Talk:Middleton, Greater Manchester

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[edit] Current Edit

I have tried to structure the article into a better format to try to encourage further development as I think the current article still needs a lot of work to bring it up to scratch. It also needs more historical facts, mentioning people such as writer Samuel Bamford, verification and could do with some nice photos to liven things up a bit. -- Legoman 12:48, 28 March 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Previous Edits

[edit] NPOV statement

It is the British equivalent of an American white trash trailer park and comes complete with the small town mentality of born here, die here and don't travel very far in the interim. -- jiy 03:30, 14 July 2005 (UTC)

Bitter words. Amazingly most people in this town would even stoop to lending a helping hand to such a small minded individual as the person who wrote the above. Let's not generalise, I am suprised that such comments as the above are even allowed.

[edit] Wythenshawe or Langley?

Wythenshawe is the biggest council estate, I believe that Langley is the second largest, however I've left it out of the article as I can't prove it. Langley is wholly contained within Middleton, it doesn't "share a border" as the article previously stated. -- 194.69.203.105 12:15, 30 September 2005 (UTC)

I think you will find that Wythenshawe is significantly bigger, and dates from an earlier period (before WWII). It was established as a garden city in a part of Cheshire which was incorporated into the city of Manchester for the purpose. The population was relocated from slums in south-central Manchester to Wyhtenshawe. Langley was established as an overspill estate to accommodate the post-war slum clearance of Collyhurst and Harpurhey. Many of the houses were built to standard designs and are more or less identical to Wythenshawe. Of course, since the 1980's many homes in both Wythenshawe and Langley have been privatised. Others demolished or substantially refurbished in the early years of this century. 77.109.40.184 (talk) 15:50, 6 June 2008 (UTC)Larmett

[edit] De La Salle

Something about De La Salle College of Higher Education which was a (the most??) prominent feature of this town would be good. When did it close? I know it had its own Gaelic Football team and a strong Irish presence. It trained a large percentage of Manchester's Catholic teachers at one time. -- Dfcarolan 22:39, 10 January 2006 (UTC) The government withdrew approval for its courses in 1986, which meant that its final students graduated from Manchester University in 1989. It had ceased to provide initial teacher training some years before, so its raison d'etre had disappeared and the De La Salle brothers had lost interest. Rochdale council later bought the site to use as a further education college, which still exists as Hopwood Hall College. The Friends Reunited site has some photos from the old college. Hopwood Hall itself is on the English Heritage Buildings at Risk Register although its condition is described as 'fair'.86.15.133.222 01:55, 27 September 2006 (UTC)Random Interloper


[edit] JW Lees

Make bitter, not lager, as far as I know, as a local (Rochdale anyway). I've never seen a JW lager. It's pretty nasty stuff too!

Lees, ironically the name for the components of the brewing process that are discarded, make a fine bitter. They also make a lager "Golden Original", a dark mild and a variety of seasonal ales. at £1.75 a pint (2007) it is well priced and also disturbingly potent.

[edit] Notable residents

Does anyone else think that the Notable residents section is absurd? Just a list of names, no explanation of what it is that links them to Midleton, if anything. --Malleus Fatuarum 00:14, 25 August 2007 (UTC)

Absolutely right. I'm working on the article now, so I'll see if I can improve this someway, somehow. -- Jza84 · (talk) 17:52, 15 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Crompton House

I've been lead to believe that there is a high proportion of students at Crompton House school from Middleton because Middleton, which has a significant population from the Anglican community, does not have its own Church of England high school.

I've made a cursory search on the net for something about this, but haven't found anything (though have found info about the bus services from Middleton to the school. If someone can, please feel free to add something about this. -- Jza84 · (talk) 19:17, 15 February 2008 (UTC)

I have a few friends and neighbours who attended Crompton House who were from Alkrington (Middleton), so there is some truth in this. However without asking them for an estimate I cannot say how high the proportion is. --Attenboroughp (talk) 01:48, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Moonrakers

I was interested in the legend of the moonrakers in the article as I recently saw something on the BBC's Countryfile about a town in Yorkshire where they have an annual festival based on the same story. A google search on "moonraker legend comes up with a lot of references to the Wiltshire moonrakers. One from the BBC is here as the reference given in the article is from a notoriously unreliable website I'm beginning to wonder - are people from Middleton really called moonrakers? Richerman (talk) 00:59, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

