A Virtual History Tour of Marple and District

Events as varied as an explosion on Stockport Road, the burning down of the Bowling Green Pub and flooding at Chadkirk are featured in this album.

531 files, last one added on Dec 18, 2023
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Remembrance Services in Marple Memorial Park. Also includes the Ride of Remembrance organised by the Marple Poppy Appeal Team in October 2021 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.

540 files, last one added on Oct 26, 2022
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The 'Revived' Marple Carnival has been running since 1962. Prior to this it's not clear how often they were held but there is evidence in this album that they started as early as 1905. Click here to read more about the history of Marple Carnival.

196 files, last one added on Jul 16, 2017
Album viewed 4491 times

On Saturday 22nd July 1922 Marple War Memorial Park was dedicated to the people of Marple by the Carver-Barlow family during a Historical Pageant illustrating Events in the Life of Marple for Early Times. These amazing photos from that day, probably taken by official photographer W.V. Garner, mean we can dedicate a complete album to this event.

33 files, last one added on Dec 24, 2015
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Modern winters just don't compare to those in Marple during the 1940s but everyone still looks like they're having a great time. There is some conflict about dates for certain photos as they are included in Marple Local History archives in different folders with different details. In these cases both copies are included with the conflicting captions. If you any more information about these times, please get in touch.

34 files, last one added on Apr 29, 2012
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Marple Rally of Boats was a national campaigning event to focus attention on the unnavigable state of Marple Locks, the Peak Forest Canal and Ashton Canals. The first large rally was in 1966 (200+ boats). These events kick-started the voluntary efforts by a number of organisation including the Peak Forest Canal Society and Inland Waterways Association, which culminated with reopening of boat canals in 1974.

40 files, last one added on Mar 09, 2020
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On 16 May 1968 her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visited Marple to take a look at the work done by Marple Civic Society to revitalise the Possett Bridge area of Marple's Peak Forest Canal. The photos in this album were published by Gordon Mills in a commemorative programme.

13 files, last one added on Jun 12, 2009
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In June 1990 the Marple Community held a two week long festival called Oldknow 200 to celebrate the achievements of Samuel Oldknow and the bicentenary of the erection of Mellor Mill in 1790. The photos in this album have been provided by Marple Local History Society. If you dig through your drawers and find any more we'd be pleased to add them too.

33 files, last one added on Jun 28, 2009
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This album contains photographs of larger groups, usually formally posed, ranging from Marple Swimming Club, to Marple Band and local schools to football and hockey teams. Some are unidentified, so if you know then please tell us.

218 files, last one added on Sep 15, 2024
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This album contains a huge variety of people pictures in all kinds of circumstances. Mainly individuals and smaller informal groups (but not always) what these photographs all have in common is a strong link to Marple and District.

423 files, last one added on Nov 29, 2024
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The first All Saints’ National School was established in Marple in 1831 in the upper room of the barn at Chapel House Farm on Suttons Lane. The first school building on the present site was constructed in 1837 and this was replaced by a new building in 1902 that remains today, albeit extended significantly in 1964.

49 files, last one added on Aug 26, 2014
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The Albert British Day Schools were established in 1868 by the Carver family in the Sunday school buildings on Church Lane that were linked with the Congregational Chapel (now United Reformed Church) that they had erected on Hibbert Lane in 1865. Apparently attendance at the school ensured half-time employment at Hollins Mill!

17 files, last one added on Apr 20, 2019
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Ludworth was opened in the Autumn of 1908 under the headmastership of Mr Alfed Heppleston, when it was part of the Derbyshire Education Authority. Following receipt of a large number of photos relating mainly to the headmastership of Mr Harold Butterworth between 1912 and the 1930s this album has been created to hold all photos relating to the school and those that were scattered throughout other albums on the site have been moved here to bring them all together.

60 files, last one added on Aug 29, 2011
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A file from Marple Local History Society's Archives on the Ardern family of Marple Bridge that illustrates how important it is to properly label your photos for future generations. Unfortunately this collection isn't well documented, so many names are missing. Please get in touch if you recognise anyone or spot any errors.

56 files, last one added on Jul 21, 2014
Album viewed 1349 times

An album dedicated to Marple Fire Station and the Whole and Retained Firefighters who have served their community over many years.

52 files, last one added on May 10, 2008
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In her 90th year Mrs Jean Procter MBE ( MBE received in 1998 for services to the Women's Land Army) went to number 10 Downing Street in London, on the 23rd July 2008, to receive her Badge and Certificate for War time effort in the Women's Land Army. She was one of 50 ladies to go to London to meet Gordon Brown and to be presented with her badge and certificate by Hillary Benn MP. Photos by Kathryn Procter.

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Album viewed 734 times

Photographs of local shops from inside and out taken by David Brindley in the year 2000 as part of the Millennium Project for Marple Local History Society.

