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.

Fiona,you might know my daughter as Kate Smith,she too was a rose queen attendant with Sheena Langton, but she can’t remember who the rose queen was ,she thinks it may have been Jill Wallwork. I have a photo of me in fancy dress ready for the rose queen parade and competition
Does anyone else remember the Alderley and Wilmslow flower show which was held on a field down Manchester Road opposite the Ryleys sports field,the entrance was behind where the bus stop is now? It was a large event with two or three very large marquee’s with all the flower clubs competitions,childrens classes,which I used to enter,wild flower collections , I wonder if I could stiil find the same varieties now,allotment society events,growers and suppliers from all the place and more competitions,plenty of stalls ,bran tubs and of course tea and refreshments and a bar. Several brass bands and morris dancing teams with competitions.I remember it as a really happy day and if you had bought your draw tickets,maybe a prize to take home. The show exhibitors sold some of the show stock off and the rest was donated to the committee who then went to St. Phillips Church with their families to decorate the church for a service on the Sunday dedicated to all gardeners. The church not only looked wonderfull but smelt wonderful too.

Can anyone else remember the school next to the Ryley sports field Wilmslow end it was a privately run school,I think it was called ‘Harden Park’ ?

Steve, did you have any idea how many memories you would bring back when you posted your first message? Thank you.

YEs i remember Harden Park School , and also the Alderley Edge Fower show ,held on the fields opposite Harden Pk, this was started i believe by the gardeners of the big houses on Macclesfield Rd and grew into a huge display of produce and indeed displays from the likes of Mathews garden centre and Frayers Roses of Knutsford among others.
Going back to Methodist sunday school i remember Ruth Bracegirdle she also taught us, her mother had the wool shop on London Rd.
The long forgotten Alderley Prize band played often for festivities in the village as did Wilmslow St Barts.

Hi Janet, I thought it might stir a few memories, but it seems Alderley Edge has a fond place in many people’s hearts, especially how it use to be way back when. I can only go back to the early 60’s but it’s great to read “older” folk’s reminiscent portrayals of days gone by, and I think it’s wonderful that we can remember with fondness, our childhood. Everything seemed so innocent back then and life was definitely purer and simpler. Alderley Edge may now be part of the “Golden Triangle” but all of us here on this post have our “Golden Memories” and they last forever.

Hi Janet. I vaguely remember going to the flower show on Wilmslow Road so that would have been the early 60`s i think. I have some medals that my grandad won at the show. He was also a gardener at one the big houses on Macclesfield Road that Graham mentions but have no idea wether he was involved in launching the show. I do have a photograph of my mum Elsie Morris from the 1930`s on “Flower Sunday”. Possibly this was the day after the show when the flowers were distributed. It was definitely a summer occasion as the girls and boys on the photo are in their sunday best summer outfits and holding bunches of flowers.

Glad to see my Alderley Edge primary school Christmas party picture has made it out of retirement and that there are still so many people around who like me have fond memories of the old Alderley Edge.

Donald Henderson.  The school was called Harden House and was a private school for 5 - 13 year old. I know ‘cos I was there from 1951 - 1959.  Sadly, the headmaster Kenneth Sheldon, committed suicide some time in March 1959 and the school closed to merge with the Ryleys the following year.  Sheldon was an inspirational teacher - he built up the school numbers from about 35 when he arrived in 1952/3 to 120 in 1959 and his death was a huge loss.
The annual flower show on the fields oppoosite Harden Park was, for a time, reputed to be the biggest one day show in the country and, as Graham says, was attended by many of the big local & national nurseries - no Garden Centres in those days!  The show was run by the Alderley Edge & Wilmslow Horticultural & Rose Society and the society still plays a major part in the Wilmslow Show which is now held on the Wilmslow High School Playing fields - this year on Sunday 8th July.  Last year was the 100th annual show of the society and around 7000 people attended - by far and away the biggest community event in the area.  The Classic Car element had some 400 vehicles and there was a fly-past by a dakota from the RAF Battle of Britain Flight.  See http://www.wilmslowshow.com for more information on the show and the history of thhe society.

I have had such fun today reading about the old Alderley Edge. So many memories came flooding back. My maternal grandfather James Eva bought a house in Alderley Edge just after the war and moved here with his wife Dorothy and two daughters Janet (Adamson) and Gillian (Whittaker) The house Alderley Cottage is still in the family today and I recently cleared some old outhouses and rediscoverd many certificates awarded to family members and to an amazing gardener who used to work for the family, Ted Bickerton. What he didn’t know about vegetables and flowers wasn’t worth knowing! My grandfather was one of the inaugural committee members of the Big show opposite Harden Park and my father Peter Adamson was later to be on the Committee. It was definitely one of the most exciting days of the year. Everyone had such a fun time and there was a ball in the evening too, which as a kid I never got to go to. Does anyone remember Hallworths, which was where the chip shop is now down Chorley Hall lane. We used to be sent there with a small shopping list and what couldn’t be carried was delivered home later by bike with a big wicker basket trailer on the back. The smell of cheeses, cold meats and bread in that shop was amazing. There was also a tiny sweet shop on the corner where you could buy loads of sweets for 3d or 6d pocket money - black jacks, fruit salads, gobstoppers etc. I used to buy pear drops from Mrs Beatties and remember her so well and her very thick glasses. She used to tell my brother and I off for leaning our bikes up against her shop window.
As someone said earlier Alderley was an amazing little village with every type of shop on the doorstep. Happy days :-)

Good to read your contribution Helen.  The Alderley Edge & Wilmslow Horticultural & Rose Society still awards, every year, the Eva Rose Salver for the best exhibit in the rose classes and also the J. Eric Eva Cup for the most points gained in the adult cookery section.  I guess that the former is named after your grandmother but who was Eric?  Have you been to the show to see them being presented?  If not, you really must.  Bring your mother too!

Hello Donald. Yes, we should definitely come to the show! The Eva Rose Salver would have been given by my grandparents, who used to have the most beautiful rose gardens at the cottage. J Eric Eva was James Eric Eva, my grandfather! So nice to hear that these are still awarded at the show.

Avril Adshead ( neeHolding)

So many Memories come flooding back after reading all these. Messages My Dad was Ronnie
Holding the Postman I was born in1947 and lived in Elm Crescent near Dave Austin Jane his Sister was and still is a good friend of mine as is Anne Austin ( nee Rawson Chad ). I spent many happy hours with Anne in the back of the shop in the home she shared with her Mum and Dad.  But I really wanted to mention The General Post Office at the bottom of Macclesfield Rd.
My Dad worked there for 36yrs and I remember his pals and fellow postmen Donald Campbell
Frank Reid, Don Lomas, Les Oakes and Many others whose names escape me . I remember
At Christmastime we never saw my Dad they worked very long Hours and My Mum and other
Wives would take it in turns to take Food up to them. students were always employed at Christmas to deliver the Mail, as the Postmen sorted the Mail. There was always a Post Delivery
On Christmas Morning so we never saw Dad till Lunchtime.  I also remember another Christmas tradition and that was the Brass Band that played around the streets on Christmas Morning . Oh Happy Days! thanks Steve for opening this Treasure Trove of Memories. I know so many of you that have contributed. Please let’s have a reunion that would be great.

Perhaps we could all meet up at the Queen’s Jubilee party next Saturday, as they are closing the main road off for a big street party!?!?

