Books to read on the history of Stretford

The cover of his book, 1976

“Before it became engulfed by Manchester, the village of Stretford was typical of others scattered throughout the land, and like almost every town and village, Stretford’s history is enriched by the activities of men and women who by their work or zeal have contributed to the district.

The author has lived in Stretford all his life and for over 50 years was interested and involved in local government.”*

Now as an introduction to a local history of Stretford I don’t think this can be bettered.

In those two short sentences Mr Massy placed Stretford in a context and reminded you that any place big or small is shaped by the people who live there and these are not always the “good and great” of the past but the farmers, shop keepers and labourers who so often are just missed out of history.

What also fascinates me about the author is that his parents were both born in the middle of the 19th century and he will have drawn on their memories and the stories they remembered from their parents thus taking us back almost to the beginning of that century.

But the book is full of detailed research, anecdotal observations and draws on a number of earlier works, none of which should surprise us given that Mr Massy was 92 when his book was published.

Some of those earlier works I had already read but this one of course updates the story and also has the benefit of the author’s 52 years in local government.

So as you would expect over the next few weeks I shall be drawing on the book to explore bits of Stretford’s past starting with the storage yards along the Duke’s Canal which now sit underneath the Essoldo Cinema.

Chester Road, circa 1900

Sadly the book is out of print but you can pick up old copies relatively cheaply which is how I got mine.

It forms one of a series of history books on the area south of Manchester all of which were written roughly around the same time and include Ivor Million’s book on Didsbury published in 1969, John Lloyd’s History of The Township of Chorlton-cum-Hardy, 1972, and A New History Of Didsbury by France and Woodall, 1976, as well as Mr Massey’s book from the same year.

Most were the first new books on their respective areas for nearly a century and I rather think there is a story in just how that happened.

But that is for another time.

In the meantime I shall close with this short biography of Mr Massey which was kindly supplied by Trafford Local Studies**

The Public Hall, circa 1900

“Samuel Massey was educated at Edge Lane Wesleyan School in Stretford. He started work as an office boy for Stretford Borough Council in 1897. The 1901 census lists him as a Sanitary Inspector's Clerk. He later became the Chief Sanitary Inspector for Stretford Borough Council for 29 years before retiring in 1949 at the age of 65. 

He produced many pen and ink drawings of Stretford and was chairman of Stretford Palette Club. He wrote 'A History of Stretford' when he was aged 93 years old. He died on April 24th 1977 and is buried in Manchester Crematorium.

He was a member of the British Red Cross Society and a director for 18 years. A member of Barton Road Independant Methodist Church, he compiled a history of the church for its anniversary celebration in 1970. Author of 'A History of Stretford'.”

Picture; cover from A History of Stretford, Samuel Massey and Stretford Public Hall circa 1900 from Tuck & Sons, courtesy of Tuck DB,  http://tuckdb.org/

*A History of Stretford, Samuel Massey, 1976

**Traford Local Studies, https://www.trafford.gov.uk/residents/leisure-and-lifestyle/libraries/Local-Studies/Trafford-Local-Studies.aspx