Barnes Village -Fantastic Opportunity Or Monumental Mistake? Page 20: More Colour Photographs of Cheadle in Bloom

Cheadle Civic Society

Established 1964

Newsletter

High Street in bloom

Issue 29 Autumn 2013 2

Cheadle Civic Society was formed in 1964 with the following aims:

• To encourage high standards of architecture and town planning in Cheadle, Cheshire.

• To stimulate public interest in and care for, the beauty and improvement of features of general public amenity or historic interest.

• To pursue these ends by means of public meetings, exhibitions, lectures, publications, other forms of instruction and publicity and promotion of schemes of a charitable nature.

Committee 2013 - 2014 Acting chairman / Hon. Treasurer / Philip Gould-Bourn 428-0199 Membership secretary:

Hon. Secretary: Helen Moorhouse 428-6378 Acting deputy chairman: Alan Murphy 491-1789 Membership co-ordinator: Damien Lynch 498-9650 Maureen Mather 428-2977 Claire Laverty 491-4151 Anne Laverty 283-9974 Kath Hallworth 491-0357 Geoff Thompson 485-8069 Rev. Rob Munro 428-3440 Norman Redhead 486-6541 Amanda Mattison 283-6566

Life president: Alan Bridge 498-9650 Editor: Alan Jabez 01625-520322 Special correspondent: Pat Seddon 428-6137

Views

The views expressed in this newsletter are those of the editor or the contributors, not necessarily those of the committee members or members of the Society. Material in this newsletter is copyright to the Society and the contributors and may not be reproduced without permission. Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, neither the editor nor the Society can be held responsible for the consequences of any inaccuracies in the newsletter.

Index Page 1: Cover illustration showing one of the new planters installed in the village Page 2: Society aims and committee members Page 3-7: Cheadle Matters. News and editorial Page 8 - 9: The History of Cheadle Cricket Club Page 10 -12: 150 Years of library services in Cheadle Page 13: Makers’ Market on Cheadle Green Page 14 -17: Part 2 of the history of the Bowmen of Bruntwood archery club Page 18 -19: Barnes Village -fantastic opportunity or monumental mistake? Page 20: More colour photographs of Cheadle in bloom

Web site address: www.cheadlecivicsociety.org

3 Cheadle Matters News and updates from around the village

Welcome Barnes Village approval A warm welcome to everyone, and especially to Stockport Council recently gave permission to turn all our new members. It’s been another busy year the former Barnes Hospital site into a new housing for the Society: monitoring major planning appli- development, after several previous proposals cations, backing the new monthly “Makers’ Mar- were rejected. The successful plan will see the ket” on Cheadle Green, funding the new street renovation of the Grade 2 listed building which flowers on High Street and Wilmslow Road and has been seriously neglected over the past few most important of all, doing everything we can to years, into a new apartment block, containing 78 help make Cheadle a better place to live and work. apartments, with a further 200 plus houses and apartments built on the surrounding grounds. It We are happy to say we have attracted many new will take several years before the project is com- members during the year and hope this growth will pleted, but this will be one of the biggest building continue in the year ahead, the Society’s 50th an- projects in Cheadle for a long time. As with all niversary. major new projects, there have been many local As always, if any members have any issues they people with differing views as to whether the com- would like us to investigate, you are welcome to pleted village will be better or worse for Cheadle contact any of the committee members listed on in the long-term and we have provided a summary the page opposite. of the arguments for and against on pages 18 and 19. Andrew Taylor After many years of outstanding service to the community, Andrew Taylor recently stepped down as Chairman of the Civic Society. Deputy chairman, Phillip Gould-Bourn, will serve as the Society’s acting chairman until the next AGM. The Civic So- ciety committee would like to place on record its appreciation for all the hard work that Andrew undertook for the Society over many years and everyone wishes him the best of luck in the future.

High Street planters and floral displays The new Barnes Village development will see an Anybody passing through Cheadle village over the extensive renovation of Barnes Hospital which has past few months can’t have missed the wonder- become badly neglected since it was disbanded in 1999 fully colourful floral displays on both sides on Abney Hall care home High Street and Wilmslow Road. The Civic Soci- Major changes will soon be taking place at Abney ety paid more than £10,000 to specialist company, Hall after Care UK and Bruntwood Estates, were Plantscape, to install all the flowers and maintain given planning permission to deliver a 44,500 sq ft them over the summer and it is hoped this will be care home within the grounds. The new “Abney repeated next year. The flowers have not only Court” will comprise 80 bedrooms, communal din- added a huge amount of colour to the local envi- ing and lounge areas, hair salon, spa, library, land- ronment, but many people have commented they scaped gardens and private patios. The new build- have also added energy and vibrancy, as well as ing will replace the existing 1980s red brick Abney making a trip through the village much more en- Court with a more sympathetically designed build- joyable. At the time of going to press, negotiations ing set back from the listed wall. Next to the care are taking place to have a smaller, lower-cost, sea- home, the grade-2*-listed Abney Hall, the former sonal display throughout the winter. (See photo- home of the Watts family and Cheadle and Gatley graphs of summer flowers on the back cover). Urban District Council, will be refurbished as a business centre operated by Bruntwood. The plan- Cheadle Makers’ Market ners say the development will help address a recog- The Cheadle Makers’ Market which began in May nised and growing need for dementia care in the has been one of the major success stories in the area, as well as help to ensure the future of the old village during 2013 and it is hoped it will continue hall. There are also plans to improve the footpaths next year. For more information and photographs and car park within the grounds and the listed gar- about the market go to page 13. den wall will also be repaired. It is expected that work on the site will begin shortly.

