Mrs Beatie's sweet shop

I was born in the back bedroom of Ivanhoe on Trafford Rd in 1963. Alderley Edge use to be a quaint little village with my favourite shop being Mrs Beatie’s sweet shop which from what I remember, was next door to what use to be Massey’s jewellers. She was about 106 yrs old & wore a blue pinnie & had her hair in a bun. In her later years her sight went, so it was quite easy to pilfer sweets.  There was also Chad’s shoe shop (very old fashioned) and who remembers Alf Tweets barbers, just down the side of what use to be Fitchets the greengrocers?. He had a dark blood red leather chair & looked like John Reginald Christie…..ahhhh, those were the days!

Not telling how old I am, but I do remember Mrs Beatie and the boiled ham that she sold, she could slice it so thin, without the aid of a machine that you could see through it.

I remember Mrs Beatie and her boiled ham but thought it was a bakers rather than a sweet shop. My shoes always came from Chads and I liked going to Tweets barbers with my brother because Alfs son Dennis always gave us sweet cigarettes.

Anyone remember her son Bobs chip shop in chapel street, and yes I think she sold a range of stuff apart from sweets.

Yes i remember Mrs Beattie, also Heyes Lane Post office and store ,Ernie Clay at top of Heyes Lane, the Co op General grocers ,drapery and butchers,as well as Cheynowaths on Wood Gardens, another grocers shop, Ellis,s rouind corner from William Deacons as it was, Seymour meads corner of Stephan street , Mrs Beattie , Burgeons top of village on the island, The cafe by what was Eadingtons garage top of London Rd, Mayo off license and small grocers next to what was the church institute, the small sweet shop facing top of Heyes Lane and standing over what used to be the coal yard,Those were the days before supermarkets when people traded and could afford to trade locally.

Yes, I remember all the above but what about Hidderleys where all we young girls were taken to buy our frocks, etc. Also what about the Corner House. My mum worked there as a young woman during the War and that is how my parents met as dad, being in the Army, was stationed in one of the big house up Macclesfield Road. What goings-on during the War!

How fantastic these ‘stories’ are along with the images that they portray. I’m a mere, as my Irish aunt would say, ‘a blow in’ to the village in ‘85 (1985, for clarification!). It would be such a great shame if these images were lost of what was such a diverse village.  Do any of you have any photos of that time that, possibly, Lisa could copy and put on the website? So enjoyed the recollections.

Just seen this discussion. I was talking to a lady yesterday who has lived in Knutsford for a long time but was born on Crescent road in Alderley and has great memories of the shops that were. She remembers as a little girl going every saturday morning for a 1lb of Percy Granthams’ homemade butter! Plus has great memories of going to the Post office on Heyes l
Lane, going to Sunday school in a tin hut somewhere down there, and a shop near Granthams selling sweets and things. I’ll question her some more and see if she has any photos.
Fantastic history. What would be good is to put a map together of all shops we all remember.Lets all ask everyone we know who’ve lived here a long time and get back to Lisa.
What would be good is to put pictures and recolections together ready for the Queens Jubilee next year.

Melanie, I note your last paragraph and I have, in fact, two invitation cards which I kept after my mum died, one for the Silver Jubilee in 1935 and the other for the Coronation in 1937. Both are from Alderley Edge Urban District - the first one is from the Jubilee Celebrations Committee inviting my mother “to Tea, which will be served in a Marquee on the Playing Fields, at 4.30 p.m., on Monday, 6th May 1935” and the other is from the Coronation Celebrations Committee inviting her “to Tea, which will be served in a Marquee on the Playing Fields, at 4.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 12th May 1937”.

Hi Melani, two other memories, the sweet shop i think you mean was the news agents on Heyes lane round corner from Percy Granthems, and in 1953 the local council gave every child a commemorative pencil for the Coronation festivities in the park.I still have mine
Down brown street was a cobblers owned by Mr t Randles, and a fish and chip shop,  the tin church you mentioned was St James and served mainly the elderley around that side of the village and in fact my Grandmother Margaret Randles was the last person to have a funeral service there it was re opened especially.
Cllr Gerald Brooks had 2 shops on London Rd ,and between them down the cobbled slope was Moscrops taxi. Clifton st had Vaughans furniture repairers,

Hi Graham and Diana - fantastic info. I hope to see the lady I mentioned next week and I will get her family name and anything else she can remember as well as photos.
I would like to set an informal meeting up after Christmas, with Lisa involved, to see how we can bring everything together to make some kind of presentation etc for the Jubilee. I’d love everyone whos commented to be there, as well as any one else who can remember back.
I go back as far as the mid 70’s and can remember we had a Boots chemist, the big furniture shop and a fantastically dated coffee shop attached to the general store on the corner of London Road and West Street.

Just for information, there’s a set of 68 old photographs of Alderley Edge and a couple of old maps available at
http://www.francisfrith.com/alderley-edge/
Mostly of ‘The Edge’ itself, though there are a few of London Road shops, The Queens Hotel, The Railway Station etc. which may be of interest re Jubilee celebrations.

Although these are small ‘preview’ photos, full-sized prints can be purchased from the website.
The collection would make an excellent display in the festival hall.  Perhaps there’s a few spare quid in the council kitty?

Chris

These are great, I didn’t know they were available.  Melanie’s suggestion for the Jubilee could be brilliant, along with street parties etc.

Many thanks to Chris Stock for his comment, I clicked on the link he posted and was facinated to see the image of the east side of London Road at its junction with Chapel Road. (ref 37448). I think the house was still there in the 1950s, and what to me a beautiful house it was. The name Eadington seems in my mind connected to this. If anyone could shed any light on the story of this stunning building and what pressing need there must have been to demolish it please let us know.

I remember the name Eadingtons Garage so not sure if house was demolished and garage built on site. Later became John Wallwork Volvos.

I remember a lot of the above, i lived on Heyes lane from the 70’s and for a short while the council offices where still on the courner of Trafford Road/Heyes lane.. (Barrington House was then built), also of course the Auction rooms across the road by the station. 
I do remember though the Rose Queen Parade which i think started at the bottom of Heyes Lane and we paraded through the village with the Scout Band.and then there was a huge fete and crowning on the Chorley Hall lane football pitch.

Next door to Chads i remember the wallpaper shop, plus Regency Man, the hardware store and not forgetting queuing round the corner at the Fish and Chip shop on Chorley hall Lane ( i know it is still there but the owners are long gone!)

Of course fond memories of Heyes Lane allotments where we would go with my friends Dad as a child (soon if AEPC have their way to be tarmaced or built on!!!)

I have also just remembered the chinese Takeaway which whas next door to the sweet shop at the top of Heyes lane which was caught with half a dog in its freezer by the Enviromental Health officers!
Does anybody rmember John Potts the farmer who was always up and down Heyes Lane on his tracker and Squeaky the Pig Farmer who was on the Hough and the place used to stink as you drove past…............

