C is for Charles Cummings' Commemorative Cross in Cheadle Churchyard

In St Mary's churchyard, Cheadle is the stump of a 14th/15th century sandstone cross It was restored in the 19th century as a memorial to Charles James Cummings as described on a copper commemorative plaque.

The plaque reads:

THIS CROSS WAS RESTORED BY LOVING FRIENDS
TO THE GLORY OF GOD
AND IN MEMORY OF CHARLES JAMES CUMMINGS, M.A,
FOR 26 YEARS RECTOR OF CHEADLE.
HE DIED 10th OCT.1873.AGED 52 YEARS.

It is Grade II listed and described as

Red sandstone. Square shaft with chamfered corners with bar stops at base. Each face has a small niche with cusped head and continuous hoodmould. The upper stage diminishes and is terminated by a weathering. The top is missing. Moulded square base with copper commemorative plaque.

A contribution to ABC Wednesday.

Gates at Lock #15

These are the lock gates on the Peak Forest Canal at Marple.

A flight of sixteen locks raise the canal more than 200 feet over the course of about a mile.

A contribution to The Weekend in Black and White.

El Al over Great Underbank

Walking down Chestergate towards Great Underbank last week I spotted this plane coming in and took a quick photograph as it came over.

I just managed to get a second shot. From the identification letters G-OBTH I was later able to establish that it was an El Al Airlines plane on a flight from Palma de Mallorca that landed at Manchester Airport just a couple of minutes later.

A contribution to Skywatch Friday.

Forecourt not a Highway

The notice on the front of the BT Telephone Exchange on Cheadle High Street reads:

BRITISH TELECOMMUNICATIONS PLC
THE OWNER OF THE LAND AND FORECOURT
IN FRONT OF THESE PREMISES, HAS NOT
DEDICATED AND DOES NOT INTEND TO
DEDICATE AS A HIGHWAY, THE SAID LAND
AND FORECOURT OR ANY PART THEREOF
OR ANYWAY THEREUPON OR THEREOVER.

So that's you lot told and don't you forget it there!

See a view of the location on Geograph.

A contribution to signs, signs.

B is for Bank

The Bank on Bridge Street viewed from Great Underbank.

The Grade II listed building was built in 1900.

According to the Barclays' Archive:

The Union Bank was established in 1836 with a capital of £6 million divided into 24,000 shares of £25 each. Although the original intention of the Union Bank was to confine itself to Manchester, after twenty years this policy was changed, and its first branch opened at Knutsford in 1856. The bank flourished with the growth of industry and acquired several smaller banks in Lancashire, Cheshire and Yorkshire. It became an affiliated bank within the Barclays Group in 1919, when 99% of its capital was acquired under an arrangement whereby Union Bank shareholders were given shares in Barclays to replace their Union Bank shares. This was Barclays' last major acquisition before the Treasury put a block on major banking mergers in 1920. The Union Bank continued to be managed and marketed separately until 1940 when it was fully absorbed into Barclays.

In recent years the building has been home to the appropriately named Bank Fashion Store.

Bank Fashion which had previously been owned by JD Sports was put into administration in January 2015. It had 84 stores of which 20 have been closed. According to a sign on the window the next nearest still trading store is in Denton.

A contribution to ABC Wednesday.

Running Man Mural: Panels 13 - 16

A follow-up to my posts from 29th June 2015 featuring panals 1 -4 of the Running Man Mural; the post of 6th July 2016 featuring panals 5 - 6 and the post of 13th July 2015 featuring panels 9 - 12. The 16 panel mural was the work of the group Friends of Heaton Chapel Station and produced with support from the local community.

Panel 13 was sponsored by Vital Signs and Graphics and designed with pupils at Norris Bank Primary School - Heaton Norris.

Panel 14 was sponsored by Stella Maris School and carries a statement from Northern Rail:

As one of the biggest train operators in Britain, Northern Rail provides 2,500 local and regional train services every day across the north of England, serving a population of nearly 15 million.

We pride ourselves on offering consistent and local train services to our customers, as they make their way around our network to visit the wide variety of things to do and places to see in the areas we operate.

Northern Rail is proud to be at the heart of the railways and we work closely with local community groups to help enhance our stations and their surroundings.

Having worked with 'Friends of Heaton Chapel Station' since August 2011, we've seen the station blossom thanks to the great efforts made by this partnership.

