Barton Power Station

Dave: 2nd Jan 2007 - 16:38 GMT

Dave: 2nd Jan 2007 - 16:46 GMT

Barton Swing Bridge near the Trafford Centre

Dave: 2nd Jan 2007 - 16:54 GMT

Barton Bridge was completed on the 17th July, 1761. It was built by James Brindley, and shows the bridge looking downstream and the road bridge is behind. The old bridge was removed for the opening of Manchester Ship Canal, c1894.

Dave: 2nd Jan 2007 - 16:57 GMT

The picture shows a paddle steamer. c1900, which was twin funnelled and used for pleasure trips to Liverpool. The aqueduct is on the right hand side and the road bridge on the left hand side.

Dave: 2nd Jan 2007 - 16:59 GMT

Dave: 2nd Jan 2007 - 17:09 GMT

The construction of the Manchester Ship Canal resulted in the need to replace the famous stone aqueduct at Barton, which had been constructed as part of the Bridgewater Canal in the eighteenth century. The old stone road bridge was also removed and replaced. Here the old road bridge is partially dismantled with a temporary wooden structure connecting the two river banks. A stretch of temporary railway line can be seen on the left, laid to ferry materials around the construction site.

joey: 3rd Jan 2007 - 03:02 GMT

wow. a lot of hits and no comments. extreme before and after. i enjoyed my visit.

Andrew Smith: 3rd Jan 2007 - 23:22 GMT

Dave - Thanks for posting these. How long ago was the power station demolished?

I travel over the road swing bridge to work, then through Trafford Park and passed Old Trafford. Am I right in thinking the Bridgewater canal swingbridge is one of the few places in the world where a waterway passes over another waterway (& in Eccles!) + not forgetting Barton airport, which was Britain's first municipal airport (technically also in Eccles, though I count anywhere this side of Brookhouse as Irlam).

Local history is ace, everyone should get into it! (at least I think people should try and have a little pride &/or interest in their local history, cos, mostly, no one else will, & you look at things a bit differently as you walk around the place).

Dave: 4th Jan 2007 - 11:41 GMT

I remember it being demolished and the chimneys being blown up hundreds Watched it,it would of been around 27 years a ago.Unless some one else could give a better date ?

Yes your right it is one of a few places where a canal passes over a canal and i think it is also one of the wonders of the world not in the top seven though.

John: 4th Jan 2007 - 14:25 GMT

Here today gone tomorrow how things change so quickly if you look where the above pictures are taken and see them now.
B&q the Trafford Centre,JJb its hard to look back and try to imagine what it looked like before the land was swallowed up.

Dave: 4th Jan 2007 - 16:11 GMT

Andy - Found a bit of information on Barton Power Station

Barton Power Station was constructed in the 1920s and was one of the most advanced power stations of the time, receiving coal from barges on the Bridgewater Canal. The Power Station closed in March of 1974, and was demolished at the end of the 1970s.
I Have been told it was blown up around 78-79.

And in case anyone ask,s Fred Dibnah did not blow it up he lost the contract.

Andrew Smith: 4th Jan 2007 - 16:55 GMT

Cheers Dave, I was very young in the late 70's but do have hazy memories of the power station.

Dave: 5th Jan 2007 - 00:27 GMT

I can,t belive how many hits this site has had many thanks but pls leave comments good or bad.
Thanks Dave

Bob: 5th Jan 2007 - 01:04 GMT

Well done Dave getting so many hits also great photos of your area i wish i had photos of the area i lived in i have so many memories of where i used to live.I might try and do a post of my own.

Great Site citynoise

Bob

Jack: 5th Jan 2007 - 01:15 GMT

Dont know the place put i now have a little more info than i did more write up Dave its letting you down

Gerry: 8th Feb 2007 - 21:05 GMT

I came across this item when I was looking for a picture of Barton Power Station for "my memoirs". I worked there in 1968 when it was still running. Previously I had worked at Trafford Power Station-- thanks!

Dave: 11th Feb 2007 - 14:51 GMT

Thanks Gerry
Where was Trafford Power Station and what's there now ?
Also do you have any photo's ?
Thanks Dave

Gerry: 16th Feb 2007 - 16:34 GMT

Hello Dave,
Trafford Power Station was on the Bridgewater Canal, roughly where M/C United's car park is now.I have a streetmap and a photo. How do I copy them to here?- I have them in " My pictures" I've tried the 'Upload Photos' but nothing happens. Help!

anon (localhost): 17th Feb 2007 - 16:40 GMT

Hi Gerry
If you press the upload photos which i guess you did.
Then a page will open that reads upload photo,s.
Then press Browse.
Then find the Picture you what to upload in (your)My pictures.
Then press upload.
If the photo is less than 600 pixels wide it will upload.
If it says unable to upload because more than 600 pixels.
You will have to make the picture smaller to change the pixel size(there might be an easier way but this is the way i do it).
You will need a software ie paintshop pro or any other software you have that changes or adjusts Photos.
I hope this helps if you cant do it send the photo to me at bestseller@ntlworld.com and i will adjust the photo if i can and put it on the site.

