Winter Wonderland

There was more than just Delboy in Marple Bridge on Saturday, there were Morris Dancers, a steel band and lots of shoppers prepared to spend money on Christmas presents.














The Trust had a stall for the first time this year. Angela Kenrick, Coral Dranfield, Sue Foster and Kath Taylor all turned out to take money off the willing public and, in spite of the chilled feet and blue fingers, it was well worth the effort.

12.5m phone mast, Rose Hill - planning application

DC024921
Proposed 12.5 metre high ultra slim line telecommunications mast and associated ground level equipment cabinets.
Footpath of Stockport Road (Junction with Railway Road) Rose Hill, Marple SK6 6EE.
Case Officer / Telephone: Mr M Jordan 0161 474 3657
Consultation Expiry Date: 24-12-2006
No documents available at time of posting. Click on the headline to see for yourself.

Waterways hit by cash crisis

[Excerpt from Stockport Times article by Emma Rathbone - 23/11/06]

The future of Marple's locks and canals is under threat due to funding cuts which have been blamed on government "incompetence".

British Waterways (BW) expects to lose £60 million over the next five years as the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has cut funding after it failed to pay subsidies to farmers on time.

Canal near Hawk Green
Photo by Bill.

Hazel Grove MP Andrew Stunell is backing a parliamentary motion supporting inland waterways and has challenged the government to guarantee that the Cheshire Ring of Canals will remain passable.

He said: "I am very worried that the cash cuts will damage Marple Locks and out treasured local canals. Thousands of people enjoy walking, cycling, jogging and boating along local canals and Marple Locks are key attractions on the Cheshire Ring.
"Stable funding is vital to keep the canals in a useable and pleasant state."

Some 180 redundancies and a drastic slow down in maintenance and repairs to the canal network are expected and fees for boaters may be increased.

Eugene Bastion of BW said a decline in the country's waterways would be a "tragedy" and added: "We are being penalised for Defra's incompetence.
"If we can't maintain the waterways, we can't keep them open. The network is in the best shape for 150 years, but that is now at risk."

People are urged to contact Andrew Stunell, waterways minister Barry Gardiner and secretary of state for the environment David Milliband to voice their concerns.


Click the above image for the Save Our Waterways website.

The Iron Bridge Restoration Project

With the help of the local community The Marple Website has raised almost £16,000 towards match funding for the restoration of the Iron Bridge in Brabyn's Park, Marple.



Fun Quiz Nights at the Ring o' Bells Public House, on Church Lane have been the largest contributers of all. Held once a month they raised a total of nearly £4,000.



Peter Clark and Mark Whittaker are the driving forces behind this project and it is all down to them that it has come so far.

For more information click on the link below.

www.marple-uk.com/ironbridge

Marple Memorial Park has been awarded a Green Flag for the third year running

Marple Memorial Park 03.06.06
Photo by A G 1.

To celebrate the occasion, Stockport councillors and officers, and representatives of The Friends of Marple Memorial Park will raise the Green Flag on Thursday September 14th at 11.00am.


[Click the image above for the full story.]

Canal Boat Stuck in Marple Canal 15.08.06

Canal Boat Stuck in Marple Canal 15.08.06
Photo by A G 1.

Heritage Day events, 7-10 September

7-10 September is Heritage Day (work that one out for yourself). The long list exciting, free places to visit can be found by clicking on the image below. Not least of which is Stockport Heritage Trust's town centre guided walk, hourly from St Mary's Church on Saturday, September 9. Some of the events need to be booked in advance, so take a look now. (Abney Hall, Air Raid Shelters, Art Gallery, Bramall Hall, Chadkirk Chapel, Crematorium, Hat Works, Heaton Moor Park, Hollywood Park, Marple Locks, Plaza, St Peter's Church, St Thomas' Church, Staircase House, Town Centre walks, Town Hall, The Brinnington Story, Vernon Mill, and Vernon Park.)

Wybersley Hall

After decades of neglect and at least 40 years of standing empty, work is on-going to protect Wybersley Hall from further decay. Meanwhile, planning permission is being sought to renovate the building as a private residence, while preserving the character of the hall.

Local historian, Steve Cliffe, dates the hall as far bakc as the 15 Century, a similar age to Staircase House.

