IT’S almost time to relive the past as Tameside’s treasured heritage sites open their doors for the public to explore.
The theme of this year’s Heritage Open Days is ‘Routes, Networks and Connections’ – celebrating how people and ideas have moved around and come together throughout history.
It’s part of a national campaign which happens every year, organised by thousands of dedicated volunteers.
Taking place from September 6 to 15, it’s a free opportunity for people to learn more about and celebrate the borough’s rich history.
Throughout the Heritage Open Days, Portland Basin Museum in Ashton-under-Lyne will have a small display of collections and items from the Guide Bridge area – including items relating to the train station, the Hooley Hill Munitions Factory explosion and local businesses – in collaboration with Tameside Local History Forum.
Here’s a quickfire day-by-day guide to where you can visit across Tameside…
Friday, September 6:
Enjoy a guided walk, around 90 minutes long at an easy pace, to see and hear about the historic features of the Daisy Nook Canal from Droylsden to Hollinwood. Meet at 1pm at the cafe at Daisy Nook Country Park, off Stannybrook Road, just off Newmarket Road.
Saturday, September 7:
People can experience the rich cultural heritage and tranquillity of a Hindu place of worship at BAPS Shri Swaminaryan Mandir in Ashton-under-Lyne, from 10am to 6pm. There will be a guided tour, which will be followed by light refreshments.
You can also take a look around Dukinfield Old Chapel (Unitarian) from 1.30pm to 4pm. The chapel on Old Road, Chapel Hill, is an imposing Grade II listed non-Gothic with an unusual pulpit door, crypt with mysterious well, and fascinating graveyard. Refreshments will also be available.
From 10am to 2pm, St John the Evangelist, Hurst Cross in Ashton-under-Lyne will be offering guided tours to learn about its history and unique features, while there will be a display of old maps and church registers.
Sunday, September 8:
There will be another chance to see inside Dukinfield Old Chapel (Unitarian) from 11am to 1pm, and to have a guided tour of St John the Evangelist, Hurst Cross in Ashton-under-Lyne from 12.15pm to 3pm.
From 1pm to 5pm, the Fairfield Moravian Church, Settlement and Museum in Droylsden will be open to the public. There will be an exhibition, museum and stalls, with refreshments available. Tours are available every half an hour from 1pm to 4pm – booking is preferred but not essential by emailing jwarr@uwclub.net
Wednesday, September 11:
From 2pm, John Hughes will talk about his book about life changes from the 1960s, exploring transformations in society over the past 80 years, at Tameside Local Studies and Archive Centre on Cotton Street East in Ashton-under-Lyne.
Friday, September 13:
Find out more about Mossley’s history by exploring the town’s canals, road and railway routes on a walk from 1.30pm, by meeting at Two Mills Lane/Waggon Road.
Then from 2pm to 4pm, visit Mossley Heritage Centre – at Longlands Mill on Queen Street – to explore a variety of photographs, maps and artefacts – from stage coaches, secret tunnels and canal boats.
Ashton Parish Church on Stamford Street will be offering guided tours, trips up the tower (weather permitting) and refreshments, while various historical church artefacts will be on display. It’s open from 10am to 4pm, as well as during the same times the following day.
In Hyde, you will be able to see stained glass windows, church vestments and silverware at St Thomas the Apostle Church on Lumn Road, from 10am to 4pm. There will also be a bishop’s chair dating back over 100 years, photographs of Hyde and Scouting memorabilia, with refreshments available too.
Saturday, September 14:
St Paul’s Church on Huddersfield Road in Stalybridge will be welcoming visitors from 10am to 2pm. They will be able to enjoy one of the church’s popular Saturday Cafes where refreshments will be served, see how a bell tower works, and have a tour of the church. The spiritual garden will also be available to view.
Elsewhere, in Stalybridge, you can also look around St George’s Church on Church Walk and see its contents from 11am to 3pm. Volunteers will be available to talk about the history of the church, you can walk around the churchyard and church records can be made available on request.
That same day, Albion Church in Ashton-under-Lyne will be open from 10am to 4pm. At the Stamford Street East venue, you will be able to see stained glass windows and a tile war memorial, hear the Lewis Grade II organ and there will be a cafe serving snacks and lunches.
At St John the Evangelist, Hurst Cross in Ashton-under-Lyne, there will be a photographic display from 10am to 4pm – which includes a rolling display of Ashton Photographic Society’s photographs and an exhibition of church photos. There will be a visual talk at 11am when local photographer Ray Liddy will document the history of Belle Vue.
There’s also another opportunity to take part in the Daisy Nook Canal History Walk at 1pm, to learn more about Mossley’s history at Mossley Heritage Centre from 10am to 3.30pm, and to look around St Thomas the Apostle Church in Hyde from 10am to 4pm.
Sunday, September 15:
Open to the public for Heritage Open Days only, take this chance to see Newton Hall on Dunkirk Lane in Hyde and learn about the long history of the building, established in circa 1380. From 2pm to 4pm, there will be information and photographs on the people who lived there, as well as local history books and maps.
There’s also another opportunity to have a guided tour of St John the Evangelist, Hurst Cross in Ashton-under-Lyne from 12.15pm to 3pm, and to look around St Thomas the Apostle Church in Hyde from 12.30pm to 4pm.
Wednesday, September 18:
From 2pm, local archaeologist Keith Wright will talk about a recent excavation near Mottram and some finds will be on display, at Tameside Local Studies and Archive Centre on Cotton Street East in Ashton-under-Lyne.
Wednesday, September 24:
At the same time and venue, Martin Clark will explore the fascinating history of Fairbottom Bobs, a Newcomentype beam engine installed near Ashton in around 1780.