John Parsons   I have very fond memories of the old Alderley Edge. I have lived here all my life (apart from a short few years in Wilmslow) The grocery shop (now Granthams) in Heyes Lane used to be Harrops. The newsagents already mentioned on Heyes Lane belonged to my dad in the early sixties.
Just along from William Deacons Bank on London Rd was Rupert Warrens game & fishmonger later to become Cyril Thompson. I was errand boy there on Saturdays for 15/~ or 75p for the day. (Good Times) I also remember Sidlows wine merchants and Ralph Wood butchers Near Central Garage.

Eadingtons Garage was   a car repair and sales   and taxi service, with petrol pumps ,this was demolished for the Volvo garage,
Before Chads the miss Platts had the shoe shop,
The small sweet shop facing Heyes Lane and on stilts above the coal yard was Trotmans Behind the Council offices on Heyes Lane was the council yard for some vehicles with another yard off Trafford Road.
Round the corner from the council offices was a garage over which Alderley Edge Silver Prize Band practised.
Would the old AEUDC archives hold more details of past shop keepers?
Lees Fish and Chips was at London rd end of Chorley Hall lane before them it was owned by an English couple name long forgotten.

I t was pointed out to me today by the very nice lady from the great corner shop we have on Wood gardens that the shoe shop was not owned by the miss Plats but by the Miss Slacks. my only excuseis that it was a long time ago

Re Alderley Silver prize Band, Alderley Edge Band
Active in 1863 - also active in 1920s and 1930s and up to the late 50s.i wonder who is left who played in that band? i remember going to one of their concerts at the Methodist School Rooms in late 50s

My husband David and I were very interested to read all the comments about Alderley Edge of the past.  David (Austin) was born in Alderley Edge in 1944 and I took up residence with my Mum and Dad (Marian and Jack Rawson-Chad) when they bought their shoe business from the Misses Slack.  This was in 1954 when I was nearly 7 years old and they re-built the business which was pretty run down (buying the property in 1965) and went on with great success for the next 40 years - until the mid-90s.  David and I lived in Alderley Edge until 1970 when we got married so remember all those businesses mentioned very well,  Alderley Edge was a thriving village in those days - all shops were, more or less, privately owned - as mentioned before - no supermarkets! - there were several butchers (Partingtons being one of them) - there were bakers (Actons and Craggs) - Greengrocers (Winnie Chaney’s and Fitchetts) - Grocers Ernie Clay, Burgons (which was actually next door to my Mum’s shop when we first moved there) - chemists (Kershaws and Cumberbaches - later Charnleys).  All sold good quality produce and had delivery services (David remembers in his youth having part-time delivery jobs for Siddall’s who were newsagents - the Coop -butchers- and Fitchetts greengrocers.  There was Morris the florist - Matleys, another newsagents.  There were also clothes shops and haberdashers - Hidderleys (mentioned by my friend Di Bullock!) - and exclusive gents outfitters Fraser Lee’s and an exclusive women’s clothes shop - Edith Dennett’s.  There was an excellent hardware shop - Bilsboroughs - and electrical shops - one being Andersons at the bottom of the village.  There was another shoe shop at the far end of the village - Dale’s.  There were sweet shops - The Chocolate Box and Seatons.  Seatons in the 60s (or thereabouts, opened The Grill ‘N’ Chicken which was a coffee shop - icecream parlour and restaurant all in one.  David remembers in the late 50s going to The Bluebird Cafe - a coffee shop with a Juke Box (a popular meeting place for him and his friends and run by a lady called Nancy Washington.  I could go on and on .................!  As I said, Alderley Edge was a hive of activity.  The old style coffee shop mentioned by one of you was owned by Councillor Frank Jones and later by Len and Doreen Beardsall and was an exclusive grocers as well as a coffee house.  Many of the shops were “old fashioned” - as someone clearly mentioned about my Mum and Dad’s shop - but that was the beauty of them - and what people wanted - the customer service in most of these shops was second to none - what the public long for nowadays - and the shopkeepers were happy to have a chat and a laugh with their customers (most of them anyway!).  I remember helping in the shoe shop occasionally and we sold very exclusive Italian shoes - and all the top makes for men, women and children - and I remember some of the wealthier customers actually coming to buy shoes because they were high fashion - but half the price of London shops.  My Mum and Dad were members of the local Traders’ Association, which was a community of local shopkeepers and traders who banded together to promote the best interests of Alderley Edge - and they had fun doing that as they organised many local events also.  The Church Institute housed lots of local groups - Guides, Brownies and my Mum was the Chairman of a Women’s Social Club - originally created for local girls and women in service to the houses on The Edge that were owned by Cotton and Woollen Mill owners from Manchester who bought property in Alderley Edge - mostly big residences with maids, gardeners, etc.  By the time my Mum became Chairman of this group any women could join - they raised money for charity and put on concerts at The Church Institute (now The Library) and fund raising events.  I could go on and on - but will stop now!  Everything could be bought in Alderley Edge - without a supermarket in sight - and it was a pleasurable experience to shop - people would always meet and chat to someone on their daily shopping route.

Re the shoe shop, before the misses Slacks ,Ellwoods had the shoe shop,and re chemists we even had a Boots for a while.After Fraser Lee finished there was a record/Cd shop for a short time,3 newsagents,and Ralph Wood ,Fletchers /Dewhurst,and Partingtons and Co Op butchers,,our own Police Station, all while Alderley was a little village.

It’s amazing how remembering the past can become quite addictive!  I remembered after my rather long tome yesterday that there was another shop - Broadbents - on the corner opposite The Church Institute - a furniture shop.  Also there was another grocer at the corner of Chapel Road, opposite the roundabout - Cowsill’s ,and yet another grocer’s, Seymour Meads, on the corner of Steven Street.  Dave remembers even before I was in Alderley in 1954 - only for a short time - WH Smith was next door to the bank opposite the station.  Gosh! we must have almost covered most of the businesses of that time.  The only thing Graham - my Mum’s shoe shop was owned for a large number of years by the Misses Slack and their brother prior to my parents buying the business and David, my husband, remembers that Ellwoods was actually the shoe business at the other end of the village near the coal business - Dales took over after Ellwoods.

Did you live in Alderley in the 40s and 50s Graham?  It’s just interesting if you might have gone to Alderley Edge Primary School with my husband, David and his friends.

Anyway, it’s amazing how many businesses there were in Alderley in those days - and it was considered a village - but it most certainly had the facilities of a town.  It’s sad to see them all go - now it’s just boutiques, hair and beauty salons and restaurants - certainly not as much character.

Anyway ................. times change!

Hi Ann ,yes i came into Alderley around 1948-50,having been adopted(twice) so i remember you and your Dad and Mum and many of the then traders association, i went to Nether Alderley you would remember me as Graham Moore perhaps.

I came to live in Alderley in1940 aged 8,and have lived here since then. I remember with interest and affection all the shops and businesses mentioned. Can I add one more? On the corner of Clifton Street and London road, where Wienholts now trade, there was another bakery run by two old ladies. I could be wrong but I think their name was Shaw. We lived on Trafford Road and many times I was sent by my mother to buy the bread ration. Old ladies? Before any relative takes offence,they seemed old to me!

What a fantastic series of tales and the stories of life. I so hope these form part of the celebrations this year.

