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CHORLTON-CUM-HARDY
Chorlton-cum-Hardy is derived from the old Saxon name 'Coerlatun-cum-Ard-Eea',
meaning "the dwelling (or town) of the coerls by trees and
near water". Coerl was the Saxon word for a freeman
(often spelt churls or chorls - hence to be churlish).
Its relative
distance from central Manchester ensured that it escaped the excessive
industrialisation that more inner districts suffered, and to this
day it has retained some of its rural nature, being on the edge
of the River Mersey - here still survives a pub called "Jackson's
Boat" down Hardy Lane where there was once a ferry across
the Mersey. Chorlton Green in particular still retains much of
its Victorian character and the "Horse & Jockey"
pub remains a popular riverside venue for visitors and locals
alike.
Southern Cemetery
also lies within its boundaries and is Manchester's largest burial
ground. Many local celebrities are buried here, including Sir
Matt Busby, the notable manager of Manchester
United Football Club.
In 1908 Chorltonville
was created as a so-called "garden estate" with pleasant
comfortable houses and has since become a popular and much sought
after place to live - far enough from central Manchester to escape
from work yet close enough for convenient commuting.
Two Major
houses were to be found in Chorlton - Hough End Hall and Barlow
Hall.
Hough End
Hall, built by Nicholas
Mosley in 1596. The Mosleys were a most influential Mancunian
family, and Nicholas Mosley became Lord of the Manor of manchester
and was subsequently knighted by Queen Elizabeth I. The Mosley
(originally Moseley) family dominated much of regional
history for several centuries and Mosley Street in Manchester
is named after them. The Hall was purchased by the Egerton
family in the early 18th century. Later, some of the lands of
the estate was given to house Barlow Moor Aerodrome and today
is the headquarters for Police horse and dog training in Manchester.
The Barlows
had built Barlow Hall, as well as a small half-timbered chapel,
on lands which they had held in the area since the 13th century.
This land was also bought by the Egertons in the 18th century.
A notable member of the family was Edward Barlow, later known
as Saint Ambrose Barlow,
a famous local Catholic martyr. Their family name is also immortalised
in Barlow Moor Road which runs east-west through much of the district.
Barlow Hall is now a golf club house!
As late as
the 1880s, Chorlton still had many old black and white thatched
timbered buildings which had always defined its particular style
and elegance. Most have now gone and the district is now mainly
Victorian and Edwardian in style with numerous large houses, many
of which are converted into flats and apartments. There is also
a large student population attracted no doubt by its thriving
and diverse shopping centre.
Return
to: Suburban
Districts of Manchester
See also:
See
Also:
Chorlton
Online Website
Chorlton Online is a community site
for Chorlton-cum-Hardy. As well as free classifieds, jobs
and Chorlton business/group directory, we also provide information
on local events. www.chorltononline.org.uk
NOTE:
We have made reference to several sources in compiling this web
page, but must make special mention of the Breedon Books' "Illustrated
History of Manchester's Suburbs" by Glynis Cooper, of which
we made particular use. Information about this book can be found
on our Books About Manchester
webpage.
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