4 Cheadle Matters (continued)

Cheadle Post Office Local cyclists should soon be enjoying the benefits We revealed last year that Cheadle Post Office of many new dedicated cycle paths around the area would be moving into the old Alcock fashion shop as part of a national government scheme to get on High Street sometime during 2013. As a num- more people out of their cars and onto their bikes. ber of people have spotted, the move hasn’t taken With no train or tram services, Cheadle has been place yet and the latest information we have is that seen as an area of special needs and more than while it is still scheduled to take place, it is now £500,000 has been earmarked to provide many unlikely to happen until sometime next year. new cycle paths, as well as better and safer facilities for cyclists, such as better places for commut- Cheadle Centre improvements ers and other train users to leave their bikes at Gat- Following a major consultation process with local ley station. Amongst the most high-profile of the residents and businesses in 2012, Stockport Coun- new cycle paths are a new off-carriageway route cil recently began implementing a number of ma- along Kingsway from the Gatley lights to the jor changes around High Street and surrounding Manchester border, a new on-carriageway route roads to try and reduce traffic congestion and im- along Manchester Road from Cheadle towards prove road safety. Amongst the key changes are a Parrs Wood and a new safe cycling route (mostly 20 mile per hour speed limit in High Street and on-road but a small section of off road) from adjoining side roads, new Toucan crossings on Broadway along High Grove Road, Milton Cres- Gatley Road (near Warren Road) to allow cyclists cent, Wensley Road and Marchbank Drive to join and pedestrians to cross more safely, moving the up with Kingsway (and so give a safe route for bus stop from outside the George and Dragon to cyclists wanting to avoid the Kingsway/Gatley help the flow of traffic on High Street, introducing Road junction). All the changes should be com- Loading Only bays on High Street and Ashfield pleted in 2014. Road, adding Yellow Lines on Wood Street/ Chandley Street, installing a new Puffin Crossing Greener Cheadle on High Street between Ashfield Road and Eden A new local group has been formed called Place, improving the pedestrian crossing from the Greener Cheadle which is making major efforts to north side of High Street (near Haw Bank) to see more natural sustainability in the area. Sup- Cheadle Green and reducing the speed limit on ported by the Groundwork Trust, which is backed Manchester Road towards the railway bridge to 30 by Stockport Council, the new group has already mph. The first phase of the changes began recently organised “plant swap” events where local people and are scheduled to be finished by the end of can exchange both indoor and outdoor bulbs and March, 2014, when phase two will begin. The plants with other local people, without charge, to council will then monitor closely the impact there help make public areas in particular more green has been on traffic speed, movement and number and attractive. The group are now also looking to and type of road accidents throughout the area. start planting more bulbs, trees, fruit trees and other edibles in public places which are currently Drummer Lee Rigby remembered neglected. The initial target is to work in Ashfield People around the country were horrified when Road, close to the library, medical centre and in Drummer Lee Rigby, from nearby Middleton, was the unpaved pathway at the end of Ashfield Road, killed in London in May simply because he was with the intention of getting the work completed wearing an army uniform in public. Some people by Spring 2014. If the scheme proves popular, in Cheadle were so moved that special wreaths they then see the potential of replicating the idea were laid at the War Memorial by Cheadle Green. within such places as Hall Street Green, Broad- See the picture below. way and possibly Cheadle Green, to help bring More local cycle paths throughout Cheadle more colour to each area, as well as provide more free-to-eat food for everyone. The group meet on the second Wednesday of every month at 7pm in the communal lounge in Queen’s Gardens and are now actively looking for other local people to put their ideas into practice. Further information about how to get involved can be obtained by contacting Abigail Pound at the Groundwork Trust on 0161-220-1000 or [email protected].

5 Cheadle Matters (continued)

Cheadle and Marple College land sale? once the war became more intense. If anyone is Members may have read in the press recently about interested in being featured, please contact Gillian Cheadle and Marple College’s proposals to sell directly on 01663 732963. part of its grounds on Wilmslow Road to housing George and Dragon developers so they can raise much needed revenue We have featured the condition of the George and to improve their educational facilities. The initial Dragon many times in the newsletter recently and plan was to build 41 new homes and a commercial are now becoming seriously concerned about its football training facility on the land adjoining the future. The neglect of the pub by the recent owners Spinney, but at the time of going to press, no for- means this iconic Cheadle building is becoming a mal application has yet been submitted. A number growing eyesore on the local landscape, as well as of local residents have made strong protests against increasing the costs for a satisfactory renovation. It the idea on the grounds that it is likely to cause was last used as a pub more than three years ago more traffic congestion on Wilmslow Road, going and has been for sale for more than two years, but both north to Cheadle, as well as south to Cheadle at the time of going to press, there is still no-one Hulme. Others have objected because they say the who is willing to purchase the building and return new development will ruin the view of the rolling it to a successful local establishment. We urge that green fields that many of the residents of the Spin- anyone who has the best interest of Cheadle at ney currently enjoy. heart, make a concerted effort to ensure that the AGM turnout George and Dragon does not become “another There was an exceptionally good turnout at the Barnes Hospital” and that it does get a new lease Society’s AGM in May. Guest speaker Gillian of life as soon as possible. Mawson gave a fascinating talk about the history of the Guernsey schoolchildren who were evacuated to Cheadle Hulme during World War 2 and also brought along many interesting photographs and related material. The Society’s archivist Phil- lip Gould-Bourn also displayed many fascinating old photographs of Cheadle which the Society has recently acquired, while long-time member Gra- ham Lowcock brought along an excellent collec- tion of material relating to the old Pritchard Chem- ist business which began in Cheadle in the latter part of the 19th Century. The condition of the George and Dragon is deteriorating rapidly Another Cheadle restaurant? There may soon be another restaurant opening in Cheadle, next door to the Weavers Building, at the junction of Gatley Road and Wilmslow Road. Number 5 Gatley Road, which, for many years, was Meadows of Cheadle cycle shop, run by the late Bill Hollingsworth, recently received planning permission for it to be used as a restaurant. Substantial renovation work has already taken place inside the building and the agents, Wanted -Cheadle evacuees? W T Gunson, have it available for an annual rent Gillian Mawson (mentioned above) has been com- of less than £20,000. missioned to write a new book telling the personal stories of people who were evacuated during 2014 50th anniversary celebrations World War 2 and wants to know whether any 2014 marks the 50th anniversary of the Cheadle Civic Society members were evacuees during the Civic Society and we are hoping to announce a period and would like to share their experiences. number of special anniversary events shortly. The book, which will go on sale in 2014 and is However, as always, we welcome contributions being produced by the History Press, should pro- from everyone. So, if anyone has any specific ideas vide a fascinating insight into the lives of the how this proud milestone should be celebrated, many people who were uprooted from the homes, please contact a committee member. 6 Cheadle Matters (continued)

Archaeological dig in Abney Hall Park Civic Society web site Following the very successful archaeological dig The Society’s web site is constantly growing in on Cheadle Green in 2010, members of SMART popularity with visitors not just from Cheadle and (the South Manchester Archaeological Research the surrounding area, but from all parts of the Team) undertook a small preliminary dig in Abney world. As always we are grateful for any com- Hall Park this summer. Their main aim was to es- ments and observations people make and we en- tablish the foundations and position of the old courage more people to do the same. To celebrate Buckley chapel which existed on the grounds until the Society’s 50th anniversary, we have added a the 1960s. Team leader Andy Coutts said they have new section to the web site where we would like so found a significant amount of brickwork from people to add there own personal memories of liv- where the chapel stood, as well as various relics ing in Cheadle, whether it is now or when the Soci- and artefacts. It is hoped further excavation work ety was formed in 1964, or even earlier. Perhaps will take place in due course, possibly leading to a you could provide details of the old house you much larger dig in Abney Hall Park in the future lived in, or the school you went to, or the place of which could reveal the whereabouts of many his- your first job. Also, if you have any old photo- toric buildings from the early 19th Century. graphs, we would be happy to include these as well. We look forward to hearing from as many as you as possible. Visit: www.cheadlecivicsociety.org

Abney Hall Park micro wildlife Anyone who has visited Abney Hall Park will have seen plenty of ducks swimming in the ponds, dogs playing on the grass and all sorts of bird life overhead, but there is also a huge variety of insect life to be found throughout the park, especially around the ponds, although they are not particularly easy to spot to the naked eye. However, local photographer, Matthew Fisher, has recently taken Volunteers start to unearth the foundations of Buckley chapel his high-spec camera and powerful lenses to the park to photograph assorted dragon flies and dam- Cheadle Green improvements sel flies in action. Two of his pictures can be seen The Civic Society and other local groups have un- below, while many more can be viewed at: dertaken considerable work this year with local www.cheadlecivicsociety.org/contents/en-uk/ landscape architects Barnes Walker in an attempt d300_Matt's_Abney.html to make major improvements at Cheadle Green. The latest plans drawn up would see the Ockleston Memorial moved back to the front of the green (it is currently in the nearby Queen’s Gardens), the pond rebuilt, improved footpaths and lighting and a better overall design. The plans were recently submitted to Stockport Council’s planning office and it is hoped that once final agreement about the exact details of the changes are made then work will take place in 2014.

