From the Chronicle files - Thursday 21st August 2025

‘One of the biggest events of the year’ was how the Chronicle described ‘Glossop Transpo ‘75’, which in 1975 celebrated the 130th anniversary of the opening of the branch railway line to Glossop.

For four days every kind of transport in the town was featured, including this giant traction engine, the type used to haul wagons of wood from the station on Norfolk Street to Turn Lee Mill, where the logs were then pulped  and turned into paper.

75 years ago...

It was the first day of the 1950/51 football season, and it opened with a Manchester League ‘derby’ at North Road between Glossop and newly promoted New Mills, which ended with a 3-1 win for the Hillmen.

Glossop later lost a midweek match 1-0 at Mosley Common and were forced to make changes for the following week’s fixture at Droylsden, as Ham had broken a toe and Hughes was unavailable because he would be defending a cross-country title.

New Mills were expecting big things from Buxton College student Terence Shingler and had pencilled him in for the Millers’ match against Ward Street Old Boys. The promising young half-back was still months away from his 15th birthday, but had already signed forms with First Division Manchester City.

The cricket season was almost over but there was plenty of silverware to play for, but sadly not for Lancashire and Cheshire League Glossop.

In a low-scoring game at North Road Glossop restricted Longsight to 88 all out with Geoff Turner, Archie Cadman and Jimmy Wilson sharing the wickets, but in reply totalled just 57, Ambrose Handforth top scoring with 19.

Meanwhile The Glossop and District Cricket League first division title race seemed as good as over with leaders Hadfield St. Hadfield opening up a six point gap after hammering I.C.I. Hyde.

Second place Tintwistle could only snatch a draw at middle of the table Bardsley, while third place Old Glossop, chasing a modest Ashton Trafalger total of 61 for victory, were shot out for a humbling 44.

Tennis was very much a social game as well as a keenly-contested sport, and the Chronicle was reporting that a large crowd had turned out at the Pyegrove club on Sheffield Road to see Ron Read and Elsie Wright win a tournament. 

Councillors in Tintwisle spent a couple of hours discussing whether to ask Cheshire County Council to consider making narrow, winding and often congested Old Road, which runs parallel to the A628 Church Street, one way.

However nothing was decided after some councillors feared it could lead to trucks and coaches speeding down the road.

Land at what is now the social housing estate at the Royle between Norfolk Street and High Street East was hitting the headlines after Glossop councillors voted to sell it in plots to people who could build their own homes.

However, there was opposition in the town from those who felt it should be kept in public ownership for if and when it was needed to add to its stock of housing land.

A campaign to recruit more members to join Glossopdale’s civil defence corps was labelled a failure after five weeks.

Only three people had applied to join. There was a general feeling that any further response would remain poor unless Britain was involved in a third world war.

Postmen and dogs are known to be arch enemies and Kenneth Beeley of Well Row, Broadbottom, told magistrates what happened  when he met an Alsatian in Mottram Moor.

Kenneth, who delivered mail in Mottram, was taking his pet terrier for a walk when the Alsation attacked, shaking it by the neck. The owner was ordered to keep his dog under control.

Glossop magistrates remanded two men, said to be of no fixed abode, in custody, on charges of stealing an offertory box and contents from St. John’s Church, Charlesworth.

Peter Bremer was disgruntled after people spotting the red flag with a white cross fluttering from his bike accused him of being a communist.

Peter, 20, visiting Dinting vicar the Rev. J. Dawson-Bowling, said indignantly: “I am Swiss, don’t they know it’s the flag of my country!”