Dave

Dave: 17th Feb 2007 - 19:57 GMT

Hi Gerry
I missed a little bit at the end
If your photo does upload you will notice some numbers in Type your comment here
Leave them there and if you want to type comments about your photo then do so under them numbers(the letters and numbers is your photo so dont touch)
Once you have done that then press post your comment
Then your page will refresh and show what ever you posted
Hope this helps you Gerry
Dave

Tom: 18th Mar 2007 - 14:13 GMT

Good article! I thought you might like to have a look at the gallery on www.urmston.net, there are plenty more pictures in there.

Meanwhile, heres some piccies for you

Tom: 18th Mar 2007 - 16:03 GMT

Tom: 18th Mar 2007 - 16:05 GMT

The second image is Carrington Power Station, just 2-3 miles from Barton power station, demolished in the 1990's.

Irlam Ferry crosses the Ship canal and is roughly between the 2 stations, it is currently not in use.

This image is Trafford Park, 1902, on the boundary between Stretford and Davyhulme.

Mike Woolf: 15th Apr 2007 - 22:13 GMT

I grew up in the '50s in Boscombe Avenue in Barton. I remember the Power Station very vividly. You could see it across the MSC and I distincly remember the fading camouflage paint on both chimnies from the second world war.Thanks - an interesting read.

dave young: 6th May 2007 - 18:03 GMT

my grandad worked at the power station yeas ago i will ask him all about it an let you all no

Dave: 29th May 2007 - 19:05 GMT

Many thanks for your post Mike & Dave
If your grandad has any photo's of the area could you please scan and upload them ?
Thanks again

Mike: 3rd Jun 2007 - 08:27 GMT

I know its a long shot. But I have been searching for any info on my grandad whom i never met and died in Australia in 1990. He worked at Barton Power Station for many years. His name was Edwin (Ted) Birchall. If anyone knows the name, I would be very grateful. mjtivey at blueyonder dot co dot uk

Tony: 22nd Jun 2007 - 20:20 GMT

Cheers for the fantastic work on the site.
It's areal eye-opener to show my family (some of whom are new to the area) where I was born and what it used to look like before B & Q and the Trafford Centre.
Thanks again for the memories!

Ellie: 1st Jul 2007 - 13:02 GMT

thank you very much for this fantastic work and web page !

Steve Lonsdale: 25th Jul 2007 - 19:47 GMT

just been on your web site brings back good memories lived at adamson rd (behind the rock hotel) from 1958 until 1981 i remember fishing under the hump back bridge that led into the power station and the demolition

sandie: 5th Aug 2007 - 09:41 GMT

hi there!

this is fantastic, thank you Dave and others who have added photos. i started life out in Trafford Park (third street!) and most of my folks all worked at Trafford Carpets, formerly Textilose (spelling?). I just wondered if anyone had any photos of the old mill?

many thanks

sandie

Mark: 1st Oct 2007 - 17:36 GMT

Thanks for posting the photos of Barton power station; they have assisted me enormously with my research. I'm a legal academic in the field of environmental law and am putting the final touches to a paper on the control of emissions from coal fired power stations. Barton was the focus of litigation shortly after it opened which culminated in a major House of Lords judgment reported in 1930 (Manchester Corporation v Farnworth). The crops of a local farmer were damaged by sulphur emissions (in other words acid rain). When first built the plant had several short chimneys connected to individual boilers. Their Lordships decided that the plant should have been buit with tall chimneys in order to disperse the pollution. However, it was successfuly argued on behalf of the Corporation that it would be too expensive and impractical to reconfigure the plant with tall chimneys. An injunction against the pollution was granted but suspended pending investigation of alternative means of dealing with the sulphur emissions. It is fascinating to discover that tall chimneys appeared after all; depsite the earlier protestations about cost. I'd be interested to know when these chimneys appeared. Of course, in the long run the dispersal method turned out not to be the best method of dealing with sulphur emissions - as our Swedish neighbours would agree. It has taken many decades for plants to be fitted with flue gas desulphurization plant (FGD).

Babs: 17th Oct 2007 - 17:03 GMT

To sandie 5th Aug 2007 09-41 GMT RE TEXILOSE. Carpet Place. Mosley Rd
I also started out in 2nd street Trafford park. Worked at the factory for nearly 10yrs. Mother worked 18yrs, brother & sister also there 20yrs.This is a great site. I can remember most of the park from about 50's. Love to hear of any Trafford "Parkonians"

john taylor: 20th Dec 2007 - 20:51 GMT

along with my father,i worked for t.w.ward(dismantlers)of sheffield on the power station at barton ,i can't remember exactly how long it took to clear the site and drop the the two enormous chimneys but when i look back it feels like an age.We actually drilled the legs of the chimneys with a compressed air drill dug into the shoulder whilst in a basket ,hard work!There was much controversy at the time from the church who were worried about the vibration of the chimneys hitting the ground and shaking the belltower,i do remember the bells ringing straight after but i think it was intentional.nice to see pics,can't wait to show my dad..

