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Altrincham

Altrincham photos

Displaying the first of 34 old photos of Altrincham.   View all Altrincham photos

34
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Altrincham maps

Historic maps of Altrincham and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis.   View all Altrincham maps

Altrincham area books

Displaying 1 of 4 books about Altrincham and the local area.   View all books for this area

Memories of Altrincham

Altrincham memories
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Displaying a selection of personal memories of Altrincham.
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Railway Street

Town Centre 1907
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I lived above the shop at 18 Railway St., which is visible just past the lamp post, from 1952 to 1961. At that time it was a branch of MacFisheries, where my father was the manager. Next to it looking down the road was Brookes & Wilkinsons' Tripe Shop & next to this on the corner of Railway St. & Regent Road was Wilsons' Bon Marche, all these shops have now been converted into one large jewellers. The large building in the background on the left hand side is the Stamford public house, now sadly demolished. The one on the other side with the triangular apex was a branch of Martins' Bank, still there, but now Barclays. The shops on the right with the blinds, a feature still used well into the 1950s, are all due to be knocked down shortly. Apart from a tower block, where the pub was, the scene has hardly changed in 100 years.

Cross Street 01

Cross Street c1955
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The large corner "shop" on the left was the showroom of North West Gas where you could pay your gas bill. This is now Dawsons music and instrument shop.
The corner shop on the right was Hawkins tailors, on two floors. This is now a MacDonalds restaurant.

An Apprentice

Stamford New Road 1913
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I believe that the building in the right foreground with the spire is Eustace G.Parker's, where I was an apprentice watchmaker from 1965.
Comments please...

Cheshire memories

Shopping at Brooks

The Polygon c1955
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We grew up in Stamford Road and, at the time this photo was taken, I was 8. I remember our mother taking us shopping with my younger brother and sister as walked from our house to Brooks which for us was the most wonderful bazaar, full of colour and all sorts of goodies that we hoped our mother would buy. It always smelt of fresh coffee, as there was an old red and gold enameled coffee grinder continually in use. My mother ordered the groceries, that were delivered later in Brooks' van. Often we would then go to the Post Office which was a few doors down to the right of the picture, and would then cross the road to the sweet shop in front of Brooks to spend our pocket money on liquorice sticks, lollipops etc.
Opposite the Post Office (out of picture to the right) was a room attached to the Church which was used for Sunday School.

Grandmas School House And Booths The Milkman

Ashley Road c1955
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In 1964 my most profound memories were of staying with both my Grandparents in there home which was the old school house. George booth the local milkman had his dairy next door and every time i arrived i used to help him every day with his deliveries throughout the whole area. He used to have an old Standard van and i used to stand on the back door ledge, jumping out with milk bottles in hand and running up the long exotic drives, in some areas, to deliver milk, butter, eggs,fresh orange etc. Both my Grandparents are buried in the chapel yard in Hale Barns, as well as my Fathers sister, Katheryn, who was an air hostess at Ringway, untill her young death through a long illness. My Father is still alive and well, as is my Mother who will be 90yrs this year. Before moving to Coventry where my father was a fireman all his working life here, he was in the Merchant Navy and then a grave digger... Read more

Broomfield Lane

Broomfield Lane 1913
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I wasn't around in 1913, but went to Broussa School  on Broomfield Lane from 1961-1963.  It was there I first heard of the Beatles!  A girl in the middle school brought in the 'Please please me' album and played it to us 10 year olds at break time!!

I also remember the dentist (Mr McKnight) was just past these shops on the right.

Great-Aunt Margaret Valentine


My Great-Aunt Margaret Valentine married John "Hugh" Valentine and lived in Bower Road Hale in the 1920's. She was an infant teacher, had lovely red hair, and was described by my family as everybody's favourite.

My Dad, Howard Norfolk, went to stay with her and her family around 1927 and remembered her fondly.

Sadly she died in tragic circumstances in 1930 when she fell in front of a train on the level crossing whiich I guess may be the one by Hale station.

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