Tesco's act of goodwill?

A reported earlier (see posting here) Tesco has submitted a retroactive planning application for the 18,000 feet extra they accidentally built.

Stockport Express have revealed that as 'an act of goodwill', Tesco will put in a wall which will cut of 6,000 feet which will be unused or else used for storage, leaving only 12,000 feet of additional shopping space.

The Express Reports
But while leading council planner Kevin Hogg admitted this could end the year-long saga, he remains sceptical.

He said: "If this happens it could potentially draw a line under the whole issue. But with Tesco you are never quite sure what it says is what it will do."

And Steve Parfett, managing director of Parfett and Sons, who has led the campaign against the store’s breach of planning permission, maintains the 120,000 sq ft outlet should be knocked down.
Follow this link to the Stockport Express for the full report

Christmas Party, The Old Pack Horse - 21/12/05

A good time was had by all at the Trust's Christmas party.

The Stockport Heritage Trust wishes all it's readers in Stockport, the UK and the rest of the World, festive greetings and a Happy New Year.

No to Masts - Stockport Express

50ft mast opponents are on a high, says the Express headline. Well with opponents that tall, it is not surprising T Mobile lost.

MAST campaigners were celebrating their latest victory after a 50ft mast plan in Romiley was rejected out by members of the Werneth area committee. ...
Mr Gaubert said the group planned to lobby British Waterways to enforce a blanket ban on siting masts on its land. He added: "No doubt this will not be the last application in Romiley for a mast but it remains our intention to vehemently oppose future applications, which by their nature cause so much upset and concern to residents."

Future Stockport - supplementary planning document

There other items on the "e agenda", referred to in the previous posting, which make interesting reading. If you follow the above link and then open the acrobat file under Item 9, you will find a Supplementary Planning Document. With 62 pages, some of it is heavy reading, but a lot of it is repeating the contents of the Masterplan and brings together a lot of the graphics. What it seems to add is an assessment of how the Masterplan is expected to assist regeneration. This could be considered the meat of the proposals.

There has been some discussion as to whether we like the 'look' of the plans and whether this money well spent. This is the document that explains how the plans will boost Stockport's economy.

Another important document, is the second document under item 8. You have to be a very patient reader to go through all that, but it is a response to all those who have requested modifications to the Unitary Development Plan. I am afraid I will have to leave that to someone else to get to grips with.

Council Executive discusses the Market

An "e agenda" of the 12 December is available on SMBC site, follow the link above. It includes documents submitted to the Executive. I have put the text of the papers relating to the Market as comments to this posting, but to view them in their original format, you can find them embedded in the "e agenda".

The good news is that they are talking about re-affirming their support for the Market and raising it's profile.
The bad news is that whereas Steve Burns has told me that he doesn't envision the Produce Hall closing as a market hall, nowhere do these documents contradict the Quarterbridge and New Market report.

The document ends:
RECOMMENDATIONS

It is recommended that the Executive:

1. Notes the summary contents and recommendations of the Quarterbridge and New Market Solutions reports.

2. Recognises the wider economic, social, environmental and tourism importance of the market, and in the light of this confirms its commitment to the market operation.

3. Requests that a detailed three year action plan be drawn up, based on the recommendations of the reports, and aiming towards a break even situation for the market by the end of the action plan period (2008/9)

4. Agrees to work towards securing resources for the future management/development of the market, in line with its budget making activities and priorities.


5. Notes the summary contents and recommendations of the Quarterbridge and New Market Solutions reports.

6. Recognises the wider economic, social, environmental and tourism importance of the market, and in the light of this confirms its commitment to the market operation.

7. Requests that a detailed three year action plan be drawn up, based on the recommendations of the reports, and aiming towards a break even situation for the market by the end of the action plan period (2008/9)

8. Agrees to work towards securing resources for the future management/development of the market, in line with its budget making activities and priorities.

More planning news

DC021688 Royal Cheadle Hospital (a listed building) is seeking permission for erection of a fence. Information Office: Heald Green Library, Finney La, Heald Green.

DC021650 At the site of the former Coronation Mill & Bankside Mill, Coronation Street, Reddish, it is proposed to demolish and clear existing buildings and build 10 new industrial units. Information Office: Reddish Centre, Houldsworth Sq, 2 Gorton Rd.

