The practice was started by a Mr Wagstaff in the early
years of the century, based in Church Street West,
opposite Hadfields the chemist. During 1928, Wagstaff
fell ill and employed Alan Wright as a locum, with
Alan taking over the practice when his boss sadly died
shortly afterwards.
Michael was born at Church Street West in 1931. In due
course, a builder's yard, burgess yard at No 38
Cumberland Street was purchased, and the present
practice started its evolution. A branch practice was
started in 1934, housed above a bank in the market
place at Congleton. This branch moved to Chapel Street
when the cattle market closed. (and subsequently from
Chapel Street to Moody Street in 1981)
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Donald Munro, pictured on the left of the horse,
joined the practice as an assistant in 1944, working
at W & M through to his retirement in 1980.
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Michael joined the practice in 1956, becoming a
partner in 1960. Both Alan Wright and Michael held the
prestigious position of President of the Royal College
of Veterinary Surgeons.
In his later years as a vet, Michael was a claims
consultant for the Veterinary Defence Association, the
major legal defence-arm of the profession. He retired
from general practice and the W & M partnership in
1991, continuing his career as chief claims consultant
to the VDS. He retired totally in 1999.
David Morten joined the practice in 1948, and became a
partner in 1974, creating the Wright & Morten
partnership, Alan Wright having died in 1968.
There are more veterinary links on the Morten side.
His mother, maiden name, Howe, had two unrelated cousins
both of whom were vets. One practised in Bond Street,
Macclesfield, and when quite young was bitten by a
horse, with fatal consequences!
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The practice expanded further in 1995 when we took
over Nigel Middleton's Thorndale Surgery. This
enlarged our small-animal clientele, and added a
number of important farms to our large animal side.
The equine side of the practice has continued to
expand, with a number of smaller practices and
single-handed vets giving up their horse work. In 2000
we opened our equine clinic at Somerford Park
Equestrian Centre.
Recent history in a nutshell
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1979 |
Mike Spicer joined the partnership |
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1989 |
John Yarwood joined the partnership |
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1991 |
Michael Wright and David Morten retired from the partnership. |
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1992 |
We became fully computerised. |
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1994 |
Pete Coleshaw joined the partnership |
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1995 |
We purchased Nigel Middleton's practice in Wilmslow when he retired. |
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January 1996 |
We acquired the equine clients from the Victoria vet practice in Glossop. |
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April 1996 |
Janet Brenton joined the partnership to bring the total to 4. |
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April 1997 |
Bridget Taylor became a salaried partner and took on responsibility for IiP. |
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Summer 1998 |
Small Animal Hospital Status was attained at Macclesfield. |
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Summer 1999 |
Practice gained Investors in People award |
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Spring 2000 |
Equine clinic opened at Somerford Park. |
April 2001 |
Bridget Taylor became full partner of Wright & Morten |