You could ask to have your own special area Steve, and have people meet up at ‘The Mrs Beatie’s sweet shop stand’ - After 90+ posts, I’m sure there would be some interest there!

Well i remember Fiona Braybrooke! :-)
Funny - i met up with Kevin Draper in the pub last night and we were reminiscing and i brought up Mr. Tweets and how it was down the corridor then left at the end, the cigarette sweets and the big picture of the lake and summer house on his wall.
then found this over a pint later, so decided to log in… Yes i remember it all so well.
My mum & Dad still live in Alderley so i go to visit them sometimes and the memory’s still come flooding back…
Great Memories…
I remember going to play-group what is now the library, and my 3 years at Mount Carmel, then AEPS and ll the teachers mentioned above. :-)

Pat Galiford(nee Yoxall)

I have been reading the the messages from the web site and remember many of the things mentioned.  Mr Twigg the headmaster at school. My first day at school he walked into the class
room with his cane over his arm..Very intimidating, after that I always behaved my self.  Does anybody remember Mr Barton (known as Cakey). He walked round the village selling his bread and cakes from a white wooden barrow. Like Janet Stringer, I used to help my grandad in the signal box,you couldn’t do it now. Harold Smith was spot on about Mrs Beaties,ah yes I remember it well. The Rose Queen, in 1951 I was crowned the first Rose Queen, my attendants
were Valerie Aymes and Sheila Burgess.  The venue was at Mr Birds house and garden on Brook Lane.  Regarding football in the village, my dad Albert Yoxall had strong links with the British Legion Football Club, whereas my husband was a St Phillps man, still has medals somewhere. He went to school with Roger Burgess and remembers playing with him, Duggie Moir and Walter Begley.  My how the years have past. How about Saurday nights at the scout hall,dancing to Cliff Hamer & his Band. Happy memoiries.

I was looking up info on the old youth clubs my sisters and I used to frequent when we lived in Alderley..and there it was my past laid before me….I can remember back to visiting Seymour Meads with my Nan Beattie Doherty..My Mum and Dad Anne and Tony Forrest lived on the estate and Dad was a postman and Mum worked at Holmfield EPH.  one of the things that cropped up in discussion was the crabby school teacher at the primary school…Mrs Boyle..I remember her teaching me in the prefab in the playing field, we all used to laugh coz you could see her bloomers when she sat down.  I remember cleaning my inkwell there was always a competion for the shiniest.  Sports days were great, whole families got involved.  My Mum has passed away now and Dad has just gone into a home with dementia.  My sisters Anna and Sharon and I have spent many a day talking about who lived where, what we did and with who.  Most of the names mentioned by others I recognised alongside The Jacksons/Alwyns/Shacl;etons/Bells/Bowes?Pearsons/Garners.  I remember seeing Eileen Derbyshire of Corrie walking down our road (Heywood)  My other Nan Gladys Forrest lived on Duke Street, both of them babysiting us while Mum and Dad and some of the neighbours - Geoff and Jean went to the Drum and Monkey and the Royal Oak.  Well as others have said this is a little addictive and I have to be up in 5 hours so I’ll say goodnight for now but I will be back very soon.

I dont know if anyone will see this now, as most of the posts are almost 12 months old, and i have only just seen them! (typical).  To Steve Marshall, great posts, and you may be aware i have been in touch with Catharine again since our school reunion. To Pat Galliford, my dad (Graham Leah) remembers Walter Begley and both my father and myself went to AECP.  I was also Alderley Edge Rose queen, about 25 years ago!! My dad also played football for St Phillips.  So nice to hear all these stories!

What a wealth of memories! I knew Alderley from the early ‘60s onwards, but only through staying there occasionally with my friend Bernard Flavin who lived in one of those big old semis on Chapel Road (and backing onto Stevens St.). I lived in Sale then, and in Wilmslow since 1980.

My friend worked at Fitchetts and I got to know Alan Fitchett, who ran the shop and was always up for a laugh. Lees Chip Shop on Chorley Hall Lane was regular visit for us after a drink in the De Trafford on a Friday night. The shop’s still there of course but the Lees are long gone.

Another Mr Lee in Alderley was the one who ran the Alderley Rose Chinese Restuarant. I think it opened in the late 1960s and must be one of the few places on London Road that is still in business from those days but once again the original owner is long gone. We were regulars there back then, and I think his elder daughter once ran the Chinese take away in Mobberley.

I remember the Cottage Hospital and the auction rooms, and went to a few weddings at Harden Park when it was a stylish hotel. I also remember the ‘Jet’ petrol station on Trafford Road where the car workshops are now, and being dragged off to Mass in the catholic church on a Sunday morning by my fried’s mum and dad. The church then was the ‘hut’ oppsite side of Stamford Road to where the present cathilic church was alter built. Either mary Dendy or David Lewis (or maybe both) used to run a bus for their catholic residents to attend Mass, and they always wore helmets (a bit like today’s bicycle helmets) in case they had a fit (none ever did that I saw).

I recommend the Alderley History Group as mentioned in a couple of posts above, for anyone with an interest in the history of the village.

Vince Chadwick

I was born in Alderley Edge Nov 1946 but grew up in Wilmslow. My mother was born a Hamnett from Oakfield Rd and my grandparents lived there during my youth.

I went to school in Alderley and remember John Parsons and Jane Austin, amongst others. Miss Fletcher and Mr Savage and Mr Pendlebury, to whom I remember throwing a snowball at !! Marian Powell, later Marian Fielding and I used to cycle to school every day from Wilmslow and we used to spend time on the playing fields after school, before cycling back home.

It’s been fun reading about village memories. Oh yes, Avril Holding was in my class ! Tweets, the barbershop is also mentioned and I have a mirror from there (the small mirror the barber uses to show the customer how the trim looks from behind).

John Parsons got hold of a lot of pupils and there was a party at the school, but that was several years ago and I haven’t heard from him since.. I remember Jane Austin, Barbara Bancroft and Peter Whiteleg that evening. The author Alan Garner is mentioned along the line - he and I are distant relatives!

Alderley village was a lovely village when I was a child and I remember the shoe shop and the chemists etc etc. Great memories.

Thanks for sharing them with me, all of you. I’ve been living in Denmark for 45 yrs so it’s been an out of this world experience, reading all your statements. :)

I’m not sure I remember Mrs Beattie, but my mother certainly does! She is Betty Norbury, but was born a Garner (daughter of Sydney Garner, who was brother to Harry, Colin & Richard), and Alan Garner is her cousin. I haven’t had chance to sit down with Mum and go through all the wonderful memories on here, but I know that she’ll be thrilled to do so.

I’m originally from Over Alderley (and now Macclesfield), but when I was young I always used to visit my Grandparents, who then lived in Elmfield Road, Alderley Edge, and have many fond memories of the village. I remember the haberdashery shop, and the smell of freshly ground coffee at Grantham’s grocers. I also remember Doctor Langford, and Mr Cropper the dentist, who was succeeded by Mr Carr. I used to have my hair cut by Alf Tweets, and his son, Dennis

The Norbury side of the family seems to have lived around the Over Alderley and Nether Alderley area for many years, rather than in Alderley Edge itself.

My dad n family grew up in moss rose.his name is herbert smith.my mum worked for a while in thompsons.her name is winnie smith.my name is sue smith i live in beech close.i remember a lot of shops and mr savage at the school and mrs peck mrs robinsons mrs farrer .
mr leach.

