The History of Hazel Grove

Or should it be Bullock Smithy?

The Coat of arms of Bullock Smithy

(from cover of 150th anniversary brochure
originally taken from a china jug).

There have been a number of publications which examine the History of Hazel Grove.

Among these are "A short History of Hazel Grove- from olden times", by R.J. Fletcher,
"Hazel Grove or Bullock Smithy? - A village History trail", by the Stockport Historical Society,
"The History of Hazel Grove and Bramhall", by D H Trowsdale, BA
and the more recent 150th Anniversary of Hazel Grove Brochure published in 1986.

These short pages aim to act as a guide to the information presented in these publications and the other sources (listed at the end) and I have attempted to build a time line mentioning events and personalities as they appear in the references.
As with all historical work inaccuracies will appear, so please let me know via history@hazel-grove.com if I've got anything wrong or am missing some vital information.

Why Hazel Grove?

The area which today is known as Hazel Grove describes a village which straddles 4 old manors, namely Bramhall, Handforth in Bosden, Torkington and Norbury.  These Manors date back to ancient times and Bramale (Bramhall) and Nordberie (Norbury) are mentioned in the Doomsday book of 1087.
It is unusual for a village to straddle 4 ancient manors and five parishes, this has caused problems with management of the Grove in the past, when government was based on parish councils [ 2].
Although today the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport quite happily administers the Village without too much dispute.

The village was not always known as Hazel Grove,  prior to 1836 it was known as Bullock Smithy, after either a Smithy run by a Richard Bullock from 1560 (when he acquired land from John Torkenton) or an Inn of the same name which was near the Smithy [1, 2, 3].

The development of the village from early times has been based on travel south from Manchester to London and Derby.  The village is situated 9 miles from Manchester which has always made it a convenient stop on route.
This is true today as many still travel through the Grove down the much lamented A6 trunk Road in the direction of Macclesfield (A523) or Buxton (A6).  Although the main stop en-route nowadays is a traffic jam through the much congested village centre.
Many people commute daily to Manchester City centre from either the Grove or further south (passing through the Grove) and this has led to many discussions as regards traffic regulation and bypasses for the heavily congested central village area.

Historically the Grove/Bullock Smithy is known for its proliferation of inns and beer houses.  This has caused the village to have quite a doubtful reputation [1] and still today (2002) the Grove is full of meeting places for people having a large number of pubs, restaurants and takeaways for a small village.

It is possible that the change of name from Bullock Smithy to Hazel Grove was an attempt to put the villages
unruly past behind it. Some say a certain Mr. Thomas Ashworth, Steward of Poynton in 1835, did not like his address as Bullock Smithy.  Although officially the committee which changed the name, under its chairman Mr. Daniel Shaw
of Bosden, on 29th August 1836, claimed it wanted to 'revive' the ancient name of Hazel Grove rather than remove
the uncouth name of Bullock Smithy.

There is much discussion as to if this 'Ancient name' actually was used in ancient times.
The closest historical use of a similar name is Hessel Grave which was an area fairly near the Grove (up near the Robin Hood Pub in High Lane about 1 mile towards Buxton) which R. J Fletcher [2] explains means a gravel pit belonging to a man named Hessel. He also explains that a Hessler was a nut gatherer.
However N.H. Turner in the 150th Anniversary booklet  [1] disagrees with this, claiming the name is based on plantations or groves of ancient Hazel trees in the Threaphurst and Windlehurst area of Norbury.

Whatever the reason behind the name change celebrating it  was certainly popular, as 3000 villagers took part in a parade in 1836, with a total of 5000 people attending celebrations at the time, which involved much drinking and eating.

The popularity for celebrating this name change has not waned over time and similar celebrations took place in 1886, 1936 and 1986.  Parades, ceremonial medals and a big party are obviously waiting for 2036 to come along.
 

The Coat of arms.

