Clayton Hall …. a picture postcard ……. and the story that’s got the lot

I rediscovered Clayton Hall in 2018, when Timmy tram took the strain out of travelling east from Chorlton to the Ashton New Road.

Clayton Hall, 2018

I had first come across the hall in the 1970s when we were living off Grey Mare Lane and took to exploring this part of the city.

But the move first to Ashton and then back to south Manchester relegated Clayton Hall to just a name.

And then on a whim on a spring day we took ourselves off to Clayton and the Hall, and met up with Kay Symcox and the other friends of the “Old Lady” which is their affectionate name for the place.

It hosts exhibitions, is on the school run for teachers wanting to bring history alive to their students, and sits in a small garden which is a haven of peace.

And as you do I have written about it and reported on up and coming events and so I was pleased when Mr. “Posty” Harrop sent over this picture postcard of the Hall.*

Clayton Hall, 1908

The post mark is 1908 and it was sent from Manley Road in Whalley Range to a Miss. Maud Acres in Berlin.

In the fullness of time I will go looking for Miss. Acres and the address she was staying at.  For now I shall just make the big assumption that she might have been a governess, like the young Edith Hunter in the 1943 film Colonel Blimp which remains one of my all time favourite films made by Powell and Pressburger.***

She is in Berlin just six years before our postcard was sent from Whalley Range and opens with her attempt to draw attention to the anti-British feeling generated by the Boer War by writing to Lieutenant Candy.  

He has just won the Victoria Cross and she hopes he will refer her concerns to his superiors, and from there the film twists and turns to its close in 1943.  Along the way it is part love story and part an exploration of the changing nature of warfare in the age of “Blitzkrieg”.

Miss. Maud Acres, 1908

All of which was a long way off when Mrs. Ann Harsley sent her picture postcard with its Easter greeting from 74 Manley Road.

She to is someone I want to trace, but for now that is it, other than to say I think it is time for another trip to Clayton Hall.**

Location, Clayton, Whalley Range and Berlin

Picture; Clayton Hall, 2018, from the collection of Andrew Simpson, and the picture postcard of Clayton Hall, 1908, courtesy of David Harrop

*Clayton Hall, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.com/search/label/Clayton%20Hall

**Clayton Hall is on Facebook or email via info@claytonhall.org 

***The Life and Times of Colonel Blimp, 1943, Powell and Pressburger

In Clayton

The memorial stands by Ashton New Road, in Clayton Hall and Park.

I counted 124 names on the four panels.

Location; Clayton













Picture; war memorial Clayton Hall and Park, 2018 from the collection of Andrew Simpson

Clayton Hall ....... inviting memories of the past

Now I remain a fan of Clayton Hall, more so since I rediscovered it, and came to know the Friends of the Hall.

The team have done much to restore the hall, regularly mount events to celebrate the building and the surrounding area and are always keen to share the Hall's past with parties of school students and interested visitors.

Their events focusing on Bradford Pit and the Great War and Clayton were a great success, and generated memories and artefact's which have increased our knowledge.

All of which just leaves me to reproduce this poster of their next venture.

Picture; poster courtesy of Friends of Clayton Hall, and  Hall in 2017 from the collection of Andrew Simpson

*Clayton Hall, info@claytonhall.org

Clayton Hall Remembers WW1 .........today ..... at Clayton Hall

As we move towards the centenary of the armistice which ended the Great War there will be many special ceremonies and exhibitions to mark the close of those four years of fighting.

At the Hall, through September to November

And if they are local the blog will feature them.

The first is the current exhibition at Clayton Hall.

The remaining dates are as follows; September 1st, September 8th & 15th, (Heritage Open Days), October 6th & 20th and finally November 3rd.

The free history talks (about the Hall and her owners and residents) will be at 12 noon and 2pm on normal open days and 11:30am, 1pm and 2:3-pm on Heritage Open Days.

Clayton War Memorial

Location; Clayton

Picture; poster courtesy of Friends of Clayton Hall, and war memorial Clayton Hall and Park, 2018 from the collection of Andrew Simpson

*Clayton Hall, info@claytonhall.org

One to do today ........ Clayton Hall

In the company of the Manchester Bees ..... no.11 ..... the story of one bee and that hall in Clayton

Now, it is easy just to record each of the Manchester Bees, and this I have been doing, helped by lots of people who have sent me “their bee”.  