I just had to have the last word as seem as I started this discussion…...100 POSTS!!!!!!! Well done everyone!!! xx

I have spent some time in the last two or three years in posting memories of Alderely Edge on the Francis Frith website, but this is the first time I have used this string of correspondence.  I recognise very many of the shops and places mentioned in the village and the name of one person that I remember very well is Avril Holding now Avril Adshead.  The memories of playing ‘spin the bottle’ at a party are still very clear, and are remembered with great affection.  I do not get back to the village very often these days, as we now live in Sussex.  I did visit my old home on Tempest Road last year, which has changed quite a lot but many of the houses are still recognisable.  I am reading the book Manchester Made Them at the moment, which also brings back memories of Alderley Edge as I used to deliver papers and Fitchitt groceries to the Edge houses.  All the very best to all.

Pat Crewe nee Brooks

Sandra Mignot [I think that is how her surname is spelt] introduced me to this website and very interesting it is too.  I can remember Mrs Beattie’s shop and not just for her boiled ham but also for her home made potted meat.  Can anyone else remember the potted meat? 

I enjoyed reading about Anne Austin’s memories of the village; my family also lived in the village.  Dad’s shop was Brooks bicycle shop and we lived over the shop next door, which sold toys, camping and sports gear.  There were six in our family, Mum, Dad, John, Sheila, Tony and myself.  With the exception of Mum we all were born in Alderley Edge.  Mum moved into Alderley in 1926 when she was eight living at the bottom of Moss Lane in a house her father and grandfather built.  Perhaps someone remembers Dad as the Scout master and Mum as Brown Owl , 3rd Alderley brownies meeting in the Belmont mission, now a home.  Next door to us in the village, towards Williams Deacons Bank was Smiths, Warrens, Sykes [grocers, Mr Sykes wearing a large white apron and a bowler hat] Bowers electrical then the Bank.  Going the other way was Bracegirdle butcher which was later Winnie Cheyney’s followed by small lock-up shops of which one was Massey the jewellers [before they moved next to Beatties] and, I think, there was a cleaners with Winnie Cheyney on the corner of Clifton Street before she moved into Bracegirle’s shop.  Some have spoken of Ernie Clay’s grocer shop but does anyone remember the previous owners, Bradbury’s where you could buy a penny bun on your way to school.

I have recognised many names who have written comments;  Michael Marshal, David Austin, John Gratey, Janet Stringer, Frank Barlow, Pat Burgess, Bud King, to name but a few were all in my class at primary school.  It would be lovely to meet with those in my class at some time. Yes I have very fond memories the Methodist Chapel, of Frank Reid , Mr and Mrs Brown, Mr and Mrs Steele and Miss Bracegirdle.  I could go on and on.

Pat Yoxall, now Galliford, is a name from the past.  Pat, did you belong to the same dancing class as Sheila and I, we used to have our dancing lessons in the Scout Hall.  Donald Rathbone and Michael Jenkins were the only boys in the group.  Miss Katrina Ashton was our teacher and she later emigrated to Australia.

Aren’t we fortunate to have so many happy memories and to have been privileged to spend our childhood in Alderley Edge.  I recommend the Alderley History Group as somewhere to share these childhood memories and to learn more about the history of Alderley and the surrounding area.

Hello Pat - I knew Tony, your brother, very well.  We were both in the same class at King’s Macclesfield.  I lost touch with Tony when I left King’s at 16 and he stayed on to do A level.  I have been told he emigrated to Canada, but you will know much more about that than me.
I remember your dad very well as I purchased a number of cycle frames and bits and pieces from him over the years 62 - 70, and as his initials were G.G. he had the affectionate name ‘Dobbin’.  Very nice to hear from you.  Graham Dilliway.

I remember Fiona Braybrooke very well - although I cannot say I’m too familiar with Mrs Beatie’s sweet shop… but miss all the UK’s overly sugary & milky chocolates, wacky-flavoured crisps, and fish & chips, as these days as I’m usually to be found in the USA.

It’s funny I should find this thread as I’m currently in a hotel room in Beyoglu, Istanbul - right in the middle of all the demonstrations.

Before getting here I met with Andy Brees (not ex-Harefield but ex-Ashdene) at a layover in Amsterdam, who is now domiciled in the Netherlands, and who was talking about organising a reunion of sorts, which might be fun - if possible to put together.  It was great seeing Andy after a gap of around 36 years, and sharing a few memories of various sorts - also meeting his wife & three boys.

Fiona, if you’re reading this and are online over at Friends Reunited please drop me a line - and the same for anyone else who remembers either Ashdene Junior School (which admittedly was in Wilmslow with a local catchment area - from the mid 1970s) or Harefield County High, where students came from Alderley (who attended 1977 - 1983/5 approximately).

Wow. Wow . Wow…
So many memories have come flooding back…
We lived on Trafford Rd No 31 for a few years and then moved to Jenny Heyes on Heyes lane right at the other end past the seed and fertilizer place on the bad bend…
Mr and Mrs Chad… All our shoes came from there…
Bread and potted beef from Craggs the bakers…
Mr Fitchett who took us in the back by the coal fire sat us on his knee and gave us a banana..
When we were very young…
I remember a lovely lady who worked in the household store next to the post office…
Charles Charnleys… Actons… That was where we used to hang out on Saturday afternoons in our early teens.. Brownies in the Scout hut.. Guides with Nikki Clarke she will kill me for that…
Her Mum working in the clothes shop near Chads can’t remember the name ...
Sunday School…
I had a Saturday job working in the Corner House but really can’t remember it being called that…Down the road that the Doctors are on.. Who were the Doctors ?
It sold cheese and ham etc and had the weirdest smell ...
I remember Heinz who used to put the petrol in the car at Royals Garage..
Nota Bene.. I think it was called ... The butcher Snape..
Mario at the pet shop…
And so it goes on and on..

I went to Nether Alderley Primary my grand parents lived opposite at Mill House.. Grandpa would be in the Trafford downing a few sherries…

Happy Happy Days

Thank you so much for reminding me…

great discussion - and how many memories has it stirred - I still think of Steve as that silly boy across Trafford Road although I am reliably informed (by my dad) he now cooks a mean meal down at the De Trafford. Well done Jack for the thread. Can I add to the heartfelt memories of many of the old characters - Frank Reid who I adored as Sunday School Teacher, Harold Ward (sadly departed) and Tony Nish running the Methodist youth club - Mr Savage who once humiliated me in front of the whole school because as Assembly monitor I had got the wrong hymn number ready!! Remember all the teachers mentioned - also Mrs Arnold I remember there, and Mr Simmonds replacing Mrs Boyle for top class out in the cabin. I’d forgotten the Rose Queen and the Brass Band, but I have hazy memories of a celebrity football match on the chorley hall lane pitch including Best and Charlton turning out in 1968 ish - The fire that burned down St Marys Cliffe (1973?) Jonah man Jazz schools jamboree at Wilmslow grammar in 1971, Junior Its a knockout in 1972 out at a farm near monks heath? - my primary school class had a reunion last yeaboys r (thanks to Alex Morris, Wendy Smith and Brian Foden for that and Colin Ardern for hosting it) - and we never came up with as many memories. Shops were not my thing growing up but Bilsboroughs seemed to be there forever, and loved the tobacconist by the zebra crossing at the railway bridge - fruit salads and blackjacks 8 for an old halfpenny - no wonder that dentists on chapel road saw a lot of me (butcher Metcalfe we called him!! sorry) - really miss the Royal Oak - got to have my sons christening party there at least, and still bore him to death dragging him round bits of the village - the back streets where we had our gang den in a deserted old lock up, the stream out of the back of beech drive, the paths winding through the big houses to whitebarn, and the climb up & down woodbrook and swiss hill -its late so I shall go to bed with a nostalgic gleam in my tired eyes and wonder if there are any bits of village life that have got better over the years?!

