From the Reporter files - 29th May 2025

Denton’s Russell Scott Junior School celebrated the centenary of the 1870 Education Act - the ground-breaking legislation which said there should be a school within the reach of every child.

The Russell Scott Festival of Music and Drama was staged at Denton Youth Club, with Mrs Ann Makin and Mrs Jean Walker as co-producers for the first half of the programme.

Headmaster Mr Baxendale gave a fascinating glimpse into the school’s history as he read out a selection of entries from its old log books. 

Children from class nine entertained with a trilogy of period dances directed by Mrs Dorothy Jackson. 

The evening ended with a play written by Mr George Hamlin based on nursery rhyme characters.

Spring weather records at Stamford Park stretching back 75 years had been smashed. Parks manager Harold Holland confirmed the century’s wettest April and driest May so far had helped to produce the best display of tulips in living memory.

Rainfall during May had been a mere trickle of 0.14 inches compared with the previous low of 0.45 inches. 

The bright lights, glitz and glamour of London’s West End were in stark contrast to its down-at-heel Ashton namesake -  starved of amenities and needing radical improvements.

Members of the newly formed South West Ashton Tenants’ Association vented their frustration at a crowded public meeting attended by councillors and  candidates in the upcoming General Election.

The residents’ demands included a community centre, immediate action to tackle fly-tipping and eyesore sites - and an end to the uncertainty of exactly which homes were to be demolished for a proposed road scheme.

An am-dram society’s dream of a permanent home at Guide Bridge had hit a setback.

Ashton Repertory Club hoped to buy the former Fox’s Glacier Mints depot on Audenshaw Road to convert into a theatre.

After months of talks, the owners had agreed to sell, but Audenshaw Council had insisted on more detailed plans before agreeing to a loan which the club desperately needed to seal the deal.

Young wildlife watchers Christopher Ward and Kevin Wilkinson unearthed a mysterious stone in Cheetham Park valley which had baffled members of Stalybridge Historical Society.

Measuring 18 inches by 12 inches, the stone was inscribed with the name ‘Early Bank Cottage’.  Aiming to solve the puzzle, Christopher, of Mottram Road, Stalybridge and Kevin of Yew Tree Lane, Dukinfield, homed in on the estate where ‘Early Bank House’ once stood.

Much was known about the house and its occupants - but no-one had heard of a cottage sharing the same name. 

The new Mayor of Stalybridge Alderman Samuel Hall, in his inaugural speech to the council, announced an early start for the High Street improvement scheme.

Further roadworks from Bayley Street to the Dukinfield boundary would be phased over the next five years.

Retiring at the end of term, maths teacher Miss Amy Loft had made history as the first woman to teach at the all-boys Audenshaw Grammar School.

Nearly 30 years on, Yorkshire-born Miss Loft, who lived near the school on Stamford Road, was still the only female member of staff.

David Ashworth’s 21st birthday present was ‘out of this world’ - or at least the other side of the Atlantic.

The former Audenshaw Grammar School lad was jetting off to Mexico for the World Cup finals.

Having saved up for four years since the last World Cup, his parents William and Lilian of Manor Road, Haughton Green, made David’s dream come true when they agreed to help fund the month-long trip. David was using his fortnight’s summer holiday and taking two week’s unpaid leave from his job as a CWS bookbinder.