New bench in memory of Winifred Waring Recent visitors to Cheadle Green may have no- ticed the addition of a new bench in memory of former district nurse, Winifred Waring, who died earlier this year, aged 97. Having grown up in the area, Winifred worked in Cheadle until the 1970s, including working at the Ashfield Road Medical Centre, where she would have been very well- known among many local residents. Her niece Syl- via Ashton says she gave devoted service to the community during her long career and remained very independent up to her nineties. 7 Cheadle Matters (continued) Changes in Bruntwood Park “Bark in the Park” at Abney ThereCheadle will Green be a raft improvements of changes in update Bruntwood Park Dogsranged, and we dog will lovers contact were members in abundance and suggest in Abney any- Unfortunately,in the next few themonths. recession Amongst over the pastbiggest few is a Hallone interested Park on Sunday should 29thmake of their September booking for as the yearsredevelopment has meant of a thenumber BMX of cycle community track, beyond projects firstquickly “Bark as possible.in the Park” event. As many dog own- have had to be postponed until there is an upturn ers bring their dog to the park everyday, it was the car parks. The considerable sum of more than High Street dormer windows developments in the economy. One of these has been the im- decided to hold a special dog celebration day £300,000 has been found to turn the facility into Members who have followed our story about the provements which had been agreed for Cheadle which contained a myriad of dog related events one of the best of its kind in the north of England iconic dormer windows which were removed with- Green. The original plans had been for the existing and activities, as well as being a fun day out for and following temporary delays, the work should out permission from the roof above the Carphones pond to be replaced, new benches, footpath and the whole family. Many hundreds of people and be completed sometime over the winter. Funds Warehouse shop on the corner of High Street and lighting added and the canopy of the trees to be all types of dogs turned out on an exceptionally have also been found from Sainsbury’s to upgrade Massie Street will be happy to note there have lifted significantly to enable the green to have warm late summer’s day for an event which sup- the footpath from the car park to the fields at the now been positive developments. Stockport Coun- much more daylight. While the plans remain in ported the work of the Manchester and Cheshire back of Cheadle and Marple College. The main cil’s Conservation Officer has informed us they place, Stockport Council don’t currently have any Dogs Home. In the dog show itself there were one will become a three metre wide hard path wrote to the owners of the property in the summer funds to begin the work, but the Cheadle Civic separate categories for most handsome dog, pretti- which will have the key benefit of helping park explaining local conservation laws have been Society, in association with the Friends of Cheadle est bitch, best rescue dog, golden oldie, waggiest users in wheelchairs, prams and pushchairs to get breached and action needs to be taken and as we Green, have been actively seeking to find funds tail, cutest puppy and others. With such strong into and out of the park more safely. A new timber went to press we have learnt the owners have ac- from private sources to help pay for the improve- support from the local community, it is hoped the footbridge is also being constructed at the end of cepted responsibility and are currently in the proc- ments and they are now being assisted by an ex- event will now become a regular on the calendar. the path which will lead onto the path at the back ess of agreeing a timescale to get replacement win- perienced local professional fund-raiser to try and of the college. dows designed and installed. Hopefully, this will speed-up the process. As such, we hope it will happen in the next few months and be in place now be a case of when the improvements will take sometime during 2012. place, not if, and we will keep you informed. George and Dagon redevelopments Proposals for an archaeological dig in the After many months of being unoccupied and with grounds of Abney Hall. shutters on the doors and windows, the new own- The interest and success of the archaeological dig ers of the George and Dragon (a grade 2 listed on Cheadle Green in 2010 has encouraged Man- building) have recently submitted a planning ap- chester County Archaeologist Norman Redhead to plication to make changes to the building for its Councillook at map other showing possible the whereabouts sites in Cheadle of the new where soli da ground dig reopening as an upmarket pub and restaurant mayfootpath also which prove should fruitful. be completed Speaking by theat theend Society’sof December sometime in the next few months. The Society is TheAGM end in May,of Bruntwood’s he believes therePitch is and excellent Putt? poten- happy that a redevelopment of this iconic Cheadle Anothertial for a majordig at developmentnearby Abney is Hall that wherethe council a number is A couple of competitors wait their turn to be judged closing the Pitch and Putt facility in Bruntwood landmarkat Abney is Hall now Park’s finally “Bark progressing in the Park” and dog the fun integ-day of outbuildings used to exist during the time the rity of the building will by and large be main- afterold Grove more Printworksthan 30 years occupied as a part the of grounds, a major costbefore A34 Kingsway / M60 junction improvements tained. It is also hoped the re-opening of the estab- cuttingAbney Hallexercise. was built.However, He believes council theofficials remains say of Following the multi-million road widening and lishment could prove to be an economic boost to theysome would of these be buildingshappy for may a private still exist company beneath to take junction improvement scheme which was put in over the running of the facility and will be putting placethe village at the in Kingsway general. / M60 junction in 2012, much of the foliage which has now grown on top outand acould tender provide shortly. a lotIf successful, of new useful a privately information run Societythere are has many acquired local people new photographs who believe they have Pitchabout andthe historyPutt course of the could area. open He also 12 months believes a theyear,re Theseen Societyno improvements has recently at acquiredall. The Highways a range of new unlikeis excellent the six potential months to a yearundertake that it an was archaeologi- opened in historicAgency, photographs the body responsible showing scenesfor this of very Cheadle busy thecal digpast. on We’ll the old provide Bleachworks an update site in whichthe next used news- to fromstrategic the junction,past 120+ say years they and will we continue intend to to add moni- beletter. the home to Cheadle’s lower mill as it contains sometor traffic to the movements web site and on willall roads also makebefore them seeing if further work is required to maximise the benefits. a large amount of local industrial heritage, with available at next year’s AGM. Below is one the much of it still visible at ground level. As always, picturesCheadle’s which listed has buildings been acquired. acquiring funding could be an issue, but judging by Stockport Council’s conservation officer recently the success of the dig on Cheadle Green, there will contacted the Civic Society with regard to updat- certainly be no lack of interest. ing the council’s list of “building’s of local inter-