With Peace Farm having disappeared to development and Marple Hall demolished due to irrepairable vandalism, Wybersley Hall is the only remaining building of the Bradshawe estate. It is pleasing that a building, over half a millenia old, is not only being preserved but being restored to its original usage, that of a private house. It is not even being sub-divided to flats, the fate of many large buildings.

Cascades of canal

Cascades of canal
Originally uploaded by Nicola Whitaker.

[Text from the Stockport Times]
Marple canal lock inspires Tatton Park flower show
The Marple lock system will provide the inspiration for SMBC's entry into the flower bed competition at this year's RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park.
Opened in 1804, the Marple locks comprise a series of 16 locks that link the upper and lower parts of the Peak Forest Canal.

Marple residents fight land sale

[Excerpt from the Manchester Metro News 21/7/06]
About 40 Marple residents met councillors to discuss PropertySpy plc, which has bought 10.4 acres of land off Brookdale Ave.
The land, formerly part of Hilltop Farm, falls within the Greater Manchester greenbelt and is designated for agricultural use. But the St Albans company is selling plots, on the basis that it could be re-designated for housing.
Hazel Grove MP Andrew Stunell said: This is a speculative scheme of the worst sort. It is outrageous and legislation is already before Parliament to stamp this out.
"Anyone who is tempted to buy one of these plots should know that they are lining the pockets of the promoters with no chance whatsoever of ever getting their money back or a house built."
Resident Tim Snellgrove said: "The land needs to be maintained properly. Also it is very, very unlikely that in the next 20 years at least this land will be re-designated."
A spokesman for PropertySpy said: "We firmly contest that our investment product could be described or construed as any form of abuse.
"We categorically deny the assertion that there is no chance whatsoever of purchasers ever realising their investment or of the land being developed.
"The high demand for housing means there is every chance that prime sites will be considered for residential development at some point."

[The controversial PropertySpy site can be seen by clicking here.]

Marple Service Station - planning application

Stockport Heritage Blue Plaque (Marple)
Photo by A G 1.

DC023407
Redevelopment including demolition of existing structures and provision of new petrol filling station, sales building/forecourt shop, storage compound, jet wash, car parking and associated works (Resubmission of DC022451)
Marple Service Station, Stockport Road, Marple, Stockport, Cheshire, SK6 6DQ
The first application was withdrawn because of insufficient traffic and acoustic information.
Case Officer / Telephone: Mr M Jordan 0161 474 3657
Consultation Expiry Date: 22-07-2006
Information office: Marple Library.
Documents: click here.

Rapleys, the agent, has previously assured me that the Stockport Heritage trust blue plaque (paid for by a Trust member) will be incorporated into the new building. There is still no reference to the plaque in the new application, so I will be getting in contact with both Rapleys and SMBC to see that it is protected.

Miniature Railway - planning application

DC023156
Proposed miniature railway
Roman Lakes Leisure Park, Floodgates, Roman Bridge Lakes, Marple, SK6 7HB
Information office: Marple Library, Memorial Park, Marple
For documents: click here.

Iron Bridge and Rail Trail in Marple

Another lovely evening, another enjoyable walk.

A group of eager walkers gathered in Brabyn's Park Marple Bridge at 7pm on Wednesday evening for a guided tour around the railway hot-spots of Marple.
Led by Kevin Dranfield, with his knowledge of all thing 'Railway' the walk followed the river, through the picturesque woodland to the Old Iron Bridge that spans the Goyt.

Here Peter Clark, of the Marple Local History Society met the group and gave us a brief history of this fine early example of a cast iron structure, and an update on the fight to save the bridge from decay.

After visiting the Aqueduct, we followed the old Marple Tramway as it made its way alongside the locks, and were returned to Brabyn's after a very enjoyable evening.

Thank you Kevin for this fine effort.

Scroll Bridge, Brabyns Park

The following was posted on the Marple Website in March. You may find it of interest. I suggest you click on the image to see the previous postings, and a recreation of a 1991 Stockport Heritage Magazine article about how Scroll Bridge came to be dismantled in the first place.

We spoke to SMBC about this during our Iron Bridge meeting earlier this week. They didn't overwhelm us with detail but the gist of it is that the investigations into what is missing and available has gone pretty well - a significant amount of the original stone has been identified and set out in the park. (I'll add some photos for those of you who have not seen them later.)

The money for the rebuilt / restoration is in next year's budget, so the work to rebuild cannot start until the new financial year. The officers we spoke to could not advise how soon after this the work would start, but hopefully it will not be too long.
 