 
Arms of the Hazel Grove and Bramhall Urban District Council
(from cover of 150th anniversary brochure)

Further up the page we showed the coat of arms of the original Bullock smithy.  I have not found any explanation
of its meaning, but the items in the Coat of Arms of the 'new' Hazel Grove are clearly described by R.J. Fletcher [2].

The lion in the top quadrant stands for the Arms of the Bromales (A.D. 1160). The 5 nuts stand for the five parishes
of Bramhall, Bosden, Norbury, Offerton and Torkington. The Sheaf of Corn, Cheshire.
 

Time Line

Roman Times.
        No existence of any settlement or Roman Camp but possibility a road existed near to Stepping Hill [2]

1005 AD 'there may have been a Preaching Cross or Broadoak in Norbury' for religious means [6]

Norman Times
        Doomsday book (1086) describes three districts of Norbury, Offerton and Bramhall.

1086 Manor of Norbury mentioned in Doomsday book. as Nordberie.
        Nordberie was held by Brun in 1066 and  Bigot de Loges in 1086.
        Estimates to population of this manor were 4 to 9 people
        Name meant 'Northern Manor House or fortification'
        Norbury includes townships of Norbury, Torkington and Offerton. [5]

1190 Norbury becomes property of Thomas de Norburie and his decendents.[5]

1220 approx. Richard of Nordburie gives vill of Norbery to Robert de Hyde. [5]

1465 Hamnet Hyde, the Lord of the Manor of Norbury is granted license to build a Private Chapel
        in the Township. [6]

1560 Richard Bullock of Torkenton buys land to establish Bullock Smithy off John Torkenton of Torkenton. [2]

1672 John Jollie non-conformist preacher and supporters break down door of Norbury Chapel, when locked out by
        prospective congregation as he arrives hoping to preach inside. [6]

1675 Bullock Smithy Inn is reputed to have been built. [3]

end 1690s Hyde family sells Norbury to Legh family of Lyme [5]

1754 Through coaches to London are using Road to Buxton in this year [3]

1762 Three Tuns Inn Built on London road at boundary of Norbury and Bramhall.
         License to sell ale granted to Owner Thomas Mosely in 1770. [3]

1765 Cock Inn (later the Game Cock, and today the Cock Inn) was built by David Marsland on the London Road. [4]

1780 Building made on site of George and Dragon Inn, but may not have been a Pub. [4]

1788 Richard Thornily sets up as master cotton spinner buying cotton from Samuel Oldknow in Hillgate. [4]

1790s Hazel Grove Inn, now known as Grove Inn Built on London Road. [4]

1794 Richard Thornily and his Brother George Thornily begin weaving check and fustian, hard wearing fabrics. [4]

1795 License for The Grapes Public House is owned by James Ward.  Situated next to another inn the Three Tuns, rivalry between  the landlords has been reported since. [3]

1812 Bulls Head Pub has a license to sell ale with John Martin as its landlord. [3]

1815 John Upton is Landlord of the Rising Sun pub, 'a convenient distance from Manchester.... where horses were stabled for hire' [3]

1820 London Road Hazel Grove Widened as part of new road building [4]
        Red Lion Pub rebuilt as part of this to later be demolished in 1990s.

1833 13th May. Foundation stone for St Thomas' Norbury (Norbury Parish Church) lain by the Mayor of Stockport, J.K. Winterbotton Esq. [6]

1834 2nd July, Church of St. Thomas' Norbury consecrated to the worship of Almighty God, according to the rules and ceremonies of the United Church of England. [6]

1836 26th September, a great celebration and a procession of nearly 6000, including the local dignitaries, representing the churches,   schools and Friendly Societies, takes place in the Grove to celebrate the name change from Bullock Smithy to Hazel Grove.

