Mono print of St George’s church using Sap Green ink.
Category: Stockport
Bakers Vault drypoint
Sepia version of my drypoint print.
Photowalk: Tiviot Dale church to Lancashire Hill
Early this month, I went on a photo walk from the centre of Stockport where Tiviot Dale railway station used to be located to Lancashire Hill and back.
I dropped off my car on a warm and sunny Friday morning for its first annual service and then proceeded to walk from the garage to the starting point passing underneath the famous railway viaduct along the pedestrian path.
As I started my photo walk, I tracked my progress using an exercise app to record the length of the walk and the time it took.
The walk was roughly distance of 2.5 miles with an elevation of 166 feet.
I made my way walking over a motorway bridge on Lancashire Hill Road from where I could see the M60 ring road. I walked up some steps past a wall of carved sandstone and made my way to Dodge Hill.
From here I walked up a steep road with a series of back to back houses to my right and a road bending off to the Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Church and school on the left. The church has a distinctive sloping design and can be seen in many old photos of when the Tiviot Dale railway line was in full use.
After viewing the whole of Stockport’s skyline through a mesh fence, from the vantage point of the church’s car park, I sent off on my travels once again.
Dodge Hill was first mentioned back in 15th Century. In the middle of 1800s, members of the Dodge family emigrated to the USA and were involved in setting up Dodge City in Kansas and amongst other businesses the Dodge Motor Company.
I took a detour down Love Lane, to view Heaton Norris park. I then made my way back to Lancashire Hill Road and travelled up to the roundabout at the top of the hill.
On my way I passed a large building called Foodline which provides baking for the catering industry. The windows were plastered with flour. To get to the other side of the busy roundabout, I walked down an uninviting subway. This led me to the centre of the roundabout with paths leading in all directions. Once I was on the correct path I came out near a retail park which was featured in a recent BBC television series called Small Prophets.
I visited the Wickes store to buy a new drill bit and some bolts to repair a rabbit run.
I return back down Lancashire Hill passed the beige and green tower blocks along the way as the road went down towards Great Egerton Street and then finished my photo walk at Tiviot Dale Methodist church.
Spring Photowalk
Early on Thursday evening after work, I caught a 192 bus for a photo walk of approximately 1.5 miles from the start of Higher Hillgate to The Blossoms pub on London Road (A6).
My first notable place to visit was behind the back of the Strawberry Studios to view a plaque.
The Stockport Heritage Trust plaque read:
“Home to the band 10cc and used by many to create memorable music, including Joy Division, Paul McCarthey, Martin Hannett, Neil Sedaka, The Stone Roses, The Smiths and The Syd Lawrence Orchestra.”
Along Hopes Carr past the Stockport Air Disaster Memorial, I spotted a cute piece of tile art.
Opposite is a large mural located on Hopes Carr and some collage street graffiti art
More colourful street art, this time on Canal Street opposite Hopes Carr.
I walked towards Crowther Street just as the sun was starting to go down. The street has been depicted by many artists, most famously by L.S. Lowry.
A information board is displayed at the top of Crowther Street which mentions the former long gone Crowther Street Mill and Workers Housing.
Covent Garden Cafe is on the other side of Crowther Street making my way back to Higher Hillgate.
The cafe was recently featured in a TV series called ‘Small Prophets’.
In the tv series you can just make out the abandoned metal structure in the background.
If you look carefully, you will see a fainted mural behind the structure.
Site of Tabernacle Club, plaque.
Plaque remembers ‘The Fab Tab’ music venue where the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Small Faces performed.
Located on Black Lion Passage.
Walking towards London Road, on the left is Oldknow’s House, Hatters Court. Home to cotton mill industrialist Samuel Oldknow.
The blue plaque reads:
“Built around 1740.
Samuel Oldknow, pioneer Stockport cotton industrialist lived in this house 1784-94.
Also the home of William Radcliffe who in 1802 invented the ‘dandyloom’”
Other buildings of interests are;
The Salvation Army building.
Royal Oak Brewery sign.
Street art on Virginia Mills building, Higher Hillgate.
After my short photo walk, I made my way crossing London Road towards The Blossoms, which is a Robinsons brewery public house to get some much needed refreshment.
The pub is cosy inside and has ornate stained glass windows. I sat in the Pool room and then was persuaded by the landlord to participate in a game of pool!
Cheers 🍻
St George’s church Mono prints
This weekend I have been working on some mono prints using St. George’s church as inspiration. I lightly soaked some cartridge paper in water and used oil based ink. Using cotton buds, ink dabber and a cloth to wipe away sections I wanted to be light. I then passed the inked acrylic plate through the press.
