Digital Hearing Aids St Helens –Merseyside Digital Hearing Aids

Digital Hearing Aids St Helens –Merseyside  Digital Hearing Aids 

Two distinguished business families have been associated with St Helens in Merseyside.  Thomas Beecham’s factory set up in the late 19^th Century was to become one of the largest pharmaceutical manufacturers.

 Thomas Beecham started his working life at the age of eight when he became a shepherd.  However this early occupation paved the way for his later business empire as this was where he learnt about herbal medicine.

 When Thomas arrived in Wigan he sold his own preparation called Beecham’s Pills, a laxative in pill form.  They were sold as a ‘cure-all’ remedy but had definite and positive affects on the digestive system.  By 1860, he had moved to St Helens and now started marketing the pills as well.  He sold through a network of agents in Lancashire and Yorkshire.  The next move was to build his own factory in the town.

 Shortly after this, his son Sir John Beecham (1^st Baronet of Ewanville) joined his father’s business.  He was responsible for developing it further – opening a factory in New York and in other countries.

Joseph’s son didn’t follow the family footsteps into the pharmaceutical business but you’ve probably heard of him.  He was Sir Thomas Beecham the well known conductor and founder with Sir Malcolm Sargent of the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

The Pilkington family

The other famous commercial family who made their mark on St Helens were the Pilkingtons.  They founded the glass works with another family, the Greenalls.  When the line of descent of the Greenalls disappeared, the company became known as Pilkington Brothers and then much later as the Pilkington Group Ltd which was taken over by the Japanese company NSG Group.  They remain in St Helens producing flat glass a technique they pioneered in the mid 19^th Century.

Do you live in St Helens?

If St Helens is your home town or where you live now you might be interested to know about our services.  Hearing tests are easy and we can conduct them in your home if it helps.  Failing or deteriorating hearing can be due to a number of factors but is an isolating condition.  Don’t suffer in silence get tested and listen to our solutions.

Get in touch on 01782 698090.

Other industries in St Helens

In fact glass making was big in St Helens and was also home to Ravenshead Glass which was sold off, United Glass Bottles and Triplex, a subsidiary of Pilkington which was shipped out to India.  None of these remain in St Helens now.

St Helens like many other towns in Great Britain became more industrialised when the Industrial Revolution took hold in the 18^th and 19^th Centuries.  Prior to this industry consisted of home-production which by its very nature is small; this mostly consisted of linen weaving.

Cotton and Linen were two of the other local industries which got bigger during this time; others included coal mining, the extraction of clay, salt, lime and alkali, copper smelting and brewing.

Coal mining was probably the biggest industry at this time and carried on right up until the 1970s when 5,000 men were still employed at local collieries.

Greenalls Brewery was established in St Helens in the 18^th Century but moved to Warrington (about 10 miles away).  After the acquisition of several other breweries around the country some two centuries later, they stopped brewing and concentrated on the management of hotels and pubs.  That was in 1991 and in the following 15 years the business was eventually divided up and sold off.  The De Vere Group bought the hotels and still serves London Dry Gin which was originally produced by Greenalls.

St Helens today

The town with its population of more than 102,000 thrives with a rich blend of commercial, urban regeneration, culture and sports.

The regeneration schemes have seen new housing and the regeneration of main shopping districts. 

There are two shopping malls here: St Helens and Ravenshead – the latter being the newer mall.

St Helens has a healthy cultural status with a thriving theatre tradition, plenty of nightlife and many parks.  Taylor Park holds the distinction of being Grade II listed – this park and gardens is of Victorian descent.  There are 22 other parks in the area.

Continuing the cultural reference a large sculpture stands at the head of an old colliery called Dream.  This 20 metre sculpture is made from concrete and was part of the nationwide Big Art Project which was televised in 2009.  The head can be seen from M62.

{{Information |Description={{en|1=View of the Dream taken from the path leading to the sculpture facing away from the M62.}} |Source=Photograph taken by Christian Keenan |Author=Christian Keenan |Date=14th June 2009 |Permission=Granted by Christian Keenan

Perhaps one of St Helen’s most famous attributes is its Rugby League club.  Playing at Langtree Park on the site that was once where United Glass Bottle production took place, the club is also known as the Saints.

