by Paul Dyson
Photograph above: Stanley Horrocks, St James Church, Higher Broughton, 1977
Recently, we posted an article by Paul Dyson on his memories of Higher Broughton. The post was illustrated with photographs by Paul's stepfather Stanley (Stan) Horrocks. This post now focusses on Stan and his love for Salford and photography.
Stan was born into a large family living at 12 Wally Street, Higher Broughton, the sixth child of Frederick and Beatrice Mary Horrocks. He lived and worked for almost all his life within the boundaries of the old Salford and was fascinated with its history.
After education to the age of 14 at St James’ and Grecian Street Schools, Stan worked for the Post Office until joining Salford City Police, soon followed by war service in both the RAF and Army.
A varied police career gave him wide experience and a detailed acquaintance with the city. After being the first Salford officer to attend the Police College, he reached the rank of Chief Inspector in the new Manchester & Salford force.
Through most his life Stan had worshipped at St James’ Church, Higher Broughton, where he was a constant member of the choir, a Sunday School teacher and youth club leader. Alongside his police work he qualified and served as a Church of England Lay Reader.
Soon after retirement Stan took a degree in Theology at Manchester University, trained at Mirfield Theological College and was afterwards ordained priest. For most of his ministry he looked after the parish of St Clement, Lower Broughton.
Stan’s interest in Salford Local History bore fruit in the many talks he gave to groups all over the city, showing how streets and districts had changed and developed over the years. He illustrated these with hundreds of his own colour slides, some of which were shown in the “Salford Lost Streets” Exhibition in July to December 2012 at the Central Library and Art Gallery.
Stanley Horrocks is fourth from the left on the back row
Stan died in 2005, survived by his wife Rose, step-children Paul Dyson and Susan Wanty, three grandchildren and now four great-grandchildren. Some of the wider Horrocks family remain Salford residents.
Hi Paul,
I’ve really enjoyed your recent posts and the heartwarming account, thanks for sharing.
Are there any more photographs, perhaps an archive or website anywhere which are viewable?
Thanks
Simon Hadfield (UoS)
Hi Paul, just a quick message to say I’ve really enjoyed reading your accounts of life in Broughton, thanks so much for sharing.
Can I please ask if Stanley’s images are viewable in any archives or further resources?
Thanks again,
Simon
Hello Simon
I’m glad you enjoyed reading the post.
For several years I made Dad’s photos available through the ‘Salford Star’ online newspaper, sending selected scans by e-mail to people who enquired. If you are interested in particular places, let me know and I will see if the collection includes them. I am really overdue to donate the original slides to the local History Library.
Kind regards
Paul
Hi Paul,
Thanks for your reply which I’ve just seen.
If you have an email please I can drop you a note, or please reach out to me at: s.j.hadfield@salford.ac.uk
Would be great to incorporate some images where possible in a research project I’m working on. Thanks again for sharing the great memories ??
Hi Paul
Glad you are keeping the memory of Stan alive! His love of Salford and his lasting legacy of photographs. I am hoping this will spark other’s memories of Wally Street. My granddad and family lived there too. When mother married at St James, their first home was in Rigby Street. Where I was born and consequently baptised at St James.