Polly, with pride of place

But today, I want to tell the story of just one of them, which happens to be Polly and which tomorrow will be ceremonially unveiled by the Lord Mayor of Manchester in the gardens of Clayton Hall at 12 noon.

Like all of them dotted across the city and beyond Polly began as a bare canvas.

And on to this canvas came the design, which the Friends of Clayton Hall discussed with artist Caroline Greyling.

Discussing the design

Kay, who sent me the pictures has written, “here are some pictures of Polly's Progress.

The one of her part-painted, was taken by artist Caroline Greyling.

The one showing us looking at designs were taken by Val Bayliss-Brideaux (Senior Engagement Manager at Manchester Health and Care Commissioning)

In the Hive

The group photo of the Friends of Clayton Park visiting Polly in the Hive was taken by Tracey Annette (Project Manager Age-Friendly Manchester)

The rest, of Polly arriving at the Hall, and sitting in front of the Hall, and are mine”.

Of course all of those responsible for a bee, have their own story to tell, and it would be nice to add theirs to the blog.

Arriving, in the company of friends

For now I will just leave you with the selection.

And remind you that Polly is in the gardens of Clayton Hall, and will be ceremonially unveiled tomorrow at midday by the Lord Mayor in the presence of the artist Carolyn Greyling and the Friends of Clayton Hall.

For those who have yet to discover the secrets of Clayton Hall, it awaits with its period rooms, special exhibitions and a team of enthusiasts who have helped restore and maintain this bit of our history.

Unloaded and home

And after all that excitement there is the Tea Room and the gardens.

All of which seems a pretty nice way to spend tomorrow, and if you don't fancy drive the tram stops directly outside.

Perfect.

Tommorow;, a poster the Hall and that bee again.


Location; Clayton Hall



Pictures; Polly Bee 2018, courtesy of, Caroline Greyling, Val Bayliss-Brideaux, Tracey Annette, and Kay Simcox

Looking for the stories down at Clayton Hall in 1851 ..... today

Fresh from Thursday’s walk through Clayton in 1851,* today I rather fancy I will visit the Hall and learn more about life in Victorian times on the edge of Manchester in Droylsden,

That’s it.

Location; Chorlton

Picture; courtesy of the Friends of Clayton Hall

*Walking out from Clayton Hall ....... fields, a tea garden, Clayton Dingle and the creeping business of dye works, tanneries and coal mines, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.com/2018/06/walking-out-from-clayton-hall-fields.html

Walking out from Clayton Hall ....... fields, a tea garden, Clayton Dingle and the creeping business of dye works, tanneries and coal mines

Now the romantic in me, or perhaps just the downright curious would love to know what the people who lived in Clayton Hall in 1851 thought about the area.

Clayton Hall, 2018

There were three families living in the Hall, two of whom, described themselves as farmers and one who was a small ware dealer.

Together that made fifteen people, ranging in age from 65 down to just one and they were drawn from Ireland, Yorkshire, Cheshire and Rusholme, along with eight from Manchester and only one from Droylsden.

As now the Hall sat in a small garden inside a moat and surrounded by an area of trees.

Clayton Hall and round about, 1854

Beyond that to the north was Clayton Dingle and to the south the Manchester, Stockport and Ashton Under Lyne Canal.

Close by was the Bowling Green and Tea Garden and even closer the Clayton Tavern.

There was plenty of open land, but already there were signs of what was to come, which included two collieries, a chemical works, dye works, tannery and fustian mill, all to the east of the hall, while south west just beyond the hall were a set of brick kilns.

So while there was still something of a rural character, I guess the smells and noises from those many busy enterprises might well have intruded on our families sitting in their moated garden.

And just over 122 years later when we lived just down the road beside Bradford Pit, our Sundays could be interrupted by the sound of the nearby engineering factory on Pottery Lane and on weekdays by the coloured smoke from Clayton Aniline.

All there is to do and see, 2018

But back to the Hall, because this Saturday there is another of those open days, hosted by the Friends of Clayton Hall.

The poster offers a “step back in time”, with the opportunity to explore the period rooms, and if you have a desire to “dress up in Victorian clothes”. Added to this there are displays on the history of the Hall and a fine cafe, with much that is interesting to eat including some excellent cakes.

So that is about it.

In time I will go looking for more on our three families, but for now I will plan my trip east from Chorlton to Clayton.

