ABC Wednesday: Jutting Out

Today's post for ABC Wednesday is J for "Jutting Out" and shows Newmarket Road in Ashton, where one of the old cottages juts out into the road. This may come as a surprise for drivers unfamiliar with the road when coming around the nearby bend!

The cottages are part of the the ancient hamlet of Taunton and were built at a time of horse-drawn traffic along the old road out of Ashton. The road split just ahead, with the road to Oldham going to the right and the road to Woodhouses to the left. The road has been widened to cope with lorries and buses but there is only just enough room for a modern road to squeeze through here between the cottages and the Woodcock Inn. Luckily the traffic to Oldham now follows the straight turpike road and misses this location altogether.

The photo shows the road at a quiet moment. During the day time there is usually a flow of traffic in both directions.

See Google Street View of this location.

(Click photo for larger version. Press Back button to return here.)

"Jutting Out" is a contribution to ABC Wednesday. For more "J" posts from around the world please follow this link.

Taunton Road

A view looking northwards along Taunton Road towards its junction with Newmarket Road.

Those who have been away from Ashton for a while may get the feeling that there is something missing from the scene - for it was here on the left that the Gardeners Arms stood for many years.

It dated from 1837 and was originally called Two Gates or The Angel, and then the Foresters Arms. It became the Gardeners Arms around 1854. It was demolished around 2004 and replaced by the large building left of centre in the photo.

See Google Aerial View of this location.

The Woodcock

The Woodcock is on Newmarket Road in the Taunton area of Ashton.

It was first licensed as a beerhouse in 1868 but re-built in 1879. In 1889 it was granted a full license (so that wines and spirits could also be sold). It was owned by Shaws until 1902 and then by Rothwell's Brewery of Newton Heath. In 1961 Rothwell's were taken over by Marston's, who still own the Woodcock.

In the distance can be seen the Clock Shop on the corner of Downing Street.

See Google Aerial Photo of this location.

Sat Nav Not Savvy

A "Sign of the Times" here on Newmarket Road warns truck drivers not to follow the instructions of their sat navs!

Over the last few years there have been a number of occasions when some drivers of HGVs (heavy goods vehicles), who had apparently lost the ability to use maps or common sense, followed the instructions of their sat nav and turned left onto Downing Street. The road is not very wide when it starts, but quickly becomes even narrower, dipping steeply into a valley before turning sharply to the right.

Last year, one wayward wagon brought down part of the front wall of a cottage as it struggled to negotiate the corner [read story and see photos].

Incidentally, the "Clock Shop", featured in yesterday's Theme Day, is just around the corner to the left, behind the tree. (The litter bin on the corner can be seen in both photos.) In the distance a bus is passing the Woodcock Inn. Taunton Hall, which appeared here in April, is out of sight on the right, opposite the sat nav sign.

Kay's Yard

Situated on Newmarket Road, in the Taunton area of Ashton, is this modernised cottage which bears the name "Kay's Yard". The cottage is almost opposite Taunton Sunday School.

I would be pleased to hear if anyone knows the origin of the name, and who "Kay" might have been!

Taunton Hall

Taunton Hall, on Newmarket Road, with Old Hall Farm on the left.

Taunton Hall was a medieval cruck-framed building, dating from the 1337. However, the building has undergone much alteration, with the original timber frame being encased within 18th-century brickwork and a stone slate roof. Three cruck trusses survive, along with other features, such as 16th-century wattle and daub panelling.

Sunnyside Up

Just off Newmarket Road in the Taunton area of Ashton is the delightful row of cottages known as "Sunnyside". As you can see, it really is!

Taunton Sunday School

Taunton Sunday School on Newmarket Road. It dates from 1820 and was built by public subscription, being independent of any of the churches. The former hamlet of Taunton lies between Waterloo and Daisy Nook.