Alderley Edge

Looking up Trafford Road, one can see the large villas on the Edge, above the village that serviced their needs. On the corner is Tyler`s garden nursery; Mr Tyler was ready to supply everything from a packet of seeds to a full landscaping service, on account, of course, to the suitable customer. Later, Alderley council offices occupied the site.
An extract from from"Wilmslow and Alderley Edge Photographic Memories".

This view is looking north up Alderley Edge`s main shopping street, the little gardens in front of the premises can clearly be seen. On the left is Bilsboroughs, smiths and ironmongers, a business that lasted from the 1860s to 1990s. On the right, the black and white building became the garage, Eadingtons. During the Second World War, Mrs Armitage, who had taken to using her pony and trap to save petrol, would tie the pony up to the pump when she came down to the village to shop, never mind the inconvenience to anyone else.
An extract from from"Wilmslow and Alderley Edge Photographic Memories".

Another view of the London Road reveals the Trafford Arms on the left, an unofficial club for the gardeners who worked in the villas. They gathered here at lunchtime, only dispersing when the local builders, Isaac Massey and Son, sounded its one o`clock hooter. In the background is the Institute, built by villa owners for St Philip`s church to provide a respectable teetotal place for the villa maids to spend their weekly free afternoons.
An extract from from"Wilmslow and Alderley Edge Photographic Memories".

When the Eagle and Child closed as an inn, it occasioned another change in Alderley life. For centuries, the Alderley Wakes had been held there beside the churchyard. This had been a truly village occasion, one which the Stanleys attended but did not control. All the local farming families tried to get back to Alderley for Wakes week in the third week of August. It always started in church, but apparently few people paid much attention to the religious service; they were too busy checking out their neighbours. Afterwards the inn served frumenty and beer and there was dancing on into dark. After the Eagle and Child was closed the Wakes were still held, but up at the Wizard, and it became a teetotal occasion. There was still a religious element, as the day started with a service for the Alderley Oddfellows at St Mary’s, after which they paraded up the hill to the Wizard, where there was a mixture of entertainment, including races, donkey rides, balloon ascents, brass bands and teas. After the First World War the date of the Alderley Wakes changed to Easter, but the fun still went on until 1939, with the fair set up in the field opposite the Wizard.
An extract from from"Wilmslow & Alderley Edge - A History & Celebration".

Built in the 1780s as the Miners` Arms, this premises changed its name to the Wizard Inn in 1843. Lady Stanley, viewing the new sign, hoped that people would not `mistake it for My Lord in his dressing gown`. When the third Lord Stanley inherited his title in 1869, being a Muslim, he closed all the public houses on his land. However, he allowed the Wizard to reopen as a teetotal tearoom for the many visitors who came to walk on the Edge.
An extract from from"Wilmslow and Alderley Edge Photographic Memories".