6. The trial begins

6. The trial begins

The trial of Joseph Dale for the murder of William Wood took place at Chester Castle. One of his co-accused had already hung himself. The other was still at large. Dale pleaded not guilty.

5. Suspects lost & found

5. Suspects lost & found

17-year-old murder suspect, Charles Taylor, is securely locked behind the grim walls of Manchester’s New Bailey Prison. He uses his stockings and gaiters to escape justice.

Air crash remains

Air crash remains

Two small wooden crosses standing over a collection of metal machinery, close to Shining Tor, commemorate a tragic air accident that occurred at this very spot in March 1944.

4. The chase

4. The chase

“…a suspicion arose that these three fellows had been concerned in the deed, and upon examining their old cloathes, they were found much stained with blood.”

3. The inquest

3. The inquest

“On Saturday week, an Inquest was held at the Cock Inn, Whaley, on the body of this unfortunate man, who was found barbarously murdered on the old road from Disley to Whaley-Bridge…”

2. Innocent or guilty?

2. Innocent or guilty?

Did 17-year-old Joseph Dale, described in court as “a very peaceable, quiet lad, always good tempered and kind to his family”, pay the ultimate price for a murder he did not commit?

Taxal Bridge

Taxal Bridge

A photo captioned ‘View of footbridge over stream (possibly Goyt Valley) c.1854’ was a fascinating find. But identifying where it once stood wasn’t so easy. Could it have been the one over the Goyt at Taxal?

Grimshawe vault sealed

Grimshawe vault sealed

Mr Oyarzibel took the opportunity of denying the stories that the bodies of the Grimshaws in the vault are embalmed in glass-topped coffins, and that the corpses still wear gold watch chains…

1. The Murder Stone

1. The Murder Stone

This small, stone memorial, on the back road between Whaley Bridge and Disley, commemorates William Wood who was murdered at this very spot nearly two centuries ago. It’s a gruesome tale!

Buried treasure!

Buried treasure!

A wonderful tale of a loveable Whaley Bridge rogue who won a bet with the Disley police. And also hunted for the Grimshawe’s treasure which was said to be buried close to Errwood Hall.

Cheshire tithe maps

Cheshire tithe maps

Alec has discovered a wonderful website that reveals a lot about the history of the Cheshire side of the Goyt Valley. Including the position of the second Stonyway Toll House.

Goyt’s Moss Farmhouse

Goyt’s Moss Farmhouse

Another photo from the 1960s album shows Goyt’s Moss Farm in ruins. Which is odd as that this would mean it had been derelict for some 30 years. Perhaps the photo is earlier than I thought.

Goyt ice skating

Goyt ice skating

An early ’60s black and white photo of skaters on the frozen pond at the head of the Bunsall Incline brings back memories of an earlier scene, described in Strephon’s typically flowery style in an 1880 article.

Goyt’s Bridge dreamer

Goyt’s Bridge dreamer

A wonderful early photo of Goyt’s Bridge seems to tell an intriguing tale. Why is the young lady so wrapped up in her thoughts, as her men-folk look on, separated by the waters of the Goyt?

Stonyway update

Stonyway update

After much discussion on the Goyt Valley Facebook Group, we think we’ve finally nailed down where the first Stonyway Toll Booth once stood. But where it was moved to is still a mystery!

“Lest we forget!!”

“Lest we forget!!”

“Lest we forget!!” is handwritten on this 1918 postcard of the road from Derbyshire Bridge to Goytsclough. I’m hoping someone may be able to decipher the message on the reverse.

Milestones update

Milestones update

I don’t know whether it’s my failing eyesight, but I didn’t notice inscriptions on both the milestones on the Old Macclesfield Turnpike. But they were well-hidden.

Stonyway toll gate

Stonyway toll gate

This toll booth was one of five on the first Buxton to Macclesfield turnpike, forcing poorly-paid locals to pay a small tax for passing through the gates. Unsurprisingly, they were highly unpopular.

Turnpike milestones

Turnpike milestones

A recent talk in Buxton on milestones inspired me to go in search of any of these small roadside markers that lie close to the Goyt Valley, alongside the old turnpikes.

Derbyshire Bridge

Derbyshire Bridge

A signpost beside the Cat & Fiddle points towards Derbyshire Bridge at the southern end of the Goyt Valley. But this is Goyt’s Moss. And the bridge is further along the road towards the twin reservoirs.