Morning Pat My Dad was a temporary postman in his youth (quite along time ago now!) but he has always believed that house numbering started at the end of the road closest to the town/city centre. Working on this basis, I would think that #405 was quite a way out of town. I have never looked into my Dad's theory but would be interested if anyone else has heard of this and/or where I can establish whether it is correct or not. Hope this helps, Pat Heather patricia williams wrote: > Also, 405 Chester Road, Hulme. Does anyone know whereabouts this would be in relation to other streets in Hulme? I don't know at which end numbering starts - would it be central Manchester end? Any ideas gratefully accepted. > Pat > >

Heather et al That was the convention as that was the way that streets were built except for those using a grid system as favoured by American towns. It is the natural progression for a town's development. A further convention was that odd numbers were always on the left hand side going away from the town centre. The town where I live is a relic from Regency times and is a true example. Before it became a Royal favourite, it was just a hamlet, then sulphur springs were discovered,, wells constructed and wealthy people flocked to build houses. Names like Montpellier Spa and Pittville Pump Room exist today. Terry Heath Cheltenham UK