Post by cabbyjohn on Dec 4, 2010 15:07:02 GMT -1
I have a large collection of books on the history of Manchester and I found this early reference to Clayton in "The lost rivers of Manchester"
{ Just west of Gorton Lane the stream is joined by Clayton Brook. In fact Clayton Brook is probably larger than Corn Brook, and to add to it's enigma it's main source is in what is now Openshaw, and not in Clayton.
Mr. Higson who wrote Higsons history of Droylsden Writing in 1869 writes, "Clayton never has been a very exclusive neighbourhood. He describes is as Having 2,500 inhabitants and only three public houses, It is one of the most wretched and poverty stricken places.....
In Clayton, every man does what is right in his own eyes, and what with public houses, ritualistic churches, and dark and dirty ways, it does not seem a desirable residence for people who like comfort, but for anyone hankering after a revival of the dark ages, it is just the spot". He then goes on to mention that one of the main passtimes of the local youth is "To stand on the banks of the river Medlock and exchange insults and missiles with the youths of the township of Newton Heath" }
A poem from the mid fiteen hundreds refers to Clayton thus........
"As Satan was flying over Clayton for Hell,
He was chaired in the breeze, likewise the smell,
Quoth he, "I'm not sure in what country I roam,
But I'm sure by the smell that I'm not far from home"
{ Just west of Gorton Lane the stream is joined by Clayton Brook. In fact Clayton Brook is probably larger than Corn Brook, and to add to it's enigma it's main source is in what is now Openshaw, and not in Clayton.
Mr. Higson who wrote Higsons history of Droylsden Writing in 1869 writes, "Clayton never has been a very exclusive neighbourhood. He describes is as Having 2,500 inhabitants and only three public houses, It is one of the most wretched and poverty stricken places.....
In Clayton, every man does what is right in his own eyes, and what with public houses, ritualistic churches, and dark and dirty ways, it does not seem a desirable residence for people who like comfort, but for anyone hankering after a revival of the dark ages, it is just the spot". He then goes on to mention that one of the main passtimes of the local youth is "To stand on the banks of the river Medlock and exchange insults and missiles with the youths of the township of Newton Heath" }
A poem from the mid fiteen hundreds refers to Clayton thus........
"As Satan was flying over Clayton for Hell,
He was chaired in the breeze, likewise the smell,
Quoth he, "I'm not sure in what country I roam,
But I'm sure by the smell that I'm not far from home"
