Millgate/Churchgate Crossing

As many people will now be aware the road through the Market Place will no longer be closed on Market days.

This is of great concern to members of the Heritage Trust, as being based in St. Mary's Church, on the corner of these two roads, we have seen the road getting more and more dangerous.

The Trust is now working with the Council to try and improve the situation and provide a safer means for pedestrians to cross from the church to the market.

Victorian Market

Was everyone in Stockport at the Market Place on Saturday to help celebrate the opening of the re-developed Market Hall? it certainly seemed that way.

With free entertainments and side shows for the kids, as well as roast chestnuts and mulled wine, it was a shame to miss it.
The Trust were out in force, joining the market traders in getting in the Victorian spirit.

New Window for St. Mary's

St. Mary's Church in the Market Place has a new window.

Jim Clare has been working hard over the last few months to create an effective Stained Glass Window of Richard de Vernon the first curate of St. Mary's in 1306.

Made from acrylic at a fraction of the cost of a real one, the window proudly resides in the Heritage Centre shop.

Winter Heritage Magazine in the Shops This Week !!

The Stockport Heritage magazine, winter issue, is in the shops this week.


It contains stories of -

Stockport County's Celebrations
Tiviot Dale's 'Cathedral'
Offerton's Spies
Woodley's Ghost
Seventeen Windows, Marple
18th C. Traffic Jams on Hillgate
and much more.

Stitchers Finish First Bed Curtain

This is the first replica 17th Century bed hanging to be completed by the Staircase Stitchers. Motifs were embroidered individually by the Stitchers before being appliqued onto the large linen curtain fabric, which had the central tree and grassy base outlined. After almost a year of preparation (including creation of the many motifs), the actual stitching onto the curtain fabric has taken two years to complete.

It will be displayed temporarily at the head of the carved bed in Staircase House provided by Stockport Heritage Trust, until a second curtain, already well on it's way, can enable them hang on either side of the bed head.

Dan Bank, October Update

The latest information from the Council concerning the repairs to Dan Bank include information about the 'Oldknow Stones'.

These are the original stones that formed a fence line to the turnpike road of 1801

It was due to members of the Trust that these old stones have been brought to the attention of the Council.







Click on the image to enlarge.

Gluttony & Drunkenness

The Stockport Food and Drink Festival was rounded of this year by a Scarecrow competition. All around the Market Place strange figures sprung up over night.




The winner was a headless horse man, complete with horse.
The Trust, keeping to the theme of food and drink, came a close second with Gluttony & Drunkenness.

Autumn Walk Down Reddish Vale

This year's Mersey Basin walk was around the picturesque Reddish Vale,
led by Kath Taylor, and assisted by Paula Rands and Kevin Dranfield.

Kath had gone to a great deal of trouble to give us a history tour of the Vale, starting as far back as the 17th century and progressing to the modern day.

The weather was perfect and the foliage exquisite. Thank you Kath for a very enjoyable trip out.


Anyone wishing to become a member of the Stockport Heritage Trust and find out more about the outing we organise, see the Trust website www.stockportheritagetrust.co.uk

Progress in the Graveyard

The Logging of the graves in St. Mary's Church Yard is into it's second year and two members of the team recently gave a talk, to the Friends of Stockport Cemeteries, about there progress.

Starting with the north side of the church, they have devised a plan of all the gravestone locations, transcribed the text on them and photographed any interesting ones. The next stage was to enter all the information gathered into a database.

Having completed the north side, and the 'Secret Graveyard' they are now ready to start on the south side of the church.

As the upkeep of the graveyard requires volunteers and gardening tools, any offers of these would be welcomed.

More information can be obtained from the church, open on all market days.

Historic Food and Drink Walks

Friday October 3rd to Sunday 13th is Stockport's second Food and Drink Festival.

The Trust is offering two walks around the history of Stockport's food and drink industry.

Do you know where the mustard manufactory was? or Why there were no fish shops in Stockport before 1847?

If not it is not too late to sign up for a walk on Sat 4th or 11th Oct at 1 pm. book your free place at the Tourist Information Centre in Staircase House.

Vernon Park is 150 Years Old

The Trust is always there to help promote Stockport's Heritage, and what better place to be than Vernon Park on a beautiful Sunday, to celebrate 150years of the park.




Even the Worshipful Mayor Councillor Pam King joined in the fun as she tried to fell the knight with bow and arrows, and the Trust's new 'Roll a Penny' game was also a great success.





Thousands turned out for a day in the sun, with Bands, Morris Dancers, Ferret Racing and many other entertainments.

Heritage Open Days

This year's Heritage Open Days were packed with things to do, and the nice weather brought people out in number.

The Trust offered more than ever before, with walks, talks and a film show, at St. Peter's as well as St. Mary's in the Market Place.


If you missed a chance to go on one of our free guided walks, it is not too late. As part of the Stockport's Food and Drink Festival in October Kevin Dranfield will be taking two parties around a new walk, looking at the History of Food and Drink in Stockport.

Do you know were the Mustard Factory was, or why there were no fish shops in the town before 1830?

4th & 11th Oct. at 1pm book your place now with the Tourist Information Office.

Merseyway Exhibition

The Merseyway 20s - 80s Exhibition is now closed.

It was a huge success, there were between 400 & 500 people a day for 7 days. These included many children, teenagers who enjoyed trying on the vintage clothes, wheel chairs and even dogs.

There was a video show of old Stockport as well as many black & white photos of the Merseyway area before and during the building of the Merseyway Shopping Centre.

We had many once familiar, everyday items some of you will remember.


The two Blue Plaque guided walks, led by Kevin Dranfield, where also popular.
Congratulations to Angela Kenrick, who planned organised and executed the whole exhibition, with assistance from members of the Trust.
If you missed the Exhibition, call in and see us at the Heritage Centre in St. Mary's Church, in the Market Place instead and see the new 20s Exhibition in there.

The Salvation Army Citadel

The Salvation Army Citadel is now looking very grand, with it's brand new structure, carefully grafted on behind. It houses 14 apartments which are to be sold on a part or full share basis, to help first time buyers get a foot on the ladder.



A group of guests were given a guided tour around the properties and when the finishing touches are complete, the scaffold will be taken down.

With original features used to enhance the internal design, the flats should not be empty long.

A very different building, to the one I photographed just a year ago.

Bridgefield Development Cancelled

The council announced this week that Lend Lease have pulled out of the £500million Bridgefield Development on the site between the motorway and Prince's Street.

Lend Lease were signed up as partners for the transformation of Stockport in 2006. This sudden decision to pull out is blamed on the down turn in the economy.
For more information see Stockport Express

Market Hall

The Market Hall is looking very smart with it's new outside opening stalls, and spacious interior.




The Market trades were moved over last week, and phase two of the redevelopment has begun.




The Grand Opening is expected to be on November 29th and there will be plenty to see and do at this Victorian themed event.

A Roman Chadkirk

This year's Chadkirk Festival included a Roman encampment complete with camp followers, who performed traditional North African dances.

The Trust had a number of stalls including a bran tub and Norman the Knight, who although shot a few hundred times over the two days, was still standing at the end of it.




Trust members were out in period costume to add to the entertainments.

Stalls, strawberries and cream and Marple Brass Band, were just a few things on offer and the weather put the finishing touches to an enjoyable Festival.