Last additions
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Strines Choir OutingBack Row: Frank Barton, Rosemary Taylor (nee Milne), Joan Lomas, Leonard Ribchester, unknown, Frank Kirkpatrick. Front Row: Gladys Ramsey and Amy Bagshaw. Donated to Marple Local History Society Archives by Jennie and Geoff Barton.Oct 01, 2024
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Strines Choir OutingKnown faces include: front left: Ida Barton (nee Cooper); centre back with hat: Emmie Taylor; 2nd from right at front with glasses: Edith Bowyer; back right with dog-collar: Rev W Williams. Donated to Marple Local History Society Archives by Jennie and Geoff Barton.Oct 01, 2024
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Strines Choir OutingA Strines Choir outing group photo including Rosemary Taylor (nee Milne), Frank Kirkpatrick the Croome brothers and Geoffrey Taylor. Donated to Marple Local History Society Archives by Jennie and Geoff Barton.Sep 30, 2024
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Strines Choir OutingFront row: 2nd from left: Rosemary Taylor (nee Milne), flanked behind by husband Geoffrey and her sister-in-law Emmie, Joyce Rose, Mary Taylor and Gladys Ramsey. Donated to Marple Local History Society Archives by Jennie and Geoff Barton.Sep 30, 2024
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Strines Choir OutingA group on a Choir trip including the Croome brothers at the front in glasses. Donated to Marple Local History Society Archives by Jennie and Geoff Barton.Sep 30, 2024
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Kirkpatrick, FrankFrank Kirkpartick from Strines Choir (right) with unknown person. Donated to Marple Local History Society Archives by Jennie and Geoff Barton.Sep 30, 2024
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Group of Students at Lyme HallA group of students thought to be from Stockport High School in front of the gates at Lyme Hall. Donated to Marple Local History Society Archives by Jennie and Geoff Barton.Sep 30, 2024
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Strines Choir OutingA boat ride featuring one of the Croome brothers (glasses) Ida Barton (nee Cooper), Frank Kirkpatrick to her left, Leonard Ribchester to her right and Geoffrey Taylor at the back with glasses. Donated to Marple Local History Society Archives by Jennie and Geoff Barton.Sep 30, 2024
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Category Albums Files
Historic BuildingsThere have been many special historic buildings in Marple but sadly the majority were demolished in the period after WW2, when people were focused on rebuilding and seemed to place little value on their local history and heritage. Local history books and these galleries preserve the memory of these great buildings and their contents and make you wonder what might have been if they had survived a little longer.
Brabyns HallBrabyns Hall was built by Doctor Henry Brabin in 1749. The hall and estate were purchased by Nathaniel Wright in 1800 and he erected the historic Iron Bridge in 1813. The estate passed to the Hudson family in 1866 and on the death of Fanny Hudson, in 1941, was purchased by Marple Urban District Council. The estate opened as a park in 1949 and the hall was demolished in 1952. Click to read more about the Brabyns Estate.
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Brabyns Hall & Estate


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During the Great War Brabyns Hall was used as a Military Hospital. Sadly, plans to turn the Hall into an Art Gallery, Museum, Reference Library or Assembly Hall, as a memorial to the local men who died in the war, were to fail, and it was demolished in 1952. The estate was turned into a public park in 1949 and today is owned by Stockport Metropolitan Council, and is a thriving asset, extensively used and highly valued by the people of Marple.

114 files, last one added on Apr 28, 2024
Album viewed 3516 times

Marple's Iron Bridge


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Although the hall did not survive the destructive period in the 1950s and 60s when many of Marple's historic buildings were demolished, the Iron Bridge did. Today the bridge is the subject of a community driven restoration campaign that has successfully raised £556,000 to restore the bridge to its former glory. Click here to read more about the Iron Bridge.

59 files, last one added on Apr 28, 2024
Album viewed 3047 times

Iron Bridge Restoration


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This new album will become a photographic record of the restoration of the Iron Bridge in Brabyns Park. The Iron Bridge Restoration Project is a partnership between the Marple Website, Marple Local History Society and Stockport Council. For more information about the Iron Bridge and the campaign for its restoration visit The Iron Bridge Project Diary.