Proposed Abney Hall visit est” in the area. These buildings or “structures” are Plans are currently in place to try and arrange a separate to the national list of listed buildings, special viewing day of the interior of Abney Hall such as St. Mary’s Church and Moseley Old Hall, exclusively for Society members. For those who and include such places as the Weavers Building have never been inside this wonderful early Victo- on the corner of Gatley Road and Wilmslow Road, rian stately home, lived in for many years by the the milepost on Schools Hill, the Bleachworks famous Watts family and visited frequently by chimney, the War Memorial, Literary Institute and The Pitch and Putt course has been a very popular facility with Agatha Christie in the early years of the 20th Cen- many others. The full list of buildings can be many local residents over the years, but Stockport Council is found on the Stockport Council web site. nowtury, looking it contains for a private a wealth company of magnificent to take it over furniture for next year and artwork and was decorated to the highest stan- High Street looking towards St. Mary’s church, 1904 dards of the period. Once a date has been ar- 8

Celebrating 150 years of Cheadle Cricket Club by Alan Jabez

T here has been the familiar sound of leather on The game itself was also different to that which is willow at Cheadle Sports Club every summer for played today. There were not necessarily 11 play- more than 100 years, but cricket itself was first ers on each side in every game, under arm bowling played in Cheadle many decades earlier, and 2013 was still permitted and the “wicket” was certainly has marked the 150th anniversary of Cheadle not prepared to the same level of attention as it is Cricket Club. now. In many cases it would have been sheep grazing on the land who would have “cut” the Although the club may not have hit the great grass before the games, rather than a specialist heights of some other village clubs around the groundsman with a precisely set lawnmower. country, it has been an integral part of the Chesh- ire leagues for many years and throughout each By the late 1860s, Cheadle Cricket Club was well summer, a great many local players have proudly and truly established and were regularly playing put on their whites and enjoyed great camaraderie against other teams from around the area. with fellow team members in a wonderful, evoca- As interest in cricket increased everywhere in the tive local setting. latter years of the 19th Century, it is believed there were a number of different Cheadle cricket teams who played regularly, some attached to large works or pubs in the area. There is also a certain amount of confusion as to how long Cheadle Cricket Club itself played on the Brooklyn Cres- cent Park land. As the houses which currently stand around the park were mainly built in the 1860s and 1870s, thereby limiting the land available to play a proper match of cricket, there are some reports that cricket matches were also played around this time on what is now the cemetery on Manchester Road, opposite Abney Hall. A rare picture of the Cheadle Cricket Club team from 1905 Photo courtesy of Andrew Taylor By the late 1890s, Cheadle Cricket Club moved There is not much known about the early origins into its current home, now on Kingsway. The land of cricket in Cheadle apart from the belief that the had belonged to a Mr Oswald Lowe and was seen game was initially played on the land which is as an ideal site for the club’s new home. In those now known as Brooklyn Crescent Park, off Massie days, the only entrance to the ground was via High Street. In the mid 1850s, this land was owned by Grove Road, as the land to the west was still the wealthy Withington family, and as there were mostly fields and farmland, a long time before the much fewer houses around at the time, the green Kingsway extension was built. However, it wasn’t space was deemed to be an ideal place where local long after moving to the new ground that it was cricket enthusiasts could come and enjoy the being marked up for proper cricket matches and a game. In the 1850s, most of the games which were “square” set out which would be maintained much played seemed to be friendly matches as Cheadle better than at any of the other previous locations. itself was neither incorporated into a properly run club or were in any competitive leagues.

Gradually, as more people became involved, more kit was purchased, the cricket field on Brooklyn Crescent was rented out more often and proper scorecards were used more regularly in the matches which were played. In time, the matches began to be reported in the local newspapers and by 1863, Cheadle Cricket Club was formed, with a The Cricket Club’s home has remained unchanged since the 1890s proper committee and a full fixture list. With the club now secure in its new home, it de- Records show that the early Cheadle teams were veloped quickly. Funds were found to build a club not particularly successful, although this mainly house and make other improvements and by the seemed to be because they often played much 1920s, the club’s coffers also benefited by renting more experienced teams, who had better players. out the ground to the Cheadle Lacrosse Club in the winter. 9 The early 1930s were a worrying time for the club The Cricket Club itself has prospered on and off the though as there was a real threat that developers pitch ever since. Many trophies have been won over were going to take over the ground and build more the years and in the summer there are now many houses. But the club had powerful friends and different cricket teams in action representing Cheadle thanks to the support of the local council and gen- every week, from junior teams to the over 40s. erous benefactors, the developers were put off and The club has also enjoyed many successful tours the club was allowed to continue and subsequently over the years. These have seen them travel to such grow and prosper. places as Gloucester, Cardiff, Cirencester and Scar- Inevitably, the outbreak of World War 2 caused a borough on domestic trips, while in 2010, they went lot more worry in the village and as was the case on a seven game tour to Barbados, helping to in the previous war, many Cheadle players were spread the good name of Cheadle cricket to a whole sent away to help the war effort. Cricket did con- new territory. tinue though with matches still being played by the As for the 150th anniversary celebrations, they have players who remained, partly to raise local morale, been well planned for a long time and during a busy but also to raise money for the war effort itself. August of activities, the highlight was a visit from Many of the matches were friendlies against an MCC X1. There was also an anniversary ball in armed forces personnel based in the area, such as a specially erected marquee which was attended by those stationed at RAF Handforth and RAF around 200 people, with the guest speaker being the Wilmslow. In fact, some of the servicemen who former Australian test bowler, Rodney Hogg. were stationed at these places also played for Cheadle in other matches, helping them integrate Although the Club has endured many ups and into local life. A number of cricketing “celebrities” downs during its 150 year history, the club that ex- also came to play matches during the war to help ists today is one which the whole village should be raise funds, often for the Red Cross. proud of, and as it heads into a new era, it is hoped it will continue to go from strength to strength. One of the worst incidents during the war was a serious fire in the clubhouse. Despite local residents coming out in their pajamas in the middle of the night to try and save the building, a large amount of equipment, as well as billiard tables and the building itself, were effectively destroyed. Distressingly to many local people, it wasn’t even an enemy bomb which caused the damage, but a young local arsonist who was consumed by drink.

But the strong resolve of the local cricketing community meant they were determined it would not affect the future of the club. Once the war was over, many of the former players returned to the area, the facilities were rebuilt and serious cricket matches were again being played. There were also a host of young new players who began to make their way to the senior team. The most notable was Tom Mather, a right-handed batsman and off break bowler who had previously excelled before the war at Manchester Grammar School and would later became one of Cheadle’s greatest ever players. He even played a few times for Cheshire in the Minor Counties competition and also became Cheadle captain.

