Editing Stalybridge

{{Short description|Town in Greater Manchester, England}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2017}}
{{Infobox UK place
| country                  = England
| coordinates              = {{coord|53.4834|-2.0400|display=inline,title}}
| label_position           = top
| population               = 26,830
| population_ref           = (Built up area, 2021)<ref>{{cite web |title=Towns and cities, characteristics of built-up areas, England and Wales: Census 2021 |url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/housing/articles/townsandcitiescharacteristicsofbuiltupareasenglandandwales/census2021 |website=Census 2021 |publisher=Office for National Statistics |access-date=8 August 2023}}</ref>
| official_name            =
| metropolitan_borough     = [[Tameside]]
| metropolitan_county      = [[Greater Manchester]]
| region                   = North West England
| constituency_westminster = [[Stalybridge and Hyde (UK Parliament constituency)|Stalybridge and Hyde]]
| post_town                = STALYBRIDGE
| postcode_district        = SK15
| static_image_name        = Stalybridge towards Manchester.jpg
| static_image_caption     = View over Stalybridge
| postcode_area            = SK
| dial_code                = 0161 / 01457
| os_grid_reference        = SJ963985
| london_distance          =  
}}

'''Stalybridge''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|s|t|eɪ|l|i|ˈ|b|r|ɪ|dʒ}}) is a town in [[Tameside]], [[Greater Manchester]], England. At the [[2021 United Kingdom census|2021 census]], it had a population of 26,830.

[[Historic counties of England|Historically]] divided between [[Cheshire]] and [[Lancashire]], it is {{convert|8|mi|km|1}} east of [[Manchester]] and {{convert|6|mi|km|1}} north-west of [[Glossop]].

When a water-powered [[cotton mill]] was constructed in 1776, Stalybridge became one of the first centres of [[textile manufacture during the Industrial Revolution]].<ref name="Ref_">{{cite web|url=http://encyclopedia.farlex.com/Stalybridge|title=Stalybridge – Hutchinson encyclopedia article about Stalybridge |publisher=Encyclopedia.farlex.com |access-date=27 March 2012}}</ref> The wealth created in the 19th century from the factory-based cotton industry transformed an area of scattered farms and homesteads into a self-confident town.<ref name="S+D">{{cite book |author=Alan Ross and Joyce Raven |year=1998 |title=Stalybridge and Dukinfield |publisher=Chalford Publishing Company, Stroud |page=7 |isbn=0-7524-1098-9}}</ref>

==History==

===Early history===
The earliest evidence of human activity in Stalybridge is a flint [[Scraper (archaeology)|scraper]] from the late [[Neolithic]]/early [[Bronze Age]].<ref name="Ref_a">Nevell (1992), p.&nbsp;38.</ref> Also bearing testament to the presence of man in prehistory are the Stalybridge cairns. The two monuments are on the summit of Hollingworthall Moor  {{convert|153|yd|m}} apart. One of the round [[cairn]]s is the best-preserved Bronze Age monument in Tameside,<ref name="Ref_b">Nevell (1992), pp.&nbsp;39–41.</ref> and is protected as a [[scheduled monument]].<ref name="Ref_c">{{PastScape|mnumber=78454 |access-date=1 February 2009}}</ref> A branch of the [[Roman road]] between the [[castra|forts]] at Manchester (''[[Mamucium]]'') and Melandra Castle (''[[Ardotalia]]'') is thought to run through Stalybridge to the fort of [[Castleshaw Roman fort|Castleshaw]].<ref name="Ref_d">Nevell (1992), pp.&nbsp;60–62.</ref>

[[File:Staleyhall.jpg|thumb|right|[[Staley Hall]] before refurbishment]]
[[File:View of Stalybridge.jpg|thumb|right|[[River Tame, Greater Manchester|River Tame]] flowing under Staley Bridge, constructed in 1707]]
The settlement was originally called Stavelegh, which derives from the [[Old English]] ''{{lang|ang|stæf leah}}'', meaning "wood where the [[wikt:stave|staves]] are got".<ref name="Dodgson 316-317">Dodgson (1970a), pp.&nbsp;316–317.</ref> The medieval Lords of the manor took ''de Stavelegh'' as their name, later becoming ''Stayley'' or ''Staley''. The [[Lord of the manor|lordship]] of [[Longdendale]] was one of the ancient feudal estates of [[Cheshire]] and included the area of Stalybridge.<ref name="Ref_e">Nevell (1994), p.&nbsp;86.</ref> [[Buckton Castle]], near Stalybridge, was probably built by one of the earls of Chester in the 12th century.<ref>Grimsditch, Nevell & Nevell (2012), pp.&nbsp; 82–85.</ref> William de Neville was the first lord of Longdendale, appointed by the [[Earl of Chester]] between 1162 and 1186.<ref name="Ref_e"/> The lordship of Longdendale included the [[manorialism|manors]] of Staley, [[Godley, Greater Manchester|Godley]], [[Hattersley]], [[Hollingworth]], [[Matley]], [[Mottram in Longdendale|Mottram]], [[Newton, Hyde|Newton]], [[Tintwistle]] and Werneth; the manor of Staley was first mentioned between 1211 and 1225.<ref name="Ref_h">Nevell (1998), p.&nbsp;38.</ref>

The first records of the de Stavelegh family as [[Lord of the Manor|Lords of the Manor]] of Staley date from the early 13th century. [[Staley Hall]] was their residence. The present hall was built in the late 16th century on the same site as an earlier hall of the Stayley family which dated from before 1343.

[[Ralph Staveley|Sir Ralph Staley]] (descendant of the de Stavelegh family) had no male heirs but an only daughter, Elizabeth Staley, who married Sir Thomas Assheton and united the manors of Ashton and Staley. Elizabeth and Thomas had two daughters and no sons. Margaret, the eldest of their two daughters, married Sir William Booth of [[Dunham Massey]]. The younger daughter Elizabeth was widowed and without children, and continued to live at Staley Hall until her death in 1553. In her will her share of the lordships of Staley and Ashton were left to the Booths.

The manor of Staley remained in the possession of the Booth family until the death of [[George Booth, 2nd Earl of Warrington]] on 2 August 1758. Upon his death, the Earldom of Warrington became extinct. His only daughter, Lady Mary Booth, the wife of [[Harry Grey, 4th Earl of Stamford]], inherited all the Booth estates. The manor of Staley was owned by the Grey family until the extinction of the Earldom of Stampford on the death of [[Roger Grey, 10th Earl of Stamford]] in 1976. At this point, the family estates were dispersed. Stamford Street, Grey Street, Groby Street, Stamford Park, Stamford Golf Club and the two Stamford Arms public houses in Stalybridge are all named after the Grey family.

===Industrial Revolution===
[[File:Stalybridge Weavers' Cottages.jpg|thumb|left|Bohemia Cottages: weavers' cottages in Stalybridge dating from 1721]]
As Stayley expanded in the 18th century, it reached the banks of the [[River Tame, Greater Manchester|River Tame]]. After the construction of a bridge in 1707, the settlement was commonly referred to as Stalybridge, meaning the bridge at Stayley.<ref name="Dodgson 316-317"/> By the mid-18th century Stalybridge had a population of just 140. Farming and woolen spinning were the main means of subsistence at this time.

In 1776, the town's first water-powered mill for carding and spinning cotton was built at Rassbottom. In 1789, the town's first spinning mill using the principle of [[Richard Arkwright|Arkwright]]'s [[Water Frame]] was built. By 1793, steam power had been introduced to the Stalybridge cotton industry; by 1803 there were eight cotton mills in the growing town containing 76,000 spindles. The [[Huddersfield Narrow Canal]] was completed in 1811 and still runs through the town.

The rapid growth of industry in Stalybridge was due to the introduction of machinery. This was, however, met with violent opposition. After the arrival of the [[Luddites]] in the area the doors of mills were kept locked day and night. Military aid was requested by the mill owners and a Scottish [[regiment]] under the [[James Graham, 3rd Duke of Montrose|Duke of Montrose]] was sent to the town. It was led by Captain Raines who made his headquarters at the Roe Cross Inn. Gangs of armed men destroyed [[power loom]]s and fired mills. The disturbances in Stalybridge culminated with a night of violent rioting on 20 April 1812.<ref name="Middleton">{{cite book|last=Middleton|first= Thomas|title=Annals of Hyde and district: containing historical reminiscences of Denton, Haughton, Dukinfield, Mottram, Longdendale, Bredbury, Marple and the neighbouring townships (1899)|publisher=Cartwright & Rattray|location=Manchester|year=1899|url=https://archive.org/details/annalsofhydedist00middiala|access-date=28 March 2010}}</ref>

The social unrest did not curb the growth of Stalybridge. By 1814, there were twelve factories and, by 1818, the number had increased to sixteen. The [[Industrial Revolution]] led to a rapid increase in the town's population in the early part of the 19th century. The population of the town by 1823 was 5,500. In the following two years, partly because of an influx of Irish families seeking better wages, the population rose to 9,000. Stalybridge was among the first wave of towns to establish a [[Mechanics' Institute]] with a view to educating the growing number of workers. Only a year after the establishment of [[UMIST|Manchester Mechanics' Institute]], Stalybridge founded an Institute of its own. Its doors opened on 7 September 1825 on Shepley Street with a reading room on Queen Street.