1836 Stone saying "The Village of Hazel Grove, 1796" is cut by Issac Broadhurst for Red Lion pub. [2,3]

1838 George and Dragon Inn owned by Ambrose Dransfield (toll gate keeper for the London Road) [4]

1845 Robert Fletcher, writer of the short history is born in Poynton. [4]

1851 Samuel Penney (1851-1932) Local Historian, Active Wesleyan Church member and conductor of the local Hazel Grove band was born. [4]

1852 Attempts made to open a Co-Operative store in the Grove, but failed. [4]

1857 Railway line is built by Stockport, Disley & Whaley Bridge Railway Company. Hazel Grove Station now stands on this line. [3]

1860 First Co-Operative store opens in the Grove. [4]

1858 or prior to 1858 Hazel Grove Police station is built on corner of Commercial Road and London Road, where once a gravel pit stood. [4]

1870 Woodman Inn recording as being on its present site on London Road. [4]

1870 Civic Hall is built at cost of £1285 by Mechanics' Institute. [3]

1872 Hazel Grove Co-Operative Society Shop (Branch No 3) and offices move to near its present site. [4]

1886 Celebration of fifty years of Hazel Grove held. 3096 people take part, including 12 bands.
        3168 medals are printed with one side using the die of the original Hazel Grove 1836 coin and the other with the words.
        'In commemoration of the Ancient name of Hazel Grove' around the coin and
        Revival Celebrated 26th Sep. 1836.
        Jubilee 25th Sep. 1886. [2].

1887 Hazel Grove Drainage Area is set up, officalising the name of Hazel Grove to the Area previously known as Bullock Smithy [2]

1889 Stockport and Hazel grove Tramway Company Ltd., open terminus for horse drawn Trams at Bulls Head Pub. [3]

1891 Land belonging to the Cock Inn on London Road  is sold to the Hazel Grove Co-Operative Society. [4]

1898 Jubilee fountain erected outside Rising Sun Pub with '2 metal cups for humans, 2 troughs for horses and 4 for dogs'.   The fountain is later demolished when the road junction is changed. [3]

1900 Hazel Grove and Bramhall Urban District Council of elected representatives formed, to administer growing township. [7]  Elections were held on 30th October 1900 [2]

1908 Crowd gathered outside old Post Office on payment of first old age pension
            It is said that they sang 'Praise God from whom all blessings flow' [4]

1919 Motor Omnibus Service starts replacing horse drawn trams to Stockport [3]

1923 War Memorial and Gardens opened by Hazel Grove and Bramhall Urban District Council. [7]

1935 Woodman Inn sold to Robinsons Brewery . [4]

1981 The Rebuilt Full Gospel (Tabernacle) Church opens on London Road [4]
 

Classic Quotes

(Bullock Smithy aka Hazel Grove) 'one of the most famous villages for all manner of wickedness' - John Wesley 1787  [1, 3]

'Having visited Bullock Smithy, I am of the opinion that there is no place in his Majesty's dominion where a Church is more wanted.'       -Inspector from Chester reporting to Church Commissioners in 1827 [6]

References.


1. 1836, 150 years on from Bullock Smithy, A souvenir Brochure Commemorating the 150th Anniversary of Hazel Grove, 26th September 1986

2. A Short History of Hazel Grove, from olden times, by R. J. Fletcher, first printed 1901, reprinted May 1994 by M. T. D Rigg Publications ,1a Renton Avenue, Guiseley, Leeds LS20 8EE

3. Hazel Grove or Bullock Smithy, A Village History Trail, Compiled by members of the Hazel Grove Local History Group, Published by Stockport Historical Society in association with Stockport Metropolitan Borough Recreation and Culture Division 1982.

4. Hazel Grove, T'other end o' village, A village History Trail,  Compiled by members of the Hazel grove local history Group, Published by Stockport Historical Society in association with Stockport Metropolitan Borough Recreation and Culture Division 1985.

5. The History of Hazel Grove and Bramhall, by T. H. Trowsdale, BA Volume One Second Edition, Published by D H Trowsdale, Hazel Grove, 1976, ISBN 0 9504775 1 6

6. The Norbury Parish Story, by N. H. Turner

7. Hazel grove or Bullock Smithy? A Glimpse of the Past!, Hazel Grove Carnival and Field Day Brochure 15th July 2000.

Above compiled by Phillip A. Errington PhD, 2001.

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