Editing Reddish (section)

==History==
{{main|History of Reddish}}

===Toponymy===
Reddish is recorded as Redich (1205, 1212), Redych, Radich (1226), Radish, Rediche (1262), Redditch (1381), Redwyche, Radishe and Reddishe (16th century).<ref name=vichist>Farrer and Brownbill, [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=41435 pp.&nbsp;326–9].</ref><ref name=booker197>Booker, p. 197.</ref> The name either means "reedy ditch" ([[Old English|OE]] ''hrēod-dīc'') or "red ditch" (OE ''rēad-dīc''). Ekwall (1922) allows either form, stating "red" is less probable; Mills (1991) and Arrowsmith (1997) only give the "reed" option.<ref>{{cite book |last=Ekwall |first=E |title=NS 81 The place-names of Lancashire |year=1922 |publisher=Chethams|location=Manchester|page=30}}</ref><ref name=Arrow23>Arrowsmith, p. 23.</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Mills |first=A D |title=Dictionary of English Place-Names (2nd ed) |year=1997 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford |isbn=0-19-280074-4|page = 285 }}</ref> The ditch referred to is possibly the [[Nico Ditch]],<ref name=Arrow23/> an earthwork of uncertain origin bordering Reddish, Manchester and Denton.<ref>Hartwell ''et al.'', p. 197.</ref> Folklore has it that the names [[Gorton]] and Reddish arose from a battle between Saxons and Danes.<ref name=booker197/><ref>{{cite book |author-link = John Harland | last = Harland | first = John |author2=Wilkinson, Thomas Turner  | title = Lancashire Legends, Traditions | publisher = Llanerch Press | year= 1993 | pages = 26–9 |isbn = 1-897853-06-8 | orig-year = 1873}}</ref><ref name=Higson>{{cite web| url = http://www.gortonnews.org.uk/archive/newsletterjan04.pdf| title = The battle of Gorton| access-date = 2006-04-20| author = Higson, John| author2 = Jeff Goldthorpe| date = January 2004| work = Gorton News| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070929002229/http://www.gortonnews.org.uk/archive/newsletterjan04.pdf| archive-date = 2007-09-29}}</ref> John Higson wrote in 1852<ref name=Higson/>

<blockquote>The neigh'ring trench is called the Nicker Ditch<br />Flowing with blood, it did the name convey<br />To th' bordering hamlet, Red-Ditch. Near here, Where<br />the last 'tween the foes was fought,<br />Where victory was won, that memorable<br />Eminence proudly was distinguished<br />By the name of Winning Hill. The streamlet<br />Aforemention'd gains appellation<br />Of Gore Brook, also the contiguous<br />Happy hamlet through which it floweth still<br />Bears, in glorious commemoration,<br />And e'er shall, the honour'd name of Gore Town.</blockquote>

Farrer and Brownbill dismiss this interpretation as "popular fancy".<ref>Farrer and Brownbill, [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=41420#n1 pp&nbsp;275–279, footnote 1.] "Out of Gore-ton and Red-ditch, with the help of the intervening Nico Ditch, popular fancy has made the story of a great battle in the neighbourhood; Harland and Wilkinson, ''Traditions''. 26.</ref>

===1066 to late 18th century===
[[File:Reddish Hall.jpg|thumb|left|Reddish Hall as drawn by James Croston (Booker, p211)]]
Reddish does not appear in the [[Domesday Book|Domesday survey]]; this is in common with most of the then southeast Lancashire area.<ref>Hartwell ''et al.'', p. 18.</ref> A corn mill is known to have existed at the junction of Denton Brook and the River Tame from about 1400 onwards.<ref>Downham, p. 142.</ref> The two main mediaeval houses were Reddish Hall at {{gbmapping|SJ899932}} (demolished 1780,<ref name=vichist/> but visible on maps dated 1840) and Hulme Hall at {{gbmapping|SJ889926}}, later known as Broadstone, then Broadstone Hall (demolished 1945<ref name=Cronin>Cronin, p. 45.</ref>). The Reddish family were major landowners in the area from at least 1212 to 1613 when title passed by marriage to the Coke family. It passed down the family to [[Thomas Coke, 1st Earl of Leicester (seventh creation)|Thomas Coke, 1st Earl of Leicester]], who sold his land in Reddish at the end of the 18th century, and in 1808 it was bought by [[Robert Hyde Greg]] and John Greg.<ref name=vichist/> There were Hulmes in Reddish in the 13th century, and the land passed through the family until about 1700 when it was given to a charitable trust.<ref name=vichist/>

