Old and New

Today's view shows the changing world of Ashton under Lyne.

The recently-completed Tameside Centre for Enterprise building sits on the corner of Old Street and Bentinck Street, in the St Petersfield re-generation area.

To the left of it can be seen Good Hope Mill, built in 1824, the oldest cotton spinning mill in Ashton to survive intact.

To the right, behind the trees, is the Witchwood pub. This was built some time before 1850 and has previously been named the Painters Arms, the Rifle Brigade, the Globe and the Gamecock. The Witchwood now has a widespread reputation as a music venue.

Beyond the pub, to the right, can be seen The Armoury and the Central Library. Old Street, as the name suggests, was the original main throughfare through the town of Ashton.

See Google Street View of this location.

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

Reach For The Sky

Today's Sky Watch image shows the view across Manchester Road in Mossley towards the steep slopes of Noonsun Hill.

Reaching for the sky in the foreground is a council workman who is taking a break from his normal job of replacing street light bulbs and is attaching Christmas lights to the lamp posts. They may only be humble Christmas lights in comparison with other towns but they add a touch of cheer and jollity.

If you click the image to see the larger version, you will just see on the far skyline, to the left of the lamp post, the tall shape of the Saddleworth war memorial at Pots and Pans Rocks.

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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!

Former Bank

Today's view of the world of Ashton under Lyne shows a building that was once a bank on Stamford Street in Ashton.

There is lettering on the walls saying "County Bank". It later became the Trustee Savings Bank until a newer building was opened on Old Street (now Lloyds TSB).

Since ceasing to be a bank, this attractive building has had a number of uses, including a bar, as was seen when I last showed a photo of this building.

It appears to have been divided into two units, with a new door below the window on the front of the building. Signs show that sunbeds and a tattoo parlour are to be found within. A notice over the corner door announces the "Amazing Good News Gospel Church".

Stamford Street was once the main shopping and commerce street in Ashton but, as the shops have migrated northwards into the Ladysmith Centre and the "Arcades" mall, the street has had to re-invent itself as the buildings find new purposes.

See Google Street View of this location.

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

Hartshead Pike Again

For today's Sky Watch image we pay a return visit to Hartshead Pike.

This photo was taken on the same evening as last week's photo, but looking in the other direction, away from the setting sun. The only tree anywhere near the summit of Hartshead Pike bends its barren branches towards the sky and the pointed tower.

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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!

A New Supermarket

Today's view of the world of Ashton under Lyne shows the newest supermarket to open in Ashton.

This is a mini-Asda store that has opened a week ago on Queens Road, Hurst Cross. The building was originally a Co-op supermarket and I showed this picture of it in 2008.

The Co-op kept it's "Late Shop" open round the corner on Kings Road, which may have reduced the profitability of the store on Queens Road. The store was bought by Netto just before Asda took over all of Netto's UK stores, which is why it has now become an Asda, even though Asda have a large superstore on Cavendish Street.

When I took this photo last week the car park was pretty full suggesting that the new store is attracting a lot of interest. I have a feeling the Co-op may regret having sold the shop, as the Late Shop seemed pretty quiet that day.

See Google Street View of this location.

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

Hartshead Pike

Today's Sky Watch image shows the tower on the summit of Hartshead Pike.

It is a long time since I included a photo of this well-known local landmark, which stands on the hill between Ashton and Mossley. Hartshead Pike commands a wide view westwards and is a wonderful spot for watching sunsets.

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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!


P.S. Apology to last week's visitors: I am sorry to say that there was a broken link to the larger version of last week's photo. The link is now mended but, if you missed it, the larger image can be viewed here. Sorry if this spoiled your enjoyment of last week's Sky Watch contribution from this blog.

Stamford Park Conservatory

Today's view of the world of Ashton under Lyne shows the "Conservatory" in Stamford Park, on the border between Ashton and Stalybridge.

This is not your average conservatory added on to the back of a house. This is the John Nield Conservatory, which is effectively a hothouse in which exotic plants grow. A sign over the entrance tells how it was "erected and furnished with plants from the legacy left to Stamford Park by the late John Nield Esq. J.P. Apsley House, Ashton under Lyne, Opened 3rd Oct 1907."

I showed you a photo looking up at the roof structure inside the conservatory three years ago.

See Bird's Eye View of this location.

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

Golden Evening

Today's Sky Watch image shows the view along Argyle Street in Mossley on Thursday evening.

The golden sky was made more striking by the glowing clouds reflecting the sun, which had already set below the hill. The cupola and spire of St Joseph's Church add interest to the silhouette of the buildings.

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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!

Red Railings

November's Theme Day is on the subject of "Fences". I imagine that railings count as fences? I do hope so, as I want to share this rather neat square of red railings around the War Memorial in Globe Square, in Ashton's neighbouring town of Dukinfield.

The railings, like the flower planters and the street lights, are painted in the distinctive browny-red with which all Dukinfield's street furniture is painted.

In a few days time the memorial will be adorned with wreaths of poppies to commemorate the men and women of Dukinfield who have fallen in the service of their country.

See Google Street View of this location.

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"Red Railings" is my contribution to this month's City Daily Photo Theme Day of "Fences". Please check out the other blogs taking part. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.