I wonder if you can remember some of those memorable gifts that Santa popped into your Christmas stocking as a child. There may have been the selection box of chocolate bars, reading books, a Meccano Set or a doll’s pram. I remember distinctly, as an older child, receiving a camera with the attachments when black and white photographs were commonplace.
As time has progressed, and as cameras have improved, I have maintained an interest in recording places visited and events encountered. Whilst I have recently entered the digital age, I continue to use slide film. Now with over ten thousand pictures from around the world, I am asked, almost on a weekly basis, to visit a care home, church group or a meeting of like minded folks, to give a slide show. In and around Macclesfield, particular interest is expressed in the old town and surrounding locations. Whilst my comments about the history of the area are well received, I often find that I provoke a trip down memory lane, where my audiences remember events and people from their past.
With the help of the staff from Macclesfield Library, I am currently trawling through archived copies of Macclesfield newspapers to jog my memory of people and events that have made the news during my lifetime and perhaps you will permit me to share some of my findings with you, and invite you to contact me with any of your own memories.
I initially took a look at the Macclesfield Times and Courier of the first quarter of 1953. If I remember correctly, the main office of the newspaper was located in Castle Street and the weekly print took place in their Stanley Street premises. The newspaper itself retailed for the princely sum of three pence (a little more than 1p).
Hitting the headlines in January of 1953, the Finance Committee of Macclesfield Town Council was critical of a proposed one penny increase on all return bus fares. Public transport in and around Macclesfield was operated by The North Western Road Car Company, and the company was subjected to a review by the Highways Committee who, in proposing that Chestergate became a one way street, had noted that when buses passed in opposite directions mounted the pavement. From my own recollection, this usually happened right by Blackenbury’s Butcher’s Shop, who at that time would hang sides of beef outside the shop.
The Town Clerk at this time, and for a number of years that followed, was Walter Isaacs, an upright gentleman who could be seen at many public events attired in his wig and gown. During the early part of 1953, Superintendant JA Taylor left his post in charge of the Macclesfield division of the Cheshire Constabulary to oversee the traffic department at Crewe. He was succeeded by Superintendant T Athron from Runcorn.
Our domestic gas supply in January 1953 was brought to us by The North Western Gas Board, who announced an increase of 1¾ d per therm. Looking at the price of goods and services in 1953, a Daimler Consort motorcar was on sale at Corbishley’s Garage on Jordongate for £1094. Stanton Travel Agency in Stockport advertised one week in Ostend for £21/0/0 or one week in Lucerne for £32/19/6 – each were inclusive of train travel from Manchester with reserved seats and nightsleaper and hotel accommodation. January was a time for readers of the newspaper to look forward to the “Barnaby” Holidays for which British Railways promised a service of special holiday trains to principle resorts and a special London trip
“Yelloways” advertised “coach cruises” that could be booked with their local agent, C. Shingles at 37 Park Green.
In 1953, a wool gabardine coat cost £6/19/6 at Shepley House in Chestergate, a 3 piece suite could be bought from Riley’s in Chestergate for £29/29/6 and a pound of tripe cost one shilling and fourpence at UCP also in Chestergate. The UCP also had a cafe, though the abbreviation of the establishment was possibly not the most inviting advertisement – it stood for United Cattle Products.
The thought of summer holidays were a dream amidst the snow and blizzards that hit the area in late January and early February of 1953 – the newspaper suggested that this was the worst winter weather since 1947, with the villages of Kettleshulme, Walker Barn and Quarnford being the worst affected. A prominent picture in a February copy of the Macclesfield Times shows teachers skiing to Pott Shrigley school.
On the entertainment scene, local cinemas had a variety of the latest film releases. At the Majestic “Captain Blood, Fugitive” was showing, whilst at the Picturedrome “Hindle Wakes” tempted audiences. “Horizons West” was showing at the Cinema and at the Regal you could see “Sons of the Musketeers”. Shortly afterwards, Charlie Chaplain’s film “Limelight” was to hit the local big screen. Amateur Dramatic performances in the locality included the staging of a play in Bollington – “Ghost Train” was written by Arnold Ridley who, in later life, went on to play Private Godfrey in “Dad’s Army”. The BBC visited Adlington Hall in early February to make a fifty five minute programme for its 1953 series “Afternoon Out”.
Amidst the current financial climate, it is worth noting that back in 1953, the Macclesfield Times reported that “The Halifax Building Society records the completion of 100 years in the service of thrift and home ownership”, and that “the Cheshire Building Society surplus had increased to over £14000”.
In early March 1953, it was reported that Alderman and Mrs J B Hidderly were to be Coronation year Mayor and Mayoress, and that a message of condolence had been dispatched on the death of Queen Mary.
A new Rector was appointed at Gawsworth Church – Reverend W K Clarke had served in the RAF in Normandy.
Following the death of King George VI in 1952, and the subsequent accession to the throne of Princess Elizabeth, and as 1953 was to be her coronation year, who knows what else I will discover at my next visit to the archive section of Macclesfield library
Ian Storer
Email: storerian@aol.com
