Nostalgia

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A contemporary aerial photo of part of the estate
A contemporary aerial photo of part of the estate
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'Wood' you believe it?

Harold Cunliffe
22/ 5/2008

TODAY it is unthinkable to destroy a beautiful area of woodland to build a housing estate.

Back in 1910 when the owners of the Alkrington Estate, James Lees of Biddulph, and his brothers were offering for sale the 700 acres of unbuilt upon land in Alkrington they had plans drawn up to develop the whole area– including the beautyspot known today as Alkrington Woods. We owe a debt of gratitude to the Corporation who in 1936 aquired the 70 acres of woodland so the people of Middleton could enjoy the sylvan scenes which have become a favourite strolling ground.

It was thought that because there would be no through road the wooded part of the estate could be laid out in 'park like' fashion with narrow drives leading to the houses. No doubt the developement would have been a much sought after place to live.

At the time The Architectural Review magazine commented: "The wooded area on the western extremity of the estate would be destroyed. This would be a great calamity because there is scarcely any timber in the surrounding district."

The plans also show the shopping complex at the top of Mainway and a road to link up with Mainway East in Middleton Junction. It was many years later that developement took place and the original plan was changed. Next week we show the developement of Boardman Fold Road and Mount Road.

Alkrington Hall which is situated in a lofty position overlooking the ancient Manchester to Rochdale highway became famous for its natural history museum during the time of Sir Ashton Lever,1729-1788.

His considerable collection of exhibits filled four large rooms when put together, almost the whole of the building’s frontage. In 1771 Sir Ashton opened his museum to the public. Such was the popularity of the venture, more than 1,000 a day visited he decided to limit the volume of visitors. He placed a notice in the Manchester papers stating, ‘He was tired of the insolence of the common people that had indulged the sight of his collection’.

He further stated that admittance by the lower classes would only be allowed on production of a ticket which had been issued by a lady or gentleman of his acquaintance. Another condition applied, which was, to refuse addmittance to anyone who arrived on foot. Only persons travelling by coach, trap, horse or beast of burdon would be allowed entry.

Shortly after the notice was published a party of local folk arrived at the hall on foot, only to be refused entry. As the disappointed group left along the lane one member of the group spotted a cow. He rode back to the hall and knocked on the door, Sir Ashton could see the humour in this man’s actions and he admitted the party.

I once read in an old newspaper a sad story about Sir Ashton. This is my version of events. Sir Ashton went to London on horseback accompanied by his favourite dog. After his stay in the metropolis he prepared for his return to Alkrington. For some unknown reason he set off without his dog. After he had left the hound missed his master, it was reported the dog, 'sought eagerly its master,' then unable to discover his master the animal decided to quit the place.

Some days later the poor animal arrived at the back door of the hall. One of the servants heard a weak whining cry and opened the door to find a lean, lame and barely able to walk hound. It crawled with much difficulty to the fire in his master’s drawing room, here it stretched itself out upon the hearth rug and directed a last fond look towards its owner, who had arrived home some days previously, then suddenly expired. A sad ending.

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   Bengy relax it's a proposal from 1910.
Mike, Middleton
28/05/2008 at 22:03
   With regards to building in Alkrington woods beggers belief. There is little enough green belt in Middleton without taking what bit there is. The people who think this out are better than you and me because they are trained and go on courses. They get brain washed and therefore have no intellegence or common sense left. This is Prescott's idea who was short on most things. There are acres by the thousands in other parts of the country that have not been built on, so why take what few green acres we have when others have a glut. This council has heard "Build some houses" so they do without thinking what they are doing. I hope they fail miserably.

B. Partington.
Bengy, Barnsley
24/05/2008 at 21:28
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