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Alton

Alton photos (9 available)

Old photo of Alton

Alton maps (2 available)

Old map of Alton

Alton books (4 available)

Alton memories

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Staffordshire memories

Better Late Than Never.

I met my wife Dorothy in Northampton. She came from Cheadle. Incidentally I was born at Ryton-on-Tyne. One day Dorothy asked me if I would like to move to Cheadle so I got a map out and what caught my eye was a place called Upper Tean which was about 3 mile from Cheadle. Within 4 weeks we were living in Upper Tean and it's a beautiful place to live in. From the kitchen window to the horizon one can see many woods, old-fashioned stone walls and hedges. At this moment in the distance there is a farmer at work in the field. Actually I like a game of chess, but moving to Upper Tean was the best move I ...read more here
A memory of Tean contributed by JAMES ATKINSON

Park Hill Farm, Stramshall Parish

My grandfather was enlightened in many ways. He permitted the children from the western side of the town, to bathe and swim, at The Pipe, boundary with campbells, The Basin, near to stramshall footpath, subject to no litter, and interference with animals. This was permitted long after his death by my family, until 1972, when the farm was sold, due to the deaths of my aunts.
A memory of Stramshall contributed by john mellor

Growing up with all my relatives living in Stramshall Parish

I was born in 1928, to John James and Olive Mellor, my grandfather was Percival Jackson Mellor, my grandmother Mary Ellen Mellor. They built with help Park Hill Farm, New Road, Uttoxeter, paying tithes to Stramshall Parish. All the family went to Stramshall Church, all my parents, uncles, and grandparents are buried in Stramshall Church. The first Vicar I remember was the Rev Charlon, an Anglican churchman of the old school. My great uncle, Thomas, lives with his wife Selina at Hill top Farm(Cottages). I spent my youth between the two farms and the surrounding fields. With the River Tean running between, it was an exciting place to grow up.
A memory of Stramshall contributed by john mellor

Uttoxeter, Stone Road

Uttoxeter, High Street c1955

Has anyone got a photograph of Stone Road before the flats were built in the 1970s?  My grandmother Mrs Elizabeth Foster lived at 21 Stone Road from about 1910 until they were demolished in the late 1970s and she watched them being demolished from a flat across the road. She was a widow from 1918 when her husband Thomas died as a result of the First Wordl War. I remember Highland cattle at the top of the road (where the swimming pool is now), and the stonemasons and Morin's on the corner (ice cream!).
I remember Mr and Mrs Challinor who lived next door. Lovely terraced houses, no bathrooms, outside toilet, 2 rooms downstairs and 3 bedrooms upstairs. At one ...read more here

Extracts From Alton & Staffordshire books

Uttoxeter, High Street 1957

Gazing up the street past Wilks Teenage Fashions (left) with the Elkes Cafe above, we can see Barclays Bank. This was built in 1921 on the site of Huggins & Chambers, an ironmonger’s. The ironmonger’s sold Witchem’s firelighters among other products - these must have contributed to the conflagration when the building was burned to the ground in 1920.
An extract from from"Uttoxeter Living Memories".

Uttoxeter, the Old Talbot Inn c1955

The Old Talbot was built in 1527, and is reputed to be the oldest building in Uttoxeter. It survived two fires which badly damaged the town in 1596 and 1672. The coat of arms on the inn sign depicts its name: a talbot, or hound, was the crest of the Talbots, Earls of Shrewsbury. Recent renovations have revealed more of the timber- framed structure.
An extract from from"Uttoxeter Living Memories".

Uttoxeter, Dove Bridge c1955

In 1642 Charles I was confronted on the approach to the bridge by a contingent of Staffordshire residents asking him to come to terms with Parliament. He ignored their pleas. The new A50 bypass has meant that the bridge is now an attractive stop on the Staffordshire Way.
An extract from from"Uttoxeter Living Memories".

Uttoxeter, Market Place c1965

Here we see the kiosk being used as a traffic roundabout. The lantern atop the building has now gone. Here the view of the kiosk is all but obliterated by a telephone exchange box, a police telephone box and the large road sign which gives directions to Stoke, Stafford, Rugeley and the Uttoxeter Lido. These have all since been removed.
An extract from from"Uttoxeter Living Memories".

Uttoxeter, War Memorial c1955

The original White Horse pub can be seen behind the war memorial; it was demolished to make way for the incongruous new 1960s town planning building. The new White Horse was itself seriously damaged by fire in 2004, when the roof and much of the upper floor were badly affected. The original White Horse Inn was built in 1830 and owned by John Twigg; there were 24 pubs in Uttoxeter at that time. An ancient market cross with 24 steps once stood at this site.
An extract from from"Uttoxeter Living Memories".