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'''Prestwich''' is the most southerly town in the ], in ], ]. {{Short description|Town in Greater Manchester, England}}
{{About}}
{{Distinguish|Prestwick}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox UK place
| country = England
| coordinates = {{coord|53.5333|-2.2833|display=inline,title}}
| official_name = Prestwich
| population = 31,500
| metropolitan_borough = ]
| metropolitan_county = ]
| region = North West England
| constituency_westminster = ]
| post_town = MANCHESTER
| postcode_area = M
| postcode_district = M25
| dial_code = 0161
| os_grid_reference = SD814034
| london_distance = {{convert|166|mi|km|0|abbr=on}} ]
| static_image_name = Prestwich, St Mary's Church.jpg
| static_image_caption = ]
}}


'''Prestwich''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|p|r|ɛ|s|t|w|ɪ|tʃ}} {{respell|PREST|witch}}) is a town in the ], ], England,<ref name="GM Gazetteer">{{cite web|url=http://www.gmcro.co.uk/Guides/Gazeteer/gazzo2r.htm |title=Greater Manchester Gazetteer |publisher=Greater Manchester County Record Office |access-date=20 June 2007 |at=Places names – O to R |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718144358/http://www.gmcro.co.uk/Guides/Gazeteer/gazzo2r.htm |archive-date=18 July 2011 }}</ref> {{convert|3|mi|km|0|abbr=off|spell=on}} north of ], {{convert|3|mi|km|0|abbr=off|spell=on}} north of ] and {{convert|5|mi|km|0|abbr=off|spell=on}} south of ].
The town was formerly a ] in its own right, but was incorporated into the ] in 1974, along with ], ], ], ] and the former ].


Within the boundaries of the ] of ], Prestwich was the seat of the ancient parish of ], centred around the ] ]. In recent times, it has grown in popularity as a commuter town of Manchester, being consistenly named one of the best places to live in the UK by '']'',<ref name="st22">{{cite web |title=Why Prestwich, Greater Manchester, is one of the best places to live in 2022 |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/why-prestwich-greater-manchester-best-place-to-live-uk-zmz7pd65m |website=thetimes.co.uk |publisher=The Times |access-date=2 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Dowle |first=Jayne |date=2024-03-27 |title=Why Prestwich, Greater Manchester, is one of the best places to live 2024 |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/prestwich-greater-manchester-england-best-place-to-live-uk-2024-fmxdrntc5 |access-date=2024-03-27 |language=en |issn=0140-0460}}</ref> and has been nicknamed the 'new ]' <ref name="st22" /><ref>{{cite news |title="Our town's more than the 'new Didsbury'. We just don't know where it's going" |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/our-towns-more-new-didsbury-28599296 |publisher=Manchester Evening News}}</ref> in comparison with the affluent suburb in the south of the city.
The northern part of the district is known as Prestwich Village, and is the oldest settlement.
There is a large ] community in Prestwich, forming part of the second largest ] community in the ].


The oldest part of Prestwich, around Bury New Road, is known as Prestwich Village. There is a large Jewish community in Prestwich which, together with neighbouring ], ] and ], makes up the second largest Jewish community in the UK outside London.
It is believed that the name 'Prestwich' means 'Priest's Retreat', although some sources disagree with this.


==The Church in Prestwich== == Toponymy ==
Prestwich is possibly of ] origin, derived from ''preost'' and ''wic'', which translates to the priest's farm.<ref>{{Harvnb|Mills|1976|p=123}}</ref> Another possible derivation is priest's retreat. Wic was a place-name element derived from the Latin vicus, place. Its most common meaning is dairy-farm.<ref name="domesday"> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227073738/http://domesdaybook.net/helpfiles/hs855.htm |date=27 February 2012 }}</ref>
The township was variously recorded as Prestwich in 1194, Prestwic in 1202 and Prestewic in 1203.<ref name=vch>{{Citation|editor1-last=Farrer |editor1-first=William |editor2-last=Brownbill |editor2-first=J. |title=The parish of Prestwich with Oldham: Prestwich|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=53002 |work=A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 5 |publisher=British History Online |year=1911 |pages=76–80|access-date=30 November 2010}}</ref>


== History ==
The village itself has very ancient origins, and at least for the early parts of its history, the fortunes of the village seem to have followed the fortunes of its parish church. We know that a ] of Prestwich existed by at least 1200. The present large Parish Church, at the end of Church Lane in the village centre, is dedicated to ] and parts of it date from around 1500, although the last extensions were made at the end of the nineteenth century. It was the centre of the vast ancient ] of ]. For a time in the 19th century, the Church was referred to locally as ]'s, which could be attributed either to the unpopularity of the Blessed Virgin at the time, or to sheer ignorance. The Church Wakes were traditionally held around St. Bartholomew's Day, and this could have reinforced the error.
===Early history===
]
]
Bury New Road roughly follows the line of a ] road connecting forts at '']'' (]) and '']'' (]). It is possible that a Roman fort or encampment was built at "Castle Hill", near the ] border, mirroring an encampment on Rainsough Hill equidistant from the Roman road.<ref> Retrieved 20 December 2007</ref> John Booker B.A., 19th century author and curate of the parish church, considered these were agrarian camps built to protect cattle kept in the woods of ] and ].<ref>{{cite book|last=Booker|first=John|title=Memorials of the Church in Prestwich: Derived Chiefly from Unpublished and Authentic Sources|publisher=Simms and Dinham|year=1852|place=Manchester|edition=abridged|page=71|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iBIHAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA88-IA1}}
</ref> The camp was "just to the right of the old road to Bury, immediately beyond Singleton Brook, on the first field in the Parish of Prestwich, which was formerly known as Lowcaster". Roman coins have been found off Bury New Road, near Prestwich Golf Course and some in ].


A hoard of 65 silver coins from the reign of ] was found in the ] area in 1972.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.bury.gov.uk/PressReleases/PressRelease.htm?PRID={eeeda625-f208-4a87-a5e6-1ca99c630f36}|title= Prestwich Museum re-launch|publisher=Metropolitan Borough of Bury|access-date=4 January 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=King|first=Edmund|title=The Anarchy of King Stephen's reign By Edmund King|publisher=Clarendon Press |date=22 September 1994|page=192|isbn=0-19-820364-0|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ychyAQ1JTVAC&q=Prestwich%20hoard&pg=PA192|access-date=4 January 2010}}</ref> The Prestwich manor emerged in the ] and in 1212 was assessed as four ] of land held by Adam de Prestwich whose father, Robert held it in 1193. The ] held the ] for the church. Another Adam de Prestwich settled the manors of Prestwich, ] and ] on his son John in 1297 but remarried and in 1313 settled the same manors on Thomas de Prestwich, his son by second wife. Thomas de Prestwich had daughters, Margaret who became a ] at ] in 1360, but left the convent to marry Robert de Holland, and Agnes who married John de Radcliffe but died childless in 1362. Thomas de Prestwich granted his manors to Richard de Radcliffe for life and after that the manor was held by Richard de Langley. In 1371 Robert de Holland claimed the manor as the right of his wife. Roger de Langley was a minor and ward of the Duke of Lancaster in 1372 when Robert de Holland and a troop of armed men took possession of the manor by force and retained it until 1389. The Langleys regained the manor after 1403.<ref name=vch/>
In 1849, ]'s Church was erected near the gates of Heaton Park, originally as a chapel of ease to the Parish Church, but since 1885 as a Parish Church in its own right. The church was extended many times in the 19th cenutry, in 1863, 1871, 1884, 1888 and 1899. A particular feature of St. Margaret's Church is the splendid ] oak carving (including reredos, choir stalls, rood screen, panelling, pulpit, bishop's chair, altar rails, etc.) by Arthur Simpson of Kendal, widely believed to be the finest collection of his ecclesiastical work.


