Stockport

For the larger local government district, seeMetropolitan Borough of Stockport.For other uses, seeStockport.For City of Stockport(disambiguation), seeStockport (disambiguation).

Stockport
St Mary's Church Chestergate Town Hall Market Hall The Viaduct Merseyway
Stockport Location withinGreater Manchester
Population	137,130 (2011 census)
•Density	2,208 per mi² (852 per km²)
Demonym	Stopfordian
OS grid reference	SJ895900
•London	157 mi (253 km)SE
Metropolitan borough	Stockport
Metropolitan county	Greater Manchester
Region	North West
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Areas of the town	List Adswood Bosden Farm Brinnington Cheadle Hulme Davenport Edgeley Heaton Chapel Heaton Mersey Heaton Moor Heaton Norris Heaviley Offerton Portwood Reddish Woodsmoor
Post town	STOCKPORT
Postcode district	SK1-SK7
Dialling code	0161
Police	Greater Manchester
Fire	Greater Manchester
Ambulance	North West
UK Parliament	Stockport

Stockportis a town inGreater Manchester,England, 8 miles (13 km) south-east ofManchester,9 miles (14 km) south-west ofAshton-under-Lyneand 12 miles (19 km) north ofMacclesfield.TheRivers GoytandTamemerge to create theRiver Merseyhere. It is the main settlement of the widerMetropolitan Borough of Stockport.

Most of the town is within the boundaries of thehistoric countyofCheshire,with the area north of the Mersey in the historic county ofLancashire.Stockport in the 16th century was a small town entirely on the south bank of the Mersey, known for the cultivation ofhempand manufacture ofrope.In the 18th century, it had one of the first mechanised silk factories in theBritish Isles.Stockport's predominant industries of the 19th century were the cotton and allied industries. It was also at the centre of the country's hatting industry, which by 1884 was exporting more than six million hats a year; the last hat works in Stockport closed in 1997. The town's football club,Stockport County,is nicknamed The Hatters.

Dominating the western approaches to the town isStockport Viaduct.Built in 1840, its 27 brick arches carry the mainline railway passing through the town over the River Mersey.

History

The River Tame (left) and the River Goyt (right) meeting to form the Mersey

Toponymy

Stockport was recorded as "Stokeport" in 1170.The currently accepted etymology isOld Englishport,a market place, withstoc,a hamlet (but more accurately a minor settlement within an estate); hence, a market place at a hamlet.Older derivations includestock,a stockaded place or castle, withport,a wood, hence a castle in a wood.The castle probably refers toStockport Castle,a 12th-centurymotte-and-baileyfirst mentioned in 1173.

Other derivations are based on early variants such as Stopford and Stockford. There is evidence that a ford across the Mersey existed at the foot of Bridge Street Brow. Stopford retains a use in the adjectival form, Stopfordian, for Stockport-related items, and pupils ofStockport Grammar Schoolstyle themselves Stopfordians.Stopfordian is used as the general term, ordemonymused for people from Stockport, much as someone from London would be a Londoner.

Stockport has never been a sea or river port as the Mersey is not navigable here; in the centre of Stockport the river has beenculvertedand the main shopping street, Merseyway, built above it.

Early history

The earliest evidence of human occupation in the wider area aremicrolithsfrom the hunter-gatherers of theMesolithicperiod (the Middle Stone Age, about 8000–3500 BC) and weapons andstone toolsfrom theNeolithicperiod (the New Stone Age, 3500–2000 BC). Early Bronze Age (2000–1200 BC) remains include stone hammers, flint knives,palstaves(bronze axe heads), and funeraryurns;all finds were chance discoveries, not the results of systematic searches of a known site. There is a gap in the age of finds between about 1200 BC and the start of the Roman period in about 70 AD, which may indicate depopulation, possibly due to a poorer climate.

Despite a strong local tradition, there is little evidence of a Roman military station at Stockport.It is assumed that roads fromCheadletoArdotalia(Melandra) and Manchester toBuxtoncrossed close to the town centre. The preferred site is at a ford over the Mersey, known to be paved in the 18th century, but it has never been proved that this or any roads in the area are Roman. Hegginbotham reported (in 1892) the discovery of Roman mosaics at Castle Hill (around Stockport market) in the late 18th century, during the construction of a mill, but noted it was "founded on tradition only"; substantial stonework has never been dated by modern methods. However, Roman coins and pottery were probably found there during the 18th century. A cache of coins dating from 375 to 378 AD may have come from the banks of the Mersey at Daw Bank; these were possibly buried for safekeeping at the side of a road.

