The Francis Frith Collection.
You are here: Home > Explore your past > England > Cheshire > Stockton Heath

Stockton Heath

Stockton Heath photos (3 available)

Old photo of Stockton Heath

Stockton Heath maps (2 available)

Old map of Stockton Heath

Stockton Heath books (10 available)

Stockton Heath memories

An American Boy in Stockton Heath, England

I was a 13 year old boy from Wilmington, North Carolina, USA. My father was a Sergeant in the US Air Force, assigned to Burtonwood RAF Station. We rented a flat at 35 London Rd, Stockton Heath. It was over Mr. Alfred Ward's Butcher Shop. His wife operated the Sweet Shop on the opposite side of the road. Their son was named Terrance.

London Road was lined with small shops; several butchers, bakery, candy shops, the post office, a shoe shop and others. This was a big change for an American boy. I enjoyed following my mother when she shopped at the different shops.
I would watch Mr. Ward in his shop serving customers just the right amount ...read more here
Contributed by jay wilcox

Cheshire memories

An American Boy in Stockton Heath, England

I was a 13 year old boy from Wilmington, North Carolina, USA. My father was a Sergeant in the US Air Force, assigned to Burtonwood RAF Station. We rented a flat at 35 London Rd, Stockton Heath. It was over Mr. Alfred Ward's Butcher Shop. His wife operated the Sweet Shop on the opposite side of the road. Their son was named Terrance.

London Road was lined with small shops; several butchers, bakery, candy shops, the post office, a shoe shop and others. This was a big change for an American boy. I enjoyed following my mother when she shopped at the different shops.
I would watch Mr. Ward in his shop serving customers just the right amount ...read more here
A memory of Stockton Heath contributed by jay wilcox

Growing up in Grappenhall 1980''s and 1990''s

Having grown up in Grappenhall I've seen it develop with time, but its managed to keep its identity, even though there's been a growing demand for redevelopment in the area.  

Within the space of a few streets you were able to experience several ages of British history.  Like a timeline, starting on the higher ground you have the quaint village life within the cobbled village centre.  This was no doubt made more picturesque and saved from further building by the Bridgewater canal that has acted as a kind of 'moat' since its completion in the 18th century.  

Here you will still find a village school, two pubs, a church, Village Stocks, community hall, scout hut and cricket ...read more here
A memory of Grappenhall contributed by pete chorley

Sad Demise

Warrington, Manchester Ship Canal c1960

Sadly we see very few ships passing down the Manchester Ship Canal these days. When I was a kid I lived in Latchford not far from the locks. We used to spend many hours watching the ships pass through the locks on there way to Liverpool or Manchester. We were occasionally rewarded by a pack of cigarettes or sweets thrown by the crew to us kids. Happy days.
A memory of Warrington contributed by Ian Miller

Extracts From Stockton Heath & Cheshire books

Ditton, St Michael's Church, Ditton Hall c1965

With so many workers arriving here in the 1800s from Ireland there was a strong Roman Catholic presence and this enormous church was built in the 1870s to serve that congregation. For the first 23 years it was also a collegiate church for Jesuits with, at one time, 32 priests, 22 scholastics and 17 lay brothers.
An extract from from"Widnes and Runcorn Photographic Memories".

Ditton, Ditchfield Road c1965

There have been several Ditchfield Halls near here. In the 1500s and 1600s the Dychfield family that lived here were strong Roman Catholics and refused to attend the Protestant services at their local parish church at Farnworth. Instead they built their own chapel but they were still fined for not attending the official church services! The last Ditchfield Hall was demolished in the 1960s.
An extract from from"Widnes and Runcorn Photographic Memories".

Widnes, Promenade 1923

It would have been near here that the ferry landed. The first ferry was established in 1178 by the baron who owned Halton Castle on the southern side of the estuary. His estates included lands on the northern side and, apparently, the ferry was set up primarily so his tenants could cross the river more easily in order to pay him their taxes.
An extract from from"Widnes and Runcorn Photographic Memories".

Widnes, Church Gardens 1923

St Mary’s Church was consecrated in 1910 and has room for a congregation of over 750 people. The church has a most unusual feature - built into the wall around the churchyard, overlooking the road, there is a pulpit from where, perhaps, the vicar could harangue those people taking their ease here in the gardens on a Sunday afternoon.
An extract from from"Widnes and Runcorn Photographic Memories".

Widnes, Bridge c1965

Despite the title of the photograph there are, in fact, two bridges depicted here. The railway bridge, in the foreground, was opened in 1868 when a train with 500 passengers on board crossed over. The main part of the bridge consists of a lattice of iron girders. Built by William Baker, the chief engineer for the London and North Western Railway, it used 48,115 rivets.
An extract from from"Widnes and Runcorn Photographic Memories".