Henrietta Street

Looking down Henrietta Street from the junction of Smallshaw Lane and Broadoak Road. This photo was taken from almost the same spot as the previous photo of the Old Ball public house. It shows the shop on the opposite corner to the pub.

This photos is already out of date, as the junction layout is being altered.

The Old Ball

The Old Ball public house stands on the corner of Broadoak Road and Smallshaw Lane, Ashton. It opened in 1835 and, at that time, was surrounded by fields. It may not have a car park but it originally boasted of stables for two horses!

More Al Fresco

Further evidence of global warming with yet another photo of pavement-café-style eating and drinking in Ashton.

This picture shows Bow Street, at the side of the Open Market, with the Market Hall being re-built in the background. Iceland occupies what was previously a Tesco store.

Anyone fancy an egg, bacon and sausage barm?

Drinking Out

The fashion for continental-style pavement cafés has even reached as far as Ashton!

Even in January, hardy Ashtonians are to be found supping their coffees outside the new "Coffee and Juice Bar" in the Ladysmith Centre, Ashton.

Lyndhurst

Lyndhurst is a large Victorian house on Broadoak Road, Ashton, between the Old Ball and the Broadoak Hotel.

Built in 1883, this once imposing mansion is now sadly becoming derelict.

Penny Meadow

Looking up Penny Meadow from Ashton under Lyne Town Hall steps. The Bowling Green pub can be seen on the right, with the former Albion Sunday School in the distance and the Pennine hills in the background.

Ashton Market

Looking across Ashton under Lyne's Open Market from the steps of the Town Hall.

In the background to the left are Marks and Spencer and the entrance to the Ladysmith Centre. To the right of that, where previously stood the former Woolworth store, is the Arcades shopping centre. The new Wooolworth store is inside the Arcades.

On a plinth beside the steps, one of a pair of ceremonial canons stands guard.

Henry Square (again)

A second view of Henry Square, looking westwards towards Chester Square and St Peter's Church. The old swimming baths (now know as Hugh Mason House) can be seen on the left. The new Magistrates' Court is out of sight to the right. I'll post a photo of that soon.

At the other end of the square, offices are to be built on the left (behind the silver car) and apartments on the right (behind the grass area).

Henry Square

Anyone who has not been to Ashton for a few years will have difficulty in recognising this as Henry Square. It is in the centre of the "St Petersfield" development.

The right hand side of the photo is looking eastwards along Stamford Street. At some point in the future I will post some photos of this area before the old buildings were demolished. Out of shot to the right is the familiar bulk of the old swimming baths, still awaiting a new purpose.

River Tame Untamed

The River Tame was around 4 feet above its usual level today as the weekend's heavy rain made its way down from the moors.

The above image shows the swollen river surging through Mossley (just over the hill from Ashton), with an appropriate sign at the ready.

The photo below shows the water swirling under Waggon Road Bridge, Bottom Mossley.