Well know sons and daughter

Besides the famous business men of yesteryear St Helens, there are other well known faces that hail from the area.

·         Film director David Yates is probably best known for his production of the Harry Potter films; he was inspired to go into films after watching Jaws directed by Stephen Spielberg

·         Jacqui Abbott was the lead singer with The Beautiful South after 1994 performing some of their most successful hits including ‘Rotterdam’ and ‘Don’t Marry Her’

·         Richard Seddon made a name for himself in New Zealand where he became their Prime Minister to rack up the longest service

·         Footballer Bill Foulkes played for Manchester United and survived the disastrous Munich Air Disaster when eight of the Man U team died.  Foulkes played almost 700 games for Man U

·         Comedian and actor Jonny Vegas often seen with the PG Monkey comes from St Helens

·         Budgie aka Peter Edward Clarke is the drummer with Siouxsie and the Banshees

{{Information |Description=Subject: Budgie of Siouxsie & the Banshees Date: June 1, 1986 Place: Oakland, California, USA (Unknown hotel lobby) Photographer: Andwhatsnext Original 35mm photograph scanned Credit: Copyright (c)

·         Singer Rick Astley of 1980s fame actually had his first eight singles go into the top ten music charts

{{Information |Description={{en|1=Rick Astley performing at Pepsifest 2009.}} |Source=[http://www.flickr.com/photos/musicbook/3525997685/ Flickr] |Author=[http://www.flickr.com/photos/musicbook/ Bruno The Uploader II] on Flickr |Date=2009 |Permission={{cc

·         Entertainer Bernie Clifton maybe best known for his stage props including Oswald the Ostrich

·         Comedian Pete McCarthy and actor Pete Postelthwaite both went to school at West Park Grammar School, St Helens; the school is now De La Salle School

·         Actor Matthew Crompton who has appeared in both Coronation Street and Brookside but is probably best known for his role as PC Sam Harker in The Bill

But enough about the rich and famous, it’s all about you!  Living without good or reasonable hearing is miserable.  With modern technology there is no need to let this continue.  Talk to us about hearing tests and digital hearing aids which could make all the difference to your live.   Telephone us on 01782 698090 or send us a message using our online form. 

Digital Hearing Aids Manchester

Digital Hearing Aids Manchester

Hello Mancunians!  Or do you only answer when you’re called Mancs?  Or maybe your hearing’s not what it was and you’re not sure what we’re saying?  If the latter is the case, fear not, for Castle Hearing Aids are on hand to come to your assistance.

Get in touch with us if you would like your hearing tested.  We can send a professional audiologist to your home to carry out the tests.  It’s a simple procedure that checks the level of hearing in both your ears and this allows us to recommend a suitable digital hearing aid to help you.

Get in touch with us to talk it through or arrange a visit.  Message us here or call us on 01782 698090

Manchester in all its glory

Back to your home town.  Manchester is the third largest city or rather borough after London and Birmingham.  Its origins are from Roman Britain; it was in 79AD that Romans built a fort here at what they named Mamucian.  Now an Ancient Scheduled Monument, it was located on a sandstone outcrop close to the meeting of the rivers Medlock and Irwell.  This is now in the Castlefield area of the city.  Mamucian was just one of a string of forts built along the Roman Road between York and Chester.

What is left of the old fort – some foundations essentially – are now protected.  Although originally built from ‘turf and timber’, in 200 AD stone was used to rebuild some parts of the fort particularly the gatehouse and to face the walls.  The fort incurred a lot of damage as Manchester developed into an industrial town in the 19^th Century.  Fortunately what is left is well preserved now.

A Manor town

In Medieval times, Manchester was no more than a manorial town and as such part of the feudal society of old England.  The lord of the manor owned the land and held the power and all citizens were answerable to him.

Thomas de Ware was the notable Lord of the Manor who is also responsible for founding the local church in the 15^th Century and which you’ll now know as Manchester Cathedral.  Although the building already existed he got permission to turn it into a collegiate church.  This meant that it was run and looked after by a group of canons and preachers.  It is now the seat of the Bishop of Manchester.  In the 20^th Century bells were cast for the bell tower where 10 bells now hang.  They are rung every Sunday as a call to service and on special occasions.  The largest bell weighs 1.3 tonnes.

