Stalybridge

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Template:GBmap Stalybridge is a town in the metropolitan borough of Tameside, Greater Manchester in the north-west of England. It lies in the foothills of the Pennines, a range of hills which are known as the 'backbone' of Britain. The town centre lies eight miles to the east of Manchester. In the 2001 census Stalybridge had a population of 22,568.

Stalybridge and forms part of the metropolitan borough of Tameside, together with the surrounding towns of Ashton-under-Lyne, Audenshaw, Denton, Dukinfield, Droylsden, Hyde, Longdendale, and Mossley. Traditionally, until 1974 the town was part of Cheshire, which is still commonly used as a postal adress.

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Etymology

The name Stalybridge comes from the old English word "staef" ( a staff or stave) and "leah", a clearing in a wood. The full meaning of "Staly" is therefore "a wood where staves are collected". The "bridge" part was added in the 19th century, when the town became an important market crossing point on the River Tame<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>.

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History and Regeneration

Stalybridge is an industrial town dating from the nineteenth century, lying on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

The Huddersfield Narrow Canal ran through the town until the 1970s when it was decided to close down that part of canal. In 1999, a two year, multi-million pound refurbishment programme began which involved the reopening of the canal, amongst other commercial ventures such as riverside cafés and boat trips. Near the Hartshead Power Station in the urban part Heyrod, the Huddersfield Narrow Canal runs under the legs of an electricity pylon.

As well as the canal, the River Tame runs through the centre resulting in a nickname 'Little Venice'. Stalybridge has also had another long standing nickname, 'Stalyvegas' - previously an ironic name as a result of the desolate nightlife, it is now partially due to the new clubs, bars and public houses opening up in the area. Indeed, Stalybridge is home to over thirty pubs. One quirky statistic is that it has the pub with the longest name in the United Kingdom, The Old Thirteenth Cheshire Astley Volunteer Rifleman Corps Inn, as well as the shortest in the U.K., Q, and the Buffet Bar which until recently was the only licensed bar on a railway platform<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>.

Local amenities include a library containing the Astley Cheetham art gallery, which is noted for displaying the works of local artists.

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Transport

Stalybridge lies just north of the M67 motorway, which itself is a feeder to the Manchester orbital M60 motorway. By rail Stalybridge is served by the Huddersfield Line between Manchester (Victoria) and Huddersfield. Stalybridge station is also served by some Transpennine Express trains which give it a direct link to Manchester Piccadilly station and to Leeds.

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Sport

The football team in Stalybridge is called Stalybridge Celtic<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>. They are one of four FIFA recognised teams to be called Celtic. Usually based in non-league football, they are consistently the best team in Stalybridge. They are presently members of the National Conference - North, in the sixth tier of English football.

There are two main cricket clubs in Stalybridge. Staley play in Millbrook and are members of the Saddleworth & District League. Staley St Pauls play on Cheetham Hill Road on the ground formerly used by the now defunct Stalybridge Cricket Club (despite being within the boundaries of Dukinfield). They are members of the Cheshire League Pyramid.

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Culture

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Music

The town has an established musical tradition. The first ever brass band was created in Stalybridge. Also, the song "It's a Long Way to Tipperary" was written there, after composer Jack Judge was challenged by a friend to write, compose and produce a song in just one night<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>. This was despite the writer having never visited the Irish village. The most famous band to have been founded in Stalybridge was The Fivepenny Piece who sung traditional northern music in the 1970s. In one case, they took the work of a local poet and putting it to music ("In Bowton's Yard" by Samuel Laycock).

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Art

During the Victorian age, Stalybridge was artistically captured by world the famous painter L.S.Lowry (noted for his matchstick man and matchstick cats and dogs). Many of his notable paintings were of the people and factories of Stalybridge.

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Writing

The children's novelist Beatrix Potter lived in the Gorse Hall area of Stalybridge (where a blue plaque can be seen on the wall outside her old house) for many years before moving to Cumbria<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>. Gorse Hall itself was the site of a murder in 1909, where local mill owner George Storrs was brutally dispatched<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>.

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References

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External links

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