Harpurhey

History

Harpurhey is recorded in 1320 as Harpourhey, meaning "hedged enclosure by a man called Harpour", who owned the area in the 14th century.

This small township, at one time called Harpurhey with Gotherswick, lies on both sides of the road from Manchester to Middleton, extending westward to the Irk. In 1830 it was described as abounding in pleasant views. It has long been a suburb of Manchester.

Governance

Harpurhey was included in the Parliamentary borough of Manchester from its creation but was not taken into the municipal borough until 1885. It ceased to be a township in 1896, becoming part of the new township of North Manchester.

Harpurhey is represented on Manchester City Council by three Labour Party councillors:

It is within the Blackley and Broughton constituency, which has been represented in the House of Commons by Labour MP Graham Stringer since 2010. Harpurhey is one of the most economically deprived areas within the Greater Manchester area.

Geography

Harpurhey is located above the midpoint of the Greater Manchester Urban Area, 2.3 miles (3.7 km) north east of Manchester City Centre. To the north, Harpurhey is bordered by Blackley, to the west by Crumpsall, to the east by Moston and by Collyhurst and Monsall to the south.

Landmarks

Harpurhey Edwardian Swimming Baths, situated on Rochdale Road was built between 1909-10 by Henry Price, Manchester's first City Architect. Listed grade II in (1994), the baths were closed to the public in 2001 after serious defects were discovered and the entrance building is currently being restored as part of the college. The women's pool hall and laundry have now been replaced by the MANCAT's sixth form college and community library.

Bernard Manning's "World Famous Embassy Club", situated on Rochdale Road was bought by Bernard Manning in 1959. Previous to its purchase by Manning, the Embassy Club was Harpurhey's Temperance Billiard Hall.

Queen's Park, was one of Britains first municipal parks created in 1846; designed and laid out by Joshua Major in 1845. The park was originally arranged around Hendham Hall, home of the Houghton family however this was demolished in 1884. The park incorporated a labyrinth, sheds and greenhouses however by 1930, these had been removed from the park. Today the park has a children's play area, rose gardens and hosts a variety of community events.

Transport

Harpurhey is served by a number of bus services on the main Rochdale Road (A664) corridor, as well as non-radial services to and from Salford Shopping Precinct and Oldham.

Services Include:
First Greater Manchester Services 17, 18, 52, 53, 64, 162, 163
JPT Services 17 and 118
Bluebird Bus Service 112

Additionally the Manchester Metrolink light rail tram system has two stations which are close to Harpurhey - one at Monsall and one at Central Park (North Manchester Business Park, which borders Newton Heath).

Religion

There are a number churches in the district of various denominations. The church affiliated to the Church of England is Christchurch Harpurhey, built in 1838. St Stephen's was founded in 1899 and closed in 1985, where is merged with Harpurhey United Church which became Harpurhey Community Church.

Other churches include Park View Christ the Vine and Deeper Life.

Harpurhey is in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Salford, and the Church of England Diocese of Manchester.

Manchester General Cemetery in Harpurhey was founded in 1837 and is still open to existing grave-owners. Although now a municipal cemetery, it is believed that Harpurhey cemetery was originally a private undertaking taken over by the municipal authority in 1868. Harpurhey Cemetery became the final resting place of Hannah Beswick (in 1868), the Manchester Mummy. and Benjamin Brierley (1825–1896).

Education

There are three schools in the local area and they cater for children aged between the age 3-11. They are Holy Trinity CofE Primary School, Mount Carmel RC Primary School and Oasis Academy Harpur Mount.

The new Manchester Communication Academy is situated at the junction of Queens Road and Rochdale Road in Harpurhey. It is run in conjunction with BT, Manchester City Council and The Manchester College catering for 11- to 18-year-olds. There are many other schools in the neighbouring wards catering for 11- to 16-year-olds including The Co-operative Academy of Manchester, Manchester Creative and Media Academies and St Matthew's RC High School.

Sport

North City Family and Fitness Centre

North City Family & Fitness Centre is a centre combining leisure facilities with a Sure Start Centre, situated just off Rochdale Road next to the North City Shopping Centre and Market.

The centre includes a 25 metre, five lane swimming pool with a movable pool floor designed to help young, elderly and disabled people.

There is a health suite which includes spa pool, sauna and steam rooms, and a gymnasium.

The Centre also offers an exercise studio with a programme of fitness classes and martial arts for people of all ages.

Public services

Policing in Harpurhey is provided by Greater Manchester Police have a part-time station which is located on Moston Lane and comes under the command of North Manchester (A) Division. The opening times are 10:00 am – 6:00 pm (Monday to Saturday) and closed on Sunday.

Notable people

The following people were born in Harpurhey:
Anthony Burgess (1917-1993) was a novelist, critic, composer, librettist, poet, playwright, screenwriter, essayist, travel writer, broadcaster, translator, linguist and educationalist.

Pat McDonagh (1934-2014) was a British fashion designer who became an important figure in Canadian fashion.

Andy Robert Wilkinson (born 1960), better known by his stage name Smug Roberts, is an English stand up comedian and actor.