Park Bridge Institute

Park Bridge was once a busy industrial stretch of the Medlock Valley, within Ashton's northern boundary. The Lees family, who ran the thriving ironworks, built several terraces of houses for their workers, plus other facilities such as the Institute, pictured here on a miserable day.

The Institute was opened in 1905 by Maurice Lees. It had a reading room and a billiard room. Monthly church services were held there and it is still a thriving community centre. Each year a Service of Remembrance is held at the Memorial at the front of the building.

See Google Aerial View of this location.

Wesleyan Methodist Sunday School

The former Wesleyan Methodist Sunday School is on the corner of Mill Lane and Crown Street (originally Church Street) in central Ashton.

Built in 1877, the building has been empty for some time, as can be seen by the trees growing from the roof. It has been bought by a company that has converted other old buildings into apartments, so there is a possibility that the building may be retained, although it seems unlikely that anything will happen during the present economic climate.

Alphabet Friday - Old Town

O is for "Old Town" and this street sculpture represents Ashton's Old Town area of Stamford Street and Old Street. The metal grid in the centre of the sculpture is in the form of a map of the grid pattern of Ashton's streets. The surface is decorated with a variety of objects to represent the shops and industries of the area. Elsewhere are representations of people, buildings and events that have shaped Ashton. The sculpture was created in 2002 and is the work of artist Michael Johnson.

Hare and Hounds, Luzley

The Hare and Hounds pub at Luzley is a favourite place for those wanting to go to "a pub in the country" without having to go too far! The Hare and Hound is situated on the old road between Ashton and Mossley, with views across open fields opposite towards the heather moorland above Stalybridge.

The pub has been there since at least 1755, at which time it was called the King George. Six years later the name was changed to the King's Head.

In 1810 the pub became known as the Hare and Hounds, which it has been ever since, except for a few years in the 1850s when it was known as the Hunters Tavern. The pub had connections with the Ashton Hunt, with Ben Greenwood, one of the huntsmen, being the landlord for a number of years, which is probably the origin of the names "Hare and Hounds" and "Hunters Tavern".

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.

Return to Stalybridge

Today's photo takes us back to neighbouring Stalybridge.

This view along Trinity Street shows the elegant frontages of the Post Office, the Library and Art Gallery, the former Market Hall and Holy Trinity Church.

Alphabet Friday - Church of the Nazarene

N is for "Nazarene" and 230 Stamford Street is the address of the Church of the Nazarene.

The Church of the Nazarene is a protestant church in the Wesleyan tradition celebrating scriptural holiness. It has 14,000 congregations around the world.

Originally called Croft House, 230 Stamford Street was built around 1810 as the house of wealthy mill owner Samuel Heginbottom. At that time it stood on the edge of the town, in its own grounds and adjoining countryside. Within ten years it was swamped by the spreading urban development of Ashton.

The house then became the residence of John Ross Coulthart and later was used as the Stamford Street Wesleyan Methodist Chapel.

The building was damaged by fire in June 2008 but is now back in use as a place of worship.

Memorial Gardens and Albion Church

A view of Albion Church seen across the Memorial Gardens, Cricket's Lane, Ashton.

To the right is the War Memorial, built of 50 tonnes of Portland Stone, topped with a bronze statue showing a wounded soldier and an angel of peace. On each side are statues of lions.

Mossley Hall Entrance

Today's photo shows the entrance porch to Mossley Hall, originally Whitehall, the home of Mossley mill owner George Mayall.

Claimed to be the grandest mansion of any mill owner in the area, it was built in 1864 in the Italianate style and cost £60,000 to build, which was a lot of money at the time!

The building was open as part of this weekend's Heritage Open Days. The owner does not wish photographs of the interior to appear so you will have to be content with the grandeur of the porch!

Heritage Open Day: Mossley Hall

This weekend sees the annual Heritage Open Days, where buildings around the country, many of which are not normally accessible to the public, are opened up for visits.

Today's photo shows Philip Wilson telling visitors about the history of Mossley Hall, which was opened for public viewing this year for the first time.

Built in 1864 as a private house for Mossley mill owner George Mayall, it was originally called Whitehall after the farm that had occupied the area. It later became Mossley's Town Hall until local government re-organisation in 1974. It is now known as Mossley Hall and is being restored by its owners.