The Cheshire team even played a couple of Minor Counties games at Cheadle’s ground in the immedi- ate post-war era, while the rebuilding of the facili- A new 416 page book called 150 Not Out about the ties after the war saw successful tennis, bowls, as history of Cheadle Cricket Club is a must for all local well as lacrosse clubs all using the facilities to turn cricketing enthusiasts and historians. Jointly written by the Kingsway club into one of the biggest and most Andrew Taylor and Paul Sperring, this comprehensive popular outdoor multi-sports venues in the area. publication contains a huge amount of facts, figures, scorecards and many revealing photographs of Cheadle’s cricketing history and is available now from the cricket club as well as established local book sellers. 10

150 Years of library services in Cheadle by Alan Jabez I t is now nearly 50 years since the current lectures and arranging harmless and healthy rec- Cheadle Library was opened in a modern, pur- reation.” pose-built building on Ashfield Road, but it is ap- The building quickly became the main cultural proximately 150 years since library services first centre in the village, where members were able to began in the village. undertake a wide range of activities. In those days, in the early 1860s, Cheadle was a It prospered in the late 19th and early 20th Centu- much smaller and quieter place than it is today and ries and was supported by a number of the public services of any form were much less devel- wealthiest and most distinguished people in oped. But a growing number of the more educated Cheadle at the time. The Annual Report of 1914 local residents at the time were so enthused about states that the library was open from 9am to 9pm, the idea of having a library to serve the growing everyday except Sunday, and slightly less on population, that a room in a building on Massie Wednesdays. There were hundreds of books avail- Street was opened for a few hours a week with the able for members to enjoy, as well as a well- specific purpose of enabling people to borrow stocked periodicals area which contained every- books to read in-house, as well as at home. thing from the Manchester Guardian, Manchester The new establishment was known as the Evening News, Daily Mail, Tatler and Punch, to “Cheadle Village Reading Room and Library” and such lesser known titles as Harper’s Monthly, The was the forerunner to the excellent library services English Illustrated Magazine and Athletic News. which exist on Ashfield Road today. But the library was only one part of what the Insti- In the early years, the popularity of the library var- tution (commonly referred to as the Institute) of- ied considerably, but it carried on in Massie Street fered. The Cheadle Choral Society and a number until 1874. It was then decided that it would be of other local groups were also based there, while more worthwhile for the village to have its own there was also a “Billiard and Smoke Room”, larger, dedicated library which offered many more Reading Room, Class Room, as well as a hall and services. piano which were available for hire and helped to

A decision was then taken to create a Literary In- offset the assorted expenses .

stitution and a site was chosen next to the village There were different levels of membership avail- green. Funds were found and the impressive new able, with the members who paid the highest sub- building was formally opened in 1877 with the scription rates being eligible to borrow what were stated aim: “To promote the moral and intellectual known as “1st Division books”, no doubt the more improvement of the members by providing a suit- expensive and most sought after books of the day. able reading room and library, as well as providing

A view of how the inside of Cheadle Library looked like in the 1970s Archive photographs used courtesy of Stockport Heritage Library 11 All members could also purchase a new catalogue available, meant it enjoyed great popularity up to each year for 2d (5p today) which would list all the 1960s. It was then that another major change the new books acquired by the library over the was to take place with the building of a new ground previous 12 months. floor library on Ashfield Road, which was opened in July, 1965 by Alderman H J S Dewes, vice- chairman of Cheshire County Council at the time.

The new library opened from 10am to 8pm, everyday except Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. It was described as a modern, light and airy building which had enough shelving to house more than 20,000 books, with dedicated adult and children's sections. There was also a reference area and reading rooms.

From the beginning, it proved immensely popular, especially with children. There were stories that The Literary Institution (Institute) next to Cheadle during holiday times, some children would queue at Green as it looked at the beginning of the 20th Century the front door for up to an hour before opening time

Painting and photographic exhibitions were also and then rush inside when the doors were opened. held regularly in the Institute, much as they are in Cheadle Library today. In fact, in February 1919, a display of World War 1 battle photographs, were on show in the building, just a few months after the brutal conflict finally ended.

For the first 50 or so years of the Institute, there were only a few changes which took place, but in 1931 there was a very significant change when Cheadle and Gatley Urban District Council took over the Institute, moving it into public hands. Staff at Cheadle Library in the 1970s. Note the masses of old cardboard library tickets behind the main desk But the new library was more than just a place where people could come and read and borrow books. From the beginning, it was promoted as the new cultural heart of the village and there were regular exhibitions, lectures, story telling events, coffee mornings and much more held there.

It was seen as a flagship library in the way it was planned. There was even a television documentary The reading room at the Literary Institute in 1933

made in the 1960s called “How to Use a Library” The first meeting of the Cheadle and Gatley Local which was filmed in Cheadle. This was intended Library Committee was held in October 1931 and to show how a well-planned library operation a new Cheadle Library formed. The opening hours could be highly beneficial to many other commu- in the beginning were very limited though, just six nities. hours a week, spread over three days.

In the beginning, the library was stocked with approximately 2,000 books and after just four months, there were already more than 1,870 read- ers. By 1932, a further 400 books were added and such was the popularity of the public library that a decision was taken to open it five days a week, although generally still only for two hours a day, with volunteers mainly running the services on a day to day basis.

The prime location of the library, and the range of other cultural and literary services which were Some of the library’s reference books date back to the 19th Century and are an invaluable resource to local historians 12 Celebrating 150 years of library services in Cheadle continued

There have subsequently been many other new ini- against this idea and the council eventually lis- tiatives tried in the library, including a new Heri- tened to the will of the people and scrapped the tage Centre which was created in 1995 and for proposals. which the Civic Society donated the considerable sum of £700. Other ideas have seen police surger- Since then, the library has continued to reinvent ies, poetry readings, carol concerts and many other itself. While mobile devices and computers at community activities take place in the library build- homes may have reduced the number of books being. ing borrowed compared to the past, it remains a very busy place. Last year, there were approximately 90,000 visits to the library and about 70,000 items were borrowed from the library’s shelves.

In 1995, the Civic Society paid for the installation of a special heritage section in the library. Current acting chairman Phillip Gould-Bourn (left) and life president Alan Bridge share the opening duties with Judith Lynch, the librarian at the time

One of the most significant recent developments has been the introduction of computers. These have The library contains literally thousands of given the young, old, as well as less wealth off the books, DVDs and pamphlets on its many shelves opportunity to enjoy the benefits of modern com- Recent cuts in the public purse may have delayed munication and technology which are now standard some of the library’s plans for the future, but it in many other people’s homes. remains very much part of the community. At the beginning of the 2000s, officials at Stockport The warmth, knowledge and friendliness of the Council brought out plans to sell off the building to library staff always make it a very welcome place developers and re-house the library in the old Insti- to visit, and for many Cheadle people, it continues tute building. But the Civic Society led the protests to play a vital part of everyday life.

