Decoration

A simple terrace of houses could be built to look very plain, but the Victorians were inclined to add a certain amount of ornamentation to most buildings.
These moulded decorative bricks are to be found on Kings Road, Hurst Knoll, Ashton.

The Queen's Arms (or not)

The former Queen's Arms pub on the corner of George Street and Wood Street, Ashton. It started life in 1823 as the Elephant and Castle pub but after Queen Victoria came to the throne, was re-named the Queen's Arms.
As the photo shows, the pub has now been re-named once again - this time to Bar 15.
From time to time I hear people complaining about the fashion for re-naming pubs but, reading about the history of Ashton's pubs, it can be seen that this is by no means a new thing! One pub, which I will feature soon, has had at least 5 names!

Market Progress

Today's photo shows Ashton's open market, looking towards the Market Hall. The progress of the Market Hall's re-building can be seen, with a new roof-line. The tower is now being refurbished behind the scaffolding. The Market Hall was gutted by fire in 2004.

Parish Church

The Parish Church of St Michael and All Angels seen across the ornamental entrance to the Memorial Gardens in Ashton.
The area between the gardens and the church was the historic heart of Ashton, with the the Old Cross standing in the original market place.

Memorial Gardens

Ashton's Memorial Gardens in bloom in the April sunshine. At the top of the bank stands the war memorial. In the background is a block of new apartments and behind that the tower of Albion Sunday school (seen in yesterday's photo) can also be seen.

The Cats' Park

Spring is very definitely in the air in Ashton this week. The trees may still be bare but there is plenty of colour on the ground!

This is the view across the triangular-shaped gardens between Mossley Road, Penny Meadow and Cricket's Lane. In the distance is Albion Warehouse, the former Albion Sunday School.

A much larger version of this photo, suitable as desktop wallpaper, can be found here.

St George's Day

Yesterday was St George's Day and Tameside Council played its part in the growing movement to celebrate the day in England. Every public building in Tameside flew the white and red flag of St George and stickers were given out to every school child.

During the day, costumed stilt-walkers toured the market ground distributing silk red roses. A group of costumed "knights", pictured above in front of the Ashton Town Hall steps, visited every town in Tameside giving out roses. Mossley councillor Roy Etchells, looking on, joked that they wouldn't have got away with handing out red roses over in Yorkshire!

No dragons were in evidence. You will have to look here to see St George fighting a rather cute dragon.

More Backs

Another typical back alley or ginnel in Ashton. The scene will be familiar to ex-patriot Ashtonians, apart from the wheelie bins, satellite dishes and security gate.

Broadoak Shops

This photo shows the green and the row of shops that are opposite the Broadoak Hotel, Smallshaw. The turning to the right is Poplar Grove.

Latchford Street

Looking east along Latchford Street towards Elgin Street and Canon Johnson school.