December Theme Day: Waiting

The photo for December's Theme Day of "Waiting" shows people queing at a stall in Ashton Market Hall. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants in the Theme Day.

One of the things that Britain is famous for abroad is queuing up, or waiting in line. So what better subject for the "Waiting" theme than a queue? And what better place than Ashton's Market Hall, the heart of Ashton under Lyne's shopping area? The queue waiting at this butcher's stall inside the market is a sign that the stall's products are popular with the shoppers!

Those of you unfamiliar with Ashton may be interested to know that Ashton has had a market for over 700 years. A royal charter to hold a market in Ashton was granted in 1284. The Market Hall was built in 1829 with several later extensions.

In May 2004, the historic Market Hall was destroyed by fire. A brand new market was built within the exterior walls of the old market, which re-opened twelve months ago.

"Waiting" is also my contribution to this week's "My World" feature. Please check out the other blogs participating in this week's My World.

Sunday Stroll: Quick Edge

Today's photo is a view of Quick Edge rather than a view from it. The photo is taken from Brown Edge, the highest part of the hill behind Hartshead Pike. It is looking eastwards across Quick Edge towards the mass of Alphin Pike. Brown Edge is a fairly easy walk along grassy paths from the centre of Mossley. Good views are also to be had from Quick Edge, although the walk from Mossley is up a surfaced lane.

To the left of Alphin Pike can be seen Dovestones Reservoir which is beyond Greenfield.

Brown Edge is 308 metres (1010ft) above sea level, the part of Quickedge in the photo around 280 metres (918 ft) and the summit of Alphin Pike is 469 metres (1538 ft).

It may seem surprising that such a dramatic highland view can be found from a viewpoint less than 4 miles from the centre of Ashton.

See Google Aerial View of this location.

Saturday in Saddleworth - Diggle Hotel

The Diggle Hotel is off the main road through Diggle - up Sam Lane and across the railway. It is close to the original settlement of Diglea or Diggle Lee, which is older than Diggle itself and appeared on this blog in May.

The pub stands close to the entrance of the Standedge railway tunnels and the site of the former Diggle railway station.

The pub is also at the foot of Boat Lane, which was used by the boat horses on their way over the moors between Diggle and Marsden while the boat they normally towed was being legged through Standedge Canal Tunnel, the longest canal tunnel in Britain.

See Google Aerial View of this location.

Sky Watch: In the Spotlight

Another photo looking down from Hartshead Pike, but very different from last week's image from nearly the same spot.

On a very overcast day, a pocket of sunlight highlights an area around Lees Road and Lily Lanes. On the left side of the highlight is St Damians School and Playing Field.

Further back and to the left can be seen the silhouettes of the blocks of flats in Ashton, with Audenshaw Reservoirs gleaming beyond.

In the far distance, on the extreme right of the picture, the tall buildings in the centre of Manchester can just be made out. (Click to see larger version of photo.)

In the foreground is one of the dry stone walls that march across the hills in this area.

Sky Watch is a regular weekly feature on this photo blog. It will link with websites all over the world with the general theme each week of looking upwards. Please take the opportunity to visit some of these other sites. I hope some new visitors have found their way here today, watching the skies!

Footballer

The Footballer is one of seven sculptures sited along Lord Sheldon Way depicting local leisure pastimes.

Many people in the town follow football teams, especially the two big local teams, Manchester United and Manchester City. However, Ashton has two football teams of its own - Ashton United, with a ground at Hurst Cross, and Curzon Ashton, with a new ground at Richmond Street.

Of course, a lot of people take part themselves, with local amateur teams, school teams and impromptu games in parks, playgrounds and other places. Lots of boys (of all ages) and quite a few girls are the proud owners of replica football club kits. However, the player depicted heading the ball in the sculpture is not wearing the normal sort of attire you would expect of a footballer! He seems to be clad in some sort of jacket and trousers.

This is the last of the seven sculptures to appear here. You can see the other sculptures along Lord Sheldon Way here.

Napoleon Inn

The Napoleon Inn is on Botany Lane in the Hurst Brook area of Ashton. It is a fairly typical English "local" - a homely back street pub (public house) serving a local area of a town.

Botany was originally a small area of miners' houses, separated from Ashton and Hurst by farmland. By the 1850s it had become merged with the growing Hillgate area.

The earliest records of the Napoleon Inn are from 1861, at which time it was licensed as a beer house (meaning it could sell beer, but not wines and spirits). The records show that James Hague and then his widow and two sons were the licensees for 74 years. The dirt road that runs alongside the pub is called Hague Street, but I don't know whether that is just co-incidence.

James was also a grocer but it is not clear whether he operated that business from the same premises. His elder son worked as a hatter before taking over the pub. I will say some more about hatting in the Hurst Brook area in a couple of weeks.

The pub acquired a wine licence in 1888 and became fully licensed in 1961.