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Chetham’s Music School occupies one of the collegiate buildings which was founded as a school in the 17^th Century by Humphrey Chetham.  It started life as a charity school and later became a boys’ grammar school.  The music school was not founded until 1969.  Over the years it has seen some famous pupils pass through its doors including the actor Max Beesley, musician Mike Lindup of Level 42, classical singer Jon Christos, pianists Peter Donahoe, Stephen Hough, Paul Lewis, Leon McCawley and Andrew Wilde. A number of string and wind artists and conductors are also graduates of Chethams.

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The heart of the textile industry

Manchester is known to have been granted a market in the 13^th Century and about 100 years later the market attracted Flemish weavers to the area.  Some say this was the start of Manchester’s importance in the textile industry

Certainly from the beginning of the Industrial Revolution as early as the turn of the 19^th Century, Manchester grew rapidly and became the hub of the textile industry with many mills.  It was during this century that it gained city status too.  It is also the era of the opening of the Manchester Ship Canal and the creation of the Port of Manchester.

Manchester Town Hall

It was also during this age that the magnificent Manchester Town Hall was built.  The architect was Alfred Waterhouse and this was his best known building.  The clock tower which stands some 85 metres tall dominates the exterior of the building.  Inside it is probably the Great Hall which is the most impressive with its barrel vaulted ceiling and glazed windows there.  Ford Maddox Brown paintings adorn the walls telling Manchester’s history.

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Football heaven?

Obviously as England’s third largest city we could go on and on and ... but we can’t leave the city without mentioning football.  Like many big cities, Manchester has two professional premier league football clubs.

Manchester United is based at Old Trafford, the biggest football stadium in the UK.  They have hosted most of the large football tournaments here including the FIFA Club World Cup.  Manchester United is internationally known and respected and followed by fans from around the world.  The club holds many records including:

·         20 top division titles

·         11 FA Cups

·         The most appearances in FA Cup finals

·         The first team from England to win the European Cup

Manchester City play at the City of Manchester Stadium built in 2002 for Commonwealth Games.  There is a lively rivalry between these two Manchester clubs and like Man U, City hold many trophies.  They have won

·         Five FA Cups

·         Two Football League Cups

·         In 1934 they achieved the highest home attendance for a game against Stoke City.  84,569 fans turned up.  This record still stands today

Both teams have lost significant managers this year.  Sir Alex Ferguson (Manchester United) retired in June and Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) was sacked in May.

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Last but not least

With a city this size, we could probably do a blog just about famous people of Macnchester.  So this is just a small random selection of those who hail from or who have connections here:

·         The late Lee Rigby who was murdered on the streets of Woowich earlier this month

·         Actress and comedian Caroline Aherne

·         The Gallagher brothers, Liam and Noel of the band Oasis

·         Nobby Stiles ex Manchester United player

·         Author Howard Jacobson

·         Suffragette Emmerline Pankhurst

·         Michael Wood TV presenter of historical interest topics

Now’s the time

So back to that old hearing problem.  It can be caused by a variety of things from simple earwax build up which can be very disorientating and uncomfortable to working continually in extreme noise situations.  Sometimes it is to do with the ageing process and deterioration. 

But whatever the cause get in touch with us as soon as possible and we can help improve the problem.  Call us on 01782 698090.

Digital Hearing Aids Stockport – Greater Manchester Digital Hearing Aids

Digital HearingAids Stockport – Greater Manchester  Digital Hearing Aids

You can find Stockport at the point where two rivers meet the Mersey.  The two in question are the River Goyt and the River Tame.  In fact Stockport is the recognised starting point of the River Mersey.

Stockport was once split by the river in terms of counties; the part on the southern bank being in Cheshire and the northern bank part of Lancashire.  Now the whole town is part of the larger borough by the same name and also part of Greater Manchester.