Cheadle library has been at its current home towards the end of Ashfield Road for nearly 50 years 13 Cheadle Makers’ Market Civic Society helps to bring together local producers and residents on Cheadle Green

Many local producers bring their foodstuffs and other products to the Makers’ Market on the first Saturday of every month A popular new event added to the Cheadle diary tions” and musicians on-hand making the event a this year has been the monthly “Makers’ Market” great place to bring the family. For those who which takes place on Cheadle Green on the first haven’t yet visited the event, entry is free and the Saturday of every month. The Civic Society next one will take place on Saturday 2nd of No- played a key role in organising the first event vember. It is then planned to have the final one of which took place on the first bank holiday Monday the year on Saturday 7th of December which will in May and was so successful, attracting literally have a special Victorian Christmas theme and will thousands of people, that it was decided to turn it also involve complimentary attractions and activi- into an ongoing monthly event. The stallholders ties close to St Mary’s Church at the other end of produce and sell all sorts of products from home High Street. The market will then have a winter’s made food to clothes, crafts, artwork and much break, before resuming in April 2014. more and there are also small “fairground attrac- 14 The second and final part of our history on the Bowmen of Bruntwood archery club

Long-time Bowmen of Bruntwood club secretary Dave Hulme goes through the club’s minutes from the 1950s to the 1970s to tell the story of how this local group evolved to become the very successful and popular club it is today

Current members of the Bowmen of Bruntwood archery club in action at their regular location in Bruntwood Park. In earlier years, club members used the part of the park which later became the Pitch and Putt course. C ommittee minutes can be boring, let’s admit it. Another theme running through the minutes until They are meant to be a brief record of decisions the later years is the shortage of funds. A jumble made and that is the case with our own original sale was organised in 1952 -there were to be many minutes book, covering the first 22 years of the such fundraising events over the years- and fund- club’s existence. raising is still necessary even now.

But it is the only historical narrative we have, and Overshooting – and the need for insurance so for those of us interested in how the club A worrying vision swims into view when you see evolved, it is a precious document. Thankfully, we the term “overshooting” in the minutes, especially also have a press cuttings book from those early when it relates to several people being present, and years to add some sauce to those rather dry minutes. the risk of accidents. Was this a reference to shooting over other people? Certainly, different shoot- In 1951, the club founder, Trevor Francis, had to ing lines were used, meaning that on one part of call an extraordinary general meeting because of the field, there would be archers shooting ahead the lack of support from committee members. Of and to one side of other archers. Of course, this course, we’ll never know whether Trevor managed was in the original location, where the pitch and to fire up the slackers amongst them…this is putt now is. There were fewer archers and proba- where the minutes tend to be tantalising. bly far more space than the present field provides. The fact that the club still exists is a kind of an- It was an issue that would be raised by one con- swer. There were always enough volunteers to cerned member years later. keep the club running. It also raises the matter of insurance. I previously

We read that there was concern from a local wrote about the club carrying its own personal ac- farmer about members’ dogs being brought on to cident insurance. In July, 1952, a committee meet- the field, and for archers to “use their discretion,” ing heard details of insurance being offered by as the minutes say. The whole of the Bruntwood GNAS (now Archery GB). Cover up to £5,000 estate was converted from farmland in 1861 and was on offer, so the committee decided to take ad- there must have been odd pockets of farm land in vantage of the new insurance but still keep its own use when the club began. accident insurance running. This meant members were indemnified up to £10,000. Indoor shooting – and strapped for funds We now take our indoor range very much for Fortunately, there has never been an accident in- granted, but for the first 20 years, the club had to volving archers or members of the public. But a cow rely on indoor ranges at other clubs, and in the may have been hit by an arrow some years earlier. very early years the rifle range at the drill hall in The minutes appear to draw a veil over this incident, Brook Road, Cheadle, was used. as there are no details as to what really happened, 15 simply that our insurance company was dealing with loan was repaid, but we do know the vehicle was a the issue. A cat was certainly struck by an arrow taxi and Ian Paton, the club junior, got the jump once, but escaped apparently unharmed. seat! A press cutting refers to £75 being spent on the six-seater taxi. Whether this included the loan A field to call our own –eventually we don’t know. The club was formed before it had its own field to shoot in. Luckily, a press cuttings book kept by early members and club officers Roy and Betty Cooper reveal that in 1951, Cheadle and Gatley Urban District Council, then based at Bruntwood Hall, gave permission for the club to shoot in a field next to the kitchen garden on what was then called the Bruntwood estate. There were to be four sessions a week, at the usual charges for sports facilities, with archery sessions beginning in March of that year. It was not yet, though, the per- Club members in action in the 1950s manent, official home of Bruntwood. That was two years down the line. This was a period when the club could not afford a club hut. Later minutes record the possibility of a The club was very competitive from the early grant towards building a club hut on the field – days, with invitations and visits to other clubs such later rejected by the National Playing Fields Asso- as North Cheshire Bowmen at Timperley. These ciation. There was no choice but for the club to are referred to in the minutes, but the Coopers’ raise its own money for a club hut. cuttings book again provides an insight into these events with a report on an inter-club shoot at Coronation celebrations Bruntwood in 1951. Some of us still have Coronation mugs from 1953. And the club has its own memento of the Corona- Archery show biz tion, a poster advertising an archery display by th e As an aside, it’s worth pointing out that there was Bowmen of Bruntwood on June 20 that year. an element of showmanship to archery in those Straight shooting, novelty events, balloon shooting, far-off days. That inter-club shoot, which also ap- William Tell and archery darts were all part of the parently incorporated the club’s first champion- celebration event. I’ve checked the William Tell bit. ship, was preceded by novelty shooting. This took They didn’t use a junior member with an apple on the form of shooting at strips of wood and shoot- his head. They used a cutout of a human. It was a ing from a kneeling position. notable year for other reasons. A March committee meeting at the White Hart reports that while a grant The club’s show biz proclivities peaked the fol- from the National Playing Fields Association was lowing year with an invitation by the Gaumont out of the question, the club was being given its Theatre management in Manchester to take part in own ground behind the hall, then the town hall. an archery contest against three other clubs. The Although the minutes don’t make this clear, it obvi- club teams shot from behind the stalls at targets ously meant that shooting could extend well beyond arranged on the stage, and Bruntwood won. the four sessions a week previously granted. By 1952, the club was also entering two teams into A club hut at last the British Archer postal league. The British Archer It’s worth noting that the club held two AGMs a was the former name of the Archery UK magazine. year, in Spring and Autumn and money, or the It was also in 1952 that special coaching nights lack of it, was still a worry. There were concerns, were introduced. Exactly where these took place for example, that the field rental was too high, this we don’t know, possibly the drill hall! from the record of the second AGM of 1953, again Taxi! Take me to a tournament, please at the White Hart pub. But at least the North Driving to tournaments is part and parcel of arch- Cheshire Bowmen had offered the use of their in- ery these days. Most archers have a car and usu- door range for winter shooting, at five shillings for ally share vehicles to shoots. But it was very dif- winter membership. ferent in 1952. Car ownership was less widespread In 1954 came good news about the club hut. At the then, so to get round this problem, a club EGM Spring AGM, members heard that timber for the was called during that year where it was decided hut had been ordered at a cost of £98. There was to loan a sum of £40 from club funds to buy a car also an announcement that the Cheshire Archery large enough to take members to shoots during the Association had split from Lancashire, and held its summer season. The loan was to be fully repaid at first meeting as a single county organisation at the end of the season. We don’t know whether the Warburton in March. 16 The field rental by that time was five guineas a with staggered shooting lines, overshooting, and year – or £5.25. A card advertising the club was aimless wandering, as the minutes of that time placed in the window of Kendal Milne, Manches- state. This had to be rectified by having only one ter’s top fashion store, with another placed at the shooting line, with a senior archer taking responsi- city’s central library. It hints at a middle-class bility as field captain for the day so that we obey mindset in archery in those days. GNAS rules of shooting.

