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Last additions - Historic Buildings

Brabyns Estate WallThe enormous wall around the Brabyns Estate when it was owned by the Hudson family. From Marple Local History Society Archives.Nov 19, 2019

Iron Bridge and CottageA view across the Iron Bridge in Brabyns Park with the gate still intact. Provided by Janet Holmes.Dec 30, 2018

Brabyns Hall in WartimeA red Cross truck at Brabyns Military Hospital. Provided by Janet Holmes.Dec 27, 2018

Brabyns Hall PondChildren enjoy this view of Brabyns Park. Provided by Janet Holmes.Dec 25, 2018

Brabyns Tennis CourtsBrabyns Tennis Courts, provided by Janet Holmes.Dec 23, 2017

Mellor Mill 2016Mellor Mill foundations exposed by Mellor Archaeological Trust. Phot Arthur Procter.May 17, 2016

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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

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.

92 files, last one added on Nov 19, 2019
Album viewed 2707 times

Marple's Iron Bridge

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 succesfully raised £556,000 to restore the bridge to its former glory. Click here to read more about the Iron Bridge.

57 files, last one added on Dec 30, 2018
Album viewed 2558 times

Iron Bridge Restoration

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 1454 times

Scroll Bridge Restoration

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 708 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.

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?

148 files, last one added on Dec 24, 2015
Album viewed 2318 times

The interior and furnishings.

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 1590 times

The Jack Wilkinson Album - decline and demolition.

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 1876 times

Commemoration, relics and souvenirs.

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.

37 files, last one added on Mar 09, 2014
Album viewed 2915 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.

Mellor Mill

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

37 files, last one added on May 17, 2016
Album viewed 1472 times

Mellor and Marple Lodge and other Buildings

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 1432 times

Mellor Lodge Plans

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 588 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.

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 1557 times

1 albums on 1 page(s)

Most viewed - Historic Buildings

Sketch of Marple Hall from the ornamental lake.4174 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.

Brabyns Hall3684 viewsA view of the rear of Brabyns Hall from across the pond, which is still there.

Brabyns Hall3226 viewsAnother view of the rear of Brabyns Hall from across the pond.

Marple Hall from the main driveway.2934 viewsThe hall's decline is not yet apparent in this shot from the main drive at the front.

Water Meetings Cottage2836 viewsWhere the Rivers Goyt and Etherow meet in Brabyns Park.

Marple Hall Layout2759 viewsHere's a plan view of the layout of Marple Hall to help orientate yourself when looking at some of the photos in this album. Updated on 22 August 2010 with a version showing more buildings.

Marple Hall2727 viewsA full-on view showing the sundial and the balcony above the front door.

Marple Hall2712 viewsA shot of Marple Hall from the front provided by Betty Longmate, daughter of Betty Tunstall who lived there from 1923 to 1932 with her parents, the caretakers.

Random files - Historic Buildings

2008-06-22 Opening CeremonyMalcolm Melia, who inspired the auction of paintings to raise funds, watches the bands with Mark.

The Corn MillThe Corn Mill was separate to the main mill and survived much longer, not being demolished until the 1930s.

Brabyns Hall InteriorAn interior view of Brabyns Hall from Marple Local History Society Archives

2007-09-03 09 Bailey Bridge RemovalCounter weights slung.

Marple Hall in declineMarple Hall in decline during the early 1950s.

089 - Cross Base, Primrose LaneCross Base, Primrose Lane, Marple Bridge.
From the 1993 Marple Civic Society exhibition of Listed Buildings.

2007-09-04 Removal of "fill"The gas main laid in the late 80s is re-exposed.

2008-04-02 Gas Main Rerouting / First SHS InstallationA close up of the largest of the cast iron rings bolted into the outer arched ribs.

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A Virtual History Tour of Marple and District

With The Marple Website and Marple Local History Society