Prestbury
How could I have gone 12
months without doing a page on Prestbury, one of the jewels of
Cheshire and only two or three miles from Macclesfield town, ...
... with its striking main
street ...
... and historic Parish
Church?
I have been shooting in
the village on occasion but for whatever reason have not put a
page together. So why now? My intention to post a page has been
converted to action by a new camera to play with and curiosity
about what is happening in the village centre while it is closed
to through traffic for four or five weeks.
This is the view from the
south end of the village twelve months or so ago.
This is the view today ...
... with roadworks in progress
to restrict the traffic flow through the village to a maximum
of 20 mph ...
... by widening the pavements
and introducing ramps. At the same time the Parish Council has
taken the momentous and somewhat controversial decision to introduce
street lighting for the first time. Expecting unobtrusive but
stylish impedimenta, residents were horrified when tall galvanised
poles were erected last autumn. But now the pendant lanterns have
been added and the whole painted a tasteful black, an acceptance,
if not joy, has settled on the village.
The twelve discs on the
gable wall are winners plaques of 'Best kept village' which its
present state somewhat belies but when the works are completed
it will still be the one to beat.
The inset stone plaque records
the building of the schoolhouse in 1721 and the gift of 100 pounds
sterling by Ann Whittakers, the interest of which was to be used
'for the Promotion of a Schoolmaster to teach ten of the poorest
Children'.
Further support for the
seat of learning at the far end of the building, which must have
been the tied lodgings for the incumbent schoolmaster.
'Gentleman's Carriages of
Distinction' on the forecourt of the car-showroom opposite.
Meanwhile, in a hedge nearby
...
... signs of spring.
And in the churchyard a
veritable carpet of crocuses and snowdrops, with more to come.
Continued
in Part II
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