Salford

:For other uses, see Salford, Ontario and Salford, Bedfordshire

History

The name of Salford derives from Anglo-Saxon Sealhford = "sallow-tree ford", in reference to the willow trees that grow alongside the banks of the river Irwell that runs through the city. The city's crest is made up of three curved blue lines (representing the ford in the river) surrounded by sallow leaves.

Related Topics:
Anglo-Saxon - Sallow - Willow

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The old medieval centre of Salford was located next to the River Irwell, on the opposite bank to Manchester. Old streets such as Greengate and Gravel Lane formed the market area. However, the centre moved during Victorian development, with new municipal buildings appearing along the Crescent. As Manchester gained importance, Salford's ancient centre became less vital and the area around Greengate and Salford Bridge shows no signs of the historic importance to the area.

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Salford was one of the UK's first industrial cities and gained status at the start of the industrial revolution.

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Vast areas of the city were re-developed in the 1960s and 1970s, with the traditional terraced housing giving way to concrete tower blocks and austere architecture. It has taken until the last decade to rectify the mistakes made during these years, and the city is beginning to benefit from new landscaping and modern housing projects.

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