DC021695 A barn to be converted to a house, including a two storey extension - Chorlton Fold Farm, off Springbank Rd, Woodley. Information office: Bredbury Library, George La, Bredbury.

To learn more, look up the application number at the planning database.

Brookside Farm to become 5 dwellings

An application has been made to erect 5 dwellings at Brookside Farm, Torkington Road, Hazel Grove. Consultation expiry 31/12/05. Plans can be viewed at Hazel Grove Centre, Civic Hall, London Road.

Click here for the plans. You can get more details by looking up DC021588 at the planning database.

See map.

Churchgate Mill, Lavender Brow - updated

An application has been re-submitted to convert Churchgate Mill, into fifteen apartments with associated car parking. See map.

Click here to see one of the plans. More information available by looking up DC021603 on the planning database. Or see the plans at Hygarth House, 103 Wellington Rd South.

Tescos goes legal

We have all heard how Tescos accidentally built a store larger than it was supposed to be. Well they have finally got round to asking for retrospective permission. See DC021611 in the SMBC planning database.
"This report confirms that the store ... has had no adverse impact on the vitality and viability of any shopping centre in the catchment area."

Stockport Times news - 8 Dec

Father Christmas is coming to Bramall Hall 18 Dec, 11am-5pm.

A multi-million pound Heritage lottery Fund bid is being prepared for the Plaza. The result of the bid will not be known until Summer. If it is successfuly, a second, larger bid is planned. (I have looked on the Plaza website, but there is no information there.)

Steve Burns (SMBC Regen) is trying to find a future for Gatley's Tatton Cinema but says he has had no response from its owners while another developer has shown interest. The Cheadle Area Committee supported the planning department's proposal to prepare a planning brief and recommended that SMBC consider a compulsory purchase order.

Stitchers & Quizzes

Wednesday's meeting was as informative as ever.

There was a brief management meeting before hand to discuss plans for a public talk to be held at St Mary's next year and a discussion on the Glass Umbrella HLF bid. The main conclusion concerning the market was that making the Produce Hall more spacious had really spoilt the Produce Market and the same shouldn't happen in the Covered Market.

For the members meeting, Sarah Cotton of SMBC gave a power point presentation on the Staircase House Stitchers project. There are now over 50 stitchers, including 3 men. We learnt that some of the larger items such as curtains for the Trust's tester bed may take several years each to stitch but that there are a number of smaller items that will also be developed. Frank Galvin (SMBC) showed us the stag he had embroidered.

We agreed that it would be good if Bramall Hall also had a group of stitchers, but we would want to be a separate group with its own identity, rather than expand the remit of the existing Staircase House group.

One dissappointment was that stitchers will not working in the exhibition rooms of the House wearing period costume. This would have added a lot of character to the House. Unfortunately the rooms are not light enough. I suppose damaging eyesight is one step to authenticity too far.

Then followed the quiz organised by Kevin and Coral Dranfield. As well questions on people and places, there was the challenge to identify period pieces including some on loan from Stockport Community Services. A few are shown here. If you want to guess what they are, then leave a comment and I will reveal the answers later.

Glass Umbrella HLF bid update

Last week we had to tell SMBC we could not support the Heritage Lottery Fund bid for the Glass Umbrella. We are in favour of investment in the long term future of the Market, but the plans lacked the confidence of the Market traders we identified various weaknesses to the plan which gave us reason to think it might undermine the commercial viability of the Market and not protect the Heritage of the Marketplace.

We have now been told that SMBC are going to delay the bid until January, during which time SMBC want to collaborate with the traders, the Trust and other interested bodies to produce a bid which can gain general support.

On 12 December, SMBC are going to debate a statement which would define their strategy for the Market. It is hoped that this will give a clear vision for the future.

This is an opportunity for the Trust and the public to be involved the process.

Stockport Heritage Magazine hits the newstands

Magazine cover
Originally uploaded by Bill.

The latest edition of Stockport Heritage Magazine hit the newstands this week. Contents include:
the first Mersey tunnel;
a band called Toggery;
Heaton Norris waterwheel;
Ghostly ladies of Offerton;
Marple's coalmine; and
tradgedy on Mealhouse Brow.

