An off-the-beaten-track magnificence spot offered “fantastic” reminiscences for generations of Manchester children.
Described as being like “an oasis”, the M.E.N revealed a narrative concerning the tucked away spot final 12 months. The story was prompted by {a photograph} being uploaded to a Manchester Fb group of a riverside surrounded by woodland, with swimmers taking a dip within the clear waters.
The charming summer season scene befell at an idyllic part of the River Bollin in Fortress Mill, a part of the Cotteril Clough Nature Reserve by Manchester Airport. Up till the early Nineteen Seventies, not removed from this location, there was additionally the favored Fortress Mill open air swimming pool which sadly now not exists.
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After the story appeared, readers took to the feedback part of the M.E.N web site and Fb web page to share their very own reminiscences of the wonder spot. Posting within the web site feedback, Campbelltown123 mentioned: “OMG, me and my buddies use to trip our bikes to this actual place in the summertime holidays from Wythenshawe [in the] late ’70s early ’80s with a bottle of orange and a sandwich.
“We might spend all day there and simply have an awesome day trip. Had forgot all about this place until I seen the pics of the bridge and the seaside.”
Patricia Lowe shared related reminiscences on Fb. She posted: “Within the ’50s we used to take a bottle of company pop (water), jam butties and stroll via the farmer’s subject into Styal Woods, throughout the swinging bridge and are available out on the [River] Bollin and spend all day enjoying. Cherished the place – good reminiscences.”
Yvonne Coop, mentioned: “I lived in Hale barns and, within the college holidays, my mum used to ship me with my younger brother [with] a bottle of water and a jam butty to Piggley Stairs at Fortress Mill. Instructed us [to get] again for tea-time. A great deal of children having a good time: adventures, making rafts, enjoying hide-and-seek, swimming within the Bollin. Good clear and blissful enjoyable. No hassle – harmless days.”
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Whereas Sara Bray, commented: “Like it. None of us had mobiles then – we simply used to all meet up on our bikes, lower via the lanes behind Wythenshawe Hospital. A few us would go through the retailers and get meals for picnics or little barbecues, and we might simply spend your entire day having an excellent giggle and a play – making rope swings with tree branches and twine.”
The overriding response to the story was how fortunate individuals felt to have had the native magnificence spot play such a memorable a part of their childhood. Stella Livesey, mentioned: “So fortunate to have had the Bollin Valley as a giant a part of my childhood.”
Jackie Wilde, posted: “Cherished it there. Spent many a lazy summer season’s day in that actual spot”.
Whereas Stuart Keelan completely summed it up, including: “Great childhoods, stunning reminiscences eternally. I assumed St Ives was good however Fortress Mill was good.”
(Picture: @Manchester Libraries)
Images obtained from the Manchester Libraries assortment present how earlier generations selected sections of the Bollin as a great spots to wash or picnic on a sunny day. The Bollin is a serious tributary of the River Mersey and flows via Macclesfield and Wilmslow the place it has a confluence with the River Dean close to Styal Jail and flows via Styal nation park.
(Picture: @Manchester Libraries)
From there it defines the southwestern portion of the border between Higher Manchester and Cheshire earlier than merging with the River Mersey north of Lymm. It stays a well-liked fishing spot with most species caught there mentioned to be Chub, Mirror Carp, and the Widespread Carp.
Be part of our Higher Manchester historical past, reminiscences and folks Fb group right here.
The River Bollin stays a well-liked magnificence spot loved by bathers and swimmers, though as an untreated pure water supply, the water is just not appropriate for consuming and warning is suggested on swimming in open water, rivers and reservoirs. Extra info will be discovered on the Public Well being England web site and the Nationwide Water Security web site.
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