I AM still that “silly boy” Mark, just not on Trafford Road anymore!!

Carol casey ( smith ) I lived in alderley edge in the 50s and 60s , went to the primary school and then knutsford secondary with many of the above mentioned my mum and dad were Hilda and jack my dad is still with us at age 95 ! Mum died 5 yrs ago my sisters are Barbara and Janet and a brother tony . We lived in south street next door to the worths . Then we were rehoused to the estate in Beech Rd . I was rose queen in 1959 I followed Valerie Foden then after me came Barbara Bancroft . I also remember all the shops and ’ goings on’ wonderful memories !! I discovered this sight by accident with my friend Jenny Ford we see each other every week . My dad worked with Syd Austin at Colin Garners at some point I remember holdings wallpaper shop on brown street , I also remember the cobblers Fletchers he had a son Alan that was on Brown street or chapel street not sure which the chip shop next door was Murrays they had a son Colin . It’s great to hear all these memories I will be reading them every week now .

I stumbled across this thread and became engrossed! I grew up on the Hough and can remember some of the shops and stories regaled on here! The Drs I remember are Dr Merchant and Dr Taylor. I loved Nota Bene, the newsagents on Heyes Lane, Granthams, the quarry on Mottram rd, the Sandhills and the edge where we spent hours with the ponies! My head teacher was Mrs Hinds, I also remember fondly Mrs Farrer, Mrs Helingo, Mrs Robinson, Mrs hindley and Rex Leech! The de traff was the first pub we tried to get served in! The chapel on Mottram Rd before it was converted! I could go on and on :)

What a nostalgic blog I have just stumbled over bringing back many fond memories of my childhood and teenage years growing up in Alderley Edge.  We used to farm at Great Warford and had a milk and potato round.  I can remember vividly delivering with my Dad in the early 60’s milk to the Corner House, De Trafford Arms, Station Hotel and Royal Oak and potatoes to Fitchetts and Channeys.

I can clearly remember all the various names of the shops mentioned on London Road during the early sixties although I believe one of the butchers at that time notably Hockenhulls which was next door to Bracegirdles has not been mentioned.  Dad used to meet Herbert in the Trafford for a gill. 

I haven’t been back to Alderley Edge for a considerable number of years but do remember it as a very friendly place to grow up in.

Hi Carol Casey,
I remember your family well as I was in the same school year as Tony. With your neighbour Bill Furby we all went to The Hough after primary school. I always what happened to Tony?
Best wishes,
Alan Clayton.

Carol Casey I would love to get in touch with Janet she was my bridesmaid back in 1971 when I got married at The Methodist Chapel I was Norma Faux back then

Does anyone remember the little village hall on Heyes Lane?
I think it was maybe like sone sort of social club kind of place maybe?
It originally had snooker tables in the bottom of it i think?
My parents bought it about 28 years ago and made it in to two houses.
I would love to know what it had once been like though and what it was for.
Thank you :)

have no idea what it was originally for but I have fond memories of the tufty club in the late 60s holding lessons there - being taught road safety by the local bobby - with a chalk road coloured on the floor and all manner of hazards to avoid

The building was called Belmont Hall. I think i went to Sunday School there. I can also remember dancing classes being held there. The hall was also available for hire as i remember having my birthday party there once in the 60`s.

I think it was called Belmont Church Hall, part of C of E ?

I pored through all these posts looking for Edith Dennett, Enzo’s Restaurant and Herbert Hockenhull, the butcher.  I’ve found Edith Dennett and Herbert Hockenhull, but not spotted Enzo’s (where the Bubble Room is now), a great Italian restaurant.

Alan Bloor, were you John and Jonathan Harper’s friend?  I’m sure I remember you and your dad.  We lived at Beechfield House and used to go to the de Trafford for a sly pint with John, Jonathan and Liz.

It’s lovely that so many people remember the village’s past.  I remember that gentlemen used to take their wives to Edith Dennett and be plied with sherry while their wives tried on dresses.  And I remember too Herbert Hockenhull in reply to every enquiry about his wellbeing saying ‘Times is hard.’

Thank you for letting me know :) it’s lovely to think I live somewhere with such a history

Hi Alan and Norma nice to hear from you to answer your questions tony lives in Somerset and Janet lives in Spain . Does anyone remember the school centenary ? We had a big party in the playground . I also remember mosscrops the funeral directors, they were between brooks ‘s bicycle shop and another shop you had to go down a bit of a hill to get there . Then I remember watching the queens coronation in Royals garage they took the cars out and made room for everyone , the local shops contributed with sweets and fruit which Mr Fichett supplied it poured down all day , then we had a street party in various streets ours was south street .

Hi Alan Brough (sister Janet?) who mentioned my dad. And Marshalls. And Mark Mifflin who I’ve got on Facebook. And anyone else who is around 50 now. Oh, and anyone at all! I was doing some random Googling and came across this site. Very nostalgic because Alderley has changed so much since ‘our day’! If you don’t know, my dad (‘who ran the Net youth club’) died on 25th November 2012. Still grieving. Any of you still around/on this site/alive? - sorry to come so late to the conversation!

alan clayton that’s a name I remember also pimlotts chips shop or who remembers the grill & chicken owned by Mrs Seaton I worked there at age 16. I was born at 29 elm crescent in 1951 left Alderley edge when I got married 1973 but still played for Alderley edge St Philips on a Saturday & alderley edge on a sunday till around 1991

I can hardly believe its almost a year since your dad died Salli - hope your mum is ok. Perhaps its best hes not around to see the allotments go…Eventually I suppose the price of real estate in the village will cause every empty space to be built on and Macclesfield road will look like some Sicilian township sprawled across the hill - without the classic architecture to marvel at of course - the march of progress is hard to take and I know its difficult to deny more people having the chance to live in the village, but surely the concrete tarmac and brickwork will eventually drown the village as no water will ever drain away!! A lot of the village was built on reclaimed moss as it is….buy shares in snorkels and wetsuits and pray for drought!

I do hope that post like this will not be remembering the allotments on Heyes Lane. If AEPC get their way it will be a distant memory

I also remember all these shops and St Jamses Church , The smell of freshly baked bread in the village the foot paths were full of people shopping and stopping to talk to each other , We are so very lucky to have these great memories.

One item that we as kids used often was the number 52 double decker bus which went from the Circuit   along Heyes Lane .through Wilmslow Cheadle and into Manchester and returned the same way .Ideal for us going to the Palace cinema or into Manchester .

paul is that the paul welton that worked in the grill & chicken
les

I don’t think anyone has mentioned the tiny sweet shop that was on the corner of London Rd and Chorley Hall Lane, next to Lea’s chippy. It was very small, maybe only room for two or three people at a time, and was run by a nice lady with dark hair, she was a very quiet, almost timid person.
I also remember the Co op shop at the Heyes Lane end of Trafford road. I remember it had a long counter with a brass ruler screwed to it for measuring out cloth. We used the shop often as we lived opposite the Marshalls on Trafford Road.