I agree. The source provided (Manchester-2002.com) has been identified before as an unrealiable source as you say. I've yet to find any other decent source for this claim, though some local forums indicate that it is quite a common nickname. -- Jza84 · (talk) 01:08, 2 March 2008 (UTC)
Actually a further search for "Middleton moonraker" comes up with a couple of references to the term from the Middleton Guardian ie this and this but it's odd how the same story pops up all over the country. Also see Moonrakers Richerman (talk) 01:14, 2 March 2008 (UTC)
I've also found a reference for the Yorkshire one now, it's in Slaithwaite - see here. Curiouser and curiouser! Looks like the Moonrakers article needs an update when I get time. Richerman (talk) 01:23, 2 March 2008 (UTC)
I too saw the BBC Countryfile program and have started to wonder just how widespread the whole moonraker legend is. Is it simply coincidence that the Yorkshire town and Middleton have very similar legends? I don't know but I find it all quite interesting!
As far as Middletonians being called Moonrakers, I can assure everyone that this is true, so please don’t remove it from the article. (I know simply from first hand experience, because I live in Middleton).
The usage of the term seems to be more popular with older residents. I just asked my Grandma and she told me that our next door neighbour knows quite a lot about the whole moonraker thing, so I’ll try and have a chat with her.Attenboroughp (talk) 01:36, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] The Great Flood, 1927

I've just noticed that this has been completely missed. It forms a pretty significant part of the history of Middleton.

Here's a few links:

Middleton Guardian, part 1 Middleton Guardian, part 2 Rochdale Observer

Any comments/ideas?

In the meantime I'll try type something up, unless I'm beaten too it.

[edit] Luddite Riots

"Warwick Mill is a monument to be seen from all around Middleton and was a venue for a workers Luddite revolt"  ??? warwick mill was built about 90? years after the luddite riots which happened at Burton's Mill on wood street Middletonian (talk) 10:34, 2 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Samuel Bamford

It says on his Wikipedia page that he was born in Moston. However, he even writes in his own book that he was born in Middleton[1], which doesn't even give a mention to Moston.

Furthermore, the second reference on his Wikipedia entry states that he was born in Middleton [2] and again, doesn't even mention Moston.

Please can someone else give their thoughts/opinions on the matter? Do we have a case for claiming he was born in Middleton?Attenboroughp (talk) 15:40, 18 May 2008 (UTC)

I've just checked the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, which also says that Bamford was born in Middleton. That's pretty conclusive as far as I'm concerned. I'll change Bamford's article to reflect that. --Malleus Fatuorum (talk) 17:36, 18 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Middleton Tattoo Studio

Apparently, Middleton is home to one of the most famous tattoo studios in the UK. [3] The tattoo artist, Louis Molloy, was the one who drew David Beckhams iconic angel tattoo on his back.[4]

Perhaps it is worth a mention? I can also take a photo of the studio if people think it will benefit the article. Attenboroughp (talk) 14:13, 19 May 2008 (UTC)

I'd say yes, but with the proviso that you can find another source independent of the tattoo shop itself to back up that claim. Have they won any national awards, for instance? --Malleus Fatuorum (talk) 15:13, 19 May 2008 (UTC)
It says on his own website that he's won some big awards. "...outstanding artist of the year UK in 1986 and 1993"[5]
He also stars in a reality TV show, London Ink[6]. It says on the London Ink website that he's won many awards, but doesn't give any specific details.[7] Admittedly I am struggling to find independent online sources which state that he has won the aforementioned awards.
There's lots of independent sources on the internet saying he is regarded as one of the best tattooists in the UK. A quick search gives:
BBC: "Louis is one of the most prominent tattoo artists in the North West"[8]
"...Louis Malloy, who is one of the most highly regarded tattoo artist in the UK..."[9]
"...Louis Malloy (Probably Britains foremost tattooist..."[10]
Yahoo answers[11]
There's also lots to be found vouching that his clients include David Beckham amoungst other famous people.[12] [13] Attenboroughp (talk) 22:29, 19 May 2008 (UTC)
A BBC source is good enough for me. Go on, be bold, stick it in. :-) --Malleus Fatuorum (talk) 22:52, 19 May 2008 (UTC)
It's a thumbs up from me too. Not sure where this material would be best placed, but I'm thinking under Economy. Well researched Attenboroughp. :) --Jza84 |  Talk  23:04, 19 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Queen Elizabeth Grammar School

I've just read through the whole Wikipedia section on Middleton and it surprises me that no reference is made to Middleton Grammar School, which was known as Q.E.G.S. when I attended in the 1960's and 1970's. If I remember correctly, the school was established by royal assent in the rein of Queen Elizabeth I, by the Nowell family; the old schoolhouse still exists on Boarshaw Road, down the hill from the parish church, by the River Irk. It became a comprehensive in the 1970's (Q.E.H.S) and was located at that time on Boardman Fold Road in Alkrington. There were school buses (Manchester double-deckers) from every part of town (Langley, Hollins) to this non-central location.


Which brings us to other useful links: there could be a cross-reference to the article on the River Irk in the geography section.

And in the names of prominent local families, Cardinal Langley, the Nowells and the Asshetons all had connections with Middleton. They were the names of the "houses" at the grammar school. The fourth house was "Queens". This is surely a part of Middleton's heritage which has been missed.

Just suggestions for further additions.

77.109.40.184 (talk) 15:37, 6 June 2008 (UTC)Philip Larmett