Stockport Times excerpts - 11/05/06

£70m plan for the town centre
A £70m scheme to transform the derelict industrial site Hopes Carr - which was the scene of Stockport's 1967 aeroplane crash - is to be unveiled this week.
The prject will look to preserve a number of the existing buildings, the existing cobbled street layout and will give greater prominence to Hempshaw Brook [Tinbrook], which flows through the site.
[There is a similar article in the Stockport Express, but with a more alarmist headline. Click here.]

Stairway to fame
Stockport's Staircase House has been named "Building of the Year" at the North West's most prestigious property awards. The RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) named the restored medieval town house as the most out-standing building project in the region after the project had already scopped the Building Conservation at the 2006 RICS North West Awards.
Judges described Staircase House as: "An outstanding demonstration of what can be achieved through partnership between client, architect and professional team builder.
"Staircase House is one of the most interesting urban buildings in North west England datig from the late medieval period. For many years it was neglected, severly fire damaged and collapsing, now it has been carefully repaired and adapted as a museum to interpret its own history."
[It is nice to see that Staircase House, which the Trust had to work hard for to convince the Council that it was worth saving, is now earning the Council many plaudits and awards. It's only a shame the council didn't step in before the fire damage.]

Copper toppers at Hatworks
Police headgear makes an arresting sight in a new exhibition at the Hatworks. The free exhibition aims to show how important headwear is to each force's identity. The exhibition features the Manchester "Peelers" of 1840 wearing the Peelers Hat [like a tophat] and Stockport Borough Police of 1890 who wore helmets with a spike.

Saved, my deer
Marple Firefightser came to the rescue of [a] young deer stranded in the Peak Forest Canal. The fawn was spotted by a dog walker at 6.15am when it was thrashing around in a lock at the end of Station Rd.

Are you a past parent or pupil (over 18) of Stella Maris Shool, St John's Road, Heaton Mersey? If so, you are invited to a retirement party for its head teacher Ita Gannon and school secretary Vivienne Adams - Saturday, June 17, 7.30pm-1am at the Hough End Centre, Chorlton.
Tickets are £15 each, including buffet and disco. Ring the school on 432 0532 or email office@stellamaris.stockport.sch.uk.

Could you volunteer to be the caretaker at Heaton Norris Pavilion, where a vibrant community group runs several activities in its buildings in the Heaton Norris Park Community Centre? If you would like to volunteer, ring Cllr Joan Kidd on 477 8207.
Call time on phone masts
With mobile operators currently applying to put up phone masts in Stockport at a rate of almost one a week, many residents have been asking the question "when is enough, enough?" A quick look at the council website reveals 21 masts currently have planning permission in the borough and there are proposals for 41 more.
Mother of three Nicola Gilbert, of Reddish Road, recently led a successful campaign to stop mobile operator Orange siting a mast on her street. Nicola said: "We wanted to know why Orange to justify why they needed another mast in South Reddish. They just wanted to plonk it right in the middle of a pleasant residential area. It would have had a huge visual impact on the local environment."
She added: "We didn't campaign on the health issue because we appreciate what the guidelines say.
"But it is still an uncomfortable feeling to have them so close to houses. It makes you pretty anxious."
So why, in the face of such opposition, do mobile companies insist on putting up more and more masts?
According to MOA [Mobile Operators Association], the increase in mast applications is down to the 3G licences. By transmitting on the 3G frequency, mobiles can now access the internet and send video messages. However, the radio waves used to carry this information can not travel as far. Therefore more masts are needed.
According to the 3G licences, mobile operators have until the end of 2007 to achieve 80% coverage for the UK's population.
For more information on [the location of] mobile phone masts visit www.sitefinder.radio.gov.uk.
[See SCRAM for info on mobile phone masts.]

Stockport Times excerpts - 4/05/06

The Pavilion Community Centre, Essex Avenue, Cheadle Heath, is looking for help in celebrating its 70th anniversary. The big day is Aug 1 but members and workers from past or present are asked to get in touch before the date . Organisers want to create a display charting the centre's history and are looking for old photos, stories and memorabilia. Anyone who can help should call Rose Walker on 476 2819.
[I am not sure, but aren't there plans for this building to be knocked down and replaced by housing - Bill]

Marple canal lock inspires Tatton Park flower show
The Marple lock system will provide the inspiration for SMBC's entry into the flower bed competition at this year's RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park.
Opened in 1804, the Marple locks comprise a series of 16 locks that link the upper and lower parts of the Peak Forest Canal.

