A member of Parliament’s maiden speech in the house is always a grand occasion and so it was when the new member for Hazel Grove, William Wragg stood up in the chamber yesterday.
The new elected Conservative first paid tribute to his predecessor Sir Andrew Gunnell, who retired at the last election.
“Sir Andrew had been an assiduous Member for the constituency since 1997 and was held in high regard by many. He secured a reputation as a strong constituency MP, which is something I seek to emulate. I wish him and his wife, Gillian, a happy retirement.”
However the house was greatly amused by his take on the area he represents as the former teacher, speaking during the education and adoption debate relating the following.
When I say “Hazel Grove”, the question all too often has been, “Where’s that?” Saying “Near Stockport” helps some. “Near Manchester” helps a few more, but so far “The North” has sufficed for most. Indeed, several hon. Members have inquired not “Where?”, but rather “Who?” this newbie by the name of “Hazel Grove” is—only to be disappointed that she is not one of “Cameron’s cuties”. “Hazel Grove” is not simply my weekend name; it is the constituency of my birth, where I was educated and have lived all my life.”
Before preceding to give the House a quick history lesson on the area including that it was Marple where John Bradshaw, lead judge at the trial of Charles I, heralded from and when Agatha Christie pulled into the train station, it gave her the surname of one of her most famous characters.
Whilst the name “Hazel Grove” came about in 1836 as a rebranding exercise.
The old name, “Bullock Smithy”, had somewhat negative connotations. It was infamous for drunkenness and criminality—indeed, the number of pubs and alehouses rivalled the number in the Palace of Westminster. In 1750, the Methodist leader John Wesley preached in Bullock Smithy, describing it as
“one of the most famous villages in the country for all manner of wickedness.”
