Now here is a story with a contemporary ring.
In the April of 1897 more than a few residents of Chorlton were moved to write to the Manchester Guardian in defence of a row of trees which were in danger of being demolished.
One correspondent described the plan to cut them down as an “act of vandalism” while another argued that the loss of “the plantation of well grown trees which now graces the garden adjoining St Peter’s Priory” highlighted a trend where “Chorlton is growing so rapidly that green acres are disappearing almost under the pressure of bricks and mortar, and it seems more than a pity, nay almost a crime, to cut down a single tree unless absolutely imperative.”*
The trees in question ran parallel to Barlow Moor Road in the garden of St Peter’s Priory, which had once been known as Oakley, and even earlier as Oak Bank, and had been built in the early 19th century as the home of William Morton, and later the Cope family.
Oak Bank was a substantial building standing in its own grounds, close to the modern junction of Barlow Moor and Wilbraham roads.
Nothing now exists of the house but the path leading to it is now Needham Avenue. The house was situated in a garden which covered the area running on either side of Needham Avenue as far as Barlow More Lane in one direction and Corkland Road in the other.
The estate also included a large meadow field and small wood stretching back from Needham along Barlow Moor Lane to Lane End.
William Morton had been there since 1821, but on his death his will stipulated that the house and land had to be sold within five years.
When this happened is not known, but in 1845 a Miss Crofton was there paying rent to the Executors of Mr Morton.
By 1847 the house and land were in the possession of Frederick Cope who rented both to John. This was a short term arrangement and by 1850 the Cope family were living at Oak Bank.
William Morton had described himself as a member of the gentry. Frederick Cope was a wine merchant.
And in 1892 the house became the Priory of St Peter, the “object of which was the conversion of England by means of outdoor lectures and sermons to non Catholics”.**
But its existence was short lived and four years later, “it was found impossible to carry out the terms of the contract with the vendor of the property, and the estate was sold".
This was only a temporary hiccup and a year later “the land and buildings known as Chorlton High School on High Lane were purchased”.**
All of which brings me back to those trees, because as ever, there was a developer waiting in the wings, and in the space of a few years, the Priory was demolished, the trees cut down and the garden was built over.
The stretch along Barlow Moor Road became Pemberton Arcade, with Needham and Priory Avenues behind, and Maple Avenue to the south.
The story of the “battle of the trees” is now well in the past, but as we know the issues of redevelopment and the loss of green bits is topical, as is the conflict between public and commercial use, which was also echoed back in 1897 by another “tree letter”.
Writing on the same day, J.G.J, argued that the Oakley site should be given over to a public school and free library “which are required badly”.
It never happened and Chorlton had to wait another decade to get the school and a temporary library.
But those are for other stories, leaving me just to point out that the full story of St Peter’s Priory along with the opening of the Catholic Church on High Lane is in our book on the places of worship in Chorlton, which is an outrageous plug I know, but one I will pursue.
You can obtain your copy from us at http://www.pubbooks.co.uk/ or Chorlton Book shop, 506 Wilbraham Road, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 9AW 0161 881 6374
Pictures; St Peter’s Priory, circa 1895, from the collection of Ray Jones, the gate post of Oakley from the collection of Andrew Simpson, and the Oakley from the OS map of South Lancashire 1893, courtesy of Digital Archives Association, http://www.digitalarchives.co.uk/ and the OS for Manchester & Salford, 1907
*Correspondence to the Manchester Guardian, April 7, 1897
** Monsignor Joseph Kelly, St John’s Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Commemoration New Church Year Book, 1928
 |
| St Peter's Priory 1895, from 7 Maple Avenue |
One correspondent described the plan to cut them down as an “act of vandalism” while another argued that the loss of “the plantation of well grown trees which now graces the garden adjoining St Peter’s Priory” highlighted a trend where “Chorlton is growing so rapidly that green acres are disappearing almost under the pressure of bricks and mortar, and it seems more than a pity, nay almost a crime, to cut down a single tree unless absolutely imperative.”*
 |
| Oakley, 1894 |
Oak Bank was a substantial building standing in its own grounds, close to the modern junction of Barlow Moor and Wilbraham roads.
Nothing now exists of the house but the path leading to it is now Needham Avenue. The house was situated in a garden which covered the area running on either side of Needham Avenue as far as Barlow More Lane in one direction and Corkland Road in the other.
 |
| The Oakley gatepost, 2016 |
William Morton had been there since 1821, but on his death his will stipulated that the house and land had to be sold within five years.
When this happened is not known, but in 1845 a Miss Crofton was there paying rent to the Executors of Mr Morton.
By 1847 the house and land were in the possession of Frederick Cope who rented both to John. This was a short term arrangement and by 1850 the Cope family were living at Oak Bank.
William Morton had described himself as a member of the gentry. Frederick Cope was a wine merchant.
 |
| Oakley gardens after development, 1907 |
But its existence was short lived and four years later, “it was found impossible to carry out the terms of the contract with the vendor of the property, and the estate was sold".
This was only a temporary hiccup and a year later “the land and buildings known as Chorlton High School on High Lane were purchased”.**
All of which brings me back to those trees, because as ever, there was a developer waiting in the wings, and in the space of a few years, the Priory was demolished, the trees cut down and the garden was built over.
The stretch along Barlow Moor Road became Pemberton Arcade, with Needham and Priory Avenues behind, and Maple Avenue to the south.
 |
| Pemberton Arcade, Barlow Moor Road, 1982 |
Writing on the same day, J.G.J, argued that the Oakley site should be given over to a public school and free library “which are required badly”.
It never happened and Chorlton had to wait another decade to get the school and a temporary library.
You can obtain your copy from us at http://www.pubbooks.co.uk/ or Chorlton Book shop, 506 Wilbraham Road, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 9AW 0161 881 6374
Pictures; St Peter’s Priory, circa 1895, from the collection of Ray Jones, the gate post of Oakley from the collection of Andrew Simpson, and the Oakley from the OS map of South Lancashire 1893, courtesy of Digital Archives Association, http://www.digitalarchives.co.uk/ and the OS for Manchester & Salford, 1907
*Correspondence to the Manchester Guardian, April 7, 1897
** Monsignor Joseph Kelly, St John’s Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Commemoration New Church Year Book, 1928
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