Above: The murder stone lies well-hidden beside the back road between Whaley Bridge and Disley. Three young men were soon identified as the killers. But only one was tried, convicted and sentenced to death. I’ve always thought the story of William...
Above: The scene at the northern end of Fernilee Reservoir. There are similar notices at the southern end. Above: Signs say that mass-clearing will leave the woodland more varied (click to enlarge). But they seem to be planting yet more fir trees. Which I...
Above: Gerald thought these two ladies were maids from Errwood Hall. This photo of two young ladies posing in a car outside Errwood Hall has always intrigued me. Were they a couple of servants from the hall? Or perhaps friends of the Grimshawe...
Above (From left to right): Andrew (pictured with his daughter Isla), has regularly walked the route since 2000. Esme only discovered it during the recent lockdown. But John holds the record as having walked it the longest – since 1938. It’s now a couple...
Above: A look at old maps reveal that these sturdy gateposts once formed an entrance onto the track of the C&HPR. Continuing the quest to identify old stone gateposts in the valley, I came across two fine examples yesterday evening, just as the sun was setting....
Above: Spot the difference! Above: Zooming into the older photo reveals someone seated outside Goytshead Farm (click to enlarge). And it’s just possible to make out the word ‘Teas’ on the sign behind him. Both Goyts Bridge farmhouses sold teas to the...
Above: The attractive suspension bridge was built at the same time as the reservoir, to enable locals to walk from one side to the other. Above: Sharon posted this photo of her Great Aunt May posing on the bridge on the Goyt Valley Facebook page. Gail recently sent me...
Above: Ladmanlow goods yard pictured in 1932, looking north from the A53 Leek Road. This is likely to have been the ‘Park Gates’ the writer describes. Passengers were not allowed following a fatal accident in 1877. The yard finally closed in 1954....
Above: A typically picturesque view along the River Goyt before the construction of the twin reservoirs – all now under water. My thanks to Gail for sending this article which appeared in the Liverpool Echo of 6th February 1937, just a few months before the...
Above: I wonder whether these gatesposts once marked the boundary between the Grimshawe’s estate and the Chillworth Gunpowder Mill. It seems I’m not the only saddo to be fascinated by old stone gateposts! There are quite a few of us out there, as I...