I have just been speaking with my Neighbour this morning, who has lived in the same house on Elmfield Road since it was built around 1947 (he still has the welcome to your new home letter) and he has liverd in the village all his life, I printed out this topic and he was very interested in it, he also pointed out that Mrs Beatie’s sweet shop was not a sweet shop, but as someone said - a “Ham Shop”, the sweet shop may have been the Tobacconists who sold foot long strips of tobacco and sweets.

Another shop not mentioned was Craggs Bakers who made in my opinion the best bread ever.Mr and mrs Rawson Chad, Malcolm Cragg and his brother Ronnie, Reg and Florrie Stearn George Weinholt, Brian wood,Ron Moore Alan and Ron Fitchett were amongst the first of the Alderley Edge Traders Association,These i n the main lived in the village or because their work was in the village cared deeply about it and the people .
Also we had Arthur Royles Garage behind the Barclays bank.Pauldings dentist was on Chapel Rd ,there was a printers in clifton street,and not forgetting the Regal Ballroom.
What was the convent school building   was during the first world war a hospital for injured service men ,We had the Cottage Hospital on Heyes Lane built by public subscription for the people of the locality.

Hi, Graham - yes! I do remember you - your Dad’s cars escorted Dave and I to our wedding in Alderley Edge - The Methodis Church on Chapel Road - in 1970 - and I guess you might have been helping - although you might have been too young!  In fact, I think you must have been!

Anyway ...........  really and truly this is getting very compulsive writing!  I feel quite ashamed how much I’ve warbled on - and just to say - Stephen Holding - I remember you and your family - your Dad’s shop was next door but one to my Mum’s shop - and you said you weren’t mentioning how old you are - but I think you’re younger than Dave and I - so don’t worry!!!! you must only be a bit of a kid - as is Graham!  Dave’s Dad - Syd Austin - was a self-employed painter and decorater and I know he knew Colin Holding very well - as did my Mum and Dad.  As Graham said, the Traders’ Association were quite a close-knit band of people - and probably involved offspring in their jaunts - hence us all knowing each other - good to have memories.  In fact, Graham, I mentioned my Mum was Chairman of the Traders on occasions - but I think Ron Moore was too.

Anyway - woke up this morning thinking about Alderley - not getting too carried away or anything! - but Dave remembered there was a farrier down the little street by the then Church Institute, called Joe Burgess - so many things going on! and I’ve just thought that down near where Weinholts is now, there was a little shop that sold knitting wools - Bracegirdles - surely we can’t remember much more!!

I remember one person who frequented my Mum and Dad’s shop was Alan Garner. who is a renowned author - he didn’t always buy shoes, but just used to pop in for a chat! - he grew up in Alderley Edge - in fact Syd, Dave’s Dad worked for Colin Garner (Alan’s Dad) at one point, because he, too, was a painter and decorater.  One of Alan Garner’s books is “The Weirdstone of Brisingamen” which is a magic fantasy which revolves around the legend of The Wizard of Alderley and the Alderley Edge area.  The story unfolds and mentions a local farmer and his wife - and I remember Mum told me that Alan Garner had based him on a local character of that time - a farmer - and I remember he used to come into Alderley on a Friday morning, driving a horse and cart and he often parked it across the road from the shop.  I have a copy of this book and as you open it it has a rough map of the area where the story is based.  Anyone who lives in Alderley - and knows the history of the Wizard, etc. should read it (and I’m not on a commission from Alan Garner, by the way!).    Talking about the Wizard, etc. both Dave and I remember that on Halloween every year the Edge was a meeting place for all sorts of weird people - witches and the like - maybe this still happens!

I know, I’m getting carried away again - but when we visit Alderley (we live in Hertfordshire for the past 25 years) - the shop that was Rawson-~Chad’s has not changed the exterior too much - the same bay window above the shop still exists where we lived - and the room over the alleyway.  The sign over the alleyway beside the shop has changed many times, but originally, in the days of the Misses Slack - the sign read “Stafford House”.  This was given to the Misses Slack’s residence by the shoe firm - Lotus - as they were one of the premier stockists of Lotus shoes - and the Lotus shoe firm was based in Stafford - so that is how it became Stafford House - which was my address for the time I and my parents lived in Alderley.  After the Miss Slacks my parents took over the Lotus brand - which was the Jimmy Chew of it’s day!!!! - along with other top names.  I own a painting which was done of my Mum’s shop (not commissioned by my parents) - the artist just thought it was an interesting building of its day - but it has Stafford House incorporated - a nice bit of family history.

Anyway - must have said everything now - must go and finish making the dinner!  It would be interesting to see everyone who remembers Alderley in the past.  Someone said that Mrs. Beattie sold just ham - I guess you were always sent for ham! - it was homemade! - I know I used to have to go for my Mum too.  But, she did sell bread and sweets and groceries too.  I am still friendly with her granddaughter, Jo Beattie, whose Dad, Bob, used to help his Mum run the business, and have known her since I was 7 - and am a bit older now!!!!  Happy Days!

Sorry to go on!  Can’t think there’s anymore to discuss.

Anne, I remember Sid very fondly, as a customer in dads shop and working with him on jobs,we worked together sometimes after he retired. Like so many of his generation he had lived through the most difficult of times, I enjoyed our talks at brew times when he would tell me about the old days in the building trade and life during the second world war. Nostalgia aint wot it used to be.

Hi Ann , well i wouldnt have thought my 64 yrs makes me a youngster hahaha but thanks yes i drove one of the cars on your wedding day and i also married same yr .,  yes Weinholts on corner then Fitchetts, then Ednas airdressers and in same building along corridor from Ednas was Tweats gents hairdressers and   Mrs Bracegirdles wool shop also along there with Partingtons butchers.Geof Burgess had his coal delivery service on South St,

Wow, I’ve really started something here…..maybe we should all meet up under the village park bandstand for a reunion with lashings of ginger beer & Weinholt’s sausage rolls!?

I have worked at Sterns (paper round) Weinholts, Kwik Save supermarket,  Alderley Motors on Trafford Rd, Royles Garage, The Queensgate Pub, The County Hotel, The De Trafford Arms, Threshers,......(come to think of it, I never could hold down a job) 

My Nana Edwards lived at the Church Institute in the little house at the back.  When we were little, I went to Playgroup there, also she use to let us down the cellar to play on the snooker tables. Her husband Griff, worked in Hockenhull’s butchers in the village. When I was about 5 or 6 yrs old, my Nana use to send me to Sterns for her twenty Players Navy Cut!  So when I started smoking myself aged 12 or 13, it was easy to buy ten Park Drive from him, as I just told him my Nana was trying to cut down.

Hi Steve Marshall!

I promise I won’t write such a long tome again - can be quite off-putting! - but is your Mum Sandra Marshall - I do remember her so well - and if so, your Dad too.  I remember going to the Methodist Chapel when they were in their prime!  I - and David, my husband, were in the youth club there - and if I remember, vaguely, your parents may have helped to run that group - not too sure.  I remember your Nana Edwards living at the back of the Church Institute - and your Mum - I think because I lived across the road at the shoe shop.  The Village of Alderley Edge had a community in the village - and then there was the “New Estate” lot!!!!!  Growing up this is what happened - and I met Dave - from “the new estate” - and I was from “the village” - two different parts of the village!!!!!! All very friendly really.  But I guess you always remember the people who lived around you - but then, of course, you remember who you went to school with - so I guess you were just a tad younger than us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  But do remember your parents and all their families!  We should have a grand re-union.  Dave and I are in Hertfordshire now but we still visit Dave’s sister, Jane, in Wilmsow - and her husband, Dave Almond - who used to live on “the new estate” too - so lots of people will remember them - and we would always be happy to come to an “old” Alderley Edge village re-union.  Watch this space .......... I keep saying not much more I can say - amazing where it all comes from!

