Stamford High School

The New Charter Academy, or more commonly known as Stamford High School.

It was built in 1932 on Mossley Road Ashton-under-Lyne, originally a boys school. In 1970 it merged with Mossley Road and Heginbottom Girls School. In 2008 it was renamed the New Charter Academy when it joined with Hartshead Sports College. And now it is being demolished.

Trams in Ashton-under-Lyne.

Well, they’re almost here. These two trams were being tested today. I asked the guy when they’d be running for the general public and he couldn’t tell me because of: ‘health and safety reasons’ ... Ah right, ok then.

Giant Plants!

 

These ‘weeds’ look to be a common type you see around, but I’ve never seen them this big! The bike in the picture gives some idea of their size. But I reckon they were some eight feet tall. I found them growing on Lower Wharf Street, Ashton-under-Lyne.

Following a bit of Googling, I believe they might be:

Giant hogweed, credit hockadilly.

 

Anyone know for sure?

What's this.

So what’s going on here. They’ve put up a large greenhouse thingy on the church roof. A new observation platform for Ashtoners?

Probably not.

Ashton-under-Lyne

What happened here! Looks like someone swiped this bit of street furniture with a stray car, it should be upright. There are a line of these plant holders down the centre of Wellington Road. Seen here.

New bank

As the Abby National disappears, the Santander signs now replace the old logos and a new bank arrives in Ashton-under-Lyne.

This is on the junction of Old Street and Warrington Street.

New view

Here is a view of St Michael's Parish Church that will not have been seen for many years, as the buildings along Stamford Street and Stamford Arcade have recently been demolished.
It looks like the ground is being prepared for something new. I wonder what.

concrete and clay

So here is our answer: no grass, flowers or bushes. Just more meters of paving flags.

Didn’t Ashton win the North West In Bloom Competition a few times recently? Looks like this is a backward step.

Ashton-under-Lyne

T’other side of the Ladysmith shopping centre on Katherine Street, where the new Costa coffee house can be found.

Paving

Ah. I’m guessing that the ripped out bushes, are not going to be replaced by anything that grows.

Well, that’s my mind made up for the election. I’m going Green.

Saint Georges Day

The flags are flying on Ashton market for St.Georges Day.

Bush-less

So they’ve dug up our bushes all along Crickets Lane and round the Memorial Park. What are they going to do with it all now. Please not concrete.

In the background are the Wellington Court apartments, here can been seen the apartments when the bushes were still there. 

Colourful

The Pound shop on Penny Meadow. Yes, very colourful.

New Road

They’ve made a start on the new road round the back of Penny Meadow.

These views are from the Albion Street bridge, I think.

Dairy Crest

That’s right, simply avoid those pesky traffic wardens with their yellow lines by parking on the pavement.

:-)

Iceland

Well, actually a view of Manchester from above the Ashton-under-Lyne golf course. But up in the sky are bits of Iceland, apparently. Although I’m not sure I can see much of it.

All UK flights have been cancelled due to ash in the air from the erupting volcano, under a glassier in Iceland. Ashton is on the landing flight path for Manchester Airport, or Ringway as I still like to call it. From my apartment window I can usually see about one flight a minute, the planes seemingly hanging in the air as they slow down on the approach to the airport.

Non at the moment though.

New Chinky

What have we here. Looks like a new chinky is about to open in Ashton. It's called the Jade Garden.
Ever since I have been here, this building has been semi-derelict. I think is was a Chinese restaurant some years back. Looks like it will be again soon.
The road is Old Cross Street, and at the bottom can be seen the Time Zone.

Heroes of Waterloo

The pub across the road from the Ladysmith Barracks has also closed.



Heroes of Waterloo.

Ladysmith Barracks

I’m just old enough to remember when this barracks was still open. Or at least I remember that there wasn’t a housing estate behind the archway. There has been for many years now. Only this arch and gate remains from the original barracks built in 1845. It finally closed in 1960.

Ashton Market

Bikes on Ashton Market.

I need a new bike, but not decided which type just yet.