Goyt Valley Story #1

Goyt Valley Story #1

Clifford Rathbone’s ‘Goyt Valley Story’ has been out of print for many years. But the current copyright holders, Willow Publishing, have kindly granted permission to publish the first chapter here. The book contains a series of articles written by...
Hearts of oak

Hearts of oak

Above: The newspaper report refers to the Hibbert’s farm as ‘Gonsall’. But it must have been Bunsal Farm (far right). The Hibberts are the only family listed on census records going back to 1871 (click to view). The inset image of a well-dressed...
Visiting the Cat & Fiddle (1888)

Visiting the Cat & Fiddle (1888)

Above: This postcard view of the Cat & Fiddle would have been painted in the late 19th century. Inset: A line illustration of the same view accompanied Strephon’s report of his 1888 visit. Above: The 7th Duke of Devonshire (1808-1891) seems to have been...
John & Hannah Butler

John & Hannah Butler

Above: Captain John Butler and his wife, Hannah, are buried beneath a stone cross – the central one of the three shown here – in the Grimshawe family’s hill-top cemetery, above the ruins of Errwood Hall. Above: The inscription is now becoming hidden...
Fernilee west walk video

Fernilee west walk video

Thanks to the work of the Forestry Commission in clearing a lot of the fir trees, there are now some great views across the valley from the first section, along the wide woodland track. And the return path, alongside the western shore of the reservoir, is always...
Foxlow Edge walk video

Foxlow Edge walk video

Walk 17 along Foxlow Edge starts from a small lay-by on the old Roman road known as ‘The Street’. It passes St. Joseph’s Shrine (above), and includes some wonderful panoramic views. I’ve just added the video for walk 17: a short, 1.5 mile...
Castedge spring; then & now

Castedge spring; then & now

Above: Castedge Farm Cottage in its prime. Above inset: Kathleen Nall (second from right) with her parents and (presumably) elder brother and sister. On the far right is her friend, Brenda Hewitt, who lived at the nearby Shooters’ Clough Cottage. Above: This...
New valley panorama

New valley panorama

Above: A wonderful view of the now-drowned hamlet of Goyt’s Bridge, taken from close to the Bunsal Incline. Errwood Cottage is in the centre, with Errwood Hall just visible in the distance. I’ve managed to obtain a photo I’d never seen before,...
Discovered; a lovers’ walk

Discovered; a lovers’ walk

Below: The old and new views match up exactly. Click either photo to enlarge. In October last year Michael kindly allowed me to scan his wonderful collection of old Goyt Valley postcards. One in particular caught my eye. It wasn’t the most picturesque...
Goyt’s Moss Marchingtons

Goyt’s Moss Marchingtons

Above: This rare photo shows the old Macclesfield to Buxton road as it snakes towards the horizon. The circled house is Marchington Farm. The next building is Moss House. Further along on the right is Moss Hall, and lastly Goyt’s Moss Farm, which now serves as a...