On 9 May 1828, the Stalybridge Police and Market Act received [[Royal Assent]], establishing Stalybridge as an independent town with a board of 21 Commissioners. Every male over the age of 21 who was the occupier of a rateable property under the act was entitled to vote at the election of the Commissioners. On 30 December 1831, [[Stalybridge Town Hall]] was officially opened. In 1833, the Commissioners set up the Stalybridge Police Force, the first of its kind in the country. By this year, the population of the town had reached 14,216 with 2.357 inhabited houses.<ref name="Stalybridge Org">{{cite web|url=http://www.stalybridge.org.uk/history.htm |title=History of Stalybridge |author=Anon |work=stalybridge.org.uk |access-date=30 January 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080127131005/http://www.stalybridge.org.uk/history.htm |archive-date=27 January 2008 }}</ref>

In 1834, a second bridge was built over the Tame. It was downstream of Staley Bridge and constructed of iron.<ref name="Stalybridge Org"/>

The second [[Chartism|Chartist]] petition was presented to Parliament in April 1842. Stalybridge contributed 10,000 signatures. After the rejection of the petition the first [[general strike]] began in the [[coal mine]]s of [[Staffordshire]]. The second phase of the strike originated in Stalybridge.<ref name="Plug Plot">{{cite journal |url=https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003186892-3/general-strike-1842-mather |title=The General Strike of 1842: A Study in Leadership, Organisation and the Threat of Revolution during the Plug Plot Disturbance|author=F.C.Mather|publisher=George Allen & Unwin Ltd London|journal=Web.bham.ac.uk/1848|year=1974|doi=10.4324/9781003186892-3 |isbn=978-1-003-18689-2 |s2cid=242636272 |access-date=30 January 2008}}</ref> A movement of resistance to the imposition of wage cuts in the mills, also known as the [[1842 General Strike|Plug Riots]], it spread to involve nearly half a million workers throughout Britain and represented the biggest single exercise of [[working class]] strength in 19th century Britain. On 13 August 1842, there was a strike at Bayley's Cotton Mill in Stalybridge and roving cohorts of operatives carried the stoppage first to the whole area of Stalybridge and [[Ashton-under-Lyne|Ashton]], then to [[Manchester]], and subsequently to towns adjacent to Manchester, using as much force as was necessary to bring mills to a standstill. The movement remained, to outward appearances, largely non-political. Although the [[Chartism|People's Charter]] was praised at public meetings, the resolutions that were passed at these were in almost all cases merely for a restoration of the wages of 1820, a ten-hour working day, or reduced rents.

In writing [[The Condition of the Working Class in England in 1844|''The Condition of The Working Class in England'']] (1844), [[Friedrich Engels]] used Stalybridge as an example:

<blockquote>...&nbsp;multitudes of courts, back lanes, and remote nooks arise out of [the] confused way of building&nbsp;... Add to this the shocking filth, and the repulsive effect of Stalybridge, in spite of its pretty surroundings, may be readily imagined.<ref name="Ref_i">Engels (2007), p.&nbsp;63.</ref></blockquote>

John Summers first established an iron forge in Stalybridge in the 1840s. Later, he and his sons developed this into a major business and employed over 1,000 local men in their factory, the largest in the town.<ref name="Manchester 2002">{{cite web | url=http://www.manchester2002-uk.com/towns/tameside3.html | title=The Borough of Tameside | author=Anon | publisher=Papillon Graphics | work=manchester2002-uk.com | access-date=30 January 2008 | archive-date=30 April 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430211455/http://www.manchester2002-uk.com/towns/tameside3.html | url-status=usurped }}</ref>

The [[Ashton, Stalybridge and Liverpool Junction Railway]] Company was formed on 19 July 1844 and the railway was connected to Stalybridge on 5 October 1846. On 9 July 1847, the company was acquired by the [[Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway]]. On 1 August 1849, the Manchester, Stockport and Leeds Railway connected Stalybridge to [[Huddersfield]] and later to [[Stockport]]. This line later became part of the [[London and North Western Railway]].

====The cotton famine====
On the outbreak of the [[American Civil War]] in 1861, the Stalybridge cotton mills rapidly ran short of cotton. Thousands of operatives were laid off. In October 1862, a meeting was held in Stalybridge Town Hall that passed a resolution blaming the [[Confederate States of America]] and their actions in the American Civil War, rather than U.S. blockades of seaports, for the [[cotton famine]] in [[Lancashire]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WMUXggOQ7ZsC&pg=PA225  |title= English public opinion and the American Civil War|first= Duncan Andrew |last=Campbell|year= 2003  |page=225|publisher=Royal Historical Society and Boydell Press|isbn= 978-0861932634}}</ref> By the winter of 1862–63, there were 7,000 unemployed operatives in the town. Only five of the town's 39 factories and 24 machine shops were employing people full-time. Contributions were sent from all over the world for the relief of the cotton operatives in Lancashire; and at one point three-quarters of Stalybridge workers were dependent on relief schemes. By 1863, there were 750 empty houses in the town. A thousand skilled men and women left the town, in what became known as "The Panic".

In 1863, the relief committee decided to substitute a system of relief by ticket instead of money. The tickets were to be presented at local grocery shops. An organised resistance was organised culminating on Friday 20 March 1863.

[[File:Stalybridge - Victoria Bridge.JPG|thumb|upright|Victoria Bridge]]
In 1867, Stalybridge was disturbed by the arrival of William Murphy. Records of this man indicate that his sole interest was to sow the seeds of dissent between Roman Catholics, who by this time had grown to significant proportions, and Protestants. He succeeded in this goal only too well for a full year. During 1868, there were a number of violent disturbances and rioting created by this man who described himself as a "renegade Roman Catholic". In his lectures to the public, "pretending to expose the religious practices of the Roman Catholic Church", he became a master at whipping up a crowd into a frenzy. Newspaper reports of the time told of his common practice of waving a revolver in the air in "a most threatening manner". On one occasion, he incited a riot of such proportions that Fr. Daley, the parish priest of St. Peter's, took to the roof of the church to defend it. A man was shot. The parish priest was tried but eventually acquitted at the [[Quarter Sessions]]. Following this incident, the community began to settle down and Murphy chose to extend his political activities elsewhere.

In 1867, the Victoria Bridge on Trinity Street was built. Victoria Market Hall was constructed in 1868 and the [[public baths]] were opened in May 1870. The baths were presented as a gift to the town by philanthropists and benefactors [[Robert Platt (philanthropist)|Robert Platt]] (1802–1882), born in Stalybridge, and his wife Margaret Platt (1819–1888), born in [[Salford, Greater Manchester|Salford]].

Stalybridge Borough Band was formed in March 1871, holding its first rehearsals and meetings at the Moulder's Arms, Grasscroft Street, Castle Hall. The band was known as the 4th Cheshire Rifleman Volunteers (Borough Band) until 1896. The founder and first conductor was Alexander Owen, who conducted the band until at least 1907.

===20th century===
The character of Stalybridge altered over the 20th century. At the turn of the century, the cotton industry was still strong, and the population of the town reached its peak in 1901, at 27,623, but as trade dwindled the population began to decline, and despite the intensified employment of the war years, the main industry of Stalybridge continued to fail.
There were floods in Millbrook in May 1906.

[[File:The Ray Mill in 2016.jpg|thumb|Ray Mill 2016 – a fine redbrick building]]
[[File:Ray Mill 2018.jpg|thumb|Ray Mill 2018 – after a devastating fire. Building now demolished]]
Mrs [[Ada Summers]] was elected first woman mayor of Stalybridge in November 1919. At that time, mayors of boroughs were justices, as well as chairmen of borough benches, by right of office. However, it was not until the [[Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act 1919]] came into force on 23 December 1919 that women could become magistrates. Sitting ex-officio Ada Summers became the first woman magistrate in the country and was sworn in on 31 December. Ada Summers was, probably, the first woman to officially adjudicate in court. Ada Summers photo appeared in the weekly journal ''Great Thoughts'', 5 June 1920, alongside an interview on "The First Woman JP" on her work. Ada Summers was the widow of a local ironmaster. She was an active [[suffragist]] and Liberal and used her wealth and position to support a number of schemes designed to improve conditions in the town. These included a maternity and child welfare clinic, clinics for the sick and poor and an unofficial employment centre. She later became an alderman and was appointed [[Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire|MBE]]. On 31 May 1939 she was awarded the [[Freedom of the City|Honorary Freedom of the Borough]].

In 1929, with no room for expansion at Stalybridge, the Summers sheet rolling and galvanising plants were transferred to [[Shotton, Flintshire|Shotton]] in [[North Wales]], having devastating effects on local employment; the new plant later became a  component in the [[British Steel Corporation]].<ref name="Manchester 2002"/> By 1932, seven of the town's largest mills had closed and unemployment reached 7,000. In 1934, the borough council set up an Industrial Development Committee for the purpose of encouraging new industries to settle in the town. The committee purchased [[John Frederick Cheetham|Cheetham's Mill]] and rented it out to small firms engaged in a wide variety of enterprises. By 1939, unemployment in the town had almost disappeared.

====1939–2000====
Stalybridge experienced intensive black-out periods and frequent air-raid warning during the [[Second World War]]. Bombs dropped by enemy aircraft mainly landed in open country and there were no civilian casualties. On 19 July 1946, [[King George VI]] and [[Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon|Queen Elizabeth]] visited Stalybridge. The town's war memorial was extended after the war, to bear the names of an extra 124 men from the town; it was unveiled on 23 April 1950.

In the post-war period council housing was provided by the local authority as separate [[council estate]]s. The Buckton Vale estate was built between January 1950 and March 1953, and the Stamford Park estate between January 1953 and January 1955; the [[Copley, Greater Manchester|Copley]] estate commenced building in August 1954 and the Ridgehill estate in January 1956.

In 1955, after the adoption of the first post-war [[Slum clearance in the United Kingdom|slum clearance]] plan, new housing estates were built to replace the slums and, gradually, redundant textile mills were occupied by firms in the various light industries. New applications of engineering principles, the manufacture of rubber goods, plastics, chemicals and packaging materials were all introduced, as well as the addition of synthetic fibres to the textile trade, reducing unemployment. The plastics industry origin and growth are described by Craig and Bowes  in "Cotton Mills to Chemical Plants" (2013).

The early 1970s saw the development of private semi-detached and detached housing estates, particularly in the Mottram Rise, Hough Hill, Hollins and Carrbrook areas; the redevelopment of Castle Hall was also completed. The construction of the Buckton Vale [[overspill estate]] also took place in the early 1970s.<ref name="NFTMO">{{cite web|url=http://www.nftmo.com/downloads_magazine/TMOMag_07.pdf|title=TMO Magazine|author=Anon|publisher=National Federation of Tenant Management Organisations|access-date=30 January 2008|date=1 June 2005|archive-date=27 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327161001/http://www.nftmo.com/downloads_magazine/TMOMag_07.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The early 1980s saw the closure of the public baths after the completion of Copley Recreation Centre. One of the symbols of the late-19th century civic improvement, the baths were subsequently demolished.