Six coins from the reigns of theAnglo-SaxonEnglish KingsEdmund(reigned 939–946) andEadred(reigned 946–955) were found during ploughing at Reddish Green in 1789.There are contrasting views about the significance of this; Arrowsmith takes this as evidence for the existence of a settlement at that time, but Morris states the find could be "an isolated incident". The small cache is the only Anglo-Saxon find in the area.However, the etymologyStoc-portsuggests inhabitation during this period.

Medieval and early modern period

The Three Shires, built in 1580, now TPD Wealth Management Ltd.

No part of Stockport appears in theDomesday Bookof 1086. The area north of the Mersey was part of thehundredof Salford, which was poorly surveyed. The area south of the Mersey was part of theHamestanhundred.Cheadle,Bramhall,Bredbury,and Romiley are mentioned, but these all lay just outside the town limits. The survey includes valuations of the Salford hundred as a whole andCheadlefor the times ofEdward the Confessor,just before theNorman invasion of 1066,and the time of the survey. The reduction in value is taken as evidence of destruction byWilliam the Conqueror's men in the campaigns generally known as theHarrying of the North.The omission of Stockport was once taken as evidence that destruction was so complete that a survey was not needed.

Arrowsmith argues from the etymology that Stockport may have still been a market place associated with a larger estate, and so would not be surveyed separately. The Anglo-Saxon landholders in the area were dispossessed and the land divided amongst the new Norman rulers. The first boroughcharterwas granted in about 1220 and was the only basis for local government for six hundred years.

A castle held by Geoffrey de Costentin is recorded as a rebel stronghold againstHenry IIin 1173–1174 whenhis sons revolted.There is an incorrect local tradition that Geoffrey was the king's son,Geoffrey II, Duke of Brittany,who was one of the rebels.Dent gives the size of the castle as about 31 by 60 m (102 by 197 ft), and suggests it was similar in pattern to those atPontefractandLaunceston.

A branch of theArden family(to whichShakespeareis related on hismother'sside) were prominent in Stockport in 1500s atUnderbank Hall,and Arden Hall (also known as Harden or Hawarden).

The castle was probably ruinous by the middle of the 16th century, and in 1642 it was agreed to demolish it. Castle Hill, possibly the motte, was levelled in 1775 to make space for Warren's mill, see below.Nearby walls, once thought to be either part of the castle or of the town walls, are now thought to be revetments to protect the cliff face from erosion.

TheregicideJohn Bradshaw(1602–1659) was born at Wibersley, in the parish of Stockport, baptised in the parish church and attendedStockport Free School.A lawyer, he was appointed lord president of the high court of justice for the trial of KingCharles Iin 1649. Although he was dead by the time of theRestorationin 1660, his body was brought up fromWestminster Abbeyand hanged in its coffin atTyburn.

A satirical print from 1784 of Jonathan Thatcher a Cheshire farmer riding his cow to Stockport market in protest at Pitt the Younger's 1784 budget introducing taxes on horse ownership

Stockport bridge has been documented as existing since at least 1282. During theEnglish Civil Warthe town was supportive of Parliament and was garrisoned by local militias of around 3,000 men commanded by Majors Mainwaring and Duckenfield.Prince Rupertadvanced on the town on 25 May 1644, with 8–10,000 men and 50 guns, with a brief skirmish at the site of the bridge, in which Colonel Washington's Dragoons led the Royalist attack. Rupert continued his march via Manchester andBoltonto meet defeat atMarston Moornear York. Stockport bridge was pulled down in 1745 and trenches were additionally dug in the fords to try to stop theJacobite armyofCharles Edward Stuartas they marched through the town on the way to Derby. The vanguard was shot at by the town guard and a horse was killed.The army also passed through Stockport on theirretreat back from Derby to Scotland.

One of the legends of the town is that of Cheshire farmer, Jonathan Thatcher, who, in a 1784 demonstration against taxation, avoidedWilliam Pitt the Younger's saddle tax on horses by riding to market at Stockport on an ox.The incident is also celebrated in 'The Glass Umbrella' in St Petersgate Gardens, one of the works on Stockport's Arts Trail.

Industrialisation

"At this place poverty is not much felt except by those who are idle, for all persons capable of tying knots may find work in the silk mills... children of six years earn a shilling a week and more as they grow capable of deserving it."

Anon, 1769.

The Stockport railway viaduct over theRiver Mersey

Stockport Hatworks in 2012

Hatmaking was established in north Cheshire and south-east Lancashire by the 16th century. From the 17th century Stockport became a centre for the hatting industry and later the silk industry. Stockport expanded rapidly during theIndustrial Revolution,helped particularly by the growth of the cotton manufacturing industries. However, economic growth took its toll, and 19th century philosopherFriedrich Engelswrote in 1844 that Stockport was "renowned as one of the duskiest, smokiest holes" in the whole of the industrial area.