You will find it in all good newsagents and at the Heritage Centre.

Change of frontage - 2 Little Underbank

The owner of 2 Little Underbank has applied to simplify the frontage. Click here for a "before" and "after" sketch and click here for a map which shows where No. 2 is.

With dark blue paint, the details are hard to see, so I think this change will do little to detract from the Underbanks. If someone wants to object, they have until 11 December to object, but remember, placing restrictions on shops may impact on the commercial viability of the shop and deter investment in the area.

The owner hopes to make the change by 9 January 2006.

Celebration Beam

If you want to view the belated planning application for the "Celebration Beam" in the Merseyway, search for application number DC021404 on the planning database. The public has until 10 December to object.

Abney Hall cycleway

I don't see why the Cheadle Civic Society object to the plans for a gateway for a cycle path. The application by SMBC can be found as DC021413 in their planning database. You can view the plan here.

A plan of the cycleway can be seen here.

If anyone feels the need to object, then you have until 10 December.

Previous posting on 24 November 2005.

Winter Wonderland - 3/12/05

Marple Bridge's Winter Wonderland looks like being a great success. I think the Trust should give serious thought to having a stall next year. All the stalls seemed very busy, so I am sure it boost our coffers, much more so than Chadkirk Festival. Of course, it can be colder, but it is only 3 hours.

Hat Mill could be apartments - Stockport Times

Another heritage apartment development story in the Stockport Times. St Thomas Hatworks could be converted into a large apartment complex. Manchester Antiques, which owns and occupies the land, at St Thomas Place, Hillgate, has submitted a planning application for 77 flats - some of which would be in the restored mill buildings. The remainder would be in 2 new four-storey blocks.
The complex will consist of 32 one-bedroom and 45 two-bedroom flats - some with balconies.
St Thomas Hatworks was founded in 1872 by William Harrison. The hatworks shipped a variety of designs around the globe but it shut in 1920 and then became a textile factory.

For a lot more information on the planning application search for application number DC021312 on SMBC's application database. Having found the application, click on Documents at the bottom of the page for access to a large number of plans, of which the two below are just examples.
Site plan.
Elevations.

(There is also application number DC021313, but as far as I can see this is a mistake and is a duplication of DC021312.)

Woodbank Hall - Stockport Times

Woodbank Hall apartments
You heard it here first, that SMBC is thinking of disposing of Woodbank Hall. Now Stockport Times also has the news. A council spokesperson said, "The hall is costly to maintain at public expense, and not very suitable for accomodating staff, but we do not want to see it boarded up. No decision has yet been taken over the future use of the hall. It is not yet for sale but could well be in the future." Any capital raised from the sale would be reinvested in the park.
The Trust has already written to the Charities Commission to ask what protection they can give to this Grade II listed building which was gifted to Stopfordians in 1921 by Sir Thomas Rowbotham JP as a memorial to the men of Stockport who lost their lives in WWI. SMBC intend to sell a long term lease which would presumably circumvent the conditions of the gift.
I have difficulty believing that anyone will be interest. It's a long way from the road. Residents will need a car just to get to Turncroft Lane, but on the other hand it can hardly be described solitary sitting as it does in the middle of a public park. Will buyers be warned of the ghost?
The Trust doesn't object to the sale on principal, so long as the internal and external character is preserved.
Previous postings
Reply from Charity Commission - 24/10/05.
Disposal of Woodbank Hall - 8/10/05

Trust Monthly meeting - Staircase House Stitchers presentation & Quiz Night

8pm, Wednesday 7 December, The Old Rectory, Churchgate.

Two events at this months Trust meeting:

Staircase House Stitchers presentation. Sarah Cotton and Frank Galvin will describe progress of the project we are funding to involve Stopfordians in Staircase House and, at the same time, decorating the House with period furnishings.

Quiz Night. Members have been asking for a Quiz night, so here it is. Test your knowledge of Stockports history and heritage.

Staircase House Stitchers

Forty nine stitchers attended either the afternoon and evening session, on 22 November. Stitchers had been practicing their stitch work at home. This week they traced out medieval designs to try out.

For more on the project follow this link.

naked

naked
Originally uploaded by miss pris.