Don’t be the butt of jokes

Wondering if you heard that correctly?  Are you suffering from difficulty with your hearing?  If you live in the Stockport area we can help.  Castle Hearing Aids have a full service to test and assess the quality of your hearing.  Hearing loss can be caused by many things from a build up of ear-wax to constant exposure to extreme loud noises.  Get in touch if you’d like to know more.  You can call us on 01782 698090.

Industry in Stockport

Of course in earlier times circa 16^th Century, Stockport was mostly on the southern bank of the Mersey and was just a small town.  At this time the town’s ‘industry’ was growing hemp and producing rope.  By the 18^th Century silk production was here; in fact Stockport proudly set standards in mechanising the silk industry with one of the first silk factories to use water powered mechanisation.  It was brought to the UK by silk spinner John Lombe from Derby.  He had the patent on the mechanised production, but it was handed to towns in the North West when his patent wasn’t renewed.

This was when Stockport opened their water-powered mill on the banks of the River Mersey and many others in the area followed.  In the mid 18^th Century about two thousand people were employed in the industry.  As it declined fairly rapidly, the mill owners seized their chance to get in on the cotton production act.  So it was that in the 19^th Century cotton took the lead along with many associated industries.

Stockport was also responsible for the production of hats and had been since the 16^th Century.  It was in the early 1800s that things really began to pick up again mainly due to mechanisation.  They also gained a reputation for quality.  This brought other hatting businesses to the area, including the London company of Miller Christy who bought out a local firm.  Towards the end of the 19^th Century the town could boast exporting 6 million plus hats every year.  Many associated industries sprang up in the area too; these included block making, trimming and leatherware.  The hatting industry stayed alive and well in Stockport until the end of the 1990s.

The demise of the hat industry began with the First World War, and falling export markets and the Depression of the 1930s.  They were certainly some challenges.  Stockport is now home to a dedicated Hat Museum.

More of Stockport’s history

Stockport makes the most of its Second World War Air Raid Shelters.  These are a series of tunnels dug below the town.  They could hold many of the town’s population during an air raid – the smallest had a capacity of 2,000 and the largest 3,850.  The latter’s capacity was expanded to 6,500 people.  Now you can visit the largest of the tunnels if you are interested to see them.

The Grade II listed Town Hall  was built at the beginning of the last century and was opened by the Prince of Wales.  This amazing ornate building has an Italian marble entrance which leads into grandeur inside the building.  Oak panelling and ornate chandeliers grace its rooms.  It is also home to a real treasure: a Wurlitzer organ.  Only 16 of this model were made specifically to accompany silent films.  This one is the only one that left America.

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A 15^th Century Tudor town house still stands in the town centre.  Underbank Hall was once the home of the Arden family, but became a bank early in the 19^th Century.

The Grade II* listed Staircase House has timbers dating back to the mid 15^th Century and was thought to be the home of the local mayor.  It has several features which make it interesting including a cage newel staircase dating from Jacobean times.  The house is open to the public.

Stockport’s stars of stage and screen

·         Baroness Bakewell aka Joan Bakewell has graced our TV screens as a presenter and our newspaper columns for a number of years.  She has presented a number of controversial documentaries and now serves as a lifetime peer on the Labour benches in the House of Lords.

·         Stockport boy Andrew Buchan is most recently recognised for his role in the TV drama Broadchurch, but he has a wide range of roles under his belt in the theatre and television.

·         The late Peter Butterworth was probably best known for his roles in a number of the ‘Carry On...’ films.

·         Sarah Harding of Girls Aloud was brought up in Stockport.

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·         The late Dame Wendy Hiller was a well known English film, stage and TV actress.

·         Muse drummer Dominic Howard spent his early years in Stockport before moving to Teignmouth.

·         Tina McIntyre (Coronation Street) was played by local girl Michelle Keegan.

·         Another ex-Coronation Street star is Sally Lindsay who played Shelley Unwin.  She has also been a panel member on Loose Women.

·         Dominic Monaghan is well known for his role in Lord of the Rings as Meriadock Brandybuck and as Charlie Pace in the long running TV series Lost.

·         Ex NME journalist and music producer Paul Morley attended Stockport Grammar School.  He has famously produced Frankie Goes to Hollywood, has appeared on many TV programmes and was the first presenter of The Late Show (BBC 2).