299 files, last one added on Dec 23, 2011
Album viewed 2037 times

Scroll Bridge Restoration


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The Scroll Bridge was orginally built a few years before the Iron Bridge, in 1804. That's around the same time that the Marple Locks were being completed. The bridge was badley damaged and partially demolished in 1991, when the Bailey bridge was installed. These photos chart its restoration in 2007.

18 files, last one added on Dec 16, 2007
Album viewed 1149 times

4 albums on 1 page(s)

Marple HallMarple Hall was initially constructed in 1658. Its most famous (infamous?) resident was Judge John Bradshawe, (1602-1659) who presided over the Court of Justice that sentenced Charles I to death. The Bradshawe family continued to live there until it was inherited in 1940 by Christopher Isherwood, who almost immediately passed ownership to his younger brother, Richard. He was ill prepared and financially unable to look after the Hall and when the caretakers retired in 1953 it was left empty and became the target of thieves and vandals. This ultimately led to its demolition in 1959. These galleries show this magnificent home at its best and, sadly, its derelict worst. Click here to read more about Marple Hall.

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Marple Hall and outbuildings.


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Photographs of Marple Hall and its outbuildings, from the heydays to the decay days. What might have been if these wonderful old buildings had been preserved just a few more years until people began to understand the value of our heritage?

172 files, last one added on Dec 07, 2021
Album viewed 3180 times

The interior and furnishings.


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Interior shots of Marple Hall, including images from the catologue of the auction of the hall's contents in 1929. Click here to read more about the items sold at auction.

43 files, last one added on Mar 09, 2014
Album viewed 2273 times

The Jack Wilkinson Album - decline and demolition.


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An album full of the saddest photographs but we're very grateful to have them to preserve the memories. These images were loaned by the family of the late Jack Wilkinson who recorded for posterity the final demise of Marple Hall.

40 files, last one added on Apr 16, 2006
Album viewed 2677 times

Commemoration, relics and souvenirs.


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This album includes the commemorative date stone and plaque erected by Marple Civic Society and Marple Antiquarian Society (now Marple Local History Society). There are also a few other remnants of this once great Hall still to found and we have photographed and recorded as many as we can.

43 files, last one added on Dec 19, 2023
Album viewed 3610 times

4 albums on 1 page(s)

Mellor MillSamuel Oldknow constructed Mellor Mill in 1790 on the bank of the River Goyt. The main mill building was an imposing structure with a central section six storeys high, 42 feet wide and 210 feet long. In order to supply water to the mill Oldknow literally reshaped the landscape and the Cheshire / Derbyshire border formed by the river. Click here to read more about Oldknow and Mellor Mill.
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Mellor Mill


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Photographs, etchings and paintings of Mellor Mill in its glorious prime and unfortunate decline after the horrendous fire that destroyed it in 1892.

39 files, last one added on Jan 14, 2022
Album viewed 2025 times

Mellor and Marple Lodge and other Buildings


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Oldknow built many other buildings near his mill, including a home for himself, Mellor Lodge, and another for the Mill Manager, Marple Lodge, on the opposite bank. Marple Lodge had a extensive ornamental garden running alongside the river, of which there are still a few traces if you look very closely.

36 files, last one added on May 17, 2016
Album viewed 1924 times

Mellor Lodge Plans


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These are photographs of plans of Oldknow's home, Mellor Lodge, which he built for himself on the Mellor side of the River Goyt. They can't be originals, because they have a telephone number on them. We know nothing of their history but if anyone knows where these are now we'd love the opportunity to take them again without the flash!

6 files, last one added on Jul 09, 2006
Album viewed 909 times

 

3 albums on 1 page(s)

Listed Buildings ExhibitionIn 1993 Marple Civic Society held an exhibition featuring the Listed Buildings of Marple & District. The first album in this category contains all the photographs that were selected for display in the exhibition. New albums will also be added to include many others taken during the same period. This category is under construction.
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Civic Society Photos Exhibited in 1993.


