Stretford   © Copyright R Greenhalgh and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Stretford is historically part of Lancashire. Presently, it is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Trafford in Greater Manchester.

In the very early 19th century, one of the main cottage industries was the hand weaving of cotton. With the introduction of mechanisation around 1820, it was superseded by market gardening, most of the produce being sold in Manchester.

Stretford also became well known for its pig market and the production of Black Puddings. This led to Stretford’s nickname of Porkhampton!

During the Second World War, the area was largely involved in the production of war material. This resulted in Stretford being the target for heavy bombing, particularly during the Manchester Blitz of 1940. On the nights of 22/23 and 23/24 December 1940, 124 incendiaries and 120 high-explosive bombs fell on the town, killing 73 people and injuring many more.

Among the buildings damaged or destroyed during the war were Manchester United's Old Trafford football ground, All Saints' Church and St Hilda's Church,.