Very few buildings in Reddish pre-date the 19th century. Canal Bridge Farm, close to Broadstone Mill, is dated to the mid to late 18th century (the name is later).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stockport.gov.uk/2013/2978/8803/9020/12299/houldsworthtextapp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404111757/http://www.stockport.gov.uk/2013/2978/8803/9020/12299/houldsworthtextapp |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-04-04 |title=Houldsworth Conservation Area Character Appraisal |access-date=5 April 2010 |date=April 2007 |format=PDF |work=Stockport MBC webpages |publisher=Stockport MBC }}</ref> Hartwell dates a small group of farm buildings and cottages at Shores Fold, near the junction of Nelstrop Road and Marbury Road, to the sixteenth and late seventeenth to early 18th century. These would have been on the traditional Reddish – Heaton Norris border, but are now firmly inside Heaton Chapel.<ref>Hartwell ''et al.'', p. 230.</ref>

===Industrial Revolution===
The [[Stockport Branch Canal]] passed through Reddish and opened in 1797.<ref>Cited in many places, e.g. Downham [http://interactive.stockport.gov.uk/Heritage/Astle's%20History%20of%20Stockport/00000202.pdf p. 144].  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308031311/http://interactive.stockport.gov.uk/Heritage/Astle%27s%20History%20of%20Stockport/00000202.pdf |date=March 8, 2008 }}</ref> It seems to have had little effect by 1825, when Corry's description of Reddish, in full, was "The population of Reddish is but thin".<ref>{{cite book | last = Corry | first = John | author-link = John Corry (writer) | title = The history of Lancashire, Volume 1 | orig-year = 1825 | url = http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/MOME?af=RN&ae=U104587369&srchtp=a&ste=14 | access-date = 2006-10-01 | year = 2006 | publisher = Thomson Gale }}</ref> Booker states that in 1857 Reddish was almost entirely agricultural, being made of meadow and pasture ({{convert|1320|acre|km2}}); arable land ({{convert|90|acre|m2}}); wood and water ({{convert|50|acre|m2}}); and buildings and streets ({{convert|44|acre|m2}}). At that time, Reddish contained "neither post-office, schoolmaster, lawyer, doctor, nor pawnshop".<ref>Booker, p. 200, repeated verbatim by Farrer & Brownbill.</ref> The population increased over tenfold in the next fifty years with the Industrial Revolution.

The water-powered calico printworks in Reddish Vale on the [[River Tame, Greater Manchester|River Tame]] is known to have been working before 1800. Industrial development followed the line of the canal<ref>Downham, p. 149.</ref> and was steam-powered throughout. A variety of manufacturers moved into Reddish during this period.

Robert Hyde Greg and John Greg, sons of Samuel Greg of [[Quarry Bank Mill]], who owned about a third of Reddish by 1857,<ref>Booker, p. 201.</ref> opened Albert Mills for cotton spinning in 1845. Moor Mill, manufacturing knitting machines, was built around the same time. [[Houldsworth Mill, Reddish|William Houldsworth's Reddish Mill]] for cotton spinning was opened in 1864. Hanover Mill was built in 1865 for cotton spinning, but in 1889 was converted to make silk, velvet, woven fur etc.

The Reddish Spinning Company, partly owned by Houldsworth, opened in 1870. Furnival & Co, making printing presses, opened in 1877.<ref>[http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Furnival_and_Co Furnival and Co<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Andrew's Gas Engine works opened in 1878.<ref>[http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/J._E._H._Andrew_and_Co J. E. H. Andrew and Co<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The [[Manchester Guardian]]'s printworks opened in 1899. [[Craven Brothers]], a manufacturer of machine tools and cranes, opened the Vauxhall Works on Greg Street, in 1900.<ref>[http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Craven_Brothers Craven Brothers<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>  Broadstone Spinning Company opened a large [[double mill]] in 1906/7. These major employers were accompanied by numerous smaller concerns, including dyeworks, bleachworks, wire ropeworks, brickworks, screw manufacturers, makers of surveying equipment, and a tobacco factory.<ref name="Downham">Downham.</ref>

