Manchester – Page 2 – Frank Pleszak's Blogs

What’s in the name of a house? – YEGORYEVSK, Longhurst Lane, Mellor

July 30, 2022

Mellor, a small village established during the cotton revolution, sitting in the foothills of the Pennines is arguably the remotest village in Greater Manchester. Historically it was in Derbyshire, incorporated into Cheshire in 1936, and finally gobbled up by Greater Manchester in 1974. Though it is an ancient village, the main road through it, Longhurst … More What’s in the name of a house? – YEGORYEVSK, Longhurst Lane, Mellor

Mellor village historical sites

July 20, 2022

The small village of Mellor’s early history is complex and unclear but had from the Middle Ages been part of Forest of Peak under the jurisdiction of the Duchy of Lancaster. By the 1640s the land around Mellor had been surveyed and divided under a process of ‘enclosure’ whereby common land was consolidated into individually … More Mellor village historical sites

Operation Chastise – The Dambusters a minute-by-minute account

May 16, 2022

A minute-by-minute account of the famous Dambuster Raid by 19 special Avro Lancaster bombers and their ‘Bouncing Bombs’ which took place during the evening of 16 – 17 May 1943. My book, with some unique documents, gives the true storey of the Flight Engineer of Dambuster Z-Zebra. My book which includes some unique documents – … More Operation Chastise – The Dambusters a minute-by-minute account

Mellor History Maps

March 16, 2022

By popular demand! a series of maps showing some of the historic locations with Mellor parish boundary. I will add more over time, but please feel free to comment or correct. ( * * * * THIS WILL SOON BE UPDATED AND AVAILABLE IN BOOK FORMAT * * * *) Mills Coal Mines Football pitches … More Mellor History Maps

THE HIGH PEAK DAMBUSTER

February 12, 2022

A chance discussion with my neighbour Norma when I bumped into her on a dog walk turned into an incredible journey of discovery into what really happened during the most famous of all wartime stories – The Dambusters. Norma’s uncle, Jack Marriott was one of the Dambusters, the Flight Engineer of AJ-Z who was sadly, … More THE HIGH PEAK DAMBUSTER

Ludworth Moor Colliery

December 13, 2021

A version of this article appeared in the May 2021 Marple Local History Society December 2021 News letter https://mailchi.mp/2f6f0f7ab6f5/marple-local-history-december-2021?e=8605a2f387. As a child Rod Thackray from Moor End Mellor was enthralled by stories told by his uncle Ivan Eccles abouts his exploits working at coal mines around Mellor after WW1. By the time Rod was a … More Ludworth Moor Colliery

Rod Thackray Paintings

November 13, 2021

Paintings and sketches by Mellor artist Rod Thackray Click on the image to see full size. All are available to buy. For sizes, media, and price enquire using contact page. Ludworth Moor Colliery Mellor Other paintings and sketches Industrial New Mills Steam engines

Oldknow’s Seat

August 18, 2021

This article appeared in the May 2021 Marple Local History Society News letter. https://www.marplelocalhistorysociety.org.uk/our-local-heritage/594-oldknows-seat.html Oldknow’s Seat is locally the stuff of legend, but it’s not a myth – it does still exist. Many of us will have heard of it, it is marked on old maps and over the years lots of locals have had … More Oldknow’s Seat

MELLOR – A TALE OF THREE GOLF CLUBS

April 7, 2020

The beginnings of golf in Mellor occurred at a time of considerable changes. The coal mines and textile mills that had dominated the surrounding area had mostly closed down, and the village was evolving into more of a dormitory community where people lived and travelled to their places of work. It’s amid this changing environment … More MELLOR – A TALE OF THREE GOLF CLUBS

Mellor Church: Poems & Paintings

January 23, 2020

Mellor is a small village in the foothills of the Pennines about 10 miles south-east of Manchester. It’s now right on the very edge of the Derbyshire border but in Greater-Manchester. It was once in Cheshire and before that in Derbyshire. Mellor Church at dusk Sitting on the northern the edge of a ridge above … More Mellor Church: Poems & Paintings