Panel 15 informs us:

From the early 13th century, Heaton Norris was a sub-manor of Manchester, encompassing all of the Four Heatons including Heaton Moor which was mainly moss land (peat bog) with rich agricultural land that supported mixed farming.

In 1837 Parliamentary approval was given for the railway to by built by the Manchester and Birmingham Railway, the first section from Heaton Norris to Manchester opening in 1841.

Heaton Chapel Station was built in 1851 close to the St. Thomas Rectory and not according to some railway company's grand plan but largely at the instigation of a local clergyman, Edward Jackson of St Thomas Church in Heaton Chapel.

Before entering the church, he had been a master at Manchester Grammar School and when he discovered that one of his former pupils was the superintendent of the northern division of the LNWR, he was determined to use his influence and put Heaton Chapel on the railway map. This was quite a tall order: even if all the arguments are on your side, because building a station in a deep cutting presents difficulties, (there are 43 steps to the platform on northbound platform 2).

However Rev. Jackson won the day, his old pupil complied and Heaton Chapel was the triumphant result. The opening of the station had am immediate effect on the surrounding area which became a fashionable address for those who could afford to live in the leafy suburbs and commute to Manchester by train. Land was acquired and roads were planned. The houses, villas and new buildings along Heaton Moor Road were of a grandiose scale with generous gardens.

Sadly, Joseph Swindlehurst, the stationmaster in the 1890s would no longer be able to recognise his beloved station.

Panel 16 was sponsored by 4 Heatons Traders Association and informs us:

The artwork was designed by local artist Karen Allerton with photographs and historic information supplied by Phil Rowbotham ©

Two members of Sustainable Living in the Heatons, a local community group, explored the possibility of developing an art protect on the northbound platform of the station in June 2011 with a burning passion to change the tired salmon wall. As a result of the discussions we formed the Friends of Heaton Chapel Station in August 2011, with the principal aim of making the station a more attractive place.

Out enthusiastic group began work during the autumn cutting and cleaning beds on the Stockport bound platform and planted flowers, herbs and plants which have now blossomed this spring, We also set up a library in the ticket office which has proved really successful with travellers.

With the help of materials and paint from Northern Rail and a great bunch of volunteers, we painted the wall black in preparation for the artwork. We have engaged with various groups in the Heatons community and would like to thank them and all the local businesses that have sponsored this great undertaking. Additionally, we are indebted to the local primary schools who have worked with us on the project.

A contribution to Monday Murals.

A is for Ashlea

The Ashlea is a Chef and Brewer pub on Manchester Road, Cheadle.

I don't know anything about its history and I suspect the coat of arms featured on the pub sign is a modern made-up image and not some proper family crest.

A contribution to ABC Wednesday and signs, signs.

Running Man Mural: Panels 9-12

A follow-up to my post from 29th June 2015 featuring Panals 1 -4 of the Running Man Mural and the post of 6th July 2016 featuring Panals 5-6. The 16 panel mural was the work of the group Friends of Heaton Chapel Station and produced with support from the local community. The artwork was designed by local artist Karen Allerton with photographs and historic information supplied by Phil Rowbotham ©.

Panel 9 was designed with pupils at Broadstone Hall Primary School - Heaton Chapel.

Panel 10 was sponsored by Prontaprint and designed with pupils at St Thomas' CE Primary School - Heaton Chapel.

Panel 11 was sponsored by Hugh Joseph McCarthy Solicitors.

Panel 12 was sponsored by Bramley Carpets and features the war memorial and the poem:

Ode of Remembrance

They went with songs to the battle,
they were young.
Straight of limb,
true of eyes,
steady and aglow.
They were staunch to
the end against odds
uncounted.
They fell with their faces
to the foe.
They shall not grow old,
as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them,
nor the years condemn.
At the
going
down of
the sun
and in the morning,
we will remember them.

Laurence Binyon - For the Fallen

A contribution to Monday Murals.

Loose Change Buskers on Cheadle Green

The Loose Change Buskers performing at Cheadle Makers Market on Cheadle Green and raising money for Cancer Research UK.

Cheadle Makers Market is a monthly event on Cheadle Green organised by The Makers Market. Some 70 artisan traders showcase the very best of local food, drink, art and craft. There is award winning food and sauces made from old family recipes, hand crafted jewellery, handmade soaps, fresh herbs and flowers, candles and vintage inspired sideboards and tables.

More information about Loose Change Buskers can be found on their Facebook page.

A contribution to Shadow Shot Sunday and Blue Monday.