·         Actress Joanne Whalley was brought up in Stockport.  She has a varied film career playing some big names such as Christine Keeler in Scandal, Jackie Onassis in the TV film Jackie Bouvier Kennedy Onassis and Mary I in The Virgin Queen.  She married actor Val Kilmer and has two children with him, although the couple are now divorced.

·         Another local boy is the retired champion boxer Ricky Hatton.  His ‘stage’ was the boxing ring!

·         Calling on the whole world as his stage, architect Norman Foster, Baron Foster of Thames Bank hails from Stockport.  His practice Foster & Partners is internationally known and has designed some of the world’s most iconic buildings including Wembley Stadium and the Gherkin in the UK, Hearst Tower in New York, the Al Faisaliyah Center in Saudi Arabia and some currently under construction.  These include the glistening tower Crystal Island in Moscow, the Apple Campus in California and the APIIC Tower in Hydrabad.

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Like to hear more?

If you think you’d have trouble hearing any of these stars give live performances or have to turn the TV up to uncomfortable levels for everyone else, you might have a hearing problem.

Visit us – we’re less than 40 miles away in Stoke on Trent – or let us visit you in your own home.  A professional audiologist will measure the level of your hearing ability in both ears and advise you on a hearing aid.  Don’t suffer in the isolation of not hearing properly.  Just call us on 01782 698090 or message us using our online form.

Digital Hearing Aids Winsford – Cheshire Digital Hearing Aids

Digital Hearing AidsWinsford –  Cheshire Digital Hearing Aids

Winsford could have fielded its own football team from players born in the town.  True it would be difficult as their dates of birth – and death of some – vary tremendously.  However there are eleven football players who claim this town in Cheshire as their home town.

The original squad could be made up – roughly – of the Brittleton brothers Sam and Tom.  Sam played for Stockport County, Sheffield Wednesday, Manchester City and Southampton.  His career ended in 1910.  As the older brother, Tom set the trend playing for home town Winsford United, Stockport County, Sheffield Wednesday before playing for Stoke (Home of Digital Hearing Aids) and returning to Winsford United.  Tom’s son John followed the family tradition into the game playing for Aston Villa in the 1930s.

Two more early players were Jack Oakes and Stan Wood.  Stan’s football career spanned the period from the 1920s to the Second World War.  He played for West Bromwich Albion and Halifax Town.  From 1946–49 Stan was trainer or coach at Halifax Town.  Playing during the same period, Jack Oakes played for Nottingham Forest, Southend United and Aldershot before moving onto Charlton Athletic and finally Plymouth Argyle.

Alan Oakes played 668 games for Manchester City during the 1960s–70s when he was described as one of their most consistent players.  Although there is no mention of any connection to Jack Oakes he does come from a long line of footballers.  He is cousin to Glyn Pardoe and father of Michael who played for Aston Villa, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Cardiff City.  His nephew is Chris Blackburn.

Oakes also played for Chester City and Port Vale and finally managed Chester City.  He was named Player of the Year in 1975 whilst playing at Manchester City.

So we already know that Glyn Pardoe was Oakes’ cousin.  Pardoe also from Winsford played for Manchester City too.  In fact he was their youngest ever player joining the side at 16.  He went on to coach the Manchester City junior side after retiring from playing.

Next up is Gareth Griffith another local boy.  He played for Port Vale, Wigan Athletic and Rochdale during his playing career.

Number nine is Simon Davies.  This Winsford boy started his career with Manchester United followed by Luton Town, Macclesfield Town, Rochdale, Bangor City, Rhyl and Chester City.  He managed Chester City for a couple of years and later their junior side.

Nicky Maynard has played for Crewe Alexandra, Bristol City, West Ham United and Cardiff City where he still plays.

Making up the ‘Winsford team’ is Danny Fox.  Fox started his career in the Everton Junior team and moved up to the professional team followed by stints playing for Walsall, Coventry Town, Celtic, Burnley and now Southampton.

That’s fantasy football for you.

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The real thing

Winsford has its own semi-professional football club, Winsford United.  The team was established in 1883 and named Over Wanderers – Over is a neighbourhood of Winsford.  Initially they played in the Welsh Combination League, then in WWI they reformed and became a founding member of the Cheshire League.  You can catch their home games at Barton Stadium, a former greyhound track in the town.