After Sir Robert Langley's death in 1561 the manor passed to his daughter Margaret, who married John Reddish. Their granddaughter Sarah married Clement Coke and the manor descended in the Coke family, until 1777, when Thomas William Coke, ], a leader in the ] sold the land in Prestwich to increase his Norfolk estates. The manor was acquired by Peter Drinkwater of Irwell House in 1794 and it descended to his son Thomas who died in 1861. Irwell House and ] was sold to Salford Corporation and Prestwich Council. In 1561 other lands went to Sir Robert's other daughters. Polefield, on higher ground to the north of Prestwich, became a separate estate, with Polefield Hall coming in the 19th century to the ].<ref name=vch/>
Other Anglican churches in the area include churches dedicated to ], ], and ].


In the ] of 1666 there were 97 hearths in the township, the rector's house was the largest with ten.<ref name= vch/> In the 17th and 18th centuries local government was based on the parish structure. The lord of the manor administered ] and ], but law and order was kept by parish constables assisted by the church wardens. The local justices sat in the "Star Chamber" in the Ostrich Inn, now the Church Inn, close to the parish church where the justices' seat can still be seen.<ref>Makepeace, C. E. (1974) ''Prestwich, a brief history''. Prestwich Borough Council</ref> The village had stocks which remained in use until 1800.<ref name= vch/>
The Roman Catholic Church in Prestwich began to reappear in late Victorian times. ] was celebrated in 1889 for the first time since the ]. The present Catholic church, dedicated to ], was opened in 1931 and consecrated in 1956. There are two local ] churches, Heaton Park Methodist Church and Prestwich Methodist Church.


===Development===
There is also a substantial Jewish population in Prestwich, and increasing numbers of Muslims.
The settlement grew to serve the parish church making Church Lane the historic centre.<ref name="Love Prestwich"/> In the late 18th century the area was mainly rural with scattered farms and small settlements grew at Great and Little Heaton. The population was estimated at 670. Rooden Lane which became part of Bury Old Road was a centre for hand loom weaving and at ] and neighbouring ], silk weaving was established. During the 19th century another settlement grew around the junction of Fairfax Road and Bury New Road along with another village centre on Bury Old Road. The area between these centres remained rural, however, the arrival of the railway in 1881 encouraged affluent merchants from Manchester to build villas and move to the town.<ref name="Love Prestwich">{{cite journal|last=Anon|title=Love Prestwich: Part 1: Prestwich Today|publisher=Metropolitan Borough of Bury}}</ref>


] was built as an ] in 1851 and by 1900 it had grown into the largest asylum in Europe.<ref name="Love Prestwich" /> Sedgley Park Teacher Training College was established in Prestwich after the Faithful Companions of Jesus bought a house to accommodate it in 1903.<ref></ref> When ] was a lecturer at the Catholic women teachers' training college ''Sedgley Park'' he devised and directed two big-cast projects for the ]: ''Big Basil'' and ''Glum Victoria and the Lad with Specs''.<ref>Coveney, p. 80</ref> The National Archives holds records relating to the college.<ref>; the National Archives</ref>
===Rectors of Prestwich===


By 1912 the population had increased to 12,800, and from the 1930s onwards the remaining fields were developed and by 1961 the population reached 31,000 and Prestwich had become a suburb of Manchester.<ref name="Love Prestwich" />
The list of Rectors is more or less continuous from the fourteenth century, albeit for a rather confused period around the time of the ]. A particularly famous Rector was the Revd. John Lake, inducted to the living in 1668, who later became one of the Seven Bishops imprisoned in the ] by James II. The Revd. Henry Mildred Birch, Rector from 1852 to 1884, was the first tutor of the future ].


==Governance==
The following is a list of Rectors from 1900.
===Political representation===
Prestwich, together with Whitefield and Radcliffe, is part of the marginal ] Parliamentary ], which has been represented by MP ] since 2019. Wakeford stood as a Conservative and gained the seat from ] by 402 votes, which at the time made it one of the most marginal seats in the country. However, he defected to Labour in January 2022.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-60054968 | title=Tory MP Christian Wakeford defects to Labour | work=BBC News | date=19 January 2022 }}</ref>


On ], Prestwich is served by three wards, St Mary's, covering the western half of the town, Holyrood covering the north-east, and Sedgeley to the south. In previous years, they have been represented by all three major political parties, but since the ], all nine seats across the three wards are held by Labour.
:1900 - 1940 The Revd. Canon Frederic W. Cooper
:1940 - 1966 The Revd. Canon Francis Paton-Williams
:1967 - 1978 The Revd. Canon David E. Ratledge
:1978 - 1985 The Revd. Canon Thomas N. Evans
:1986 - 2002 The Revd. Canon Frank Bibby


===Civic history===
The living of Prestwich was suspended by the ] in 2002. A priest-in-charge, residing in the Rectory, was appointed.
{{main|Prestwich-cum-Oldham}}
] of the council of the former Municipal Borough of Prestwich.]]
Historically, Prestwich was the ] centre of ] an ] in the ] of ].<ref name=tde>{{Cite journal |last=Lewis |first=Samuel|title=Prestwich|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=51224#s1|journal=A Topographical Dictionary of England |publisher=British History Online |pages=175–179|year=1848 |access-date=30 November 2010}}</ref><ref> retrieved 2 November 2007</ref> A Prestwich ] was established in 1850, and later merged with the Manchester one in 1915 before being abolished in 1930.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Workhouse in Prestwich, Lancashire |url=https://www.workhouses.org.uk/Prestwich/ |website=The Workhouse |access-date=12 January 2024}}</ref>

In 1867 the Prestwich Local Board of Health was established which, as a result of the ], became Prestwich ], to which parts of Great and Little Heaton townships were added. In 1903, Heaton Park was added to the City of Manchester, and in 1933, part of the urban district west of the Irwell was added to Swinton and Pendlebury Urban District. Prestwich became a ] in 1939, with the council based at ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Bid to save old town hall |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/6024446.bid-save-old-town-hall/ |access-date=6 March 2024 |work=Lancashire Telegraph |date=19 June 2001}}</ref> Under the ] it became an ] in the ] in Greater Manchester,<ref name="GM Gazetteer"/> taking effect on 1 April 1974.