In 1991, for the first time since 1901, there was an increase in the population of Stalybridge to 22,295. The 1990s saw the proliferation of [[Mock Tudor]] style estates at Moorgate and along Huddersfield Road, close to Staley Hall; this continued into the 21st century with the completion of the Crowswood estate in Millbrook.

===21st century===
[[File:Stalybridge6052.JPG|thumb|Huddersfield Narrow Canal]]
The [[Huddersfield Narrow Canal]], which had been culverted in the early 1970s, was reinstated to the town centre between 1999 and May 2001 as part of a two-year multimillion-pound refurbishment. The canal now runs under the legs of an [[Huddersfield Narrow Canal Pylon|electricity pylon]]. [[File:Stalybridge - Market Hall - Trinity Street frontage.jpg|thumb|top|right|alt=|Stalybridge – Market Hall]]The market hall closed on New Year's Eve 1999 and became the Civic Hall in 2001. Four years later, the area designated for retail space became exhibition space. There were plans to reopen the market and let the retail hall out to private contractors, though this came to naught.{{Citation needed|date=October 2009}} The town's cinema, the Palace, closed on 31 August 2003, with the last film being ''American Pie 3: The Wedding''. The cinema has since been converted to become Rififi Nightclub and Amber Lounge Bar & Restaurant, which itself was closed down late in 2012 after two violent incidents on the same night.<ref>[http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/troubled-rififi-and-amber-lounge-nightclub-1213147 Troubled nightclub closed down after ‘horrific' night of violence] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911122610/http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/troubled-rififi-and-amber-lounge-nightclub-1213147 |date=11 September 2016 }} [[Manchester Evening News]], 16 January 2013. Retrieved 24 January 2013.</ref>

In 2004, the [[Tameside|Metropolitan Borough Council]] announced that they had granted permission for a developer to build 16 homes next to Staley Hall. A condition of the planning consent was that the hall be restored.<ref name="Tameside2004">{{cite web|title=New start for Staley Hall |author=Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council |url=http://public.tameside.gov.uk/pressreleases/f1030pressreleasestory107.asp?story=2703 |publisher=Tameside.gov.uk |date=28 April 2004 |access-date=27 January 2008 }}</ref> As of 2008, the hall is still deteriorating. It is now listed as being in "very bad" condition on the [[English Heritage]] [[Heritage at Risk|buildings at risk]] register.<ref name="Ref_j">[https://archive.today/20080123204312/http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/ConBar.6039 Staley Hall and adjoining west wing: English Heritage: English Heritage<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> As of 2015 Staley Hall has been renovated and redeveloped into apartments.

Stalybridge suffered from [[2016–17 UK and Ireland windstorm season|Storm Angus]] on 21 November 2016 when {{convert|3|in|cm}} of rain fell on Tameside in five hours. Mottram Road and Huddersfield Road, [[Millbrook, Greater Manchester|Millbrook]] were flooded by water from a stream leading from the [[Walkerwood Reservoir]].<ref name="TM 22 November 2016">{{cite news|last1=Higgins|first1=Adam|title=Tameside feels devastating impact of Storm Angus|url=https://tamesidereporter.com/2016/11/tameside-feels-devastating-impact-of-severe-flooding/|access-date=3 December 2016|work=Tameside Reporter|publisher=Quest Media Network Ltd|date=22 November 2016}}</ref>

In late June 2018, many properties in Stalybridge were threatened by a [[2018 United Kingdom wildfires|large wildfire]] advancing from [[Saddleworth Moor]]. 50 properties in the [[Carrbrook]] area of Stalybridge were evacuated on 26 June as the wildfire advanced towards them.

In December 2023, during [[Storm Gerrit]], a [[tornado]] caused damage in the [[Millbrook, Greater Manchester|Millbrook]] and [[Carrbrook]] areas of Stalybridge.<ref>{{cite web |title=Storm Gerrit: Roofs blown off as tornado strikes Stalybridge |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-67831843 |website=BBC News |access-date=28 December 2023 |date=28 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Updates after 'tornado' rips roofs off houses in Stalybridge |url=https://www.theoldhamtimes.co.uk/news/24014435.updates-tornado-rips-roofs-off-houses-stalybridge/ |access-date=28 December 2023 |work=The Oldham Times |date=28 December 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Bardsley |first1=Andrew |last2=Wootton-Cane |first2=Nicole |title=Greater Manchester town battered by localised tornado as major incident declared |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/live-greater-manchester-town-battered-28356480 |access-date=28 December 2023 |work=Manchester Evening News |date=28 December 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

==Governance==
There is one main tier of local government covering Stalybridge, at [[metropolitan borough]] level: [[Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council]].<ref name=electionmaps>{{cite web |title=Election Maps |url=https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/election-maps/gb/ |publisher=Ordnance Survey |access-date=2 February 2025}}</ref> The council is a member of the [[Greater Manchester Combined Authority]], which is led by the directly-elected [[Mayor of Greater Manchester]].

===Administrative history===
As the town developed during the industrial revolution, it initially straddled two counties and three parishes: the [[Township (England)|township]] of [[Dukinfield]] in the parish of [[Stockport]] and the township of Stayley in the parish of [[Mottram in Longdendale]] in Cheshire,<ref>{{cite web |title=Cheshire Sheet III |url=https://maps.nls.uk/view/102340957 |website=National Library of Scotland |publisher=Ordnance Survey |access-date=3 February 2025 |date=1882}}</ref> and the parish of [[Ashton-under-Lyne]] in Lancashire.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lancashire Sheet XV |url=https://maps.nls.uk/view/102344093 |website=National Library of Scotland |publisher=Ordnance Survey |access-date=3 February 2025 |date=1880}}</ref> Townships such as Dukinfield and Stayley were reclassified as [[civil parish]]es in 1866.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Youngs |first1=Frederic |title=Guide to the Local Administrative Units of England: Volume II, Northern England |date=1991 |publisher=Royal Historical Society |location=London |isbn=0861931270 |page=xv}}</ref>

[[File:Stalybridge Town Hall (Old Postcard).jpg|thumb|[[Stalybridge Town Hall]]: Completed 1831, demolished except the entrance in 1989.<ref name=listed>{{NHLE|desc= Former Stalybridge Town Hall |num=1067987|access-date=25 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e4qIAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT5  |title=Tameside Through Time|first1= Joyce |last1=Raven|first2= Mark |last2=Sheppard |year=2011|publisher=Amberley Publishing|isbn= 978-1445631288}}</ref>]]
In 1828, a body of [[improvement commissioners]] was established to administer a newly-defined Stalybridge district, which straddled the townships of Dukinfield, Stayley, and Ashton-under-Lyne.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stalybridge Improvement and Police Act 1828 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukla/Geo4/9/26/contents/enacted |website=legislation.gov.uk |publisher=The National Archives |access-date=2 February 2025}}</ref> In 1857, the commissioners' district was incorporated to become a [[municipal borough]].<ref name=Vision>{{cite web |title=Stalybridge Municipal Borough |url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10137093 |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=2 February 2025}}</ref>

[[File:Coat of arms of Stalybridge.svg|thumb|left|150px|The arms of the former Stalybridge Borough Council feature a golden wheatsheaf and a silver wolf, both representing Cheshire]]
The town's [[municipal charter]] established a council comprising a [[mayor]], six [[aldermen]] and eighteen [[councillors]]. The borough was divided into three wards: Lancashire; Staley and Dukinfield. A list of [[burgess (title)|burgesses]] was published on 21 April 1857 and the first election of councillors was held on 1 May 1857. The contesting parties were the "whites" and the "yellows". The council met for the first time on 9 May 1857 and elected the first six aldermen. The first mayor was William Bayley. The council took over the commissioners' functions in January 1858.<ref>{{cite news |title=Stalybridge: Transfer of powers |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0000966%2F18580109&page=3 |access-date=3 February 2025 |work=Ashton Weekly Reporter |date=9 January 1858 |page=3}}</ref>

The new borough council was granted a [[coat of arms]] later in 1857. The arms incorporated features from the coats of arms of the Stayley, Assheton, Dukinfield and Astley families who had all been land owners in the town. The motto, ''absque labore nihil'', means "nothing without labour".<ref name="Ref_k">{{cite web |url=http://www.tameside.gov.uk/stalybridge |title=Stalybridge: Coat of Arms information |publisher=Tameside.gov.uk |access-date=8 April 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Stalybridge Borough Council |url=http://www.civicheraldry.co.uk/cheshire_pre74.html#stalybridge%20bc |website=Civic Heraldry |access-date=4 February 2025}}</ref>

Stayley township also included extensive areas outside the original borough boundaries of Stalybridge. The northern tip of Stayley township was included in the [[Local Government Act 1858|local government district]] of [[Mossley]] in 1864.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=22823|page=889|date=26 February 1864}}</ref><ref name=1895annualreport/> In 1868, a separate Stayley local government district was created covering the parts of the township that were neither in the Mossley district nor the borough of Stalybridge, with [[Millbrook, Greater Manchester|Millbrook]] being the largest settlement in the Stayley district.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=23407|page=4243|date=31 July 1868}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Reports from Commissioners |date=1869 |page=437 |url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Reports_from_Commissioners/oytcAAAAQAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=RA8-PA3&printsec=frontcover |access-date=17 February 2025}}</ref> The borough of Stalybridge was enlarged in 1881 to take in the area of the Stayley local government district, which was abolished, plus further parts of the parish of Ashton-under-Lyne, including [[Heyrod]] and Ridge Hill.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stalybridge Extension and Improvement Act 1881 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukla/Vict/44-45/191/contents/enacted |website=legislation.gov.uk |publisher=The National Archives |access-date=17 February 2025}}</ref>

