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The 101-year-old who is older than the place where she lives

Kaya Blackand
Lauren Hirst,North West
News imageBBC Kathleen Cotton is sitting on a chair in her home. She is wearing a green shirt with a black pattern. She is smiling for the camera. BBC
Kathleen Cotton has lived in Wythenshawe for more than 70 years

When Kathleen Cotton moved to Wythenshawe in the 1950s, it was quieter than she thought it would be.

Her husband, a serving police officer in Manchester at the time, had been offered a house in the area so they decided to relocate about 10 miles from their home in Openshaw.

This marked the start of her life in Wythenshawe and helped to shape the person she is today as she approaches her 102nd birthday.

"I look back sometimes with pride really," said mum-of-three Kathleen as she reflected fondly on the last 70 years.

BBC North West Tonight has spoken to 100 people about their lives in Wythenshawe to mark 100 years since Wythenshawe Hall was donated to Manchester Corporation.

News imageFamily handout A black-and-white photograph of Kathleen walking side by side with her husband. Family handout
Kathleen moved to Wythenshawe with her husband and young family in the 1950s

At the time, Manchester was in need of more housing.

In 1920 a city planner called Patrick Abercrombie identified Wythenshawe as the only undeveloped land suitable for building a housing estate close to the city.

To turn his proposal into a reality, Ernest and Shena Simon bought Wythenshawe Hall from Robert Henry Grenville Tatton in 1926, which they donated to the city's corporation (now known as the council).

The surrounding land became Wythenshawe Park.

The idea was that people could be rehoused away from industrial Manchester into what became known as the "Garden City".

At 101 years old, Kathleen is therefore older than the place where she lives.

News imageFamily handout Kathleen is standing in front of a sign on her final day as teacher. It reads: To children and friends you've been our Kath Cotton, you leave with our love and you will never be forgotten." Family handout
Kathleen retired from teaching at the age of 65 after a quarter of a century in the classroom

She raised her children in Wythenshawe before training to become a teacher in her 40s.

Kathleen, who has six grandchildren and three grandchildren, worked at both Baguley Hall Junior School and Newall Green Primary School - a job she loved every moment of.

"We often had a laugh in the lessons and they settled a lot better," said Kathleen.

"They all clamoured to be in Mrs Cotton's class the next year."

In 1957, when a plane crashed into a house in Wythenshawe while on its approach to Manchester Airport, Kathleen was one of the eyewitnesses.

The 20 people who were on board the flight died alongside two people on the ground as the aircraft struck the home.

"I thought it would be an explosion, but it went with a thud," she said, adding she "can't believe she saw it".

Kathleen recalled how she ran home to tell her husband, who rang his boss and subsequently was one of the first police officers on the scene.

Following her retirement at the age of 65, Kathleen spent 15 years as a volunteer for Witness Support.

For Kathleen, she will always be thankful for the memories she made - and the friendliness of the place she calls home.

"It is mainly very friendly," she said.

"For anyone to come and settle here it's a friendly place and clean."

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