Congleton, Cheshire

Easter hols

We used to come over from Conisbrough near Doncaster with my mam and dad, Raymond Dawson, who came from Buglawton, William Street if I remember, and every year we would watch the carnival and also walk up The Cloud.
Does anyone remember my late father, Raymond Dawson, he was a keen cyclist, he joined the RAF and ended up at Binbrook... [more]

Massie Harper - Licensee.

In my early teens I spent the war years living in this hotel, when my grandfather was the licensee. I believe he held the licence from 1874 to 1943 - a time record I suspect but I cannot confirm this.

He was well known in his time for being an alderman for, I gather, some 40 years. He... [more]

William & Jane Kay marriage 1865

My Great, Great, Grand parents William & Jane Kay came from Congleton Cheshire.
They were married 20-February 1865 in St Peters Church Congleton (marriage certificate)
Witnesses were John Frost and Ann Braithwaite, Married by John Hughes if I have read the spelling correct.
William was born in 1820 Leigh, Lancashire and Jane Kay nee Astle was born 1844 Aston... [more]

Old Hall

This is the seat of the Biddulph family; it was built in the early sixteenth century, probably to replace an earlier Saxon, possibly fortified, house that has been identified on Bailey's Hill, to the south west of the Old Hall.  It was partially destroyed in the Civil War, by the immense cannon Roaring Meg - some of whose cannonballs have been... [more]

Wonderful memories

My great grandfather - Charles Dale was living at Moreton Old Hall when this photograph was taken.

His family, the Dales, had become tenant farmers for Moreton Old Hall in the 1860s and the Hall was the farmhouse that was provided. Thomas and Ann Dale had 15 children - Charles was the youngest, so the size of the Hall... [more]

Hiking up The Cloud

In the 1950s as a young Scout, our Troop regularly did a day hike to The Cloud - getting the NorthWestern bus from Crewe to Congleton, then walking to Cloud End as we called it. there we played 'wide games', and brewed up on primus stoves - happy memories.

Congleton Baths, late '50s, '60s.

I too have very fond memories of the open air swimming baths in Congleton in the late fifties and the sixties. I can even remember Alec Coles. Happy days. The water was freezing and it was always best to run and dive in to get it over with! For me it was a cup of warm orange squash and a bag... [more]

Congleton Baths

Congleton Open Air Baths during the 50/60s.

It had the entrance of a theatre, 2 steps up with an overhanging portico and glass doors that opened up to a foyer. It was well painted in the colours of the day, council green and white. You could see the pool from inside the entrance and it looked so nice with... [more]

Cheshire Photographic Memories

In the 17th century the Congleton Corporation had just enough money in the kitty to buy a new Bible for the parish church. However, the town bear suddenly died, leaving the town facing something of a dilemma. With only enough cash to buy either the Bible or a new bear, the choice was simple: a new bear.

Cheshire Photographic Memories

Here are kept the seals of office used by John Bradshaw, who became Lord President of the High Court and took part in the trial of Charles I. It was Bradshaw and his tribunal that sentenced the King to death as a tyrant and traitor.

Congleton Town and City Memories

Later photographs from the 1950s show no change to the building apart from the addition of a hanging sign at the front, and the replacement of the gas lamp-post with an electric, concrete one. This scene looks practically the same today. Smaller timber-framed buildings can be seen in Lawton Street, Moody Street and Little Street. Others exist but are hidden by later frontages. A... [more]