More information about our marvel of engineering
I WAS interested in the article by Steve Cliffe about the Marple Aqueduct, which followed on from the one I wrote in the Heritage Magazine
It added more information about one of the architectural gems of our town and the surrounding area and in particular the comparison between it and the one at Llangollen.
It came about from a statement in an email forwarded from Peter Scott which said the Marple Aqueduct was the highest in the country, and I felt I had to qualify what that meant.
The two aqueducts are brilliant feats of engineering but they are different in construction.
Our Marple Aqueduct is not as high perhaps as the Pontcysyllte but it is the tallest ‘masonry built’ aqueduct in the country and therein lies the difference.
I and many others over the years have been privileged to be just one of many unpaid contributors to the Heritage Magazine and what Steve did not mention was that the ‘current’ edition is the last one, unless of course he changes his mind.
For him it has been more a labour of love, and in a sense it promoted our town.
Local history and heritage are important and the magazine went out to be read by many expats living abroad.
I do not call myself a local historian, as it implies you have a qualification in the subject, rather I just say I have an interest in it and that came about from stories my dad used to tell which I turned into a book, and there were also stories from other people about living in a place called ‘Newtown’ which was between the top of Lancashire Hill and Greg Street, and it too was a labour of love and written for the people who once live there.
Many people will be saddened by the Heritage Magazine coming to an end.
There was another article of mine in the last edition which was about Rivetts Mill, and Steve asked me to speak to a lady who lived on Manchester Road who was Gail Browning. She had some information about the mill and in particular one Colonel Rivett who had it, and who had lived in a house behind hers called Grove House off Victoria Grove.
I interviewed her and wrote the article up. The day after the interview she was due to move to Buxton, and I wrote her new address down and said I would send her a copy of the magazine.
Unfortunately I lost the address. So if there is anyone who is in touch with Gail who knows her new address could they please ring or text me on 07748 408395, or email, mike.kiernan@ntlworld.com. Mike Kiernan Address supplied