Cheshire 1070 - 1988
The story of a north-east Cheshire township from the Norman era to the present day
Broadhurst, Ronald (1996) ISBN 0-9527188-0-4
A History of the Township of Timperley discusses the development of this ancient township from the Norman era through to and including the twentieth century. It portrays within its sixteen chapters the many and various changes which, down the centuries, have transformed what was originally a small feudal settlement into the bustling and densely populated dormitory suburb it is now.
DURING the latter half of the twentieth century this border area of north-east Cheshire has witnessed a burgeoning of public interest in its Local History. The numerous local history and civic societies which flourish in the Altrincham and Sale conurbation, coupled with the copies of many local history publications deposited in local reference libraries, bear ample witness to this.
This comprehensive work includes chapters dealing with the origin of the town's name, the geography and geology of Timperley, its local government, schools, churches and leisure facilities. The text is illustrated with eighty-seven photographs, together with diagrams and maps – including a specially recreated version of the 1840 tithe map in colour – and numerous charts detailing demographic statistics. It also features a complete list of the township's thoroughfares, their approximate date of construction and their location.
CONTENTS
Preface
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
1 THE ORIGIN AND MEANING OF THE PLACE NAME 'TIMPERLEY'
2 TIMPERLEY: ITS GEOLOGY, GEOGRAPHY AND BOUNDARIES
3 MEDIEVAL TIMPERLEY: 1060-1500
Late Saxon Period
Norman, Angevin, Lancaster, York Periods: 1070-1485
The Manor of Timperley: Northern Moiety
The Manor of Timperley: Southern Moiety
4 DESCENT OF OWNERSHIP OF TIMPERLEY LANDS: POST 1500
Northern Moiety, Southern Moiety
5 RIDDINGS HALL ESTATE
‘Rydding’ – A Definition
Descent of Ownership of Estate: 1450-1935
6 LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Feudal Period 1070 to Early Sixteenth Century
Sixteenth Century to 1830, 1835 to 1894, 1894 to 1936, Post 1936
Appendix 1: Central Government Records – 1100-1500
Appendix 2: Early Modern Records of the Manor of Timperley from 1495 onwards
Appendix 3: Local Records – Poor Law Administration
Appendix 4a: Select Vestry Minutes – 1835-1894 (A selection)
Appendix 4b: Return: Nett Annual Value of Properties – 1836
Appendices 5 and 6: Various Parish Council Minutes – 1895-1936
7 THE BRIDGEWATER CANAL: TIMPERLEY SECTION
Appendix 1: Select Vestry and Parish Council Minutes re Canal
8 RAILWAYS IN TIMPERLEY
Appendix 1: Select Vestry and Parish Council Minutes re Railways
9 TIMPERLEY IN 1838
Background to the Tithe Act
The work of the Tithe Assessors in the Township
Statistics extracted from the Tithe Schedules
Appendix 1: Chart of principal private houses – area, location, owner and/or
occupiers in 1838
10 TIMPERLEY: ITS METAMORPHOSIS POST 1838
Appendices 1 and 2: Principal housing developments – 1930-1985
Appendix 3: Schedule of all roads in the township with dates of construction
11 LICENSED PREMISES IN THE TOWNSHIP
Appendix 1: List of licensees: ‘Old Pelican’ and ‘Hare and Hounds’
12 TIMPERLEY PARISH CHURCH – ITS HISTORY
Appendix 1: A description of the boundaries of Christ Church Parish
13 NON-CONFORMISM IN TIMPERLEY
Appendix 1: Members and Trustees of Methodist Congregations in Timperley
Appendix 2: A Selection of Minutes Extracted from Timperley Methodists' Trustees's
Accounts and Records Books, 1833-1883
14 EDUCATION PROVISION IN TIMPERLEY: 1788-1985
Appendix 1: Documents relating to Timperley Schools
Appendix 2: Schedule of Local Authority and Voluntary Schools
15 PRINCIPAL LEISURE FACILITIES PROVIDED IN TOWNSHIP
Appendix 1: Transcription of a Circular Letter Attached to the Minute Book of the
Parish Council
Appendix 2: Extract from Report of Charity School Building Sub Committee
Appendix 3: Description and Plan of Watling Gate, Timperley
Appendix 4: Borough of Altrincham Libraries, Museum and Art Gallery Re: Watling Gate, Leys
Road
16 STATISTICAL INFORMATION – DEMOGRAPHIC GRAPHS
A to E: Population Statistics; F to K: Births, Marriages and Burials
Schedule of Sources
Bibliography
Index
The Author
RONALD BROADHURST was educated at Ordsall Board of Education School, Salford (1925-1930) and Bradbury Central School, Queen's Road, Hale, Altrincham (1931-1935). He has resided in Timperley continuously – apart from war service – from 1934. As a member of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve he was engaged in flying duties as a wireless operator/air gunner. His period of service included three and a half years with a squadron in India. Following demobilisation he completed a teacher training course and subsequently joined Manchester Education Authority in 1949. On completion of thirty-two years as a primary school teacher he retired in 1980.
Webmaster's note: The previous information was electronically transferred from the dust jacket and several additional pages of A History of the Township of Timperley as provided by the author. After a thorough reading of the book, I am happy to give it my endorsement and highest recommendation. Anyone serious in the pursuit of Timperley history and lore should have this book in their collection. We Timperleys should be very grateful to Ron for putting together such an exhaustive work. I do not doubt that without his effort, the information that he has collected would have remained unknown to all but a few and to none in its entirety. As you can imagine, any book on this subject probably won't make the best sellers list. I'm sure Mr. Broadhurst went to considerable trouble and expense to have it printed. The soft cover book (250 pages), is available directly from Ron for 20 pounds plus shipping and handling (from the USA, see this link for information on obtaining British currency). Ron may be contacted at the following address:
Mr. Ronald Broadhurst
13 Ridgeway Road,
Timperley,
Altrincham,
Cheshire,
WA15 7HA
England