Now,the story of how Chorlton was transformed from small rural community to suburb of Manchester is a fascinating one.
And part of that story are those grand properties which were built along Edge Lane from the 1860s onwards.
Some were demolished in the middle decades of the last century to make way for “functional” blocks of flats.
But enough remain to hint at how impressive Edge Lane once was. Most were occupied by families of business, who listed themselves as merchants, shipping agents and above all employers of others.
The coming of the railway with its station at Stretford will have been an attraction to the residents as was the fact that Chorlton-cum-Hardy was still a rural spot with fields bordering the fine gardens of these houses.
Added to this, in the mid1860s, the Egerton’s had cut Wilbraham Road from its junction with Edge Lane all the way to Fallowfield, affording more opportunities for development.
All of which brings me no 22 Edge Lane and a story which sheds light on how Chorlton was changing.
I can’t say I ever really noticed the place, but then it was tucked away behind a wall and hedge and easily missed.
And that is a shame because there are plenty of stories here, ranging from its first owner, who appears to have sold it, only to buy it back, and later the Jewish family who occupied the property in 1939, and felt compelled to change their surname.
The house was built in 1865.
Now I can be fairly sure of that because there is no reference to the property in the rate books before that date, and the stables which were at the rear let out on to Wilbraham Road which was cut sometime in the 1860s.
The first owner was a John Murfet Haselgrove, who had a business in Manchester dealing in flock and waste material at Robert Street in Strangeways. He appears in various directories. In 1869 running a “wholesale flock and waste business at 10 Walton Buildings New Brown Street”. In 1873 as a “manufacturer of lamp wicks, spinner of candle wick, manufacturer of engine waster, cotton & woolen flocks, engine packing & patent sponge cloths, at 21 Robert Street, Strangeways”. And in 1879 still at 21 Robert Street trading as “Murfet & Nephew manufacturers”.
Over the next century and a half it was home to other wealthy families, before being converted in to flats, and now it is being redeveloped by Armistead Property, who have a record of saving old Victorian and Edwardian properties and creating imaginative and exciting developments, which retain much of the original building, while making apartments which sit comfortably in the 21st century.
Next; the twisty tale of different owners, and mystery conversion and the family from Russia
Location; Chorlton
Picture, 22 Edge Lane, 2019, courtesy of Armistead Property
* Armistead Property, http://www.armisteadproperty.co.uk/
 |
| No. 22 Edge Lane, 2019 |
Some were demolished in the middle decades of the last century to make way for “functional” blocks of flats.
But enough remain to hint at how impressive Edge Lane once was. Most were occupied by families of business, who listed themselves as merchants, shipping agents and above all employers of others.
The coming of the railway with its station at Stretford will have been an attraction to the residents as was the fact that Chorlton-cum-Hardy was still a rural spot with fields bordering the fine gardens of these houses.
Added to this, in the mid1860s, the Egerton’s had cut Wilbraham Road from its junction with Edge Lane all the way to Fallowfield, affording more opportunities for development.
All of which brings me no 22 Edge Lane and a story which sheds light on how Chorlton was changing.
I can’t say I ever really noticed the place, but then it was tucked away behind a wall and hedge and easily missed.
 |
| In 1907 |
The house was built in 1865.
Now I can be fairly sure of that because there is no reference to the property in the rate books before that date, and the stables which were at the rear let out on to Wilbraham Road which was cut sometime in the 1860s.
The first owner was a John Murfet Haselgrove, who had a business in Manchester dealing in flock and waste material at Robert Street in Strangeways. He appears in various directories. In 1869 running a “wholesale flock and waste business at 10 Walton Buildings New Brown Street”. In 1873 as a “manufacturer of lamp wicks, spinner of candle wick, manufacturer of engine waster, cotton & woolen flocks, engine packing & patent sponge cloths, at 21 Robert Street, Strangeways”. And in 1879 still at 21 Robert Street trading as “Murfet & Nephew manufacturers”.
Over the next century and a half it was home to other wealthy families, before being converted in to flats, and now it is being redeveloped by Armistead Property, who have a record of saving old Victorian and Edwardian properties and creating imaginative and exciting developments, which retain much of the original building, while making apartments which sit comfortably in the 21st century.
Next; the twisty tale of different owners, and mystery conversion and the family from Russia
Location; Chorlton
Picture, 22 Edge Lane, 2019, courtesy of Armistead Property
* Armistead Property, http://www.armisteadproperty.co.uk/
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