Walking the paths of the remembered …..... the new book from Michael Billington

 Mr. Billington’s new book The Churchyards & Cemeteries of Urmston, Flixton & Davyhulme, is more than just a record of gravestone, memorials and churchyards.

It combines fine scholarship, a fascinating collection of period and contemporary photographs, and is easy to read, all of which marks it out as a book to visit.

St Catherine's Church

And not just if you live or lived in Urmston, Flixton or Davyhulme, because the depth of detail about funeral practices the culture of the dead and the stories behind the gravestones make it a book that many will both enjoy and lean from.

For me it is the little additions that make it more than just a list of who died and when.

So included is a fascinating description of how in the 21st century “the use of hammer and chisel to engrave by hand has been substituted by computerisation”, while peppered through the book are short verses drawn from a collection of writers and more than a few which stretch back in time and are anonymous.

Philip Weisberg

Added to which Mr. Billington has written extensively about Urmston Jewish Cemetery, drawing on his own deep research and assisted by the Jewish Historian and Genealogist Dr Rosalyn Livishin and Dr Sharman Kadish.

As ever it is the stories he draws out that make for riveting reading, so here is a description of the war memorial commemorating the twenty-eight Jewish servicemen who died in the two world wars and is a salutary reminder in a period of rising antisemitism of the contribution they made to the protection of our country.

The window of three Worthington Wright children 

Talking to Michael about the book just before its publication he told me just how moved he was by so many of the inscriptions he encountered in all the graveyards, and particularly the awful record of child mortality.

So included in the memorials is "the stained glass window in the church of three Worthington Wright children who all died during the month of November 1858. The first two died of scarlet fever and measles and the last one just of scarlet fever".

Along with this was his determination to tell all the stories not just of the “great and the good”, but those who history has forgotten and in some cases  who history didn’t even both to notice.  Which is a nice lead into the epitaph of Robert Phillip of Kingsbridge , Devon which Michael includes 

“Here lie I at the chancel door

Here I lie because I’m poor

The farther in more you’ll pay

Here lie I as warm and they”

Leaving me just to include the publisher’s notes 

“The townships of Urmston, Flixton and Davyhulme have a rich and diverse historical heritage. This richness and diversity are reflected in how the townships honour their dead from the burial grounds themselves to the cenotaphs and stained glass windows, and plaques in the churches.

Cenotaph with poppy wreaths, St Mary's Church Davyhulme

This book looks at not only the grand statement tombs of the wealthy but also the final resting places of vicars, churchwardens, sextons, choirmasters, church organists, journalists, actors, teachers, pub landlords, architects, policemen, servants and paupers”.

It costs £16.99 and is available from the author at epona publishing, www.eponarecords,com, J Parkers Garden Centre, Urmston Books, Trafford Local Studies, and Salford Museum and Art Gallery

Location; Urmston, Flixton and Davyhulme

Isaac and Leah Samuels

Pictures; from the collection of Michael Billington, 2025

*Billington, Michael, The Churchyards & Cemeteries of Urmston, Flixton & Davyhulme, 2025

**ibid, page 276

Tomorrow in Urmston ........ Mr Billington presents ........

 Now long before text messages Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter, there was the picture postcard.

For a small price our great grandparents, could write home to family and friends reporting on a holiday, passing on birthday wishes or just arranging to meet up.

And because they included a picture on the front the cards have become the stock of local historians to illustrate “how we lived”

All of which brings me to the new book, “Urmston, Flixton and Davyhulme: A Postcard Heritage”, by Michael Billington.

The press release says“The Golden Age of postcard collecting, known as deltiology, was between the years 1902 and 1914, an era when collecting became hugely popular.

With regular and efficient collections and deliveries it was common to see messages such as “See you at 2pm this afternoon”; the text message of yesteryear? 

Also “Here's another for your collection” and “one more for your album”.

This book looks at the development of the publication of postcards in the Urmston, Flixton and Davyhulme area. E. Mather of Flixton Post Office and J. Wride, who had a stationer's in Urmston, photographed the streets of the area as well as landmarks such as the pubs, churches, grand houses, parks, hospitals, railways, cenotaphs, canals and bridges.

"A Byeway, Flixton", date unknown

All are here in this book contrasted with more recent photographs taken by the author.

Michael Billington is an Urmstonian and this is his third book about the area”.

