Mossley is a town in Tameside on the east side of Manchester

The name of Mossley itself comes from 'Moss' - meaning a bog or swamp - and 'leah' - a clearing in a wood.

It shares the distinction of once being situated in three different counties - Lancashire, Yorkshire and Cheshire. All three parts are still defined by the positions of the parish churches: St George's church in Lancashire, St John the Baptist church in Yorkshire and All Saints church, Micklehurst in Cheshire. Today, Mossley is a part of Greater Manchester.

On March 13 1885 Mossley was granted a Charter of Incorporation.

The son of magistrate and alderman John Lawton, George Lawton inherited a family fortune and, when he died in August 1949, apart from some legacies, he left his entire fortune to the people of Mossley.

Part of his estimated £40,000 fortune was left to build a public meeting place; the George Lawton Hall, which is a testament to his generosity.

Mossley - alongside Stalybridge and Uppermill in Saddleworth, Oldham - helped launch the internationally known brass band event, the annual Whit Friday Band Contest . This came about when the three towns held unconnected brass band events on June 6, 1884.