Hugh Mason, Ashton-under-Lyne

Hugh Mason (1817–1886) established Oxford Mills for cotton spinning between Oxford St and the Ashton Canal and the two mills were built in 1845 and 1851. The company was styled Thomas Mason & Son (Thomas was his father, 1781/82-1868) and by 1860 he had the sole control of the company. He also built an industrial village, known as the ‘Oxford Mills Community’, for his workforce adjacent to the mills. In 1860 he built Reading Rooms on Ann St on the Clyde St corner and these were styled as the 'Oxford Institute'. Over the entrance was the inscription, 'Oxford Baths and Reading Rooms'. In 1870 he also provided a recreation ground. The Reading Rooms are no longer extant.

He was deeply involved in the business affairs of Manchester, being president of the Chamber of Commerce from 1871 until 1874. He was a Justice of the Peace and in 1862 he was appointed as the Deputy Lord-Lieutenant for the County Palatine of Lancaster. He also found time for a political career, being the Mayor of Ashton-under-Lyne from 1857 until 1860 and the Liberal MP for Ashton-under-Lyne from 1880 until 1885. As a local philanthropist, philosopher, and staunch Methodist, he supported radical causes, such as women’s suffrage, and was a founder member of the Manchester Reform Club.

He was resident at Groby Lodge (aka Groby Hall) on Jowett’s Walk, off Manchester Rd, Ashton-under Lyne. This is no longer extant and Ashton Masonic Hall now stands on the site. He was born at Stalybridge and he was widowed twice. The 1871 Census records that he was resident at Groby Lodge with his third wife, Anne ‘Annie’ Ashworth, and family members. The couple were married at Rochdale in 1864.

Statue of Hugh Mason
This statue was commissioned by the Mason Memorial Committee and it was originally unveiled in 1887 at Chester Square but, following road improvement works, it was moved to Henry Square in 1972. Nevertheless, during regeneration works around St Peter’s Church in the 1990s, it was moved again to its present location at Trafalgar Square, Stockport Rd, where it now stands facing ‘The Twelve Apostles Terrace’ of his Oxford Mills Community.

The statue stands on a polished marble pedestal mounted on a two-step base. He is shown wearing a buttoned long coat with his arms folded and right foot forward. The pedestal carries the inscription, ‘HUGH MASON BORN 1817 DIED 1886'. The sculptor was Joseph William Synnerton (1848-1910).

Left: ‘The Twelve Apostles Terrace’ on Stockport Rd, Ashton-under-Lyne. The terrace is listed Grade II, List Entry No. 1338884.
Right: Oxford Mills viewed from the Ashton Canal. They were listed as Grade II, List Entry No. 1084307. On the 6 Aug 2019 they were destroyed by fire and the only remnant is a short section of wall by the canal.

Left: The Reading Rooms, 'Oxford Institute', 1960s.
Right: Clyde St, 1960s.