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This album contains 139 photographs that were exhibited by Marple Civic Society in 1993. The photos were taken over a period of approximately two years leading up to the exhibition. If you can tell us anything more about them, please get in touch.

139 files, last one added on Dec 31, 2009
Album viewed 2086 times

 

1 albums on 1 page(s)

People and EventsThis category includes photographs that focus on the people of Marple and District and events that have taken place in the area, rather than the location where they were taken. Sometimes it can be an arbitrary decision whether a picture should feature here or alongside others of the same location or theme and we've just tried to do whatever seems right for each individual image.
EventsEvents in Marple are dominated by Marple Carnival, which has been a huge success for many years and has it own album. In addition there have been many other processions, dedications and celebrations, as well as several less enjoyable incidents including fires, floods, explosions and crashes when someone just happened to have a camera at the ready.
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Miscellaneous Events


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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
Album viewed 3208 times

Remembrance Services


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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
Album viewed 2069 times

Marple Carnivals (Vintage)


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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 4475 times

Dedication of Memorial Park 1922


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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
Album viewed 1348 times

Snow in the 1940s


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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
Album viewed 1703 times

Marple Rally of Boats


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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
Album viewed 433 times

Queen's visit to Marple 1968


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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
Album viewed 2050 times

Oldknow Bicentenary Celebrations 1990


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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
Album viewed 2106 times

118 albums on 15 page(s) 1

PeopleWe've got so many pictures of people in a huge variety of different situations that we've had to divide them up into separate albums. We've done this by splitting them loosely into large formal groups in one album and smaller informal groups and individuals in the other.
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Larger Groups


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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
Album viewed 3119 times

Smaller Groups and Individuals


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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.

415 files, last one added on Oct 01, 2024
Album viewed 6663 times

All Saints' School


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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
Album viewed 5391 times

Albert British Day Schools


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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
Album viewed 1206 times

Ludworth School


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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
Album viewed 1711 times

Ardern / Harrop Family


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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 1339 times

Marple Firefighters


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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
Album viewed 2105 times

Marple's Women's Land Army Girl


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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.

7 files, last one added on Apr 30, 2010
Album viewed 725 times

16 albums on 2 page(s) 1

Marple 2000 - The Millennium GalleriesLocal photographer David Brindley worked on this Lottery funded project with Marple Local History Society for over twelve months during the year 2000. The objective was to create a photographic archive of Marple at the turn of the millennium, the old postcards of tomorrow so to speak. Their efforts culminated in an exhibition in Marple Library during May 2001 that featured shots of people and places in Marple taken during millennium year. We have now been given access to the archives and plan to put them on-line progressively, hopefully enlisting David’s help with the captions. This category is under construction.
5 142
Local Shops


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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.

81 files, last one added on Jun 13, 2010
Album viewed 4647 times

Street Scenes


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

34 files, last one added on Jun 13, 2010
Album viewed 1107 times

Canals & Waterways


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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.

9 files, last one added on Oct 11, 2009
Album viewed 832 times

Events


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

10 files, last one added on Jun 13, 2010
Album viewed 660 times

Public Places


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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 734 times

 

5 albums on 1 page(s)

Marple Children's Orthopaedic Hospital (Treetops)Originally built in 1912 by the Cripples Help Society to give disabled children a holiday, Treetops became a Children's Orthopaedic Hospital in the 1930s. We've included this album of photos from the 1930s under 'People & Events' as it's more about the people who stayed there than the building itself.
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Marple Childrens' Orthopaedic Hospital


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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 10811 times

 

1 albums on 1 page(s)

Buildings and Street ScenesThis is the largest category, cataloging the vast array of buildings and street scenes around Marple and district spanning many years. Some scenes are instantly recognisable today but much has vanished or changed beyond recognition, usually in the name of progress.
MarpleThe name of Marple was first mentioned in 1122 but it was the coming of Samuel Oldknow to the district in 1790 that shaped the Marple we know today. Not only did he establish his Mill by the River Goyt, he also sank coalmines, built houses for his workers, made roads, rebuilt the church and was instrumental in the construction of the Peak Forest Canal.
16 2,089
Marple's Changing Face


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Marple's Changing Face was produced by the late Gordon Mills in 2003. Gordon was a prolific writer, photographer and local historian who produced several fascinating video interviews with local people, guided local history walks and this, the definitive photo history presentation of "Marple's Changing Face".