Location; Clayton

Pictures, Clayton Hall 2018, from the collection of Andrew Simpson, poster, from the Friends of Clayton Hall and Clayton in 1854 from the OS map of Lancashire, 1852, courtesy of Digital Archives Association, http://digitalarchives.co.uk/

*1851 Cenus, Enu 1e Droysden, Lancashire

*And for more information, info@claytonhall.org

Clayton Hall remembers Ancoats Dispensary ....... today

Now I spent a bit of time thinking of some clever introduction to the Hall’s new exhibition which runs on three Saturdays in June and July.

I began by dredging up memories of lessons I had taught on the more gruesome operations performed in the early 19th century, then fell back on the dreadful state of public health well into the middle of the last century, and the great advance which was the National Health Service.

But instead I decided just to feature the poster advertising Remembering Ancoats Dispensary at Clayton Hall.

For more information contact, Clayton Hall on Facebook or email via info@claytonhall.org 

The Hall, the tram and a story of a discovery

Now I like the way Heather discovered Clayton Hall.

"The Old Lady" ..... Clayton Hall, 2018

By her own admission she knew nothing of the place, but one day saw it from the window of the tram and resolved to find out more.

That involved getting off the tram at the metro stop and wandering the short distance across the New Road, through the small park, and over the moat to the Hall.

And she told me she wasn’t disappointed at breaking her journey.

As many will know this gem, dates from the 15th century with alterations made over the next two centuries and was enlarged in the 18th century.

It was restored in 1900 and is now lovingly looked after by the Friends of Clayton Hall, who call the building “the Old Lady”.*  They manage the excellent museum which is housed in the building, host regular Open Days and offer a service to schools to come and learn about our past.

And they also mount exhibitions of which the most recent was on Bradford Colliery, which stood nearby and only closed in the 1960s.

These exhibitions are more than static displays and the Friends welcome visitors to recount their own memories as well as contributing photographs and other memorabilia.

The recent “Clayton Hall Remembers Bradford Pit" generated a rich seam of stories and documents from people who either worked there, or lived nearby, and when the material is collated it will be stored at the Hall with copies going to the Local History Library in Central Ref.

Peter was impressed with the Hall and the work the Friends do so decided to paint “the Old Lady” and I rather think it is a fine painting.

All of which just leaves me to say that Heather joined the Friends, and can be seen on Open Days along with Kay and the other Friends, welcoming visitors and sharing the history of the Hall and of Clayton.

Painting; Clayton Hall, © 2018 Peter Topping,
Web: www.paintingsfrompictures.co.uk
Facebook: Paintings from Pictures https://www.facebook.com/paintingsfrompictures

*Clayton Hall, http://www.claytonhall.org/

Clayton Hall reveals a few of its secrets .......

Now my old friend Ron told me that this is his favourite picture of the collection he took on Saturday of the Hall.

Clayton Hall, 2018

And I have to agree.

Ron and I have known each other for a few years and he often sends me some fine pictures as well as examples from his extensive picture postcard collection.

So I was pleased that we fell across each other at Clayton Hall and what’s more he shared these two photographs of the building which dates back to the 15th century, with additions from the next three centuries.

And as much as I admire the first of the two, the second fascinated me, because it shows the original roof in the oldest part of the hall.

For centuries it was lost to the gaze of most people, but in the course of the renovation of the building, the Friends decided to make a feature of what had been an access point into the roof.

Looking into the Hall's past, 2018

And so the wooden panel has been replaced by glass and the rest as they say is a picture by Ron and an opening onto the past.

Look closely and in the V shaped of the roof space is a section of the old wattle and daub wall covering.

This is a revelation for me, because despite writing about wattle and daub, this is the closest I have ever come to the stuff.

So a first for me and a thank you to Ron.

Leaving me to say that the the Hall is open on the first and third Saturday of each month, from 11am to 4pm, is free to visit and there are history talks at 12 and 2, and according to the web site, “group visits can be booked for a minimum of 10 people. 

We are happy to arrange a date and time on days or evenings when we are not already open to the public.   

The same applies for school visits. Information and bookings via info@claytonhall.com“*

Location; Clayton

Pictures; the Hall, 2018 from the collection of Ron Stubley

Today ....... Clayton Hall remembers Bradford Pit

For more information contact, Clayton Hall on Facebook or email via info@claytonhall.org 

Adventures in Clayton ........ and a conversation about the Manchester Bee Bike

As adventures go it was a sedate one, but none the less an adventure even though it didn’t really conform to one.