Hi Anne

Yes, tis me! I have fond memories of the old days & the smell of leather as Mr Chad measured our feet in that wooden gauge thing, for our new school shoes!! My Mum is still in Alderley on Netherfields (which use to be the “old barn” when we were kids). My Dad passed away 2 years ago tomorrow, sadly. We all miss him, but my Mum has plenty going on around her, what with book clubs & W.R.V.S. & Tots Group, & can we get her off her Nintendo DS when she is playing virtual Scrabble!!!? My brother John still lives in Alderley as do I. My sister lives in Doncaster & my other brother Andrew lives in London. A lot has changed over the years, but it still remains my favourite place

Someone told me of this website today ,what a welcome suprise and hello to anyone who knows me.
I too was an Alderley baby,born in mac,to an Alderley couple,Albert and Win Stringer of Oakfield Road.
I remember most of the things that you have all mentioned with a few extra bits.
Someone mentioned the co-op butchers where a Mr. Hand,I think that was his name,was the manager,well next to that shop was the co-op haberdashery shop selling materials,buttons corsets and many other essentials necessary for the ‘mend and makedo’ brigade.That shop was run by Betty Thompson and most things came out of that shop wrapped in brown paper and string.Then at the end of the row there was the co-op grocers,not unlike open all hours,they had such an array of goods ,bacon ,butter on a large slab that was sliced off ,shaped and packed however much or little you wanted,and their cakes always made my mouth water,my favourite was the vanilla slice.There were two long wooden counters,one on either side ,two old fashioned wooden chairs so people could sit whilst being served,oh what bliss for the tired feet.
My Dads brother ,Jim Stringer,worked there for many years and was eventually made manager.
Then if you crossed Heyes Lane towards the station,where there are offices that had a single storey building which housed Shapleys Sale rooms,where the then large houses of Alderley used to send the items of furniture ,carpets and the like to be sold.My mum bought many a carpet and piece of furniture ,very good quality, from there.
Someone mentioned the cuncil offices,there used to be a fire station,one fire engine,behind it. When my Dad was a lad living down Moss Rose,he used to go cleaning the stables out that were behind the Royal Oak ,that is no more,then go accross the road to where the Cottage hospital was and where the hedge is now it was another stabling yard and he would start again.
I think that that is enough for now ,but it has given me pleasure going back to Alderley when it was a real village comunity and I think a pleasant one .Thank you Steve for opening up this opportunity for us to share our memories.Ask your uncle Mike to give you some more.

Hi Janet,
Was your Mum, Mrs Stringer the dinner lady at our primary school!? She lived next door to my other Nana in a bungalow just as you get onto the estate. I remember going round one christmas and my Dad opened a bottle of fizzy plonk & Mrs Stringer said “ooooh, I thought I’d been shot!” Never forget that. She was one of the nice dinner ladies along with Mrs Tinsley, but “Snapper” Capper was the head dinner lady & she use to bang her big serving spoon on the table to get us to be quiet!

Hi, I have lived here all my life, I’m 33 but my great grandfather was the headmaster of the primary school - mr twigg and he wasn’t scared of using his cane! I was suprised no one mentioned hazel croft which was an old people’s home at the top of the village which my mum and gran both worked at it was for the local elderly, plus the sidings (may have spelt it wrong) which was the night club in the queens hotel opposite the queens gate, I used to love listening to my mum and gran telling there stories of alderley life so it’s loverly to read all the comments .

Hi Janet, how are you? i remember MrStringer at co op grocers he always cut the butter exactly to weight you wanted , i used to go there for my gran Margaret Randles who was close friend of your mum and dad, I even remember her co op number 3234 ,she and mr s Leah mr mrs Poyner ,Mr Mrs Fiddamen ,mrs morris,mrs yoxall,the Darlingtons,The Taylors,Finnys,Mrs Morris, so many of old Alderley Edge

Hi Steve , yes i remember your nan and Griff, he worked as you say Fletchers but also i think at Ralph Woods butchers ,.I remember Sandy and her husband,and the methodist sunday school.

Hi Steve,no that Mrs.Stringer was my auntie,her husband was Jim Stringer who worked in the co-op.
Hi Graham,you mentioned Mr. Paulden the dentist,there was another dentist up Macclesfield road at Frog Castle I think his name was Mr.Cropper,I could be mistaken about the name.Also there was a Dr.Langford,he had his surgery along Mottram Rd.just on the junction across from Trafford Rd.
I used to go to Sunday School every week at St. James’s, Beryl Cleese,Shiela Burgess and Tom Bird used to help to run it,and in the summer we used to sit outside for lessons,it would be on what is now Mr. and Mrs. Keith Granthams garden is now.
Hi John,do you remember Granny Fords sweet and tobacconist shop at the end of Ravenswood,the end house before you turn down into Moss Road.It had wooden floors,wooden shelves and a wooden counter,Granny Ford wore little wire glasses,a long skirt,had grey hair worn in a bun,but she was as keen as mustard.When she died her son,who lived down Moss Rd.and was an electrician took on the shop for a while.
Hello Fiona,I believe that you went to school with my daughter Kate Smith.
I remember going to Potts’s farm ,I was about 8years old,collect the eggs from the barn and shippen,they were free range,then go with John Potts on the horse drawn milk float to help him deliver the milk,directly into the customers own jugs,the horses seem gigantic to me,the horse droppings were much sought after with people rushing out with brush and shovel after them.
I have quite a few more memories to recall ,but I think this is enough for now.

This post is so facinating. Steve you have certainly got a lot of people talking about Alderley Edge.
Janet I remember your Aunty at the primary school and she was lovely and as Steve said not like Mrs Capper who frightened you to death at lunch time with that spoon ( I am sure she would not be allowed to do that in schools these days)  I am not sure about your daughter?  My best friend was Jill davenport who lived on ‘Moss Road Amd her older brothers Richard and James Davenport?

The head master @ AECPS was Mr savage ?  I am sure he was there for a while. 

I remember the Weinholts as they lived across the road from us on Heyes Lane and I know Heather Weinholt posts on the site from time to time

Of course now AEPC are trying to turn the allotments on Heyes Lane into a Car Park!!!!!!!  They have been there since 1917 and so much part of the village! Madness I think!

Hi Fiona, I remember “Pop” Savage, he had a lump on his forehead that use to glow crimson when he got angry - He caned me a few times! Mrs Peck was my first teacher & I saw her a few years ago when she came in for lunch at the De Trafford….she remembered me! What a lovely lady she was (is). Also Mrs Mitchelhill, Mr Horton (with his pink & purple Triumph motorbike), he read us The Hobbit in the afternoons. Mr Lumsden & Mr Leech (who played the recorder) I think there was some jealousy between the latter two, over who could play the piano best, in assembly!! There was also a nasty old hag who had a class up the stairs, can’t remember her name, but if she had been born a few hundred years earlier, she would’ve been permanently tied to a ducking stool!  Ahhhh….happy days!

