Easy does it in 1905 (From Prestwich and Whitefield Guide)

Easy does it in 1905

6:40am Thursday 28th January 2010

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THIS week, we capture a view of Prestwich Village as it looked during the middle of the Edwardian era.

At this time in 1905, 13,622 people lived in the town of Prestwich.

In the middle of Bury New Road, a man with a horse and trap has just passed the newly-built bank building.

The building, which had a high-pitched roof, was a branch of the Union Bank of Manchester.

Before the bank could be constructed, developers had to demolish a draper’s shop kept by Miss Elizabeth Ann Seddon, who lived to be 100 years old.

The easy pace of life is shown in the picture as an Edwardian lady strolls across the main road.

In the distance there are electric trams, a new form of transport, running along Bury New Road.

It was in 1902 that the Post Office opened in Longfield.

Just 11 postmen were responsible for five collections and three deliveries of mail each day.

In fact, this postcard of the village was franked Prestwich on October 5, 1905.

It was also in 1905 that the local cricket club moved from Stack Meadow to a new ground at The Heys. The old ground was used to build houses in Highfield Road and to create allotments. The 2010 cricket organisation is called Prestwich Cricket, Tennis and Bowling Club with three adult cricket teams and facilities for juniors too.

On the right of the picture stands the Wilton Arms Hotel, which was built in 1836 and named after the coat of arms of the Earls of Wilton. The pub is still open today.

* Photograph courtesy of Craig Brisbane. Information courtesy of local historian Ian Pratt.

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