All about Winsford

Henry II and Edward I sometimes held court in a nearby village.  Then Edward built Vale Royal Abbey between Northwich and what would become Winsford.  The Abbey fell foul of Henry VIII’s policy to dissolve all monasteries in the 16^th Century.  Although the church was destroyed, the building remained intact and was eventually converted into a country manor house.  Down the centuries it became the property of the Cholmondeley family (Lords Delamare).  It is Grade II listed.

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The importance of the Abbey is due to a late 13^th Century charter which was granted allowing a new town to be formed nearby.  Yes of course the charter was given by none other than Edward I.  The new town was located where Winsford’s Delamare Street stands today and became known as Winsford.

Fast forward to the 18^th Century to learn that the River Weaver, which can be found running through Winsford, was granted government permission for widening.  This allowed access for large barges coming from Liverpool to navigate to Winsford.  This meant china clay being transported from Cornwall via Liverpool could get closer to the famous Potteries in Staffordshire.  True there was still an overland journey of about 30 miles from Winsford, but the extended river journey cut travel times considerably.  This was important as the Potteries were the centre of ceramic production.

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The Potteries

The Potteries is a generic term for the villages that now make up Stoke on Trent.  Stoke on Trent isn’t only famous for its ceramic production.  As we mentioned earlier it is also the home of Digital Hearing Aids.  Now while we might not be as famous as the area once was for ceramics production, we can help anyone living in the Winsford area who has a hearing problem.  Sometimes known as Castle Hearing Aids, we can offer a country-wide service via specialists in your area.

The cause of hearing problems can be due to a number of reasons.  These range from a simple earwax build up to long-term problems.  We can arrange for an audiologist to test your ears to assess the problem and its degree of severity.  You can either make an appointment to come and see us or we can arrange for an audiologist to visit you in your own home.  The choice is yours.

Let us know which you prefer by calling us on 01782 698090.

The Salt industry

As well as sending china clay to the Potteries, locally produced salt was also sent for the production of salt-glazed stoneware.  Ceramics and stoneware were brought back following the same route to Liverpool for export.

Salt became big business in Winsford from the 19^th Century due in part to the collapse of the excessively mined area under Northwich.  Many factories set up shop along the River Weaver making Winsford the largest producer of salt by the end of the century.

The salt trade remained good until the end of WWII when a decline and the introduction of new manufacturing methods meant just one company remained taking over the others.

Winsford Rock Salt Mine is the largest in the country and said to be the oldest of its kind too.  There are only three in existence, the other two being in North Yorkshire and Northern Ireland.  The rock salt is mined or quarried from150+ metres below the surface.  What is produced is a granular salt appropriately called ‘grit’ and used to de-ice road surfaces.

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Don’t forget

If you are concerned about your hearing, don’t suffer in silence!  Get in touch with us to see how we can help.  You can send us a message here or call us on 01782 698090.

Digital Hearing Aids Eccles – Greater Manchester Digital Hearing Aids

Digital Hearing Aids Eccles –  Greater Manchester Digital Hearing Aids

Literally just under 50 miles from Stoke on Trent, the home of Digital Hearing Aids and a mere 3.5 miles from the centre of Manchester is Eccles.  It’s part of the City of Salford and has a strange name!

How the name came about is uncertain but one popular thought is that is comes from the Latin Ecclesia meaning Christian church.  This of course dates back to the period when Britain was invaded by the Romans; the Anglo-Roman abbreviation of Ecclesia was Ecles or Eglys is thought to be the direct derivation.  Once the Anglo-Saxons arrived some place names stayed the same.  Ecles however had been used as part of several village names.  Eccles possibly derives from the original Ecles which is understood to have meant a building or site recognised as a church by the Anglo-Saxons.

Did you know?
Hearing loss can be caused by a number of conditions from earwax build-up to deterioration due to age.  We operate a service where a professional audiologist can measure the hearing loss in both ears with a simple test.  This helps to diagnose the reason and the amount of deterioration.

