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EspañolCLAYTON, GREATER MANCHESTER
'Clayton' is a suburb of Manchester, England, United Kingdom.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 town 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 was Blackley, Crumpsall, Moston, Openshaw and Gorton[1].
Clayton was home to Manchester United FC after they moved from Newton Heath, before moving to their present ground in Old Trafford. Ironically, less than 200 yards away from the original site of Manchester United FC in Clayton, Manchester City FC is currently situated in Bradford, Manchester.
Clayton Hall is on Ashton New Road, hidden behind trees in a small park just before the cenotaph. The Hall is a 'Grade Two Star' listed building and is a rare example of a medieval moated site.
Originally built for the 'Clayton Family', it passed on into the hands of the 'Byron family' of which poet Lord Byron was a member of, in 1194. They lived here until they sold it to two London Merchants George and Humphrey Cheetham in 1620. Humphrey Cheetham is famous for founding Cheethams School and Library in the centre of Manchester. After an eventful life, Cheetham died at the Hall in 1653.
The Hall was then to be acquired by Manchester City Corporation in 1897, ensuring the survival of this romantic link with the past in a most unlikely area. The section on the right of the Hall is the older half, dating back to the 16th century. The section of the Hall on the left dates back from the 18th century and contained the dining room, kitchen, larder, scullery and pantry of the Hall.
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.
The oldest surviving structure on the site is the sandstone bridge crossing the (now empty) moat. Dating from the late medieval era, it was built to replace an original wooden drawbridge over the moat. The moat is planned to reline and fill.
Clayton Hall is said to be home to three ghosts. 'The Boggart', an evil mischievous spirit, lived in the Bell Tower. He rattled chains and had a nasty habit of snatching your bedclothes as you slept. A clergyman was called in to exorcise the ghost, but only succeeded in dislodging the Boggart into a cupboard off the dining room.
There is also a 'Grey Lady' who, according to tradition, was murdered in the Hall some four hundred years ago.
Another spirit is said to be one of a child who in the 18th century fell into a fire and was burned alive. The present children in the rented half of the Hall have apparently seen and 'played' with her. Mysterious lights have also been seen and an electrician called in on one occasion was so terrified he refused to return to complete the job.
This tall, brick structure 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.
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 a 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, 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 80s to around 2004, Clayton residents have since seen some improvements along its main routes, both in terms of housing repairs/modernisation and road reconstructions. There is also a Government New Deal for East Manchester scheme in operation.
However, the town of Clayton is still generally considered to be a deprived area; with a high degree of unemployment & crime.
★ ''East Manchester Remembered'' Frank Pritchard ISBN 1-85216-039-X
★ 1923 Ordnance Survey Map
★ http://www.gmcro.co.uk/guides/gazette/gazzm2n.htm - brief history of Manchester's boundary.
| Contents |
| Manchester United Bank Street Grounds. |
| Clayton Hall |
| Ghosts of Clayton Hall |
| Saint Cross Church |
| Clayton today |
| References |
Manchester United Bank Street Grounds.
Clayton was home to Manchester United FC after they moved from Newton Heath, before moving to their present ground in Old Trafford. Ironically, less than 200 yards away from the original site of Manchester United FC in Clayton, Manchester City FC is currently situated in Bradford, Manchester.
Clayton Hall
Clayton Hall is on Ashton New Road, hidden behind trees in a small park just before the cenotaph. The Hall is a 'Grade Two Star' listed building and is a rare example of a medieval moated site.
Originally built for the 'Clayton Family', it passed on into the hands of the 'Byron family' of which poet Lord Byron was a member of, in 1194. They lived here until they sold it to two London Merchants George and Humphrey Cheetham in 1620. Humphrey Cheetham is famous for founding Cheethams School and Library in the centre of Manchester. After an eventful life, Cheetham died at the Hall in 1653.
Clayton Hall, present day
The Hall was then to be acquired by Manchester City Corporation in 1897, ensuring the survival of this romantic link with the past in a most unlikely area. The section on the right of the Hall is the older half, dating back to the 16th century. The section of the Hall on the left dates back from the 18th century and contained the dining room, kitchen, larder, scullery and pantry of the Hall.
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.
The oldest surviving structure on the site is the sandstone bridge crossing the (now empty) moat. Dating from the late medieval era, it was built to replace an original wooden drawbridge over the moat. The moat is planned to reline and fill.
Ghosts of Clayton Hall
Clayton Hall is said to be home to three ghosts. 'The Boggart', an evil mischievous spirit, lived in the Bell Tower. He rattled chains and had a nasty habit of snatching your bedclothes as you slept. A clergyman was called in to exorcise the ghost, but only succeeded in dislodging the Boggart into a cupboard off the dining room.
There is also a 'Grey Lady' who, according to tradition, was murdered in the Hall some four hundred years ago.
Another spirit is said to be one of a child who in the 18th century fell into a fire and was burned alive. The present children in the rented half of the Hall have apparently seen and 'played' with her. Mysterious lights have also been seen and an electrician called in on one occasion was so terrified he refused to return to complete the job.
Saint Cross Church
This tall, brick structure 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.
Clayton today
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 a 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, 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 80s to around 2004, Clayton residents have since seen some improvements along its main routes, both in terms of housing repairs/modernisation and road reconstructions. There is also a Government New Deal for East Manchester scheme in operation.
However, the town of Clayton is still generally considered to be a deprived area; with a high degree of unemployment & crime.
References
★ ''East Manchester Remembered'' Frank Pritchard ISBN 1-85216-039-X
★ 1923 Ordnance Survey Map
★ http://www.gmcro.co.uk/guides/gazette/gazzm2n.htm - brief history of Manchester's boundary.
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