Hi Steve
Yes who was that horrible teacher in that upstairs classroom!  She definatly would not be highly commended in any ofsted report!
I remember Mrs Peck she was lovely but I was in the other infant class and I think it was Mrs Robinson?
You were right about Mr leach and Mr lumsdon there was a definate conflict and I think Mr lumsdon always won Piano wars!

Mr savage it really was not a good name for a headmaster!  His office was up those really narrow stairs. I remember you thought you had really made it if ypu got to bell monitor.

Maybe we should organise a reunion for all old Alderley Edger’s.

Mike Marshall.  Amazing how quickly little acorns grow! From Steve’s observations,so many great memories emerge and I can’t possibly resist the need to contribute as they all come flooding back.  My memory of arriving into Alderley Edge at 2yrs of age is very weak, I was the youngest behind Derek,Myrtle,Ian,Stan and my Dad and Stepmother.  We moved into Duke Street,now a fashionable little place,but in 1947,all the terraced houses on the right were rented by families and on the left,the more wealthy homeowners. At the end of the street we had fields full of crops,not a house until Moss Lane,which was connected with a narrow public footpath which took us regularly up to The Edge via Mottram Road.
We lived in number 14 and the Docherty’s were in 12, with the King family in 16. Rosemary,better known as Buddie became a good pal and I believe she is still in the area.
Opposite lived the Trotman sisters,both spinsters,who ran The Cabin,a sweet and tobacconists that perched very precariously on the steep bank,opposite Running Bear on London Road.
    Duke Street was a real community,football on the cobbles,hopscotch on the pavement. We had a regular visit from the rag and bone man with his tired old horse struggling to walk on the cobbles and for any old clothes,we got a “donkey stone” which was used on the front steps…..the purpose of which never registered with me!  As the youngest in the Marshall family,I was always wearing Stan and Ian’s cast off’s,but I suppose it could have been worse and got Myrtle’s!
    Each Saturday we had an open top truck reversing down the street and selling flagons of Dandelion and Burdock,a real treat of a drink and for every empty flagon returned we got one penny. The other trader was an old lady in a black shawl,pushing a large black pram full of home made crumpets. These often constituted Saturday lunch.
  At the top of the street we had Percy Grantham’s,same site and same family today and on the other corner was the sub Post Office,run by a grumpy Mr Thornley.
  When coming of age,I went to A.E.primary school with the silver haired headmistress,Miss Fletcher. She seemed to be in her nineties in those days and drove to school each day in a bottle green Morris Ten,with Rover,her dog,who was a little bit like the school mascot.  As a pupil,there were two key roles you were desperate to fulfill…...taking Rover for a walk at lunchtime and being milk monitor after assembly. Every pupil had a small glass bottle of milk every mid morning break and these were delivered to classroom doors and the lucky monitors missed lessons for an hour.
So many names of fellow pupils spring to mind,Janet Stringer and David Austin already contributed to this forum,then there is Frank Barlow,Steve Spilsbury,John Graty,Dave Lomas,Pat Brooks,Pat Burgess,Terence Heath….to name a few!
    Lots more memories,but time is beating me,so I will close now and look forward to reading many more moments of the past.

Hi AGAIN Fiona! I think the “old bat” upstairs, was called Mrs Boyle!?!? I remember her moving my desk next to hers so she could keep an eye on me. I put a sign on it, saying “Teacher’s Pet” which she changed to “Teacher’s Pest”!
I have a photo from Alderley Primary xmas party circa 1968, which I will try to post on here. It’s hilarious. I am bottom left hand corner

Click here to view photo

Well, for what it’s worth I remember my time at Alderley Edge CP school very fondly - Mr Savage had that wonderful sign at the foot of his stairs saying… “A Savage Headmaster.” 

Teachers I remember were Mrs Batty / Jill Cooksey / Peter Horton / Rex Leech / Mr Simmonds.

Dinner ladies were Mrs Capper, Mrs Beardsly, Mrs Halden, Mrs Spreckley and Mrs Heald.

Does anyone remember who / what “Brown Sausages” were?

I dont recall Rex Leech playing piano, I thought he was more guitar and recorder and one of the ladies played the piano.

Rex Leech also helped out at cubs / scouts along with Eddie Henshall (Akela) and Brian Cavanagh (Baloo) and Beryl Clee (referred to above as Sunday School teacher at St Phillips) was our Shere Khan. I remember a scout trip to Gradbach in Derbyshire (the Mysterious East) where we discovered kangaroos (wallabies actually) running wild on the moors!

I used to do a morning newspaper round for Ardens / Buckley-Quances on Heyes Lane which involved delivering on Heyes Lane, The Circuit and the Hough. After school I did an evening round for the shop in the village (still there) which took me up Macclesfield Road and down Woodbrook Road /Trafford Road.

As kids we used to spend summer holidays potato picking at Wallworths Farm on The Hough - back breaking work but well worth it for the £5 per week remuneration!
I remember going to “The Net” youth club run by Harold Ward in the basement of the Methodist Church on Chapel Road and to discos at Belmont Hall or St Pius’s.

Eeeee, happy days!

Alan you remembered the sign!  Mr savage obviously had a sense of humour or was just oblivious! 

Steve I can remember the old bats name but I think I probably still have the mental scares of spending a school year in that classroom!  A very funny story about the teachers pet!  Maybe she did have a sense of humour.

I do remember going to some music rehearsal and we went with Mr Lumsden in his car after school!  I am not quite sure that would happen now! 

I havnt been to AEPC in years. It must have changed so much.

We should have a reunion at the Primary School in summer when it is officially closed for holidays, & get someone in authority to show us round… Wonder if Mr Leech still has a key!?!?

I don’t know how but “Mrs Beatie’s sweet shop ” has manged to open up to the community the way ALDERLEY EDGE once Was!

Maybe Caley, there are still many of us that remember Alderley Edge as it was a small village before the days of supermarkets,when local people knew many people nearby and neighbours and in fact knew people all round the village ,which does not just involve the main London Rd , but the whole parish .Sadly many older folk have either moved away or passed over,which means a lot of memories have been lost,so this seems a fantastic oppotunity for the younger generation of alderley people to put down their memories before they are lost.

Seeing the picture of the fallen tree by the Girls School , reminds me i have a picture of the old convent house as it was in 1917,it was a hospital for wounded service men /recuperation centre ,in the photograph are all the nurses and orderlies and doctors, amongst whom is my gran Margaret Randles who was a nurse there.
I mentioned earlier that for the coronation 1953, each child was given a pencil inscribed “coronation 1953, and also a t spoon ,also inscribed Coronation 1953 AEUDC , they are great reminders.

It is great thT so many memories have been talked about from Steve’s original post. Maybe we should do something as Graham said before they are lost.  I was just a little kid in the 70’s growing up in the village and of course it has changed so much.

