Alderley Edge, Cheshire

Life on the Edge

I arrived in Alderley Edge in 1950, after spending my early years at Clockhouse Farm in Mottram St Andrew. I came to live in a house called Croston, previously the coachman's house for Croston Towers, a large castellated residence torn down at the end of the Second World War, due to damage by American troops billeted there. Croston Towers had been the home of the wealthy Schill Family, but Melland Schill had died in 1916, when a Lieutenant in the Lancashire Fusiliers. His name is engraved on the village War Memorial.

Croston Towers' plot comprised the land bounded by Tempest Road, Woodbrook Road, and Macclesfield Road; in the region of 6 to 8 acres. In 1950, the only buildings on the site were Croston with its stables, coach-house, and workshops, at the top of Tempest Road, and Croston Lodge at the junction of Tempest Road and Macclesfield Road. The drive to Croston Towers is now the private road into Croston Close, with houses costing up to £4,000,000. The difference between the standard of living of the ‘owners’ in residences like Croston Towers, and the ‘workers’ in the slums of the north-western mill towns is difficult to describe, even now.  The book 'Manchester Made Them' shows one end of the scale.

The only vehicle access to Croston was either through the main house drive or through a rear access gate halfway along Tempest Road. My parents built a new access at the corner of Tempest Road and Woodbrook Road and gradually broke-up the glazed yellow tiles that comprised the stable and coach-house floors, in order to construct a fascinating garden.

As a small boy I had free run of the Croston Towers plot. The main house had been completely demolished and the site cleared by 1950, and the garden had become completely overgrown, with many hidden pathways and wild rhododendrons. It made for exciting and adventurous times, especially when playing Cowboys and Indians.

In about 1954 the first new houses were built on the Croston Towers' plot, with the Porter’s large family home being constructed right in the centre of the old garden. The Dick family built a new house on the foundations of the great house, and a third house was built between the Dick’s house and Macclesfield Road. These were all large detached houses, and well away from the roads encircling the plot. Three more houses were built later, with access from Woodbrook Road. A gate at the top of the Croston Towers' plot connected with a footpath from Woodbrook Road that wound around the back of Penn House and passed by the Wizard’s Well, well known for its legend ‘Drink of this and take thy fill, for the water falls by the Wizard’s will’; and went on through the woods to Castle Rock and Stormy Point.

Bollin Towers was occupied by the Sellars family at that time, with Mr Sellars being an architect. His daughter Mariel and I used to be able to communicate at night by flashing our bedroom lights on and off. The house was later divided into two, with the Sellars family retaining the ‘tower’ portion of the house. It deprived Mariel and me of a long polished hall, where we could run a small wooden train. I remember going up some greasy wooden steps to the very top of the tower, and having one of the very best views in Cheshire.

As a ‘paper boy’ for the Edge houses, I not only had a lot of papers to deliver but a lot of miles to pedal along house drives. Houses like Franklynn (previously the Firs), had every Sunday paper available and at least three daily papers. Its plot was almost as big as Croston Towers, stretching from Franklynn Lodge on Macclesfield Road to a back entrance on the corner of Woodbrook Road and Underwood Road. It was only after 1956 that more houses were built on this plot.

I attended the Methodist Chapel at the time and remember the annual parades on Whit Sundays, marching through the village behind the band and the Chapel banner. I still have photograph of the Whit Sunday parade in 1959. The annual Sunday School garden parties took place at the Moxon’s family house off Macclesfield Road. Adrian Moxon was afflicted with a ‘hare lip’, a condition corrected by routine surgery these days, but a permanent disfigurement some 50 years ago. Their garden was so large they even had a small train in it; very popular for the Sunday school parties.

I have been fortunate in obtaining details from Estate Agents of the changes to Croston. A large reception room has been constructed under my old bedroom where a double garage once was, and what were almost derelict out-buildings and the coach-house have been changed into a most attractive residential property.

One of my few regrets is that I never got to see Croston Towers; so if any reader knows any of its details or even has a photograph or sketch of the house I would be very grateful to see it.

Graham Dilliway
1, Corunna Drive
Horsham
West Sussex RH13 5HG
01403-254040
jgrahamd@aol.com

Childhood Memories

I lived in Alderley Edge as a child between 1947 and 1955. I remember going for walks on the Edge, and being told about a legend that Merlin and King Arthur and his knights were sleeping inside a cave there, waiting to be summoned to help if England needed them. There were some sand hills, on the top of the Edge I think, perhaps a result of mining there, and I remember sliding down them.

My grandparents lived at The Elms, Brook Lane, Alderley Edge. I was born at Row of Trees in 1947. My parents were living then at Bollin Green, but later moved to a new home at Beech Road. My father was a signwriter by trade, and I have a recollection of him pointing out an inn sign (The Wizard perhaps?) and saying that he had painted it. I was fascinated by his brushes, and by the stick with a ball of chamois leather on the end that he used to avoid smudging his work - but I was not allowed to touch any of them.

I was born just after the Second World War, and things were still scarce when I was a child. My mother would save brown paper and string to re-use them, and she would use butter or margarine wrappers to grease baking tins. She would also buy clothes in jumble sales to cut down to sew new clothes for me. I remember ration books too, although I don't remember them being used.

My father was very keen gardener, and I have fond memories of the garden at Beech Road, and of the allotment where he would grow vegetables. Sadly, my mother was killed in an accident when I was seven years old, and I left Alderley to go to live with an aunt. I was sad to leave my friends at Alderley County Primary School, and Miss Gibson, my teacher. My favorite time at school was when we all sat on the floor to listen to Milly Molly Mandy stories!

Childhood Memories

To this very day my memories of my childhood remain happy ones. For many reason really, in the 1970s the village was a fantastic place to live. We lived on Dukes Meadow just behind the Drum and Monkey. Everywhere was reachable by foot or bike, school, church, tennis club, shops, cubs, it was a wondeful and safe place to grow up in. Today London Road is mainly full of estate agents, wine bars and restaurants, and only a few shops still remain. I did a paper round which was handed down through the brothers, we all did the same one for many years for Robinsons which is no longer there.

My happiest memories were to be gained at the Methodist Church, many many hours of fun and joy were spent there. Every Sunday I would ride to Sunday School where we had so much fun. Wednesdays was games night. The people were wonderful and lovely to be with - I still have the Bible they gave me 35 years ago near my bedside today.

To be honest I have too many good memories within my heart to write here and one day I hope to return to live - God willing of course.

Feel free to contact me :

jrl @ llpa.co.uk

Cheshire Photographic Memories

A view from the railway station which shows the residential nature of the place. It was once said that there were more millionaires living in Alderley Edge than anywhere else in England, save for London itself.

Wilmslow and Alderley Edge Photographic Memories

Looking up Trafford Road, one can see the large villas on the Edge, above the village that serviced their needs. On the corner is Tyler`s garden nursery; Mr Tyler was ready to supply everything from a packet of seeds to a full landscaping service, on account, of course, to the suitable customer. Later, Alderley council offices occupied the site.

Cheshire Photographic Memories

Originally named Alderley, the station became Alderley & Chorley in April 1853, and Alderley Edge in January 1876. The station closed to goods traffic on 30 November 1964; both Wilmslow and Chelford closed for goods on 4 May 1970; Styal in 1963; and Handforth in 1958. Heavy use of these stations by commuters has ensured their remaining open.