A LOOK AT 1973
I must now be a familiar figure in the local studies section of Macclesfield Library as I continue to view the microfilm archives of our local newspapers. I know that I’m spending more time than I originally intended to do as an enormous amount of personal reflection reminds me of what I was about in the years I’m researching.
This week I have been looking at what was happening in 1973, a year when so much was changing in and around Macclesfield. Just two years earlier, Britain had waved goodbye to pounds, shillings and pence in favour of decimal currency and our local paper, The Macclesfield Express, sold at 5p (one old shilling) for its weekly publication.
The first newspaper of the year recorded that Walter Isaac, Town Clerk from June 1944 until mid 1972, had been recognized in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list and had been awarded the OBE.
Stormy scenes were witnessed in the Council Chamber following the receipt of a petition calling for an independent inquiry into the recent dismissal of the Borough Treasurer. Preparations were gaining momentum for changes to the local government of the area, with Bollington Urban District, Alderley Edge and Wilmslow UDC, Knutsford and Bucklow UDC, Macclesfield Rural District and Macclesfield Borough Council preparing to become a single Local Authority with just 62 councillors. The new authority at that time was being referred to as Cheshire District Number 5 (we now know that it would become the new Macclesfield Borough). There was a notable amount of opposition as many felt that local identity would be lost. Does this sound familiar?
Extra public loos were being promised for the town, but as those of my age will recall, this type of facility has certainly diminished since 1973.
Bollington UDC chairman, Mrs Winnie Duncan would not only finish her term of office in 1973, but would also be moving out of the area to join her husband – his job had taken him to the Wirral.
In 1973, the Macclesfield Carnival was an annual highlight with many associated events taking place throughout the year. In January, the Carnival Committee were encouraging young ladies from the town to consider entering the Silk Queen contest. Latest entrants were Jane Orme, Jean Scholes, Wendy Tames, Caroline Simmons, Valerie Munro, June Jones, Linda Haigh and Linda Poole. It would be interesting to know if any of these ladies have any memories of the event.
A figure of £63,439 had been submitted to the Highways and Works Committee of the Council as an estimate of maintenance costs during the ensuing year.
The annual ball at the Salesion Missionary College in Pott Shrigley had been attended by more than 300 people.
Poynton Labour Party had written to Macclesfield Rural District Council for an explanation of why the miners’ cottages in Middlewood Road had been condemned. The cottages still remain and form an attractive part of Poynton’s heritage.
In January 1973 you could book an eight day coach holiday in Bournemouth with Bostock’s Tours at a cost of between £24 and £34.50p depending on departure date.
A choice of entertainment still existed locally in 1973. At the Rex Cinema in Wilmslow, Jacques Tatti was appearing in the film “Traffic”; “The Godfather” was showing at The Majestic, and the Grand Theatre in Leek tempted Maxonians across the Staffordshire border to see Roy Rolland in Mother Goose.
The 15th Macclesfield Sea Scouts made their first trip to the Boat Show. One of the Scouts, Chris Lewis, found himself in the path of Prime Minister Edward Heath who stopped to shake hands.
“Churchill Way”, writes a local correspondent “is the road from nowhere to nowhere!”
The driver of a school minibus got a shock when he dropped off a party of Children at the Dish and Spoon Cafe and saw a 250lb unexploded bomb. The cafe owner, Albert Capper, contacted the police who subsequently called the army bomb squad to defuse the situation.
Local supermarkets advertised extensively in early 1973 editions of the Macclesfield Express:
“No stamps, No Gimmicks at Macs! Macfisheries supermarket, 25 Grosvenor Centre”
“Tesco, Exchange Street, Macclesfield opens 10.00am Tuesday 6th February
By Ken Goodwin, one of the famous Comedians. – Double Green Shield
Stamps on everything until 3rd March. Personal appearance of Major Saver,
Vince Miller, well known north country comedian.”
Rod Goulsbra, 21 year old son of Councillor and Mrs Don Goulsbra of Prestbury, had chosen to become a bin man even though he had gained an honours degree from Newcastle University.
The opening ceremony of the new library in Bollington took place on February 1st. The building still stands on the site of the old Sunday School.
A February copy of the newspaper records the devastation caused by a gas explosion at the home of Cyril Nicholson (67) in Nab Close, Bollington.
Sutton Women’s Institute organised a trip for members of The Friendship Club to See Danny la Rue at the Palace Theatre in Manchester.
In early March, it was announced that Alderman Lily Davenport had been nominated to become the last mayor of Macclesfield’s old borough and that 150 people had attended the annual “Blessing the Plough” service at Rainow Church, lead by the vicar, Rev Leslie Lewis whilst Denis Fidler was the captain of Macclesfield Town Football Team
More than 150 people attended the annual service of the blessing of the plough at Rainow Church where the vicar was Rev Leslie Lewis
Brian Burrows was pictured at the conclusion of his first year as warden of Tegsnose Country Park. His means of transport around the park was his horse “Queenie”
An enquiry opened into the proposed development of the Tytherington area in which it was proposed to build a school, shops and 935 dwellings. Danes Moss was being considered as the location of a second industrial site and the plans for an inner relief road were being made public.
Macclesfield carnival was held on the Saturday of May Bank Holiday and had been watched by twice as many people as in previous years. A number of bands had participated. Special note had been made about the float that depicted the cod war, just one of many entrants from local businesses, organisations and voluntary groups. This event was followed shortly afterwards by the Bosley Rose Queen Fete when Kathleen Coats had been crowned as the 1973 Rose Queen.
A Granada Television film crew was based at Adlington Hall to film scenes for a television adaptation of Howard Springer’s novel “Shabby Tiger.”
At the end of June 1973, the BBC was in town to record “Songs of Praise” from the Parish Church of St Michael and All Angels in the Market Place. Geoffrey Wheeler was the presenter and the programme hit the small screen on October 14th that year.
Hot, dry weather and hosepipe bans had been predominant during spring and early summer of 1973 until mid July when heavy rain had not only interrupted a variety of outdoor events but also caused a number of floods throughout the town.
August was the time when Chelford village saw an annual invasion of traction engines and steam driven vehicles – that invasion continues today.
Radio ECH, the hospital radio station introduced a request hour into its programming schedule.
Poynton Show continued to be a successful annual occasion in Poynton Park, attracting cattle, horses, sheep and a variety of animals to be judged, horticultural products for display and a host of farming related activities.
Early September saw fifty “old age Pensioners” from Macclesfield travel by coach to Blackpool to protest at the TUC Conference in Blackpool. Their concern was the current cost of living.
Following a number of emergency calls, police cars were directed to the Macclesfield Forest area to investigate reports of a moving orange glow in the sky. Police engaged the observation skills of the landlord of the Cat and Fiddle public House, and the conclusion was ....... the orange glow was the setting sun!
John Tatlow is pictured towards the end of the year upon his retirement after 24 years as the local Magistrates’ Clerk.
During 1973, both on street and off street parking dominated at least part of the news contained in our local papers. Motorists parking in town centre streets needed to display a disc in the vehicle windscreen showing the time of arrival. This procedure was so unsuccessful that it was ultimately scrapped and by November the council was discussing measures to improve parking in the town. The debate continues today!
Judging by the emails that I have received, it is apparent that I have stimulated memories of Macclesfield in living memory. Thank you taking the time to get in touch – keep the emails coming.
Ian Storer
storerian@aol.com
