Horsesh*t.
A lot of the lore was written many years before WW2. Indeed "The Shire" was named in the Hobbit which was published in 1937 so many years before he went to Stoneyhurst. Far more likely that the English countryside generally inspired his writing along with the general development of language. Indeed, his time in on Cannock Chase during WW1 could be argued to be more of an influence as the "nature" elements of LOTR/Middle Earth than this location.
And this isn't anywhere near Manchester; it's the other side of Blackburn.
Also on the music side of things, that list is a lot of band, but only Joy Division are any good.
Sorry, i have very little time for Manchester and hate how it assumes it is the best place ever.
/rant.