I am very excited about the Dark Satanic Mills exhibition at Vernon Mills. It’s on from this Friday until the 12th December.

If you love art, and you’ve an art lover in your family, then there will be Christmas presents galore!

I would not have known about the Christmas Farmers’ market had I not picked up a leaflet in the train station. This leaflet was squirreled away on the rack near the ticket machines, almost out of sight.

The Farmers’ markets in the market hall occur monthly and the one on the 20th November was the first Christmas themed event for 2011. It was held in the magnificent covered market and was a collection of stalls selling crafty gifts, sweet treats, bakery and ales. The pervading warm smell of mulled wine filled the restored Victorian building.

Although there were plenty of local and independent traders, the customers were noticed by their absence. What should have been as busy as the Manchester Christmas Markets, just wasn’t, “not a creature was stirring”. However, upon walking down through the Merseyway post our visit to pick up some ingredients for Christmas cake, we found that it was packed with shoppers pouring out of homogeneous chain stores, laden down with bags full of goodies.

The next Christmas market is on Sunday 18th December from 12 – 3pm in the market hall. Try to get there if you can, support local farmers and traders who’re up against places like TK Maxx, Topshop and M&S.

After a brief hospital appointment on Tuesday, the fella and I fancied a nice cup of coffee and a sit down. So we ended up in Da Vinci’s, an Italian-style coffee shop and restaurant. Between us we had light bites (bruschetta and hand cut chips) a latte and smoothie. The chips were gorgeous – I think they may be twice fried – they were golden crisp on the outside and beautiful fluffy potato inside. The bruschetta were 3 slivers of baguette, piled high with a purple basil topped, tomato heavy topping with balsamic sauce. It was really fresh and tasty – the balance of tomato and onion was perfect. Plus it came to just over £10 which isn’t bad for quite a lovely establishment.

Think we’re going to try and get back their for their evening meals, where I will update again!

Like any good feminist, I’ve been bought up with a reminder that women both fought and died in their attempts in order to get the vote. However, I’ve also been bought up with a healthy scepticism for politics and political systems. Seeing that the turnout in my ward, Edgeley & Cheadle Heath, garned a pathetic 34.36% turnout (3,659 votes cast in a ward consisting of 10,650 registered voters) I feel this scepticism is shared, leading to people feeling disenfranchised by the political process. (A walk along the dog/cat poo speckled back streets of Edgeley will probably gain concurrence.)

I’m still young, and maybe naïve, enough to not believe in apathy; to still believe that the main reason for no-one showing up to vote is because they’re feeling disillusioned with the political system. I am disillusioned too, yet still feel compelled to vote. So, as well as making my small contribution to the Green vote, I voted YES to the referendum for the alternative vote. I want to see electoral reform in my generation; I want to see change; I want to see a fairer system where people are re-engaged with politics and feel more engaged in their communities as a result. I also want to see a fairer distribution of votes.

Around Stockport, the heavily – mostly Tory – funded No to AV campaign posted up pictures of false dichotomies. Today, “No” supporter, David Blunkett admitted in the New Statesman that this campaign LIED about the cost of AV. But it’s too late now. The die is cast with results due later today. I’m hoping that even if YES fails, a good showing will keep it in peoples’ consciousness.

I’m hoping also to become more involved in what happens within my own community; keeping the councillors on their toes and trying to ensure that other people do so too!

* Results for Brinnington & Central
Murphy, Chris (Labour) 1992 Votes
Fairbanks, Bruce Gerard (Liberal Democrats) 336 Votes
Holgate, Stephen (Conservative) 305 Votes
Green, Christopher John (Green) 219 Votes

Sitting Councillors:
ROWLES, Maureen (LABOUR)
WALKER, Chris (LIBERAL DEMOCRAT)

Turnout : 28.26%
Majority : 1,656
Registed Voters : 10,115
Declared : Fri, 06 May 2011 02:01:00
Total Votes Cast : 2859
Total Votes Counted : 2852
Information from Stockport MBC

Just dropping in to stop the dust gathering on this blog. So, now for excuses! It’s been a while since I updated for the following two main reasons:

• Had some big news. Nothing bad, just have to shift priorities for a wee while.
• Around Feb until mid-April, I started to feel like this town is rubbish. These are some of the lowlights: the blood stained walls post-weekend (down by the library seems to be the place to duff people up); the massive amounts of dog shit on the streets – almost feels like one is inhaling toxoplasmosis; the way that the big supermarkets seem to have sucked the life out of the town centre; the 192 bus (’nuff said); the lack of explanation for the disappearance of a major part of the TPT 62 track around the back of the über Tesco; the lack of love and upkeep of the space that celebrates the confluence of the rivers Goyt and Tame – where the River Mersey is born…I could go on andonandonandon!

