Miles Platting – Modern Mooch

Oldham Road Pubs – Manchester

Posted on February 24, 2024February 24, 2024 by modernmoocher

This is Oldham Road Manchester – this also Memory Lane.

Walking from the city centre to Failsworth I noted the absence of public houses, some long since demolished, some now serving other purposes – very few open selling beer.

Many of the breweries no longer trading.

Much of this the consequence of changing economic circumstances, the decline in manufacturing and subsequent serious absence in regular drinkers.

I encountered a similar situation on Hyde Road.

Where possible I have linked back to Pubs of Manchester Blogspot and the Brewery History Society.

There may well be errors and omissions which I am happy to correct – have a look let me know.

Bee Hive Inn – Chesters Brewery

Bird In Hand – latterly Ace of Diamonds on the 2nd April 2010 the Ace of Diamonds burnt down.

Hardys’ Ales

Birmingham Tavern – Wilsons Brewery

Cheshire Cheese – John Smiths

City Arms – Groves and Whitnalls

Cloggers Arms – Wilsons

The Copenhagen – Wilsons

Crown & Kettle – Wilsons though now a free house.

I do remember the huge Winston Churchill relief in the Room and R100 Airship wooden panelling in the lounge. Also of note were the ornate plater work ceilings and pendulous lighting, much damaged as the pub awaited restoration.

Duke of York – Wilsons Free House

Foresters Arms – Wilsons

Lord Nelson – Charrington

O’Connell Arms – Whitbread

Old Pack Horse – Wilsons

The Ram – Tetley’s

Royal Oak Hotel – Wilsons

Shears Hotel

St Vincent – Cornbrook

The Swan – Wilsons

Three Crowns – Wilsons

The Victoria – Wilsons

Vulcan Hotel – Threlfalls

Wosons House?

Woodman Hotel – Wilsons

All photographs from the Manchester Local Image Collection.

St Cuthbert’s Miles Platting Manchester

Posted on February 22, 2021February 22, 2021 by modernmoocher

Junction of Fir Road and Oldham Road

One fine day, I chanced to walk by just as the service was finishing.

I asked Assistant Curate Rev. Peter Scott if it would be possible to photograph the interior of the church, he kindly consented.

Here are the results, along with shots of the excitingly angular exterior.

The church’s exterior is home to a dramatic concrete relief.

Let’s take a look inside, complex volumes and multiple window-lighting points, along with simple decorative order.

Of particular note – the organ pipes located above the main entrance.

Once again I can’t thank Rev. Peter Scott enough for giving us access to this beautiful church, serving the parishioners of Miles Platting.

Holt Town – Part Two

Posted on May 1, 2020May 1, 2020 by modernmoocher

Here we are again in Holt Town, back in 2017 the area was in transition, its past almost erased and its future somewhere, over some far horizon.

Cambrian Street seems to have been known as Gibson Street until 1960.

Things have changed, the trees are taller, the buildings decayed – the cafe closed, and the Corporation Manure Depot long long gone.

Plans have promised new affordable homes as part of the Eastlands Masterplan.

Things have changed since A Taste of Honey was in town.

Nothing now remains of this mill complex on Upper Helena Street

The homes on Upper Cyrus Street are long gone

Cyrus Street now over grown and Big Bertha demolished

The New Inn now the Hong Kong Funeral Home

It had become the Luchbox Café now also closed

Archive images – Local Image Collection

The area was my playground. Holt Town was always a but scary, there were old factories along the opposite side with wartime helmets in. A scrap yard under the arch. I remember sucking up mercury off the floor with a straw obviously from a spillage, no thoughts of danger, I’m alright now. The Seven Wonders, as we knew it, River, canal, railway, road, waterfall all crossing each other, not sure why? A fantastic industrial area to grow up in. The Don Cinema at the top corner at Mitchell Street and Ashton New Road.

I could go on.

Philip Gregson

Time’s up for the tiny urban cowboys.