Stockport was one of the prototypetextile towns.In the early 18th century, England was not capable of producing silk of sufficient quality to be used as thewarpin woven fabrics. Suitable thread had to be imported fromItaly,where it was spun on water-powered machinery. In about 1717John Lombetravelled to Italy and copied the design of the machinery. On his return he obtained a patent on the design, and went into production inDerby.When Lombe tried to renew his patent in 1732, silk spinners from towns includingManchester,Macclesfield,Leek,and Stockport successfully petitioned parliament to not renew the patent. Lombe was paid off, and in 1732 Stockport's first silk mill (the first water-poweredtextile millin the north-west of England) was opened on a bend in the Mersey. Further mills were opened on local brooks.

Silk weaving expanded until in 1769 two thousand people were employed in the industry. By 1772 the boom had turned to bust, possibly due to cheaper foreign imports; by the late 1770s trade had recovered.The cycle of boom and bust would continue throughout the textile era.

The combination of a good water power site (described by Rodgers as "by far the finest of any site within the lowland" [of the Manchester region]) and a workforce used to textile factory work meant Stockport was well placed to take advantage of the phenomenal expansion in cotton processing in the late 18th century. Warren's mill in the market place was the first. Power came from an undershot water wheel in a deep pit, fed by a tunnel from the River Goyt. The positioning on high ground, unusual for a water-powered mill, contributed to an early demise, but the concept of moving water around in tunnels proved successful, and several tunnels were driven under the town from the Goyt to power mills.In 1796, James Harrisson drove a wide cut from the Tame which fed several mills in the Park,Portwood.Other water-powered mills were built on the Mersey.

The town was connected to the nationalcanalnetwork by the 5 miles (8.0 km) of theStockport branchof theAshton Canalopened in 1797 which continued in use until the 1930s. Much of it is now filled in, but there is an active campaign to re-open it for leisure uses.

In the early 19th century, the number of hatters in the area began to increase, and a reputation for high quality work was created. The London firm of Miller Christy bought out a local firm in 1826, a move described by Arrowsmith as a "watershed". By the latter part of the century hatting had changed from a manual to a mechanised process, and was one of Stockport's primary employers; the area, with nearby Denton, was the leading national centre. Support industries, such as blockmaking, trimmings, and leatherware, became established.Stockport Armourywas completed in 1862.

World War Icut off overseas markets, which established local industries and eroded Stockport's eminence. Even so, in 1932 more than 3,000 people worked in the hatting industry, making it the third biggest employer after textiles and engineering. The depression of the 1930s and changes in fashion greatly reduced the demand for hats, and the demand that existed was met by cheaper wool products made elsewhere, for example theLutonarea.

In 1966, the largest of the region's remaining felt hat manufacturers, Battersby & Co, T & W Lees, J. Moores & Sons, and Joseph Wilson & Sons, merged with Christy & Co to formAssociated British Hat Manufacturers,leaving Christy's and Wilson's (at Denton) as the last two factories in production. The Wilson's factory closed in 1980, followed by the Christy's factory in 1997, bringing to an end over 400 years of hatting in the area.The industry is commemorated by the UK's only dedicated hatting museum,Hat Works.

Hatters working inBattersby Hat Worksc. 1910

Recent history

Houldsworth Mill, Reddish

Since the start of the 20th century Stockport has moved away from being a town dependent on cotton and its allied industries to one with a varied base. It makes the most of its varied heritage attractions, including a national museum of hatting, a unique system ofWorld War IIair raid tunnel shelters in the town centre, and a late medieval merchants' house on the 700-year-old Market Place. In 1967, theStockport air disasteroccurred, when aBritish Midland AirwaysC-4 Argonautaeroplane crashed in the Hopes Carr area of the town, resulting in 72 deaths among the passengers and crew.

On 23 November 1981,an F1/T2 tornadoformed overCheadle Hulme.It subsequently passed over Stockport town centre.

In 2011,Stockport Metropolitan Borough Councilembarked on an ambitious regeneration scheme, known as Future Stockport. The plan is to bring more than 3,000 residents into the centre of the town, and revitalise its residential property and retail markets in a similar fashion to the nearby city of Manchester. Many ex-industrial areas around the town's core will be brought back into productive use asmixed-useresidential and commercial developments. Property development company FreshStart Living has been involved in redeveloping a former mill building in the town centre, St Thomas Place. The company plan to transform the mill into 51 residential apartments as part of the regeneration of Stockport.

Governance

See also:Metropolitan Borough of StockportandStockport Metropolitan Borough Council

Stockport Town Hall

There is one main tier of local government covering Stockport, atmetropolitan boroughlevel:Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council,which meets atStockport Town Hallon Wellington Road South and has its main offices in the adjoining Stopford House and Fred Perry House. The council is a member of theGreater Manchester Combined Authority,led by the directly electedMayor of Greater Manchester.