A small number of closures of major industrial employers took place in the first half of the 20th century, due to the ebb and flow of trade. Andrew's Gas Engine Works was taken over in 1905 by [[Richard Hornsby & Sons]] of [[Grantham]],<ref>Astle</ref><ref name=OHYGC>{{cite book | last = Newman | first = Bernard | title = One hundred years of good company | year = 1957 | publisher = [[Ruston & Hornsby]] | location = Lincoln | pages=75–6}}</ref> the business was transferred to Grantham and the Reddish works closed some time during the [[Great Depression|great depression]] following [[World War I|WWI]].<ref name=OHYGC/> Cronin indicates that the works were still in operation in 1930.<ref name="Cronin 82">Cronin, p82.</ref> The Atlas wire rope works closed in 1927.<ref>Ashmore, pp 45, 86.</ref>

Reddish took its share of the decline in Lancashire cotton production and finishing. Broadstone Mills ceased production in 1959;<ref>Holden p168, Ashmore p84, Arrowsmith p258.</ref> Reddish Mills closed in 1958 with the loss of 350-400 jobs;<ref>Cronin p58</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=TWO COTTON MILLS TO CLOSE |work=[[The Times]] |publisher=The Times |page= 10|date=1958-10-28 }}</ref> Spur Mill followed in 1972;<ref>Ashmore p85, Cronin p79.</ref> and the long-lived Reddish Vale printworks closed by 1975;<ref>Ashmore p85.</ref> Albert Mill continued to trade as R. Greg and co under new ownership, but finally closed in 1982.<ref name="Cronin 82"/> Ashmore wrote in 1975 that "Stockport has ceased to be a cotton town."<ref>Ashmore p27.</ref>

The decline of Broadstone Mills was accompanied by high farce. In November 1958 the company sold a number of spinning mules as scrap for just over £3,000. By agreement, the machines remained in the mill over the winter. A small number had been broken and removed by April 1959, when the government announced a compensation package for firms that agreed to scrap spinning capacity. As the title in the mules had passed to the scrapman, it was decided that the company was not entitled to compensation amounting to over £60,000, despite the fact that the machinery was still on its premises. Actions in the [[High Court of Justice|High Court]] and the [[Court of Appeal of England and Wales|Court of Appeal]] in 1965 were fruitless.<ref>{{cite news |title=SOURCE OF RUEFUL REFLECTION |work=[[The Times]] |publisher=The Times |page=5 |date=1965-03-24 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=ELIMINATED TOO SOON |work=[[The Times]] |publisher=The Times |page=5 |date=1965-10-19}}</ref>

Some of the mills vacated by the spinners found other uses. The Reddish Spinning Company's mill was taken over by V. & E. Friedland who became the world's largest manufacture of doorbells; an extension to the mill won several architectural awards.<ref>{{cite news |title=Now MBB spotlight will fall on Europe |work = [[Manchester Evening News]] |date = 3 August 1994 | quote=CARADON Friedland of Reddish, the world's leading maker of doorbells and chimes&nbsp;...}}</ref> The mill is now residential. Broadstone Mill was partly demolished, but now houses small commercial units.<ref>{{cite news | title = Opportunities knock for entrepreneur Richard | url = http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/business/s/231/231151_opportunities_knock_for_entrepreneur_richard.html | work = Manchester Evening News | publisher = Manchester Evening News | date = 2006-12-19 | access-date = 2007-01-02 }}</ref> Regeneration efforts at Houldsworth Mill were instrumental in Stockport Council winning British Urban Regeneration Association's award for best practice in regeneration.<ref>{{cite news | title = Stockport awarded Houldsworth honour | url = http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/business/s/179/179995_stockport_awarded_houldsworth_honour.html | work = Manchester Evening News | publisher = Manchester Evening News | date = 1 November 2005 | access-date = 2006-11-10}}</ref> £12 million has been spent to convert the mill into mixed use.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.princes-regeneration.org/pmwiki.php?n=RTH.HouldsworthMill |title=Houldsworth Mill: The Prince's Regeneration Trust |access-date=2006-11-10 |date=17 October 2006 |publisher=The Prince's Regeneration Trust |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927164449/http://www.princes-regeneration.org/pmwiki.php?n=RTH.HouldsworthMill |archive-date=September 27, 2007 }}</ref> The area around Houldsworth mill is now designated as a conservation area.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.stockport.gov.uk/2013/2978/8803/9020/12299/houldsworthca| title = Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council - Houldsworth (1981)| access-date = 5 April 2010| work = Stockport MBC web pages| publisher = Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref>
 {{cite web 
 |url=http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/business/commercialproperty/s/144/144599_60m_scheme_to_launch_reddish_urban_village.html 
 |title=£60 m scheme to launch Reddish urban village 
 |access-date=2006-11-10 
 |date=1 February 2005 
 |work=Manchester Online 
 |publisher=GMG Regional Digital 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051223175920/http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/business/commercialproperty/s/144/144599_60m_scheme_to_launch_reddish_urban_village.html 
 |archive-date=2005-12-23 
 |url-status=dead 
 }}</ref>