I found this stunning photo, taken in Stockport, on the internet.

Infilling & landscaping of dry lagoon

As well as flood prevention works, as reported in the previous posting, work has started in Development Control order DC021269. Search for that number on development control planning database.

The application is fairly inoccuous in itself, it was a very scrappy piece of land, but presumably the next step is to build more office units on the land. It's directly opposite the Cheadle Heath sewerage plant on the otherside of the Mersey, so is not the most glamorous spot. But is currently attractive and I dislike the on-going encroachment on the Mersey. It's part of the Trans-Pennine trail, but not much is done to keep its rural charm.

Flood prevention

Much of the path along the Mersey between Vale Road and Mill Lane has been closed for some months for "flood prevention works", and seems likely to remain closed for some months more. The north bank is being strengthened and a smart set of stairs has been built up to Wilmslow Rd/Manchester Rd.

Quarterbridge Report - The Market

I have got my hands on the Quarterbridge Report, so I can reveal why the Council want HLF money. The Report criticises the Council for: lack of signs to the Market; the Stockport Masterplan is focused on the Merseyway and does not address the Market's needs; highway proposals do little to help the market; and the promotional budget for the Market is inadequate.

To view an summary version of the Report, click on the date below.

Market Traders Reject Changes

Stockport Council are seeking Heritage Lottery Funding to refurbish the Glass Umbrella. Readers of the weblog will be aware of my efforts to publicise the consultation process. I met with Steve Burns who assured me that two thirds of the Market Traders favoured Option 4.

Barbara Mulliner, a Glass Umbrella trader, wrote me arguing against the refurbishment. (See previous posting.) To back up her point, she has provided a list signed by 44 Market Hall traders showing that: 41 favour Option 2 (repair and maintenance only); 2 favour Option 4 (the HLF refurbishment); and 1 cannot make a decision on the details presented by the Council.

This gives the Trust a connundrum. We favour investment in the Glass Umbrella and worry that doing nothing but repairing the building will do nothing to counter a slow decline in the market. But what is the value of a plan that the Glass Umbrella traders are almost unanimous against?

Formal presentation of the Tester Bed

As any visitor to Staircase House will have seen, the Trust's tester bed has been an important feature of the House since it opened. It is even been lain on by David Dickinson.

The Trust has now officially presented it to the Council and, more importantly, paid for it with the funds raised as part of the campaign to rescue Staircase House for the town.

If you haven't seen it already, get along to Staircase House. Even better, join the Staircase House Stitchers and embroider your way into Stockport's history.

Stockport Times - 24/11/05

Library will be closed for decoration
The lending section will be closed from Monday 28 Nov until Saturday 10 Dec.
The Local Heritage and Information sections will be closed from Saturday 10 Dec until Tuesday 20 Dec.

Abney Hall plan 'stupid' say Cheadle Civic Society. They are objecting to a cycle path across Abney Hall estate from Roscoe Roundabout to Mill Lane near Alexandra Hospital, then along Mill Lane to Cheadle. The Cheadle Civic Society object to making a 2.5 metre gap in the wall on Mill Lane.

I would have thought that improving travel for cyclists and opening the grounds up to cyclists would be a boon. Would a 2.5 metre hole in the wall be too greater a price to pay? What do you think?

Stockport in Adverts

I thought long and hard before adding adverts to this site, as to whether to go commercial. In the end I realised that we owe it to Stockport Heritage to raise revenue to support our activities. (All revenue raised goes to Stockport Heritage Trust - so far we have raised almost $10.)

An unforeseen bonus is that the adverts can be interesting. The following blurb comes from Hotels of Manchester.

Located just 6.5 miles south of Manchester city centre, Stockport is one of Greater Manchester's most popular towns. Steeped in industrial heritage, made famous the world over by LS Lowry's paintings, there are some amazing sights.

An old rule states that every train passing through the town has to stop at Stockport Station before making its way over the famous 27-arches of Stockport Viaduct, Western Europe's largest railway viaduct. The town centre also offers attractions like the Hatworks Museum, the UK's only museum dedicated to millenery and hat-making, or the interesting Stockport Air Raid Shelters, reliving life in 1940's war-torn Manchester.