Administrative history

Stockport was anancient parishin theMacclesfield HundredofCheshire.The parish was large, being sub-divided into fourteentownships:Bramhall,Bredbury,Brinnington,Disley,Dukinfield,Hyde,Marple,Norbury,Offerton,Romiley,Stockport Etchells,Torkington,Werneth,and a Stockport township covering the central part of the parish including the town itself. The townships were all made separatecivil parishesin 1866.

The Stockport township was anancient borough,having been made a borough during the reign ofHenry III(reigned 1216–1272).AStockport parliamentary borough(constituency) was created in 1832, covering the old borough of Stockport, part of the township of Brinnington, the hamlets of Brinksway andEdgeleyfrom the parish ofCheadle,and part of the township ofHeaton Norris,the latter being on the north side of theRiver Merseyand forming part of theancient parish of ManchesterinLancashire.

Stockport was reformed to become amunicipal boroughin 1836 under theMunicipal Corporations Act 1835,which standardised how most boroughs operated across the country. As part of that reform, the borough boundaries were enlarged to match the recently created constituency. The borough of Stockport therefore straddled Cheshire and Lancashire from 1836 onwards.

Under the terms of thePoor Law Amendment Act 1834,StockportPoor Law Unionwas established on 3 February 1837 and was responsible for an area covering 16 parishes or townships (mostly from the old parish of Stockport) with a total population of 68,906. Stockport Union built aworkhouseat Shaw Heath in 1841.

When elected county councils were established in 1889, Stockport was considered large enough to provide its own county-level services, and so it was made acounty borough,independent from bothCheshire County CouncilandLancashire County Council.The borough boundaries were enlarged several times, notably absorbing theurban districtsofReddishin 1901 and Heaton Norris in 1913.It continued to straddle thegeographical countiesof Cheshire and Lancashire until 1974, although it was placed entirely in Lancashire for judicial purposes in 1956.

In 1974, under theLocal Government Act 1972,the oldCounty Borough of Stockportwas amalgamated with neighbouring districts to form the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport in themetropolitan countyof Greater Manchester. In 1986,Greater Manchester County Councilwas abolished andStockport Metropolitan Borough Councilassumed its functions, with some services being provided by joint committees.

In 2011, Stockport bid for city status as part of the 2012 Queen'sDiamond Jubileecelebrationsbut was unsuccessful.

Parliamentary representation

There are four parliamentary constituencies in the Stockport Metropolitan Borough:Stockport,Reddish and denton,CheadleandHazel Grove.Stockport has been represented by theLabourMPNavendu Mishrasince2019.Tom Morrisonhas been the Liberal Democrat MP forCheadlesince 2024 andLisa Smarthas been the Lib Dem MP for Hazel Grove since2024.

Geography

Further information:Geography of Greater Manchester

Stockport
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D 70 6 1 50 7 1 60 9 3 50 12 4 60 15 7 70 18 10 70 20 12 80 20 12 70 17 10 80 14 8 80 9 4 80 7 2 █Average max. and min. temperatures in °C █Precipitation totals in mm Source:Records and averages,Yahoo! Weather, 2008, archived fromthe originalon 17 January 2002,retrieved1 November2009
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D 2.8 43 34 2 45 34 2.4 48 37 2 54 39 2.4 59 45 2.8 64 50 2.8 68 54 3.1 68 54 2.8 63 50 3.1 57 46 3.1 48 39 3.1 45 36 █Average max. and min. temperatures in °F █Precipitation totals in inches

At53°24′30″N2°8′58″W(53.408°, −2.149°) Stockport is on elevated ground, 6.1 miles (9.8 km) south-east ofManchester city centre,at theconfluenceof the riversGoytandTame,creating the River Mersey. It shares a common boundary with theCity of Manchester.

Stockport stands on Permian sandstones and red Triassic sandstones and mudstones, mantled by thick deposits of till and pockets of sand and gravel deposited by glaciers at the end of theLast Glacial Period,some 15,000 years ago.To the extreme east is theRed Rock fault,and the older rocks from the Upper Carboniferous period surface. An outcrop ofcoal measuresextends southwards throughTamesideand intoHazel Grove.ThePennineslie to the east of the town, consisting of the upland moors andMillstone Gritoutcrops of sandstones and shales in theDark Peakarea of thePeak District.