The official launch will be on Thursday October 27th at  7.30pm in Urmston Library and will be il-lustrated by a powerpoint presentation by Mike featuring highlights of the book.

Mike adds, “the guest of honour, who will say a few words, will be Joanne Harding, Labour councillor with responsibility for culture, leisure and strategic partnerships in the Urmston Ward. She also has responsibility for Trafford Poverty Strategy and Domestic Abuse.”

"You may expect me tomorrow", 1910

Free glass of wine and admission free but booking required at the Eventbrite link below.

Urmston, Flixton and Davyhulme: A Postcard Heritage Tickets, Thu, Oct 27, 2022 at 7:30 PM | Eventbrite

And that is it.

Location; Urmston, Flixton, Davyhulme

Pictures; from the collection of Michael Billington

“See you at 2pm this afternoon” …. stories from postcards

Now long before test messages Face book, WhatsApp and Twitter, there was the picture postcard.

For a small price our great grandparents, could write home to family and friends reporting on a holiday, passing on birthday wishes or just arranging to meet up.

And because they included a picture on the front the cards have become the stock of local historians to illustrate “how we lived”

All of which brings me to the new book, “Urmston, Flixton and Davyhulme: A Postcard Heritage”, by Michael Billington.

The press release says“The Golden Age of postcard collecting, known as deltiology, was between the years 1902 and 1914, an era when collecting became hugely popular.

With regular and efficient collections and deliveries it was common to see messages such as “See you at 2pm this afternoon”; the text message of yesteryear? 

Also “Here's another for your collection” and “one more for your album”.

This book looks at the development of the publication of postcards in the Urmston, Flixton and Davyhulme area. E. Mather of Flixton Post Office and J. Wride, who had a stationer's in Urmston, photographed the streets of the area as well as landmarks such as the pubs, churches, grand houses, parks, hospitals, railways, cenotaphs, canals and bridges.

"A Byeway, Flixton", date unknown

All are here in this book contrasted with more recent photographs taken by the author.

Michael Billington is an Urmstonian and this is his third book about the area”.

The official launch will be on Thursday October 27th at  7.30pm in Urmston Library and will be il-lustrated by a powerpoint presentation by Mike featuring highlights of the book.

Mike adds, “the guest of honour, who will say a few words, will be Joanne Harding, Labour councillor with responsibility for culture, leisure and strategic partnerships in the Urmston Ward. She also has responsibility for Trafford Poverty Strategy and Domestic Abuse.”

"You may expect me tomorrow", 1910

Free glass of wine and admission free but booking required at the Eventbrite link below.

Urmston, Flixton and Davyhulme: A Postcard Heritage Tickets, Thu, Oct 27, 2022 at 7:30 PM | Eventbrite

And that is it.

Location; Urmston, Flixton, Davyhulme

Pictures; from the collection of Michael Billington

"Urmston, Flixton and Davyhulme: A Collection of Antiques and Curios" ...... the story of the book ..... today at Central Ref

So for anyone who has ever wondered how a history book is written or how two authors with a love of the same place and with heaps of local knowledge to share, worked together,  ..........this is the talk to attend.

My old friend and co author, Michael Billington says, 

"Just a last reminder that I shall be giving my powerpoint talk at Manchester Centrel Reference Library just opposite the Metrolink stop in St Peter's square tomorrow, Wednesday, at 10.30am. 

The subject will be "Urmston, Flixton and Davyhulme: A Collection of Antiques and Curios", the book that I co-wrote with my late friend Bob Potts.

Do come along, it would be lovely to see old friends and some new ones".

Now you can't say fairer than that.

Location, Central Ref, today at 10.30 am

Pictures; courtesy of Michael Billington, 2022

Things they didn't tell you about Urmston, Flixton and Davyhulme ....... the new book

 I like the way that local authors Michael Billington and Bob Potts have fallen back on an old tradition in publishing their new book, Urmston, Flixton and Davyhulme, A Collection of Antiques and Curios.*

It is that simple but unique practice of inviting subscribers to donate in advance the cost of the publication and in return get both a copy and their names listed in the book.

It is a neat way of calling up some capital to fund the printing of the book, but for the historian offers up some fascinating insights into who supported the project. 

So, my copy of Reminiscences Manchester Fifty Years Ago, by Josiah Thomas Slugg, published in 1881, has an interesting list of the good and not so good who felt the book was worthy of support.