Raise your hat to redevelopment
[These plans were reported previously, use the search box in the top left to find the details of this proposal - Bill]
Two 19C Hillgate Hatmills are to be redeveloped in a multi-million pound residential housing project, within the Hillgate Conservation Area.
Both buildings are considered to be of significant local architectural and historic interest and stand adjacent to the Grade I listed St Thomas's Church.
A former production works for William Harrison and Sons on St Thomas's Place, the mills are to be converted into a mixture of one and two-bed apartments.
Planning permission was given for the project at the Tame Valley Area Committee on Monday evening.

Compost Awareness Week is 7th-13 May

Stockport Time excerpts - 20/4/06

Reddish Baths meeting planned
The Friends of Reddish Baths are holding a meeting at Reddish Community Centre next Wednesday April 26. The group will be discussing its next move, following SMBC's decision to turn down it attempts to reopen the local swimming pool.
The meeting will start at the centre, on Gorton Road, at 8pm.

Organ's star role for church
Val & Ken Cottam aim to raise £18,000 to restore the organ, built by William Hill, at St Elisabeth's in Reddish.

Fly flag for George
On Saturday the eve of St George's Day, Stockport Market will host it's own special tribute to England's patron.
On Sundaym, the Layor councillor Shan Alexander will be attending a special evening of vinatge cinema, celebrating life in Stockport from 1900.
The archive footage will include the St Geiorge's Day parade of 1929, Stockport Market in 1910 and carnivals across the borough in the 1930s.
To learn more about St George, the history and the legend, vosit Stockport Central library.
The Tourist Information Centre, in the Market Place, will also host a display area.
The 1929 film can be seen in the Town Hall Ballroom at 7.30pm, just £2.50 in advance (0845 8330973) or £3 on the night.

Parade rolls out for St George
Marple-based Hare & Hounds Classic Vehicle Club has chosen to mrk the occasion with a club tour through the local countryside. Steve Divall chairman of the Hare & Hounds club, said: "April 23 is a very important date to make a note of as it is the day denoted by the Federation of British Vehicle Clubs as National Classic Day. This date is also St George's Day, Shakespeare's birthday and exactly 60 years since Piaggio launched the Vespa motor scooter."
Members of the Hare & Hounds club will meet at Marple Memorial Park at 10:30 on April 23.

Open gardens
Five of the borough's loveliest gardens will be on display as part of this year's National Gardens Scheme.
June 11: West Drive Gardens, Gatley
June 18: 19 Dorchester Road, Hazel Grove
July 9: Edith Terrace Gardens, Compstall
August 6: 73 Hill Top Avenue, Cheadle Heath
Mar-Oct, by appointment only: 2 Claremont Avenue, Marple
[I can recommend the West Drive Gardens and the Edith Terrace Gardens - Bill]

Planning application - Marple Petrol Station

Stockport Heritage Blue Plaque (Marple)
Originally uploaded by A G 1.

The petrol station where the Trust's blue plaque commemorating Lord President John Bradshaw is being developed.

DC022451 "Redevelopment including demolition of existing structures and provision of new petrol filling station, sales building/forecourt shop, storage compound, jet wash, car parking and associated works."
Consultation Expiry Date: 13-04-2006
Case Officer / Telephone: Mr M Jordan 0161 474 3657
Information office: Marple Library.
Documents now added: click here

Planning application - redevelopment for 99 dwellings

DC022418 Demolition of existing industrial works and ancillary areas and redevelopment for 99 dwellings, associated access improvements, landscaping and communal parking areas.
Park & Paterson (Manchester) Ltd, Cross Lane, Marple, Stockport, Cheshire, SK6 7QA
Consultation Expiry Date: 09-04-2006
Case Officer / Telephone: Mr M Jordan 0161 474 3657
Information office: Marple Library

The changing face of Marple

Kath organised this month's get together. Kath explained to us why it is that the little known, Thomas Carver who has to be thanked for many of Marple's buildings. She then shared with us her collection of photos. The first set was taken by her grandson in 2000. She has followed this up with the same photos taken in 2005. It amused us to think of Kath telling her grandson to photo all the pubs.