PARISH
RECORDS
Supplied By Local Historian
Stuart McLoughlin
Loose letter from Mr. Breakell-Moss, Manor
House, Longton, offering apologies for missing
the meeting, “As regards the War Memorial, I
think that whatever form it takes – the main
thing should be raised by the Parish. A brass
tablet with the names of the fallen might be
placed in the Church, but for the Parish, an
Institute would fill a long felt want and could
be used by everyone. I suppose a Parish
meeting will have to be called and if it decides
upon an Institute, which I think it ought, is
successful in raising the money, the building
might be put up and then handed over to the
Parish Council, who could then form a
Committee and co-opt others, say those
interested in the Girl’s Club, Comrades of the
Great War, Ambulance classes etc., so that the
girls and men might have the full use of it.”
Page 230
The question of a War Memorial for the district
was then discussed and it was resolved that a
Parish Meeting be called for Friday, December
20th, 1918, at 7.30pm.
20th December, 1918 - LRO Ref PR2849/5
Page 98
A Parish Meeting was held this day in Longton
School, about 45 persons being present, Mr.
Dodd being elected to the Chair. After the
notice convening the Meeting had been read,
the Chairman explained the reason the
meeting had been called and the object viz.
“To consider the question of a War Memorial
for the Parish, and if considered desirable, the
form such a memorial should take.” Rev. W. H.
Norris suggested that the memorial should
take the form of a Victory Memorial.
Mr. A. M. Breakell-Moss suggested that the
first question was to decide if the Parish
intends to have a Memorial, or whether it
should be left to the Churches and Chapels.
His opinion was that such a Memorial should
take the form of an Institute which was
greatly needed in the village, and that it
should be used not only as a place of
amusement, but as a means of education and
which should be used as a meeting place for
the several organisations in the district, and
which could be handed over to the Parish
Council on completion, which could co-opt a
number of persons to assist in the
management.
Mr. Syke was pleased the meeting had been
called and that the opportunity had now come
for Longton to decide for an Institution, and
suggested it should be a combined memorial,
to celebrate the Victory, and also in some
form to perpetuate the Memory of the fallen.
Mr. Sykes proposed:- “That this meeting
desire to commemorate the magnificent
Victory of Britain and her Allies in the Great
European War of 1914 – 1918 by erecting a
Parish Institute in Longton through voluntary
public subscription.
Mr. Howarth seconded.
Mr. Breakell-Moss supported.
Mr. Taylor proposed an amendment:- “That
the memorial take the form of a suitable
obelisk or such form of ornamental monument
placed in some prominent position in the
village.
Mr. Shorrock seconded.
On being put to the vote, the amendment was
lost. (Only seven voted for)
The motion was carried.
Longton Parish Council 28th May, 1919 LRO
Ref;- 2849/1
Page 239
It was resolved that a Parish Meeting be called
on Tuesday next, June 24th, to consider the
result of the recent canvass for the proposed
war memorial and, to decide on a scheme for
the Parish and that the same be announced at
the several places of worship the previous
Sunday.
Longton Parish Council 24th June, 1919 LRO
Ref:- 2849/5
Page 104
Special Parish Meeting held in the Longton
School
The Chairman explained that a complete
survey of the Parish had almost been
made.(So far £630 9s 0d) had been
definitely promised. The result of the canvass
was considered disappointing in view of the
amount required for a village Institute. The
meeting being now thrown open for discussion
and suggestion.
Rev. W. H. Norris remarked that a recreation
ground appealed to him as an alternative
scheme.
Mr. Heald asked if in the event of an
alternative scheme would the promised
contributions still stand.
The Chairman was of the opinion that a new
canvass should be made.
It was resolved:-
“That a recreation ground be purchased as
Victory Memorial. That a Committee
consisting of Messrs. A.M. Breakell-Moss, J.
Sykes and R. Winter, with power to add two
more to the number if they desire, be
appointed to select suitable sites of about 5
acres. That the previous Canvassing
Committee be again appointed to canvass the
Parish that £1,000 should be arrived at. A
future Parish Meeting to be called to receive a
report of the canvass and of the selection
committee.
Longton Parish Council 21st June, 1920 LRO
Ref;- 2849/5
Page 107
Special Parish Meeting held in the Longton
School.
The Chairman put the resolution which was
carried unanimously.
It was proposed by Mr. Sykes and seconded
by Mr. Howarth that the additional land on the
south west side of the School Lane footpath
be secured. Carried unanimously.
Resolved:- “That a Committee be appointed to
carry into effect the decisions of this meeting
and that the land when acquired should be
vested in the Parish Council.” (Moss and
Heald)
Longton Parish Council 17th March, 1921
Page 110
The Chairman explained that arrangements
had been made with the prospective owner
and the solicitor engaged was now drawing up
details with reference to the prospective butts
that considerable progress had been made
and permission to go onto the ground had
been given.
Longton Parish Council 26th May, 1921 Page
251
The meeting had been called for the purpose
of receiving the draft of sale of land for
recreation ground in Longton.
Resolved “that the draft be approved subject
to the deletion of the following words in the
second schedule of the draft viz. ‘or by
persons residing within a distance of a mile
outside any boundary of the said townships’
and by adding the following words ‘whether
resident within the said Township of Longton
or not.’
Longton Parish Council 7th October, 1921
Page 252
Re grant of land:-
Resolved “That the land offered by the
Memorial Committee be accepted by the
Council. That the title deeds for the land be
deposited with the Manchester and Liverpool
District bank for safe custody.”
If you have any details or photos from this
period please lend them to us for 24 hrs or
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