For those seeking a more rural escape, the magnificent Lyme Park offers gardens and an ancient deer park. Whilst Bramall Hall, in its 70 acres of landscaped park, is a superb example of a black and white Tudor manor house.

Stockport also sits halfway between the Derbyshire Peak District and the rolling plains of Cheshire, making it the ideal place to stay if you fancy country parks, walks, canals and rivers set in stunning countryside.
Stockport also has an excellent range of leading high street retailers, as well as a great selection of pubs, clubs, cafes and restaurants.

We all knew that, but it's nice to be reminded.

Stockport 100 years ago

I thought Stockport MBC had deleted all photo collections from their website, but I have just found this one. It's well worth browsing.

Jupiter seen crashing into the Pyramid

Intrepid photographer, Graham Walker, captured the dramatic moment as the gas giant hurtled towards the Pyramid. Fortunately the planet missed and hit Gorsey Bank instead, causing no noticeable damage.

Deciding the Trust's position on the Covered Market Hall

I spoke with Steve Burns on Friday and made clear the issues I had with the plans as presented at the exhibition:
the lack of evidence that thought had been given to market traders, inside and outside of the building;
the lack of evidence that thought had been given to how the Covered Market Hall relates to other buildings in the square;
the lack of publicity for the exhibition;
the placement of the exhibition at the back of the Produce Hall.

I was assured that these were points of presentation and that the Council is committed to ensuring the future of the Market and working with the traders.

He forestalled one of my questions, which would have been, why was Staircase House not used for the exhibition. Steve Burns explained that putting the exhibit in the historic Staircase House might have given the message that they were treating this as an exercise in preserving an historic building, when the objective is to ensure a future for the market.

I think I can safely say that the Trust is in favour of investment in the Market and in the Market buildings. We just have to be convinced that the plans promote the future of a vibrant and attractive market as well as preserving the long term future of the historic buildings.

Over the next two weeks, the Trust will compose a letter to the Council, setting out our position. Depending on our joint decision as to its contents, the Council may or may not find it useful support when applying to the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Meanwhile, Trust members, shoppers, traders, blog readers, or anyone interested in this issue can leave comments here, or email me at stockporttrust@ntlworld.com. This weblog is here as a platform for the wide range of opinions that arise when promoting Stockport's heritage. We will take your opinions and observations into account as we draw up our response to the Council.

Who is to be consulted?

(From the Coucil's website)
EXECUTIVE FORWARD PLAN – KEY DECISIONS
SERVICE AREA: Environment & Economy
DATE OR PERIOD OF DECISION: November 2005
PORTFOLIO: Regeneration

Subject Area for Decision: To consider the development of Stockport market.

Objective/Outcome: To consider the current situation regarding Stockport market, to consider reports procured by the Council from Quarterbridge project management, and from New Market Solutions, procured by the local branch of the National Market Traders Federation (NMTF), and to agree a way forward for the market operation

Decision Maker: Executive

Who we intend to consult and how: Tame Valley Area Committee

So no consultation of traders, shoppers or Council Tax payers then!

By the way the next meeting of the Tame Valley Area Committee is 5th December, at the Town Hall.

Quarterbridge website

The following appears on the Quarterbridge website...

Quarterbridge were appointed by Stockport MBC to review the operation of their market's service operation and, crucially, support an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for assistance in refurbishing the Covered market hall. Stockport market has three elements - the Covered market hall, a separate Produce hall and a bustling Street market - but the historic Covered market hall has been the most problematic. This 1861 listed building needs some essential repairs but Quarterbridge undertook an operational analysis to demonstrate how its internal layout could be adapted at the same time to improve operational efficiency. These ideas were tested through consultation with the public, shoppers and traders and then embodied in a detailed brief to the Architects. Increased usage and public access to the Covered market will support the Council's major regeneration initiatives in the Markets / Underbank area and form the central plank to the HLF application.

Letter from a Market Hall trader

The Trust has received the following letter from Barbara Mulliner, a Market Hall trader...

STOCKPORT COVERED MARKET HALL

I have a business in the covered market hall and have been a trader at Stockport Market for 17 years.

