, and the bridge which crossed the River Tame. Stayley Hall erected in 1343 still exists (although a ruin), but the Saddleback Bridge built in 1707, which replaced earlier versions, still stands over the River Tame.
The bridge across the river enabled travellers to pass from the parish of Ashton-under-Lyne to the parish of Mottram in Longendale, and in 1745 John Wesley preached at Stayley Hall. The town of Stalybridge was the creation of the Industrial Revolution. In 1776 came the event that was to lead to the development of Stalybridge as a town - COTTON! Cotton manufacture in the village was growing rapidly, and more water-powered mills were being built along the local steams as well as along the river. A man called Neddy Hall built a mill on the Lancashire side of the Tame in which the carding process was water-powered and the spinning was done by hand. In 1798, Hall made history again when he put the first steam engine into his mill. Five years later, Messrs. Lees, Cheetham and Co. put a much larger engine into their mill, and the Industrial Revolution really got underway. The newly built local canals - the Huddersfield, Ashton and Peak Forest - and the new turnpike road to Huddersfield provided transport facilities, and nearby coal mines ensured power supplies. In 1814, the Stalybridge Old Band was established, and in 1823,
the arrival of a Manual Fire Engine was presented to the town by the Phoenix
Fire Office. In 1831, the Town Hall and New Market were commissioned by
Proclamation and the first satisfactory census was taken. The
population was 14,216 and inhabited houses - 2,357. In 1838, foundations stones were laid for the churches of St. Paul's, Stayley, St. George's, the Hague and St. Peters Catholic Church. The Holy Trinity Church laid its corner stone in 1851, and in 1861 the Congregational Church opened. In 1868, the New Victorian Market Hall opened, and the foundation stone for the Public Baths was laid by Mr. Robert Platt. The Iron Bridge over Melbourne Street opened in 1834, and in 1867 the Victoria Bridge from Market Street to Trinity Street was erected. In 1870, the first brass band contest was held in Stalybridge. Water from the Brushes reservoir began to supply Stalybridge and Stamford Park opened in 1873, with the opening of the boating lake to follow in 1894. In 1881, the laying of the first tramways to Ashton commenced, and horsedrawn tramcars first ran from Stalybridge to Ashton, fare 2d. In 1901, the Astley Cheetham Public Library opened to the public and the General Post Office on Trinity Street opened for public use. In 1902, the construction of the electric tramways commenced. In 1905, the New Fire Station on Waterloo Road opened, and in 1910 the school on Waterloo Road opened. In 1927, West Hill, a central school for boys was opened. The Girls central school opened in 1930, and in 1932, the Central Girls School Grey Street Playing Fields opened, along with Cheethams Park. In 1946, the town was visited by Their Majesties King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, and in 1955 and agreement was formed to link the two town of Stalybridge and Armentieres. And the rest as they say is History............. More Information can be researched in the Local Studies Library at the Astley Cheetham Library in Stalybridge - try this link below to the Library service, via Tameside Council web pages to order publications:
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