Hugh Mason (1817–1886) established Oxford Mills for cotton spinning between Oxford St and the Ashton Canal and the two mills were built in 1845 and 1851. The company was styled Thomas Mason & Son (Thomas was his father, 1781/82-1868) and by 1860 he had the sole control of the company. He also built an industrial village, known as the ‘Oxford Mills Community’, for his workforce adjacent to the mills. He built Reading Rooms on Ann St on the Clyde St corner and these were styled as the 'The Oxford Institute'. Over the entrance was the inscription, 'Oxford Baths and Reading Rooms'. He also provided a recreation ground. The Reading Rooms are no longer extant.

Hugh Mason.

He was deeply involved in the business affairs of Manchester, being president of the Chamber of Commerce from 1871 until 1874. He was a Justice of the Peace and in 1862 he was appointed as the Deputy Lord-Lieutenant for the County Palatine of Lancaster. He also found time for a political career, being the Mayor of Ashton-under-Lyne from 1857 until 1860 and the Liberal MP for Ashton-under-Lyne from 1880 until 1885. As a local philanthropist, philosopher, and staunch Methodist, he supported radical causes, such as women’s suffrage, and was a founder member of the Manchester Reform Club.

He was resident at Groby Lodge (aka Groby Hall) on Jowett’s Walk, off Manchester Rd, Ashton-under Lyne. This is no longer extant and Ashton Masonic Hall now stands on the site. He was born at Stalybridge and he was widowed twice. The 1871 Census records that he was resident at Groby Lodge with his third wife, Anne ‘Annie’ Ashworth, and family members. The couple were married at Rochdale in 1864.

Statue of Hugh Mason
This statue was commissioned by the Mason Memorial Committee and it was originally unveiled in 1887 at Chester Square but, following road improvement works, it was moved to Henry Square in 1972. Nevertheless, during regeneration works around St Peter’s Church in the 1990s, it was moved again to its present location on Trafalgar Square, Stockport Rd, where it now stands facing ‘The Twelve Apostles Terrace’ of his Oxford Mills Community.

The statue stands on a polished marble pedestal mounted on a two-step base. He is shown wearing a buttoned long coat with his arms folded and right foot forward. The pedestal carries the inscription, ‘HUGH MASON BORN 1817 DIED 1886'. The sculptor was Joseph William Synnerton (1848-1910).

Oxford Mills Community
The Oxford Mills Community was an industrial village founded in c.1845 by Hugh Mason for the purpose of creating a model environment for the welfare his workforce. He provided about 150 houses and 'The Oxford Institute' on Ann St included:

• Library and chess rooms.
• Class and lecture rooms.
• Sewing rooms.
• Music-lesson rooms.
• Washing baths and a swimming bath.
• Outside there was a children’s playground, a sportsground, and a drying ground for drying clothes.

Hugh Mason was also a pioneer in improving working conditions and in 1871 he gave his workers Saturday afternoons off.

Gibson and John Bright Terraces
These terraces were built on opposite sides of Oxford St in 1869 and 1871, respectively. Both were named after the respected Liberal politicians, Thomas Milner Gibson (1806-1884) and John Bright (1811-1889), whose portraits were hung in 'The Oxford Institute'. They were more imposing than other terraces and their design was similar to The Twelve Apostles Terrace on Trafalgar Square. Gibson Terrace is listed Grade II, List Entry No. 1261107 but John Bright Terrace has been demolished.

Left, Thomas Milner Gibson, & right, John Bright.