Bob Potts

And no doubt Michael and Bobs book will do the same, after all it takes “a look at the quirkier side of life in the area over the last hundred years and beyond”, and reveals things that other local history books have not deemed appropriate but are they stepping stones of history.

So here are the stories of  Lillicrap's Hone, Leeming's concrete incinerator made in the shape of a tree trunk, the reason why the local policeman  paid children for sparrows' heads and crows' legs.

And sets out to answer the questions of  “Who was the Davyhulme Yank? 

What are the “Seven Sisters”? Where was the concrete map of England and Wales? 

What was Push Plough Field? Who was Tim Bobbin? What was a “tin tabernacle”? 

Micahel Billington

And what is the connection between Hollywood actor George Coulouris (star of Citizen Cane and Murder on The Orient Express) and Urmston?” 

The book costs £15.99 and is available from Urmston Bookshop, Flixton Road, and at www.eponarecords.com  on ebay and from the Michael Billington.

Sadly Bob Potts passed away in February 2021 and the book is dedicated to him and it is to be hoped that his invaluable contribution to the book will serve as a testament to his passion and dedication for local history.

There is a list of subscribers and interested readers can contact the author to be included in this list. 

For further details contact …..Michael Billington, 07772318058,  m.billington90@btinternet.com"**

Location; Urmston, Flixton and Davyhulme

* Urmston, Flixton and Davyhulme:, A Collection of Antiques and Curios, Michael Billington and Bob Potts, Mike Billington and Bob Potts, publishing date, May 1st 2021

**Press release, April, 2021

Queuing for the new history of Urmston, Flixton and Davyhulme

Now, the audience was large and expectant.

The large and expectant audience anticipating a good night

After all it is a long time since there has been a new book on the history of Urmston.*

And not just Urmston, because Michael Billington’s book, also covers Flixton and Davyhulme, and is very much a history for today, because as well as all the usual things you might expect, there are some detailed case studies of people and places, like Simpsons the Ready Made Food business.

As an Urmston lad, Michael was keen to tell the story of the people of the three townships, celebrating their common past and uncovering the bits that other historians missed out.

Michael talking about the book

It involved a lot of research, plenty of conversations with the locals, and a trawl of his own extensive picture collection.

So I was not surprised that over 140 people turned out last night to share the book launch.

We were treated to an introduction from the Reverend Karen Marshall, and an extensive talk by Michael on the book and his own connection with Urmston finishing with a question and answer session.

Michael and Ildikó

And along with the presentation Michael, and his Hungarian friend, Ildikó Csige performed a selection of tunes from Hungary.

One lone voice questioned the connection between a book launch and the music, which most in the room thought churlish, and was nicely explained away by the chap who pointed out that after the
Uprising in 1956, Urmston became home to Hungarian refugees.

The pensive author

Not that there really had to be a justification for an entertaining fifteen minutes.

Book launches are meant to be fun and so why not have music?

Especially given that we were not in a familiar venue for such an event, but instead had been invited in to St Clements’ Church, which was built in 1867, just as Urmston, Flixton and Davyhulme were on the cusp of change.

And there is a nice sense of continuity in being in the church as some of those referred to in the book will have had their own connection with St Clement’s as did many of the audience.

So it was a good night.

The book sales went well and the selection of wines and nibbles were excellent.

The book

My only regret was that I didn’t have time to talk to the staff from Urmston Bookshop who helped organise the event, but I have their address and web site and as I collect book shops like other people collect souvenirs, I will catch the 25 from Chorlton and pay them a visit.

All of which just leaves me to commend the excellent book by Michael, extend a thank you to Ildikó Csige for the music, and to Paul Sherlock who took the pictures and kindly let me use a selection.

But that is not quite the end, because Jenny, Michaels’ partner told me she already has his Christmas present, which he had already signed and which will be instantly recognizablable from its blue and black cover, with photographs of Urmston, Flixton and Davyhulme.

Now that I like.

For the rest of us the book can be bought from Urmston Bookshop, online from the History Press or direct from Michael.

Location; Urmston

Pictures; the book launch, 2018, from the collection of Paul Sherlock

*A new book for Urmston; https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.com/search/label/A%20new%20book%20for%20Urmston

**Urmston Bookshop, http://www.urmston-bookshop.co.uk/

Simpson’s of Urmston ........ the story moves on

Now when I first came to Manchester I was intrigued by the brand of ready made foods made by Simpsons of Urmston.