However, there have been a few saving graces recently. These include Vernon Park, Da Vinci’s coffee bar, and goslings on Sykes resevoir in Alexandra Park. I’ll try writing more coherent, descriptive reviews of these soon! Promise

Libraries: valuable, social; the beating heart of a learning community.

Since moving, I finally got around to joining the library at the beginning of the year.

Edgeley Library

I wandered up the mosaic path to Edgeley library and took in the incredibly lovely iron work that surrounded it; a lot of love has gone into this library – bar a few eroded glassy bits lying hither and thither. I entered the library: blue carpet (what is it with blue carpet and municipal buildings?!) and a fair few computers, a children’s section; small but perfectly formed. A lovely lady (Sue?) helped me and I prepared to get all my ID out to join. But it was easier than that -easier than joining the library in Manchester. All she took was my name, and my address, then handed over a credit-card sized library card with the iconic viaduct printed upon it. Took less than two minutes.

I got out a couple of books on poetry and gardening and left.

Stockport Central Library

Take action: using the library and beyond!
I am so proud of some of this country’s public services. I am, at heart, a fighter; a campaigner; an activist. (Even though I have told friends that I’m in ‘semi-retirement’, post climate change protesting days!) The recent news on the loss of libraries around the country has struck a nerve – it jangles and jars inside me. I do have a solid DIY ethic, but I also believe that if you have services you value, sometimes you need to defend them (be it schools, NHS, libraries. Air, water, and the earth).

I’ve been following the Voices for the Library campaign. So far, Stockport libraries have not featured as being under threat of closure or cut-back. I will be writing to my MP in order to ensure that these, and other services, are being protected. (Sorry, Ann, you’re going to be hearing from me a lot!)

More information, and the list of libraries under threat, can be found on the excellent Voices for the Library website. This campaign group have excellent advice on campaigning and how to find out information from the council. It’s definitely worth looking at it.

And, if you’re not convinced, read this speech by award-winning author Philip Pullman: “Leave the libraries alone. You don’t understand their value.”. This weekend: join your library, get some books out, read ‘em!

A very happy World Book Day, everyone.

For all your vintage accessories!

We had a lovely hour or so of wandering around the indoor ‘village’ which was chocka with dresses, jewellery, gadgets, books plus other bits and bobs from the good ole days! There was a man doing some woodturning in full Victorian garb which suited the setting of the market perfectly. I was also mesmerised by Judith Becket’s spinning wheel.

All in all, good fun! Many of the stalls have quite reasonably priced goods – some underpriced which did not escape my magpie eye – however, it’s worth perusing everything as there were similar wares at differing prices. Some customers were attempting to haggle with the stallholders, sometimes successfully!

I think I must have said, “Ooo, me gran had one of these” at least ten times.

Much more friendly and down-to-earth than some of the vintage places in Manchester’s Northern Quarter – which can be prententious and over-priced. The ‘villages’ are monthly, if you click on the image above, it will take you to the Vintage Village website.

Beginnings of our autumnal walk

A heron taking flight as we'd frightened it

The grey heron is a solitary bird and tends to fish alone. In stature, the heron can be regal with its head held high, or shy when hunched over. Yet it’s clumsy-looking in flight: their wings flap like oversized fabric; their legs dangle like a crane fly. I love them.

A noble heron

The bleach works was the main employer in Stockport and the chemicals ran off from the factories into the Mersey. Today, it’s a small industrial estate.

The bleach works was a main employer in Stockport over 100 years ago

Man-made weir, run off from chlorinated chemicals once polluted the river

Leaving the path by the river, we made our way through a gate and by a field.

A farm nearby with a friendly horse

There is a juxtaposition between old industry – the rail line and factory – and the new tangle of nature. Urban art decorates what was once a railway bridge. The new railing is also there to stop the over-curious from leaning over and falling to their doom.