When elected county councils were established in 1889 under the [[Local Government Act 1888]], boroughs such as Stalybridge which straddled county boundaries were placed entirely in the county which had the majority of the population. The part of Stalybridge north of the River Tame in Lancashire was therefore transferred to Cheshire.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Pulling |first1=Alexander |title=A Handbook for County Authorities |date=1889 |pages=12–21 |url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/A_Handbook_for_County_Authorities/L2JHAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA12&printsec=frontcover |access-date=22 December 2024}}</ref> Parish boundaries were not changed by the 1889 county boundary alteration. In 1894 a new civil parish of Stalybridge was created which covered the same area as the borough.<ref name=1895annualreport>{{cite book |title=Annual Report of the Local Government Board |date=1895 |pages=237, 240 |url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Annual_Report_of_the_Local_Government_Bo/gFIwAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA240&printsec=frontcover |access-date=4 February 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Stalybridge Civil Parish |url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10009881 |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=4 February 2025}}</ref> The borough was enlarged in 1936 to take in part of the abolished parish of [[Matley]], formerly part of the [[Tintwistle Rural District]].<ref name="Vision" />

In 1955, Stalybridge was [[town twinning|twinned]] with [[Armentières]], France.<ref name="Ref_l">{{cite web|url=http://www.tameside.gov.uk/tmbc8/stalytwin.htm |title=Stalybridge Voluntary Twinning Association |access-date=25 October 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013172159/http://www.tameside.gov.uk/tmbc8/stalytwin.htm |archive-date=13 October 2007 }}</ref>

[[File:Remains of Stalybridge Town Hall (1).JPG|thumb|The remains of Stalybridge Town Hall]]
The borough of Stalybridge was abolished in 1974 under the [[Local Government Act 1972]]. The area became part of the [[Metropolitan Borough of Tameside]] in [[Greater Manchester]].<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government Act 1972|year=1972|chapter=70|schedule=1|access-date=15 January 2025}}</ref>

===Parliamentary representation===
[[File:StalybridgeHydeConstituency.svg|thumb|right|[[Stalybridge and Hyde]] as shown within Greater Manchester]]
As a [[county palatine]] [[Cheshire (UK Parliament constituency)|Cheshire]] was unrepresented in Parliament until the [[34 & 35 Hen VIII. c. 13|Chester and Cheshire (Constituencies) Act 1542]]. From 1545 Cheshire was represented by two [[Knights of the Shire]]. On the passage of the [[Great Reform Act]] of 1832, the area of Stalybridge south of the Tame was included in the [[North Cheshire (UK Parliament constituency)|North Cheshire]] constituency.

Between the passing of the [[Reform Act 1867|Second Reform Act]] in 1867, and the general election of 1918, the town was represented in its own right through the [[Stalybridge (UK Parliament constituency)|Stalybridge Borough constituency]]. Since the [[1918 United Kingdom general election|1918 general election]] the town has been represented in [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Parliament]] by the member for the [[Stalybridge and Hyde (UK Parliament constituency)|Stalybridge and Hyde]] [[county constituency]]. The current Member of Parliament is [[Jonathan Reynolds]], a former Tameside Councillor.

==Geography==
{{further|Geography of Greater Manchester}}
[[File:Bucktonvale.jpg|thumb|left|[[Carrbrook]] from Buckton Vale]]
At {{Coord|53|29|0|N|2|2|24|W|type:city}} (53.483, −2.040) Stalybridge lies in the foothills of the [[Pennines]], straddling the [[River Tame, Greater Manchester|River Tame]]. The river forms part of the [[Historic counties of England|ancient boundary]] between [[Lancashire]] and [[Cheshire]]. On the boundary of the [[Peak District]] [[National parks of the United Kingdom|national park]]. The highest point in the town is the summit of [[Wild Bank]] at {{convert|1309|ft|m}}. [[Harridge Pike]] is the second highest peak at {{convert|1296|ft|m|abbr=on}}. Buckton Hill, the site of the [[mediaeval]] [[Buckton Castle]], is another prominent landmark. The town centre itself is situated along the banks of the river between Ridge Hill to the north and Hough Hill {{convert|801|ft|m|abbr=on}} to the south. Stalybridge Weather Station is staffed by volunteers and has been providing statistics since 1999.<ref name="Ref_m">{{Cite book|url=http://www.c.c.bates.btinternet.co.uk/ |title=Stalybridge Weather Centre |publisher=Stalybridge Weather Centre |access-date=14 April 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060627102118/http://www.c.c.bates.btinternet.co.uk/ |archive-date=27 June 2006 }}</ref> The local bedrock is [[gritstone|millstone grit]], covered by a thin layer of soil over [[clay]], with surface rock [[outcrop]]s.<ref name="Ref_n">Nevell (1992), p.&nbsp;10.</ref>

Over the course of the 20th century the population of the town declined, after the demolition of the mid-19th century high-density housing. At the 2001 census Stalybridge had a population of 22,568. The town includes the localities of [[Heyheads]], Buckton Vale, [[Carrbrook]], [[Millbrook, Greater Manchester|Millbrook]], [[Brushes Estate]], [[Copley, Greater Manchester|Copley]], Mottram Rise, Woodlands, [[Matley]], Hough Hill, Castle Hall, [[Hollins Street]], Hydes, Rassbottom, Waterloo, Cocker Hill, the Hague, Springs, Ridge Hill and [[Heyrod]].
 
{{Geographic Location
|title     = '''Neighbouring districts and places.'''
|Northwest = Ridge Hill
|North     = [[Mossley]]
|Northeast = [[Saddleworth]]
|West      = [[Ashton-under-Lyne]]
|Centre    = Stalybridge
|East      = [[Saddleworth Moor]]
|Southwest = [[Dukinfield]]
|South     = [[Hyde, Greater Manchester|Hyde]]
|Southeast = [[Mottram in Longdendale]]
}}

==Demography==
{{See also|Demographics of Greater Manchester}}
{| class="wikitable" style="float: right; margin-left: 2em; width: 40%; font-size: 90%;" cellspacing="3"
|-
!colspan="4"|'''Stalybridge'''
|-
|'''2001 UK census'''||'''Stalybridge'''<ref name="Ref_2005">{{cite web |title=Census 2001 Key Statistics – Urban area results by population size of urban area |publisher=Office for National Statistics |url=http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/re-reference-tables.html?edition=tcm%3A77-211152 |date=22 July 2004|work=ons.gov.uk|at=[http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/census/census-2001-key-statistics/urban-area-results-by-population-size-of-urban-area/urban-area-results-by-population-size-of-urban-area-ks06--ethnic-group.xls KS06 Ethnic group] {{XLSlink}}|access-date=5 August 2008}}</ref>||'''Tameside'''<ref name="Tameside neighbourhood stats">{{cite web |title=Tameside Metropolitan Borough key statistics |publisher=Statistics.gov.uk |url=http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=276783&c=Tameside&d=13&e=16&g=355472&i=1001x1003x1004&o=1&m=0&r=1&s=1221178894406&enc=1}} Retrieved on 12 September 2008.</ref>||'''England'''
|-
|Total population||22,568||213,043||49,138,831
|-
|White||97.1%||91.2%||91%
|-
|Asian||1.9%||5.6%||4.6%
|-
|Black||0.1%||1.2%||2.3%
|}
According to the [[Office for National Statistics]], at the time of the [[United Kingdom Census 2001]], Stalybridge had a population of 22,568. The 2001 population density was {{convert|4,451|pd/sqkm}}, with a 100 to 95.0 female-to-male ratio.<ref name="census">{{cite web |title=Census 2001 Key Statistics – Urban area results by population size of urban area |publisher=Office for National Statistics |url=http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/re-reference-tables.html?edition=tcm%3A77-211152 |date=22 July 2004|work=ons.gov.uk|at=[http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/census/census-2001-key-statistics/urban-area-results-by-population-size-of-urban-area/urban-area-results-by-population-size-of-urban-area-ks01-usual-resident-population.xls KS01 Usual resident population] {{XLSlink}}|access-date=29 October 2008}}</ref> Of those over 16 years old, 29.2% were single (never married) and 41.6% married.<ref name="Ref_2005a">{{cite web |title=Census 2001 Key Statistics – Urban area results by population size of urban area |publisher=Office for National Statistics |url=http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/re-reference-tables.html?edition=tcm%3A77-211152 |date=22 July 2004|work=ons.gov.uk|at=[http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/census/census-2001-key-statistics/urban-area-results-by-population-size-of-urban-area/urban-area-results-by-population-size-of-urban-area-ks04--marital-status.xls KS04 Marital status] {{XLSlink}}|access-date=29 October 2008}}</ref> Stalybridge's 9,331&nbsp;households included 29.1% one-person, 38.3% married couples living together, 9.7% were [[cohabitation|co-habiting]] couples, and 12.0% single parents with their children.<ref name="Ref_2005b">{{cite web |title=Census 2001 Key Statistics – Urban area results by population size of urban area |publisher=Office for National Statistics |url=http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/re-reference-tables.html?edition=tcm%3A77-211152 |date=22 July 2004|work=ons.gov.uk|at=[http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/census/census-2001-key-statistics/urban-area-results-by-population-size-of-urban-area/urban-area-results-by-population-size-of-urban-area-ks20--household-composition.xls KS20 Household composition] {{XLSlink}}|access-date=29 October 2008}}</ref> Of those aged 16–74, 31.7% had no [[National Qualifications Framework|academic qualifications]], below the average for Tameside (35.2%) but slightly higher than England (28.9%).<ref name="Tameside neighbourhood stats"/><ref name="Ref_2005c">{{cite web |title=Census 2001 Key Statistics – Urban area results by population size of urban area |publisher=Office for National Statistics |url=http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/re-reference-tables.html?edition=tcm%3A77-211152|date=22 July 2004|work=ons.gov.uk|at=[http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/census/census-2001-key-statistics/urban-area-results-by-population-size-of-urban-area/urban-area-results-by-population-size-of-urban-area-ks13--qualifications-and-students.xls KS13 Qualifications and students] {{XLSlink}}|access-date=29 October 2008}}</ref>

