Easter NewsLetter March 2026

Its Officially Spring.....

Thank you to all who came to our AGM. We enjoyed meeting Keith Warrender, and hearing about "Curiosities in Cheshire," and pleased to hear they weren't all in Alderley!

Thank you to everyone who has paid their subs. There is still time  to pay at next meeting, or by BACS

RBS, Alderley History Group Account No. 10307773 Sort Code 16-11-29. £

15 each and £10 for online/Zoom members. Thank you.

Our next meeting promises to be of great interest. Mrs Dorothy Bentley Smith will tell us about;

"The  Indomitable Mr Roe"

Monday 30th March 2026

7.15 for 7.30pm

Join Zoom Meeting from 7.15pm

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85605545064?pwd=5dvjlmbYFC5I6JL6aevtwh1yUzQ7bK.1

Meeting ID: 856 0554 5064

Passcode: 263141

Charles Roe (7 May 1715 – 3 May 1781)   was an English industrialist. He played an important part in establishing the silk industry in Macclesfield, Cheshire and later became involved in the mining and metal industries, including Alderley Mines. (Photos Wikipedia)

Dorothy Bentley Smith is quoted as saying " My interest is the history of science and the ordinary people involved with it. In particular my biology has helped my research into the history of silk, whilst my chemical knowledge help with early copper smelting, and both into the history of medicine, all subjects relevant to Macclesfield, not only nationally, but internationally"

We look forward to welcoming Dorothy to our meeting.

 Meetings in 2026.

Saturday June 20th show & tell at Nether Alderley Parish Hall. The Nether Alderley & St Marys Church archive, will be on display. This archive is now homed in the newly refurbished Parish Hall. Times TBC

Wednesday July 8th.The Lindow Bog Walk, with optional lunch in Plough & Flail. led by Brenda Acton. Meet at Plough at 10.30.

End September  TBC St Philips & St James Church  

2nd November TBC The Union Club.

7th December  Christmas social . The Union Club.

 Alderley Edge Festival.

We are pleased to be collaborating with the AEF this year. We have been researching the beginnings of the Festival and some of the local people involved in starting this longstanding fixture in the village. Formally inaugurated in 1911, building upon the foundations of the Wesleyan Church Music Festival held in 1909, the 2026 Festival will be the 108th [it  was paused for five years during WW1 and for two years during Covid]. The Festival became so popular that in the 1920's local residents were encouraged to subscribe towards a hall to hold it in and in 1928 The Festival Hall on Talbot Road was used for the first time. We have produced some history posters which will be displayed during the Festival which this year takes place from 20th-25th April in various locations around the village. Please see our FB page nearer the time for more stories and visit www.alderleyedgefestival.com for more information about the 2026 Festival.

Alderley Edge School for Girls 

It was with great sadness we learned recently about the proposed closure of the school. A  major feature of our village. The school was founded in 1999, due to the merger of Mount Carmel and St Hilary's schools .Founded in 1876 St Hilary's School was known as Alderley Edge High School, changing its name to St Hilary's in 1913. Mount Carmel was founded in 1945 when 3 boys & 2 girls enrolled  for their first lesson, with Sister Aquinas as the Headmistress.  If anyone has any photos or memorabilia from any of the schools, please share with us, or copy to our FB page.

 And finally;

ECHOES of the PAST. (continuing our series of a glimpse into the past)

SIR JOHN THOMAS STANLEY’S SUITS

Gentleman's suits c.1780-1795. Sir John Thomas Stanley (by Philip Mercier)  

This is a photograph of two gentleman’s suits c.1780-1795 which were owned and worn by Sir John Thomas Stanley [1735-1807]. The first is a purple silk jacket and breeches and the second a green uncut velvet stripe. The purple silk is a court suit most likely worn at court events and official receptions. Sir John was a Gentleman of the Privy Chamber to King George III

Sir John Thomas Stanley, the elder, [1735-1807], the 6^thBaronet was born at Alderley Park and succeeded to the baronetcy in 1755 upon the death of his father. As well as being a major landowner and amateur scientist, he is perhaps best known for the fire in 1779 which burnt down Alderley Old Hall and which facilitated the Stanleys moving to their bailiff’s house, an old mansion called Park House, later known as Alderley House. Sir John and his wife were residing at their town house in Chester at the time of the fire and were informed whilst on their journey back to Alderley.

It was the 7^th Baronet,  Sir John Thomas Stanley, the younger, [1766-1850] who was elevated to become the 1^st Baron Stanley of Alderley in 1839.

Source: Alderley Park Discovered by George B Hill

Suits Image: courtesy of Manchester Art Gallery

Portrait: Sir John Thomas Stanley [1735-1807] by Philip Mercier

Series compiled by Denise Psaila