I only saw these posts earlier this year when I thought the responses had stopped and so didn’t respond, but then I just came back to it and saw it’s still going.

I recall many of the shops previously mentioned in the village, but despite there being several references to the “new estate” where I grew up, I can only see one mention of just one of the 5 shops on the estate (in Wood Gardens). Graham McLelland, who I think may have lived just a few houses away from us, mentioned Cheynowath’s. I don’t recall the name, but I do remember a general store as being the corner shop.

My main memory was of the sweet shop next door to them - Bamford’s - and I seem to recall even buying sweets there with coupons which must have been the early 50’s. I know I spent all my pocket money there and so my dad used to call them Bamford’s Bank since that’s where I deposited all my money!

I don’t remember the names of the other 3 shop owners, but if I recall, there was a haberdashery shop next to the sweet shop, then a greengrocer and finally a fish and chip shop.

The main reference is to Mrs Beatie’s sweet shop, but I seem to recall Bob Beatie - and later his brother Eddie - doing the rounds with home delivered bread.

The other memory of my early years was a ‘travelling shop’ - the ice cream van - run by Granelli which used to stop outside our house!

Yes Roger you are right.  Cheynowaths, Bamfords Sweets/tobacco,Then the ,Haberdashery,/ironmonger etc then Maguires the greengrocer, then the chippy I do not remember their names.

Just found out the chippy was owned by a family named Burgess .

I think the Eddie referred to by Roger is Eddie Payne,he lived at no 18 Elm Crescent, had a daughter Linda and was Bob Beaties brother in law ?

Just remembered Eddie’s wife was a lovely lady called Betty. They also with Bob ran a chip shop in the village. Not on London Road but at the back somewhere Royles Garage.

Hi Liz Jenkins

I remember well the former hall where you lived being used for dances on Friday nights organised by Bob Bancroft and also I was in a musical group and we held our practice nights there.
I also remember playing snooker on in the basement. Prior to these years there was an “old folks” club held there as well as the Brownies group.

John Parsons  

I attended Alderley Edge County Primary School, along with Helen Reid (then Parry), I have fond memories of that era - I also worked in Fitchetts on a Saturday afternoon along with Mike Tinsley and Lisa Harvey.  I remember parties at Belmont Hall and Donkey Derbys in the Park, those days don’t exist anymore but the memories always bring a smile to my face.  I am the cousin of Colin Arden who was mentioned earlier. I love to reminisce the stories are great thank you

A fascinating hour long read about Alderley Edge Village. I lived at Swiss Cottage, on Swiss Hill and vividly remember the superb shops and characters that made our village such a wonderful place to grow up in. I am now 77 years young and it all seems like yesterday - sitting outside Eadington’s Garage, on the bench sniffing the thick twist tobacco smoke from the devoted pipe smokers, listening to the noise from the huge rookery. We were blessed with characters in those days - not plastic imitations!

Just a thought - the Chorley Hall Lane Chip Shop was owned by a Miss Shaw - she used to feed our bull terrier in order to close at night.

Promise to stop now, but memories—-. I notice reference to Gents Barbers, it used be Mr Heywood next to Mosscrops Taxi Entry, and Bridgfords Salesrooms was Holleriths Card Factory by the Station. Allisons had the Newsagents opposite Matleys and Craggs Bakery. Hallworths on Chorley Hall Lane was a lovely friendly grocers - very happy to have grown up in Old Alderley.

I lived at 25 Trafford Road, Alderley Edge from May 1949, them we moved to Chelford Road in 1954 and finally to Bramhall in 1956.  I have wonderful memories of living in Trafford Road with my two brothers (Ryleys School) Chris and David.  I went to St. Hilary’s.
The Scout Hut down Moss Lane was where Cliff Hamer and Harold Glossop played in the band, Margaret Glossop and I used to sit on some bars outside to listen to the.  Janet Hamer broke her nose on the ‘jerker’ at the playing fields. 
We used to take our black labrador, Vicki, to the woods and right up to the Edge, sometimes along Mottram Road and sometimes up a road that had the last house Squirrels Jump. The Ridgways and Glossop children used to picnic in the field , just over the stile at the bottom of Moss Lane in the wheat field, just near the path that led up to Mottram Road. 
I was suprised that Pat Brookes said they lived ‘over the shop next door’ as they lived over the fence at the bottom of our garden on Moss Lane.  Tony and john Brookes made the most wonderful carts from wooden boxes and pram wheels and John Bilsborough would join in too.
St Philip’s had a choir and the most lovely boy Oliver Booth who sang in the Alderley Edge Music Festival at the Methodist Church.  I sat in the front pew, not to put him off, but to hear him.  He lived down by the Moss Rose and had a green bike!
Alan Garner’s granny lived in the house that was illustrated in Elidor, a lovely old lady.  The cottage was at the junction of Moss Lane and Trafford Road.
We would be sent to Craggs to get the bread, which would be crustless by the time we got it home. 
The British Legion building had a very high fence, I was very surprised how low it was when I was there about 20 years ago!
Ralph Woods, butcher had a metal plate in his head and had Joe Ollerenshaqw working with/for him.
Jennifer Kershaw and Mary Cumberbirch both went to St. Hilary’s and were daughters of the chemists.
Seatons, the sweet shop, did very well when sweet rationing stopped and how big were Mars and Crunchie bars in those days.
Chris, my elder brother used to escape from the Ryleys and spend the games period in Mr. Smith’s signal box.  He died 2 years ago.
Miss Trottman also delivered the post as well as having The Cabin, I wet with her one morning but wasn’t allowed to post any letters - it was her responsibility that she did.
There used to be a very lqrge summer garden pasrty up Trafford Road, in the top half before the junction with Macclesfield Road.  Was it at Mrs. Sleath’s?
Mr Cropper was my dentist and a blue tit nested one year in the sandstone behind his brass plate on the wall on Macclesfield Road.  He had a son who had a red racing car, probably an MG, with straps holding the bonnets ‘flaps’ down!
On Heyes Lane my piano teacher Miss West lived next to the Cottage hospital.  Her sister, Mrs. Agar played the harmonium at St James Mission, every thing in E flat as she had discovered that that was the best key for congregational singing - a whizz at transposing!
There were 2 lots of allotments, one set on Heyes Lane by the Rex and the other just over the bridge on Chorley Hall Lane.
Mr. Davey delivered the milk by horse and cart from Chorley Hall Farm.  He had 2 horses, Teddy the brown one and a white one.  His farm was sold and the person who bought it, did it up, and it had to be open to the public for one year - a stipulation!  It was and if you didn’t go in during that year you never would.  It was quite amazing, rose covered basins in the bedrooms and a squint too.
My dad, Edgar used to take Alan Garner out when he was at Manchester Grammar as his Dad was working, he told us tales of the wizard of Alderley, we went to Shuttlingslow, and found the Goldenstone when on the Edge - a moot stone, he said.

I’ve just discovered this amazing forum and have been reminiscing.