Cazz B: 13th Jan 2008 - 15:26 GMT

Very informative, I like old photos especially when I'm not from the area, but can anyone tell me who now owns the land that the power station once stood on (and it's not B&Q who currently occupy the site)

Roger Barton: 13th Jan 2008 - 16:57 GMT

I lived near & attended Salford Grammar School in the early '60s and made regular trips to Barton Swing Bridge & Barton Lock on my pushbike. I remember being chased off the bridge whilst it was opening. Barton power station had an open day and me and a mate were shown round, just the two of us and one guide. There was an oil refinery there too if I remember correctly.

I was among the crowd that walked over Barton high-level bridge when it opened.

Marney: 29th Jan 2008 - 01:16 GMT

Love the old photos. Wish I could visit these places in person. Bit far for me, in Cincinnati.

Thanks. I was especially stricken by the photo with the railroad tracks which look like they are sitting atop the water. Cool!

anon (host86-155-148-49.range86-155.btcentralplus.com): 11th Feb 2008 - 19:57 GMT

to tom, re Tom: 18th Mar 2007 - 16:03 GMT
I am the photographer of the middle image, my work is held under copyright to me as this is my living, you have no permission posting this image, please remove it from the site and your machine to avoid a fee.
Cheers
Ian Glover

Alan Taylor: 27th Feb 2008 - 16:31 GMT

Dear Ian Clover,
I don't think any harm to your income was intended, or if the posting had in fact damaged your income, although I do agree with your sentiments on copyright, which everyone can read at www.templetons.com/brad/copymyths.html and should respect, but on this occasion if the site owner placed a notice with that picture clearly stating you own and retain the copyright and that for the benefit of this bulletin board you will allow it to remain.
You never know it may fetch punters your way for your other works, a form of free advertising in a way.
Lets work together on this and keep things friendly for the benefit of all, hopefully you will agree and the site owner being the only person with the capabilities to adjust/amend/delete will I am sure co-operate and I am sure if explained to "Tom" who I do not know, will give you the required assurance that no harm was intended and that he will refrain from posting any other pictures that you own copyright.
Alan [my first posting because I have only just found this site]

Alison Lawford: 18th May 2008 - 04:14 GMT

Hi Dave: Thanks for the Pictures. I walked over the swingbridge on a sunday morning, passing the Barton power station in the 60s. I now live in NSW Australia. My brother still lives over there. We were last in 2003.

Dave Moore: 17th Jun 2008 - 14:31 GMT

Stumbled on the site while attempting to get images of King Street in Stretford from the 60's and 70's. Excellent images. Brought back memories from when I worked near to Barton Bridge (Manchester Oil Refinery) in the mid sixties. Also remember the power station from when I used to walk to Old Trafford from the Seven Ways in Stretford. If anyone can remember any of the traders around Stretford and Urmston during the 50's and 60's I would love to hear from them.

Jamie: 17th Jun 2008 - 21:02 GMT

eh, she's right you know. According to wikipedia Trafford Park was the first ever planned industrial estate

Nigel Blair: 10th Aug 2008 - 12:45 GMT

Pictures brought back very happy memories of staying on my uncles boat that was moored on the canal behind the power station in the early 70s. Great site, keep up the good work.

Heather: 26th Sep 2008 - 19:38 GMT

I've thoroughly enjoyed the photos and information here. Fellow Barton and Trafford folk might like to know that the Grade 1 listed All Saint's Church (just over Barton Bridge, opposite B&Q) is trying to raise £212,532 for an epic restoration project. This beautiful E.W. Pugin creation, completed in 1868, is one of the few sites not now owed by Peel Holdings. Let's hope we can keep it that way!

Viv Shackleton: 1st Nov 2008 - 09:24 GMT

My dad is 80 on 8 November. We are taking him on a trip down memory lane. He used to live on Liverpool Road and his uncle worked on the Barton Road Swing Bridge and he used to go with him and watch him turn the bridge. We would love to take him on the bridge and see the workings of it now ( whatever they are ). Does anybody know who owns it or how we would go about this? Brilliant photos everybody.

Chris: 12th Nov 2008 - 13:24 GMT

Hi, i just wanted to says thanks! my dad (Alan Marsden) also worked at Barton right up to it closing. and i think i actually went inside with him for a tour just before it was closed. i calculate that if it closed in 74 i must have been 3-4 years old and i still remember parts of the control room and boilers. My old man even took me to see the last chimneys come down, thanks for clearing up the fred dibnah myth!

Chris: 12th Nov 2008 - 13:25 GMT

p.s. how about some photos of the site now? maybe from similar angles as the first photo of barton above.

anon (cpc2-rawt1-0-0-cust122.manc.cable.ntl.com): 2nd Dec 2008 - 17:49 GMT

Thanks for posting these pictures. I actually saw the Chimneys at Barton Power Station being demolished around the mid-seventies.(The rest was demolished later).

john scholes: 25th Jan 2009 - 23:42 GMT

Very interesting. I own one of the steam locos which worked all its life at Barton.Had many years use but now laid up.

