Congleton

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 died still Chairman of the Council's Finance Committee. But he was never mayor as he believed that a licensed victualler should not hold that office.

In his time he'd been a successful jockey and 'gentleman rider' - in fact, riding was in his genes since his grandfather was Lester Piggott's great-great-grandfather.
One of the hotel's days of fame ...read more here
Contributed by Mr B Harper

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 Derby. They had 7 children. William B 1862, Herbert B 1864 Stillborn, Sarah E B 1868 , Alice B 1870, George B 1872, Charles B 1874 Stillborn, and Frank B 1874 all born Congleton, Cheshire except for Sarah & Alice who were born in Hulme Lanc.
In 1881 Hulme, William Kay was a Weaver, Cotton Tape. It looks like ...read more here
Contributed by Carolyn Sarten

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 discovered in the nearbly millpond of Biddulph Old Mill (by the Talbot).
My clearest memories of the Old Hall is driving from Biddulph to Congleton when I was about six; it was winter and the view of the hunting tower of the road was excellent.  I remember that when we came back that way later on in the day and ...read more here
Contributed by Lauren Hughes

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 of Smiths crisps (with salt in a twisted blue wrapper) at the snack hut. Alec has really said it all but I recall the top board, which was 5 yards high I think, ultimately being closed off because a depth of 8' 6" of water was deemed not to be deep enough for the height of the board yet people ...read more here
Contributed by Alan Brennan

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 the calm water. At the point of payment there was a turnstile that was painted council silver. There was a lady who collected your 6d for swimmers and 2d (I think) for spectators, some people had a season ticket that cost 7/6d which entitled you to as many admissions as you wanted. There was a competition amongst the kids to ...read more here
Contributed by Alec Coles