Demography

Further information:Demographics of Greater Manchester

Stockport Compared
2001 UK census	Stockport	Stockport MB	England
Total population	136,082	284,528	49,138,831
White	95.5%	95.7%	91%
Asian	2.0%	2.1%	4.6%
Black	0.5%	0.4%	2.3%
Christian	74.9%	75.4%	72%
Muslim	1.8%	1.8%	3.1%
No religion	15.3%	14.2%	15%

At the2001 UK census,Stockport had a population of 136,082. The 2001 population density was 11,937 per mi²(4,613 per km²), with a 100 to 94.0 female-to-male ratio.Of those over 16 years old, 32% were single (never married) and 50.2% married.Stockport's 58,687 households included 33.1% one-person, 33.7% married couples living together, 9.7% wereco-habitingcouples, and 10.4% single parents with their children, these figures were similar to those of Stockport Metropolitan Borough and England.Of those aged 16–74, 29.2% had noacademic qualifications,significantly higher than that of 25.7% in all of Stockport Metropolitan Borough but similar to the whole of England average at 28.9%.

Although suburbs such asWoodford,BramhallandCheadle Hulmeare relatively wealthy and 45% of the borough is green space, districts such asEdgeley,Adswood,Shaw HeathandBrinningtonare among the poorer areas. In the north-west of the borough are the areas ofHeaton MoorandHeaton Mersey,which together withHeaton ChapelandHeaton Norriscomprise the so-calledFour Heatons.

Population change

Population growthin Stockport since 1901

Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1901 92,832 — 1911 108,682 +1.59% 1921 123,309 +1.27% 1931 125,490 +0.18%	Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1939 134,132 +0.84% 1951 141,650 +0.46% 1961 142,543 +0.06% 1971 139,598 −0.21%	Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1981 136,792 −0.20% 1991 132,813 −0.29% 2001 136,082 +0.24% 2011 137,130 +0.08%
Source: County Borough 1901–1971;Urban Subdivision 1981–2001

Economy

Stockport covered market in 2018

Stockport's principal commercial district is the town centre, with branches of most high-street stores to be found in theMerseyway Shopping CentreorThe Peel Centre.Redrock Stockporthas a twelve-screen cinema, bars and several restaurants. Stockport is six miles (9.7 km) from Manchester, making it convenient for commuters and shoppers. In 2008, the council's £500 million plans to redevelop the town centre were cancelled after construction companyLendleasepulled out of the project, blaming the credit crunch.More recently work has begun with talks of aMetrolinkroute to Manchester, redevelopment of the old bus station amongst many old buildings becoming luxury apartments. Also many roadworks to deal with the intended growth from the development.

Interior of Market Hall

Landmarks

See also:List of Scheduled Monuments in Greater Manchester,Grade I listed buildings in Greater Manchester,Grade II* listed buildings in Greater Manchester,andList of public art in Greater Manchester

Underbank Hall

Stockport Town Hall,designed by SirAlfred Brumwell Thomas,has a ballroom described byJohn Betjemanas "magnificent" which contains theWurlitzertheatre pipe organ formerly installed in the Paramount and later Odeon Theatre in Manchester. The war memorial and art gallery are on Greek Street, opposite the town hall.Underbank Hallis a Grade II* listed late 16th-century timber-framed building which was the townhouse of the Arderne family fromBredburywho occupied it until 1823.Since 1824, it has been used as a bank and its main banking hall lies behind the 16th-century structure and dates from 1915.

Stockport Viaductis 111 feet (34 m) high, and carries four railway tracks over the River Mersey on the line toManchester Piccadilly.The viaduct built of 11,000,000 bricks, a major feat of Victorian engineering, was completed in 21 months at a cost of £70,000.The structure is Grade II* listed.

Beside the M60 motorway is theStockport Pyramid,a distinctive structure designed by Christopher Denny from Michael Hyde and Associates. It has a steel frame covered with mostly blue glass and clear glass paneling at the apex and was intended to be the signature building for a much larger development planned in 1987. Construction began in the early 1990s and it was completed in 1992 but an economic downturn caused the project to be abandoned as the developers went into administration. The building lay empty until 1995 whenThe Co-operative Bankrepossessed it and opened it as acall centre.

Vernon Park, to the east towardsBredbury,was opened on 20 September 1858 on the anniversary of theBattle of the Almain theCrimean War.It was named afterLord Vernonwho presented the land to the town.

St Elisabeth's Church, Reddish,and themodel villageare parts of a mill community designed in the main byAlfred Waterhousefor workers ofHouldsworth Mill.