Richard: 28th Jan 2009 - 13:50 GMT

I see there's some mention of Carrington Power Station here. I am involved with the new CCGT station that will be built on the old site. There was a launch was the other day.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1213934526/bctid8875014001

valerie margaretta: 30th Jan 2009 - 20:06 GMT

Tracing family tree ancesters I have been told that Harry Jessop whose second wife was my grandmother was in charge of the Barton Power station around the 1920@s or early 1930@s .
Can anyone please confirm or deny this for me please. I do know he was an electrician by trade.

Dave: 1st Feb 2009 - 22:20 GMT

I,d just like to thank every one for there posts on this site.....I will get some up recent photo,s as soon as i can..

Marg: 10 April 2009: 10th Apr 2009 - 04:47 GMT

Thanks everyone all these pictures help me with my family history. My ancestors had the wheelwrights at Barton and lived near Barton Bridge early 1800s.

Elsie Roberts: 6th Aug 2009 - 00:50 GMT

Great site
I lived at 254 Barton Lane Eccles. As a child was a pupil at St Catherine's Church School Two teachers a Miss Bagot and a Miss Broom.
I had to cross the Barton swing road bridge every day to get to and from school.
My younger sister and I used to walk past the Power station into Trafford Park where there was still an area called Blue Bell wood. where we picked bunches of Bluebells

I lived there until during the Blitz the house was damaged and with my parents moved to Scotland.
I live now in Queensland Australia. Aged 85 yrs young.

Anne-Marie in South Shields: 1st Sep 2009 - 09:53 GMT

My parents were married at All Saints Barton 50 yrs ago in 1959. I am from Urmston and my first student job was at GUS in Eccles in the 1970s so I crossed the swinging road bridge daily. I came across this site while gathering information about the local area for our extended family who will visit the area soon. It was a real trip down memory lane. Thankyou for taking the time and effort to compile it especially the pictures.

Kath Edwards: 9th Jan 2010 - 10:20 GMT

I have enjoyed reading all the comments and history and looking at the photos. I live in S.Wales now although born in Middleton Manchester and i have relatives buried in St Catherines. Has anyone got any photos of the church before it was demoloished ? I have been back there a few times in the hope that i might find there graves so i can add them to my family tree but no luck. I would be grateful to anyone who has info or pictures.

David Smith: 16th Jan 2010 - 02:08 GMT

Fantastic site. I write an A-Z history for the www.urmston.net website and this has been a wonderful experience to read all the entries. Excellent work by you and the contributors. The photo's entered are special and contain many not seen by myself before and I have seen hundreds. Guaranteed I will be returning to follow this some more.

Steven Dickens.: 10th Feb 2010 - 00:19 GMT

I have photos taken by my father, John Dickens, of the demolition of Barton Power Station. These are taken from the top of the Gulf Oil storage tank facility on Ashburton Road West (now Houghton) One shows just how many people turned up to view the spectacle on the day, with cars parked either side of the main road !

geoff roddis: 19th Feb 2010 - 19:45 GMT

i remember the power station chimneys could be seen from miles away
iworked at textilose for over 40 years alot of memories some good
and a lot bad.we had a brick boiler chimney which fred dibnah did
demolish with wooden props and fire in the mid eighties and it did not get
any publicity at all what a shame

anon (5e0abe5b.bb.sky.com): 21st Feb 2010 - 21:09 GMT

Many thanks again for the photos and the comments there are many photos i have around Barton i have found on the net as most if not all are copyrighted so i cant upload them.

Here is a link for all of you its a link to photos of the big ditch as it was called ie the Manchester ship canal.

This might be some intrest to David Smith as it 1 big site and there are 1000,s of old photos in there of around your area to not just the canal..

http://www.canalarchive.org.uk/stories/storylist.php

Dave: 21st Feb 2010 - 21:11 GMT

The above post seems to have come out wrong with the name anon for some reason

Thanks dave

Ian Monk: 22nd Feb 2010 - 20:19 GMT

Thanks for sharing all the fantastic pictures, my father run a fleet of canal boates in the sixties and seventies. We moored some of them along side the oil refinery at the canal swing bridge, and I can remember delivering coal to Barton Power Station on my Seventh birthday (1963).

Dave: 28th Feb 2010 - 20:03 GMT

Here is another link of the building of the Motorway over the canal..

http://www.mcrh.mmu.ac.uk/pubs/pdf/mrhr_15_little.pdf

David Smith: 17th Mar 2010 - 23:56 GMT

Thanks Dave I did know of the Canal Archive but the Barton one is interesting. I try to stick to the Urmston District and so that is worth a study.

David White: 6th May 2010 - 13:46 GMT

I also worked at both Trafford and Barton Power stations. I reckon the Gerry who commented above must be Gerry Brierley, who was my manager back then at Barton.