===Population change===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; width:70%; border:0; text-align:center; line-height:120%;"
! colspan="14" style="text-align:center;font-size:90%;"|Population change in Stalybridge since 1823
|-
!  style="background:#9cc; color:navy; height:17px;"| Year
! style="background:#fff; color:navy;"| 1823
! style="background:#fff; color:navy;"| 1825
! style="background:#fff; color:navy;"| 1901
! style="background:#fff; color:navy;"| 1911
! style="background:#fff; color:navy;"| 1921
! style="background:#fff; color:navy;"| 1931
! style="background:#fff; color:navy;"| 1939
! style="background:#fff; color:navy;"| 1951
! style="background:#fff; color:navy;"| 1961
! style="background:#fff; color:navy;"| 1971
! style="background:#fff; color:navy;"| 1991
! style="background:#fff; color:navy;"| 2001
! style="background:#fff; color:navy;"| 2011
|- style="text-align:center;"
!  style="background:#9cc; color:navy; height:17px;"| Population
| style="background:#fff; color:black;"| 5,500
| style="background:#fff; color:black;"| 9,000
| style="background:#fff; color:black;"| 27,673
| style="background:#fff; color:black;"| 26,513
| style="background:#fff; color:black;"| 25,213
| style="background:#fff; color:black;"| 24,831
| style="background:#fff; color:black;"| 22,299
| style="background:#fff; color:black;"| 22,541
| style="background:#fff; color:black;"| 21,947
| style="background:#fff; color:black;"| 22,799
| style="background:#fff; color:black;"| 22,921
| style="background:#fff; color:black;"| 22,568
| style="background:#fff; color:black;"| 23,731
|-
| colspan="14" style="text-align:center;font-size:90%;"|<small>'''Source:'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/data_cube_table_page.jsp?data_theme%3DT_POP%26data_cube%3DN_TPop%26u_id%3D10137093%26c_id%3D10001043%26add%3DN |title=Archived copy |access-date=28 January 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232149/http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/data_cube_table_page.jsp?data_theme=T_POP&data_cube=N_TPop&u_id=10137093&c_id=10001043&add=N |archive-date=3 March 2016 |df=dmy }}</ref></small><ref name="Ref_o">{{Cite book|url=http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/greater_manchester_urban_area.asp |title=Greater Manchester Urban Area |publisher=United Kingdom Census 1991 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205014453/http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/greater_manchester_urban_area.asp |archive-date=5 February 2009 }} Retrieved on 30 October 2008.</ref>
|}

==Environment==
[[File:Walkerwood.jpg|thumb|right|Walkerwood Reservoir in the Brushes Valley]]
Much of the upland areas of the town are [[grouse]] [[moorland|moors]]. Boar Flat is part of the [[Dark Peak]] [[List of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Greater Manchester|Site of Special Scientific Interest]], as classified by [[Natural England]].<ref name="Ref_p">{{cite web |title=Dark Peak |url=http://www.english-nature.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1003028.pdf |publisher=EnglishNature.org |access-date=27 January 2008}}</ref> The slopes below the moors, particularly beneath Harridge Pike, are used for sheep grazing by the hill farms. The Stalybridge Country Park centres on two areas. Firstly, the Brushes Valley, with its four reservoirs running up into the Pennine Moors, and secondly Carrbrook, lying in the shadow of [[Buckton Castle]]. Linking the two areas, although outside the country park boundaries, is a good rights of way network,<ref name="Ref_q">[http://www.tameside.gov.uk/stalybridgecp Stalybridge Country Park<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080531002146/http://www.tameside.gov.uk/stalybridgecp |date=31 May 2008 }}</ref> and areas of designated [[Freedom to roam#England and Wales|access land]] which take visitors into the Tame Valley, [[Longdendale]] and the [[Peak District]]. The country park affords views of the [[Cheshire Plain]], [[Jodrell Bank]] and on very clear days the mountains of [[Snowdonia]]. Buckton Castle and Stalybridge cairn, a round [[cairn]], west of Hollingworthhall Moor are both [[scheduled monument]]s.<ref name="Ref_r">[http://www.tameside.gov.uk/udp/udp1996/appendix6 UDP Appendix 6<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090502030435/http://www.tameside.gov.uk/udp/udp1996/appendix6 |date=2 May 2009 }}</ref>

[[File:Cheetham's Park in Stalybridge, England.jpg|thumb|left|Cheetham Park]]
The town's two parks are the main open spaces in the town centre. Cheetham Park was opened in June 1932 to a crowd of 15,000 people. The park was left to the town under the will of [[John Frederick Cheetham]] along with his house, Eastwood, and his collection of paintings, which now form part of the Astley Cheetham Art Gallery collection. The park is landscaped informally with large areas of woodland. Adjacent to Cheetham's Park lies the [[Eastwood Nature Reserve]]. Eastwood was one of the first reserves to be owned by the [[RSPB]]. It is managed by [[Cheshire Wildlife Trust]].<ref name="Ref_s">{{cite web |url=http://www.cheshirewildlifetrust.co.uk/ |title=Cheshire Wildlife Trust |publisher=Cheshire Wildlife Trust |access-date=27 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313060239/http://www.cheshirewildlifetrust.co.uk/ |archive-date=13 March 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The reserve is a cut-over, lowland, raised mire [[SSSI]], surrounded by a woodland fringe. Characteristic bog plants include [[sphagnum]] mosses, cotton grass and cross-leaved heath. Nine species of [[dragonfly]] and [[damselfly]] have been recorded on the reserve, along with the [[green hairstreak]] butterfly. The steep-sided broad-leaved woodland is bisected by Acres Brook and contains several old mill ponds. The geology is shale and sandstone, with a rich variety of plants and animals typical of woodland habitat on an acid soil. Access is from the A6018 Mottram Road. Car parking is available in [[Stalybridge Celtic FC]]'s car park. The reserve occupies {{convert|4.7|ha|acre|abbr=off}}.

[[File:Stalybridge - Stamford Park Boating Lake.JPG|thumb|right|Boating lake at Stamford Park]]
Stamford Park is registered by [[English Heritage]] as being of special interest.<ref name="Ref_t">[http://www.cartoplus.co.uk/tameside/text/pt_2_01_reasoned.htm Tameside Unitary Development Plan<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070107125841/http://www.cartoplus.co.uk/tameside/text/pt_2_01_reasoned.htm |date=7 January 2007 }}</ref> In 1865, local mill owner Abel Harrison died and his home, Highfield House, and its extensive grounds, on the border with Ashton were bought by the two towns. Neighbouring land was donated by [[George Grey, 7th Earl of Stamford|George Harry Grey, 7th Earl of Stamford and 3rd Earl of Warrington]]. The whole area was landscaped to become Stamford Park and opened by the Earl on 12 July 1873. The former mill reservoir, known as Chadwick Dams, was incorporated into the park in 1891. The reservoir was divided in two by an embankment, with the southern section becoming the present boating lake. This area includes waterfalls cascading over rock faces and [[gargoyles]] built into the bridges and walls. The park has tennis courts, bowling greens, a children's playground, The park is the venue for the annual Tulip Sunday Festival.

==Culture==

===Music===
Stalybridge has an established musical tradition. Stalybridge Old Band was formed in 1809, perhaps the first civilian [[Brass band (British style)|brass band]] in the world.<ref name="Ref_u">{{cite web |title=Welcome to the website for Stalybridge Old Band |url=http://www.stalybridgeoldband.org/index.htm |publisher=Stalybridge Old Band |access-date=14 August 2009 |archive-date=6 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106105107/http://stalybridgeoldband.org/index.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> The band currently contests in the [[Brass Band Sections in Britain|second section]]. Carrbrook Brass currently contests in the [[Brass Band Sections in Britain|fourth section]] and represent the town annually at the [[Armentières]] festival. An annual brass band contest has been held in the town on [[Whit Friday]], since at least 1870. Other contests have been held on the same day in the surrounding villages of [[Millbrook, Greater Manchester|Millbrook]], [[Carrbrook]] and [[Heyrod]]. There is now an established tradition of holding brass band contests on this day around Stalybridge, Mossley and [[Saddleworth]]. Bands travel by coach from all over the United Kingdom, and sometimes from other countries, to contest in as many different locations as possible on the day.

[[File:Stalybridge - Jack Judge Memorial.JPG|thumb|right|upright|'Jack Judge' memorial outside the Old Victoria Market Hall]]
The song ''[[It's a Long Way to Tipperary]]'' was created in the Newmarket Tavern, by the composer [[Jack Judge]], in 1912, after being challenged to write, compose, and produce a song in just one night;. It was first sung in public by him in the Grand Theatre on Corporation Street on 31 January 1912.<ref name="Bridget">{{cite web | url=http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/VetsTiperary.html | title=It's a long way to Tipperary | author=Bridget Haggerty | publisher=Irish Culture and Customs | access-date=24 March 2006}}</ref> On 31 January 1953 a memorial tablet was unveiled by [[Jack Hylton]] on the wall of the old Newmarket Tavern, where the song was composed. To coincide with the ceremony a wreath was laid on Jack Judge's grave, by the mayor of [[Oldbury, West Midlands|Oldbury]]. Jack Judge is now also commemorated by a statue in [[Tom Pendry, Baron Pendry|Lord Pendry]] Square outside the Old Victoria Market Hall.<ref name="Ref_v">{{cite web |url=http://www.tameside.gov.uk/districtassembly/stalybridge/achievements.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2014-02-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207152732/http://www.tameside.gov.uk/districtassembly/stalybridge/achievements.pdf |archive-date=7 February 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

More recently a live folk music tradition has developed in the town. The Buffet Bar Folk Club meets every Saturday at 9&nbsp;pm<ref name="Ref_w">[http://web.ukonline.co.uk/martin.nail/regional.htm Folk and traditional music in specific areas of England<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411113721/http://web.ukonline.co.uk/martin.nail/regional.htm |date=11 April 2008 }}</ref> and the Free and Easy folk club meet at 9&nbsp;pm on alternate Thursdays at the White House public house in the town centre. Some members of the [[Fivepenny Piece]] who sang traditional North Country music in the 1970s were from Stalybridge.<ref name="Ref_x">[http://www.5pp.co.uk/ Fivepenny Piece<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> and the band performed songs such as "Stalybridge Station" and "Stalybridge Market". They also took "In Bowton's Yard", the work of local poet [[Samuel Laycock]], and put it to music.

