View From The Chair

It seems to be 'all change' doesn't it? For several years we have met at Ragland Road and now that venue is no longer available.

So for our May and June meetings we went further afield, to the Community Hall at St. Martin's Church. Far afield, did I say? Not really, as Ashton-on-Mersey is older than Sale itself. Indeed, St. Martin's celebrated its 700th anniversary in 2003, while the other churches in Sale followed many years later.

There are many interesting landmarks in Ashton. There is the Church which has a fascinating lychgate, the Brooks' Institute, now used for commercial purposes, but looking very smart, the former school with the clock tower attached - oh! when will they get the clock working again? There is also the Buck Inn, the Plough Hotel, and several 'olde worlde' cottages in Buck Lane and Church Lane. Don't forget the stocks set into St. Martin's Church wall!

Nor do we just live in the past. Most importantly, the Hall was built in two stages and is now of great use to the Church and to the wider community. A few yards from the Hall is the Church tower, now covered in scaffolding and requiring much-needed repairs. The congregation is working hard to raise the £200,000 plus that is required - all contributions gratefully received! Do come and have a look round our thriving village sometime.

I shall look forward to seeing you all in the new venue for our meetings - the United Reformed Church on Montague Road...


Victor Black
Chairman

This and That

'Seasons of mists and mellow fruifulness' - Keats' 'Ode to Autumn' is pertinent. Autumn tints appeared early and it is reported that bumper crops of top fruits have been gathered this year.

However, Spring and Sumer have held much activity and many events of note. It was pleasing to attend the opening of the Arts Cafe in Hayfield Street - utilising the original Royal Mail sorting office, injecting new life into an old building and retaining a little more of Sale's history. The enterprising young owners are to be applauded.

A memorable year also for Sale Grammar School, celebrating special events - the centenary of the main school building and the 20th anniversary of the school becoming 'co-ed'. Opening as a Girls High School in 1896, it is obviously the oldest school of its style in the area. The 'new' building was built to acommodate the increasing pupil roll.

As is traditional, Sale Festival was held throughout June - this year with an even larger programme of music, song, dance, art and sports. A feast of events for young and the 'more mature'. Instead of the Society's usual pictoral and text display, illustrating all the good things Sale has to offer, the theme was demonstrated by a well-attended slide presentation held in the Town Hall Council Chamber.

A great feature, also at Waterside, was the wonderful display to celevrate the 250th anniversary of the Bridgewater Canal. Researched and compiled by a knowledgeable member of the Friends of the Bridgewater Canal, it was further enhanced by Sale Photographic Society's images of the full 29 miles of today's canal.

Two other memorable events we attended were the inauguration of Sale Councillor Jane Baugh as the new Mayor of Trafford - a moving event indicative of the role of tradition in today's world, and the Royal Society of St. George's 'Youth Presentations' to young people who have been nominated as 'going the extra mile' in the care of others or because of some extraordinary achievement, or dedication to a worthy cause.

'Friends' of our local parks are continually and quietly working hard, securing financial grants and holding events towards the improvement of our 'green lungs'. Ashton and Walton Parks have been given new play equipment through the Playbuilder scheme and Worthington Park's outdoor gymn has been a great success.

Building processes and renovations abound throughout the town - the Hope Road 'Bar 2' site, to rise as a part-5 storey block of retirement apartments is hidden behind decorated hoardings and displaying the Union Flag; the now attractively renovated Sale Hotel, to be renamed 'The Moorfield' (indicative of the site's original name) is to open in late September as a family-oriented restaurant; the old 'Pictor' site on Harboro Road remains derelict and overgrown. The proposed improvement along the A56, adjacent to the 'Waggon and Horses', to consist of shops and apartments, is not yet evident; the day nursery on Marsland Road, on the previous site of the Baptist Chapel, is soaring high at a tremendous rate - very soon 100 little chattering, or wailing, voices will be heard.

Hopefully next year's programme has something to suit everyone - including visual 'trips', some local rural history and archaeology, the story of one of our past, famous residents, and Henshaw's School for the Blind's story and work.

Pat Coulburn

Hon. Secretary

Sale Festival 2011

It's Sale Festival time again!!

Members of Sale Civic Society will be supporting the Festival's many events. See http://www.salefestival.org.uk/ for more details of the wide variety of exciting activities over the festival period.

As part of the festival, our Secretary, Pat Coulburn will be giving a slide presentation on 'Another View of Sale'. This will be a visual presentation and lively commentary, revealing the vibrancy, heritage and history of our town. It will be held at Sale Waterside on Friday 17th June at 7.30 p.m. Tickets are £6, and £5 for concessions, with a complimentary glass of wine.

Do come along and join us, and if you see us at any of the other events, please do say hello.

View From The Chair

Does anyone remember the Meccano Magazine? I bet some of our male members used to read it. I did, and I always looked forward to the start of every month, when it arrived through the letterbox.

There was something for everyone in it - cars, trains, aeroplanes, sport, landmarks - they were all there. Why do I reminisce about the M.M. after all these years? Because there is always something for everyone at Sale Civic Society.

Since the last newsletter we have had an amusing talk by the Rev. Michael Burgess - who said all clergymen were stuffy? - and a quiet and equally interesting talk and slideshow on Fairtrade by Basil Wakefield. After Natalie James' visit in February, to tell us about the work of Stockdales, we go historical until next Autumn, with four excellent speakers, including our own Pat Coulburn, who we have heard before.

By the way, wasn't it a terrible December? As a Society, we are very lucky to have had our November meeting before the snow arrived and the January meeting after it had gone. I dread to think what our attendance would have been had we met in December - our members would have been tempted to stay indoors!

Thanks for continuing to support us.

Victor Black
Chairman

News Update

Spring is here once more - after the bitter, long-drawn-out winter we've experienced. The brave snowdrops and crocus showing through, with their splashes of colour, are more than welcome.

With summer on its way, our local parks will offer much to visitors - noticeable parks' improvements will indicate the hard work of parks 'Friends' groups, in raising finance for additional facilities for users young and old.

'Civic Voice', the new 'umbrella' for civic societies is proving strong in its resolve to support societies, by organising appropriate meetins and seminars, varying the venue throughout the country.

Building activity throughout Sale is evident: 'Bar2' at the corner of Hope Road and Northenden Road is presently being demolished for a rebuild as retirement apartments. Listed building consent applications have been made for the renovation of the Sale Hotel. The ex-RAFA Club site now sports an almost completed block of flats, and work will be commencing soon for the Day Nursery on the Marsland Road Baptist Chapel site. The 'Pictor' site application for a care home has been deferred and the ancient cottage on Rutland Lane has been protected, temporarily, from demolition.

We have noticed that various offices along Washway Road have been given face-lifts, much improving the appearance of our important higheay.

As has been known for some time, demolition and rebuilding is to take place at the Raglan Road site, but earlier than initially indicated. Consequently, we shall find a new venue for meetings, and notification will be given to members and visitors at meetings and through the local press. In the meantime, the May and June meetings will be held at St. Martin's Church Hall, Church Lane. See you there.

Pat Coulburn

Hon. Secretary