David White: 6th May 2010 - 13:59 GMT

OK - silly theory or not?
When I was at Trafford PS 1966-70, which was right next to United's football ground, the older guys there used to reckon that when a gas-turbine plant was being installed at the power station they put up the chimney for it - and..as soon as they started to build it United started losing. But, there was something wrong in its construction and it had to be dismantled. Sure enough, as soon as it started to be dismantled United started winning again. But, of course it had to go up again and the team started losing again. Well, "silly old so-and-sos" said we all. Anyway in the light of recent interest in Feng Sui we might like to revisit those memories. I wonder what year the gas turbine chimney was built - I'm guessing it was after WWII, but I don't know. Also, when did the first chimney go up when the power station was first built? did it coincide with United's fall into the old Second Division, and near relegation to the Third???
Well, the gas turbine chimney was finally demolished about 1968? did United play particularly well in that year? What? they did? And of course the original chimney is there no more. When did it actually get demolished? Have we now got the best team inthe country?
Well, let's hope no-one builds a gas turbine power station next to their ground any more? or training ground? What? OMG!!!

Richard Greenwood: 19th May 2010 - 16:37 GMT

I have heard tales that when Barton power station was short of coal being delivered from the canal, some was delivered by rail via the Trafford Park Estates and Manchester Ship Canal railway systems. These trains required two steam locomotives each. Has anyone any photographs? When the Trafford Park Industrial Estate first opened, there was a tram service operated by gas powered trams and when their reservoirs were running low in pressure, it is said the passengers sometimes had to push them up the gradient to cross the Bridgewater Canal/

Michael Woolf - 20th May 2010: 20th May 2010 - 16:49 GMT

I used to live in Boscombe Avenue between 1950 and 1961. We move to Sale when I was 11. I remember the area around Barton Bridge very well indeed. The chimney stacks of the power station still had camouflage paint from the war. We attended All Saint's church and beyond was St Catherine's school and St Catherine's church - sadly demolished. Farther along the lane was Bromyhurst and farm buildings.
On the Eccles side of the MSC and swing bridge was the rail line serving the canal company. Rush hour at the swing bridge saw hundreds on bikes & cars crossing to/from Trafford Park. The power station was still operating then and it's interesting to see the pictures of its demise in clouds of dust! A very interesting site.

Alan: 9th Jun 2010 - 06:00 GMT

Fascinating site, thanks.

In the early nineties my grandmother told the story of the power station from her point of view. The gist was she remembered the site first as common land where she played as a little girl with her friends. Then a man told them they couldn’t play there any more because a power station was to be built. Eventually, she said, they knocked the power station down and the land returned to common use. The point was she had outlived a power station and witnessed a full cycle of land use! I realised this was the power station she referred to when I saw the dates posted here.

My grandmother lived on Mellor Street in Patricroft, and for a while worked at the oil refinery across the canal.

anon (cpc2-harg4-2-0-cust462.know.cable.virginmedia.com): 11th Jun 2010 - 16:32 GMT

What was her name?
My grandad had a shop near Mellor Street - Kelly's grocery.

Dave: 19th Jun 2010 - 18:30 GMT

Many Thanks everyone for your comments I'm pleased people are enjoying it..

I keep meaning to try and get a photo of the land as it is today with the B&Q store there but not yet got round to it.

If any of you have photo,s of the Power Station or B&Q please feel free to upload

Thanks again
Dave

anon (cpc2-harg4-2-0-cust462.know.cable.virginmedia.com): 19th Jun 2010 - 21:54 GMT

you can always check out Googlearth to see what's there now (or a few months ago, whenever they photographed it)

Margaret Cullen: 20th Jun 2010 - 16:37 GMT

The lady who rememebered the Power Station being built and lived in Mellor Street was my mother Florence Cocker.
My husbands father and grandfather came down from Carlyle to work on building the Power Station, and my father-in-law worked there until he retired in the early 60's.

David Smith: 28th Jun 2010 - 21:46 GMT

A picture from Trafford Library depicting unknown employees in 1979

David Smith: 1st Jul 2010 - 11:06 GMT

B&Q 2009

Thel Brierley: 5th Jul 2010 - 20:39 GMT

My father in-law is the Gerry Brierley that someone asked about earlier. He did work at Barton and Trafford power stations. His father in-law Billy Bold, worked on the building of the chimneys at Barton and then as a furnace liner. We watched them being blown-up in 1982 or 83. My husband, Andy Brierley served his time at Carrington power station in the 70s.

greg kneller : 5th Jul 2010 - 21:28 GMT

hi all im trying to find a photo of the barton bridge collapse in 1959. im not having much luck anyone got any ideas

David Smith: 6th Jul 2010 - 19:34 GMT

David Smith: 6th Jul 2010 - 19:36 GMT

The picture above is an image taken from the Manchester Evening News at the time.

David White: 7th Jul 2010 - 21:49 GMT

Thanks for the reply Thel. Mention me to him! I got a promotion from Barton Power Station to the Electricity Council in London in 1970. Gerry thought it wasn't a good idea - my going to London! It was!

