"X" Marks The Flower Bed

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"X" is for, er... well, an "x"-shaped cross formed by miniature hedges! This design appears in the flower beds in Armentieres Square in Stalybridge, two miles east of Ashton.

Interesting though this botanical feature might be, also of interest is the iron beam in the background. It bears the words "Stalybridge Armentieres, 1955 - 2005, 50 Years of Friendship" and celebrates the twinning of the two towns. The beam was salvaged from the demolition of part of nearby Longlands Mill. It is an inverted T-shaped fish-backed beam which, at 8.8 metres long, was pushing the boundary for the maximum span for this type of material in the mid 19th century.

Stalybridge and Armentieres both have wartime musical associations. Armentieres features in the song "Mademoiselle from Armentieres", which was popular in the First World War. Stalybridge was where Jack Judge wrote the music hall song "It's a Long Way to Tipperary" which was also popular in the First World War.

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"X Marks The Flower Bed" is a contribution to ABC Wednesday. For more "X" posts from around the world please follow this link.

New View

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This is a view of Ashton Parish Church that has not previously been possible.

The historic church of St Michael and All Angels, instead of being a proud centrepiece to the town, has been hidden away by the buildings along Stamford Street, with only occasional glimpses being possible from this side. (The back of the church is now highly visible from the by-pass that runs behind it!) There did not seem to have been much importance given to historical buildings in those days, as the nearby Ashton Old Hall (parts of which were built in 1379) was allowed to be demolished to make way for railway sidings that were never built!

The recent demolition of several buildings on Stamford Street and Stamford Arcade has opened up a new vista until such time as new buildings are constructed. The demolition site, in the foreground, is not very attractive and is surrounded by temporary fencing, but I thought it was worth recording this view while it is available.

A view along Stamford Arcade before the buildings on the left were demolished can be seen here.

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


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Sky Watch: Oldham Skyline

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This was the evening sky a couple of nights ago, looking towards Oldham from the fields between Knott Hill and Lily Lanes, on the slopes above Ashton.

The tall building just right of centre is the Oldham Council office building. In the far distance are the hills to the north of Bolton and Bury.

I was totally fascinated by the extraordinary textures of cloud in the sky that night. It felt somewhat unworldly to be walking through the hills on such an evening. No doubt another photo from that evening will be appearing here before long!

See Birds Eye View of this location.

Sky Watch is a regular weekly feature on this photo blog. It links 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. You are most welcome!

Whit Walks

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"W" is for "Whit Walks" and today's photo shows a scene from Sunday's What Walk in Ashton. Another photo of the Walks was shown here on Sunday.

The period around Whit Sunday, the seventh Sunday after Easter, is known as Whitsuntide. One of the traditions in the area around Manchester is the practice of "Whit Walks".

Historically, Ashton's Walks were originally on Whit Friday, the Friday after Whit Sunday, but then moved to the following Sunday (Trinity Sunday). In recent years the event has moved to the fixed time of the third Sunday of June.

Most of the churches in Ashton take part in the Whit Walks. A Procession from each church, accompanied by a band, makes its way to the centre of Ashton, where a united service is held.

The church groups then process along a route around the town centre before walking back to their own starting points.

One of the traditions of the Whit Walks is for those taking part to wear new clothes for the occasion. In harder times this was something to look forward to as children would rarely get new clothes, more often receiving handed-down clothes from older siblings or relations.

The origin of wearing new clothes would seem to be based in the practice at one time of newly baptised members being received into the church at Whitsun (being a celebration of the birth of the Christian Church at Pentecost). The new clothes, often white, were symbolic of a new start.

Another custom, still in practice, is for people watching the walk from the pavement to look out for people they know taking part in the walk and to run forward and give them money.

Today's photo shows the walkers from Christ Church making their way along Stamford Street. For anyone who is interested, more photos of Sunday's event can be seen here:
Small photos - large photos.

"Whit Walks" is a contribution to ABC Wednesday. For more "V" posts from around the world please follow this link.

Just Fishing

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"Just Fishing" is a picture of a couple of gentlemen enjoying the lovely summer weather with a spot of angling in the fishing lake at Chadwick's Dams.

Popularly known as "Chaddy Dams" (also seen here) the fishing and boating lakes, now part of Stamford Park, were originally constructed to supply Park Hall Mill, which was on Mellor Road.

What could be nicer on a warm, sunny day, than sitting beside the lake and fishing? Well, a lot of things as far as I'm concerned, as I have never seen the appeal of it myself! I get bored sitting around doing nothing! However, it is certainly a popular occupation for many people and this is one of the most pleasant locations near Ashton to come and do it!

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


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Whit Walks in Ashton

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The third Sunday in June is the date of the belated Whit Walks in Ashton. This tradition is of an annual walk of witness by members of churches from around the town, who mean for a united service then process around the town centre to the accompaniment of brass bands.

(Whit Walks in nearby Mossley and Saddleworth take place on Whit Friday, as seen here.)

More photos of today's event can be seen here:
Small photos - large photos.

Steel Band

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The Pantonic All Stars Steel Band paid another visit to Ashton today to entertain shoppers. The youngsters, from nearby Stockport, are regular visitors to Ashton Market.

When they play at venues across the area, they raise money for their chosen cause, the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital Bone Marrow Trust Fund.

I am captivated by steel bands and love their infectious sound. I find it hard to understand how some people were able to walk straight past without stopping to listen! Most of the crowd watching were out of sight to the right of the photo. The picture was taken from the Town Hall steps to get a good view of the steel drums.