==Geography== ==Geography==
Prestwich lies to the east of the ] and is bounded on the north by Whitefield, on the east by ], to the west by the Prestwich Forest Park and the ] (] and ]) and to the south by the ]. The two main north–south roads passing from central ] to Bury, Bury New Road (]) and Bury Old Road, traverse the district.<ref name="Map">{{Cite journal |url=http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/LAN/Prestwich/ParishMap.shtml|title=Prestwich Township Boundaries|publisher= GenUKI|access-date=1 December 2010 }}</ref>


The geology of the area is characterised by ] ] of the ] and ] appertaining to the Carboniferous Westphalian C geological age. This is overlain with ] ] comprising sand, gravel and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pad-planning.bury.gov.uk/DocExplorer/330/00/04/64/00046407.pdf|title=Phase 1 geo-environmental ground investigation at Longfield Shopping Centre, Prestwich Town Centre, Manchester for the Hollins Murray Group|last=Anon|date=June 2009|work=Planning report|publisher=Hollins Murray Group|pages=14|access-date=20 October 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823233206/http://pad-planning.bury.gov.uk/DocExplorer/330/00/04/64/00046407.pdf|archive-date=23 August 2011}}</ref>
The nature of Prestwich village changed massively in the 1970s, with the erection of the Longfield Shopping Centre. The construction of the motorways near Prestwich also altered the life and habits of the townspeople. In the 1970s, local government changes brought control of Prestwich under ]. It is somewhat different in character from ], however, and looks more towards ] and ]. It is geographically nearer to ] than to ].


{{wide image|prestwich_panorama.jpg|1500px|Prestwich Panorama taken from the tower of the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin}}
Prestwich is bounded on its eastern side by ], to the north by the ], to the west by the ] and to the south by the ]. The 2 main north-south roads passing from Central ] to ] traverse the district, Bury New Road and Bury Old Road.


==Community== ==Demography==
The ] estimated the population of Prestwich at 31,500.<ref name = "prestwichcensus">{{cite web |title=Census 2021 |url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/customprofiles/build/#E63001210 |publisher=Office for National Statistics}}</ref>


===Jewish community===
Part of South Prestwich is known as ]. This area has a large ] population, and there are many ] businesses, specialist shops and ]s along Kings Road and Bury New Road.
Around 20% of the population of Prestwich is ],<ref name="prestwichcensus"/> and the area, along with neighbouring ], ] and ], makes up the second largest Jewish community in the UK outside London.


The community is particularly concentrated around the Sedgley Park area in the South of Prestwich, which has several synagogues,<ref> Retrieved on 12 March 2008</ref> as well as Jewish businesses, specialist shops and ]s along King's Road, Bury New Road and Bury Old Road.
There is also a large, predominantly Irish, Catholic community in Prestwich and the surrounding area, with ''St Monica's RC High School Language College'' located alongside Bury Old Road.


===Population change===
There is a large ] located off Bury New Road in the north part of Prestwich.
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;width:70%;border:0px;text-align:center;line-height:120%;"
This is located in grounds originally owned by ], a mental health institute, which is now greatly reduced in size. The remaining wards are under the control of ]. There was originally a ], located in the Longfield Precinct, however, this closed in 2001. ] closed their store in the late 1990s. The site of this former store is now occupied by a ] store specialising almost exclusively in food and homewares.
! style="text-align:center;font-size:90%;" colspan="13" |Population growth in Prestwich 1881–1971
There was formerly a ] emporium located in Tower Buildings, on the corner of Bury New Road and Fairfax Road, however this closed in the 1980s and the building has since been demolished.
|-
The first stages of a new development in the Longfield Precinct opened in early 2006, comprising luxury apartments, a new fountain centrepiece, a '''] Local''' store and the independent chemist '''Prestwich Pharmacy''', with other shops to come. A new pub has just recently opened called "The Fairfax."
! style="background: #99CCCC; color: #000080" height="17" | Year
! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000080;" | 1881
! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000080;" | 1891
! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000080;" | 1901
! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000080;" | 1911
! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000080;" | 1921
! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000080;" | 1931
! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000080;" | 1939
! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000080;" | 1951
! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000080;" | 1961
!1971
|- Align="center"
! style="background: #99CCCC; color: #000080" height="17" | Population
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | 8,627
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | 10,485
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | 12,839
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | 17,195
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | 18,750
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | 23,881
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | 32,594
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" | 34,466
| style="background: #FFFFFF; color: black;" |34,191
|32,825
|-
| style="text-align:center;font-size:90%;" colspan="13" |
Prestwich CP/Tn<ref name="visionofbritain">{{Cite journal | url =http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/data_cube_page.jsp?data_theme=T_POP&data_cube=N_TOT_POP&u_id=10376520&c_id=10001043&add=N | title = PrestwichCP/Tn : Total Population | publisher = Vision of Britain | access-date = 3 December 2010 }}</ref>
|}

==Economy==
]

The high street of Prestwich is centred around the Longfield Centre. The centre, which includes the now-closed Longfield Suite, local library and ] drop-in centre, is due to be "regenerated" with £100m worth of development work starting in 2024.<ref>{{cite web |title=Our Vision |url=https://yourprestwich.com/our-vision/ |website=Your Prestwich |publisher=Muse and Bury Council |access-date=2 February 2024}}</ref> According to the Sunday Times, the area is an "interesting mix of old and new",<ref>{{cite web |title=Why Prestwich, Greater Manchester, is one of the best places to live in 2022 |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/why-prestwich-greater-manchester-best-place-to-live-uk-zmz7pd65m |website=thetimes.co.uk |publisher=The Times |access-date=2 February 2024}}</ref> with various more upmarket bars and restaurants alongside traditional venues. Many of the local pubs are run by ], and the brewery's first cask ale festival was hosted in the Woodthorpe pub in 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=Joseph Holt to host its first cask ale festival |url=https://beertoday.co.uk/2023/10/31/joseph-holt-cask-ale-festival-1023/ |publisher=Beer Today |access-date=2 February 2024}}</ref>

In the Sedgley Park area, there are a number of kosher restaurants and delis.

Prestwich is now considered to be an affluent area and has been called the "] of North Manchester".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aboutbritain.com/towns/prestwich.asp |title=Prestwich Tourist Information |publisher=About Britain |access-date=4 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090602043931/http://www.aboutbritain.com/towns/prestwich.asp |archive-date=2 June 2009 }}</ref>


==Transport== ==Transport==
]
Public transport in Prestwich is coordinated by ]. It has good transport links to ], Bury and other parts of Greater Manchester.

