Stalybridge Saturday: Ivy Cottage

At first glance this pair of cottages could be from a pretty village somewhere. However, a closer look shows you that they are in the centre of Stalybridge. They are on Waterloo Road and are so central that they face the bus station.

The cottages appeared here previously in March. The date stone on the left hand cottage says AD1920.

To the left of the photograph is Stalybridge's old Fire Station which also seen in March.

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Update (21st Oct):
Would you believe it? I went past here today and all the ivy has been taken down! That's what happens when you don't post a photo immediately! I'll post a photo of the bald house soon!

Sky Watch - Sky Walkers

What better time of day for a walk along the ridge at Hartshead Pike than when there's a glorious sunset to see?

If you think the two walkers silhouetted against the sky look familiar, they are the same two who appeared here a few weeks ago. This photo was taken shortly after that one, the pair having walked a little further along the skyline. I thought it was worth sharing both images with you!

Sky Watch is the regular Friday 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!

Cyclist

The Cyclist is one of seven sculptures sited along Lord Sheldon Way depicting local leisure pastimes. Lord Sheldon Way is the new western approach to Ashton from Manchester and will be the route of the Metrolink tram.

According to Tameside Council, the statues are designed to "enhance the visual environment" and "boost the first impressions of people visiting Ashton and create a lasting and positive image of the town".

Children's Roundabout

For many years there has been a corner of Ashton Market where there are children's roundabouts. These colourful rides keep up to date with modern-looking vehicles for the youngsters to ride on.

I suppose it is a sort of bargain between parents and children - I'll let you trail me around all the shops if you indulge me with a ride on the roundabout!

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Mossley on Monday: Mill Girl

This sculpture of a mill girl stands outside the George Lawton Hall in Top Mossley. A variety of public sculptures have been commissioned by Tameside Council and have been positioned throughout the borough. Many of them have appeared on this blog. As Mossley was famous for its mills it was decided that the character to be depicted would be a mill girl, with baskets full of cotton bobbins. The George Lawton Hall stands on the site of the former Albion Mill.

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Saturday in Saddleworth - Saddleworth Church

We take a trip back to Saddleworth today, as we haven't been for a few weeks. Today's photo is another look at Saddleworth Church, high on the hillside above Uppermill. In front of the church is the appropriately-named Church Inn.

The church was there long before the village of Uppermill was, and was built to serve the widespread parish of small weaving hamlets that were dotted around the area. The church was built right alongside the ancient pre-Roman trackway that skirted the sides of the Tame Valley and led up over Standedge.

The turnpike road, canal and railway were all built along the valley bottom, and Uppermill grew up around them, leaving the church in the same rural setiing that it has been in for centuries.

See Google Aerial View of this location.

7 Miles to ?

In yesterday's photo of cottages on Currier Lane, you might just have noticed this stone against the wall of one cottage. It is in fact a mile stone, for this was once the main highway eastwards from Ashton.

The wording originally read "7 Miles to Manchester" but the word Manchester was removed, apparently in a misguided attempt to confuse any invading Germans who might have wandered onto Currier Lane.

This wasn't the first official vandalism that this historic stone had suffered as it had previously had a surveying bench mark carved into it!

The plaque attached tells that the mile stone was probably erected in 1732 when Currier Lane became a turnpike road and explains that the word Manchester was removed as part of wartime security.

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Currier Lane (2)

A further visit to Currier Lane, after our look two weeks ago. These cottages are roughly half way along the lane, opposite the junction with Grafton Street.

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Stalybridge Saturday: Armentieres Square

In busy Armentieres Square in Stalybridge is this quiet corner. Behind the flower bed and the benches is an acknowledgement of Stalybridge's town twinning with Arementieres in France.

This corner is seen looking from the Lock Gates Sundial sculpture seen here a month ago.

In the background is Rose Terrace and to the left is Holy Trinity Church.

Anyone in this area today (3rd October) should pop into the old Market Hall to see the History Fair that will be taking place between 10 am and 4 pm.

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York House

York House Hotel was a feature of Richmond Street, Ashton, for many years. In recent years it has stood empty and boarded up. At one time it would have been an impressive and attractive building.

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