A local historian is giving a talk about Alderley Edge next week during which he will be examining in detail the impact of the railway on the village.
Michael Scaife, who is a former warden of St Philip & St James Church, will be talking about Alderley Edge between 1840 and 1860 at Wilmslow Parish Hall on Wednesday 9th January.
The talk has been organised by Wilmslow Historical Society, of which Michael Scaife is a member, but visitors are welcome to attend.
Michael has lived in the village for 43 years and produced a history of St Philip & St James Church in 2011.
He told me "I am going to talk about the development of Alderley Edge by 1860 as a community of Manchester merchants after the opening of the railway in 1842. I will compare this with the agricultural community which lived here before then. I will also talk about the other people who came to Alderley Edge to work as servants in the villas or to provide services such as shops for the new village."
Michael added "Having taught history for many years, I have developed my interest in local history further after retiring."
Michael Scaife is a committee member of the Alderley History Group as well as a member of Wilmslow Historical Society. His talk "Alderley Edge 1840 - 1860" will take place from 7.45pm to 9.45pm on Wednesday 9th January at Wilmslow Parish Hall, Chancel Lane. Visitors are welcome and entrance will be £2.00, including tea/coffee and biscuits.
Photo: Up holiday express south of Alderley Edge Station 1951. © Copyright Ben Brooksbank and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
Just this side of the bridge on the village side of the railway line was the goods yard. Opposite that on the 'park' side of the railway was the signal box.
chuff chuff chuff phooo phooo love seeing a steamer go past :-)
A London to Scotland named train on this line is unlikely as it's not a direct route. More likely one of the Manchester bound or originating named trains such as 'The Pines Express' or 'The Mancunian'.
Our line doesn't need converting to host steam trains. It hosts them now, as well as Virgin's 125mph Pendelinos. We usually get a few a week coming through during the summer season, such as The Cumbrian Mountain Express, or The Scarborough Flyer, with lovely locomotives like A4 pacific 'Union of South Africa' or the even more magnificent Stanier pacific 'Duchess of Sutherland'.
The Comet was the morning Euston -Manchester named express - a booking for a Longsight Scot and - I think - a Longsight crew on a lodging trip.
There was a weekly booked steam excursion to Scarborough this year through Alderley.
The Scarborugh steam train this summer was The Scarborough Flyer, calling at Wilmslow and Stockport.
"Up holiday express south of Alderley Edge Station.
View northward, towards Manchester; ex-London & North Western Manchester (London Road) - Crewe main line. The train is a Manchester - Plymouth express, headed by Hughes/Fowler 5P4F 2-6-0 No. 42920."