===Brewing, pubs and clubs===
[[File:Houldsworth WMC.jpg|thumb|Houldsworth WMC. Also used as a church and school before dedicated buildings were built.]]Reddish has been home to at least three breweries. Richard Clarke & Co brewed in the area for over 100 years, before being taken over, and later closed, by [[Boddingtons]] in 1962.<ref>{{cite news|title=40 years ago |url=http://www.stockportexpress.co.uk/nostalgia/s/10/10380_comic_is_star_of_jollywood.html |work=Stockport Express |publisher=Guardian Media Group |date=2002-12-10 |access-date=2006-10-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060929053138/http://www.stockportexpress.co.uk/nostalgia/s/10/10380_comic_is_star_of_jollywood.html |archive-date=2006-09-29 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = Boddingtons' bid £1M. for R. Clarke | work = The Times | page = 13 | date = 1962-12-08}}</ref> David Pollard's eponymous brewery opened in the former print works in Reddish Vale in 1975, moving out to Bredbury in 1978; the business went into liquidation in 1982.<ref name=Jones>{{cite book | editor = Jones, Rhys P | title = Viaduct and vaults: a celebration of Stockport's pubs | year = 1991 | location = St Albans | publisher = CAMRA Ltd | isbn = 1-85249-054-3 | page = 43 }}</ref> The small 3 Rivers Brewery started brewing in Reddish in 2003 but had ceased brewing when the company was wound up in 2009.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.3riversbrewery.co.uk/history.html| title = History page| access-date = 2006-10-30| publisher = 3 Rivers Brewery| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071009182925/http://www.3riversbrewery.co.uk/history.html| archive-date = 2007-10-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=WebCHeck |url=http://wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk//wcframe?name=accessCompanyInfo |publisher=Companies House |access-date=6 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081229053844/http://wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk/ |archive-date=29 December 2008 }}</ref>

The pub stock is not well-regarded: "Never offering the best selection of pubs in the borough, it is now easily the worst area for real ale availability&nbsp;..."<ref name=SPG>{{cite web|url=http://www.stockportpubs.org.uk/areas3.html#REDD |title=Stockport Pub Guide M-Z |access-date=2006-10-30 |last=Edwardson |first=Peter |date=28 October 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060716084644/http://www.stockportpubs.org.uk/areas3.html#REDD |archive-date=2006-07-16 |url-status=dead }}</ref> is a typical description. It has been suggested that this may be a consequence of [[Robert Hyde Greg]]'s disapproval of alcohol,<ref name=Godfrey/> (due to the alcoholism of an uncle of his father, see also [[Samuel Greg]]).
The pubs are supplemented by several [[Working men's club|working men's]] and political clubs. The Houldsworth WMC was awarded a [[blue plaque]] by Stockport MBC in December 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stockport.gov.uk/content/councildemoc/council/campaigns/blueplaquewinners/ |title=Blue Plaque Winners |access-date=2007-02-08 |work=Stockport MBC web site }} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> Reddish WMC was founded by in 1845 by millowner Robert Hyde Greg as a [[Mechanics' Institute]] and Library. Its members claim it to be the oldest club registered with the [[Working Men's Club and Institute Union|CIU]].<ref>In the early stages of the blue plaque campaign that saw the Houldsworth WMC honoured, the council's web site mistakenly listed and described Reddish WMC. The web page was originally at [http://www.stockport.gov.uk/content/councildemoc/council/campaigns/blueplaqueselection/reddishworkingmensclub www.stockport.gov.uk/content/councildemoc/council/campaigns/blueplaqueselection/reddishworkingmensclub]{{dead link|date=October 2013}}, now removed, and stated "The club was founded by Robert Hyde Greg in 1845 as a Mechanics Institute and Library and located within the Albert Mills. It was acknowledged to be the oldest club on the Club and Institute Union Register. From 1878, it occupied part of the Albert British School until 1891, when a new building was erected on the present site."</ref><ref>{{cite news | first = Alex | last = Scapens | title = Club celebrates its 150 year history | url = http://www.stockportexpress.co.uk/news/s/532/532001_club_celebrates_its_150_year_history.html | work = Stockport Express | publisher = M.E.N media | date = 29 August 2007 | access-date = 2007-09-21}}

Sandfold brewing, which used to be called 3 rivers.</ref>