Old Post Office

Someone returning to Ashton after a few years might easily find themselves slipping into this building on Warrington Street to buy a stamp or something. They would then be in for a surprise as the building no longer houses Ashton's Post Office. The new post office is inside W H Smith's shop in the Arcades centre.

Ashton Market

A view of Ashton's open market with the Town Hall to the left and scaffolding around the Market Hall to the right.

Before the Bulldozers Came

The bottom end of Stamford Street, Ashton, in October 2004, before the bulldozers arrived. Every building in this photo has now gone, except the Old Baths and St Peter's Church (the two buildings with towers).
Click on photo to see larger image.

Forester's Re-Call

Another view of the Forester's Call public house on Old Street, Ashton - this time from across the road (outside the Star Inn). Cavendish Mill is seen in the distance on the right.

Forester's Call

Interesting tiling on the front of the Forester's Call public house on Old Street, Ashton.

The Foresters Call started off as a beerhouse in 1848. A wine licence was granted in 1889 and a full licence in 1950.

Beer has been taxed in England since 1643. From 1830 a suitable house could sell beer (but not wines and spirits) if an excise licence was held (for tax-collecting purposes).

Park Gates

The park gates of King George V Playing Fields, Ashton. These gates are the entrance to the park from Alexandra Road. The bowling green is behind the fence on the right. The football pitches are to the left. The red object just inside the park on the left is a "dog poo bin".

Daisy Nook on ice

Another photo from last weekend showing the canal iced over at Daisy Nook Country Park, between Ashton and Oldham. The blue sky and sunshine belie the bitterly cold temperature. This was the junction of the Hollinwood and Fairbottom branches. The remains of the four Waterhouses locks are to the right.

Dovestones

Looking down on Dovestones Reservoir, Greenfield, from Slack Head Brow, close to Alphin Pike. This is a bit further west along the hill from yesterday's photo (about 5 miles from Ashton). The white things are the sails of yachts on the reservoir. The road to Holmfirth can be seen climbing the other side of the valley.

Bog Trotting

By request - a photo of the moorland above Dovestones Reservoir, Greenfield.
This scene is a mere half dozen miles from Ashton but is so different that you might as well be walking on the moon! The walkers are crossing an area of bare peat at Wimberry Moss. The rocks in the background are Wimberry Stones, known as "Indian's Head" because, when seen on the skyline from the valley below, they resemble the profile of a "red indian chief" if you turn your head to one side and use a little imagination!

A Moment Frozen in Crime

The frozen surface of Crime Lake this morning.
Crime Lake forms part of the route of the Hollinwood Canal through Daisy Nook Country Park, between Ashton and Oldham.