Memorial to the Poor of Stockport

Stockport Heritage Trust and the Co-operative Funeral Care have combined forces to provide a memorial to the numerous people of Stockport who were buried in the Borough Cemetery without their own marked grave. Many of these spent their last days in the Union Workhouse or in poverty at home.

The memorial was unveiled by the Reverend Ken Kenrick, at a short service on Sunday 29th April 2012. It was Ken's last day as the Workhouse Chaplain and the day he retired a minister of St. Thomas' Church.

To see the unveiling ceremony follow these links.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-RJUf7M_KQ&list=UU_LEF2fGmqexlyf-yNXGxZA&index=3&feature=plcp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZzbkxLtp4o&list=UU_LEF2fGmqexlyf-yNXGxZA&index=2&feature=plcp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo7qIti77ps&list=UU_LEF2fGmqexlyf-yNXGxZA&index=1&feature=plcp

Changes to the Stockport Heritage Trust website

Stockportheritagetrust.co.uk was created and maintained free through Microsoft Office Live, which has kindly decided to discontinue the service as of 30th April. One of our volunteers is working on a replacement website,  which should have increased flexibility, but due to other time commitments, there will sadly be a temporarily reduced service. However it is hoped that there will be no 'down time' and a website which will be improved over time will be available. Sincere apologies.


It hoped to also link a 'Stockport Memories' blog to the new site, and on this blog of course, where Stopfordians can write their reminiscences of anything and everything (suitable for family viewing of course!) about our town. This would hopefully be not only a good read, but an archive for future generations. 


Memories of simple, more practical things, or even local phrases can easily be lost through time, so we hope many of you will please contribute when it's up and running.


Thank you 

Heritage Magazine Spring 2012

The 2012 Spring magazine will be in the shops near you by the end of this week.

It contains stories of :-

Brewing on Hillgate
Bus tickets with local advertising
Tales from the Nelson Yard
The Davenport Theatre
A cowboy landlord at the White Lion
When Stockport was timber-framed
Family connections
Dad's pie shop
Mass Trespass
Stockport's black goalie
Was the 'Bowler' invented in Stockport?
Mellor Mill
Mirrlees memories

and much more including letters and your comments.

Market Signage

Stockport Heritage Trust is wholeheartedly supporting the Market Traders in their efforts to get an arch and street markers around the fringes of the Market Place in order to encourage visitors to the town to venture further than the Peel Centre and Mersey Way.

Stockport’s historic Market Place and Underbanks have a lot to offer and are sadly underused at present, but the Trust is constantly passed over when these discussions are underway and our voice and that of other stakeholder, market area retailers and St. Mary's Church, are not being listened to.

We hope that in the near future we can bring you better news.

Otterspool Weir

The weir at Otterspool dates back to the time of water powered cotton mills. It was built by Jessie Howard of Stockport to run a new mill but was never completed. Nearly 200 year after work on the leet ceased this valuable source of water power is to be used to turn two Archimedean Screws which will produce electricity for the National Grid.


Work began last year and is progressing well.

Trip to Organ Museum

Wed. Feb 22^nd
Our trip to the Theatre Organ Heritage Centre at Peel Green, Eccles is on Wednesday 22nd Feb.

We are meeting at the church carpark in the Market Place at 10.30am. The first stop is Wetherspoons next to the Chill Factor Trafford Quays, for a coffee.

The Museum opens at 12 noon and at 1pm there is an organ recital lasting about one hour with an interval for tea.

Cars will be arranged, so please let someone know if you are coming.

01614274006

Church Refurbishment

It is as yet not certain that the church will be closing for the refurbishment of the cafe, toilets and we hope, the Heritage Centre.

The plans are on view in the church tower until the end of Feb. Following this time they will need to be passed by a number of interested parties.

We are expecting to have to move out if the Heritage Centre is included in this phase of the work but will try to keep our members updated on where we will be housed.

Stockport's Christmas Market - 2011

The weather was good and the festive cheer plentiful, aided by the team from the Tourist Information Centre and free mulled wine.



The Trust was out in force, with our own Town Cryer, Jim Clare, 'Splat-the -Rat' and 'Roll-a-Penny' games. As well as Mr. Pickwick's Emporium but the star of the show was little Natalie who got the winning score by rolling pennies from her push chair.

Heritage Magazine Winter 2011/2012

The Stockport Heritage magazine for winter 2011/2012 is going in the shops this week, by Friday it will be in most Co-operative stores, Martin's and small newsagents. If it is not in yours, ask them to get it for you.

This issue has articles on :-
Stockport Viaduct
Cherry Tree Hospital
Woodbank Remembered
Captain's Bridge
Manchester & Stockport Canal Society
Hillgate Mills
Maia Boy's Choir
The Origins of Hazel Grove
The Wesley Pulpit
Admiral Sir George Back
Vernon Mill
Cheadle's Cinema

With much more, including letters and updates from around the Borough.

Flog It !!

came to Stockport Town Hall on Friday 11th November. Stockport Heritage Magazine were invited to meet Paul Martin and his team of experts. Our intrepid reporter went along to capture the scene.



FLOG IT !!

Campaign for Church Crossing

Stockport Heritage Trust has been trying to highlight the need for a crossing in the Market Place for over two years.