Because of the club’s beginnings on council property, there has always been a close link between the club and its local authority. In 1955, it was expected to put on a display as part of the Cheadle and Gatley UDC centenary celebrations. It duly did so, and the minutes anticipate that whistling arrows, target shooting, splitting the wand, Wil- liam Tell shooting, and flaming arrows shot at a dummy, would form our display. Our cuttings book had ended by this time, so we have no press reports easily available to show how this all went down with the public. The brick building by Bruntwood’s car parks was originally First hints of a field move stables, but was transformed by the club into an indoor range

It is 1958 now, and the first intimation that the This is indeed what happened, but I can recall that club might have to look for another field. The wor- even in the early 70s you could still get targets out rying news came from club president and founder of the equipment hut halfway along the field as Trevor Francis at the Autumn AGM. Although he shooting continued. It doesn’t happen now. Run- doesn’t explain what was happening, Cheadle and ning alongside the professionalisation of the sport Gatley UDC had decided that year to sell the hall, in more recent decades was the rise of health and its HQ, and move to Abney Hall. Of course, the safety. No shooting from a kneeling position or Bruntwood estate remained in council hands. It shooting flaming arrows today, heaven forbid! had been public open space since the 1940s. But In counterpoint to those more relaxed early years, the move was obviously a rather destabilising was the insistence of designated shooting days and event, and perhaps Trevor was anticipating an end these were fixed for Wednesday, Saturday and to the club’s link with the council. Sunday. Although the minutes don’t explain the

We skip to 1964 now, and the first solid indication significance of this, I can tell you that it meant you that the club would have to move to another part of had to start shooting at a set time in the morning the park to make way for a golf course. Three areas and you were required to wear green and white as of the park were being considered for what would ruled by GNAS. If you turned up late, you didn’t eventually be a pitch and putt course. There was shoot, simple as that or you waited until the sec- also an indication of another archery club at Parrs ond start time, usually just after lunch. But being Wood on the grounds of the horticultural college. human, archers would break the rules, as indicated by one reference to this in the minutes in 1972. More members, more cash Lack of funds had been a persistent problem for A field move – but the minutes stay silent Bruntwood since its formation – and in 1964, ac- It was in this period, the late 60s, that the club cording to the minutes, the club was on its “beam moved from its field behind Bruntwood Hall to its ends.” present field to make way for the building of a pitch and putt course. Amazingly, there is no men- But this was to change the following year thanks to tion of this momentous event in the club’s minutes, a large influx of members from the Parrs Wood and we have to rely on memory. There is only a club, which must have closed, plus the results of single reference to the club hut being moved, and a advertising and university students taking up the mention of the “new field” in the minutes some sport. In fact, 1965 had been the club’s best year so years later. far. It was also the first time that Bruntwood had hosted an inter-county match. The icing on the cake It must have been one of the biggest working par- was that there had been no further indication from ties the club had held so far. Mike Cobban, who the council about moving to another part of the park. became only the second records officer at junior level in 1971, recalls that drainage was the main Worries over safety problem on the new field. Members dug trenches It was at this time that a member complained to try to drain the water away from what is marsh about the untidy state of the field during shooting, land, but to no avail. The council itself dug more 17 trenches, but the field remained a quagmire. was still causing heartburn among club officers. It’s a practice gladly abandoned in favour of an all-in That was the situation up until the present day, club membership fee. After all, remembering to put when a new trench was dug and matting put down your target fee in a box and to enter your name in at the shooting line end of the field. Just as in the the shooting register succumbed to human frailty. I late 60s, a similar major working party sinking new can see the logic of target fees as it’s an attempt to drains on the field failed 20 years later, despite the make fees reflect the amount of shooting. help of a professional surveyor who was our club treasurer at the time. The swamp-like nature of the field has never been helped by the slope of the land from the hard-surfaced car park near the indoor range. When it rains, we get the run-off.

An indoor range of our own Although we are not told how we came to be offered the building that is now our indoor range, in April 1970 an EGM was called to discuss raising funds to renovate the building. It is a building with history. It was built as a racing stables by Victorian industrialist James Platt, who owned the Bruntwood Club member Charlotte Burgess competed for Britain at estate in 1883. The car park would have been the the Beijing Olympics in 2008. Photo courtesy of Simon King stable yard, and the building was used as a shippon in later years. Club members had to clear out parti- But to give you a flavour of the angst non-payment tions and other material from what was then known caused, it was proposed at one meeting in 1972 that as The Old Engine Shed, and the building re-roofed anyone found avoiding paying target fees after be- before it could be used as our indoor range by the ing warned by the committee should be perma- following year. The EGM notes that fitting new nently excluded from the club, and at the discretion beams and brickwork would cost £120, the beams of the committee the “offender” – yes, “offender” – themselves were priced at £25, and it would be £9 would be reported to GNA. W hat the punishment to connect to the electricity network. There is also might have been for non-payment of membership mention of Thursday night working parties, which fees can only be guessed at. The local stocks, per- we have to assume lasted for quite some time. This haps? The local clink? But those days are past, must have involved painting and decorating, erect- I’m glad to say. I, too, remember the hand on the ing a partition, since removed, to shield shooters shoulder and a demand to pay up – now! The club from assembled archers behind them, putting up today strives to follow principles of help and ceiling panels, boarding up window holes, and friendliness, inclusiveness and good shooting. Our erecting a back netting. club meetings, not committee meetings, where all members are invited to attend if they wish, under- It was proposed that a short term loan be raised line this desire to be transparent and to involve from members, with the money to be repaid from everyone in the running of the club. the proceeds of a raffle, so that major renovation work would start as soon as possible. Our original minutes book ends with the recording of a committee meeting held in January, 1973, at By the 1971 AGM it was reported that the indoor the then secretary’s home. The indoor range was range was now in a usable state. Although it was a always too cold for meetings, and that darned paraf- welcome winter refuge, archers still shot on the fin blower was deafening and made normal talking original stable cobbles, with a paraffin blower pro- impossible. viding the only heat. It was only in more recent years that the range was renovated, a gas heater was I took over as club secretary at the AGM in 1973. installed, and finally new flooring and carpeting put You won’t see a written minutes book like this one down, thanks to a Lottery grant. It is a humble from then on. As a journalist, I typed everything, dwelling, but then, not every club has an indoor including the club minutes! range. The Bowmen of Bruntwood is a very active club Pay or be damned! with more than 100 members and a thriving jun- By this time formal coaching was taking place – the ior section. They offer coaching to novices, have fee for three one-hour lessons was raised to £1, with try-out days and the indoor range means mem- an additional 50 pence for beginners’ equipment bers can practice in all weather and throughout refunded on joining. the winter. For further information and how to

Target fees, or rather the avoidance of paying them, join, visit: www.bowmenofbruntwood.co.uk 18 Barnes Village - fantastic opportunity or monumental mistake?