===Art===
[[File:Stalybridge , The Sundial - geograph.org.uk - 2231496.jpg|thumb|Stalybridge : The Sundial]]Built as a gift to the town of Stalybridge by [[John Frederick Cheetham]] and his wife Beatrice Astley, the Astley Cheetham Art Gallery originally opened to the public as a lecture theatre on 14 January 1901. The space was turned into a gallery to house the Astley Cheetham Collection, bequeathed in 1932. This collection has grown with gifts and donations throughout the 20th century and is one of the most interesting small regional collections of 15th century Italian paintings. The collection of work by Italian old masters includes 'Portrait of a Young Man' by [[Alessandro Allori]]. Also, British art of the 19th and 20th centuries is represented by artists such as [[John Linnell]], [[Richard Parkes Bonington]], [[George Price Boyce]], [[Edward Burne-Jones|Burne-Jones]], [[Mark Gertler (artist)|Mark Gertler]] and [[Duncan Grant]]. [[Aske Hall]] by [[J. M. W. Turner]] is also part of the gallery's collection. Alongside exhibitions of the collection, the gallery also hosts a programme of temporary exhibitions by regional artists.

During the earlier part of the 20th century, Stalybridge was artistically captured by the painter [[L. S. Lowry]].<ref name="Howard2007">{{cite news | url=http://arts.guardian.co.uk/art/visualart/story/0,,2043331,00.html | publisher=Guardian | title=The loneliness of LS Lowry – part two | author=Howard Jacobson | work=Guardian Unlimited | access-date=3 April 2007 | location=London | date=26 March 2007}}</ref> Some of his paintings were of the people of Stalybridge. Lowry continued painting pictures until his death in 1976. His house is marked with a [[blue plaque]] on Stalybridge Road, [[Mottram in Longdendale]]. There is also a statue of him, holding his sketch pad, on a bench near the Stalybridge Road bus stop. Sheila Vaughan is a Stalybridge artist working in oils and acrylic.<ref name="Ref_y">{{Cite web |url= http://www.dailypainters.com/artists/artist_gallery/1196/Sheila-Vaughan |title=Sheila Vaughan, Artist – Paintings by Cheshire, England artist |work= DailyPainters.com |access-date= 24 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080213110308/http://www.dailypainters.com/artists/artist_gallery/1196/Sheila-Vaughan |archive-date=13 February 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Her work and that of other Stalybridge artists such as Keith Taylor are displayed at the Peoples Gallery on Melbourne Street.<ref name="Ref_z">{{cite web |url= http://thepeoplesgallery.org.uk/artists.php |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080130072638/http://thepeoplesgallery.org.uk/artists.php |url-status= dead |archive-date= 30 January 2008 |title= The Peoples Gallery |access-date=24 January 2008 }}</ref>

The ''Lock Gates Sundial'' is a large piece of [[public art]] alongside the canal in Armentieres Square. It commemorates the reopening of the canal and was installed in 2008. The north facing balance beam forms the [[gnomon]] of the sundial, and heel stones mark the time.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lock Gates Sundial |url=https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/lock-gates-sundial-252509 |website=artuk.org |access-date=26 December 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

===Literature===
As well as being described by Engels, Stalybridge was featured in [[Benjamin Disraeli|Disraeli's]] [[Coningsby (novel)|''Coningsby'']]. The children's author [[Beatrix Potter]] visited Gorse Hall many times as a child as it was the home of her maternal grandmother.<ref name="Ref_aa">{{cite web | url= http://www.tameside.gov.uk/corpgen1/beatrixpotter.htm |title=A Tribute to Beatrix Potter (1866–1943) |publisher= Tameside MBC |access-date= 24 March 2006 |url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060427125502/http://www.tameside.gov.uk/corpgen1/beatrixpotter.htm |archive-date= 27 April 2006 |df= dmy-all }}</ref> Samuel Laycock (1826–93) was a librarian at the Mechanics' Institute for two years. His poetry presents a vivid impression of the mid-19th century, working-class life, and he drew on his personal experience in the cotton industry. His best-loved poems are "Bowton's Yard" and "Bonny Brid"&nbsp;– both written in Stalybridge. [[Tim Willocks]], author of ''Bad City Blues'', ''Green River Rising'' and ''Bloodstained Kings'' is from Stalybridge.<ref name="Ref_ab">{{cite web |url= http://www.twbooks.co.uk/crimedigests/digests98/arrowau98.html |title=Tim Willocks |work= TWbooks.co.uk |access-date=23 August 2006}}</ref><ref name="Ref_2006">{{cite news |url= http://enjoyment.independent.co.uk/books/features/article1211747.ece |title=Tim Willocks: Land of Pope and Glory |work=The Independent |date=4 August 2006 |place=London |access-date= 24 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070223102631/http://enjoyment.independent.co.uk/books/features/article1211747.ece |archive-date= 23 February 2007 }}</ref> Dolores Gordon-Smith, author of the ''Jack Haldean'' murder mystery series (published by Constable & Robinson and currently by Severn House) and ''Frankies' Letter'' (on Kindle) is from Stalybridge and currently resides there. [[M. John Harrison]] describes Stalybridge in his short story "The Ice Monkey" as a place "where nothing is clear-cut and there is neither town nor country, just a grim industrial muddle of the two".<ref>M. John Harrison, ''The Ice Monkey and Other Stories''. London: Victor Gollancz, 1983, p. 16.</ref>

===Traditions===

====Whit Friday====
[[Whit Friday]] is the name given to the first Friday after [[Whitsun]] in areas of northeast Cheshire, southeast Lancashire and the western fringes of [[West Riding of Yorkshire|Yorkshire]]. The day has a cultural significance in Stalybridge as the date on which the annual [[Whit Friday#Whit walks|Whit Walks]] were traditionally held. It is also the day on which the traditional annual Whit Friday brass band contests are held.

====Wakes Week====
The [[wakes week|wakes]] were originally religious festivals that commemorated church dedications. Particularly important was the [[Rushcart]] festival associated with [[Rogation days|Rogationtide]]. During the [[Industrial Revolution]] the tradition of the wakes was adapted into a regular summer break in the [[mill town]]s of Lancashire, where each locality would nominate a wakes week during which the cotton mills would all close at the same time.<ref name="Ref_ac">[http://www.cravenherald.co.uk/news/newswcraven/display.var.813544.0.final_wakes_week_marks_end_of_an_era.php Final Wakes Week Marks End Of An Era (from Craven Herald)<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Stalybridge Wakes occurs in the third week of July. Wakes Week became the focus for fairs, and eventually for holidays where the mill workers would go to the seaside, eventually on the newly developing railways.

===Food and drink===
Stalybridge has the [[public house]] with the longest name in Britain – The Old Thirteenth Cheshire Astley Volunteer Rifleman Corps Inn, which closed in June 2016 but reopened in April 2019 – and also the one with the shortest, Q.<ref name="Ref_ad">Nicholls (2004), pp.&nbsp;121–122.</ref> The railway station is one of the last in Britain to retain its original buffet, the 1998 refurbishment of which won awards from [[Campaign for Real Ale|CAMRA]] and [[English Heritage]].<ref name="tmbcsb">{{cite web|url=http://www.tameside.gov.uk/eandp/new/staly2.htm |title=Facts About Stalybridge |publisher=Tameside Council |access-date=13 July 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060213085832/http://www.tameside.gov.uk/eandp/new/staly2.htm |archive-date=13 February 2006 }}</ref><ref name="Ref_ae">{{cite web|url=http://www.camra.org.uk/SHWebClass.ASP?WCI=ShowDoc&DocID=554 |title=Station Buffet, Stalybridge |publisher=Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA) |access-date=24 March 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060322005500/http://www.camra.org.uk/SHWebClass.ASP?WCI=ShowDoc&DocID=554 |archive-date=22 March 2006 }}</ref>

{{multiple image | align = right | total_width = 300 | image1 = The Old Thirteenth Cheshire Astley Volunteer Rifleman Corps Inn, Stalybridge, Greater Manchester, UK 01.jpg | alt1 = The front of The Old Thirteenth Cheshire Astley Volunteer Rifleman Corps Inn public house, Stalybridge, Greater Manchester | image2 = The Q Inn, Stalybridge, Greater Manchester, UK.jpg | alt2 = The front of the Q Inn, Stalybridge, Greater Manchester | footer = The pubs with the longest and shortest names in the [[United Kingdom]] respectively, The Old Thirteenth Cheshire Astley Volunteer Rifleman Corps Inn, and The Q Inn, located close to each other in Stalybridge
}}
The restoration of the canal between 1999 and 2001 attracted new commercial ventures such as riverside cafés and boat trips. The reopening of the canal and the fact that the Tame runs through the town centre resulted in the nickname "Little [[Venice]]".<ref name="Ref_af">[http://home.hio.no/~knuta/onsdag/index.htm Microsoft PowerPoint-presentasjon<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080505074552/http://home.hio.no/~knuta/onsdag/index.htm |date=5 May 2008 }}</ref><ref name="Ref_2004">{{cite news|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_city/c/79859_fans_sing_the_blues_over_citys_tough_line.html|title=Fans sing the blues over City's tough line|date=31 January 2004|work=Manchester Evening News}}</ref> Stalybridge has in recent years acquired another nickname, "Staly [[Las Vegas Valley|Vegas]]";{{Citation needed|date=October 2009}} the nickname became popular and was used ironically after the controversial conversion of premises in the shopping area into [[nightclub]]s and bars, the proliferation of takeaways and the refurbishment of some of the more traditional [[public house|pubs]].

The town's traditional foods include Tater Hash (Potato Pie, or Meat and Potato Pie), a variation on [[Lancashire Hotpot]], [[black peas]], today mainly eaten on [[Whit Friday]], and [[tripe]]. Stalybridge is the location of the region's last remaining tripe shop.<ref name="Rooth2007">{{cite news|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1025807_its_offal_but_we_like_it|title=It's offal, but we like it|author=Rooth, Ben|date=24 November 2007|work=Manchester Evening News}}</ref>

===Media===
''The Stalybridge Reporter'' weekly newspaper was established in 1855. With ''The North Cheshire Herald'' it now serves the wider district under the name ''The Tamesider Reporter''. Its office, and that of ''The Glossop Chronicle'' is at Park House, Acres Lane. The weekly free newspaper ''The Tameside Advertiser'' was established in 1979 and is now owned by [[Trinity Mirror]] and distributed throughout Stalybridge.