My grandfather, James Cowsill owned the grocery shop in the middle of the village.  It is now the Cancer Charity shop.  It was then sold to A E smith and I had a Saturday job there.
I also note the comments on the shops in Wood Gardens.  The sweet shop was owned by Mr Langdon in the 60’s and I had my first job there.  The greengrocer at this time was Gordon Parry - as an old friend of the family we called him uncle.  Both my mother and brother had part time jobs there.

I remember Mr Langdon at the sweet shop and after him it was Mr and Mrs Dillon. Also Stan and Phyllis Archer at the Spar shop (my mum Elsie Aymes worked there for a while)
Dina Robinson (Davina Aymes)

Hi Jack, I remember we played cavalry and indians on the sports field at AE primary, Class 1 (the prefab) was the fort, The nurses were Janet Clay and Sophie Fisher,I remember getting wounded…a lot !

Dear old Edgers
I am delighted to find this column. Someone mentions Edna’s hairdressing salon - that was my mums! And sadly, she passed away on Tuesday aged 91. I am trying to find out what her shop now is - I think it was around where Tuula’s now is. Can anyone help me? And if anyone remembers my lovely mum, or your parents/grand parents do, do please get in touch. She lived on the copper mines in her childhood and in Alderley for the rest of her long life. Such happy memories and my, how Alderley has blossomed now. Carole

Hi Carole, I don’t remember your mum’s shop but somebody at the history society will, i do however remember your brother Geoff, lovely bloke, how is he now ?....while i’m on..does anyone remember a chap called Teddy House who was a great war veteran and was often seen on Oakfield Road going for his paper with his massive flat cap on and his bandy legs, I think you might Mr Holding.

Hi Carol & Steve ,I can reply to both your enquiries. Ednas Hairdressers which shared a door with Alf Tweets barbers is now a Turkish Restaraunt next door to the Age concern shop. Edna was a lovely lady she used to drive for my adopted dads taxi firm.Sorry to hear sad news .
Steve Teddy House husband of Hett who was my grandmothers sister vthey had a son called Dennis .They lived on Elm Crescent,a lovely quiet man who taught me to prune roses for 20 woodbines .

Hi Carole. Very sorry to hear about your mum. Hope you remember me (Davina) because of course we were in the same class at school and Sunday School as well. I remember Ednas hairdressers but hadn’t realised it was your mum’s. Seem to remember it having separate cubicles with pink curtains! I used to go to Tweets barber’s with my brother David. We both still live in Alderley.

Hi Carole ,
Don’t ask what I’m doing up at this time but reading all the previous threads has taken up an hour of my life ! I met Paul Derbyshire in Sainsburys the other day and he mentioned your Mum not being so good then ,hope you are coping ok . Mention me to Geoff.
We were the “Showstoppers “and I believe a couple of the lads have bought scooters again !!! Can you bring the past back ?

Hi Carole
Sorry to hear about your Mum.  I remember Edna’s.  Your brother and ‘The Showstoppers’ and good times at ‘The Net’ (nee Garner)

They were called the Alderley Showstoppers, Bev Marshall, Alan Tinsley,Ade Davies, Marcus Smith & a few others….Vespas & Lambrettas etc….think Marcus’ scooter was made from extra stong titanium!!!

Thanks to all who have contributed their memories of Alderley. I was able with your contributions to take my elderly parents on a trip down Memory Lane yesterday by reading them to them. Until 1972 we lived in Beech Close. My parents are Geoff and Helena Mottram who are now 91 and 86 years old and live in Stockton Heath. My brother Chris and I both attended the primary school and have happy memories of our childhood in Alderley. Sadly he died last year aged 65. For those of you who remember us I am Mandy. My parents were sad to hear of Edna’s death and want me to pass on their condolences to Carole and Geoffrey. Dad says he sat next to Edna at Nether Alderley Primary school. He recalls that they sat together because they were top of the class!
The names of the shops in the village brought back memories. I delivered papers for Sterns and had a Saturday job at Winnie Chayney’s shop. I have a memory of a small sweetshop at the top of the steps that led down into the coal yard, but I may be imagining it.
I lived on the ‘estate’ so many of the names mentioned I remember. I remember Ann, Margaret, Christine and David Almond. The girls used to take me out in my pram and I often visited their house. I can remember baking with their mum and listening to Lonnie Donnegan singing ‘Does Your Chewing Gum Lose It’s Flavour on the Bedpost Overnight’ on their record player.
I remember playing in the fields behind Beech Road building dens with the bales of hay which didn’t please Mr Leah! Jumping the brook and falling in was another pastime. We also used to paddle down the tunnel that went under the railway line. I can still feel the pain from my dad’s smack when he found out I’d gone across the railway line to collect coal from underneath the coal wagons in the sidings. During the summer holidays we used to spend the whole day out of the house playing up the ‘Edge’ without anyone worrying about where we were or what we were up to. It wouldn’t happen now!  Weren’t all summers hot and sunny then? Probably not but that is how I remember them.
I attended the Methodist youth club. Does anyone else remember doing the 19 mile midnight walk for charity? I still have my certificate to say I completed it.
I can remember Harry Downes the milkman who delivered the Co-op milk and still know our dividend number! Also Ronnie Holding the postman.
My best regards to those of you who remember me and my family.

I am amazed I cannot remember the sweet shop. The fish and chip shop yes! Best ever as he renewed the fat more often than most. Fish and chips was 1/6 in 1960.

alan
have you still got the car shop

Hi Les,
Sorry no. We are now both retired and at present spending much of the winter in Spain travelling about in a camper van,(in Andorra going into France tomorrow and heading north to get home for the World Cup. Hope all is well with you, Karen and family. Best wishes.

I remember Bob’s chip shop. Bob was Mrs Beattie’s son but we only went there if ‘Chippy Lee’ (opposite The De Trafford Arms) was closed!

I was brn and grew up in Nether Aalderley but we moved to Alderley when it was a village. I often nipped to Mrs Beattie’s but she told my Mum she’d seen me talking to Mario, the chef at The Grill & Chicken ( who later owned The Pet Sop). Mum said she knew as he was teaching me Italian and she said, ‘Make sure he’s not teaching her anything else. They’re very hot blooded these ITIES!

Hi Carole
I’m so sorry your Mu passes away.
I remember your Mum Edna, your Dad Norman and you and Geoff as we lived next door to you iStevens Street! In fact I used to take Geoff up to the Sandhills where your Mum used to live with your lovly Gran. Geoff peddles a little three-wheeler and your Mum would put us a picnic of sandwich spreat, homemade cakes and ginger beer. Those were the days.

Hi Again Carole
I must apologise for the terrible spelling. I assure you I can spell and it was down to my typing errors!

Hi Steve, little bro John and cousin Steve… couldn’t resist looking into mrs Beatties blog as you promoted it so well last night on the thinking bench in the bubble room!

Sam and I really enjoyed your company! It was a great start to our night out.

Hope to see you all again ’ next time your waiting for a bus’  hehe x

Gilly and Sam.

Hi Steve, little bro John and cousin Steve… couldn’t resist looking into mrs Beatties blog as you promoted it so well last night on the thinking bench in the bubble room!

Sam and I really enjoyed your company! It was a great start to our night out.

Hope to see you all again ’ next time your waiting for a bus’  hehe x

Gilly and Sam.

