Stretford Cemetery, Lime Road, Stretford

In March 1883, the Stretford Local Board announced that it was prepared to receive designs for a Cemetery Chapel, Lodge, Registrar's House, Office, Entrance Gates, and for Laying Out the Proposed Grounds on a six-acre site off Edge Lane. Originally a site for a cemetery had been chosen near the Stretford Gas works, but had been abandoned for one situated on the south westerly side of the Altrincham Railway and a quarter of a mile from Stretford station. There would be an approach road 470 yards in length and 14 feet wide from Edge Lane. The original cemetery occupied the south-west corner of the present cemetery.  By 1932 it had been extended northwards, doubling in size and further extension to the west has taken place since. The lodge at the entrance to the original cemetery was still shown on the 1932 OS map but has been demolished.

According to Pevsner, John Shaw, (father or son?) a landscape gardener, of Bowdon, designed the axial cemetery layout. However, no contemporary evidence for this has been found.  The competition required architects submit proposals for laying out the site and the report on the competition published in the British Architect indicates that this was done. Thus, it would appear more probable that Bellamy and Hardy were also responsible for the layout at Stretford, having previously designed the layouts for London Road Cemetery, Newark (1855) and Stoke on Trent Cemetery (1860) the latter won in competition.

Progress was slow and it was not until late December 1883 that tenders were invited for the forming and draining of the new cemetery site.  The contractor appointed is unknown but work was underway by June 1884 when contractors were sought to tender for the cemetery buildings. Two sets of classified advertisements were published a month apart with tenders finally set to be returned by 5 August 1884. The lack of urgency continued and it was not until the meeting of the Local Board on 2 December 1884 that Hampson and West were appointed contractors for the cemetery buildings, eighteen months after the competition results had been announced.

TO ARCHITECTS AND OTHERS - The Stretford Local Board are prepared to receive designs for a Cemetery Chapel, Lodge, Registrar's House, Office, Entrance Gates, and for Laying Out the Proposed Grounds. The Board offer premiums of £30, £20 and £10 respectively for the designs that may be selected. Plans of the site, and conditions of the competition, may be had on application to Mr Royle, 5 Windsor Terrace, Old Trafford, Manchester. Designs to be sent in on or before 21 April next. – By order Henry Whitworth, Clerk to the Board. Manchester 16 March 1883. [Manchester Guardian 17 March 1883 page 1] [Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser 17 March 1883 page 8]

A special meeting of the (Stretford Local) Board was held at the Stretford Town Hall on the 24th ult. for the purpose of awarding the premiums for designs submitted for the building and laying out of the proposed cemetery for the district. The premiums were awarded as follows: Bellamy and Hardy, Lincoln, £30; and Messrs Mangnall and Littlewoods, Manchester, £20 and £10 respectively. [Manchester Guardian 6 June 1883 page 8]

TENDERS. - The STRETFORD LOCAL BOARD are prepared to receive TENDERS for FORMING and DRAINING their NEW CEMETERY and the approach road to the same, at Edge Lane, Stretford. For plans, specifications, and quantities, apply to Mr H Royle, surveyor, 5, Windsor-terrace, Old Trafford. Tenders to be delivered to the undersigned on or before the 5th day January, 1884. The board do not bind themselves to accept the lowest or any tender. HENRY WHITWORTH, clerk to Local Board. 96, King-street, Manchester, December 21st, 1883. [Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser 22 December 1883 page 8]

The Stretford Local Board are prepared to receive the names of builders who are willing to tender for the ERECTION of a CHAPEL and LODGE at their new cemetery, Edge Lane, Stretford. Communications may be addressed to the architects, Messrs Bellamy and Hardy, Lincoln, on or before the 14th day of July next. -By order. Henry Royle, Surveyor 5 Windsor Terrace, Old Trafford. 27 June 1884. [Manchester Guardian 28 June 1884 page 9]

The Stretford Local Board are prepared to receive tenders for the ERECTION of a CHAPEL and REGISTRAR’S HOUSE upon the land now being laid out as a cemetery at Stretford. Plans, specifications and conditions may be inspected and bills of quantities obtained on application to Mr Royle, surveyor, 5 Windsor Terrace, Old Trafford, or to Messrs Bellamey and Hardy, architects, Lincoln. Tenders, to be addressed to the undersigned and endorsed “Tender for Cemetery Buildings” on or before the 5th day of August next. The Board do not bind themselves to accept the lowest or any tender. Henry Whitworth, Clerk to the Stretford Local Board 95 King Street, Manchester. 26 July 1884. [Manchester Guardian 26 July 1884 page 4]

STRETFORD LOCAL BOARD – The monthly meeting of the Stretford Local Board was held last evening. The minutes of the Cemetery Committee stated that it had been decided to accept the tender of Mr J Dickison of Battersea for the erection of a mortuary chapel, etc. at the new cemetery. Mr Gibson said he objected to the contract being given to a man in London, and thought the Committee could surely have found a local firm to do this work equally as cheaply and as well. He moved that this portion of the minutes be referred back to the Committee. Mr Bowden seconded the motion, which was supported by Mr Wainwright and passed. [Manchester Guardian 5 November 1884 page 6]

STRETFORD LOCAL BOARD – The monthly meeting of the Stretford Local Board was held last evening. On the motion of Mr Gibson, seconded by Dr Blackley, the tender of Messrs Hampson and West, contractors, for the erection of chapel and registrar’s house at the new cemetery for £2,300 was accepted. [Manchester Guardian 3 December 1884 page 6]

Reference        Manchester Courier 22 December 1883 page 8 - contracts – formation and drainage
Reference        Manchester Guardian 28 June 1884 page 9 – contracts, cemetery buildings
Reference        Manchester Courier 28 June 1884 page 8 - contracts, cemetery buildings
Reference        Manchester Guardian 26 July 1884 page 4 – contracts, cemetery buildings
Reference        Manchester Courier 26 July 1884 page 8 - contracts, cemetery buildings
Reference        Manchester Guardian 5 November 1884 page 6 – tender review
Reference        Manchester Guardian 3 December 1884 page 6 – tender accepted