Transport

Railway

Railway lines in Stockport
to East Didsbury to Manchester|to Tameside Heaton Mersey Reddish South |to Godley to Trafford| Craig Road Portwood Goods Cheadle North Heaton Norris| Stockport Tiviot Dale to Trafford Wellington Road Goods Gorsey Bank|King's Reach Metrolinkextension (proposed) Cheadle|Cheadle Heath Stockport Edgeley & Goods Cheadle Hulme to Crewe Davenport Bramhall Woodsmoor Bramhall Moor Lane Goods Hazel Grove to Macclesfield to Buxton to New Mills

The main entrance to the railway station

Stockport railway stationis a principal station on the Manchester spur of theWest Coast Main Line.It is served by sixtrain operating companies:

• Avanti West Coastoperates inter-city trains betweenLondon EustonandManchester Piccadilly,viaMacclesfield,Stoke-on-TrentandCrewe
• CrossCountryprovides inter-city services between Manchester Piccadilly,Birmingham New Street,Coventry,ReadingandBournemouth;there are also infrequent trains toBristol Temple MeadsandPaignton
• East Midlands Railwayruns trains betweenLiverpool Lime Street,Manchester Piccadilly,NottinghamandNorwich
• Northern Trainsoperates several local routes to Manchester Piccadilly,Hazel Grove,Buxton,Chester,Stoke-on-Trent,Alderley Edgeand Crewe. It also operates a weekly returnparliamentary servicetoStalybridge
• TransPennine Expressoperates services between Liverpool Lime Street, Manchester Piccadilly,Sheffield,DoncasterandCleethorpes
• Transport for Wales Railprovides inter-city services toCardiff Central,SwanseaandCarmarthen,viaChester,Shrewsbury,WrexhamandHereford.

Stockport Tiviot Dale stationalso served the town centre between 1865 and 1967, lying on routes fromManchester CentraltoMarple,Liverpool Lime Street,Derbyand Sheffield. Most of the station site now lies under the M60 motorway.

Buses

Stockport Interchange and Stockport Viaduct

Stockport bus station,which served as a terminus for many services across the borough, was one of the largest and busiest bus stations in Greater Manchester. It was demolished in late 2021 and the site is now the location ofStockport Interchange,which opened in March 2024.

Bus services are operated predominantly byStagecoach Manchester,with routes connecting the town with its suburbs and all main locations in south Manchester includingAshton under Lyne,Hyde,Cheadle,Didsbury,Altrincham,theTrafford Centreand Manchester city centre.

Roads

The Manchester orbitalM60 motorwayand theA6,which connectsCarlislewithLuton,cross at Stockport.

Air

Manchester Airport,the busiest in the UK outside London,is five miles (8.0 km) south-west of the town, which lies under the airport's flightpath. Historically known asRingway Airport,the area formed part of what is now theMetropolitan Borough of Stockportuntil it transferred toManchesterin 1974.

Education

Stockport College,a part of The Trafford College Group,is based in the town centre. Also Stockport is home toStockport Grammar School,established in 1487, one of the oldest in the north-west of England.

See also:List of schools in Stockport

Religion

See also:List of churches in Greater Manchester

St Mary's Church,the town's oldest place of worship, was the centre of a large ecclesiastical parish covering Bramhall, Bredbury, Brinnington, Disley, Dukinfield, Hyde, Marple, Norbury, Offerton, Romiley, Stockport Etchells, Torkington and Werneth.Chapels and churches were built in those townships and the parish today covers a much smaller area. Parts of the church, situated by the market place, date to the early 14th century and it houses theStockport Heritagecentre, run by volunteers on market days. The church is Grade I listed.In the town are the Grade II listed Roman CatholicSt Joseph's ChurchandOur Lady and the Apostles Church.

Culture

Staircase House

Stockport's museums include theHat Worksin Wellington Mill, a former hat factory,andStockport Air Raid Sheltersin the tunnels dug in World War II to protect inhabitants in air raids.Staircase House,a Grade II* listed medieval townhouse,houses the Stockport Story Museum.

ThePlazais a Grade II* listed Super Cinema and Variety Theatre built in 1932.It is the last venue of its kind operating in its original format, making it of international significance.

In 2018, a new leisure complex opened called Redrock Stockport providing facilities including a cinema, restaurants, bars and a gym.In the same year, it was named byBuilding Designmagazine as the "worst new building" in its former annualCarbuncle Cupcompetition.

Strawberry Studiosat No. 3 Waterloo Road was a recording studio from 1968 to 1993, partly owned and used extensively by10cc,as well as many other major artists includingJoy Division,Neil Sedaka,Barclay James Harvest,the Smiths,the Stone Roses,Paul McCartney,Happy MondaysandSt Winifred's School Choir.

Local writerSimon Stephens' playPortis set in and around Stockport. The play has been performed at theNational Theatre, London.

The painterAlan Lowndesfeatured Stockport scenes in his work.

Theindie popbandBlossomsare from Stockport.

Paul Eastham, the front man of folk rock bandCoast,was born in Stockport in July 1981 atStepping Hill Hospital.