Prestwich is served by four tram stations on the ] line from Manchester to Bury, at ] on the Whitefield border to the north, ] in the centre of the village, ] in the centre-east and ] on the ] border to the south-east. There are a number of parking spaces at the Besses and Prestwich, stops, however, the nearest dedicated park-and-ride station is at Whitefield with over 200 spaces.<ref>{{cite web |title=Park and Ride |url=https://tfgm.com/public-transport/park-and-ride |website=Transport for Greater Manchester |access-date=12 January 2024}}</ref> The metrolink line was originally a train line, with Prestwich station first built by ] in 1879.<ref name="Mgs">{{Cite journal|journal=Exploring Greater Manchester|url=http://www.mangeogsoc.org.uk/egm/6_1.pdf|title=Manchester Victoria to Bury: an historical trip on Metrolink|last=Hindle|first=Paul|publisher=Manchester Geographical Society|access-date=3 December 2010}}</ref>

Bury New Road is the main road through the centre of the town. Buses on the road operate between Prestwich and central Manchester and Bury, with high frequency services operated by ] Local bus routes link the village to northern areas of ] including ], ], ] and ]. ] and ] express services link Prestwich to Manchester, ] and ]. The road was first constructed by a turnpike trust in 1826.<ref name="Mgs"/>

Bury New Road also intersects the ] at Junction 17, the Whitefield Interchange, a short distance north of the centre of Prestwich.<ref>{{cite web |title=Junction 17 of M60 |url=https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=M60_motorway_(Great_Britain)&params=53.5388_N_2.2889_W_region:GB_type:landmark&title=Junction+17+of+M60 |website=GeoHack |access-date=12 January 2024}}</ref>

==Landmarks==
===Historic Buildings===
<gallery>
File:Rookwood Wrenwood.jpg|], grade II listed building on Hilton Lane, built c1880<ref>{{Cite journal|url=http://www.bury.gov.uk/Environment/LandAndPremises/Buildings/ListedBuildings/ListedBuildings.htm |title=Wrenwood and Rookwood |publisher=Bury Council |access-date=3 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071026130543/http://www.bury.gov.uk/Environment/LandAndPremises/Buildings/ListedBuildings/ListedBuildings.htm |archive-date=26 October 2007 }}</ref>
File:Beech Tree Bank.jpg|Beech Tree Bank, Rectory Lane. Renovated Victorian villas built 1881
File:Poppythorn Cottage.jpg|Poppythorn Cottage on Poppythorn Lane
</gallery>

===Parks===
] (1786–1865), a shoemaker born at Sedgley Hall Farm<ref name=vch/> published a botanical guide to the plants found around the Manchester area in 1849.<ref name="Buxton">{{cite book|last=Buxton|first=Richard|title=A botanical guide to the flowering plants, ferns, mosses and algæ, found indigenous within {{convert|16|mi|km}} of Manchester: with some information as to their agricultural, medicinal, and other usesr|publisher=Longman and Co|location=Manchester|year=1849|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o00EAAAAQAAJ&q=Richard+Buxton|access-date=11 May 2009}}</ref> In the early 20th century James Cosmo Melvill wrote that ], Prestwich Clough, Mere Clough, the Park and Hurst Clough were the homes of most of the interesting plants. Many other noted local botanists had studied the area including ] and Thomas Rogers.<ref>Melvill, J. C. (1905) "Flora", in: Nicholls, W. ''History and Traditions''; pp.&nbsp;165–182</ref>
]

In 1906 {{convert|9|acre|ha|abbr=off|spell=in}} of land were given to the Prestwich Urban District Council by William Gardner, a further {{convert|13|acre|ha|abbr=off|spell=in}} were purchased and the "sylvan and beautiful" Prestwich Clough was opened to the public as a place of recreation.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.prestwichandwhitefieldguide.co.uk/news/prestwich_history/lookingback/4762095.___Sylvan____view_of_the_Clough_in_1908/|title=Looking back:'Sylvan' view of the Clough in 1908|last=pratt|first=Ian|date=26 November 2009|work=Prestwich and Whitefield Guide|publisher=Newsquest Media Group|access-date=3 January 2010}}</ref>

Prestwich Forest Park consists of {{Convert|200|ha|acre|sigfig=1}} of land on the western side of Prestwich incorporating, ], Prestwich Clough, Mere Clough, Waterdale Meadow and ].

Much of the area of the park was industrialised during the 18th and 19th centuries but has been reclaimed with extensive woodlands, reservoirs and grasslands. While this area has become a haven for wildlife, there are still remnants of the area's industrial past. Philips Park has been designated as a ] (LNR) and Prestwich Clough as a ] (SBI) due to the important contribution they make to the wildlife heritage of ]. The ], the Irwell Valley Way and a ] all pass through the park. The "Friends of Prestwich Forest Park" and the ] co-ordinate volunteer activities and events such as the Prestwich Clough Centenary Celebrations.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070516122805/http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/176936/ |date=16 May 2007 }} Retrieved 26 October 2007</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prestwichclough.co.uk/|title=Prestwich Clough Centenary Committee <!-- Bot generated title -->|website=prestwichclough.co.uk|access-date=5 April 2018}}</ref> The renovated Philips Park Barn which has become a major ] education and countryside centre for the borough and is used by a number of local groups .<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071020092030/http://www.bury.gov.uk/Environment/Planning/PlanningProjects/CountrysideAndWildlife/PrestwichFP.htm |date=20 October 2007 }} Retrieved 26 October 2007</ref>

==Education==
Prestwich has four secondary schools: ], ], ] and ]. Two of these are faith schools, with St Monica's being Catholic and Mesivta Jewish. St Monica's featured a Sixth Form centre offering vocational courses from 2011 but the centre was closed down in 2017, so for both A-level and vocational studies the nearest tertiary education providers are both in Bury, ] and ].

==Religion==
The ] is a ] and was at the centre of the ancient ] of ] that extended beyond the township boundaries. It is known that it had a ] by 1200.<ref name=vch/> Parts of the present building date from around 1500, although extensions were made at the end of the 19th century. For a time in the 19th century, the church was referred to as ]'s. The ] were traditionally held around St Bartholomew's Day. The living of Prestwich was suspended by the ] in 2002. A priest-in-charge, The Revd. Bryan Hackett, residing in the rectory, was appointed.


The foundation stone of ] was laid near ] in 1849. Founded as a chapel of ease to the parish church, it became a parish church in its own right in 1885.<ref>{{cite web|title=St Margaret Holyrood Church of England, Prestwich|url=http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/LAN/Prestwich/StMargaretHolyrood|website=genuki.org.uk|access-date=11 December 2016}}</ref> The church was built as a ] to a design by Travis & Mangnall at a cost of £2,000<ref name="Pevsner">{{cite book|last1=Pevsner|first1=Nikolaus|title=The Buildings of England: South Lancashire| date=1969|publisher=Penguin|location=London|isbn=0-14-0710-36-1|page=368|edition=1st}}</ref> and was extended in 1863, 1871, 1884, 1888 and 1899. A feature of the church is the ] oak carved ], ], ], panelling, pulpit, bishop's chair and altar rails by Arthur Simpson of ], widely believed to be the finest collection of his ecclesiastical work. Other Anglican churches in the area include churches dedicated to ] (built 1933–4,<ref name="Pevsner"/> ] (1903–04)<ref name="Pevsner"/> and ] (1915).<ref>{{Cite journal |url=http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/LAN/Prestwich/StGeorge|title=St George Church of England, Simister |publisher= GenUKI|access-date=11 December 2016}}</ref>
Prestwich has good transport links with the High Frequency ] 135 service, the half-hourly 137 Service and the half-hourly 98, all of which run from Manchester to Bury. Other smaller bus routes, like the 484, link Prestwich town centre to outer areas.


