Clayton, 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].

Manchester United stadium

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 F.C. moved into their new 48,000-seat stadium in 2003.

Clayton Hall

Main article: Clayton Hall

Clayton Hall, present day

Clayton Hall is a15th century hall on Ashton New Road, in Manchester, hidden behind trees in a small park.^[1] The Hall is a Grade II* listed building,^[2] a scheduled ancient monument, and is rare example of a medieval moated site (grid reference SJ88099857).^[3] It was 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 there 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. 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 Hall was then to be acquired by Manchester City Corporation in 1897, ensuring its survival.

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.

Coordinates: 53°29′07″N, 2°10′42″W