5 files, last one added on Apr 07, 2012
Album viewed 1237 times

Stockport Road (Northwest)


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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
Album viewed 2355 times

Stockport Road (Southeast)


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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
Album viewed 5459 times

District Centre


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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
Album viewed 1674 times

Market Street & Derby Way


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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
Album viewed 3446 times

Hollins Mill & Estate


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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
Album viewed 1207 times

Church Lane


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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
Album viewed 2197 times

Station Road and Brabyns Brow


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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
Album viewed 2067 times

16 albums on 2 page(s) 1

MellorMellor has long been known to date back to Saxon and Medieval times - the local church of St. Thomas having the oldest-known pulpit in Britain. During the industrial revolution Mellor was a hive of activity led by William Radcliffe. Today it is much quieter but has a thriving parish centre and strong sense of community spirit.
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Mellor


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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.

236 files, last one added on Dec 25, 2022
Album viewed 4529 times

Mellor Church


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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.

60 files, last one added on May 22, 2020
Album viewed 1840 times

Moorend


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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
Album viewed 1387 times

A Mellor Collection


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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 612 times

1911 Coronation in Mellor


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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 519 times

 

5 albums on 1 page(s)

Marple BridgeMarple Bridge was already well established in 1795, when it was described as "a small village containing about sixty houses." By this time, it had a corn mill, which formerly stood on the west bank of the Goyt, just to the south of the village, and a water powered forge. The bridge and a reconstructed Town Street are now at the heart of the Marple Bridge Conservation Area.
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Marple Bridge


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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
Album viewed 2965 times

Town Street


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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
Album viewed 1650 times

Mill Brow


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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.

31 files, last one added on Dec 11, 2022
Album viewed 1437 times

 

3 albums on 1 page(s)

Hawk GreenHawk Green is an outlying area of Marple, centred around a traditional village green, or recreation ground. There are earlier buildings but most of the housing built up around the Shepley Mill constructed in 1848 on the side of the Macclesfield Canal. The Goyt Mill, constructed in 1905, remains a major landmark in the area today.
2 96
Hawk Green


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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
Album viewed 5741 times

The Goyt Mill


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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.

29 files, last one added on Mar 05, 2016
Album viewed 1990 times

2 albums on 1 page(s)

StrinesThe Strines area is a beautiful part of the world steeped in history and set in the picturesque Goyt River Valley. There are some very old properties in and around Strines dating back many hundreds of years, however the majority of properties were built after the Printworks was established circa 1790.
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Strines


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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 2239 times

 

1 albums on 1 page(s)

CompstallCompstall was formerly a mill village, built by George Andrew in the 1820's to house his 800 workers. Most of the original mill cottages and other structures remain unchanged. The waterways that now form Etherow Park were also constructed by Andrew to carry water from the weir, on the river, to turn the mill wheel, which stood where the car park is today.
1 129
Compstall


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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
Album viewed 2430 times

 

1 albums on 1 page(s)

High LaneIn the 1800s High Lane had large collieries employing the majority of men in the village and with the coming of the Macclesfield Canal in 1831 it formed a key junction with the main road to Buxton. Windlehurst Mill was built on the bank of the canal in 1872 and later came to an unusual end when it was so badly damaged in gales that it had to be demolished.
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High Lane


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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
Album viewed 7842 times

 

1 albums on 1 page(s)

ChurchesA new series of albums featuring the local churches of Marple and District, including All Saints', Marple; St. Thomas', Mellor; St. Martins, Low Marple; St. Mary's, Marple Bridge and others (this catergory is under reconstruction).
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All Saints', Marple.


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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
Album viewed 2185 times

Saint Martin's, Low Marple


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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
Album viewed 975 times

Saint Paul's, Compstall


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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.