There will be a very significant change on the Another benefit is that there will be improved cycle Cheadle landscape over the next few years follow- ways and footpaths in the area, as well as a new ing Stockport Council’s decision to accept the lat- footbridge over Kingsway. There will also be ma- est proposals to build up to 300 new homes on the jor landscaping on the land immediately south of former Barnes Hospital site. the River Mersey, which has largely been un- touched and ignored for many years. For many, the new scheme will bring a host of benefits to the area and should be roundly ap- More local housing plauded. But for others, the proposals and accep- Up to 300 new homes will also provide more ac- tance of them by Stockport’s Planning and High- commodation options for people who want to ways Committee has been major mistake and they move into the area. This could make the price of hope serious lessons will be learnt for the future. houses across Cheadle more competitive and Below we take a look at both sides of the argument. thereby help those at the lower end of the housing ladder.

Other local projects? Another benefit is that the planners and developers could, in time, earn substantial money from their investment which could then give them the resources to spend on other major local building projects, thereby helping to bring additional benefits to the community.

For all the reasons above, many people see the new Barnes Village project as one which should be An artist impression of how Barnes Village will look when roundly supported. it is completed. Kingsway is at the bottom of the picture Pros Cons Renovating Barnes Hospital But there are also people in the area who are angry For one, it will ensure that the Grade 11 listed for- that such a huge project has been approved in the mer Victorian hospital building itself will be prop- way it has and believe the changes will have a very negative effect on local life. erly renovated. The building is now in a very poor condition and it is believed that only a substantial Barnes Hospital neglect housing scheme, such as the one proposed, will be For one, they blame Stockport Council for allow- able to provide the necessary resources to ensure ing Barnes Hospital to have been so neglected over that the building can once again become one of the the years that drastic action is now necessary. The most striking in the area. Council has a legal responsibility to inspect regularly all listed buildings in the area and then ensure New local jobs Another benefit is that the massive building works that the owners of the buildings maintain them to which will take place over the next few years are very specific standards. And yet, despite Barnes likely to provide significant local employment, es- Hospital being sold a number of times to wealthy pecially for those who work in the construction property groups since it was disbanded in 1999, industries and related businesses. At a time when there has been the most minimal effort made to the economy is struggling, many local people could ensure that any of the owners have spent the neces- benefit by the amount of activity which will take sary money to prevent the major deterioration that place on the site of the new village, not just con- has taken place. For years, the council has virtually struction workers, but also those involved in build- turned a blind eye to the rapidly worsening condi- ing renovation, landscaping, security and others. tion of this magnificent building to such an extent that it is the private developers who are now call- Benefits to the local economy ing the tune and saying it can only be repaired if a A further benefit is that once the 300 new homes major surrounding housing project is given the go- are completed and new families move in, they ahead, which wouldn’t have been the case if it had could bring significant extra business to many local been properly maintained in the first place. shops and service providers, such as local pubs, restaurants, convenience stores, taxi companies and “Green Belt” land others, which would all help to boost the local Another major objection is that the Barnes Hospital economy. site is on official “Green Belt” land. This is very 19 specific land designated by national government made in advance of the building of the Cheadle that must not be built on, unless there are excep- Royal Business Park in the 1990s. tional circumstances. “Green Belt” areas were very specifically put in place to stop the continuing ur- The new Barnes Village will only have one access ban sprawl so there would be a clear dividing line road into and out of it - Kingsway itself, very close between towns and the countryside, which would to the major interchange with the M60. This is al- benefit everyone. This is as much the case in ready one of the busiest stretches of roads in Cheadle as anywhere else. But in reality, once Bar- Greater Manchester, when any incidents, bad nes Village is completed, some believe this will weather or extra traffic in the area can already effectively mark the final merging of south Man- cause severe delays to thousands of local people. chester into north Cheshire and will significantly limit the amount of green space around Cheadle.

No Affordable Housing Another serious objection is that not one of these homes is being made available as “Affordable Housing”. The developers neither made any bind- ing commitment to ensure that any of the 300 homes would specifically be made available to people who are most in need of cheaper accommo- dation and members of Stockport’s Planning and Highways Committee did not insist that this would The new Barnes Village will only have one access road have to be a requirement for the scheme to be ap- into and out of it with all traffic going directly onto Kingsway proved. Even though the council’s own guidelines state that approximately 25% of all new housing Planners of the new Barnes Village are proposing development should consist of “affordable hous- to create more than 450 car park spaces within the ing” where it is viable, this was not made a pre- grounds and it is possible that once all the new requisite for this major project and means there properties are occupied, there could be several hun- will not be any benefit to those on low incomes in dred cars either trying to access Kingsway the area and who are most in need. (southbound) or cross Kingsway (northbound) each weekday morning, putting extreme extra pressure No independent public consultation on an already very busy road, as well as causing Despite this being one of the largest building pro- knock-on delays for other motorists and road users jects in Cheadle for many years, Stockport Council throughout Cheadle. itself undertook virtually no consultation with local residents as to the pros and cons of such a huge Despite this, members of Stockport’s Planning and development. Instead, they left it to the developers Highways Committee had virtually no discussion to undertake a local consultation exercise of their on the likely traffic impact that will be created when the Barnes Village plans were debated in the own, summarising what they claimed was the Town Hall on July 25th and never considered any views of the community in their planning applica- alternative transport options. Even simple, low- tion. But with the developers keen to ensure the cost ideas, such as ensuring there will be a free rapid progress of the project and having very clear peak-time bus service into and out of the village to commercial objectives, such a consultation exercise has little credibility as it lacks the necessary and from Gatley Station or actively promoting car sharing schemes were not considered to try and impartiality and can not be independently verified. discourage the new residents from using their cars The correct democratic procedure would have been in the rush hour. for Stockport Council to have vigerously sought the opinions of the local community in a very clear Conclusion and transparent manner. For the supporters of the new Barnes Village project this is a great opportunity to bring more peo- More traffic problems Another major objection to the new village is the ple to the area to enjoy everything that Cheadle extra amount of traffic there will be on local roads, offers. But for some opponents, this is a prime example of how wealthy planners have hoodwinked and in particular, the extra traffic trying to access local councillors with an array of glossy images of Kingsway on busy weekday mornings. Some peo- an idyllic solution to save the magnificent Barnes ple believe the local councillors, planners and offi- Hospital site for the benefit of everyone because it cials who claim there won’t be extra delays or was not maintained properly in the past and irre- there won’t be any additional problems for the resi- spective of the adverse consequences there may be dents on the adjoining South Park Road estate, in the future. have made a serious miscalculation -similar to that

20 The Civic Society brings a wonderful floral display to Cheadle (Colours and vibrancy throughout the village)

NOT YET A MEMBER?

JOIN THE CHEADLE CIVIC SOCIETY TODAY AND HELP TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE If you are not yet a member of the Cheadle Civic Society and would like to join, please send a cheque for £5 with your name and address to: Honorary Treasurer, Phillip Gould-Bourn, 19 Mornington Road, Cheadle, Cheshire SK8 1NJ. You will then get your own copy of the newsletter mailed to you directly twice a year and will also get free admission to the Society’s AGM and any other event. Your contribution will also help the Society maintain its efforts to make Cheadle a better and safer place.