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Sharing our memories of Heald Green
Last Updated 15th October 2026
A Hundred Years of Ashworth Opticians
By Helen Morgan
First Published 14/6/2021
Last Updated 13/10/2026
Ian Ashworth is the 4th generation of Ashworths. He was interviewed by Helen in May 2021.
William Herbert Ashworth, Ian's great grandfather, trained as a watchmaker and founded his watch and clock business in Longsight, which involved some optical work. Later, he transferred it to premises in Rusholme.
Ian’s grandfather, Giles Herbert Ashworth, qualified as an optician in 1921, over 100 years ago. Giles worked with his father in Rusholme. When William died c. 1930, Giles continued to run the business purely as an optical practice.
Fig. 1 William Herbert Ashworth
© Ashworth Family
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Fig. 2 Giles outside the Rusholme premises
© Ashworth Family
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In 1943 Giles moved to a house practice on Cheadle Green, and acquired the Cheadle premises where they are based now, in 1953/54.
William Dudley Ashworth, Ian’s father, was born in 1933 and qualified as an optician in 1954. As soon as he did so, he went straight into National Service for 2 years.
Fig. 3 Giles Ashworth
© Ashworth Family
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Fig. 5 Dudley's mother, Dudley and sister Mavis on Southport pier 1950
© Ashworth Family
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Fig. 7 The original Heald Green house practice was based at 201-203 Finney Lane
© Ashworth Family
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Fig. 4 Dudley, aged 12, with his mother in 1945
© Ashworth Family
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Fig. 6 Dudley Ashworth. National Service, Royal Army Medical Corp, Crookham,, Hampshire 1954
(Dudley is middle row, second from right)
© Ashworth Family
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In 1959 Dudley bought 201 Finney Lane in Heald Green, and it became a house practice in 1960. Later he bought the house next door, no. 203, and the business became double-fronted. Around 1984, he moved into the parade of shops where the opticians is today. Dudley retired in March 2000.
Fig. 8 Dudley Ashworth when the shop opened, 1984
© Ashworth Family
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Fig. 9 Three generations of opticians; Ian, grandfather Giles & father Dudley, 1990
© Ashworth Family
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Fig. 10 Caroline and Ian inside Ashworth Opticians 2021
© Colin Barnsley
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Fig. 11 Caroline and Ian outside Ashworth Opticians 2021
© Colin Barnsley
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Ian Michael Ashworth is the 4th generation of opticians and qualified in 1986. He married Lesley, an English teacher, in 1990.
They have 4 children.
Dave, their eldest son, has a PhD in chemistry and works at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. Daughter Nicky is a teaching assistant. Andy has a Chemical Engineering masters and works at Barclays, Radbroke Hall. Will, the youngest, opted to do his chemistry degree as an apprenticeship at Astra Zeneca.
The family help train guide dogs for the blind at their house and are now on pup number 12 called Brenda who is 6 months old. Her mum, puppy number 9, was also with the family and is now a brood bitch for guide dogs. All the pups have their own challenges and Brenda’s is a fear of manhole covers!
Fig. 12 Dudley and Ian being interviewed at Dudley's home May 2021
© Ashworth Family
Click Image for Interview (Youtube),
or click here to Read Transcript
Ian Ashworth is now retired. The shop still carries the Ashworth name but has been taken over by another company.
Bibliography
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Ashworth, Dudley and Ian, in conversation at Dudley's home, 2021
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