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Album viewed 4667 times

Photographs of local street scenes taken by David Brindley in the year 2000 as part of the Millennium Project for Marple Local History Society.

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Photographs of Marple's canals and waterways taken by David Brindley in the year 2000 as part of the Millennium Project for Marple Local History Society.

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Album viewed 842 times

Photographs of events in Marple taken by David Brindley in the year 2000 as part of the Millennium Project for Marple Local History Society.

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Photographs of public places in Marple taken by David Brindley in the year 2000 as part of the Millennium Project for Marple Local History Society.

8 files, last one added on Jun 13, 2010
Album viewed 740 times

Treetops had its own X-ray facilities, plaster room and even an iron lung for polio victims. Many of the children were long term patients, some staying for up to two years. Most of the photos in this album are believed to be taken during a 1930s Christmas. Treetops closed its doors for the last time towards the end of 2001 and homes are now built on the site.

119 files, last one added on Jun 21, 2024
Album viewed 10829 times

Visit the main website to view the Marple's Changing Face presentation by Gordon Mills.

1 files, last one added on Apr 07, 2012
Album viewed 1245 times

This album of Stockport Road covers the section from Dan Bank to the junctions of Station Road and Church Lane, where for so many years the Jolly Sailor Pub was a major landmark at the heart of the community.

131 files, last one added on Mar 16, 2021
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This second album of Stockport Road covers the area beyond the junctions with Station Road and Church Lane up to the Navigation Hotel, another major landmark central to the community that thankfully remains.

95 files, last one added on Feb 08, 2021
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Marple District Centre was changed radically in the 1970s when Market Street was paved over and Hibbert Lane was extended between Church Lane and Stockport Road. The numbered images in this album were taken by Marple UDC during these changes and the location of each shot was marked on a large plan of the area, which is also included in the album. Additional photos taken by Pete Robinson during the 1970s and provided by Eddie Ashworth, who worked on the improvements, were added in 2015/16.

109 files, last one added on Jan 02, 2016
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Market Street is now the thriving centre of Marple shopping, recently regenerated with improvements to the paved area. Most of the pictures in this album show a very different Market Street, before pedestrianisation, but it's clear that it was at the heart of the community then too.

89 files, last one added on Mar 25, 2021
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The Hollins estate was first mentioned in 1712 and when Hollins Mill was built in 1830 the present day centre of Marple developed around it. Nothing is left of the Mill today but Marple Memorial Park remains at the heart of Marple and is a lasting legacy of the mill owners' generosity and the community's losses during the Great War. This album contains images relating to the mill and the estate, including Marple Memorial Park.

112 files, last one added on Dec 18, 2023
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This album covers Church Lane, running from the junction with Stockport Road up, past the Hatters Arms and the junctions with Hibbert Lane and Market Street, on past the Con Club and the Ring o' Bells and all the way to All Saints' Church.

119 files, last one added on Mar 25, 2021
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This album covers Station Road from the junction with Stockport Road up past Memorial Park towards Marple Station, where it turns into Brabyns Brow, and on down the Brow past Brabyns Park and on to Marple Bridge.

92 files, last one added on Feb 08, 2021
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This album takes in the area of Mellor travelling up Longhurst Lane from Marple Bridge, over Cateract Bridge and onwards as far as the Devonshire Arms. It also includes Brook Bottom, Slack Wood, Soldiers' Nob and the Mellor Cross at Cobden Edge.

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Album viewed 4549 times

We have just enough photographs of St. Thomas's Church at Mellor to feature its own album and hope to add more to it in the near future.

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Hard to believe that peaceful Moorend was once home to the huge Dove Bank Mill seen in drawings here. This collection of Moorend pictures is largely reproduced with the kind permission of Mrs Ashworth of Moorend.

31 files, last one added on Apr 11, 2021
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The photos in this album were given to MLHS by Hilary Ellam whose parents and grandparents were from Mellor. Hilary's parents were Peter Davis and (Winifred) Shirley Davis (nee Hall). Hilary’s grandparents were Annie Mary Hall (nee Daniels) and Bernard Hall. Bernard Hall ran a butcher’s shop in Mellor with his brother, as well as being a part time postman. The Davis family were tailors from Marple Bridge. Barbara Hall and Shirley were sisters. Hilary reckons that the majority of the photographs were taken in the 1930s when her Aunt Barbara, born in 1925, would have been in the guides.

82 files, last one added on Oct 02, 2018
Album viewed 623 times

A complete album from Marple Local History Society archives featuring pictures of the Parish of Mellor taken during the celebrations for the Coronation of HM King George V on 22 June 1911.

47 files, last one added on Nov 19, 2018
Album viewed 531 times

This album features Marple Bridge and the Weir and Corn Mill once known as Flowerdew Mill, as well as many other photographs of the general Marple Bridge area, including Lower Fold, Low Lea Road and Glossop Road.