Clayton Hall, 2018

For that you have to be ten, have no real idea where you are going but sustained by lemonade, meat paste sandwiches and a Mars Bar, you go anyway.

By contrast Peter and I knew where we were going, how we were getting there and knowing that there was a cafe at the Hall we dispensed with the provisions.

But still we had to take the tram, change at Cornbrook and alight at the metro stop, before crossing the Ashton New Road and entering Clayton Hall via the bridge over the moat.

We had decided to visit the exhibition on Bradford Pit, take some pictures and think up a story to accompany the chapter on the metro line east to Ashton-Under-Lyne for the new book on the History of Greater Manchester by Tram.

Looking out towards the bridge over the moat, 2018

I had a vague idea of what the story would be, but then while we were there and talking to the Friends of Clayton Hall we discovered that one of the group had known nothing about the place until she saw it on the tram, was  so intrigued that she stopped her journey and went over to the building and the rest you can read in the new book.

The hall was full of visitors, some of whom were retired miners, who had come to see the exhibition and wanted also to offer their memories, which the team are collecting.  The finished project will be held in the Hall which is close to the site of the colliery, and a copy of everything will also be lodged with the Archive and Local History Library in Central Ref.

I suppose we were there for an hour had an excellent light meal at the cafe and then headed back through a very busy city.

And it was while we were passing Holt Town that we got talking about the Manchester Bee Bike which is a custom built, one off bike built by Ashley Stimpson at Ken Foster’s Cycle Shop.

Ashley is the creator of the Frankenbike range of single speed bikes which have become popular with customers.

The Manchester Bee Bike, 2018

This one is unique, in that it was designed, painted and built in Manchester, with custom made transfers and a Manchester Bee Steering head cap.

It is being auctioned on Ebay to raise money for We Love Manchester Emergency Fund which was set up after the Manchester Arena Bombing.

The auction ends in five days time and what I didn’t know was that the bidding is currently standing at £495 which I am sure will be eclipsed by new bids in the next couple of days.

So, there you are, from an adventure on a tram to a bike being sold for a good cause.

At which point I have to say that my old English teacher would tut, and say “Simpson there is no connection here, and you don’t leave the reader where they began”  which is true, but then he isn’t writing the story.

Pictures; Clayton Hall on a sunny May Saturday in 2018, from the collection of Andrew Simpson, and the Manchester Bee Bike courtesy of Ken Foster’s Cycle Shop

Going back for seconds ........ Clayton Hall and that fascinating exhibition

Now we did the current exhibition on Bradford Colliery in April, but it was so good I am going again, for what is the last outing of the exhibition this Saturday.

But Tina is off to see the family in Italy and so I suggested to Peter that he and his wife Linda join me.

Peter and I have collaborated on five books, various installations, and lots more, with him “painting the pictures and me telling the stories”.

So with the promise of a painting of Clayton Hall and a tram trip from Chorlton to the stop outside the hall, it’s an adventure to look forward to.

Kay who is one of the Friends of Clayton Hall tells me that since the exhibition has been open they have accumulated more pictures, more stories and more memories from visitors.

And that is how I like my history ......... ever growing, and for anyone who wants to add their stories they can by contacting info@claytonhall.org of Facebook

Location; Clayton Hall



Pictures; scrapbook picture, courtesy of Lynn Blinkhorn

At Clayton Hall ..... yesterday, sun history and a special exhibition

Now I finally got to visit Clayton Hall yesterday, just 40 and more years after we lived off Grey Mare Lane, which is just round the corner.

Since then I would pass it on the bus and more recently on the tram as I sped through Clayton and on to Ashton-Under-Lyne.

But yesterday was a fine day for a visit and neither of us were disappointed.

We had wanted to see the exhibition on Bradford Colliery which has been available to the public on the Hall’s open days during April, leaving people just one more opportunity as the last for this exhibition will be on May 5.

Along with photographs, maps and plans, there were plenty of vivid accounts of working at the mine, and the team were busy collecting additional memories and stories from some of the visitors.

And along with that exhibition there were the permanent ones in the rooms of the Hall recreating life as it might have been for a well off family in the 19th century.

The Friends of Clayton Hall are all volunteers and their enthusiasm shone through during their explanation of the Hall’s history.

Like all such groups, they are keen to encourage people with an interest in Clayton or the Hall to join them.