Claire Foy,an actress who is best known for her main role inThe Crownas Queen Elizabeth II, was born in Stockport in April 1984 at Stepping Hill Hospital.

The BBC Radio comedy programmeStockport, so good they named it oncewas set in the town. Two series were recorded.

The singerBarb Jungrreleased an album entitledStockport to Memphisin 2012 inspired by her memories of 1960s Stockport.

The town was 'honoured' by the single "Stockport" released in 1983 byFrankie Vaughan(written byGeoff Morrowand recorded at The Plaza).

The 18th century composer and organist of the Manchester Collegiate Church (laterManchester Cathedral),John Wainwright,composed the hymn tune, "Yorkshire (Stockport)", to the Christmas hymn, "Christians, awake, salute the happy morn",byJohn Byrom.

Daz Sampson,the 2006 UK entrant to theEurovision Song Contest,was born in Stockport.

Media

Television

Local news and television programmes are provided byBBC North WestandITV Granada.Television signals are received from theWinter HillTV transmitter.

Radio

Stockport is served by the local radio stations:

• BBC Radio Manchesteron 95.1 FM
• Heart North Weston 105.4 FM
• Smooth North Weston 100.4 FM
• Greatest Hits Radio Manchester & The North Weston 104.9 FM
• XS Manchesteron 106.1 FM
• Capital Manchester and Lancashireon 102.0 FM
• Your FM,a community-based radio station which broadcast from the town on 107.8 FM and also online.

Newspapers

TheStockport Expressis the town's local newspaper which publishes on Wednesdays.

Sport

Athletics

Three views of a Stockport Harriers 'Cross Country Champion' medal, Hallmarked Birmingham 1929, awarded to E. Barnes in 1930

Stockport has threeathleticsclubs: Manchester Harriers & AC, Stockport Harriers & AC and DASH Athletics Club. Manchester Harriers train at William Scholes' Playing Fields in Gatley and they organise highly regarded schools cross country races throughout the winter. Stockport Harriers are based at Woodbank Park in Offerton; they have several international middle-distance and endurance athletes. DASH Athletics Club are the newest club in Stockport based at both Hazel Grove Recreation Centre and theManchester Regional Arenaat Sportcity in Manchester. In 2006, DASH AC Coach Geoff Barratt was UK Athletics' Development Coach of the Year and, in 2007, the club won England Athletics North West Junior Club and North West Overall Club of the Year accolades.

Football

Edgeley Park,home ofStockport County F.C.

Stockport County F.C.play in theEFL Leauge One.The club was formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, changing its name to Stockport County in 1890 to reflect the town's status as acounty borough.It joined theEnglish Football Leaguein 1900. Its most successful season was the1996–97 season,when it reached theFootball League Cupsemi-finals and won promotion toDivision One.

The town is also home toNon-Leagueclubs,Stockport Georgians A.F.C.,Cheadle Heath Nomads F.C.,Stockport Town F.C.andCheadle Town F.C.who are based within theBorough of Stockportand play in theNorth West Counties Football League.

Stockport Sports F.C.(formerly Woodley Sports) was anothernon-League footballclub that played within theBorough.In their final season, the club competed in theNWCFL Premier Divisionbefore dissolving in 2015, due to a breach of numerous league rules.

Lacrosse

Stockport Lacrosse Clubwhich plays atStockport Cricket Club,Cale Green, was founded in 1876 and its first match was played as Shaw Heath Villa. It is reputed to be the oldest club in the world and has men's, ladies' and junior teams. There are lacrosse clubs at Norbury (Hazel Grove) Cheadle, Cheadle Hulme, Heaton Mersey, Heaton Mersey Guild (now merged with Manchester Waconians)and Mellor. Stockport Grammar School Old Boys (Old Stopfordians) merged with Norbury in 2013.

Rugby league

When therugby footballschism occurred in 1895,Stockport RFC,founded in 1895, became a founder member of the Northern Rugby Football Union (nowRugby Football League). Stockport played for eight seasons from the1895–96season to the end of1902–1903season, the latter two seasons played atEdgeley Park,the club finished 17th of 22 in the initial combined league, then 5th, 11th, 11th, 9th, 12th, 6th, in the 14-club Lancashire Senior Competition, and then 18th of 18 in Division 2 of the recombined league, after which it withdrew from the Northern Rugby Football Union.

In the early 1980s, the Stockport Amateur Rugby League club played in the BARLA North West Counties League. They played at Lancashire Hill although changed at The Three Crowns. The founder was a local postman, Graham Tonge. They used the same colours as the original club – claret and black.

Rugby union

Sale Sharks Rugby Union Clubplayed at Edgeley Park from 2002 to 2012, when they moved to theAJ Bell StadiuminBarton upon Irwell.