David White: 7th Jul 2010 - 22:00 GMT

Thanks for the picture of the collapse David. I remember a couple of workers getting killed by that accident. I also remember that the day before (maybe?) the motorway finally opened the public were allowed to walk along it. We went that Sunday from Peel Green all the way up over the bridge to Worsley. Not many years later, of course they built the M602, slicing straight through Winton. I've often wondered about that area being so decimated by a criss-cross of modern communications - first by a railway line, then the Ship Canal, then a motorway, then another motorway. We used to have Cleaveley playing fields made up of about a dozen or more football pitches, now the site of motorway interchanges. I often have a guilt trip driving over that particular place, scene of so many dreams.

Richard Bowen: 23rd Jul 2010 - 10:26 GMT

I am involved with the Peel Energy proposal for the Barton Renewable Energy Plant - a biomass-fired 20MW power plant that is proposed for a site on the banks of the MSC close to the Davyhulme Wastewater Treament Works. I'd be very grateful to talk with a few people who worked at the old Barton Plant to gain an idea of power generartion in the area over the years. Is there anyone available for a chat about it?

Ray Eachus: 28th Jul 2010 - 13:08 GMT

Hello Dave from Rochester, NY. Thanks for the site. Lot's of interesting facts and memories. My father, Stan Eachus, trained at Lancashire Dynamo in the '30's and then worked at Trafford Power Station. He worked at the PS throughout the second world war and was on duty the night the German mine landed in the yard. He used to take me up on the roof of the PS to watch United play. In the early 1960's I worked at Ashburton Chemical on Tenax Road and then Manchester Oil Refinery in Barton. I can remember the refinery being plagued by rats from the canal, despite the permanent fug of sulphurous gases blanketing the site. On good days, we ate our lunches at a spot near Barton bridge. I recall that there was an abattoir nearby; we were often 'entertained' by people carrying home buckets of pig's blood to make black pudding. I look forward to reading more about the area in the future.

David Smith: 10th Aug 2010 - 15:01 GMT

Kath Edwards requested a photo of St Catharines.

colin kenyon: 19th Sep 2010 - 19:43 GMT

DAVE i was born at clarence ave next to taylor bros steel works my dad mum and myself worked their between us we put in 100yrs i saw the power station and turners asbestos chimneys demolished frm the pumphouse roof at the steelworks it was very impressive a lot of the lads photographed the historic event if any of you read this i hope you will send DAVE some to post on this very interesting site i look forward to more comments EXCELLENT SITE DAVE

David Smith: 15th Nov 2010 - 01:49 GMT

1940 Barton from the air.

Dave : 18th Nov 2010 - 22:27 GMT

Many Thanks for the recent comments and posts i do seem to be having problems uploading photos to the site. I have some more Pictures that i will try and upload soon

Thanks again Dave..

Dave: 21st Nov 2010 - 18:22 GMT

These links might be of intrest to some

I have to post these individually as city noise thinks it spam..

http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=36186

Dave: 21st Nov 2010 - 18:25 GMT

http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=26443

The site has Many more very interesting site..

Kath edwards: 22nd Jan 2011 - 07:22 GMT

Many many thanks for posting the photo of St Catherines (barton) It was fabulous thanks again

David Smith: 13th Feb 2011 - 18:26 GMT

Here is an interesting photo from 1977. It shows Redcliffe House sitting as a neighbour to the Power Station. Long gone, nothing but a memory now.

This is a Trafford Lifetimes Photograph.

David Smith: 23rd Mar 2011 - 14:36 GMT

Dave, you do seem to have trouble posting pictures. It is such a shame as I would dearly like to see what you have.
Did anyone notice that in the aerial photo of Barton the tall chimneys were not installed at that time?

Cliff C.: 29th Mar 2011 - 12:34 GMT

I started work at taylor bros age 15.I moved on when the tyre dept. closed in the 70s. The bridge; the power station; bring back fond memories I am 78 this Sunday

Fran: 18th Apr 2011 - 12:49 GMT

I am looking for people who worked at Barton Power Station between 1960 and 1982.

Can anybody help please?

My e-mail is frances.robinson@btinternet.com

Tony H.: 30th Jun 2011 - 15:49 GMT

Trafford Power Station I started my appenticeship there in September 1958, Bring back the CEGB. I remember STAN EACHUS and had a most enjoyable time. Yes we use to sit on the roof watching Manchester United. I then worked at Stuart Street, Chadderton and Carrington Power Stations alas they have all gone.

Whilst at Trafford we had the first AEI GAS TURBINE which was a world leader at the time and I have the distinction of shutting it down the last time it ran.

peter reeve: 28th Jul 2011 - 02:09 GMT

I grew up on Broadway,Davyhulme.Went to school in Salford & travelled by bike every day to school across Barton Bridge.We used to fish in the Bridgewater canal,though I don't remember catching anything except the odd bike parts - a popular dumping ground the canal!Occasionally we were allowed to be on the bridge when a ship came through - a rare treat.Went to All Saints church as a youngster - still remember what a beautiful church it was/is.Came across your site whilst thinking about the power station - remember a sign near it saying caution works entrance & asking my sisters where the "cushion"works was.Love the site as I live in Queensland Australia & it is so good to look back on my history.

