Civic History
By the nineteenth century the neighbouring townships of Middleton and Tonge formed a single town. The townships, separated by the River Irk, lay in different parishes and local administration was in the hands of constables appointed by the Lord of the Manor.
In 1861 a local act of parliament established Middleton and Tonge Improvement Commissioners to provide public services in the area. In 1879 the improvement commissioners district was enlarged to take in Alkrington and parts of Hopwood and Thornham.
Following a petition by the inhabitant householders of the improvement commissioners district, a charter of incorporation was granted on 21 July 1886, constituting the area as the Municipal Borough of Middleton.
The borough was enlarged in 1894 by the addition of parts of the townships of Great Heaton and Little Heaton, and the boundaries with neighbouring districts were adjusted in 1933 by a County Review Order.
The borough was abolished by the Local Government Act 1972, with its area becoming part of the Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale in the new county of Greater Manchester in 1974.
Read more about this topic: Municipal Borough Of Middleton
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