181 files, last one added on Apr 28, 2024
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This album focuses on Town Street, the main shopping area of Marple Bridge and now central to the Marple Bridge Conservation Area. It includes a series of pictures that chart the dramatic collapse and eventual repair of Town Street after it fell into the river in 1991.

118 files, last one added on May 01, 2020
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This album features the tiny hamlet of Mill Brow, Marple Bridge, which now centres around the local pub the Hare and Hounds.

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This album features Hawk Green, which has a real village feel to it, with the Crown Pub overlooking the Green, it's own Cricket Club and an active residents' association determined to preserve and promote it. Click here to visit Hawk Green RA.

67 files, last one added on Feb 08, 2021
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This album contains pictures of the Goyt Mill, built in 1905 at Hawk Green. It features the demolition of the huge chimney, a visible landmark for miles around, and the machinery in the mill before it was removed.

30 files, last one added on Dec 10, 2024
Album viewed 1999 times

This album covers the Strines area, which has been dominated by the Strines Printworks and its chimneys since the late 18th century. Not for much longer through as they are due for demolition in the near future. Strines has an active residents' association and a very informative web site. Click here to visit SARA.

129 files, last one added on Sep 28, 2021
Album viewed 2249 times

This album covers the area of Compstall and also some that are technically Marple Bridge but sit better here in our view. The heart of Compstall has not changed drastically since it was built and today it benefits from the attractions of Etherow Country Park too. Well worth a visit.

129 files, last one added on Dec 18, 2023
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High Lane is on the main Turnpike route to Buxton (A6) and this album features many shots of Buxton Road as well as Windlehurst Lane, Middlewood Road, Carr Brow, Norbury Hollow and St. Thomas's Church.

77 files, last one added on Oct 21, 2020
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The first recorded service at All Saints’ was in 1588, when the population of Marple stood at 160. A Georgian Chapel was built in 1811 and in 1880 the current Victorian Church was built alongside. In 1964 the derelict Georgian Chapel was demolished but the old church tower was retained to house the bells and is still used today.

97 files, last one added on Oct 23, 2022
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Saint Martin's Church on Brabyns Brow, Low Marple was built by the Hudson family in 1869/70. The first church on this site was a temporary iron shed built in 1867 and the new church designed by John Dando Sedding was a striking contrast embracing the Arts and Craft Movement started by William Morris.

23 files, last one added on Sep 12, 2015
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Saint Paul's Church in Compstall was built by the Andrews family between 1839 and 1841 at a cost of £2,000. After the loss in 1905 of its Vicar of 48 years, Rev W.H. Hopkins, the church was extensively renovated and extended.

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Methodist Churches of Marple and District, present and past. Including Marple Methodist Church on Church Lane, Ridge Methodist Church and Trinity Methodist Church, formerly on Market Street.

39 files, last one added on Mar 26, 2020
Album viewed 1290 times

This album features the Congregational Churches of Marple Bridge and Marple. The latter, on Hibbert Lane, now being the United Reformed Church.

15 files, last one added on Feb 08, 2021
Album viewed 1281 times

This album covers other Marple and District Churches that do not currently have enough photos to merit their own album. It includes St. Mary's, Marple Bridge, Holy Spirit, Marple, the Evangelical Church on Queen Street, Kingdom Hall and one or two others. If more pictures become available separate albums will be created.

12 files, last one added on Dec 23, 2017
Album viewed 697 times

This album features the Grand Marple Aqueduct, which took seven years to build. Finished in 1800, it came close to ruin in the 1960s but is now a Grade I listed national treasure, and a scheduled ancient monument. Click here to read more about Marple Aqueduct.

100 files, last one added on May 22, 2020
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Marple's Canal and Locks were unnavigable in the 1960s but thanks to the campaigning and determination of the Peak Forest Canal Society they were eventually dredged and rebuilt. Today they are part of the beautiful Cheshire Ring and Marple's greatest tourist asset. Click here fro a Virtual Tour of Marple Locks.

372 files, last one added on Feb 08, 2021
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Possibly Marple's most popular setting of all, the Roman Bridge features on numerous postcards both old and modern. We've made a point of collecting as many as we can and there will soon be further additions to this album.

73 files, last one added on Dec 18, 2023
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The canal and then the Railways bought floods of people seeking fresh air and the tranquil beauty of Marple's 'Roman Lakes'. It was not unusal for thousands of visitors to arrive on Bank Holiday weekends, all in their Sunday best!

158 files, last one added on Aug 24, 2021
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This album has been created for photos in Marple Local History Society's Archives where the location is a bit of a mystery. They could be local and we want to give local people the opportunity to check them out to see if we can confirm why they are in the archives..

14 files, last one added on Apr 07, 2017
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The photos in this gallery are taken from a box of glass slides in the Marple Local History Archives all cira 1902. The box contains a number of local scenes and we suspect that these are local people but we have no idea who they are. We've put them on display in the hope that someone may recognise them.

63 files, last one added on Oct 11, 2024
Album viewed 1220 times