David Smith: 10th Nov 2011 - 23:30 GMT

Peter, your comment "was/is" can be corrected. The Church was granted Heritage status in 1978 Grade 1 accompanied by the Presbytery Grade 2. Both still stand proud and receive grants from the Heritage Society to ensure preservation. I add that the Barton Swing Bridge and Aqueduct complex is also listed.

Elsie Roberts: 18th Dec 2011 - 05:21 GMT

Great Site.
Thankyou for this interesting ste.
Takes me back in time.
As a child I went to St Catherines Church School.(1930s)
A Two teacher school. Miss Broome & Miss Bagott.
I had to walk over the swing bridge to get too and from school.
I lived in Barton Lane.Eccles and was living there during the Blitx.Xmas 1940
we were sitting ducks could see Traffort Park and the Power Station from ou hous.
Anyone of my era who would like to write me at

wayan86@activ8.net.au

Cheerio from Queensland Australia

Margaret & John Chapman: 2nd Feb 2012 - 20:04 GMT

Thank you for a wonderful walk down memory lane, you have done a really great job. My brother and I used to live on Barton Rd close by Davyhulme Circle. Our Dad, Arthur Chapman, worked at the Power Station up to the early 1970's.
Noting that a number of letters are from ex employees at the Power, I wonder if anybody remembers a Tom Chapman was also was there. Tom was a cousin of Dad's and I would very much like to make contact with him if possible.
mag.pie@xtra.co.nz

Michaela: 17th May 2012 - 02:13 GMT

This is great information, but why not the Bridgewater Canal??? It is very important in the Industrial Revolution... please do some more research so that people can get good information and a good picture to go along with it...Thanks alot! Can't wait.

Michaela: 17th May 2012 - 02:14 GMT

I think you have great information but need to do some more research to polish it off... good luck

steptitly: 23rd May 2012 - 17:48 GMT

Valuable info. Lucky me I found your website by accident, and I'm shocked why this accident did not happened earlier! I bookmarked it.
click here

Alan Hamilton: 24th Jun 2012 - 16:29 GMT

I was born in Clarence Avenue in 1937. My Grandfather was the Foreman
at Taylor Brothers my dad Bill and Robert became Iron Turners.
they both served their Apprenticeships at Taylors Brothers.My dad got TB in 1939
and died in 1946, he was 40. My Mom worked as a crane driver during
the War and afterwards. Her name was Florence ( Flo ) would any body have any
news or photos about Taylors/Clarence ave.

I served my time at EDWARD WOODS ENGINEERS on Tenax Road as a Plater and lived in
Trafford Park.

Vicky young : 30th Jun 2012 - 21:55 GMT

My grandad worked at Taylor's and lived in Clarence ave until the 80s his name was Bob salt

Alan Hamilton: 13th Jul 2012 - 14:42 GMT

I was born in 16 Clarence ave in 1937. as a baby then moved into the Park.

Beian Springthorpe: 22nd Jul 2012 - 05:58 GMT

This is an incredibly interesting site that has made me feel real pride in the socio-economic history of an area which has been ravaged in the name of progress. I grew up in the 60s and 70s in nearby Ermen Road and attended Godfrey Ermen School. I later went to Urmston GS and would cross the Bridge, see the Power Station daily. i'll soon be working on a book and intend to include as much anecdotal stuff as possible located here. This site is rich in such materialMy Mum, Evelyn- RIP, was from Stretford and worked many years in Trafford Park and knew it very well. Many thanks to all contributors.

Jim Bamby : 3rd Aug 2012 - 21:13 GMT

Nice picture of Redcliffe House in front of the power station , it actually belonged to the C.E.G.B. , as it was before it became National Power and was used as the power station offices . I had my interview there for the post of Auxiliary Plant Attendant in the boiler room.

Raine Alexander: 12th Sep 2012 - 18:13 GMT

I stumbled across this site whilst looking for info on my uncle, Alf Bannister, who used to work at the CEGB's Barton Workshops in the 1970s and at Agecroft Power Station in the 1980s. Thanks for posting these photos. @Alan Taylor: 27th Feb 2008 - echo your sentiments on posting copyright images - well said.

Steve McGowan: 28th Oct 2012 - 16:09 GMT

I was an apprentice at Barton PS in the 1960's, when it was CEGB. By then most of the chain grate coal fired boilers had been removed and replaced by oil fired boilers. I will always remember my first day when I was taken to see the Station Manager (I think it was a Mr Needam). His office was at the top of a grand staircase in Redcliffe House. I never saw him again and a few years later I moved to Carrington PS. Fond memories of both stations.

