Partington is a small town and based within the Metropolitan Borough of Trafford in Greater Manchester. It lies on the southern bank of the Manchester Ship Canal opposite to Cadishead on the northern bank. The town is situated about 10 miles to the south-west of Manchester city centre. As of the 2001 UK census, there was a population of 7,327.
Partington was first recorded in 1260 and was in the medieval and post-medieval parish of Bowdon. The name derives from Old English. The first element may be a personal name such as ‘Pearta’ or ‘Pærta’, or ‘part’ meaning "land divided up into partitions" followed by ‘inga’, meaning "people of", the suffix tun means "farmstead". It is said that the area was scattered with farmsteads, surrounded by wetlands which ultimately limited agricultural development.
The completion of the Manchester Ship Canal in 1894 transformed Partington into a major coal-exporting port and attracted a range of other industries. Up until 2007 Shell Chemicals UK operated a major petrochemicals manufacturing complex in Carrington, a neighbouring town just to the east of Partington itself. The gas storage facility in the north eastern corner of the town was once a gasworks and another significant employer to the area.
The coal trade in turn resulted in Partington becoming a major railway depot, and attracted a range of other industries, including the Partington Steel & Iron Company, which was encouraged by the availability of coal to construct a steelworks. The works became a part of the Lancashire Steel Corporation in 1930, and dominated the economy of nearby Irlam until their closure in 1976. The main shopping area of Partington is on Central Road, in the centre of town. Partington also has its own traditional market located on Smithy Lane.
Founded in 2003 as part of a government project for 11–19 year olds, the Partington and Carrington Youth Partnership (PCYP) was established. It has since expanded its scope and provides facilities for youths up to the age of 25. In 2009 it was announced that a £5 million youth centre would be built in the town. The centre provides football and skating facilities and organised workshops in dance, film-making, and art. It was hoped this would help regenerate the town and attract further inhabitants to the area. Furthermore in 2008, a £2 million sports complex was opened next to Broadoak Secondary School. This complex features a swimming pool, a sports hall, outdoor pitches and grass courts and facilities for other recreational activities.
There are four primary schools and one secondary school in Partington. The oldest school still standing in the town was opened in 1958 and used to be called Partington County Primary School. There are two other state primary schools at Moss View and Forestgate. There is also a Roman Catholic school, Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School on Lock Lane. Broadoak Secondary School is a foundation school and a specialist sports college with around 340 pupils aged 11 to 16. Since 1993, Trafford College has used part of Broadoak Secondary School as a centre for adult and further education in the town.
Interesting facts
- Denise Lewis OBE Olympic Gold Medalist has visited the Lady of Lourdes School.
- On Tuesday April 14th 1970 five men were killed when 14,000 gallons of petrol flowed into the canal and was ignited by a discarded cigarette from a passing ferry.
- David Belamy the writer and nature expert has visited Partington to inspect the Nature Trail.
- Partington train station's glazed brick subway can still be seen to this day, although partially buried.