The ] Church had a resurgence in late Victorian times. ] was celebrated in 1889 for the first time since the ]. The present Catholic church, dedicated to ], was opened in 1931 and consecrated in 1956.
Prestwich is served by four stations on the ] line from Manchester to Bury - '''Besses o'th'Barn''' to the North, '''Prestwich''' in the Town Centre, '''Heaton Park''' in the Centre-East and '''Bowker Vale''' serving the ]/] community in the South/South East, although Bowker Vale Station is actually in Crumpsall, in the City of Manchester.


There are two ] churches, Heaton Park Methodist Church and Prestwich Methodist Church. There are cemeteries at the parish church and St Margaret's. The ] on Bailey Street was originally based in a building designed by ] in 1864 and was joined by a school, also by Waterhouse, in 1865.<ref name="Pevsner"/> In 2006, the Waterhouse church was redeveloped as flats and a new church (by Z Architecture and Design) was built on an adjacent site.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hewitson|first1=Jessie|title=The new home they've prayed for|url=https://www.theguardian.com/money/2006/dec/17/observercashsection.theobserver3|access-date=11 December 2016|work=The Observer|publisher=Guardian Media Group|date=17 December 2006}}</ref>
Bury Old Road and Bury New Road both run north-south through the town and there are several east-west routes, including Sheepfoot Lane, Scholes Lane and Hilton Lane.
Minor roads include Heywood Road, Simister Lane, Park Road, Ostrich Lane, Butterstile Lane and St Anns Road. The ] Motorway serves Prestwich at junction 17 and is located towards the north of the town centre around 1km/0.5mi away.


The migration of Jewish families, mainly from the nearby ] area of Manchester and ] in ], and the later arrival of Muslims into this urban area, resulted in synagogues, such as ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://menmedia.co.uk/prestwichadvertiser/news/s/1060632_what_will_we_do_without_him|title=What will we do without him?|first=Manchester Evening|last=News|date=19 April 2010|website=menmedia.co.uk|access-date=5 April 2018}}</ref> and mosques being constructed alongside Christian places of worship. There are Jewish cemeteries at Philips Park Cemetery, Prestwich Village Cemetery was used from 1841 to 1951, and Rainsough Cemetery from 1923. According to ], the 1934 Holy Law Synagogue was the first "purpose-built" synagogue in Prestwich.
==Famous residents==
<ref>{{cite book|last1=Pevsner|first1=Nikolaus|last2=Hartwell|first2=Clare|last3=Hyde|first3=Matthew|title=Lancashire: Manchester and the South-East| date=2004|publisher=Yale University Press|location=New Haven and London|isbn=0-300-10583-5|page=368|edition=1st}}</ref>


==Sport==
The band ] lived in Prestwich; ] and ] of the band ] were from there, and ]'s lead singer ] has lived there for most of his life. Punk band ] also lived in the village in the early 80s. Broadcaster and raconteur ] is a current Prestwich resident. One of the ] band members, ], grew up in Prestwich and attended the local Catholic high school, St. Monicas. The comedienne ] was born in Prestwich.
The most successful ] team representing Prestwich is ], who play in the ], level nine in the ]. Other local teams include Prestwich F.C., Prestwich Marauders F.C., and Bury Amateurs.


] is located near Prestwich ] station. It is one of the oldest clubs in the Manchester area, and was the first multi-sports club in the UK to achieve Clubmark or equivalent accreditations in all its official sporting sections.<ref name="clubmark">{{cite web
==Heaton Park==
|url= http://www.clubmark.org.uk/news/prestwich-sports-club-a-shining-example
|title= Prestwich sports club... a shining example
|accessdate= 2011-11-16
|date=
|publisher= Clubmark/Sport England
}}</ref> The club has ], ], tennis and ] facilities and a clubhouse.


Golf is played at Prestwich Golf Club, and crown green bowling in St. Mary's Park. Both are also found at the nearby Heaton Park, where the bowling greens were built for the ].
Greater Manchester's largest public park ] is situated to the east of the town. The ancient seat of the Earls of Wilton, this was sold to Manchester Corporation in 1902. This Park is in Manchester, now in Blackley but formerly in Crumpsall.


==Local Media== ==Culture and media==
''The Prestwich and Whitefield Guide'' and ''The Bury Times'' are sold in the locality. The '']'' is produced and printed in Prestwich.


The Longfield Centre civic hall, which previously had one of the largest ] ballrooms in the north-west of England, was permanently closed in 2021.<ref>{{cite news |title=Prestwich's Longfield Suite to be permanently closed to save council cash |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/prestwichs-longfield-suite-permanently-closed-20936709 |access-date=10 January 2024 |work=Manchester Evening News}}</ref>
One local newspaper that covers the area of Prestwich (as well as neighbouring Whitefield and Radcliffe) is '''The Advertiser''', (one of the GWN '''Greater Manchester Weekly News''' newspapers) a weekly freesheet, based in Salford. For the Jewish community there is the Jewish Telegraph , additionally, there is the '''Prestwich and Whitefield Guide'''.


There are several private members' clubs in the town, including Prestwich Church Institute, the Carlton Club, and two political clubs - Prestwich ] Club and Prestwich ] Club.
==Sport in Prestwich==


