Dukinfield Centenary Souvenir - Introduction Page 3

A Note From the Author...

As one of several people to have written about Dukinfield, in recent years, it has given me great pleasure to compile this booklet commemorating the centenary of Dukinfield's incorporation as a borough. Some people, I am told, seem to think we are celebrating the centenary of the town, but that is most certainly not the case. Dukinfield has been in existence for hundreds of years. What we are marking is the 100th anniversary of the town getting its own borough council, complete with mayor and corporation, plus various powers and rights.

Of course, Dukinfield only enjoyed such status for 75 years, but that fact in no way demeans our week of events. We are celebrating a proud town, and one which retains its identity despite having joined with others to form a metropolitan borough council.

As anyone who has ever read any of my works will know, I am very proud to have been brought up in Dukinfield. My later mother, Stella, only came to the town in the early 1950s, but she always maintained it was the best place on earth.

Although we may not realise it, we do have much to be proud of. The council was always forward thinking and, for example, at the forefront of the public housing campaign, in the 1920s, thanks to the efforts of a former mayor, Dr Henry Brice.

Of course, at a time like this, there is always a great temptation to wallow in nostalgia. However, with the 21st century beckoning, we must also look forward. We must consider how we can make Dukinfield better.

Certainly, it is a different place. Much has been demolished, and the town has expanded. Thanks to housing developments, its population is now on a par with Stalybridge - traditionally a larger town.

If we all work together, we carry on the efforts of those men, such as Henry Pratt and James Grime, who led Dukinfield to charter status 100 years ago.

We hear much about civic pride in the pre-Tameside years. There is no reason why it should not be in evidence today. What the town needs is for us to play our part.

Mike Pavasovic.

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