From the Chronicle files - Thursday 14th August 2025

High Peak Borough Council was celebrating the restoration of Glossop Market Arcade - or at least its partial facelift - and the Duke of Norfolk was performing its reopening.

Work on what had been described as a ‘disgrace’ and a ‘blackspot’ hadn’t quite finished, but the Duke’s visit in the summer of 1976 had been arranged so the council went through with it.

The Duke of Norfolk, whose family had long links with Glossop and once owned land in the town, was warmly welcomed by councillors, local dignitaries and a large crowd.

Mayor of High Peak Cllr. Ron Partridge, said: “I don’t suppose this is the biggest job he has ever been asked to do, but His Grace kindly accepted our invitation, and we are very pleased to welcome him to Glossop.”

Meanwhile, 75 years ago...

The Glossop Chronicle was reporting that a ‘terrible lot of dry rot’ had been discovered in Victoria Hall and the building would be closed for at least two months for eradication, repairs and redecoration.

It meant a temporary halt to  popular weekend dances in the main hall with promoters hurriedly searching for suitable alternate premises.

Meat lovers were turning vegetarian for the day. Glossop and District Butchers Association and friends took a coach trip to Stratford -upon-Avon and, according to one of the organisers, everyone had a grand time.

The party stopped for lunch and a stroll around Warwick where some of them slipped out of their shoes and socks and went for a paddle in the park, before heading for the home of the ‘bard’.

Glossop’s biggest employers Francis Sumner and Co.(1920) Ltd. had bulging order books and were advertising on the Chronicle front page for staff.

The cotton spinners had a particular need for positions that rarely, if ever need filling today, such as a carder and a stripper and grinder.

New Mills magistrates heard how four boys from Manchester went for a day out in Hayfield and enjoyed a warm summer afternoon swimming in the public pool at Park Hall.

One of the lads  broke into an office and stole £2, which he later buried. The court put him on probation for 12 months.

Glossop Ambulance Service had come under the control of Derbyshire County Health Committee and the Chronicle was reporting that things were not running smoothly.

The main bone of contention was the transfer and storage of the ambulances to what were described as  unsuitable and makeshift facilities t Surrey Street, Glossop.

A Glossop couple who emigrated to Canada in 1924 were back 24 years later for a fortnight’s visit and there was one place they visited every day on their return.

Mr and Mrs J. Sidebottom said they  did their courting at  Cllr. Harry Cooper’s herbalist shop on High Street West and called in for more of the refreshing health drinks they had missed so much.

A New Mills man was facing the town’s magistrates charged with an offence that was part of an act that became law in 1360.

He was  fined 10 shillings after pleading guilty to breaching the King’s peace after witnesses said he had been seen wandering around without reason at three minutes past midnight.

The start of Glossop’s Lancashire and Cheshire Cricket League match at Stand was delayed for two hours due to persistent rain and play was restricted.

The home side declared on 90 for three and Glossop were struggling at 58 for eight and seemed on course for defeat, but they hung on to grab a draw.

Hadfield St. Andrew’s were four points clear at the top of the Glossop and District Cricket League but in-form Tintwistle were breathing down their necks.

The Saints bowled out Charlesworth for 111, but faltered before edging to 112 for eight, while Tintwistle who declared on 139 for six dismissed Ashton Trafalger for 69.

The 1950/51 football season was just days away and although clubs and fans were looking forward to the start there were fears that some professional players were demanding a wage increase.

It was so bad in the Cheshire League that there had been a call from a few clubs for a maximum pay ceiling, but the move failed.

There were no such problems for Glossop as most of their players were amateurs on expenses only, although Ernest Owen, one of the few part-time pros, had declared himself unavailable for the opening Manchester League match at Mosley Common.