Steve, Rex Leach left the primary school years ago and I think he still lives in Maxxlesfield, it would be great to see who is still around the area at an Open day at the school. A Savage Headmaster has to be long gone by now!  I think when I was there we got a new Headmistress and I want to say she as called Mrs Heinz but I could be wrong

Fiona, the headmistress who replaced Mr. Savage was Jean Hinds . She must still live locally as i saw her not too long ago. Mrs Joan Robinson also lives locally as does Pat Helingoe. I used to see Mrs Batty who was my first teacher at the school in 1961 but she moved South a couple of years ago.
I was taught by both Rex Leach and Joan Robinson as were both my children. My parents also attended the school and also two of my grandsons.
Apart from the new block which houses the hall, dining room and the much needed indoor toilets i dont think that the school has changed much really.

Thank you Dina I had a feeling Mr Savage retired I think while I was at the school
Yes of course the outside toilets were not exactly very pleasant,especially in the winter!

Delighted to see so much interest in local history - so if you’re interested in finding out more (and you’re not already a member), we’d love to have you join Alderley History Group - where you could share your memories with a whole bunch of people eager to hear your stories.

We’re six years old now, and e’ve got events running throughout this year, including a talk by Alan Garner and, hopefully, a guided walk of Lindow Moss plus other meetings; and if you’d like to come to our AGM (with entertainment, wine and food), it’s at 7.30pm on Monday the 13th Feb at The Union Club, Stevens Street, Alderley Edge. For further info, e-mail me or call 01625 582564 and I’ll be happy to give you more info!

As Alan mentioned, he remembers dancing at Belmont Hall. I also remember dancing there in the late fifties (think it was a Friday night) - barn dance and such like (a lot of us used to do these dances at school).  Well, if any of you are interested, Alderley Edge Methodist Church is having a Dance at Mottram St. Andrew Village Hall on 24th March to the sounds of the 30s, 40s and 50s with G I Jive. The event is in aid of the Methodist Church Spire Appeal.  If anybody is interested, tickets will be available by phoning 01625 586713/

. Would be lovely to have some local dances again.

Well all credit to you Steve I think 57 posts on your blog is amazing

I was a St. Hilary’s girl during the 50’s and 60’s and have vivid memories of being part of the ‘blue crocodile’ which walked through the village each day! In those days the school had no dining room therefore we were escorted through the village to either The Blue Bird cafe, The Corner House or Hurst Lea. (Hurst Lea was the St.Hilary’s Junior at the corner of Brook Lane and was sadly demolished in 1963). The Corner House was definitely our favourite eating place because it was there we had chips!!!

Hi Jennifer, welcome to the blog! The corner shop was great! We use to go in the dark little cafe in the back & have pasty with gravy & a pot of tea, you could also smoke in there, but the woman who ran it, was a bit of an ogre & you could tell she didn’t want us hanging around all day ( which looking back, was probably a fair point!!) but that was where we all met up when we had nothing better to do, or it was raining! I also remember Bert Wyatt’s Off License & you got 50 pence back on the big glass cider flagons, which was a lot of money in “them old days”. His daughter Denise, was in “our gang” so it was easy to get hold of the bottles!

I’ve just looked for an update on the Alderley Edge memories!  It goes on and on!  - lovely!

Dave (Austin) remembers your Uncle Mick, Stephen.  They went to school together. 

Wish I could get to the talk with Alan Garner - I have a set of his books which he signed for my Mum when he used to visit them in the shoe shop!  But, being in Hertfordshire, it’s difficult to come to Alderley just for a meeting.  But, if you have some sort of a summer paty/re-union - Dave and I would love to come - no problem!    We could stay with Dave’s sister, Jane, who lives in Wilmslow - and she has as many memories of Alderley as we do - and would happily come along.    I have mentioned to a couple of my close friends that they should look at this Discussion Forum - Pat Lee (nee Burgess) - and Jo Rigby (nee Beattie) - yes! the granddaughter of Mrs. Beattie herself!  They were going to have a look - but at this moment haven’t made a contribution - but they would be interested in a re-union. 

Made me laugh about Mrs. Boyle - the teacher.  I remember when I was 7 I came to Alderley from Yorkshire and the very same Mrs. Boyle was my first teacher (upstairs at the school!) - she seemed scary - but I think, really, she was a dedicated teacher.  And .............. I remember Mr. Savage - I was friendly with his daughter, Hilary, not that it did me any good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway, by all means have all your lovely local get-togethers - but do remember us old Alderley Edge-ites who live a way away - and remember we would love to join in the gatherings at some stage.

I seem to remember my Mum telling me that the old lady selling crumpets was called Granny Worthington from Nether Alderley,also do you remember Phyllis and Joe Davies coming round on a horse and cart selling fruit and veg,I think they came from Chorley Hall Farm.
I also remember at Alderley School ,first thing in the morning we all attended the assembly in the hall,Miss Fletcher was in charge ,there was never any doubt that,and I remember an old record player on the stage with either,I think the names are right,Frank Barlow or Steven Spilsbury they were responsible for ensuring the music started at the right time,the music being ‘Trumpet Voluntary’
Surely it wouldn’t have been the same Mrs.Boyle that taught our class in the fifties.
My daughter Kathryn,Kate,Smith ,says that she definitely remembers both you Fiona, and Jill Davenport and has a photo of the net ball team ,I think its you Fiona and definitely Jill as well as Kate.Kate has three brothers, Stephen,David and Peter.
Di ,you mentioned the dances at Belmont hall.I along with others.Barbara Bancroft being one belonged to a small group run by a group of like minded men,dads who put together an old time music hall group.There used to be a womens group the GFS at the old institute and they put shows on too,a Mrs Smith used to run it and had amassed quite a collection of old clothes and hats feather boa’s etc,so she lent them to us to put on shows at old peoples homes.
The same Mrs Smith’s husband used to be the signal man at the station,where you used to be able to walk across the line on sleepers to the other side and I used to go with my Mum to the signal box and ‘help’ Mr Smith change the signals,happy ,innocent days

Well,my eldest son has certainly started something here!!!!
Jennifer, you mention the Bluebird cafe.I remember it well.It was run by a lady called Nancy Washington and Ian & I used to go there regularly after going to the Methodist church on Sunday evenings with our friends,Ann Dilloway,Viv Simcox & Joan Paulding (the dentist’s daughter) to name a few.We had tea & Kunzle cakes—delicious iced,cream filled gooey confections.We never worried about healthy eating in those days! I think Mrs Washington was glad to see us leave each time as we were the usual noisy teenagers so no change there!
And although not in the village itself,we used to love going up to those three huge sandhills at the top of Whitebarn Road.We’d take a picnic and climb up them to either descend by several leaps or slide down on trays.It was great fun!

