Stretford
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Stretford | |
|---|---|
| <tr><td colspan="2" align="center"> | |
| Statistics | |
| Population: | 42,103 |
| Ordnance Survey | |
| OS grid reference: | SJ7994 |
| Administration | |
| Metropolitan Borough: | Trafford |
| Metropolitan county: | Greater Manchester |
| Region: | North West England |
| Constituent country: | England |
| Sovereign state: | United Kingdom |
| Other | |
| Ceremonial county: | Greater Manchester |
| Historic county: | Lancashire |
| Services | |
| Police force: | Greater Manchester Police |
| Fire and rescue: | {{{Fire}}} |
| Ambulance: | North West |
| Post office and telephone | |
| Post town: | |
| Postal district: | |
| Dialling code: | |
| Politics | |
| UK Parliament: | |
| European Parliament: | North West England |
| Image:Flag of England.svg | |
Stretford is a town in the metropolitan borough of Trafford, Greater Manchester, England.<ref>"Official British Place Name Archives - Stretford", Greater Manchester County Records Office - Retreived October 19, 2006</ref> It lies to the south-west of Manchester and is within the ancient boundaries of Lancashire.
The town of Stretford neighbours Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Urmston, Old Trafford, Salford and Sale, and lies on the Bridgewater Canal.
Contents |
[edit] Geography and administration
Stretford was anciently a chapelry in the parish of Manchester. It became an urban district under the Local Government Act 1894 and became a municipal borough in 1933. In 1974, as part of the Local Government Act 1972 Stretford became part of the metropolitan borough of Trafford of Greater Manchester. Trafford stretches from Old Trafford in the north to Altrincham in the south. Stretford is home to Trafford Council Town Hall and the Greater Manchester Police Headquarters.
[edit] Politics
In 2004 the Conservative Party won back Trafford to a fanfare that they were making a comeback in the cities. Stretford's MP is currently Beverley Hughes, MP, in the constituency of Stretford and Urmston.
[edit] Present day
[edit] Shopping
The main shopping centre in the town is 'Stretford Mall' in the centre of Stretford. Stretford Mall was previously called 'Stretford Arndale' (the first Arndale centre in the North West), the name was changed in late 2003 to accommodate the change which is seeing new developments inside.
[edit] Parks
Heading towards Chorlton but staying within the borders of Stretford is Longford Park, once the home of John Rylands. Its hall was demolished in the 1990's after an unsuccessful attempt to save it from demolition. Longford Park is one of the most pleasant parks in Trafford, and includes a zoo, botanical garden, bowling greens, children's play areas. Next to the park is Stretford Stadium - the home of athletics in Trafford. Longford Park is also the finishing point of the annual town pageant.
[edit] Regeneration
The council is working to remove the blight of graffiti. Innovative solutions are being employed such as the installation of vandal proof panels on the subways at Stretford Mall.
[edit] Education
In Stretford there are numerous primary schools, including Barton Clough Primary, Gorse Hill Primary School, Moss Park Junior School, St. Matthew's, St Anns RC and Victoria Park. There is also Stretford Grammar School, Stretford High and Lostock High school.
[edit] Transport
Transport links are very good; buses are as common as in many other areas of Manchester. Stretford also has its own Metrolink tram station on the Altrincham line and to Manchester city centre. The town has good access to the motorway network, being located next to junction 7 of the M60, and the A56 gives easy access to Sale, Altrincham as well as to Manchester city centre in the other direction. Cycle paths exist as part of the Trafford cycle initiative. The Bridgewater Canal runs through Stretford (parallel to the tram tracks), and is navigable by pleasure craft.
[edit] Technology
The 'Stretford Process' was invented by Tom Nicklin of the North Western Gas Board in the early 1960s. This process cleaned up sour gas by removing the Hydrogen Sulphide. It was licensed by NWGB and then British Gas and plants built worldwide. The first USA plant in Long Beach, California is commemorated by a plaque outside the refinery near the Queen Mary ans Spruce Goose.
[edit] Sport
Stretford has a long association with Manchester United Football Club, which calls one end of its Old Trafford ground the Stretford End.
Lancashire County Cricket Club also has its 'Old Trafford' ground on Talbot Road, Stretford.
Outside Stretford town centre towards Old Trafford is a sports centre (Stretford Leisure Centre) which features two indoor swimming pools, a gym and several other sporting facilities.
[edit] Music
Stretford was the home town of the pop singer Morrissey (born at Park Hospital, Davyhulme - now known as Trafford General Hospital which is acknowledged as the first NHS hospital in the UK) who shot to fame as frontman of 80's rock group The Smiths. Other people who were born in the town include Jay Kay
At Great Stone Road, the current B&Q store was once the Hardrock/village rock venue which during the seventies hosted most of the decade's major artists in their prime, including Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, Bob Marley, Elton John, Hawkwind, Yes, Chaka Khan and Deep Purple.
[edit] Notable residents
Ian McShane was a pupil at Stretford Grammar school in the town.