==Notable people==
'''Football'''
{{Further|List of people from Bury}}
The local amateur team which represents Prestwich is ]. For many years, ] played on the fields just off Heys Road, a site known as Grimshaws. The local high school, Prestwich High as was (now the Arts College), obtained the land for use as their sports fields and Prestwich found a new home on Sandgate Road, just over the border in Whitefield. This field was near the site of the old St Joseph's RC High School (which merged with St Peter's RC High School, rebadged itself as St Monica's and located itself on the St Peter's site) and has been redeveloped to include enclosed concrete "fencing", a car park and club facilities. ] currently play in the ].
* ], textile and fashion designer and muse of ], was raised in Prestwich and attended St. Margaret's Primary School.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/local-news/celia-has-designs-on-meeting-the-queen-863271|title=Celia has designs on meeting the Queen|last= Evans|first= Denise|date=16 June 2011|work=Manchester Evening News|publisher=MEN media|access-date=27 January 2014}}</ref>
* ], singer with the band ] and television presenter, grew up in Prestwich and attended the local Catholic high school, ].
* ], musician and singer, grew up in Prestwich.<ref>{{cite web | last=Nelson | first=Craig | date=24 January 2010 |title=Silent Radio: Interview – Liam Frost | url= http://www.silentradio.co.uk/01/24/interview-liam-frost/| access-date=28 March 2015}}</ref>
* ], lead singer of the band ], lives in Prestwich.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/mar/02/guy-garvey-interview-elbow-wistfully-hedonistic-years|title=Garvey's comfy house in Prestwich|date=2 March 2014|work=The Guardian}}</ref>
* ] and ] of the band ] were from Prestwich.
* ], ] organist, was born in Prestwich.
* ], author and ] winner, was born and raised in Prestwich.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1345492_howard_jacobson_wins_the_booker_prize__and_thanks_his_whitefield_school|title=Howard Jacobson wins the Booker Prize – and thanks his Whitefield school|last=Anon|date=13 October 2010|work=Manchester Evening News|publisher=MEN media|access-date=16 December 2010}}</ref>
* Montagu Lomax, author of '']'', an exposé of conditions at the Prestwich Hospital
* ], Manchester United and England footballer.
* ]. choreographer, was born in Prestwich.
* ] (1957–2018), lyricist and vocalist of ].
* ] was born in Prestwich in 1936 and appeared in episodes of TV series '']'', '']'' and '']''.
* ] (1783–1850), physicist and inventor, lived in Prestwich and is buried in St Mary's Cemetery. He created the first practical electric motor and electromagnetic solenoid.
* ], campaigner for women's rights and peace, lived in Prestwich.
* ], author, grew up in Prestwich and has also lived there as an adult.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wallwork|first=Melanie|date=1 May 2014|title=The Bury Times: The Big Interview – Author Emma Jane Unsworth talks tattoos, parks and Prestwich|url=http://www.burytimes.co.uk/leisure/the_big_interview/11186193.Author_Emma_Jane_Unsworth_talks_tattoos__parks_and_Prestwich_ahead_of_book_launch/|access-date=27 March 2015}}</ref>
* ], cartoonist, who created ], ] and drew for '']'' comic amongst others.
* ], writer, comedian and actress, was born in Prestwich.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/showbiz/s/216/216494_victoria_wood_to_return_to_drama.html|title=Victoria Wood to return to drama|date=23 June 2006|work=Manchester Evening News}}</ref>


==See also==
'''Cricket'''
{{portal|Greater Manchester}}
The main cricket team in Prestwich is ], which has been very successful over recent years. Located between Prestwich ] station and the Grimshaws playing fields mentioned earlier, Prestwich CC also has crown green bowling and tennis facilities as well as a spacious clubhouse. Prestwich CC has been on this site for many years, with the clubhouse having many photos on display from previous teams and players.
* ]


==References==
'''Crown Green Bowling'''
{{Reflist|30em}}
Prestwich has a very active bowling scene, with Veterans playing on Tuesday and Friday afternoons, a Ladies League running on Thursday evenings and a Mens League running on Wednesday evenings. Clubs involved in these leagues are usually located in the Prestwich and Whitefield area, but also come from the neighbouring towns of Radcliffe, Bury, Heywood, Middleton and Crumpsall.


'''Snooker and Billiards''' '''Bibliography'''
* {{citation |last=Mills |first=David |title=The Placenames of Lancashire |publisher=Batsford |year=1976 |isbn= 0-7134-5236-6}}
As well as a branch of the Rileys snooker chain in Prestwich Village, the Prestwich and District Snooker League brings together different clubs in the area to compete on Thursdays and occasional Tuesdays.


==Further reading==
* {{cite book|last=Booker|first=John|title=Memorials of the Church in Prestwich: Derived Chiefly from Unpublished and Authentic Sources|publisher=Simms and Dinham|place=Manchester|year=1852|edition=abridged|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iBIHAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA88-IA1}}
* Nicholls, W. (1905) ''History and Traditions of Prestwich''. Manchester: Albert Sutton


==External links==
==Districts of Prestwich==
{{Commons category|Prestwich}}


{{Greater Manchester}}
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]


{{Authority control}}
{{coor title dm|53|32|N|2|17|W|region:GB_type:city}}


] ]
] ]
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Latest revision as of 12:00, 11 December 2024

Town in Greater Manchester, England For other uses, see Prestwich (disambiguation). Not to be confused with Prestwick.

Human settlement in England
Prestwich
Church of St Mary the Virgin, Prestwich
Prestwich is located in Greater ManchesterPrestwichPrestwichLocation within Greater Manchester
Population31,500 
OS grid referenceSD814034
• London166 mi (267 km) SE
Metropolitan borough
Metropolitan county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townMANCHESTER
Postcode districtM25
Dialling code0161
PoliceGreater Manchester
FireGreater Manchester
AmbulanceNorth West
UK Parliament
List of places
UK
England
Greater Manchester
53°32′00″N 2°17′00″W / 53.5333°N 2.2833°W / 53.5333; -2.2833

Prestwich (/ˈprɛstwɪtʃ/ PREST-witch) is a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Bury, Greater Manchester, England, three miles (five kilometres) north of Manchester, three miles (five kilometres) north of Salford and five miles (eight kilometres) south of Bury.

Within the boundaries of the historic county of Lancashire, Prestwich was the seat of the ancient parish of Prestwich-cum-Oldham, centred around the Grade I listed Church of St Mary the Virgin. In recent times, it has grown in popularity as a commuter town of Manchester, being consistenly named one of the best places to live in the UK by The Sunday Times, and has been nicknamed the 'new Didsbury' in comparison with the affluent suburb in the south of the city.

The oldest part of Prestwich, around Bury New Road, is known as Prestwich Village. There is a large Jewish community in Prestwich which, together with neighbouring Whitefield, Broughton and Crumpsall, makes up the second largest Jewish community in the UK outside London.

Toponymy

Prestwich is possibly of Old English origin, derived from preost and wic, which translates to the priest's farm. Another possible derivation is priest's retreat. Wic was a place-name element derived from the Latin vicus, place. Its most common meaning is dairy-farm. The township was variously recorded as Prestwich in 1194, Prestwic in 1202 and Prestewic in 1203.

History

Early history

The Church Inn (formerly the Ostrich Inn) next to St Mary's Church
The White Horse (left) and the Railway and Naturalist (right), Prestwich Village

Bury New Road roughly follows the line of a Roman road connecting forts at Mamucium (Manchester) and Bremetennacum (Ribchester). It is possible that a Roman fort or encampment was built at "Castle Hill", near the Salford border, mirroring an encampment on Rainsough Hill equidistant from the Roman road. John Booker B.A., 19th century author and curate of the parish church, considered these were agrarian camps built to protect cattle kept in the woods of Broughton and Kersal. The camp was "just to the right of the old road to Bury, immediately beyond Singleton Brook, on the first field in the Parish of Prestwich, which was formerly known as Lowcaster". Roman coins have been found off Bury New Road, near Prestwich Golf Course and some in Prestwich Clough.

