Newsletter - Spring Highlights & Summer Plans
- Stewart Dyer
- May 20
- 5 min read
Thank you to everyone who attended our March event when author, tour guide, lecturer and poet, Dorothy Bentley Smith gave us a fascinating talk about “A Georgian Gent”, namely Charles Roe [1715-1781]. Mr Roe was an English industrialist who played a pivotal role in establishing the silk industry in Macclesfield and who later became involved in the mining and metal industries. In the 1750’s he was mining copper up on Alderley Edge. We think we can all agree that it was a very interesting and enjoyable evening.
The 108th Alderley Edge Festival of Music, Speech and Drama was held in the village from 20th-25th April 2026. The AHG collaborated this year when we researched three members of the local community – William Newton Agar [1869-1945], William Oliver West [1858-1945] and Philip Godlee [1890-1952] – three men who were instrumental in founding and establishing the Festival and putting Alderley Edge on the map nationally in this field. We designed and produced history banners which were on display during the event. We have also uncovered a number of other stories relating to the event which we have published on our Facebook page.
[Researched by Denise Psaila and designed by Lilly Parr]
Wythenshawe Hall
Exploring Its History and Restoration
Monday, 18th May 2026
7.15p.m. for 7.30 p.m. Church of St Philip & St James, Church Lane, Alderley Edge
2026 marks the centenary of the sale of Wythenshawe Hall to Ernest, 1st Baron Simon of Wythenshawe and former Lord Mayor of Manchester, and his wife, Lady Shena, who immediately gifted it to Manchester Corporation “to be used solely for the public good”. Prior to the sale, the estate had been in the possession of the Tatton family for almost 400 years.We will be welcoming volunteers from the "Friends of Wythenshawe Hall" who are going to tell us more about Wythenshawe Hall, its history and its restoration.Ernest Simon’s mother, Emily Stoehr, grew up in Alderley Edge. The family lived at The Larches on Woodbrook Road and her wedding to Gustavus Henry Victor Hermann Amandus Simon took place at St Philip’s so our venue for this evening is very fitting. Ernest’s uncle, Charles William Stoehr, lived at Croston Towers after his marriage which took place at St Mary’s, Nether Alderley.Entrance is free for AHG members and guests are very welcome [£5.00 per person]. If you are unable to attend and would like to join by Zoom, you can do so by following this link:-
Meeting ID: 854 4061 5858Passcode: 427313
Hopefully later this year we will be able to arrange a guided tour of the Hall for AHG members.
Wythenshawe Hall c.1740 [image courtesy of Manchester Libraries]
Show & Tell - The Jenny Youatt Archive
Friday, 26th June 2026
[please note change of date from that previously advertised]
7.00 p.m. until 9.00 p.m. Nether Alderley Village Hall, Church Lane, Nether Alderley
A rare opportunity to take a look at the archives of St Mary's Church, Nether Alderley curated by Local Historian and former Church Archivist, Jenny Youatt.Nether Alderley Village Hall is a stunning 17th century sandstone building located adjacent to St Mary's Church. It re-opened last year following a fantastic restoration project which has retained the building's character and historical charm.
Extract from the St Mary's Parish Accounts Book 1827 [image courtesy of Cheshire Archives]
Lindow Bog Walk led by Brenda Acton
Wednesday, 8th July 2026
AHG Member, Brenda Acton, will be getting us "Bogged Down in History” on a narrated walk around Lindow Moss. This atmospheric, historic and precious place is a subject close to Brenda’s heart and the focus of the walk will be the people who used to live in this area and their fascinating stories including “A Murder Most Foul”.
We will meet at The Plough and Flail at 10.15 a.m. for a 10.30 a.m. start. It is approximately a 2½ mile loop walk and we will aim to be back at the starting point somewhere between 12.30 p.m./1.00 p.m. where we will be able to take lunch/refreshments [optional]. It is an "easy ish" walk with no steep inclines and with frequent stops to hear Brenda's stories. Sturdy footwear is a must - walking boots, trainers or wellies - and it is recommended that you carry a small bottle of water. This walk isn't suitable for persons who need to use a stick or other walking aid.
Fresh air, great company and history too! What's not to like?
If you would like to join the walk and/or take lunch/refreshments afterwards, please would you DM Mandy Parr or email her at mandy@mandyparr.com, if possible before the end of June. We just need to get an idea of numbers and book a table. Lunch/refreshments can then be ordered as required and paid for individually to The Plough & Flail.
Rossmere Lake near Saltesley Hall [image courtesy of Brenda Acton]
Archaeology Dayin association with theDerbyshire Caving Club
Saturday, 18th July 2026
The Festival of Archaeology, which is promoted by The National Trust, takes place in July/August 2026. It is the UK’s biggest annual celebration of archaeology and this year’s theme is “Archaeology and Nature”. The AHG in association with the Derbyshire Caving Club are planning an Archaeology Day up on Alderley Edge.
Our 1-day event will be multi-faceted:- The National Trust will be doing 30 minute guided walks whilst the Derbyshire Caving Club will have their museum room open. The AHG will have a mini display showing the findings of some research into the people who played a crucial role in the Alderley Edge mining operation.
"The Alderley Edge Mining Company Ltd" Share Certificate dated 1st May 1863 [image courtesy of Edward Coghlan]
Save the Date!Autumn and Winter Sneak Peek ...
Monday, 21st September 2026
7.15 p.m. for 7.30 p.m. Church of St Philip & St James, Church Lane, Alderley Edge
Sandra Woodall, Andrew Smith and Mike Bower “The Dumvile Clock and Other Stories”
The results of detailed research into the Dumvile family’s connections with Alderley. There will also be an opportunity to look through the AHG Archive.
Monday, 2nd November 2026
7.15 p.m. for 7.30 p.m. The Union Club, Stevens Street, Alderley EdgePeter Cotton
“Two Men and an Everest Obsession”
The story of Cheshire mountaineers, George Mallory [1886-1924] and Andrew Irvine [1902-1924] who perished together on the North Face of Mount Everest.
Monday, 7th December 2026
7.15 p.m. for 7.30 p.m. The Union Club, Stevens Street, Alderley EdgeChristmas Social and Supper
The evening will include a hot supper, mulled wine, mince pies, a guest speaker and of course our famous Christmas Quiz.
Echoes from the Past
[compiled by Denise Psaila]
A Picnic on the Edge
Henry Edward Tidmarsh [1859-1935] watercolour, 1893/1894
[image courtesy of Manchester Art Gallery]
Henry Edward Tidmarsh (1855-1939) was an artist and illustrator who worked mainly in watercolour. He was known as ‘Harry’ or ‘H. E’ and was born in Islington where his father was a master carpenter running his own successful business. He chose not to enter his father’s firm and instead studied art and made a career as an illustrator. He is remembered for his depiction of street scenes of London and Manchester many of which are held in public collections. Tidmarsh also painted frescoes and there are two in the London area. One is located at High Barnet church and another at Archway Central Hall. More than 120 of his Manchester street scenes are in the collection of the Manchester Art Gallery.
As an exhibitor, he showed at the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists, Dudley Gallery Art Society, Manchester Academy of Fine Arts, Royal Academy of Arts, Royal Society of British Artists and Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours. He died at his home in Muswell Hill, London.
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