for the free downloadable audio tour! tour! audio downloadable free the for www.stockport.gov.uk/walkingpodcasts www.stockport.gov.uk/walkingpodcasts Visit... Visit... 7 1 The Manchester and Stockport 5. Victoria & Elisabeths Mills 5 branch of the Ashton Canal Another two major mills on the route. 7. Houldsworth Mill They have been renovated in recent years as part of the Houldsworth Village project. All that remains of the Stockport Branch of the canal The History Formerly cotton mills, originally built The largest cotton mill in the world at its time! Houldsworth Mill, established Built between 1793 and 1797. in 1874, now serving as commercial and living spaces. as Reddish Mill, was built by Sir William The Stockport and Manchester Canal, or “Lanky Cut” as it was locally known, Houldsworth in 1865. Houldsworth Mill was used throughout two centuries to bring coal, among other things, to the 2010 mills and industries alongside the cut in Gorton and Reddish. The canal, Victoria Mill, Reddish Houldsworth played a large part in the development of Reddish, which streched almost 5 miles from the Clayton junction to the outskirts establishing his mill in what was, at that time, a distinctly rural location. of Stockport town, fell prey to changes in the economy and dwindling traffic Luring people to the area with the jobs that the mill provided. He built in the early 1900’s. Allowed to deteriorate and lie derelict for many years, On the Podcast: Hear about homes for the workers to live in, as well as constructing St.Elisabeths’ the decision was made to fill the canal in during the 1960’s. An arduous the strange microclimates caused church, school and Houldsworths working mens club for his employees. drawnout process which continued until 1970. by the mills output, huge goldfish and other “things” that could be In 1920, the Houldsworth four-faced clock was unveiled in Houldsworth Whats there now? seen in and alongside the canal... Square for his achievements. The clock is still there today and can be seen if you detour from the The scenes along the canal route have changed route down Rupert Street, On the Podcast: Hear from Paula Rands, Houldsworth Village and other locations locations other and Village Houldsworth drastically over the years, and with the closure of the Sir William Houldsworth opposite Houldsworth Mill. talking us through the development of canal in the 1970’s, a large amount of the original canal 1834-1917 Houldsworths’ community. of the Ashton Canal Canal Ashton the of line has been built over in Reddish, but in Gorton most of the route follows a footpath. The route is full of Manchester and Stockport Branch Branch Stockport and Manchester history, giving an insight into the development of the n view 8 area’s that lay along the canal, and the notable people nal i 8. Broadstone Mill The The ca and industries that drove the growth of the towns. the with Looking down the Ashton Canal ill “There are ambitious plans for the future of M Broadstone Mill, with plans to rebuild the Talks... Talks... The future of the canal... ne sto mill’s south end to accommodate further anal restoration has been going on in the UK for 40 years, and now ad C ro commercial, retail and residential space, Broadstone Mill attention is being brought to the Stockport canal route. As well as providing B as well as reinstating the canal basin to 2010 a green corridor, that will create a habitat for animals, birds and other of n form a marina at the front of the mill. ” Walking Podcast Podcast Walking wildlife. The restoration would bring many io ss 2 amenities for the community and beautify e - Houldsworth Village pr STOCKPORT m the corridor. i t Built in 1903 Broadstone Mill was originally a six-storey is On the Podcast: Manchester and t double mill, powered by a central engine house. Mills such Stockport Canal Society chairman, r A as Broadstone, drew water straight from the canal for the Peter Scott, talks about the societies aims for the canals restoration. condensers.In 1957 the 2nd mill was demolished, and later in 1965 the engine house was For more information on the canals history demolished, leaving the On the Podcast: Broadstone director online! online! guide tour downloadable Free Lower Gorton reservoir from Debdale Park and regeneration visit the MSBC’s website 1st mill standing. Richard Sym, describes the mill and www.mscs.org.uk the plans for the future. This walk is part of a series, for more information and 1, 2 & 3. Clayton Junction, other walks in the series visit: 9. Craven Brothers www.stockport.gov.uk/walkingpodcasts Gorton Reservoirs & Debdale Park What is now known