In desperation we made our own crossing sign, and a Stockport Express photographer was there to record the event.

Does someone need to be hurt before they will do something?

Stockport Remembered

'Stockport Remembers' was the first time Woodbank Park has been used to remember the 'Fallen' of Stockport, for a very long time.

The park was given to the people of Stockport following the First World War and has been sadly neglected in recent years but with the remaining memorial gate having been given a face lift and a new tree sculpture to commemorate animals that served in conflicts, it was the perfect time to remember.

A little rain dampened the afternoon but otherwise it was a good day out.

Stockport Festival

Saturday 3rd Sep. was the first ever Stockport Festival. The weather was kind and people came out to see what was on offer. There was fun for all the family and the town's varying retail areas took part.

The Trust had a stall and provided a 'Roll A Penny' game, which the mayor seemed to enjoy.

Let's hope this is only one of many.

Heritage Open Days at the Trust

Heritage open day are nearly upon us. This year's free talk at St. Peter's Church, will be Stockport Castle by Kevin Dranfield. It is free and there is an accompanying book for only £2 if you wish to know more.

Come on Thursday 8th Sep. at 2pm and hear about the history of Stockport Castle from pre-historic times to the present day.

Demolition-St. George's Rectory

St. George's wish to demolish the old rectory. The Trust is official against this as it is a grade II listed building and was listed as part of a site with three buildings including the church and school.

Planning Application to demolish a Listed Building

The planning application consultation period for the demolition of St. George’s former Vicarage, Heaviley a Grade II listed building, will end on 15^th August. The application number 047344 and accompanying documents/surveys etc can be viewed at:

http://planning.stockport.gov.uk/PlanningData/AcolNetCGI.gov?ACTION=UNWRAP&RIPNAME=Root.PgeResultDetail&TheSystemkey=111544

Comments for or against can be left.

Comments can also be sent to the case officer Mark Jordan at: mark.jordan@stockport.gov.uk

Mark Jordan, Planning Services, Stockport MBC, Place Directorate, Stopford House, Piccadilly, Stockport SK1 3XE

The Vicarage has been subject to fire and vandalism and the interior is severely damaged, but the ACIES Structural Condition Report in the Heritage Report Document states that ‘Although there is extensive fire damage to timber elements, the masonry in the building seems to be unaffected.’ Stockport has some good examples of sympathetic re-use of heritage buildings, and it would be sad to see this precedent replaced by approval of the demolition of a listed building.

Supermarket for Marple

Cheadle & Marple 6th Form College are planning to sell off thier Hibbert Lane Campus to one of the large supermarket chains.


There is a campaign to stop this happening.

If you wish to be a part of this, you can sign an on line petition by going to this web address - www.marple-in-action.org.uk

Alan Burgess

It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of our great friend and colleague Alan Burgess.

Alan was one of the Trust's first volunteers to come down to the Heritage Centre and stay.

He found secondhand furniture to fit out the rooms and put on displays around the walls. He often volunteered to sit in the stocks and have wet sponges thrown at him, and would dress in costume and walk around the market are handing out fliers.

Alan was a big asset to the Trust and will be missed.

Chadkirk Festival 2011

What a weekend !! Who could have guessed after six weeks of bad and mixed weather, we could be so lucky as to get two glorious days for the Chadkirk Festival.

There was more than ever for families to see and do, with street entertainers, basket weaving, exotic dancers, worm charming as well as all the usual stalls and bands.

The Trust was there as usual in all it's glory. We had two stalls, a bran tub and Norman the Knight, who the mayor could not resist shooting an arrow at.

The costumes were varied too, with Georgian, Medieval, Victorian, Puritan and of course the Town Crier.

Thanks to the Friends of Chadkirk and Stockport Council for running this popular event.

Summer 2011 Heritage Magazine out now !!

The summer Heritage Magazine is in the shops now.

With stories about -
Brinnington
Dan Bank
Sport in Stockport
Oakwood Hall
Red phone boxes
The Unicorn Brewery
The Arden's of Bredbury
Peak Forest Canal
Reddish
Kinder Scout
Woodley
Plaza Cinema
Book reviews and numerous letters.


If your newsagent does not stock it ask him to give us a ring.
01663719129

Inns & Outs of Stockport Taverns

There is a new book out by Coral Dranfield.

This book is not an index of Stockport Pubs, Coral has selected tales and anecdotes, histories and legends to construct a book that gives a social history woven around the old taverns and inns of Stockport, many of which are no longer there.

It is selling at £6 from Stockport Heritage Centre, St. Mary's Church, the Tourist Information Centre, Staircase House and Waterstones in Merseyway.

A perfect day, for a perfect day out. Marple Locks Festival picked the best of days for what was the best festival yet.

People flocked to Memorial Park Marple, to see the animals, boats and stalls. There were walks along the canal as well as rides on canal boats. Plenty of stalls provided entertainment, fun and food. Stockport Heritage were out in force and by early afternoon had sold out of 2011 calendars. It looks as if they are going to be in demand this year.

You can get yours from the heritage centre St. Mary's Church, Market Place and they will also be on the heritage stall at Chadkirk on 30th & 31st July.



Thank you to the organisers for a well run event.