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.

Bowling Green

A game of bowls in the February sunshine on the bowling green at King George V Playing Field, Ashton under Lyne.

Corner Shop

The corner shop at the junction of Kings Road and Ladbrooke Road, Hurst Knoll, Ashton. The plaque above the door reads "Greaves Place 1871".

On Track

This pathway has been created along the old track bed of the railway that once ran from Oldham, through Park Bridge, to Ashton and Guide Bridge. Cranbourne Road crosses the viaduct and the houses in the background are at the top of Turner Lane.

The Junction

The Junction Inn on Turner Lane, Ashton. The red car continues up Turner Lane. Lees Street is to the right. (The row of houses on the left hand side of Lees Street appeared in yesterday's photo, seen from the other direction!)

The Junction Inn has been fully licensed since 1854. The Carlton factory opposite has been recently demolished and apartments are being built (out of shot to the right).

Winter Sunshine

Mid-February and Ashton residents enjoy the unseasonably warm sunshine today in the gardens between Henrietta Street and King George's Playing Fields, Ashton.

The Angel

The Angel Hotel is one of the oldest pubs in Ashton, having held a licence since 1762. The original building was nearby in Court House Yard, but was rebuilt in 1868 here on the corner of Old Street and St Michael's Square. This was the original centre of Ashton, with the pub facing the old market cross. The outside of the building is decorated with a tile mosaic, slightly marred by electrical and plumbing alterations.

Originally situated nearby in Court House Yard, the Angel was rebuilt about 1858 on its present site. It was badly damaged by a gas explosion in 1874 and reduced from three storeys to two. The ground floor has a most attractive mosaic tiled frontage. The Angel has the distinction of having the longest list of traceable landlords for an Ashton Public House – 68 up to 1988.

Victoriana

Victorian decorative stonework and brickwork around the doorway of the Old Swimming Baths (now renamed as Hugh Mason House), Henry Square, Ashton. [Find out more about the old baths.]

The building has stood empty and derelict for years but has recently received attention to help keep the building in shape until a new purpose is found for it.

Above the door is seen the star emblem that features in Ashton's coat of arms.

Fruit and Veg

Fruit and vegetable stalls on Ashton's open market.

Not so old Old Fire Station

This is the fire station built to replace the 1931 station shown in Wednesday's photo. Not quite up to the same architectural standards, but probably more practical than its predecessor. However, this too is now an ex-fire station as there is an even newer station at Slate Lane, Guide Bridge.
The building in today's photo, between Welbeck Street and Margaret Street, close to Henry Square, is to be replaced with apartments.

Old Fire Station

The old Fire Station, Ashton, was built in 1931. It stands on Wellington Road opposite the Town Hall. It now houses an estate agent and a pub called The Old Fire Station.

I am adding this close-up of the Ashton coat-of-arms on the corner of the building:

Still Waters

Tranquil, reflective scene on a still winter morning - the Ashton Canal at Whitelands. The photo is looking westwards from "Donkey Stone Wharf", once the site of Eli Whalley's donkey stone manufactory and historically known as "Ashton Old Wharf". On the right is the headquarters of Tameside Sea Scouts. Many of the boats here are residential.

Good Boys and Girls!

It seems that the citizens of Ashton, while maybe not angels, are more law-abiding than those from some other places in the North West! For it seems that Ashtonians are the best in the region at paying for their TV Licences!

Worst towns in the region, apparently, are Bolton, Blackpool, Wigan and Preston. [see report]

Passing through

A Trans-Pennine Express train passes through the edge of Ashton on its way from Stalybridge to Manchester Piccadilly. It is crossing the Ashton Canal (just visible behind the red car). Beyond that is seen the rear of the Asda store and Cavendish Mill. The road in the foreground is Lower Wharf Street, featured last week. To my left (out of shot) is the site of the former Ashton (Park Parade) Station.

Optimistic

In spite of the recent photos I have posted, showing Ashton shoppers sitting out on pavements to consume their food and drink, it seems that no-one was being tempted to do so in Market Avenue on a winter's day. The cold didn't stop the proprietor from optimistically putting out the tables and chairs, though. However, you may be glad to know that there were plenty of customers inside on that day!

A Touch of White

Winter came to the Ashton area overnight with a thin coating of snow. Unfortunately, I had to go somewhere early this morning and, by the time I came back home, the snow had melted away in the sunshine! So here is a photo from 2 years ago to give you a flavour. Was that the last time we had any snow? The picture shows the canal at Woodend, in Mossley.

Underneath the Arches

Lower Wharf Street, looking towards Whitelands. The road originally ran through from Cavendish Street and Wharf Mill but now terminates at the service access to the Asda store. On the right, beyond the arch, is the Sea Scouts premises, with the canal behind. On the left, a number of businesses have their premises below the railway arches.