The name "Pantonic" refers to the steel drums, which are also known as "pans".

You can find out more about the Pantonic All Stars on their website or you can see several of their performances on YouTube, my favourite being their version of Bohemian Rhapsody.

Sky Watch: Broadcarr

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This lovely cloudscape was captured looking towards Broadcarr, on the ridge between Ashton and Mossley.

It is a wonderful combination of different cloud textures lit by a disappearing sun.

On the left of the photo you can see the tower on Hartshead Pike, which has features in so many previous Sky Watch posts!

See Google Street View of this location.

Sky Watch is a regular weekly feature on this photo blog. It links 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. You are most welcome!

Volunteer Inn

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"V" is for "Volunteer Inn" and today's photo shows, er... well, it shows Kenworthy's Funeral Services on Old Street in Ashton.

This might seem a surprising choice of location to photograph a "V" post, until you know that the building was originally the Volunteer Inn.

The pub itself was originally housed in a building dating from the 18th century, but was re-built in its present form in 1887. It is across the road from The Armoury, the drill hall for the volunteer regiment, seen here, and this gave rise to the pub's name.

It was only ever licensed as a beerhouse (i.e. not able to sell wines and spirits). It closed in 1956. The licensing officer had described it as "unattractive" and commented that it did little trade and was only used by Territorial Army soldiers. It was also noted that there were 39 licensed premises within a quarter of a mile!

The building became two shops and more recently a funeral directors. It was for sale when the photo was taken a few weeks ago.

See Birds Eye View of this location.

See Google Street View of this location.

"Volunteer Inn" is a contribution to ABC Wednesday. For more "V" posts from around the world please follow this link.

Sunday Stroll: Hollinwood Canal

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A very popular stroll to the north of Ashton is along the towpath of the old Hollinwood Canal as it passes through Daisy Nook Country Park.

This photo looks from the junction with the Fairbottom Branch of the canal towards Crime Lake. The spillway carries surplus water away down to the River Medlock.

Two walkers are crossing the bridge over the spillway, hotly pursued by a group of eight ducks who think that a plastic carrier bag means feeding time.

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Sky Watch: Hartshead Pike

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Another fabulous evening sky over Hartshead Pike, on the ridge between Ashton and Mossley.

If you are thinking that my camera wasn't quite straight when I was taking this shot, then fear not - it was the tower that was leaning, not me!

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Sky Watch is a regular weekly feature on this photo blog. It links 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. You are most welcome!

Union Road

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"U" is for "Union Road" and today's photo shows the view looking down Union Road in the Hurst Brook area of Ashton.

The road was originally called Hurst Lane at a time when it led across open fields from the small town of Ashton to the neighbouring village of Hurst.

The houses behind the trees on the right are known as Ormonde Street.

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See Google Street View of this location.

"Union Road" is a contribution to ABC Wednesday. For more "U" posts from around the world please follow this link.

Sunday Stroll: Chaddy Dams

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One of the most popular short strolls on the outskirts of Ashton is the picturesque walk around Chadwick's Dams, between Ashton and Stalybridge. Commonly known as "Chaddy Dams", these two reservoirs in the shallow valley of the Cock Brook were built to supply Chadwick's factory at Park Hall Mill.

The land containing these two reservoirs passed into the ownership of Ashton and Stalybridge Corporations in 1891. The lower reservoir became Stamford Park boating lake while the higher one (the one in today's photograph) was stocked as a fishing lake.

119 years later, the land remains in local council ownership. The boating lake still exists although it has suffered a drop in its popularity. The upper reservoir remains pretty much the same other than the valley sides have become wooded.

Beyond the trees can be seen the buildings of the appropriately called Lakes Hospital, now part of Tameside Hospital.

A photo of "Chaddy Dams" appeared on this blog two years ago.

See Google Aerial View of this location.

Sky Watch: The Old Gatehouse

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The Old Gatehouse stands guard alongside the entrance to Mossley Hall. Originally built as Whitehall, the home of wealthy mill owner George Mayall, Whitehall became Mossley's Town Hall. It is now known as Mossley Hall and is a private residence again, although the grounds form Mossley Park.

This is the grander of the two gate houses, the other being at the Old Brow entrance. This gate house stands on Stamford Road, looking out across the valley, with the entrance to the hall being on the left. (Check out the view by following the Google Street View link below!)

The building is interesting in its own right but the photo is made all the more interesting by the unusual cloud formation that appears behind it, neatly framing the shape of the roof!

See Birds Eye View of this location.

See Google Street View of this location.

Sky Watch is a regular weekly feature on this photo blog. It links 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. You are most welcome!

The Tontine

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"T" is for "Tontine" and today's photo shows the Tontine Hotel in Ashton.

The Tontine was built in 1837 on Penny Meadow (which was at that time part of Katherine Street) not far from the Market Hall.

A tontine is a scheme for raising money in which a group of investors form a trust and each pays in a share of the capital for a scheme (in this case, the building of the hotel). Each member receives a share of any profits every year. As each member dies, his share is divided between the remaining members. The last surviving member would become sole owner and the trust would be wound up.

This survivor may have been Robert Newton, as he took ownership in 1861. It seems likely that he gave his name to Newton Street, which runs along the side of the hotel.

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"The Tontine" is a contribution to ABC Wednesday. For more "T" posts from around the world please follow this link.