Hi Gilly, I was a bit tired after a long shift but my brother’s good at talking as you found out!! Good to see you both & we will catch up soon no doubt. x (PS this has absolutely nothing to do with Mrs Beaties, does it!?) ;-)

This is Brilliant. My Mrs is looking at a site from Walsall where she is from, which prompted me to look for my home town. Delighted to find this, and so many memories, great reading!! I started life in Alderley on Chapel St, number 13 to be exact then moved from there to Heywood Road until a move to Wilmslow in 1976.

I remember playing football on the ‘green’ by the shops at the end of Heywood Road, going home with green and muddy stains on my trousers after being in goal.

Sadly, I couldn’t make the AECPC reunion recently but would love to get to another sometime. More memories and names later, when I have more time.

Mike Marshall, I’m trying to find out some history of 12 Duke St which I’ve refurbished. Until when did you live at No 14? Please call me on 01625 585212. Many thanks.

Hi Steve… Absolutely nothing to do with mrs Beaties! Tell John to check out his Facebook page x

hi my name is emma , and im trying to help a friend of mine to find his birth mother and was hoping somebody may know or remember her or her husband.
her name before marriage was a miss gwenyth mary richards born in 1923 and died 1985 whos mother was named lillian alice richards or muriel lea
her father was william richards and they lived at 12 knutsford road alderly edge.
she went onto marry a herbert andrew lomas born in 1926 and died in 2011 they married in 1958 which was his second marriage to gwenyth . they may have 2 sons named andrew lomas born 1959 paul lomas born 1960. if anyone knows of any information please would you be kind enough to pass this on also she may have had a brother named cyril who was married to isabel richards nee slater who lived at 57 knutsford road in 2002 and died jan 2014.

Hi Carole Younger
I am so sorry to hear about Edna I am your cousin Mike from Rhos-on-Sea North Wales please tell Geoff I am asking about him
if anybody is in contact with Carole can you pass this message on please

From the oral record we have a complete picture of the inhabitants of the cottages in the
early twentieth century (see Figure B.2). The Misses Ellams and their father lived in the
western half of the southern building. By the 1920s, they were no longer away in service,
but earned their living as daily cleaners. Mary looked after the house and Gertie the
garden where she grew their vegetables and fruit, some of which was converted into
home-made wine. At the start of the Second World War, the Misses Ellams moved down
into Nether Alderley village as their relatives thought the cottages were too isolated for
them to live in as they got old xxvi.
The Barrows lived in the next house; Frederick Barrow worked as a joiner and upholsterer
for Broadbents, the Alderley Edge village furniture shop. His wife, Delphine, who grew up
in the Mines Offices bungalow, had worked as a nursemaid for the Handyside-Dick family
in Ashfield, an Alderley villa. They had one child, a daughter Edna. When Mr Barrow set
up in business for himself in 1932, much to his wife’s regret, the Barrow family moved
down to Alderley Edge village. Delphine’s parents, Mr and Mrs John Massey, had already
moved away from the bungalow to the North Wales coast, where Mr Massey was a
gardener; their teenage son, Jim, had a weak chest and they thought the sea air would be
healthier for him xxvii.

I was born and bred in AE I recall my teachers at AE Primary School in the early 1950’s head was Miss Fletcher with her dog Rover and she took it to her office upstairs each day and also carried out spelling checks with pupils not Rover. Teachers I recall were Miss Roberts , Mr Pendlebury???? Car registration was JPP. We called him Jolly Pop Pendlebury, Mrs Gibson upstairs classroom, where Pauline Goodwin spent our lunch break unravelling knotted wool.  Miss Duece ???in the annex anyone have her correct name please ?
Remembering ice slides in the playground.
My brother Keith Hale is 3 years older than me now at 71 years young and lives in Buxton and will have lots of memories of AE. I am still meeting up with my friends Christine Almond, Jane Austin & Josie Simcox we meet every three months at the Drum & Monkey which was my Dad’s Roger Hales regular haunt , my Mum Nora Hale worked on the milk for 25 years and for Britlands Farm Stockton Road Wlimslow.
I am thinking what a great idea it would be to all get together at some point in the summer… How about it contributors

If enough folk want to have some type of ‘reunion’, the soon-to-be revamped Festival Hall is a possible location.
I can’t help as I’m a new boy in the village (a mere 25 years!).
In the best English tradition; you need an organising committee. Might someone/s volunteer to get ot all started?

I live in North Wales now and have for many years. We do come back very regularly but it may prove to be beyond me to organise. But I am very willing to contribute on the committee if required. Are there long term AE people who are willing to set up a committee. And we need a chairperson the drive this through.

I live in North Wales now and have for many years. We do come back very regularly but it may prove to be beyond me to organise. But I am very willing to contribute on the committee if required. Are there long term AE people who are willing to set up a committee. And we need a chairperson the drive this through.

Very interested to read Jenny Hill’s memories of watching my grandfather Harold Glossop play in his band at the Alderley Edge scout hut. I went to visit my Mum’s cousin Valerie Gezink in Canada who told me that her father Frans Gezink (who ran the Tower Garage (Highams) and lived in Brookdale Cottage which was situated in front of the Tower Garage but has since been demolished) also played in a band at the scout hut, she couldn’t “misbehave” at the dances as her father or uncle were always watching! A few days later I came home and went to view a house, the owner showed me to a large dilapidated shed in the garden and I was stunned to be standing in the old Alderley Edge scout hut! The very place my grandfather used to play in. Needless to say I bought the house!  Val also recently told me that in about the 1970’s or early 80’s a plague of squirrels came marching down the hill from The Edge and took over the village. Apparently there was a timber yard on the same road as the doctors surgery that tried to help kill or trap them - does anyone remember this or is she going crazy?

How lovely that you, Louisa Kelly have replied! I wonder if you are Margaret or Barbara Glossop’s daughter? Granny Gezink was a wonderful old lady in 1949 when I was 6/7 and she hated thunder storms and refused to used the phone, preferred to get under the table!

As for the squirrels I do remember that in the early ‘50s there were many in the woods on Mottram Road and you could get 2/6 (half a crown or 12 and a half pence) for a tail but they were always at the top of the beech trees! But about the squirrel plague in the 70s/80s I have no idea as I was well away from the area by then.

Mike Williams - The Handyside-Dicks lived at Red Roofs (?) on Trafford Road, just before the turn off to the Rex Ballroom (Civic Centre ?) He was a Scot and all I remember about them was that the house keeper “took leisurely tubs” which used to make us laugh as children!

I stumbled on this site by accident. I grew up in Elm Crescent and remember many of you.
Graham, I think we used to help you deliver newspapers or something similar for which you’d pay us with a large ice cream from Granelli’s van, can’t remember the name of the chap who drove it, he’d make up songs as he served you.
After leaving Knutsford secondary school I worked in Andersons electric shop for 10 years
in the late 60’s early 70’s. My brother Brian worked as a carpetfitter for Broadbents furniture shop.
I remember Miss Fletcher as the Headmistress followed by Mr Savage.The most feared teacher as far as I can remember was Mrs Gibson up the stairs by contrast Mrs Boyle and Miss Deuce were gentle souls! also Mr Barnet,Mr Pendlebury,Miss Hickson.
Summer days playing on the fields on the Hough. Those farms all so close together, Wallworths then Lea’s, Baguleys, Leach and Allmans. Anybody remember"Tiger Ford” on his sit up and be g bicycle who lived in the old cottage just before the Hough joins Moss road?
He worked on farms and was a real old countryman.
Nice to visit the past,possibly rose coloured spectacles spring to mind.

