What’s in an odd street name?

IF you’ve ever wondered how places like Cuckstoolpit Hill, Puss Bank (or even Bonk) and Proctor’s Opening got their name then wonder no more.

A new book by historian and author David Cliffe, 72, entitled The Street Names of Macclesfield can provide the answers.

The book, which he says is the first of its kind, is the result of 30 years of research and the main section of it has details of around 300 roads.

For each one David has attempted to identify the earliest evidence of its existence and location, how its name may have changed over the years and what significance its titles have had.

He said: “As a child, I was always interested in what older people said, wondering what they were talking about and then finding out.

“They would talk about Churchwallgate, Puss Bonk and Windmill Brew and when I went to university I studied dialectology and folk life studies.

“The book has been done over probably 30 years, but it is not something you do all in one go, sometimes odd facts turn up.”

David was born in Macclesfield and lived on Cranford Avenue, attending St Paul’s Primary and then King’s School.

After university he moved to Reading, a place he has written several books about, but this is his first about his hometown.

During his research, David noticed trends in street naming - for example in Victorian times Macclesfield streets tended to be named after politicians, military personnel and battles.

But after World War I they tended to be named after more gentle places and things such as coppices, castles, racecourses and golf courses.

In addition rather than the names being suffixed with ‘street’, ‘avenues’ and ‘closes’ began to be used.

During his research he also found evidence to support the theory there was a Mott and Bailey castle in the town in medieval times.

David said: “After the time it took I was very pleased to finish the book and even more so when people read it and say they have enjoyed it, really that is why you do it.

“I go back to Macclesfield several times a year and still have family there so it nice to write about the town.”

The Street Names of Macclesfield, which also contains maps, drawing and photographs of the streets, costs £12.

It can be bought from the visitors centre at Macclesfield Town Hall.

David Cliffe with his book ‘The Street Names of Macclesfield’ and, inset: Needham’s Wharf, one of the places featured in the book

committee’s second suggestion, Fytton Street, and in the end decided on Coronation Street because the coronation of George V and Queen Mary was about to take place.Fountain Street, leading onto Cuckstoolpit Hill