"Napoleon Inn" is my contribution to this week's "My World" feature. Please check out the other blogs participating in this week's My World.


See Birds Eye View of this location.

Sunday Stroll: Dry Stone Walls

Taking a stroll in the hills near Ashton, you are quite likely to see dry stone walls.

Dry stone walls are a common feature of the upland farming areas of the North of England. Miles and miles of these walls stretch across the hills, marking the boundaries of fields, many of which were created following the 18th century Enclosures Acts.

There is great skill in making these walls which, as you can see, are made of carefully placed stones using no cement or mortar. The walls are able to withstand strong winds and the extremes of temperature that are found in the Pennines.

These particular walls are close to my favourite photographic location of Hartshead Pike, on the hill between Ashton and Mossley, looking northwards towards Lees.

See Birds Eye View of this location.

Sky Watch: Golden Haze

This week's photo shows a super sunset glow seen from the slopes of Hartshead Pike, rising above Ashton. The view is looking across Rocher Vale and Park Bridge towards Fitton Hill and Hathershaw, to the north of Ashton.

The setting sun has been swallowed by a golden haze of distant clouds.

Sky Watch is a regular weekly feature on this photo blog. It will link with websites all over the world with the general theme each week of looking upwards. Please take the opportunity to visit some of these other sites. I hope some new visitors have found their way here today, watching the skies!

Night Lights

As Winter draws on, the nights are getting longer. However, Ashton was brightened up recently by the Divali lights around the Market and Penny Meadow.

Penny Meadow is on the left of the photo. with the Bowling Green pub behind the taxi rank. To the right is the Market Street Clock, with Fletcher Street behind. On the extreme right is the edge of the Market Hall.

There will be even more lights in the area shortly as the Christmas lights are being switched on this week - on Thursday 19th November - in an event on the Town Hall Steps between 6.00 and 7.00 pm, with entertainment starting at 5.00 pm.

See Birds Eye View of this location.

Walkers

The Walkers is one of seven sculptures sited along Lord Sheldon Way depicting local leisure pastimes.

Walking is a popular hobby with local countryside on the doorstep and the Pennine moors only a bus ride away.

It's tempting to wonder whether the walkers depicted here are contemplating hopping onto the next bus!

St Michael's Square

St Michael's Square is where the heart of Ashton under Lyne's old town once stood. In the background is the Parish Church of Ashton, St Michael's and All Angels, which dates from the 15th century but stands on the site of a pre-Norman church.

Before the Market Hall was built this was where the town's market was held. Just a few metres away is the site of the old market cross (at the bottom of Old Cross Street). In the first half of the 20th century the square was the terminus for buses going to Dukinfield and Stalybridge.

These days the area comes to life in the evenings, with several pubs and clubs nearby

"St Michael's Square" is my contribution to this week's "My World" feature. Please check out the other blogs participating in this week's My World.


See Birds Eye View of this location.

Sunday Stroll: Stamford Park

You don't have to go far to enjoy a pleasant stroll. Stamford Park is a favourite for many people. It is sandwiched between the houses of Ashton and Stalybridge but provides a tranquil oasis where you can slow down from the world outside!

This leafy path runs up the east side of the park, alongside Astley Road, leading towards the play park.

See Birds Eye View of this location.

Sky Watch: Zebra Sky

This week's photo shows a zebra-effect cloud pattern over Mossley.

The view is looking south from the steep hillside above Mossley railway station. One of the station's platforms can be seen. The other is hidden behind the vegetation. Manchester Road is on the left of the picture and Stamford Road on the right.

See Birds Eye View of this location.

Sky Watch is a regular weekly feature on this photo blog. It will link with websites all over the world with the general theme each week of looking upwards. Please take the opportunity to visit some of these other sites. I hope some new visitors have found their way here today, watching the skies!

500th Post: Trumpeter

The Trumpeter is one of seven sculptures sited along Lord Sheldon Way depicting local leisure pastimes.

Actually, the Trumpeter is probably a Cornetist, since Ashton has close associations with the world of Brass Band music, and brass bands use cornets, rather than trumpets, for their treble instruments.

I notice that this is the 500th post since I started this photo blog! Let's hope the Trumpeter isn't performing The Last Post!

Ashton Moss North Junction

This is a view of Ashton Moss North Junction, seen from Richmond Street, on the western edge of Ashton. The photo is looking westwards, with the high-rise buildings in the centre of Manchester visible in the distance. The train is heading from Ashton towards Victoria Station in Manchester.

The signal box stands in the middle of the junction, with one of the tracks branching off to the left in front of the box and the other line passing behind it. The line to the left goes to Stockport and is used by freight trains.

To the right of the picture is a corner of Richmond Street Playing Fields. Ashton Cricket Club's ground is out of sight to the left.

"Ashton Moss North Junction" is my contribution to this week's "My World" feature. Please check out the other blogs participating in this week's My World.