As Chairman of the Alderley History Group and a resident of the village for over 70 years, I find it most gratifying to see the interest being shown in the history of the shops on London road.
The History Group archive contains many photographs of London road from the late 1800’s to 1986.We have compiled a history and archive of who occupied the various premises on London Road in 1928 and 1948 to the 50’s and 60’s together with lots of anecdotes about some of the shop owners and the public services fulfilled by some residents. A sheet map of London road dated 1929 shows all the shops on London Road and their owners.
I can add to the interest being shown in Mrs Beattie’s shop. In fact the shop was called Tofts Cafe. Besides selling her famous ham, it sold sweets, groceries and cakes. At the back of the shop was a small cafe with about 4 or 5 tables. In summer as children we used to go there for a tizer or lemonade. In winter, we would call for a cup of Bovril for 2d or 3d.
After the 1960’s, shops in the village changed hands more often and it is difficult to research and keep a record, although we do have a list of shops for 1999 and 2006.
In 1996, I led an evening walk up London Road pointing out the history of the shops. This was recorded for National Trust Archives. We have a copy of this in the History Group archive. This was followed by me giving a talk on London Roads past at one of our History Group meetings.
The History Group has published a book called “Alderley Home Grown”. There is a whole chapter of past life in the village including many of the shops frequented on London Road. This chapter was contributed by Jean Astle (Nee Burgess), a long term resident of the village. The book has many other anecdotes of Alderleys past;
Lastly, as chairman I would like to mention that much of the research on London Road has been provided by group members.
For further information on the History Group, and the“Alderley Home Grown” book contact Harold Smith on 01625 585802.

Loads of great memories and information in all these comments.  My late mother (Nora Miller nee Mottershead) worked at Broadbents when it was a “Costumiers and Ladies and Gents Outfitters” and located in what is now the wine shop next to Gusto; not to be confused with Broadbents furniture shop which was where The Grill on the Edge now is. I have a great photo of all the staff outside the shop when my mum was about 16 so about 1926.  They were clearly running a blanket promotion (not sure why in a costumiers?) with blankets priced at 16s 11d.  After my dad died in 1956 my mum went to work at Granthams and worked there until she was in her 70s.  PS No use in trying to hide your age from me Stephen Holding!

I’ve just been reading all the comments again! - I love Graham’s comment that because lots of the people involved with the village of the past are either very elderly or have passed over the “younger generation” are responsible for keeping memories alive.  I love being called a member of the “younger generation” - not sure our daughters and grandchildren would see us like that!  However ................. just to say we have mentioned this forum to lots of our “old” friends who used to live in Alderley and they love it!  Actually we had a call from John Graty in Melbourne, Australia this morning and he’s read everything.  His Grandmother, Grandma Graty, sorry not sure of her first name - but she was - many, many years ago, the owner of The Royal Oak - the pub on Heyes Lane - now, sadly, demolished.  So, news travels a long way!

Dave and I also remember that down Heyes Lane there used to be a Police Station, which was later turned into a library - and also there used to be a Fire Station and Council Offices.  This just goes on and on!  Not going to warble on too much today, though! 

If a get-together is arranged sometime - please don’t forget the old Alderley Edge-ites who live far away - and as I’ve said, we have friends who read all the info. who would love to meet up with people of the past - I think you’d need quite a big hall!!!!  The Regal (later known as the Assembly Rooms) - but not sure if that’s the title now - but a lot of us actually spent the odd Saturday nights there - dancing, drinking - meeting our respective partners - maybe that would be a good choice!  Anyway ..................... all good reading!

I have fond memories of spending time during the summer on the village park. If memory serves Sam Steel was the full time park keeper in the 1950,s, and he kept the whole place in tip top condition, he operated from a wooden hut by the bowling green, it had a wonderful haze of creosote and tobbacco that hung about it. My parents like many others would be happy to despatch their kids to the park when they went to work, you had enough money for a bottle of pop ( dandylyon and burdock or cream soda were the favourates ) and some chips, and they didnt expect to see you till tea time. So long as we kids kept off the bowling green, which was sacred turf, we built dens, climbed trees, played games of our own invention, and because Sam had a watchful eye and knew us and our parents it was a safe environment. This of course was in the days when councils employed less chiefs and more indians. One summer we spent hours and hours mythering the man who drove the shunting engine to let us ride on the footplate from the park side of the mainline to the coalyard on the village side. Hi Ian, in your day kids played on the park with sticks and hoops I believe.

Just a couple of items i remember hearing that in the 20s there was a regular fair held on the field on left of road top of Macclesfield rd behind Castle hill,
Partingtons the long time butchers of Alderley had they slaughter house where the vicarage now stands.
I went to Methodist Sunday School untill about 1960 I remember Billy James the leader then taking us on a trip to Manchester Town Hall ,and Frank Reid another stalwart was a teacher.
After the demise of the regular Rose Queen the three churches joined together and my daughter Sarah was the last,so sad it was a local festivity much enjoyed for many yrs and smaller villages still have Rose Queens but we dont How sad is that?

The highlight of my Sunday afternoon is to catch up with the Alderley Edge discussions - it’s amazing how once someone mentions a memory - your own keep flooding back!

I fondly remember Sam Steele and his wife, Nellie - they lived down the street beside the Church Institute.  They didn’t have any family of their own, but they were fond of children and everyone who knew Sam well knew that he liked to be called Uncle Sam.    Fond memories also of The Methodist Sunday School - I, too, went there for years - and most of my friends too.

You’re right, Graham, it’s very sad thre isn’t a Rose Queen Fete anymore - it used to be the highlight of the summer! - it began with a long procession, following a band, around the streets of Alderley - I can remember the feeling of excitement and anticipation whilst waiting for the procession to arrive.,

The Royal Oak was a meeting place for many a teenager.  Dave remembers the Harbour Lights, a resident group at The Royal Oak every Monday night - in those days bands and groups were live - none of your discos!!!!  I think I mentioned The Regal Ballroom earlier in the memories - most Saturday nights there would be a dance - yes, a proper dance band! - ballroom dancing - and in between a bit of more up-to-date music.  Cyril Farmer was the owner of the ballroom in those days - he and his wife had been professional ballroom dancers, I believe.

The Royal Oak was where young people gathered - those who were old enough! - obviously the Harbour Lights were then a big attraction in the good old 60s.

Going off at a bit of a tangent - most weekends saw streams of potholers processing through Alderely village on their way to the mines over the Edge - they used to have all the gear - helmets with lamps on them - yards of rope, etc.  I remember vividly seeing them all - in those days not too many people owned cars so I guess they arrived by train at Alderley Edge station and walked up the edge to the mines.

Alderley was such a lively place when you think how much went on.

Just read through all the posts. How fab is this - all those memories, from that one little post - Cheers Jak!!!

I too have lived in Alderley Edge all my life and remember some of the old shops mentioned but specially the wonderful smell of Rawson-Chads and the Coffee Shop smell of The Corner House. 

Fond memories of primary school starting with Mrs Peck, who was so kind and sometimes we could play in the red & white wendy house or the sand pit.  We used to sit on the floor and she would play the piano and we learned to sing ‘Daisys are our silver, buttecups our gold’. After that my teachers were Miss Cooksy - Didn’t her Mum work in the library?, Mrs Robinson who had us making cheese out of milk in a jar which we had on ritz crackers at the end of the week!(probably wouldn’t happen today) , Mrs Jones who had a small son at school called David, Mr Horton who wrote in purple ink!, Mrs Bailey who was up the stairs and Mr Lumsden in the field.  I remember Gym Club after school on Fridays where we worked through BAGA awards, Learning to sing Joseph and the theme tune to ‘Black Beauty’ in recorder group - what a racket!! Does anybody remember Mr Humm (was he the school caretaker)  who used to find pennies behind your ears?