as the Vauxhall Industrial Estate, We start our journey at Clayton junction where the canal once previously housed the famous Craven Brothers. Other walks in the series include... joined to the Ashton-under-Lyne canal. To get to the starting point, Founded in 1853 and run by the three siblings, it is necessary to make your way from Ashton New Road and walk Greenwood, William and John Craven. Makers of machine down the Ashton Canal locks, as illustrated on the “Where do I start?” tools such as huge industrial lathes and plano millers Peak Forest Canal (South) section overleaf. Clayton Junction can be found between locks 11 & 12. building up a huge export trade with India, Finland, Canada, Here you can see what is left of the canal, in the form of a short strech of Australia, and Brazil. water heading under a bridge off the ashton canal. Here barges carrying Manchester & Stockport Canal goods would go on to deliver their loads to other destinations on the canal circuit. “Time served apprentices received no indentures except for a pat on Backing on to Debdale Park are the Gorton reservoirs. Built much later 9 the back and advised to, ‘Just tell Acknowledgements than the canal in the1820’s, it is the only reservoir to have had a canal 'em where you're from lad!’” running along the top of its dam. In the 1800’s most of the site was owned - Ex-apprentice of the works Thank you to all those involved in the making of this publication, as by Mr J.S. Grimshaw, a local hatter, and was later bought by the city council well as those who volunteered their time to feature on the podcast, and was transformed into a formal park after the 1st world war. Vauxhall Estate from Greg Street without whose help these productions would not have been possible. A haven away from the busy roads, OnOn the the podcast: Podcast: Debdale park is a lovely location for a Mike Kiernan talks 3 us through the growth A free interpreting service is available if you relaxing stroll, or why not find a quiet 11. Nelstrops Flour Mill spot for a picnic? of the mills and the need help with this booklet/leaflet. industrial revolution. 6. St. Elisabeths Church Please telephone Stockport Interpreting The park offers open green spaces, as e end our journey on Sheffield Road, W On the Podcast: We talk to Unit on 0161 477 9000. well as beautifully kept gardens, a behind Nelstrops Flour Mill. William Nelstrop t. Elisabeths, named after William Houldsworths wife, forms a central three generations of the bandstand, tennis courts bowling green S moved into the mill in 1821, developing the part of the community built under Houldsworths’ vision. The church, family business, hearing the and a miniature golf course. business and becoming an important figure Entrance to Debdale park from Hyde Road along with the houses surrounding the mill, school, and working mens stories of Martin Nelstrop, in the community, serving as Mayor of club, were all built by Houldsworth to satisfy the social, educational about work and life on the Stockport. The mill has remained a family 4 & 10. North & South Reddish Parks and spiritual needs of his employees and the surrounding area. canal in the 1930’s business for six generations, and claims to be the oldest family miller in the UK! North Reddish park is the largest park in Reddish. We arrive into the park An exquisite grade II building, the 6 through a public right of way passage from Furnival Street. As the park opens church was designed by renowned up we head towards the south exit. With a little bit of imagination you can As with a lot of mills built in this era, architect, Alfred Waterhouse, in 1883. the original structure was destroyed 11 see the where the line of the canal would of been, alongside the trees within His other works include Manchester the park! in a fire in 1893, but was rebuilt Town Hall and Londons Natural shortly after. South Reddish park offers good sized football History Museum. pitches, we will be cutting through this park on Interestingly, during the second world our way to Nelstrop’s Mill and the end of the Today the church is very war, one side of the mill was painted route. The map shows that the canal would of much active in the community, to look like a row of houses to cut right through where the fields are now. housing its own choir and putting avoid bombing from the on many activities and events! At the end of our route: If you would like this information in large print, on audio tape, in St. Elisabeths Church luftwaffe! On the Podcast: John Bradshaw Nelstrops Flour Mill, backing on to Wharf Street Braille or on disk please contact 0161 474 4351 for a copy.