Lovely urban art with nature taking over in the background

Victim of Dr Beeching

It’s really easy to get to the Nature Park where industrial history and nature entwine.

Mersey Vale Nature Park

We walked through Heaton Mersey park which has cobbled paths running up to a recreational area. It’s rather nice actually!

It's almost Narnia!

Now, a short pub review. (This will probably be a common theme in this blog!)

The Crown

Lovely pub let down by disappointing beer. Robinson’s Battering Ram (£2.30 a pint) was a deep chestnut, smelling sweet and promising. Sadly, this toffee smelling ale was just that, which lead me to having a sneaking suspicion of caramel being added to the mash. I gave up after half a pint (t’other half polished it off). Another pint and two packets of salted tastiness was purchashed. The next pint (Robinson’s Unicorn) was, quite frankly, horrid. Think it was poorly kept. Shame really. I’d go back there though as it’s a nice little pub, although I don’t think I’ll be having any beer.

Just say "No"

Before we caught the 23A back home, we popped into The Griffin Hotel. We nearly walked past this gem of a bar with the snobbish declaration of “Pah! A Holts pub”. Although the fact that it’d been a Holt’s pub since 1920 thought it might be worth a look (besides, t’other half was chilly). £2.90 for a pint and a half of Touchwood ale. Bargain. A nice fruity ale too. The pub is really classy (70′s carpet aside) and labyrinthine: I made two loops of the pub before finding the loos.

A grand day out, I’m sure you’d agree. The borough of Stockport has nature, history, and good pubs!

Further reading regarding the heritage of where we walked

• Heaton Mersey: Conservation Area Character Appraisal Stockport MBC (2006).
• List of standing mills in Stockport, Stockport MBC
• Mersey Basin Campaign Case Study

This Saturday, after a lovely walk in Alexandra Park, my partner and I agreed on the following:
“Oooh, now that the Hatters’ supporters are safely ensconced in Edgeley Park, what we could do with now is a lovely pint of beer!”

I will state now: I am an ale drinker therefore am already biased in what I like in a pub! And what I’m looking for is a decent pub, in Stockport, that can rival The Crown (go, it’s amazing for ale) and that doesn’t smell of bleachy vomit. I don’t think I ask for much

So, we tried the following venues on Castle Street…

The Royal Oak.
The Royal Oak partakes in the community toilets scheme. Whilst this is very useful if you get caught short and don’t fancy the walk of shame that comes from sneaking into a venue just to steal the loo. However, the Ladies suffers an extreme mildew problem and there is an underlying mushroomy smell. Although I was up for staying as the main pub has a nice atmosphere, the number of cask ales was poor. We left.

Prince Albert
Quick pop in. No ales spotted. May try this one again as the atmosphere wasn’t too unfriendly.

Wilson’s (I think that was its name)
We tried. It’s small. Blue scrubby carpet and an aroma of bleachy vomit. Sorry, but we couldn’t hack it!

The Sir Robert Peel
It promised a ‘family friendly’ atmosphere and ‘good food’, but had a few gnarly men in there who decided to leer at me. Not good. John Smiths? Nah…

The Pineapple
Small, comfy-looking, and Kate Bush in the background. Good start. Harp lager on tap (one of the few lagers I like) and friendly smiley staff. Getting better. No decent ale. Damn! Moving on…

The Grapes
Football = full of shouty people. Probably quite nice if it was less crowded. We didn’t venture in but will do eventually (then will review!).

After all that, I was beginning to feel like I didn’t want a pint. My fellow persuaded me to persevere. We crossed over Shaw Heath and beheld The Armoury. (Yeah, and drivers: speed limit is 30mph and please learn to stop at pelican crossings. Grr!)

The pub that restored my faith in Edgeley!

The Armoury is a Robinson’s pub, I’m not normally a Robbie’s fan but I’ll try anything once! A pint of well kept Unicorn and a pint of Dizzy Blonde for me. Fantastic. Just shows that when Robbie’s Ales are kept well, they’re actually pretty tasty. Lovely pub; love the old-school wallpaper, tactile curtains, and the lack of United paraphenalia. Friendly bar staff and grand atmosphere. Think we’ll be making it our local!

More soon, including a retrospective on a walk Heaton Mersey, and a rant about the Merseyway!