John Frederick & Beatrice Emma Cheetham

Philanthropists of Stalybridge

John Frederick Cheetham (1835-1916) was born into a family of cotton manufacturers. He took over the family business in the 1870s to operate two mills at Castle Street (built 1805) and Bankwood (built 1831) in Stalybridge.

In 1887 he married Beatrice Emma Astley in London. Although the couple mainly lived outside the area, the 1901 Census records that they were then resident at Eastwood House, Stalybridge. This is no longer extant and the grounds are now Cheetham Park.

The Rt Hon John Frederick Cheetham served as a Liberal Member of Parliament for North Derbyshire from 1880 until 1885 and then for Stalybridge from 1905 to 1910. He was appointed a Privy Counsellor in 1911. Additionally, he was made an Honorary Freeman of the Borough of Stalybridge for the eminent services he rendered to the borough.

In 1901 John Frederick Cheetham and his wife, Beatrice Emma Astley, built the Astley Cheetham Art Gallery on Trinity St, Stalybridge, as a gift to the town. The building originally opened as a lecture theatre but in 1932 the Cheetham Art Collection was bequeathed to the town and to accommodate this it was converted into an art gallery. As a result of gifts, this art collection grew larger throughout the 20th century to become a small but significant regional collection and the building is now known as the Astley Cheetham Public Library and Arts Gallery. A commemorative blue plaque is fixed on the wall of the building to the right of the entrance.

TAMESIDE METROPOLITAN BOROUGH THE RT. HON. JOHN FREDERICK CHEETHAM (1835-1916) Born in Stalybridge MP for Stalybridge from 1905 to 1910 In 1897 Mr Cheetham presented to the town the public library now known as The Astley Cheetham Public Library and Arts Gallery. In recognition of this, he was made an Honorary Freeman of the Borough of Stalybridge. His generosity continued after his death with the bequest of his home Eastwood House and his art collection, now known as The Astley Cheetham Collection. Sadly the house was demolished but the grounds remain as Cheetham Park. Unveiled by the Civic Mayor of Tameside and the Mayor of Armentières on the 8th October 2005

The art collection is noted for its Italian Renaissance and 19th-century pieces, especially the rare altar piece by the Italian painter, Master of the Straus Madonna. Alongside this collection, the gallery hosts a programme of temporary exhibitions by regional artists.

Eastwood House, the residence of John Frederick and Beatrice Emma Cheetham, along with its grounds and gardens, were left to the Stalybridge. Although the house was sadly demolished in 1950, the grounds became part of Cheetham Park, a public green space that includes the Eastwood Nature Reserve. The park was created from two adjoining estates, Eastwood and Priory, both of which were given to Stalybridge. Part of the Eastwood estate was left to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and it became their first bird reserve.

Eastwood House.