flLTRinCHflfl) Official Guide. 3-or all your requirements Ml; I»l * E RADIO AND ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS E.C.A. N.E.C.T.A. R.T.R.A. 12a OXFORD ROAD : ALTRINCHAM Tel. : ALT. 329S OP 4485. Cslimates <Tree. ALTRINCHAM OFFICIAL GUIDE Contents. Page Introduction 3, 5 and 7 Condensed Information 9 and 11 Altrincham Corporation 13,15 and 17 Altrincham Chamber of Trade 19 and 21 Postal Information 23 and 25 Education • • 27, 29 and 31 Altrincham General Hospital 33 Ringway Airport and Sport 35 Local Industry (Manufacturing) .. 35, 37 and 39 Masonic Lodges 47 Hotel Accommodation 43 Magistrates and Parliamentary Electoral Division . • 45 Banks 47 Motor Runs 49 Places of Public Worship ... 51 to 59 Associations, Societies and Clubs 61 to 67 Directory of Local Manufacturers 68 to 69 Index to Advertisers 71 to 72 1948 EDITION. Issued by the ALTRINCHAM CHAMBER of TRADE under the auspices of the ALTRINCHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL. S. Butler, Printer, 105, George Street, Altrincham. V— QUALITY THAT NEVER VARIES I A. E. PRYOR | for ; FRESH FRUIT, VEGETABLES, FISH j 252, STOCKPORT ROAD, Timperley Village. Ringway 2822. j Jft I^M ^ I» ^ 11 ^ * I ^fc «t^M^M^t I E. MILLS, ) MEN'S 8 BOYS' ( COMPLETE OUTFITTER 8 CLOTHIER j Every type of working clothing sold. Agents for "LYBRO" and "PECKSWEAR" Overalls, i Phone: Hltrincham 3576. \ 5, CROSS STREET, SLTRIMCHAM. ) i- o Introduction. During the Roman occupation, legionaries built the city- to-city communication from (Deva) Chester, to (Mancunium) Manchester known as Watling Street. Altrincham lies astride this ancient highway, four miles from the River Mersey boundary at Sale. The town first figures historically in the late 13th Century when a charter, still to be seen in the Central Library, was granted, making Altrinc- ham, meaning a town in a high position, a free Borough. Between the years 1290 to 1452 the records are obscure, but, from the latter date, all the names of the hundreds of Mayors have been preserved. It is still known that the festival of St. James was annually held for 595 years and always in the Old Market Place where stood the "Red Lion Inn", the Cross and pillories, the Butter Market and a quaint detached build- ing known as "The Roundabout Inn", immediately adjoining the present "Unicorn Hotel", with its mounting block and stables, The Old Town Hall was built under the direction of the 7th Earl of Warrington, and, the ancient gong, which de- rioted the lime of day in the Butter Market, is still operating in the public clock, (circa 1851). Altrincham awoke to industrial development with the cutting of the Bridgewater Canal in 1770, this necessitating the main highway being altered from Sinderland to Oldfield Road. In 1849 the first steam train left Altrincham and Bowdon Station in Railway Street and from that time steady and uninterrupted progress has been maintained. Stamford New Road became an accessory to leafy George Street, the Old Market Place was discontinued as a trading centre and a new covered hall opened in 1880, the first public park closely following. The Railway Station moved to its present pos- ition and a new road named "Station Road" (now Kingsway) cut to connect from George Street. Present day surveyors would describe Altrincham as situated near the base of a long rolling hill equivalent to the junction of the three prongs of a 3 —1 Telephone SALe 1774. " Harold Pamphilon 80, Park Road, Timperley. RE-UPHOLSTERING All Workmanship Guaranteed. \ 3 Piece Suites Renovated, Re-sprung & Re-covered j } BAR SEATING A SPECIALITY. j I Own Material Made Up for Loose Covers, j SPRING INTERIOR CUSHIONS RE-MADE. j I 4 * ERNEST B. j B U C K L E | j HAIRDRESSER I AND WIGMAKER, etc. \ NRNMP MHCHIHE HUD I K L, K. 4 IO _ MHCHITLELESS — I I MARC E L WAVING \ 2, OXFORD ROAD, = Phone ALTRINCHAM 0617. j,—.— — 4 •1 fork at the connection to the handle or shaft, each prong rep- resenting a ridge of high ground, with a slight depression on the inside of the left-hand prong, the left pointing to Hale Barns and Ringway, the centre culminating on Bowdon Downs and the right-hand following the main road to Oldfield and Dunham, contrarywise, the handle leading direct to the flat and broad trunk road to Manchester and the North. Emerging from Urban District status to a Municipal Borough in 1937, the population was 36,135, The Right Hon- ourable Roger Grey, Earl of Stamford, D.I., J.P. being Charter Mayor, the rateable value then being £283,150 with a Divisional Electoral Roll of 105,992. In the past sixty years, the population has increased three-fold and the Rate- able value double that amount. A new Altrincham and Sale Parliamentary Division numbers 60,000. Authority for Education is versed in the Cheshire County Council, two Grammar Schools and twenty-six subsidaries are within the Regional control. The oldest place of worship is The