This is quite amazing.
I came across this by mistake and reading it has brought back so many memories about life in and around Alderley in the 1950’s.
I grew up in Gt Warford and went to St Phillips Primary from 1950 to 1955., played football for St Phillips but then left.
I returned to the area in 1972 and started working as a salesman for John Wallwork selling Volvo in January 1973., moving to the head office in Manchester the November of that year, moving to Newcastle upon Tyne in 1977.  and I now live in Gloucestershire.
All the names mentioned bring back so many memories of what was a fabulous place to grow up in.
Keep the comments coming in. We don’t get any younger but reading these blogs take me back 50 years !!!!!!!
John Ledgard.

I’ve just been on Google Street View, London Road is nothing like it used to be.

The only shop that i could see that is still there is Weinholts, not a bad bakers I recall, and a lot of the shops have disappeared altogether and are now flats

Ah well, they call it progress !!!

I remember the name John Ledgard. I was a friend of Jenny Bull and we’d often cycle aroundWarford and Alderley Edge.

Hi Avril. Like you I was born in 1947 but in Nether Alderley. However we moved to Alderley Edge when I was in my teens. I remember your dad as a postman and others from that era. I loved the old post office especially playing with the wet sponges to wet stamps on the counter! I went to Nether Alderley Church and youth club which Harold joined when the late David Watkins was the Youth Club Leader. Happy Days all to long ago now!

Lesley Firth nee Downes. Wonderful site , I was born in Alderley Edge 1958.  Lived in Annis Road,then Jenny Heyes Heyes Lane. my parents were Peter and Ann. granparents Fred and Flo and Robert and Bessie Fiddaman .

Hi is this still up and running ?

P Powell
Hi is this site up and running, fell on it again after years of not looking,
Sad to see no input since 2017
Many happy memories of the Village from way back and recognise the names of a lot of contributors,
Some friends some girlfriends all remembered fondly.
Pete.

/Users/andrewmorris/Pictures/Photos Library.photoslibrary/resources/proxies/derivatives/ea/00/ea84/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_ea84.jpg
the attached photo belongs to a distant relative, would anyone be able to give a date or any info as to who the lady might be
Thanks Andrew

Just found this site.

I lived in Alderley Edge from 1967 onwards and went to Alderley Edge CP with Steve.

Just reading the names of the old shops brings back so much, such as the memory of a scalping at Mr Tweet’s, accompanied by by a sweet cigarette.

I remember picking up fresh Cragg’s bread at Rowcroft’s (Heyes Lane Post Office) on my way home from school or nipping in to the newsagent round the corner (which seemed to change hands a few times.

The old tin church was at the of Moss Road and was called St James. The services were mainly taken by Mr Bird, who lived down Knutsford Road in a big old house where the care home now is.

Hello. I am the biographer of the British Ambassador Sir George Dixon Grahame (1873/1940). He was born in Alderley Edge in 1873. His father, Richard Grahame, also from Alderley Edge, died when young George was only 8 months old, in 1874. His mother remarried and moved to Northumberland.
I am looking for any information about Sir George’s father. His name was Richard Grahame, he was a business man and must have been very wealthy. I have not found any trace of him, only his death certificate. If someone in this forum would be so kind to direct me to a local historical association of sorts, I would be extremely grateful.
Thank you for reading me.
P.S I have seen the wonderful photos of Alderley Edge that someone shared in this link. The oldest ones were taken in 1896, 20 years after George´s family moved up north.

Hi
I’ve just come across this site. We lived both in Trafford Road next door to Alan Garner and next door but one to Steve and Sandy Marshall. Then down Devonshire Drive. My Mum and Dad were Frank and Hilary Bailey. My mum use to own the hairdressers on Chapel Road.
My godparents are Eileen Cragg but unfortunately Ron died many years ago.
My grandparents were Percy and May Bailey who lived in Moss Lane. 
It’s been lovely reading and remembering many names here.

Karen Jenkins (Bailey)

Hi Steve Walker, we have just found a photo of you and myself plus others playing a football match at AECP.
I remember your mum and dad well, often seeing them walking up the village. I often chatted with your dad later when he was I his own.
I’m still in Alderley 4 doors from where I started.
Regards Neil

Hi Steve Walker, we have just found a photo of you and myself plus others playing a football match at AECP.
I remember your mum and dad well, often seeing them walking up the village. I often chatted with your dad later when he was I his own.
I’m still in Alderley 4 doors from where I started.
Regards Neil

I stumbled onto this thread whilst looking for an unconnected old pal and was really fascinated. I don’t really ‘belong’ on this thread because I grew up in Handforth. However I spent a lot of time in Alderley in the period from about 1964 to about 1970 and have many many fond memories. It was and no doubt still is a lovely place. I had a very good friend in those days called Tom Rothwell who lived on Heyes Lane. I’m still just about in touch with Tom and his wife Sandra. Sandra’s maiden name was Bebbington and I recall she had a brother called Dave(?). Tom had brothers Stephen and Keith and a sister called Anthea. Anthea married a policeman called Nick. Tom and I used to haunt the ‘Youth Club’ in Alderley (mid 60s – Friday nights) and I well remember Harold Ward who was in charge of the youth club and vaguely remember Tony Nish. They used to have a live rock band sometimes. I well remember a few of the girls at the youth club. They were all really nice kids. There was Janet Chetwood (whom I think lived on Beech Road), Norma Faux (who’s posted on here as Norma Turner), Janet Smith (whom I think lived in Wilmslow), Suzanne Jackson (who went to Mount Carmel school as also did Sandra Bebbington), Margaret Hewitt, and Lesley Caveney. I also recall the Rose Queen events in Alderley. Tom and I used to smoke in those days and at the youth club we’d always tell each other to “flash the ash” when it was the other person’s turn to offer the ciggies. I sank many a pint with Tom and other friends at The Moss Rose Inn (aka The Drum And Monkey) off Heyes Lane. Also drank at the Queen’s Head(?) and the De Trafford. Fond memories. I don’t live in Cheshire any more, I’m down with my wife in East Anglia, but visit Handforth, Wilmslow and Alderley very occasionally.

Best wishes to all
Andy

PS:
I also remember a fella called Mike Nash whom I knew quite well at secondary school. I think his dad was a quack (sorry - doctor!) and I think he lived on the Macclesfield Road. In my previous post I mentioned Tom Rothwell and his wife Sandra (nee Bebbington). I think Sandra was a dental assistant in Alderley. Also I think I got one of the pub names wrong in my last post. I now think it was Queens Hotel not Queens Head…..?

I happened to put a search in for the Net youth club which I went to every week! Such great memories of great times there but shocked when realised it was nearly 50 years ago! Met my first serious boyfriend there and that memory never goes! My name was cath Vince then and I went with my best friend sue cohen. We used to borrow the minister’s push bike and nip to the Queens bar in basement of what became Queensgate later. We went round with group of lads from estate behind Towers garage namely Steve bowza bowes , flea, crow to name a few. Great times.

Hi Neil,

A long time for a reply I know, but good to hear from you. My Dad did say that he’d seen you and I think enjoyed a chat when he got the opportunity.

Not that really got any contacts in the village, although I do still see Val (Wallwork, as was). I’m up round Buxton now, so not that far.