Eddie Graham: 26th Nov 2012 - 23:24 GMT

I found this site by pure chance and have enjoyed many of the comments. I was born in 1940 and I believe lived in a row of terraced houses probably just in front or thereabouts of the power station. I do not recall for how long but attended the school, probably St Catherine's Church School. Again I have no idea when, but our house was blown up in one of the air raids and we had to move to Kingsway and live with my Gran. Vaguely in my memory I seem to remember a child of about my then age being killed by, I think a large bale of paper that rolled off the back of a lorry, close to the school and Barton Bridge. My work took me away from Manchester in my early 20's and I returned very infrequently and have probably never been back for well over 40 years. If anyone has memories of the school and terraced houses around 1945? I would be delighted to hear more. email egw1@btinternet.com

colin kenyon: 21st Dec 2012 - 22:34 GMT

hi vicky young ilived at 16 clarence avenue and worked at taylors i knew your grandad bob salt very well he was a lovely man iworked with him for many years your grandad was a submariner thats why he was always as cool as a cucumber you could not fault him

Dave: 25th Dec 2012 - 21:19 GMT

Many Thanks for the posts on the page i have been having trouble uploading photos so hope this one works

Dave: 25th Dec 2012 - 21:24 GMT

The above is Barton Power Station, Trafford Park, 1929

If you go on the site at the bottom of the photo there are many intresting photo,s...

Dave: 25th Dec 2012 - 21:40 GMT

Dave: 25th Dec 2012 - 21:50 GMT

Sorry i seem to have uploaded the above

Dave: 25th Dec 2012 - 22:06 GMT

I will try and resize the pics as i still seem to be having problems ...

roy dearne (Electrician): 8th Jan 2013 - 17:35 GMT

i work there from 1974 to 1980 had a great time there great lads to work with

Phil Hewitt (ex AEI apprentice): 20th Jan 2013 - 21:58 GMT

Just bumped into this site while trying to rediscover memories of the past from Salford Docks down to Barton Swing Bridges. Remember the power station and as a young boy, watching from the viewing platform over the Bridgewater canal, ocean going liners passing through. Fortunately the platform is still there. Also remember later as a driver, cursing when the road bridge was closed due to passing ships and being stuck in a traffic queue for 20 minutes or so. Would love to see those days return now. Do the bridges still swing and does anybody know how to find out when they are due to swing?

Marie nee Wilson: 22nd Feb 2013 - 17:33 GMT

Fabulous site. Came across it by accident, as usually happens. I was born in Trafford Park in the 50's and my paternal grandparents came down from Paisley, Glasgow in around 1907/08 as my grandfather Thomas S Wilson was a driller engineer. My dad George, nicknamed Tug, worked in power stations both in Trafford park and around the country and Northern Ireland. My maternal grandparents were bargees and settled in Salford in approximately 1908 when my grandfather James Chamberlain got a job at Salford Docks. My most vivid memories are of the workers coming and going to work. All you could see were buses, full to the brim, bumper to bumper along third avenue, second avenue, coming from Salford, Eccles and elsewhere. Happy Memories! Many thanks Dave for starting this site - will let all my family know about it too. Keep it going.....

Dave: 22nd Feb 2013 - 19:31 GMT

Phil Hewitt

The bridges do still swing regularly and like then we still curse the bloody thing lol i will try and find who you can ring so they will tell you the times..

Here is a link on you tube from a couple of years ago

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BfDcVmJyiw

Why don't you treat yourself to a cruise down the canal my late father went on it and loved it your go under both bridges at Barton.

http://www.merseyferries.co.uk/content/Cruises/ManchesterShipCanalCruises.aspx

Phil Hewitt (ex AEI apprentice): 3rd Mar 2013 - 21:01 GMT

Thanks Dave, that would be good

Phil Hewitt (ex AEI apprentice): 3rd Mar 2013 - 21:05 GMT

Sorry Dave, bit of a mis-key there. Does any big stuff go through or is small with a tall mast. The phone number would be very useful.

anon (host86-147-17-8.range86-147.btcentralplus.com): 16th Apr 2013 - 00:22 GMT

hi dave,

really intresting site. i was born in the park (1963). i had the best
playground in the world up until 1974. a proper train set, manchester liners, the occasional submerine, i can still remember it like yesterday.

we didnt want to join the rat race.

ps i hope peel holdings remember this and put something back
as it was..

anon (b0f99aa4.bb.sky.com): 21st Apr 2013 - 19:22 GMT

Hi phil i have found this

Manchester Ship Canal Company Limited
Engineering Workshops
Percival Lane
Runcorn
Cheshire
WA7 4UY
United Kingdom

Main Switchboard

01928 508 550

Fax

01928 567 469

Email

mail@shipcanal.co.uk

Dean Hammond
General Manager

01928 508 555

John Rutherford
Port Facilities Manager

01928 508 581

Ryan Slater
Terminal Engineering Infrastructure Manager

01928 508 558

Alan Feast
Deputy Harbour Master

0151 949 6114

Harbour Masters Department
General Enquiries

0151 327 1461

General Enquiries:
Sheila Boote
Secretarial

01928 508 550

Ben Grady
Irlam Container Terminal

0161 775 1107

Ray Moore
Ellesmere Port and Manisty

0151 355 7200

Phil Hewitt (ex AEI apprentice): 1st May 2013 - 20:46 GMT

Thanks Anon. Discovered there is a timetable on Merseyferries website for the leisure trips to and from Liverpool. Got myself down there about 10.30 am on a Saturday and watched both bridges swing. Well worth a look.