Church of St.George in Church Street. All denominations have effectively studied their individual needs and benefitted humanity by noble thought and deeds. The Municipal Council comprises Mayor, 7 Aldermen and 21 Councillors, representing a population of 40,000. Efficient Local Government keeps the Rates to a minimum without stint or neglect and both citizens and visitors have ample scope for entertainment and refreshment, Art Gallery, Central and Branch Libraries, Swimming Baths, Conference and Assembly Rooms, Parks and Gardens, Recreation Ground and Golf Course, equipped Playgrounds and Gymnasium are all publicly owned and competently maintained. The Old Market Place is the junction of trunk roads North and South and a County road East, the road to the West is reached two miles South of this point. Long distance buses traverse these highways for London, North Wales, Liverpool, Yorkshire and the Tyne. Electricity and Gas are supplied at reasonable charges by private undertakings, water in liberal volume by Manchester Corporation. 5 The flltrincbam Rubber Co. — CAN SUPPLY YOUR — WATERPOOF GARMENTS RUBBER FOOTWEAR SPORTS GOODS & TOYS HOT WATER BOTTLES BED SHEETING RUBBER) MATS ELASTIC HOSIERY ETC. ETC. New Address: 26 THE DOWNS, ALTRINCHAM. | BAKERS DAIRIES I (ALTRINCHAM) LTD. ! VACE ^ QIJPPV-VE^- \ v- ' i TEL. ALT. 2977. I 6 The Health services are directed by a Medical Officer working in conjunction with an Inspectional Department, having control of infectious diseases, slaughter-houses, food supplies, sanitation, hygiene and Welfare Clinics. Industry of the heavy type focusses around the Bridge- water Canal at Altrincham Bridge, Broadheath. Exports of mechanical, electrical and furnace engineering, printing, grinding and machine tools are shipped in very large quanti- ties. Special buses assist in transporting the thousands of skilled workers. The valuable War contribution of the dis- trict was acknowledged by a personal visit of their Majesties King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in July, 1946. To the traveller on foot in search of the unspoilt and alluring countryside and hamlet, the easy way lies through avenues of trees commencing at the Town Hall. Bearing right. The two separate estates of the Right Hon. Earl of Stamford offer unending studies in bird, animal and tree lore. To reach this haven, continue along the main road to the South to the traffic lights, turn right, along Charcoal Lane, and, until the parklands on the right are released from Nat- ional Service, enter the second park by stile on left of road. Here, you may linger to hearts content, but, respect your host's behests and do not trespass. Space forbids mention of all but two more rambles, from which deviations range in profusion with ever changing charm and aspect. From the Town Hall, straight on to the General Hospital, and, whether at this point the course be left or right, enquiry will direct to St. Margaret's Road, The Firs, (Old Burying Lane) and St. Mary's Church, Bow- don. From this vantage, view the luxurious Chesihire plain in summer, or, hibernating under a mantle of frost in winter. The road south stretches like a ribbon along which speed as many as 3,000 vehicles per hour at peak periods, in a four lane ordered manner. At the Bus Station in the shopping centre, "book" to "The Bleeding Wolf" at Hale and roam by river and wooded retreats. Where ever you may find yourself at the close, it will never be far from a bus service back to the starting point. The cyclist and motorist have more opportunity in prospects further afield but whatever be the mode of tran- sport, the quick release from grime and gloom, noise and bustle and the artificiality of the town lies through the Alt- rincham gate-way into Cheshire. < PHONE ALT. 0750. j SMITH'S JOHN MITCHELL ! FLORAL SERVICE HIGH CLASS BUTCHER I enables you to deliver 95, HALE ROAD, Flowers or Floral HALE. Designs to any part of the British Isles or ORDERS CALLED FOR Abroad. and 27, Stamford New Rd. DELIVERED DAILY. | Altrincham. PERSONAL SUPERVISION ( Phone Alt. 1932 PHONE ALT. 0750. j * PetahlichcrEstablishedl 1SH1888R . I Telephone Nos. Altrincham 1197 & 1183. I William Walkden Ltd. Family Grocers & Provision Dealers, Italian Warehousemen, Wine & Spirit Merchants. I 21, THE DOWNS, ALTRINCHAM. I CONDENSED INFORMATION. LOCAL AUTHORITY—Altrincham Borough Council, Town Hall, Market Street. Tel.: Altrincham 3671 (5 lines). PUBLIC LIBRARY, MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY—Tel.: Altrinc- ham 0317. STAMFORD HALL—George Street. Tel.: Altrincham 3991 (Call Box). CEMETERY—Hale Road. Tel.: Ringway 4441. STAMFORD PARK—16 acres. Playing Grounds, Cricket and Foot- ball Grounds, Bowling Greens, Putting Green, Tennis, Courts, Band Stand, Refreshment Pavilion. JOHN LEIGH PARK—Oldfield Road. 12 acres. Bowls, Putting and Tennis. Tel.: 0965. RECREATION GROUND—Navigation Road.