Sunday school with Beryl Clee, and later Mrs Beck at St.Philips. I was a rose queen attendant for the fete in 1976, there was always a fancy dress competition, the scout band, morris dancers, lucky dips, roll the penny stalls and one where you had to find the full egg? - and it always seemed to have lovely sunny weather! - Fiona, weren’t you a rosebud one year with my sister Tina?

I enjoyed that reminiscent moment!!

Thanks Helen….so it was Mrs Bailey who was the “nasty old hag” up the stairs!! (new someone would remember her name eventually). Mr Horton also had a pink & purple Triumph Bonneville (probably where the purple ink idea came from!) 1976 was the heatwave, & the summer seemed to last forever, I remember me & Jerry Rawsthorn being on the village park the day it first rained after about 3 months of “drought” & the drops were bouncing up off the bowling green & steaming as it was so hot! I remember the Rose Queen fete, as they always picked the ugliest girls to be crowned (....only joking Helen!) We use to throw eggs at them from behind the bushes in the park, as they paraded up the village from St Phillips. Do you remember Mr Leese who was the vicar there? Me & Julian Smith got my brother John to ring the church bell once, & as he pulled on the rope, it took him about 15 ft in the air as he didn’t let go….he wet himself & cried all the way home. Happy Days!

I don’t think it was Mrs Bailey - she was quite nice, but she did have the classroom upstairs.

Do you remember when the whole school went on the ‘We Want to Sing’ television show that was supposed to be with Rod Hull and Emu? - I think maybe the Emu was ill because we ended up with some random DJ from Radio 1 as I recall.  We sang all the old music hall type songs which had to be practiced for weeks in advance.  Btw I was an attendant (obviously not ugly enough to be queen!!).  I remember Mr Leese very well for his extremely lengthy sermons when I was in the choir at St Philips, perhaps he should be had up for health and safety issues - poor John He’s going to love your post ha ha

It was Ed Stewpot who stood in for Rod Hull as Emu had a cold! I never got on tv because apparantly I spent the whole show hitting Helen Owen as she was kicking my chair! We were chosen with Colshaw Primary as we were the two oldest schools in the area. Thinking about it, Mr Leese looked remarkably like Ronnie Kray!

I’m just going to ‘post’ what I said early December. The more recent dialogue just re-enforces my initial thoughts.  Only additional comment would be save the pictures for the Queen’s Jubilee? 

How fantastic these ‘stories’ are along with the images that they portray. I’m a mere, as my Irish aunt would say, ‘a blow in’ to the village in ‘85 (1985, for clarification!). It would be such a great shame if these images were lost of what was such a diverse village.  Do any of you have any photos of that time that, possibly, Lisa could copy and put on the website? So enjoyed the recollections.

I think I have some photos from 60’s / 70’s including some of me as Page Boy to Rose Queen Jayne Carpenter in about 1968.

I also have photo’s of Colin Ardern and I sweeping the board at the Rose Queen Fete Fancy Dress competition in about 1965 with our “Bill and Ben The Flowerpot Men”

Thinking about it, they’re probably best left in the loft!

Back again and just catching up with the latest.posts!
I had forgotten about Mr Horton!  I do remember him! 
Just recently I was going through some old photos at my mom and dads and found pictures of the Rose Queen Fete! 
Helen I was a rose bud the same time as Tina and I will try and post the picture!  I am not sure who the Rose Queen was but I am sure someone on here may know!  Like you Helen I didn’t make the Rose Queen status!
I had forgotten being a Morris dancer as well!  That must have been the reason why I didn’t make it to being the Rose Queen as I took a different career path! 
I also have some of the Scout Band marching through the village and of course you can see some of the old shops!

I remember Mr Lees’s and Sunday school. It was great as you got out of church service. I

Well this post just keeps rolling! Steve you are going to be awarded a prize for the most amount of posts on the discussion forum!

Well, Fiona and Alan you’ll have to post your pics that would be wonderful.

Fiona, I’ve been talking with Tina and she seems to think she was attendant for my good friend Gillian Swain together with Katie Oakley.  I was attendant with Kathryn Bailey for Andrea Swain so we’re not sure who you were rosebuds for, maybe Jayne Carpenter, Catherine Walker or Susan Wearne who had my sister Julie and Susan Shackleton as attendants.

Alan, I would love to see the pictures. I remember winning once as Jake the Peg, my very inventive Dad made me an extra wooden Leg and taught me how to walk with it and my Mum was in the middle of making trousers for us so we had an extra trouser leg too - hilarious! This dates to probably 1972/3 - It’s surprising what you remember when you get thinking!!

Reading the posts on here is becoming quite addictive…

Fiona, i too was Rose Queen attendant in i think, 1967 or 8. Barbara Johnson was the Rose Queen and Anne Hunt and i were attendants. In those days the procession started at the Regal Ballroom and went round to the council estate and back to Chorley Hall lane playing field. Anne and i sat on the back of a sports car belonging to Cyril Farmer who owned the Regal at the time. We had dresses specially made by Harold Smiths wife Margaret and were made to feel very special on the day. We had tea in a special tent, received gifts to mark the occasion and were “visited” by Rose Queens from other villages. I have some photographs.
When i was younger i was a rose bud every year. I think we wore the same pink dresses every year until they were too short for us to process decently!

One of the names that has appeared in this forum is Frank Reid. We all remember Frank so fondly as the leader of the Methodist Church boys club held once a week in the main room. It had a stage and we had a padded wooden horse positioned in front of this stage. You ran up to the horse and on to a springboard to attempt a “flying angel”........Frank’s name…...then if you were lucky,landed on the stage and caught by Harry Brown.
Frank also was a barber! He came to our house in Duke Street on his bike,with a wooden box fixed to the rack. In this box he carried his scissors,hand clippers and a black cloth,which he attached round your neck.  My Dad ensured all my brothers,Stan,Ian,Derick and myself were all available and one at a time we were subjected to a short back and sides,sat on a chair in the backyard,regardless of the weather.
John Graty’s name has also appeared and whilst he still resides in Melbourne,he was an excellent goalkeeper and played in our very successful team,Wilmslow Parish Church. We won the East Cheshire league and cup one year,with the presentation being made at the Regal Ballroom. John’s father was Laurie,who was a professional goalkeeper with Blackpool.  It’s also great to hear Dave Austin’s comments about The Harbour Lights,they were a good group and I recall spending many evenings there with Dave and Ray Whalley.
Alderley Edge in those days produced two very good football teams,the Legion,who played in the Manchester league and St Philips,who played in the East Cheshire.  AE Legion had some excellent players including Pete Smith, Bill Bennet, Mike Osborne and Paddy Moran,whilst AE St Philips had Roger Burgess,Barry Lea, Dougie Moir and Whalley Begley…to name but a few! The Alderley Nomads played in the Macclesfield Sunday League and I recall the current Chorley Hall Lane being a mud bath in the winter months.  It is good to see this facility continues to provide opportunities for our youngsters each weekend.
Finally,a note to Dave (Austin),it would be great to meet up on your next excursion to AE.