See Birds Eye View of this location.

Sunday Stroll: Boodle Woods

The ground throughout Boodle Woods, in Daisy Nook Country Park, is a carpet of golden leaves at this time of year. This is the footpath that leads from the former canal tunnel towards the site of Riversvale Hall. The River Medlock can be seen on the left, at the bottom of a steep slope.

A little further along this path was the location of this wintry scene that appeared in February.

See Birds Eye View of this location.

Stalybridge Saturday - Astley Cheetham Public Library

This is the frontage of the Astley Cheetham Public Library on Trinity Street in Stalybridge. The name appears in carved lettering in the stonework above the doorway.

The lettering fashioned into the gates says "Read Mark Learn and Inwardly Digest". Unfortunately, you couldn't do that on a Thursday, which was when I went there, as the library is closed on Thursdays.

The building also houses the Astley Cheetham Art Gallery. The building was opened in 1901 and was a gift to the town from local mill owner and MP John Frederick Cheetham and his wife Beatrice Astley. The upper floor was originally a lecture room but was made into a gallery in 1932 to house the Astley Cheetham Art Collection, which has been expanded over the years.

This was my runner-up for last week's Doorways theme day, but I though that the fact that the building is shut in the photograph counted against it!

See Birds Eye View of this location.

Sky Watch: Waterlogged

This week's Sky Watch has a little more sky than normal - it includes a reflection in a giant puddle that appeared on Richmond Street Playing Fields, on the western edge of Ashton, following heavy rain earlier this week.

Let's hope that the crowds flocking here this evening to see the organised firework display are careful where they walk in the dark!

The fireworks start at 8.00 pm. Park at CineWorld if arriving by car. If it rains much more this week they may have to change the musical track from Handel's Fireworks Music to Handel's Water Music!

See Google Aerial View of this location.
See Birds Eye View of this location.

Sky Watch is a regular weekly feature on this photo blog. It will link with websites all over the world with the general theme each week of looking upwards. Please take the opportunity to visit some of these other sites. I hope some new visitors have found their way here today, watching the skies!

Gardener

The Gardener is one of seven sculptures sited along Lord Sheldon Way depicting local leisure pastimes.

The Gardener is taking a break from digging or hoeing and is sweeping up the autumn leaves!

In spite of being an industrial town, Ashton under Lyne has a long association with gardening. Not far from this statue was the market garden run by Bill Sowerbutts, a regular panellist for many years on BBC radio's "Gardeners' Question Time" programme.

Indeed, the very first edition of the programme was broadcast from the Broadoak Hotel in 1947, with Bill as one of the panellists. The programme was broadcast under its original, less-catchy name of "How Does Your Garden Grow? - A Gardeners' Question Time".

Behind the statue can be seen some of the few market garden plots remaining on Ashton Moss.

Autumn Leaves

Another photo showing the Autumn colours to be found in or around Ashton at this time of year.

You don't even need to go into King George's Playing Fields or Stamford Park to see a good display of Autumn Leaves, for there are many places in Ashton where you can enjoy the colourful display.

Today's scene is on the small triangular area of grass and trees surrounded by the three busy highways of Mossley Road, Penny Meadow and Crickett's Lane, sometimes called the Cats' Park. There are a lot more leaves in today's photo than in last year's photo of the same location.

"Autumn Leaves" is my contribution to this week's "My World" feature. Please check out the other blogs participating in this week's My World.


See Google Aerial View of this location.
See Birds Eye View of this location.

Mossley on Monday: River Tame

This is the view looking upstream along the River Tame, north-eastwards from Waggon Road Bridge, Bottoms, in Mossley. To the left, an old mill has been converted into apartments. Ahead, the former Croft Mill has been replaced by modern houses. In the background are the Pennine moors rising above the trees in their Autumn colours.

See Google Aerial View of this location.
See Birds Eye View of this location.

November Theme Day: Doorway

For our contribution to the Doorways theme day, we visit Stalybridge, two miles down the road from Ashton, to find this doorway with the carved inscription "BOYS".

The explanation is that this was originally a school - Waterloo Road School (but not the one in the recent TV series!). Opened in 1910, it clearly started life as a mixed-sex school. This doorway, on the east side of the building, was where the boys entered the building, whereas the girls would enter by the door on the west side, which has a corresponding inscription saying "GIRLS".

Later on, the school became Waterloo Road Girls' School, so the girls would have had to use both entrances!

When Copley High School was built a mile or so away, Waterloo Road school closed and became a Teachers' Education Resources Centre.

The building now houses local offices for Tameside Council, along with the local Police Station. This side door is now the main entrance to the building.

The building first appeared on this blog in February. It is a handsome building of Accrington Brick with stone banding, with the town's coat of arms above the doorway.

Lots of other blogs are also taking part in the Doorways theme day. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

See Google Aerial View of this location.
See Birds Eye View of this location.