Farming in the valley

Farming in the valley

Above: Bill’s Dad shepherds a few sheep through the construction site at Fernilee in 1932. Above: Bill pictured with a lamb at Oldfield Farm in 1953. Above: Edited by Christine Gregory and Sheila Hine, ‘The Land That Made Us’ was published earlier...
Fernilee: a video history

Fernilee: a video history

Above: Joe and Prudence Hibbert feature in the video. They lived at Bunsal Farm and were the last family to leave the valley. I’ve just posted another Goyt Valley video on YouTube – on the history of Fernilee Reservoir. It’s less than 10-minutes...
Errwood Hall drive

Errwood Hall drive

Above: I’m still not 100% sure, but I think the orange circle on the old map shows the view. The solid parallel lines show Shooters’ Clough stream. My thanks to Angela for allowing me to scan a rare postcard from her collection that I’d never seen...
Recording a brutal murder

Recording a brutal murder

Above: The murder stone lies well-hidden beside the back road between Whaley Bridge and Disley. Three young men were soon identified as the killers. But only one was tried, convicted and sentenced to death. I’ve always thought the story of William...
Fernilee footpath closed

Fernilee footpath closed

Above: The scene at the northern end of Fernilee Reservoir. There are similar notices at the southern end. Above: Signs say that mass-clearing will leave the woodland more varied (click to enlarge). But they seem to be planting yet more fir trees. Which I...
Young lady drivers

Young lady drivers

Above: Gerald thought these two ladies were maids from Errwood Hall.  This photo of two young ladies posing in a car outside Errwood Hall has always intrigued me. Were they a couple of servants from the hall? Or perhaps friends of the Grimshawe...
PRoW campaign update

PRoW campaign update

Above (From left to right): Andrew (pictured with his daughter Isla), has regularly walked the route since 2000. Esme only discovered it during the recent lockdown. But John holds the record as having walked it the longest – since 1938. It’s now a couple...
Sandy Lane gateposts

Sandy Lane gateposts

Above: A look at old maps reveal that these sturdy gateposts once formed an entrance onto the track of the C&HPR. Continuing the quest to identify old stone gateposts in the valley, I came across two fine examples yesterday evening, just as the sun was setting....
Gail’s Goyt’s Bridge cards

Gail’s Goyt’s Bridge cards

Above: Spot the difference! Above: Zooming into the older photo reveals someone seated outside Goytshead Farm (click to enlarge). And it’s just possible to make out the word ‘Teas’ on the sign behind him. Both Goyts Bridge farmhouses sold teas to the...
Laughing water

Laughing water

Above: The attractive suspension bridge was built at the same time as the reservoir, to enable locals to walk from one side to the other. Above: Sharon posted this photo of her Great Aunt May posing on the bridge on the Goyt Valley Facebook page. Gail recently sent me...