11 files, last one added on Jul 19, 2010
Album viewed 676 times

Methodist Churches


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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 1281 times

Congregational Churches


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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 1273 times

Other Churches


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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 688 times

6 albums on 1 page(s)

Attractions and FeaturesDespite the losses to its local heritage described in other galleries, Marple still has assets to be proud of. Attractions such as Marple Locks and Aqueduct, Memorial Park and Roman Lakes are highly valued by visitors and the local community alike. Click here for a series of six walks featuring the very best of Marple's attractions.
Canals and LocksThe Peak Forest Canal running through Marple was constructed between 1794 and 1805. The upper section to Bugsworth was complete in 1796 and the lower section to Ashton, including the Grand Aqueduct, was finished in 1800. The locks themselves were not finished until 1804, so a tramway was used to connect the two sections. Click here to read more about the history of the canals.
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Marple Aqueduct (& Viaduct)


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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
Album viewed 5557 times

The Canals and Locks


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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
Album viewed 6951 times

2 albums on 1 page(s)

Roman LakesThe 'Roman Lakes' are not Roman at all but were christened this in Victorian times when they were a huge tourist attraction bringing enormous crowds to Marple, especially on Bank Holidays. The lakes were actually the mill ponds constructed for Oldknow's Mellor Mill in 1790, and although still popular, things are much quieter today. Click here to read more about visitors to Marple in Victorian times.
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Roman Bridge


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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
Album viewed 1233 times

Roman Lakes and Surrounds


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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
Album viewed 2675 times

2 albums on 1 page(s)

Mystery PhotographsThis category has been created for photos in Marple Local History Society's Archives that are a bit of a mystery. They could be local people or local places and we'd like to give visitors the opportunity to check them out to see if we can confirm why they are in the Society's archives.
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Mystery Locations


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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
Album viewed 989 times

Mystery People Gallery


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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.

62 files, last one added on Sep 30, 2024
Album viewed 1208 times

2 albums on 1 page(s)

15,227 files in 193 albums and 23 categories with 179 comments viewed 5,531,247 times

Most viewed
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Sketch of Marple Hall from the ornamental lake.5057 viewsThis view is from Marple Dale, where there was an ornamental lake with steps leading down the bank from the hall. Updated from Marple Local History Society Archives 15 August 2010.
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Brabyns Hall4310 viewsA view of the rear of Brabyns Hall from across the pond, which is still there.
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Hill Top Farm4027 viewsHill Top Farm, Hawk Green looks little different today.
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1905 Crippled Children's Home on Cross Lane3977 viewsA holiday home for crippled children was started in a cottage on Cross Lane in 1907, which led to the building of the Children's Orthopaedic Hospital in Dale Road. But this postcard is dated 1905 on the back! From Marple Local History Society Archives.
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Brabyns Hall3839 viewsAnother view of the rear of Brabyns Hall from across the pond.
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Marple Hall from the main driveway.3795 viewsThe hall's decline is not yet apparent in this shot from the main drive at the front.
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Nab Top Sanatorium3783 viewsNab Top Sanatorium, now Marple Dale Nursing Home. From Marple Local History Society Archives.
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Buxton Road3585 viewsThe bread delivery van makes its way up Buxton Road, High Lane.

Random files
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French Boules 2010French Boules Tournament in Memorial Park - Happy finalists, Marple Business Forum B.
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Mill BrowMill Brow, when it had mills, provided by Janet Holmes.
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Flooding at Moor EndFlooding at Moor End in September 1967, from Marple Local History Society Archives.
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Santa at Dragon Miniature RailwaySanta's Grotto at the Dragon Miniature Railway organised by Romiley and Marple Lions. Photo by Arthur Procter,
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Cannon Hill House 1980Cannon Hill House, Cobden Edge, Mellor. From the Marple Civic Society Archives, dated 1980.
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Tarden CottagesTarden Cottages, Mellor. From Marple Local History Society Archives.
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Mellor Church Fete 1929Mellor Church Fete stops off at Ludworth School in 1929. From Marple Local History Society Archives.
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Carnival Parade 2011Having fun, by Ray Noble.

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