I am no relation and spent long tedious hours in the college bar explaining that there was no connection between me or the firm and that I couldn’t get discount on their pies or find summer jobs for my fellow students.

More recently I passed the factory on the way to the Trafford Centre, but by then it had closed down and was waiting for something to happen.

The story of the firm features in the new book on Urmston by Michael Billington which is due out later in the year.*

And I am looking forward to reading about the company and the part it played in the life of Urmston.

All of which makes the news that the building is about to be demolished all the sadder.  It provided work for local people and allowed the name of Urmston to been on the shelves of shops across the country.

I knew the building was empty but still got a bit of a surprise when Andy Robertson sent over a series of pictures adding that,

“Simpsons ready meals on Stretford Road, Urmston is being demolished. It was established on this site in 1910 by William Simpson”.

I suppose I could go looking in Trafford’s planning portal to find out what will be built on the site, but for once I am going to wait, secure in the knowledge that Andy will be going back at key moments, recording the progress of the demolition team, the moment the builders break the ground and the rise of whatever is scheduled for the site.

And I am fairly confident that there will be people who share photographs of the factory in its heyday and offer up their own stories of the place.

Well, I hope so.

Location; Urmston

Pictures; Simpsons of Urmston. 2018, from the collection of Andy Robertson






* The story of Urmston, Flixton and Davyhulme, Michael Billington, 2018, the History Press

The story of Urmston, Flixton and Davyhulme ....... coming soon

Now I am very pleased that my old friend Michael Billington’s book will soon be published.

It is the Story of Urmston, Flixton and Davyhulme and having had a preview of the draft manuscript I am looking forward to the finished book.*

Michael’s book draws on his own extensive knowledge of the area where he grew up, is supported by meticulous research and is full of fascinating photographs.

I sneaked a preview of the cover which he tells me, “the photos were carefully chosen. 
As Flixton was the main township until the 1870s I have given the Flixton church prominence. 
St Clement's in Urmston is the small photo on the right as the vicar and churchwarden have been incredibly helpful and supportive. 

The house on the left is Link House which became Simpson's Ready foods (Willy Simpson plays in a band with me) and the middle one is the opening of Davyhulme Circle with Ernest Leeming behind the little girl presenting the flowers. The lady in the white dress at the foot of the cenotaph is my maternal; grandmother”.

And the rest as they say will be revealed when the book hits the book shops later in the year.

* The story of Urmston, Flixton and Davyhulme, Michael Billington, 2018, the History Press

Urmston ............. a new history

Now just by chance I stumbled across my copy of John Gorton’s Topographical Dictionary of Great Britain and Ireland and as you do I went looking for what he said about Urmston.

Urmston in 1833

The dictionary came in three volumes and was published in 1833 and is a fascinating read.  That said Urmston got just three lines.

 “URMSTON, Population 645.  A township in the parish of Flixton and hundred of Salford.  Ten poor children are taught by means of a small bequest.  John Collier, commonly called Tim Bobbin, the author of the ‘Lancashire Dialect,’ was born here in 1708.”

I had hoped for more but that is all you get.  Still it’s a start and offers up some promising areas of research.

Urmston in 1853

On the other hand I could just wait for the new book on Urmston’s history which is being written by my old friend Mike Billington.

Mike is one of those chaps who can multi task with the best of them.  He is a teacher, musician and artist, local historian and bee keeper and is now engaged in writing about his home town.

Over the last century and a bit there have been a number of books on Urmston's past.
There were two which were , both published in 1898 and since then Mike tells me there has been the "very laudable books by Alan Crossland and the joint venture by Karen Cliff and Vicki Masterson who have to the material available on the area. However, Alan’s books was 1983 and the Cliff/Masterson  book in 2000 so there is a niche for an up to date and more substantial book."

So Mike’s project is to be welcomed especially as he aims to pick up and focus on some of the people who lived out their lives in what in the early 19th century was still a small rural community just over seven miles from Manchester.

All of which just leaves me to suggest that if any one has pictures, stories or other bits and pieces which might help to contact him on 0161 881 0936.
Location; Urmston Greater Manchester

Pictures; extract Urmston, Topographical Dictionary of Great Britain and Ireland, John Gorton, 1833 Vol 3, p 667 and Urmston from the OS for Lancashire, 1841-53, courtesy of Digital Archives Association, http://digitalarchives.co.uk/