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The bronze statue on a marble pedestal shows Mason standing, his right front out, with his arms folded. He is wearing a buttoned long coat. It is placed on two stone steps.

The origins of the memorial lay in a suggestion made in a letter to the Ashton Reporter in 1886. This was followed shortly afterwards by a request for the Mayor to call a public meeting to consider the question. The meeting was held on 5 March 1886 and although other commemorative ideas were suggested, the statue scheme was adopted. A committee was appointed "representative of every class and interest in the community." Calls for subscriptions were answered enthusiastically, to the tune of £1,672, 14 6s. These came not from a few rich men, but "by the help of at least some 2,500 individuals." Swynnerton was chosen as the sculptor not only for his ability but also because he knew Mason personally. The Committee hoped that the statue, which met with their approval, would "be an ornament of the town with which his name was so thoroughly identified," and would stand "as an incentive to others to copy every noble feature of his life."(1) The unveiling was peformed by Mrs. Mason before a crowd of 15,000. Although they were celebrating a Liberal icon the speakers went out of their way to point out the non-partisan character of the occasion, and to pronounce upon the benefits of Mason's example to all the people of Ashton and of Britain. Those who took part were mainly Liberals and Nonconformists, with the Methodist New Connection and Wesleyan Methodists well represented in the procession. However, the presence of Mason's political opponents was greatly appreciated by the press and the crowd. Mr Addison, who had succeeded Mason as the local MP, defeating him in the previous years elections by 49 votes, did "the gracious thing" and delivered an encomium to his opponent. He was, he said, "glad to be present to maintain as far as he could that generous tradition of English politics whereby we honoured and respected the motives of those who were doing their best for the country, although they might differ from us as to the means by which its prosperity and happiness were to be secured." Councillor Reyner then presented the statue to the council on behalf of the committee, saying that he hoped Mason's life would inspire future generations to do all they could for the welfare of the town.(2) It was sited ....in 19XX it was move to Henry Square. In 19XX following plans to redevelop Henry Square it was moved to Trafalgar Square, a newly created open space. Ashton overlooks the busy road, behind him the streets of the famous Oxford Mills colony which he built up in the Victorian period...?

Hugh Mason (1817-1886), textile manufacturer and Liberal politician was born in Stalybridge, the youngest son of a cotton manufacturer. He worked in the family firm, was educated in Ashton and joined a local bank at the age of 14. Rejoining the family business in 1838, he was instrumental in the firm's decision to build two mills (in 1845 and 1851) and a workers' colony at Oxford, next to the Manchester-Ashton canal. By 1860 Mason had sole control of the firm. He extended a paternalistic hand to his workforce, and was said not to employ any man who had been unfaithful to his wife. In 1860 a library and reading room was built at the Oxford colony and extended in 1870 to include a recreation ground. He was also deeply involved in the business affairs of Manchester, being president of the Chamber of Commerce between 1871 and 1874, as well as being a staunch Methodist. He also found time for a political career, being (Liberal) mayor of Ashton (1857-60) and MP from 1880-1885. He espoused Radical causes, including womens' suffrage, and was a founder member of the Manchester Reform Club.(1)

circa

raw year

Condition

At risk

Inscriptions

Signatures

Statue

Bronze

243cm high

Pedestal

Marble

216cm high x 90cm wide x 106cm deep

Previous treatments

Painted/lacquered brown

Metallic staining

staining on face of statue

None

Surface damage

Foundry name scratched out

Graffiti

rhs pedestal