I have seen the plans and read the Quarterbridge Report which was commissioned by the council and I know I speak for all the traders when I express my concerns at the lack of information and consultation with the Council.

There are currently four proposals for Stockport covered market refurbishment and whichever proposal the council adopts, it would be naïve to think they have not got an agenda to accompany each one. However, no indoor trader has received any information on how their plans will affect our businesses. I have completed three forms asking the same questions but to date I have received no reply. The questions we would all like answers to are the following –

1. If the market hall is to be refurbished is it going to be completed in phases or will the whole covered market be closed?
2. Where are the traders going to be re-located considering it would be totally inadequate for some businesses to trade from outside stalls?
3. Does the Council have a contingency fund to pay traders disturbance allowance?
4. What will happen to traders on the outside of the market hall if the indoor units are going to be opened up and able to serve from both sides, as the plans show.
5. The plans which are in conjunction with lottery funding and the Quarterbridge Report show the food hall being transferred over to the covered market hall. My unit happens to be one which on the new plans would be food along with quite a few other traders units. Where are the Council going to re-locate us? Do they intend not offering us another unit in the covered market as there will not be enough space to accommodate all the units currently there. If they close our businesses do they have a contingency fund which would enable them to compensate us?
6. How are the Council planning to select who will be eligible to apply for a new unit?
7. Will trading licenses be transferred over to leases?
8. Do the Council intend severely increasing the rents because the market will have been re-furbished, even though it won’t have cost them a penny as it will have been done with Lottery funding?

Why have so many questions remained unanswered by the Council?

I have spent 17 years building my business up, and there are numerous new businesses which have invested a lot of money in their enterprise. I know as traders we stand united in our bid to keep the market with similar units with a good variety of stalls. Re-furbish it by all means, but not without the consultation of the traders and the people of Stockport.

I trust you will take all my comments into account when considering your decision to give support to the Council, and hopefully you would consider supporting the covered market hall traders instead.
Barbara Mulliner
Unit 37, Covered Market Hall

News update - 17 Nov

Outcry at plans for phone mast on green belt
Phone masts continue to feature in the news. It seems that only 3 houses are within the area were they need to be notified by law, so it almost slippted past notice until local residents packed out a Marple Area Committee.
More details in the Stockport Express.

Staircase tour for the deaf
I am pleased to learn that there is now a hand-held video display for visitors with hearing impairment, which complements the audio guides that most visitors rely on to tour them round the house. It is eveident that the Council is taking access for all very seriously. On the preview visit I went on, the Council were taking advice from a wheel chair user and a blind visitor.

Covered Market Hall discussion

Just to let you know, I am meeting with Steve Burns of the SMBC Regeneration team tomorrow afternoon. If anyone wants to contact me with further thoughts or observations before then, I will use it to inform my discussion.

Steve has seen my posting of 20 October 2005. Very briefly, I am in favour of investment in the Market Hall, rather than just a strategy of repair and mend, but I am not convinced that the plans put forward are the best. There may even be a risk that they undermine the market. But information is lacking to make this judgement. I hope at least to be better informed after the meeting.

These are my personal views. They may be at odds with market traders who, I am told favour maintenance only. Except for one trader, I haven't received any feedback from members or blog readers that contradicts me.

Contact me on stockporttrust@ntlworld.com, or leave a comment to this or any of my postings. Or, even better, add your own posting.

Staircase House Stitchers

We are delighted with the number of volunteers who have come forward to join the ‘Staircase Stitchers’ embroidery group. This project, funded by the Stockport Heritage Trust, was set up to encourage members of the community to embroider items which will be displayed in the historic rooms in Staircase House. Embroidery tutor Jane Dew, Embroiderer for Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, is co-ordinating the project. Jane will teach the group the correct historic embroidery techniques for each item embroidered. The main project for the group will be bed curtains for the replica 17th century bed donated to the house by Stockport Heritage Trust in 2005, but the group will also be working on smaller items to furnish each of the period rooms in Staircase House.

The first project is for each of the embroiderers to work on a small individual piece of work. Once that is complete, work on the larger projects can begin. Watch this space for regular updates on the progress of the stitchers!

