In the first local newspaper of 1954, the mayor of Macclesfield, Alderman JB Hidderly was pictured playing the part of the Baron in a pantomime at Christ Church School. Also on the entertainment scene, the Picturedrome featured Danny Kaye in Hans Christian Anderson, at the Bollington Empire “Room for One More” was being shown featuring Carry Grant and at the Brookfield in Poynton “The Spanish Man” was being screened featuring Walter Slezek.
Early in the year, Roland Johnson retired from his post as Macclesfield Borough Council Treasurer and was pictured receiving the gift of a television to mark the occasion from the Mayor
Amongst the advertisements, New Day Furnishing Stores Ltd was offering a dining room suite for 29½ guineas (around £123.90p – one guinea was one pound and one shilling).
A washing demonstration by Miss M Jones will take place at the Electricity Service Centre, 58 Mill Street, Tuesday 2nd February at 3.00pm
Buy Blue for Better Brighter Burning
Esso Blue
Without a doubt the finest paraffin
Gives you greater heat, brighter light, cleaner wick
Cheshire Forest Hounds met at Somerford Booths Hall for a New Year Hunt – definitely a blast from the past
Adlington Artists Guild met each Monday at the home of Mr and Mrs Chantler of Adlington. They would move the furniture out of their dining room and roll back the carpet in their bungalow home for the arrival of their artist friends who met to exchange ideas and paint for the joy of art.
Pastor J Astbury of the Bollington Assembly of God was pictured cutting the first piece of turf on the site of the new hall off Wellington Road in Bollington
Tuesday 2nd February was Macclesfield’s coldest day since 1951 with temperatures recorded as low as 15 degrees = that meant 17 degrees of frost.
In February Thomas Oliver and Sons Ltd required workers at their Waterhouse Mill. They urgently required either experienced or trainee women and girls for cone cleaning, winding and cardroom. Men and boys were required for Mule spinning.
Macclesfield Deputy Town Clerk, Albert Ashworth resigned his post to enter private practice as a solicitor, whilst in the Bollington Urban District, Clerk of The Council Mr A Clough was pictured with the Chairman of the North Western Gas Board discussing the opening of Bollington Gas Works as an experimental centre
With many more public houses in the area than we now see, the Macclesfield Times and Courier suggested that:
Porters lift loads with it
Poets write odes with it
Good wholesome Beer
Try bread and cheese with it
Duck and green peas with it
Good wholesome Beer
Let’s have one at the local.
The Cheshire Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs Dairy Queen, Miss C Hill was pictured at Adlington Young Farmers’ Spring Ball
In April the Bishop of Chester installed the Rev William Williams as the new vicar of Rainow.
There was much concern in spring and summer of 1954 as a lack of rain and increase demand had seen levels of water in local reservoirs fall dramatically. It was recorded that just 7/10 of an inch of rain had fallen in the first 28 days of April. It was thought that water would have to be drawn from local bore holes. By July, reservoirs were reported to be dangerously low.
The Borough Council vetted the higher prices for playing games in the town’s park and approval was given to the £87,200 extension to the corporation sewage works.
In May, hundreds of people were pictured lining the route taken by Chipperfield’s Circus Parade of animals from the Central Railway Station to the venue for local performances on Windmill Street Playing Field. The picture also showed the 16 elephants that toured with Chipperfield’s
Mottram St Andrew village Fair was a successful event with a variety of goods for sale. The event drew to a conclusion with an evening whist drive.
A great agricultural future for Cheshire was highlighted at the Cheshire Show which at that time was being held on the Roodee in Chester.
On June 10th it was reported that Lillian Emily Isabel Jane Bromley-Davenport of Capesthorne had been named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List. She became Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her political and public service. Also in June the press had flocked to Jodrell Bank to record the progress of the radio telescope. It was reported that 185 foot high towers would support the reflector.
In 1954 Macclesfield had 2181 council houses – some of which were the post war prefabs on Westminster Road. There was a waiting list for 1570 homes.
A feature about the Automobile Association had bought Land Rover vehicles as part of its fleet, some of which were operating in the Macclesfield Area.
Macclesfield Agricultural Show took place in The South Park on September 1st and the Duke of Devonshire was on hand to present the awards
The JL Riley Choir gained first and second placing at the Llangollen Eisteddfod reinforcing a wealth of musical talent that abounded in Macclesfield
Macclesfield’s new Senior Fire Officer, WR Ellis had joined the Cumberland Street Fire Station from the Manchester Brigade.
If you have any memories of times gone in and around Macclesfield either as a resident or as a visitor, I would to hear your story. Please contact me at storerian@aol.com