Manchester Rugby Union Clubplay at Grove Lane in Cheadle Hulme.

Swimming

Stockport Metro Swimming Club is based at Grand Central Pools. At the1996 Summer Olympicsin Atlanta,Graeme Smithwon bronze in the 1500mfreestyle,and, at the2004 Summer Olympicsin Athens,Steve Parrywon bronze in the 200mbutterfly.Most recently, at the2008 Summer Olympicsin Beijing,Keri-anne PayneandCassie Pattenwon silver and bronze, respectively, in the 10 kmopen water swim.

Tennis

Stockport is the birthplace of formerWorld No.1tennis playerFred Perry;winner of eight Grand Slam singles titles,two Pro Slams singles titles, two doubles titles and four mixed-double titles. He was the first person to complete aCareer Grand Slamand also won theDavis Cupon four consecutive occasions (1933–1936).Liam Broadyand his sisterNaomi Broady,the tennis professionals, were born in Stockport, attending Tithe Barn and then Priestnall School.

Twin towns

Stockport istwinnedwith:

• Béziers,France (1972)
• Heilbronn,Germany (1982)
• Dodge City,United States (2002)

Freedom of the Borough

The following people and military units have received theFreedom of the Boroughof Stockport.

Individuals

• Fred Perry:1934.
• Christopher Finney:5 September 2007.

Military units

• TheCheshire Regiment:1969.
• 1st Battalion TheMercian Regiment:11 November 2010.

See also

• List of people from the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport
• List of mills in Stockport
• Listed buildings in Stockport
• Stockport power station
• Healthcare in Greater Manchester

References

Bibliography

• Arrowsmith, Peter (1996),Recording Stockport's Past: Recent Investigations of Historic Sites in the Borough of Stockport,Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council,ISBN0-905164-20-2
• Arrowsmith, Peter (1997),Stockport: a History,Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council,ISBN0-905164-99-7
• Dent, J. S. (1977), "Recent investigations on the site of Stockport Castle",Transactions of the Lancashire and Cheshire Antiquarian Society,79:1–13
• Dranfield, Coral (2006),Rivers Under Your Feet: The Story of Stockport's Water tunnels,Kevin Dranfield,ISBN0-9553995-0-5
• Fox, Gregory K. (1986),The Railways around Stockport,Foxline Publishing,ISBN1-870119-00-2
• Husain, B. M. C. (1973),Cheshire under the Norman Earls,A history of Cheshire, vol. 4, Cheshire Community Council Publications Trust
• McKnight, Penny (2000),Stockport hatting,Stockport M.B.C., Community Services Division,ISBN0-905164-84-9
• Mills, A. D. (1997),Dictionary of English Place-Names(2nd ed.), Oxford University Press,ISBN0-19-280074-4
• Morris, Mike, ed. (1983),Medieval Manchester: A Regional Study. The Archaeology of Greater Manchester volume 1,Greater Manchester Archaeological Unit,ISBN0-946126-02-X
• Pevsner, Nikolaus; Hubbard, Edward (1971),Cheshire,The buildings of England, Penguin,ISBN0-14-071042-6
• Rodgers, H. B. (1962), "The landscapes of eastern Lancastria", in Carter, Charles (ed.),Manchester and its region: a survey prepared for the meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science held in Manchester August 29 to September 5, 1962,Manchester University Press, pp. 1–16

Further reading

• Cliffe, Steve (2005).Stockport History and Guide.Tempus.ISBN0-7524-3525-6.
• Glen, Robert (1984).Urban workers in the early Industrial Revolution.Croom Helm.ISBN0-7099-1103-3.
• Harris, Brian; Thacker, Alan; Lewis, C. P. (1979).A history of the county of Chester.The Victoria history of the counties of England. Vol. 2. Oxford University Press for the Institute of Historical Research.ISBN0-19-722749-X.
• Hartwell, Clare; Hyde, Matthew; Pevsner, Nikolaus (2004).Lancashire: Manchester and the South-East.The buildings of England. Yale University Press.ISBN0-300-10583-5.
• Holden, Roger N. (1998).Stott & Sons: architects of the Lancashire cotton mill.Carnegie.ISBN1-85936-047-5.
• Jenkins, Simon (1999).England's thousand best churches.Allen Lane.ISBN0-7139-9281-6.
• Pevsner, Nikolaus (1969).Lancashire.The buildings of England. Penguin.ISBN0-14-071036-1.
• Williams, Mike; Farnie, D. A. (1992).Cotton mills in Greater Manchester.Carnegie.ISBN0-948789-69-7.

External links

• Stockport Council
• Stockport Market in pictures 1977
• "Stockport".Encyclopædia Britannica(11th ed.). 1911.