Local news and television programmes are provided by [[BBC North West]] and [[ITV Granada]]. Television signals are received from the [[Winter Hill transmitting station|Winter Hill]] TV transmitter <ref>{{cite web |url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Winter_Hill |title=Full Freeview on the Winter Hill (Bolton, England) transmitter|date=May 2004 |publisher=UK Free TV |access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref>  and one of the two local relay transmitters (Saddleworth <ref>{{cite web |url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Saddleworth |title=Full Freeview on the Saddleworth (Oldham, England) transmitter|date=May 2004 |publisher=UK Free TV |access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref> and Brock Bottom <ref>{{cite web |url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Brook_Bottom |title=Freeview Light on the Brook Bottom (Tameside, England) transmitter|date=May 2004 |publisher=UK Free TV |access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref>).

Local radio stations are [[BBC Radio Manchester]], [[Capital Manchester and Lancashire]], [[Heart North West]], [[Smooth North West]], [[Greatest Hits Radio Manchester & The North West]], and [[Tameside Radio]], a community based station.{{cn|date=September 2024}}

===Other media===
The town has been used for location shoots for various film and television series. 
The most notable of these was the [[John Schlesinger]] film ''[[Yanks]]'' which featured [[Richard Gere]] and was released in 1979. The opening sequence of the film features Stalybridge War Memorial on Trinity Street and the US army camp scenes were filmed at Stamford Golf Club in spring 1978.<ref name="Ref_ag">[http://www.tamesideadvertiser.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/383455_the_1970s The 1970s – Nostalgia – Community – Tameside Advertiser<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
In 1986 the [[BBC]] children's TV series ''[[Jossy's Giants]]'' was filmed in the town. In 2009 the BBC3 Comedy Show ''[[We Are Klang]]'' was filmed at the Victoria Market Hall,<ref name="Ref_ah">{{cite web|author=Jane Simon |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv-entertainment/tv/todays-tv/2009/07/30/we-are-klang-bbc3-10-30pm-115875-21556816/ |title=We are Klang – BBC3 |work=Daily Mirror |date=30 July 2009 |access-date=27 March 2012}}</ref> and around the town centre. Scenes from ''[[Coronation Street]]'', ''[[Making Out (TV series)|Making Out]]'', ''[[Common As Muck]]'' and ''[[The League of Gentlemen]]'' have also been shot there.

==Amenities==
[[File:Stalybridge6032.JPG|thumb|Stalybridge Post Office on Trinity Street]]
Stalybridge Post Office is located on Trinity Street. The sub-[[post office]]s are Ridge Hill and [[Carrbrook]]. The police station is located on Waterloo Road but is open only during working hours on weekdays. The fire station is located on Rassbottom Street. [[Stamford Park, Tameside|Stamford Park]] offers green space and facilities.

==Transport==

===Road===

The nearest point of access to the motorway network is approximately {{convert|1|mi|km|adj=on}} from the southern boundary of the town at junction four of the [[M67 motorway|M67]]. The M67 is a feeder to the [[M60 motorway|M60]] Manchester orbital motorway and the city of [[Sheffield]]. The [[A635 road|A635]] [[Great Britain road numbering scheme|A road]] passes through the town and the A6018 commences at Stalybridge. The B6175 and B6176 Huddersfield Road also pass through the town.

===Railway===

[[Stalybridge railway station]] is on the former [[London & North Western Railway]] route from [[Liverpool]] to [[Leeds]]. [[TransPennine Express]] services between Liverpool, Leeds and destinations in north-east England run via [[Manchester Piccadilly railway station|Manchester Piccadilly]] or [[Manchester Victoria railway station|Manchester Victoria]], then rejoin the LNWR route line at Stalybridge.

The [[Stockport to Stalybridge Line]] only now carries two parliamentary services, one in each direction on Saturday mornings, to avoid closing the intermediate stations [[Reddish South railway station|Reddish South]] and [[Denton railway station|Denton]].

===Buses===

[[File:Stalybridge Bus Station - geograph.org.uk - 1200837.jpg|thumb|Stalybridge bus station]]
Stalybridge bus station is run by [[Transport for Greater Manchester]].
The majority of services that serve the bus station are run by [[Stagecoach Manchester]] (most of which under the [[Bee Network]]) whilst other operators include Nexus Move and Stotts Tours.
There are frequent buses running to [[Ashton-under-Lyne]]. Buses also run to [[Glossop]], [[Hyde, Greater Manchester|Hyde]], [[Manchester]], [[Oldham]] and [[Saddleworth]].

===Tram===

A tram network operated by the [[SHMD Joint Board]] ran lines through Stalybridge from 1904 to 1945, until their replacement by buses.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stalybridge, Hyde, Mossley & Dukinfield Joint Transport and Electricity Board 1903-1969 |url=https://petergould.co.uk/fleetlists/shmd1/ |website=petergould.co.uk |access-date=29 March 2021}}</ref> The second-generation tramway [[Manchester Metrolink]] currently terminates at nearby Ashton-under-Lyne for connections to the city centre.

===Canal===

[[File:Stalybridge6049.JPG|right|thumb|Huddersfield Narrow Canal, towards the market hall from lock 4W]]

[[Huddersfield Narrow Canal]] passing through Stalybridge is part of the [[South Pennine Ring]] and runs from the junction with the [[Huddersfield Broad Canal]] near [[Aspley, West Yorkshire|Aspley Basin]] at Huddersfield to the junction with the [[Ashton Canal]] at Whitefields Basin in [[Ashton-under-Lyne]]. The canal was completed in 1811,<ref name="Ref_aj">[http://www.huddersfieldcanal.com/canal/canalhistory.htm History of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513152817/http://www.huddersfieldcanal.com/canal/canalhistory.htm |date=13 May 2008 }}</ref> but was closed to navigation in 1951. It was reopened in 2001 and is now managed by the [[Canal and River Trust]].

==Sport==
[[File:Stalybridge Celtic.gif|thumb|right|[[Wild Bank]] with [[Bower Fold]], the home of [[Stalybridge Celtic F.C.|Stalybridge Celtic]], in the foreground]]
From the end of the 19th century until 1909 the main football team in the town was [[Stalybridge Rovers F.C.|Stalybridge Rovers]]. The club reached the 1st round of the [[FA Cup]] in the 1900/1901 season<ref name="Ref_ak">[https://www.fchd.info/STALYBRR.HTM Football Club History Database – Stalybridge Rovers<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> and its players included [[Arthur Wharton]] and [[Herbert Chapman]]. Today the town's team is [[Stalybridge Celtic F.C.|Stalybridge Celtic]], founded 1909.<ref name="Ref_al">{{cite web | url=http://www.stalybridgeceltic.co.uk/index.php | title=Stalybridge Celtic | access-date=24 March 2006}}</ref> They are one of four [[FIFA]]-recognised teams to be called ''Celtic''.{{citation needed|date=January 2016}} Usually based in non-league football, they are presently members of the [[Northern Premier League]] Division One West, in the eighth tier of English football.<ref name="Ref_am">{{cite web|url=http://www.footballconference.co.uk/News/FC_Club_Links/1,14306,,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051001000425/http://www.footballconference.co.uk/News/FC_Club_Links/1%2C14306%2C%2C00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 October 2005 |title=Football Conference - Club Links |access-date=27 January 2008 }}</ref>

There are two main cricket clubs in Stalybridge. Stayley C.C. play in Millbrook and are members of the Greater Manchester Cricket League. Stalybridge St Paul's C.C. play on Cheetham Hill Road, Dukinfield on the ground formerly used by the now defunct Stalybridge Cricket Club. They are members of the Cheshire League Pyramid, and for the 2008 season are in the first division of the Cheshire Alliance.<ref name="Manchester 2002"/>

[[File:Stamford Golf Club clubhouse, Oakfield House in Stalybridge, England.jpg|thumb|left|Stamford Golf Club clubhouse, Oakfield House]]
Stamford Golf Club on Huddersfield Road has an 18-hole course. The club was incorporated on Saturday 24 August 1901 and was named after the local landowner the [[Earl of Stamford]]. It is a member of the Cheshire Union of Golf Clubs.<ref name="golf club">[http://www.stamfordgolfclub.co.uk/ Stamford Golf Club – Societies, Visitors and Private Functions WELCOME!!!<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

Priory Tennis Club is situated next to Cheetham's Park on Mottram Road. There are four astroturf courts, all with floodlights. The club is fully affiliated to the [[Cheshire]] branch of the [[Lawn Tennis Association]].<ref name="Ref_an">{{cite web |url=http://priorytennis.net/ |title=Home – priorytennis.co.uk |publisher=Priorytennis.net |access-date=27 March 2012 |archive-date=10 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131010055515/http://priorytennis.net/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The local athletics club is East Cheshire Harriers, founded in 1922 by an amalgamation of Dukinfield Harriers and Tintwistle Harriers. Th club's headquarters were once in Stalybridge but their home is now the Richmond Park Stadium, Ashton-under-Lyne.

A [[snooker]] league is operated by the Stalybridge and District Snooker, Billiards and Whist League, which has been in existence since 1910. The league starts around October each year and runs until May.<ref name="Ref_ap">{{cite web |url=http://www.mymanchesteronline.co.uk/Siteadmin.asp?UserSiteid=1142 |title=Manchester News |work=Manchester Evening News |access-date=27 March 2012 |archive-date=24 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091224075744/http://www.mymanchesteronline.co.uk/siteadmin.asp?UserSiteId=1142 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

There are two [[Bowls|crown green bowling]] clubs in the town. One in Stamford Park and one at Carrbrook village bowling green where there is also a [[pétanque]] terrain.

