Archive Stories
Browse through this collection of stories drawn from many sources including the Society's archive, newspapers and online sources. The catalyst to begin research varies from an inquiry that comes to Society, a document that arrives at the archive, or another trigger that sets the delving off.
Past news of local crime and misfortunes
The late Peter Bardsley (1929-2010) scoured the 19th and early 20th centuries Stockport Advertisers, and other local papers, in the Stockport Heritage Library for these stories of the Marple past. Peter was a stalwart of several organizations in Marple, including the Local History Society and the Holy Spirit Church. He authored or co-authored several local history books, including Hollins Mill and Brabyns Hall and Park, both with Ann Hearle. In May 2011 a new display board, in the Marple Memorial Park, about the Carvers and Barlows, was dedicated to Peter.
Thank you, Peter
(left) at the first Gourmet Market in Stockport in 2006, tasting donkey sausages!
Jamaica to Mellor-An Apprentice's Tale
A recent request from Janet Davies enquiring about her husband’s ancestor, Ann Maria Vanpine, led to a search on line and in our archives. From these it is possible to learn about some periods in Ann’s life.
The Duke of York’s Royal Military Asylum,(left) records Ann’s admission to the Southampton Branch at the age of 10 on the 5th December 1821. This was a separate branch of the Chelsea RMA and was exclusive to girls. It was established as a haven for the orphaned children of soldiers who had fallen in the war with France 1793 to 1815 (Battle of Waterloo).
John Rishworth
A letter in Cheshire Ancestor from Joyce Rishworth with a photograph of The Jolly Sailor at the time of some celebration and asking whether anyone could suggest what event this was, led to a visit to our archives of Joyce, her husband, John, and his sister, Mary.
HMS Maple - Marple's own minesweeper
Members of the crew of the minesweeping trawler HMT HORNBEAM, former solicitors' clerks, commercial travellers, lorry drivers etc., have formed a dance band "The Sweepers Swingsters".
75 years after the citizens of Marple raised £75,000 to adopt HMS Maple, the plaque commemorating this feat has been placed in Marple Memorial Park, near to the War Memorial. The plaque was acquired by Bernard Mifflin, local resident and art teacher at The Willows School and spent over 30 years in his garden. It has been donated to MLHS by his niece, Julie Clay.
A Crease in History
I am intrigued by these two photographs of a cricket bat, which were given to the Society a few days ago by Andrew Mather who owns the bat. Cricket has been a popular sport in the area from the 19th century, with village clubs in Compstall, Hawk Green, High Lane, Marple and Mellor. However, I have never heard or seen any reference to Brabins Cricket Club. Perhaps the club was sponsored by the Hudson family at Brabyns Hall - certainly, permission from the family would have been needed if matches were held in the hall grounds.
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