Higher Hurdsfield/Kerridge

Located above the canal at the start of Rainow Road (B5470) this village straggles along that road ...

... and struggles for a separate identity from its neighbour with its industrial estate.

The social and 'administrative' centre, the two pubs excluded, and home to the WI and the Parish Council as well as religious services, is the Sunday School. Erected in 1811, an earlier and smaller version of its Roe Street bigger sister.

The Three Crowns, the first pub encountered coming from Macclesfield, is reassuringly flying the flag. The George and Dragon, its name a statement of English-ness in itself, flies neither flag nor displays the hanging baskets that used to decorate its exterior as it undergoes refurbishment and is currently less than photogenic.

....

The ginnel running up at the end of the cottages alongside the George and Dragon tempts us up and away from the traffic giving us occasional glimpses of green havens of peace and tranquillity.

I was dismayed to find widespread evidence of the galloping spread of goose-grass/cleavers which recently seems to be not only intent on taking over my garden but the whole village.

From the footpath to Calrofold over Cliff Hill, the view toward Swanscoe and Kerridge ...

... and also to Kerridge End and towards Rainow ...

... and from behind the grasses, Calrofold Lane.

Cottages at Kerridge End.

Climbing up onto the ridge, peering through the trees, a view of Rainow village.

Up on the ridge, looking E, over Thornset Farm and the upper Dean Valley, to Cats Tor with Oldgate Nick just visible toward the LH edge of the skyline.

Looking NW over Woodford ...

... and W over the Hurdsfield Industrial Estate with Astra-Zeneca predominant and north Macclesfield with, just barely visible through the haze, on the centre of the skyline, the shadowy 'hint' of Jodrell Bank.

 

Continued in Part II

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