2006 Meetings:

Every third Tuesday of each month:
 Tuesday 17 January
 Tuesday 21 February
 Tuesday 21 March
 Tuesday 18 April

On each of the above dates there will be two sessions – the first beginning at 11am until 3pm, the second beginning at 6pm until 8pm. We encourage stitchers to come at any time within those periods. Please choose whether you would prefer to come during the day or in the evening.

If anyone would like to bring lunch and eat it at Staircase House there are facilities to do so.

Coffee, tea and biscuits will be provided.

Nearest parking is Churchgate or Millgate pay and display car parks. If disabled parking is required please telephone Sarah Cotton beforehand.

If you would like any further details please contact Sarah on 0161 4773701.

This is an ongoing project which we hope will be very enjoyable for all involved.
Thank you for your contribution.

Sarah Cotton
Projects, Curatorial and Technical Support
Stockport Heritage Services
www.staircasehouse.org.uk

Pledge fulfilled

In 1988, the Stockport Heritage Trust was formed with the objective of protecting Stockport's heritage. The focus of the Trust was the rescue and repair of Staircase House, the oldest building in Stockport. To this end money was raised to purchase the building on behalf of the town.
Much campaigning later and the Council stepped in to compulsory purchase the building and raise Lottery funding for its restoration as the excellent Staircase House we know today.
Meanwhile, the Trust has been holding the money raised on behalf of Stopfordians and in memory of founder members, such as Jean Cliffe, who did not live to see their hopes fulfilled.
Including compound interest, the funds stand at £11,700. We wanted a lasting momento, that would be an integral part of Staircase House and be something that Stopfordians could relate to and be involved with. So the fund has been allocated as follows:
£6,500 for an authentic 17th century reproduction tester bed;
£1,500 for period stuffed mattress, bed hangings, and coverings;
£2,000 to initiate the Staircase House Stitichers embroidery project; and
£1,700 for the Stockport Underground exhibition.

Catch up with Stockport Times news

Park wins 50k TV lottery grant
Friends secretary Cath Severn said: "It's absolutely fabulous and it is going to make such a difference to our diverse population of young people. We would not have been able to do it without the enormous support we recieved from local people and businesses."
Congratulations Cath. Do keep us informed of progress.

Mill regeneration wins award
The highly successful regeneration of Reddish's Houldsworth Mill has earned Stockport Council recognition from the British Urban Regeneration Association. The council has recieved the Award for Best Practice in Regeneration.
Work on the 19th century mill - a grade II* listed building - started in 1996 and created 35,000sq m of floor space. Formally opened by Prince Charles in 2003, the former cotton mill has been transformed into a mixed-use premise - containing flats, college, offices and health club.

Approved Planning Briefs

I have added links to Approved Planning Briefs on the left hand side bar. Many of them are for The Hillgate Initiative (THI), but there are other sites, including Hopes Carr.

They are quite long, but are worth browsing if only for the photos and historical titbits.

Am I right in thinking that Hempshaw Brook, is also known as Tin Brook? May be Grace has this covered already and it's probably too late to add anything to the draft of her book on Tin Brook. I don't know what this means exactly, but the Hopes Carr Planning Brief says that Hempshaw Brook may be re-classified by the Environmental Agency as a 'main river'. This would mean that should be no development or tree removal within 8m of the 'river'.

Steve, we were talking about the Cheadle Literary Institute as we passed it on our returning from our Mersey walk. Well there is an approved Planning Brief. I also found this. It reckons that the Institute, built in 1887, is one of only two buildings in Britain to be designed by a woman in this era. It's on a fascinating site, Save Britain's Heritage, unfortunately it's over a year since it was last updated.

Heritage Centre on the internet

1920s bride
Originally uploaded by Trevira.

Trevira has posted a number of photos of the Heritage Centre to Flickr. You will see her photo of our toy soldier elsewhere on this page. I thought you might like to see the rest.

Says Trevira, "I really enjoyed this display, being an aspiring dress historian, and it was an inspired idea to curate a selection of garments that everyone invariably keeps and treasures."


Explore her photostream for old ephemera including fashions, toys and wrapping paper.

The Heritage Centre, if you don't already know, is in St Mary's, Churchgate, Stockport and is open Tues, Fri and Sat (market days) and is run by volunteers always keen to talk about Stockport's history and heritage.