Horse on Manchester Road, Cheadle

Having photographed the George & Dragon last week in Cheadle, I spotted this horse being led along Manchester Road past a used-car showroom.

A contribution to
Saturday Critters;
Camera Critters.

The George & Dragon at Cheadle

The George and Dragon Hotel is a Grade II listed public house and former coaching inn dating from 1753. According to the Cheadle Civic Society it started life as a cottage cum alehouse by the name of "Gibbon's cottage". In 1778, it was bought by an inn owner, together with the newly built house next door. By the 1790s the property was known as the "George Inn" and was kept by a Mr and Mrs Royle, who also ran a profitable sideline in stay making. As coach traffic became increasingly busy, the inn was steadily altered to accommodate a growing influx of travellers. A carriage entry was made through one side of the property, and the cottage on the other side was raised to the full height of the main building.

Towards the end of the 19th century a bay window was added, while the arched, canopied entrance was an early 20th century addition. The "George" became the "George and Dragon" (probably when the king appeared to be losing his mind), and the erstwhile sign of a bunch of grapes was eventually replaced by a colourful representation of St. George and his adversary. In 2012 it was boarded up and for sale but now it is back in business.

A contribution to signs, signs and Skywatch Friday.

Running Man Mural: Panels 5-8

A follow-up to my post from 29th June 2015 featuring Panals 1 -4 of the Running Man Mural. The 16 panel mural was the work of the group Friends of Heaton Chapel Station and produced with support from the local community. The artwork was designed by local artist Karen Allerton with photographs and historic information supplied by Phil Rowbotham ©.

Panel 5 was sponsored by Stella Maris School and informs us:

Heaton Mersey
The word Heaton is made up of two words of Anglo Saxon origin. "Hea" means high ground, which in this case is a shoulder of the Mersey Valley above the flood plain. The suffix "ton" means a defended settlement or farm.

The name Mersey originates from an Old English word Maere which means boundary. The river was the boundary of the ancient Saxon kingdoms of Mercia and Northumbria.

Hence the name Heaton Mersey can be literally translated as the high farmstead beside the River Mersey.

Panel 6 was designed with pupils at Norris Bank Primary School.

Panel 7 was sponsored by Town Cafe Bar and informs us:

Heaton Moor is predominantly flat with no rivers or streams. The soil is black and fertile as expected from land that was previously peat moor. Before the opening of the railway, Heaton Moor was the main agricultural land in Heaton Norris, supporting pigs, cattle and cereal.

The opening of Heaton Chapel station in 1851 marked a turning point in the development of the area as people wanted to live close to the railway line between Stockport and Manchester.

Heaton Moor is characterised by the Victorian housing most of which was built between 1852 and 1892 and features tree lined roads which follow the former field patterns when the area was used for agriculture.

Heaton Moor is a thriving residential and commercial suburb of Stockport and contains its own busy and vibrant district centre which focuses on Heaton Moor Road.

Panel 8 was sponsored by Agito Transport Planning Consultancy and designed with pupils at Broadstone Hall Primary School - Heaton Chapel. It features Cecil Kimber.

Former resident of Shaw Road, Cecil Kimber was the man behind the iconic MG Sports Car. He was born in 1888 in south London during a time when the world had just discovered the combustion engine and people were realising its possibilities. His main interest was motor bicycles and he bought his first in 1906 aged 18 but he switched to cars and four wheels after a bad accident.

In 1914 following a family dispute, Cecil left the family printing business in Manchester and pursued a career in motor engineering.

In 1919 he met Frank Woollard who later helped Cecil establish the MG car. Two years after joining Morris Garages as sales manager in 1922, he launched the first four-door saloon, built on the chassis of the Morris Oxford.

Tragically Cecil died in a train crash in 1945, but the MG sports car flourished with a number of pure racing models winning countless successes on race circuits.

A contribution to Monday Murals.

Shadows down High Bank

The steep footpath leading from St Peter's down the side of High Bank to the Underbank.

At the top is the bridge from St Petersgate going over Chestergate to the car parks on the roof of the Merseyway Shopping Centre.

A contribution to Shadow Shot Sunday.

Works on Bridgefield Street

Various works seem to be going on in and around Bridgefield Street with parts of the car park being closed. There are cones and fences on the pavement. On the right is the ramp from the car park leading to the rooftop car park above Debenhams.

At the other end of the street the bus shelter has disappeared and everyone waiting for a bus is having to stand.

Across the road they are erecting a "Cycle Hub".

A contribution to Good Fences.