Super Clinic Shaw Heath

Anyone seeing the article in this week's Stockport Express about a new NHS clinic on the St. Thomas Hospital site, might be a little confused as to how this fits in with the old Workhouse.

The old St. Thomas Hospital site is now divided by a continuation of Royal George St. which separates the site owned by Stockport College, on the right, containing the beautifully restored workhouse buildings, from the site on the left, which is still owned by the Health Authority, who have been planning to redeveloped this site for some time.

Dan Bank update

(click on picture to enlarge image)

The Oldknow stones, dating back to the building of his turnpike around 1800.

All credit for the identification and preservation of these stones must go to Ray Preston, one of our Trust members.

Stockport Heitage Magazine Winter 2009

The latest Magazine will be in the shops for December.

It contains stories about -

A Reddish swimming champion.
Railways of Heaton Mersey
The early day of sport in Stockport
Growing up in Portwood
Buildings at risk
Prehistoric Mellor
100 years of Guiding in Cheadle
Poynton coal pits
Marple's Mill of Misery

and much, much more.

Heritage Magazine Index

At last the magazine has an index that includes all issues from 1 - 74
It is in CD Rom format and very easy to use.

If you are looking for information about an area of Stockport or interested in Stopfordian's memories of growing up with two wars and wish to find an article in the back copies, or maybe remember seeing a picture in one of the magazines and cannot find it, this Index is the answer.

It cost £4 from the Heritage Centre in St. Mary's Church in the Market Place or can be ordered from Coral Dranfield at coralandkevin@hotmail.com with 95p P & P added.

Victorian Market 2009

The Victorian Market was a great success this year. The Council pulled out all the stops to make it a fun filled day, with free entertainments, and warming mulled wine and mince pies. The Heritage Trust turned out in numbers and in costume to add to the Victorian atmosphere of the day. Our 'Roll a Penny' and 'Catch the Rat' games, gave much amusement and our Heritage stall did a roaring trade in Stockport Calendars as well as souvenirs and Christmas presents.

Fire in Hopes Carr

Another piece of Stockport's Heritage was destroyed today by fire.

An important mill, that had recently been identified as of possible World Heritage Status, was destroyed by fire in less that 24 hours.

Stockport cannot afford to lose such buildings as these, and there are many more in the Borough still at risk.

What is happening at Brinksway?

Anyone passing by the Brinksway Caves may have noticed scaffolding has been erected in front of some of the caves, while repairs to the road are carried out.

The Heritage Trust was asked if these caves have ever been surveyed and we were able to ask a man who knew the answers.

The caves have been surveyed and a digital 3D image taken.

The road above is in need of better foundations and three small caves will have to be filled to support it better. These are away from the main row of seven caves, as shown on the picture, which, we are assured, are quite safe.

Disagreements over Woodbank Park

There is a proposed new car park, to serve Woodbank and Vernon Parks. It is to be positioned off Turncroft Lane and as part of the improvements the old stone gateway shall get a makeover and the glacial boulder be set in a small garden feature. The park is over 560,000 sq. mtrs. and the area proposed for the car park will be 0.23 % of that.

It will be to the left of the present entrance in an area that is not used because of poor drainage, and is designed to take the parking off Turncroft Lane.

The Friends of Woodbank are in favour of the car park, but a small group of locals are trying to prevent it.

The Park was given to the people of Stockport in the 1920's but the Council added to it considerably when they bought Woodbank Farm.

The Trust has voted to support the plans on the grounds that more access is needed to both parks for elderly, infirm and families with buggies. Also Woodbank Hall is a building at risk and in danger of deterioration and decay and the Trust is concerned for its future.

The Friends are hoping that the car park will mean less traffic inside the Park as cars are a nuisance up and down the driveway. They say there is no truth is the rumour that coaches will be parked there.

This Saturday is the last chance to put forward your comments to the plans either way..

Gorton Monastery

Fifteen Trust members turned up today, for a guided tour of Gorton Monastery, and what a place it is.

Built in the 1860's as a statement to the people of Manchester, that the Catholic Church was back in this country, after hundreds of years of oppression and persecution.

It's Architect, Edward Pugin, used the sun's rays in an amazing way to pick out features of the church at different times of the day and year.

Not all the architectural features are yet back in place as many were sold or destroyed during years of decay, but what has been done to restore and reuse the building is just miraculous.

1940's Market - 70 years on.

It is 70 years since the 'Outbreak of War' and the opening of Stockport's Air Raid Shelters.

Saturday 24th October was the day chosen to commemorate this event with activities down the Air Raid Shelters as well as in the Market Place.



Many people turned out to join in the day and the Trust's stall full of 1940's items, brought back memories for many as well as giving others the chance to try army dress and old fashions.

The G.I presence gave the whole event atmosphere and their expertise with the 'Jitterbug' got everyone's feet tapping.