We can arrange for an audiologist to visit your home or make an appointment for you to visit us at our Midlands offices.  Both options are free of charge and need no commitment beyond the appointment from you.

So if you would like to arrange a visit or appointment or would just like to know more please get in touch on 01782 698090.

Eccles cakes
The first Eccles Cake was baked in Eccles in the late 18th Century.  It’s a combination of flaky pastry, butter, nutmeg, sugar, candied peel and currants.  The first person known to sell them was James Birch though there is no knowledge as to whether he actually invented the recipe.  His shop on the corner of Vicarage and St Marys Roads (now Church Street) was the first place to sell them.

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Eccles cakes are sometimes called squashed fly cakes because of the appearance of the currants.  As there is no protection of where these cakes can be produced you might find them anywhere in the world.

The church
With a name that represents church in earlier languages, it’s not surprising to find that the town grew up around the St Mary’s Church.  Of course this is also the case for many English towns and villages as the church was the centre of communities in days gone by.

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St Mary’s Church wasn’t built until 13th Century much later than Roman and Anglo-Saxon occupation.  In the 1960s English Heritage designated it to Grade II listing and it has since achieved Grade I standing.

The local economy
Agriculture was the early occupation and economy of the area, probably oats and barley.  There were some local cottage industries taking place during the medieval period.  These were likely to have included blacksmithing, thatching, butchering, basket weaving, skinning, tanning and weaving.

During the 18th Century the textile industry began to have an impact.  Many of Eccles’ folks worked at home as weavers with two Manchester Mills supplying the work.  Early in the following century the majority of the population of Eccles was employed in the textile trade mainly in cotton mills.  As the century progressed two silk mills opened in Eccles and one in nearby Patricroft.  Many of the mill workers were children under twelve.

At around the same time industrialist James Nasmyth visited the Liverpool and Manchester Railway and set up his own foundry here.  He invented the steam hammer which allowed him to produce locomotives here at a speed not known beforehand.  His Bridgewater Foundry stood close to the railway and the Bridgewater Canal.  It carried on production from this time until the 1940s.  The buildings that remain are a part of the Business Park which now occupies the site.  All that is left of the foundry is one of Nasmyth’s steam hammers.

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As with many other places, the arrival of the railway and the canals, both the Bridgewater and the Manchester Ship Canals, Eccles thrived.  More housing was built to accommodate workers for the factories.

At the end of the 19th Century the Barton Swing Aqueduct was built.  This carried the Bridgewater Canal over the Manchester Ship Canal.  Small narrow boats can use the aqueduct on the Bridgewater Canal whilst it can move out of the way to allow larger ships to pass on the Manchester Ship Canal.  It is considered a great feat of Victorian engineering and is Grade II listed.

Famous people from the area
As Eccles is part of the City of Salford some of the famous names are attributed to the larger city.

• However we do know that John Moores founder of the Littlewoods Business Empire including the retail branch of Littlewoods and the John Moores Football Pool was born here.  He gave up the chairmanship of the business in favour of his brother in 1960 so that he could become director of Everton Football Club.  He was knighted in 1970 and spent the last few years of his life in a wheelchair after prostrate troubles.  His estate following his death in 1993 was valued at more than £10 billion.  Liverpool Polytechnic took the name of Liverpool John Moores University when it was granted the status in his honour.

• Film director Mike Leigh known for his gritty script-less films and plays was brought up in the area.

• Actor Robert Powell best known for his film roles as John Hannay (The 39 Steps) and Jesus of Nazareth in the film of the same name and Mark Williams in the TV series Holby City comes from here.

• As does Russell Watson a Classical English tenor who found fame in popular music.

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• Manchester United player Ryan Griggs has lived in the area since he was six years old.

• The creator of Coronation Street Tony Warren hails from the area.

• Journalist and broadcaster Alistair Cooke most famous for his radio programme Letter from America was also from the area.

• Allan Clarke was the original singer with the 1960s pop group The Hollies.

• Graham Nash singer/songwriter with 1960s/70s band Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young comes from the area.

• Suffragette Emmerline Pankhurst also hails from the area.  She founded of the Women’s Social and Political Union and was instrumental in winning the vote for women.

Current residents of Eccles ...
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