All of which just leaves me to admit that my pictures are not the most showy, but as the team have promised me pictures of the front of the hall along with the Bradford exhibition I thought I would concentrate on the back.

That way, when you go you will have the stunning views, which come with a delightful garden and the stone bridge over the moat which will in the fullness of time be filled again with water.

The Friends have a packed summer ahead, with lots of school visits, and new exhibitions including one on the Great War.

Location; Clayton

Pictures; the rear of the Hall, 2018, from the collection of Andrew Simpson

The Clayton Hall stories ....... no 4 ...... Commemorating the Suffragettes

Now far be it from me to use that well known phrase ....."Back by popular demand", but it is, so this Saturday and again on March 17th go along and join Clayton Hall in ...... Commemorating the Suffragettes.

And to quote that well known song "there's a cup of tea and a bun if you come".

More info can be obtained by messaging  the Clayton Hall Fb page, or emailing info@claytonhall.org

The Clayton Hall stories ....... no 3 ...... Commemorating the Suffragttes

It's today with another open day on  March 3 and it is free.






More info can be obtained by messaging  the Clayton Hall Fb page, or emailing info@claytonhall.org

The Clayton Hall stories ....... no 2 “the gem in the east”

Now if you ever plan to motor east, travel my way on the route that’s the best ...... all the way from Piccadilly to Clayton.

The Hall in 1924

Well I know that it is never going to make a line to a song, but for those who haven’t taken the bus or better still the tram from town to Clayton you are indeed missing something, because there at the end of the journey is that gem of the east which is Clayton Hall.

I wrote about it yesterday and today there is more.

My old facebook friend Kay Simcocx tells me that “the hall is open on the first and third Saturday of each month 11am-4pm, is free to visits and there are history talks at 12 and 2.

The tea room serves home-made soup and cakes  and gluten free can be made available, if notified in advance. 

We also have a Memory Lane cafe on the first Monday of each month, from 10am-12:30pm which is also free to attend.

Visitors can chat and reminisce, and bring along their photos, newspaper cuttings or memorabilia to share and we have our Memories room and Clayton Hall/ Local History room open.

The Hall in 1944

More info can be obtained by messaging me on the Clayton Hall Fb page, or emailing Lynn via info@claytonhall.org

Group visits can be booked for a minimum of 10 people. 

We are happy to arrange a date and time on days or evenings when we are not already open to the public. 

The same applies for school visits. Information and bookings via info@claytonhall.com

We also offer history talks at clubs etc. which includes a slideshow presented by Beryl Poole.”

There is a metro stop directly opposite, which means there is no excuse for not travelling east to the hall they call a gem.

Location Clayton

Pictures; the hall in 1924 from a water colour E A Phipson, m80216 and in 1944 from the City Engineers Department, m78904, courtesy of Manchester Libraries, Information and Archives, Manchester City Council, http://images.manchester.gov.uk/index.php?session=pass

The Clayton Hall stories ...... no. 1 the kitchen range

I last went to Clayton Hall sometime in the 1970s when were living in Ashton Under-Lyne and depending on the bus we took from Manchester would pass the place.

But now since it has reopened I have every reason to return, especially as it’s directly opposite a tram stop and I do love travelling on the tram.

Added to this my friend, Kay, who is one of the team responsible for the museum inside Clayton Hall has sent over some fabulous pictures of the restored kitchen range.

She told me that “here is the range that we bought off eBay when we were setting up the museum. It came from Wales, in pieces, without instructions.

My mum, Lynn, and another co-founder, Shirl, managed to install it, after a couple of tries and a bit of head-scratching.

The pictures show i with a new mantelpiece, really looking the part. 

You can see the slop stone on the right. The ironing board was donated by my neighbour. It had layers and layers of padding and an asbestos mat. 

Another fix-up job and it does the job nicely. The little maid was donated by me and is my daughter.

The original team included Kay Simcox, her friend Lynn  Blinkhorn and Shirley Hughes, Pauline Owen and Alma Smith, who sadly died.  We five co-founded the museum and did most of the work ourselves”.

Now that has to be a good story, and will be followed by more.
Clayton Hall is in the east of the city, and is directly opposite the Clayton Hall metro stop.

More info can be obtained by messaging Kay on the Clayton Hall Fb page, or emailing Lynn via info@claytonhall.org

Location; Clayton Hall

Pictures; courtesy of Kay Simcox