Conservation & Design Awards

Last week a member of the Trust, Tony Marsh, was one of eight judges for Stockport's Conservation and Design Awards. They viewed fifteen entries, which varied from the refurbished Red Bull on Hillgate, to a Yoga studio in Heaton Moor, from an Iron Bridge in Marple to a new Academy in Cheadle Heath.

After discussing each building's merits at length their comments were passed to the Council's representatives and the results and award presentation will be held in November for the successful buildings.

Mushroom Hunt

In spite of the weather, and a poor turn out, the 'Mushroom Hunt' was a great success.

With a 2 hour walk through the Goyt Valley ending at the Shady Oak for lunch, it was easy to forget why we were there.

Only armed with cameras and a mushroom book, we hunted and walked and hunted some more, turning up some beautiful specimens.

Thank you Steve Cliffe for suggesting a route for us.

Heritage Open Days 2009

This year's Heritage Open Days were blessed with the best possible weather for the time of year, which added to what was a full menu of walks, talks and a welcome to all who had never visited the Heritage Centre before.





A new walk around St. Mary's graveyard, by Jill Trumble, went down very well and could have been filled three time over.

A big thank you to everyone who put in the work to make this an enjoyable four days.

Heritage Centre's 10th Birthday

Stockport Heritage Trust celebrated it's 10th birthday on Sat 5th September with an unveiling ceremony. Ann Coffey, Member of Parliament for Stockport, officially presented St. Mary's Church with a new noticeboard, paid for by the Trust to commemorate their ten year partnership.


The celebrations continued inside the church where she also opened the new 1939 exhibition "The Outbreak of War".

The evening celebrations were held in St. Andrew's Church Hall were Iain Maclean and Roger Scoones both spoke briefly about how the Heritage Centre came about and what it has meant to both organizations, working together.

To view Iain's speech click on the link below.
Iain's speech

New Marple Book

There is a new Marple Book out now.

It contains over 90 old photographs and postcards of Marple and District, which includes Chadkirk, Marple Bridge, Mellor, Compstall, Hawk Green, Strines, High Lane and the Roman Lakes.

Each old picture has a corresponding modern photograph to accompany it.

This book will be a record for the future. Compare the scenes of yesteryear with those of today, and have a keepsake record of the area in 2009.

It can be obtained for £12.99 from-
Stockport Heritage Centre, St. Mary's church, the Market Place.

stockportheritagemagazine.co.uk

or direct from the authors, Coral Dranfield 01614274006, Steve Cliffe 01663719129

2009 Chadkirk Festivel

The weather could not stop the annual Chadkirk Festival, although on the Sunday it did try.

Romans and Eastern Dancers added to the fun and the usual stalls and entertainments.

The Trust were there with 'Norman the Knight', who, although being shot many times by the children, was still standing at the end of the weekend.

Heritage Destroyed

More of Marple's heritage was destroyed this week, when a WWII command post was flattened by contractors preparing a work site ready for next years repair of Dan Bank.

The work site will probably be there for 12 - 18 months. The command post has been there for 60 years.

An unusual construction, with two rooms each with a metal arched roof.

The arched riveted steel roofs were the last thing to be seen of what was probably a unique relic in the borough.

Summer /09 Magazine Out Now

The Summer issue of the Stockport & District Heritage Magazine, is on the shelves now and just as good as ever.


There are stories about -
Happy school days.
Pubs with character.
Life of a photographer on the Stockport Advertiser.
Daw Bank's early 'House of Industry'.
A ramble around Reddish.
The Monkey Run.
Underbank Hall.
Old Cottage of Brinnington.
When a hayloft became a school.
St Philip's Cheadle.
Arden Hall.
As well as book reviews and many letters from readers.


Get your copy from local newsagents, Stockport Heritage Centre in St. Mary's Church, Market Place, or direct from the Editor. www.stockportheritagemagazine.co.uk

Marple Lock's Festival

A little rain was not enough to stop the people of Marple from turning out for the 2009 bi-annual Locks Festival.

Plenty of fun, food and fine weather turned the day into a great success.

The Trust was present as usual and were greeted by many friends.

Thank you to the team lead by Alison and Malcolm Allcard for a very well organised event.

Edwardian Garden Party

More summer fun, when members of the Trust gathered together on Sunday afternoon, for an Edwardian style garden party.





Croquet on the lawn for the sedate set.

Connect Four extended the brains of the thoughtful and Boules gave an excuse for the more pedantic among us to quibble over the score.

Good food and good company made for a pleasant day.

Canal Trip

Eighteen brave Heritage Trust members set out on Wed 20th May, to conquer the Ashton to Marple canal, with the aid of two comfortable barges.



After much sunbathing, eating, drinking and considerable laughter, they arrived safely back at base, with no undue signs of fatigue.




The trip had been book up in the first week and a cry for more went up from the heroes after a very enjoyable day.


Thank you to Kevin Dranfield for organising the outing, and how about doing it again next year?