Above: This photo of Glyn, flanked by his sister and father, was taken at the ruins of Errwood Hall in May 1964, more than 30 years after the house had been demolished.
The arches were to the right of the front entrance – see this image.
The Goyt Valley Facebook group is a wonderful source of memories and old photos. Glyn spent many childhood holidays in the valley during the 1950s and ’60s, and recently posted some holiday snaps he came across in a family album.
The earliest shows Glyn in May 1959, paddling in the waters of the Goyt, with Errwood Bridge in the background. Another taken the following September is a grainy photo of his sister, with the suspension bridge sillouetted in the background.
My favourite photos were taken in July 1960, with the packhorse bridge in the background. All the surrounding buildings which once formed the hamlet of Goyt’s Bridge had been torn down some 30 years earlier.
The bridge looks to have suffered from the ravages of time and would have undoubtably been closed off today for health and safety reasons!
A few of the stepping stones are just visible at bottom left, but most have gone. Along with Goytshead Farm which would have been at top right.
Above: Glyn with Errwood Bridge in the background.
Below: Glyn’s sister just in view, with the suspension bridge behind. (Click either image to enlarge.)
Above: Glyn’s mother helps him and his sister cross the River Goyt. Wildmorestone Brook flows under the old packhorse bridge in the background.
The scene changed dramatically when Errwood Reservoir was flooded in 1967. The packhorse bridge is the only structure to have survived, moved a mile or so south to Goytsclough, where it stands today.
Errwood Bridge may soon reappear above the waters of the reservoir if the present dry weather continues.