A hoard of 65 silver coins from the reign of King Stephen was found in the Sedgley Park area in 1972. The Prestwich manor emerged in the Middle Ages and in 1212 was assessed as four oxgang of land held by Adam de Prestwich whose father, Robert held it in 1193. The lord of the manor held the advowson for the church. Another Adam de Prestwich settled the manors of Prestwich, Alkrington and Pendlebury on his son John in 1297 but remarried and in 1313 settled the same manors on Thomas de Prestwich, his son by second wife. Thomas de Prestwich had daughters, Margaret who became a nun at Seaton Priory in 1360, but left the convent to marry Robert de Holland, and Agnes who married John de Radcliffe but died childless in 1362. Thomas de Prestwich granted his manors to Richard de Radcliffe for life and after that the manor was held by Richard de Langley. In 1371 Robert de Holland claimed the manor as the right of his wife. Roger de Langley was a minor and ward of the Duke of Lancaster in 1372 when Robert de Holland and a troop of armed men took possession of the manor by force and retained it until 1389. The Langleys regained the manor after 1403.

After Sir Robert Langley's death in 1561 the manor passed to his daughter Margaret, who married John Reddish. Their granddaughter Sarah married Clement Coke and the manor descended in the Coke family, until 1777, when Thomas William Coke, Coke of Norfolk, a leader in the agricultural revolution sold the land in Prestwich to increase his Norfolk estates. The manor was acquired by Peter Drinkwater of Irwell House in 1794 and it descended to his son Thomas who died in 1861. Irwell House and Drinkwater Park was sold to Salford Corporation and Prestwich Council. In 1561 other lands went to Sir Robert's other daughters. Polefield, on higher ground to the north of Prestwich, became a separate estate, with Polefield Hall coming in the 19th century to the Earls of Wilton.

In the hearth tax of 1666 there were 97 hearths in the township, the rector's house was the largest with ten. In the 17th and 18th centuries local government was based on the parish structure. The lord of the manor administered land tenure and inheritance, but law and order was kept by parish constables assisted by the church wardens. The local justices sat in the "Star Chamber" in the Ostrich Inn, now the Church Inn, close to the parish church where the justices' seat can still be seen. The village had stocks which remained in use until 1800.

Development

The settlement grew to serve the parish church making Church Lane the historic centre. In the late 18th century the area was mainly rural with scattered farms and small settlements grew at Great and Little Heaton. The population was estimated at 670. Rooden Lane which became part of Bury Old Road was a centre for hand loom weaving and at Simister and neighbouring Bowlee, silk weaving was established. During the 19th century another settlement grew around the junction of Fairfax Road and Bury New Road along with another village centre on Bury Old Road. The area between these centres remained rural, however, the arrival of the railway in 1881 encouraged affluent merchants from Manchester to build villas and move to the town.

Prestwich Hospital was built as an asylum in 1851 and by 1900 it had grown into the largest asylum in Europe. Sedgley Park Teacher Training College was established in Prestwich after the Faithful Companions of Jesus bought a house to accommodate it in 1903. When Mike Leigh was a lecturer at the Catholic women teachers' training college Sedgley Park he devised and directed two big-cast projects for the Manchester Youth Theatre: Big Basil and Glum Victoria and the Lad with Specs. The National Archives holds records relating to the college.

By 1912 the population had increased to 12,800, and from the 1930s onwards the remaining fields were developed and by 1961 the population reached 31,000 and Prestwich had become a suburb of Manchester.

Governance

Political representation

Prestwich, together with Whitefield and Radcliffe, is part of the marginal Bury South Parliamentary constituency, which has been represented by MP Christian Wakeford since 2019. Wakeford stood as a Conservative and gained the seat from the Labour Party by 402 votes, which at the time made it one of the most marginal seats in the country. However, he defected to Labour in January 2022.

On Bury Council, Prestwich is served by three wards, St Mary's, covering the western half of the town, Holyrood covering the north-east, and Sedgeley to the south. In previous years, they have been represented by all three major political parties, but since the 2023 local elections, all nine seats across the three wards are held by Labour.

Civic history

Main article: Prestwich-cum-Oldham
The coat of arms of the council of the former Municipal Borough of Prestwich.

Historically, Prestwich was the ecclesiastical centre of Prestwich-cum-Oldham an ancient parish in the Salford Hundred of Lancashire. A Prestwich Poor Law Union was established in 1850, and later merged with the Manchester one in 1915 before being abolished in 1930.

In 1867 the Prestwich Local Board of Health was established which, as a result of the Local Government Act 1894, became Prestwich Urban District, to which parts of Great and Little Heaton townships were added. In 1903, Heaton Park was added to the City of Manchester, and in 1933, part of the urban district west of the Irwell was added to Swinton and Pendlebury Urban District. Prestwich became a municipal borough in 1939, with the council based at Prestwich Town Hall. Under the Local Government Act 1972 it became an unparished area in the Metropolitan Borough of Bury in Greater Manchester, taking effect on 1 April 1974.

Geography

Prestwich lies to the east of the River Irwell and is bounded on the north by Whitefield, on the east by Heaton Park, to the west by the Prestwich Forest Park and the Irwell Valley (Agecroft and Clifton) and to the south by the City of Salford. The two main north–south roads passing from central Manchester to Bury, Bury New Road (A56) and Bury Old Road, traverse the district.

The geology of the area is characterised by carboniferous coal measures of the Manchester Coalfield and sandstone appertaining to the Carboniferous Westphalian C geological age. This is overlain with quaternary glacial drift comprising sand, gravel and boulder clay.

Prestwich Panorama taken from the tower of the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin

Demography

The 2021 census estimated the population of Prestwich at 31,500.

Jewish community

Around 20% of the population of Prestwich is Jewish, and the area, along with neighbouring Whitefield, Broughton and Crumpsall, makes up the second largest Jewish community in the UK outside London.

The community is particularly concentrated around the Sedgley Park area in the South of Prestwich, which has several synagogues, as well as Jewish businesses, specialist shops and delicatessens along King's Road, Bury New Road and Bury Old Road.

Population change

Population growth in Prestwich 1881–1971
Year 1881 1891 1901 1911 1921 1931 1939 1951 1961 1971
Population 8,627 10,485 12,839 17,195 18,750 23,881 32,594 34,466 34,191 32,825

Prestwich CP/Tn

Economy

Longfield Suite main entrance

The high street of Prestwich is centred around the Longfield Centre. The centre, which includes the now-closed Longfield Suite, local library and NHS drop-in centre, is due to be "regenerated" with £100m worth of development work starting in 2024. According to the Sunday Times, the area is an "interesting mix of old and new", with various more upmarket bars and restaurants alongside traditional venues. Many of the local pubs are run by Joseph Holt, and the brewery's first cask ale festival was hosted in the Woodthorpe pub in 2023.

In the Sedgley Park area, there are a number of kosher restaurants and delis.

Prestwich is now considered to be an affluent area and has been called the "Didsbury of North Manchester".

Transport

Tram to Manchester passing through Prestwich village in 1904

Public transport in Prestwich is coordinated by Transport for Greater Manchester. It has good transport links to Manchester city centre, Bury and other parts of Greater Manchester.

