Walker, Ashworth & Linney Ltd

Ashton Rd, Denton
The offices of this firm of silk and felt hat manufacturers were on the corner of Ashton Rd and Law St and the factory was next door on Law St. It was established in 1867 by Thomas Walker, Samuel Ashworth, James Ashworth and Joseph Linney.

Walker, Ashworth & Linney Thomas Walker (1845-1931) married Betsy (or Betsey) Woolfenden at Christ Church in 1873.
Samuel Ashworth (1836-10 Mar 1931) married Jane Linney in Ashton-u-Lyne in 1860.
James Ashworth (1840-) married Mary Ann Stopford in Ashton-u-Lyne in 1865.
Joseph Linney (1846-1933) married Elizabeth Woolfenden at Christ Church in 1878.

Joseph Linney was a member of Denton Council and he was chairman in 1902/03 and for about 30 years he was a member of the Board of Guardians. Joseph Linney’s sister, Matilda Linney, married John Kent Golightly (1863-1940) in 1890. John was an engineer and in c.1896 he joined John Turner & Sons (later Turner, Atherton & Co Ltd), of Ashton Rd, Denton, who were manufacturers of hat-making machinery. Here he was able to make a contribution to the development of their products.

A later partner in Walker, Ashworth & Linney Ltd was Josiah Walker, son of Thomas Walker. He married Emily Howard in Ashton-u-Lyne in 1861 and he died on the 6 May 1885, aged 45 years.

In 1912 Walker, Ashworth & Linney became a limited company and it was transferred to the four sons of the original partners; Leyland Walker, Ernest and Robert Ashworth and James Edwin Linney. Ernest and Robert Ashworth were the sons of James Ashworth as Samuel Ashworth had no children.

Between 1977 and 1978, in anticipation of the construction of the M67 motorway through Denton, Walker, Ashworth & Linney Ltd opened premises on Great Norbury St, Hyde. Between Jul and Dec 1978 the premises in Denton were closed to leave the Hyde premises open. By 1980 the Hyde premises were also closed. Between 1978 and 1981, the offices and works in Denton were demolished to make way for the M67 motorway.

Facsimile of a folding business card.

Linney hat lining and hat box.
The Homburg Hat The homburg hat first became popular in the 1880s following visits to the spa resort of Bad Homburg, Germany, by the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) where he saw this style of hat being worn. As a result, hat manufacturers, including Walker, Ashworth & Linney, soon added this style of hat to their range of products.
The homburg hat is characterised by having a single dent running down the centre of the crown (called a ‘gutter crown’). Additionally, it has a flat brim, with the edge curled upwards, and a wide ribbon trim around the base of the crown.
Edward VII wearing a homburg hat.

The offices of Walker, Ashworth & Linney Ltd, May 1978.

The factory of Walker, Ashworth & Linney Ltd on Law St, May 1978.

Detail above the offices entrance showing that the company was founded in 1867, May 1978.

Company crest to the left of the office entrance, May 1978.

Keystone in a window arch on Law St dated A D 1868, May 1978.

Wooden Linney sign, 1930s.