In 1901 [[Joseph Nuttall|Joey Nuttall]], of Stalybridge, lowered the world swimming record for the quarter-mile by 13&nbsp;seconds, with a time of 5&nbsp;minutes 38&nbsp;seconds. In the same year he asserted his right to the title of the champion swimmer of the world beating three competitors in the {{convert|600|yd|m}} championship race at [[Doncaster]], covering the distance in 6&nbsp;minutes 30&nbsp;seconds to win by a length and a half. His share of the spoil was £10, a cup, and two-thirds of the gate money. By 1901 Nuttall had held the {{convert|500|yd|m}} world championship for over ten years. Stalybridge has a 25-metre 6-lane pool at Copley Recreation Centre which is home to the Stalybridge Amateur Swimming and Water Polo Club.<ref name="Ref_aq">[http://www.stalybridgeswimclub.org.uk/ SASC Homepage<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

In 2006 Stalybridge-born cyclist [[Hamish Haynes]] won the UK National Road Race Championship.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cyclingarchives.com/coureurfiche.php?coureurid=10257#uitslagen|title=Hamish Robert Haynes|publisher=Cycling Archives|language=en|access-date=11 July 2017}}</ref>

==Religion==
Until the 18th century the Manor of Staley formed part of the parish of [[St Michael and All Angels Church, Mottram|St Michael and All Angels, Mottram]]. The first church to be built in Stalybridge was Old St George's Church, Cocker Hill which was consecrated by the [[Bishop of Chester]] on 25 July 1776. The church collapsed on 15 May 1778. After the Industrial Revolution, the rising population and the settlement of people from various parts of the country meant that Stalybridge became a centre for a wide range of denominations and sects. The history of these churches in the town is complex, with some churches having occupied many different sites. The influence of the churches in the town remained strong well into the 20th century and formed part of the basis of Stalybridge's sense of identity.

The first [[Methodist]] chapel was erected in 1802 on the corner of Chapel Street and Rassbottom Street. The Baptist chapel on King Street, was opened by the [[Particular Baptist|Particular (Ebenezer) Baptists]]. This chapel was subsequently occupied by the [[Congregational church|Congregational Church]] on 3 October 1830. The Particular (Ebenezer) Baptists moved to a new chapel on Cross Leech Street on 28 October 1828.

===Churches===
[[File:Stalybridge - Holy Trinity and Christ Church.JPG|thumb|right|upright|Holy Trinity and Christ Church]]
;Church of England
[[St George's Church, Stalybridge|St George's]] is the parish church on the Lancashire side of the river in the [[Anglican Diocese of Manchester|Diocese of Manchester]]. It is known as New St George's and its foundation stone was laid on 24 June 1840. On the Cheshire side, the parish church of Holy Trinity and Christ Church, [[Diocese of Chester]], is on Trinity Street in the town centre, beside the former market hall. The foundation stone of the parish church of St Paul's, Staley, was laid by [[Stapleton Stapleton-Cotton, 1st Viscount Combermere]] on 2 February 1838. It is in the Diocese of Chester, as is St James', Millbrook.
St Paul's Church is on Huddersfield Road and is an active parish church.
<gallery>
File:St Pauls exterior view.jpg|St Paul's Church
File:Interior St Pauls.jpg|Interior of St Paul's Church
</gallery>
;Roman Catholic
There are two [[Roman Catholic]] parishes – St Peter's, Stalybridge, the foundation stone of which was laid on 8 June 1838, and St Raphael's, Millbrook. In 2011 an estimated repair bill of £250,000 led to a decision to close St Raphael's; a final Mass was held on 14 July 2011, and although it was Grade II listed in 2011,<ref>{{NHLE |num=1406451 |desc=Church of St Raphael the Archangel |grade=II |fewer-links= |access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref> its future is now "uncertain".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-06-20 |title=Report: Church of St Raphael, Millbrook - May 18 {{!}} Other Sites |url=https://www.28dayslater.co.uk/threads/church-of-st-raphael-millbrook-may-18.113598/ |access-date=2023-11-21 |website=28DaysLater.co.uk |language=en-GB}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=November 2023}} Both parishes are in the [[Diocese of Shrewsbury]].
;Methodist
The octagonal Stalybridge Methodist Church on High Street opened in 1966.<ref name="S+D"/>
<gallery>
File:Stalybridge MC Exterior.jpg|Stalybridge Methodist Church
File:Stalybridge Methodists Interior.jpg|Stalybridge Methodist Church interior
</gallery>
;Congregationalist
Stalybridge [[Congregational church|Congregational]] Church is to be found in a modern building on Baker Street, just off Acres Lane, behind the Organ public house. Its original building, which opened for worship in 1861 and was demolished around the turn of the 21st century, was between Melbourne Street and Trinity Street in the town centre.
;Unitarian
The [[Unitarianism|Unitarian]] Church on Forester Drive was established in 1870 and is part of the East Cheshire Union of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches.
;Evangelical/Non-denominational
Stalybridge Revival Church, on Mount Street, formerly known as Stalybridge Evangelical Church, was established in 2009. The church has since moved to Millbrook but retains use of the building on Mount Street.<ref name="Ref_ar">{{cite web|url=http://www.revivalchurch.org.uk/locations/stalybridge|publisher=Revival Church|title=Revival Church Website|access-date=8 January 2014|archive-date=23 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140423030209/http://www.revivalchurch.org.uk/locations/stalybridge|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Education==
[[File:Stalybridge - former school on Waterloo Road.jpg|thumb|top|right|alt=|Former school on Waterloo Road]]Before 1910, primary education was provided by the church schools. In 1910 the borough opened its own school on Waterloo Road. In 1927, West Hill School, a central school for boys was opened. The central school for girls opened in 1930. Until 1980 secondary modern education was provided by schools in the town itself; and grammar school education by [[Hyde, Greater Manchester|Hyde]] Grammar School. For Roman Catholic pupils, grammar school education was provided by Harrytown, [[Bredbury]] and [[Xaverian]], Rusholme. Catholic secondary modern education was available from 1963 at St Peter and St Paul, Dukinfield.

In 1977 the Local Education Authority appealed to keep its grammar schools rather than be forced by the government to adopt a comprehensive system. The Lord of Appeal [[Geoffrey Lane, Baron Lane|Lord Lane]] was personally critical of [[Fred Mulley]], the Secretary of State for Education and Science for being "far from frank" about his reason for intervening in Tameside and joined in the judgement which found for Tameside and brought a halt to comprehensivisation. However, following the election of a Labour council in 1980 the local grammar schools were abolished and all the secondary modern and grammar schools in Stalybridge, Hyde and Dukinfield became comprehensives.

===Primary schools===
*Stalyhill Junior School
*Gorse Hall Primary School
*Arlies Primary School
*Silver Springs Primary Academy (formerly Ridge Hill)
*Wild Bank Community School
*St Peter's RC Primary School and Nursery [[Voluntary Aided]] by the [[Diocese of Shrewsbury]]
*St Paul's C of E Primary School [[Voluntary Aided]] by the [[Diocese of Chester]]
*St Raphael's RC Primary School [[Voluntary Aided]] by the [[Diocese of Shrewsbury]]
*Buckton Vale Primary School
*Millbrook Primary School
*Trinity Christian School (Christian independent school)

===Secondary schools===
*[[Copley Academy]] (formerly Copley High School) 11–16 Comprehensive [[Co-educational]]
*[[West Hill School]] 11–16 Comprehensive boys' school
*[[All Saints Catholic College, Dukinfield|All Saints' Catholic College]] 11–18 Comprehensive [[Co-educational]]. [[Voluntary Aided]] by the [[Diocese of Shrewsbury]]. Located in Dukinfield and serves residents of Stalybridge, Hyde and Dukinfield.
*Trinity Christian School (Christian independent school)

==See also==
{{portal|Greater Manchester}}
*[[Listed buildings in Stalybridge]]

==References==
;Notes
{{reflist}}

;Bibliography

Craig, Tom; Bowes, John (2013). Cotton Mills to Chemical Plants.  A chapter in the recent industrial archaeology of Stalybridge.{{refbegin}}
*{{cite book |last=Dodgson|first=J. McN.|year=1970a|title=The place-names of Cheshire. Part one: County name, regional- & forest names, river-names, road-names, the place-names of Macclesfield Hundred |publisher=Cambridge University Press|location=Cambridge|isbn=0-521-07703-6}}
*{{cite book |first=Friedrich |last=Engels |year=2007 |orig-year=1845 |title=The Condition of the Working-Class in England in 1844 |publisher=BiblioBazaar |isbn=978-1-4346-0825-3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3eZJUVKMZoAC}}
*{{citation |last1=Grimsditch |first1=Brian |last2=Nevell |first2=Michael |last3=Nevell |first3=Richard |title=Buckton Castle and the Castles of North West England |year=2012|publisher=Centre for Applied Archaeology, School of the Built Environment, University of Salford |series=University of Salford Archaeological Monographs volume 2 and the Archaeology of Tameside volume 9 |isbn=978-0-9565947-2-3}}
*{{cite book |first=Mike |last=Nevell |year=1992 |title=Tameside Before 1066 |publisher=Tameside Metropolitan Borough and Greater Manchester Archaeological Unit |isbn=1-871324-07-6}}
*{{cite book |first=Mike |last=Nevell |year=1994 |title=The People Who Made Tameside |publisher=Tameside Metropolitan Borough with University of Manchester Archaeological Unit |isbn=1-871324-12-2}}
*{{cite book |first=Mike |last=Nevell |year=1998 |title=Lands and Lordships in Tameside |publisher=Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council with the University of Manchester Archaeological Unit |isbn=1-871324-18-1}}
*{{cite book |first1=Mike |last1=Nevell |first2=John |last2=Walker |year=1999 |title=Tameside in Transition |publisher=Tameside Metropolitan Borough with University of Manchester Archaeological Unit |isbn=1-871324-24-6}}
*{{cite book |first=Robert |last=Nicholls |title=Curiosities of Greater Manchester |publisher=Sutton Publishing |year=2004 |isbn=0-7509-3661-4}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Stalybridge}}
* [https://archive.today/20070814062218/http://www.c.c.bates.btinternet.co.uk/ Stalybridge Weather Centre] – Recent weather statistics in this town
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050617074058/http://www.tameside.gov.uk/corpgen/new/stalymenu.html Stalybridge section of Tameside MBC website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051028222840/http://www.tameside.gov.uk/museumsandgalleries/astleycheetham.html Tameside Council Galleries Site] – Astley Cheetham Art Gallery

{{Greater Manchester}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Stalybridge| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Greater Manchester]]
[[Category:Unparished areas in Greater Manchester]]
[[Category:Former civil parishes in Greater Manchester]]
[[Category:Geography of Tameside]]