Prestwich is served by four tram stations on the Manchester Metrolink line from Manchester to Bury, at Besses o' th' Barn on the Whitefield border to the north, Prestwich in the centre of the village, Heaton Park in the centre-east and Bowker Vale on the Blackley border to the south-east. There are a number of parking spaces at the Besses and Prestwich, stops, however, the nearest dedicated park-and-ride station is at Whitefield with over 200 spaces. The metrolink line was originally a train line, with Prestwich station first built by Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway in 1879.

Bury New Road is the main road through the centre of the town. Buses on the road operate between Prestwich and central Manchester and Bury, with high frequency services operated by Go North West Local bus routes link the village to northern areas of Salford including Pendlebury, Swinton, Monton and Eccles. The Lancashire Way and The Witch Way express services link Prestwich to Manchester, Burnley and Pendle. The road was first constructed by a turnpike trust in 1826.

Bury New Road also intersects the M60 motorway at Junction 17, the Whitefield Interchange, a short distance north of the centre of Prestwich.

Landmarks

Historic Buildings

  • Arts and Crafts, grade II listed building on Hilton Lane, built c1880 Arts and Crafts, grade II listed building on Hilton Lane, built c1880
  • Beech Tree Bank, Rectory Lane. Renovated Victorian villas built 1881 Beech Tree Bank, Rectory Lane. Renovated Victorian villas built 1881
  • Poppythorn Cottage on Poppythorn Lane Poppythorn Cottage on Poppythorn Lane

Parks

Richard Buxton (1786–1865), a shoemaker born at Sedgley Hall Farm published a botanical guide to the plants found around the Manchester area in 1849. In the early 20th century James Cosmo Melvill wrote that Kersal Moor, Prestwich Clough, Mere Clough, the Park and Hurst Clough were the homes of most of the interesting plants. Many other noted local botanists had studied the area including Leo Grindon and Thomas Rogers.

One of the trails to Mere Clough

In 1906 nine acres (3.6 hectares) of land were given to the Prestwich Urban District Council by William Gardner, a further thirteen acres (5.3 hectares) were purchased and the "sylvan and beautiful" Prestwich Clough was opened to the public as a place of recreation.

Prestwich Forest Park consists of 200 hectares (500 acres) of land on the western side of Prestwich incorporating, Philips Park, Prestwich Clough, Mere Clough, Waterdale Meadow and Drinkwater Park.

Much of the area of the park was industrialised during the 18th and 19th centuries but has been reclaimed with extensive woodlands, reservoirs and grasslands. While this area has become a haven for wildlife, there are still remnants of the area's industrial past. Philips Park has been designated as a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) and Prestwich Clough as a Site of Biological Importance (SBI) due to the important contribution they make to the wildlife heritage of Greater Manchester. The Irwell Sculpture Trail, the Irwell Valley Way and a National Cycle Route all pass through the park. The "Friends of Prestwich Forest Park" and the BTCV co-ordinate volunteer activities and events such as the Prestwich Clough Centenary Celebrations. The renovated Philips Park Barn which has become a major environmental education and countryside centre for the borough and is used by a number of local groups .

Education

Prestwich has four secondary schools: The Heys School, St Monica's High School, Parrenthorn High School and Manchester Mesivta School. Two of these are faith schools, with St Monica's being Catholic and Mesivta Jewish. St Monica's featured a Sixth Form centre offering vocational courses from 2011 but the centre was closed down in 2017, so for both A-level and vocational studies the nearest tertiary education providers are both in Bury, Holy Cross College and Bury College.

Religion

The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin is a Grade I listed building and was at the centre of the ancient ecclesiastical parish of Prestwich-cum-Oldham that extended beyond the township boundaries. It is known that it had a rector by 1200. Parts of the present building date from around 1500, although extensions were made at the end of the 19th century. For a time in the 19th century, the church was referred to as St Bartholomew's. The church wakes were traditionally held around St Bartholomew's Day. The living of Prestwich was suspended by the Diocese of Manchester in 2002. A priest-in-charge, The Revd. Bryan Hackett, residing in the rectory, was appointed.

The foundation stone of St Margaret's Church was laid near Heaton Park in 1849. Founded as a chapel of ease to the parish church, it became a parish church in its own right in 1885. The church was built as a Commissioners' Church to a design by Travis & Mangnall at a cost of £2,000 and was extended in 1863, 1871, 1884, 1888 and 1899. A feature of the church is the Arts and Crafts Movement oak carved reredos, choir stalls, rood screen, panelling, pulpit, bishop's chair and altar rails by Arthur Simpson of Kendal, widely believed to be the finest collection of his ecclesiastical work. Other Anglican churches in the area include churches dedicated to St Gabriel (built 1933–4, St Hilda (1903–04) and St George (1915).

The Roman Catholic Church had a resurgence in late Victorian times. Mass was celebrated in 1889 for the first time since the Reformation. The present Catholic church, dedicated to Our Lady of Grace, was opened in 1931 and consecrated in 1956.

There are two Methodist churches, Heaton Park Methodist Church and Prestwich Methodist Church. There are cemeteries at the parish church and St Margaret's. The Congregational Church on Bailey Street was originally based in a building designed by Alfred Waterhouse in 1864 and was joined by a school, also by Waterhouse, in 1865. In 2006, the Waterhouse church was redeveloped as flats and a new church (by Z Architecture and Design) was built on an adjacent site.

The migration of Jewish families, mainly from the nearby Cheetham area of Manchester and Broughton Park in Salford, and the later arrival of Muslims into this urban area, resulted in synagogues, such as Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation, and mosques being constructed alongside Christian places of worship. There are Jewish cemeteries at Philips Park Cemetery, Prestwich Village Cemetery was used from 1841 to 1951, and Rainsough Cemetery from 1923. According to Pevsner, the 1934 Holy Law Synagogue was the first "purpose-built" synagogue in Prestwich.

Sport

The most successful Association football team representing Prestwich is Prestwich Heys A.F.C., who play in the North West Counties Football League, level nine in the English football league system. Other local teams include Prestwich F.C., Prestwich Marauders F.C., and Bury Amateurs.

Prestwich Cricket, Tennis & Bowling Club is located near Prestwich Metrolink station. It is one of the oldest clubs in the Manchester area, and was the first multi-sports club in the UK to achieve Clubmark or equivalent accreditations in all its official sporting sections. The club has cricket, crown green bowling, tennis and football facilities and a clubhouse.

Golf is played at Prestwich Golf Club, and crown green bowling in St. Mary's Park. Both are also found at the nearby Heaton Park, where the bowling greens were built for the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

Culture and media

The Prestwich and Whitefield Guide and The Bury Times are sold in the locality. The Jewish Telegraph is produced and printed in Prestwich.

The Longfield Centre civic hall, which previously had one of the largest sprung floor ballrooms in the north-west of England, was permanently closed in 2021.

There are several private members' clubs in the town, including Prestwich Church Institute, the Carlton Club, and two political clubs - Prestwich Conservative Club and Prestwich Liberal Club.

Notable people

Further information: List of people from Bury

See also

References

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Bibliography

Further reading

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