The third mono print was created by placing a photograph under the acrylic plate as a guide to map out the shape of the church using masking tape.
Eco Image Transfer mini prints
I’ve been working on a small series of Eco Image Transfer prints recently using Fabriano printing paper. I am using black & white and colour laser prints.
The size of the prints are roughly smaller than A6 (10.5 x 14.85 cm). One of my prints was experimental and consisted of trying to combine eco image technique and linocut. The layer of Lino print didn’t really allow the toner from the transfer to adhere to the paper and caused the transfer to apply a blotted effect. The toner has tried to absorb into the paper but the oil based ink seems to have blocked the print from fixing. I found smaller detail like the aeroplane seem to work but the church building was more like a murky blob. Interesting results, may try out a few more.
Below is a gallery of prints I’ve been working on this month.
In summary, I observed that the Eco Image Transfer print method works best for small sized print formats and that black and white toner works best.
Review of 2025 in pictures
Here’s a gallery of prints and images from this year.
The main highlight from this year was receiving an Honorary Lifetime Membership. It was huge surprise and I was deeply flattered to receive the award in recognition of my outstanding contribution to Stockport Art Guild.
Other highlights include my very first go at hosting a series of printmaking workshops using the Eco Image Transfer technique. The workshops have proved very popular. I am also pleased to have prints in both the 20:20 Hotbed Press International Print Exchange and the IPE – International Print Exchange.
I have also started to work with Generative Artificial intelligence (AI) to bring to life my prints.
In the summer, I visited the heritage centre and did some reading up on local history including Woodbank Park.
On a day trip to London, I looked around the annual London Original Print Fair (LOPF) at Somerset House which is always worth a visit. A worthy mention was visiting PrintFest in Ulverston and the Manchester Contemporary Art Fair at the GMEX.
I am looking forward to a new year of printmaking, watch this space, there’s more to come!
Here’s wishing everyone who reads this blog a Happy New 2026!
Cheers,
Neil.
Centenary of the War Memorial Art Gallery
Last month, I was invited to a preview of a new exhibition at Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery to celebrate 100 years of the building.
The building is unique in the UK in that it is a war memorial honouring the fallen from previous world wars and also a public space to display artworks both amateur and professional alike.
During the evening. a number of speeches were given, one was by my artist friend Peter Davis MAFA CBPP who is a former archivist of Stockport Art Guild. Peter spoke about the strong relationship between the Art Gallery and the Art Guild.
Incidentally, over 10 years ago, before I began this project, I created an etching print of the war memorial art gallery.
The current exhibition at the gallery is a celebration of the building’s history and role in the local community.
Local children have contributed a colourful creative display of artwork in the exhibition. There is also a good selection of prints on display including some well known artists such as painter and graphic designer Patrick Caulfield
Workshops
August has been a busy month for me and it’s not over yet.
On Sunday 10th August, I helped my friend out at an Intaglio printmaking workshop organised by Stockport Art Guild.
Alan Birch was running a 3 hour drypoint session at Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery with approximately 15 participants. I was in charge of preparing the paper ensuring it was damp enough and blotted and ready for being printed. The prints created that day were of high quality and there is the possibility of running some more workshops.
A week later on Sunday 17th, I had my chance to run my own workshop at the art gallery which was demonstrating how to create Eco Image Transfer prints.
The 2 hour session went well and participants created some interesting work on cartridge paper, Balsa wood and Fabriano paper. The purpose of the workshop was to introduce this mono printmaking technique using household objects and materials.
I included a photo of the art gallery as a printing subject as it tied in well with the centenary celebrations of the war memorial and art gallery.
Last weekend, I visited the heritage centre based inside St. Mary’s church at the marketplace. The centre is open every Tuesday and Saturday.
The archive includes many photographs, found objects from archeological digs and books about the history of the town.
I spoke with one of its patrons, Jill Trumble and had a look through some of the photographic archive. I think a repeat visit is on the cards as next month there will be an exhibition on Woodbank hall.
I still have to sign and edition my prints for International Print Exchange and the Hotbed press 20:20.
The Centenary Open at Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery came to an end on Sunday 24th August and I will be collecting my etching print depicting the Produce Hall this coming weekend.
Centenary Open Exhibition
I visited the Centenary Open Exhibition at Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery this afternoon with a friend to see my etching print depicting the Produce Hall. In this fantastic exhibition.
The exhibition is worth a visit if you’re in Stockport or nearby.
https://www.stockport.gov.uk/topic/exhibitions-stockport-art-gallery
Stockport In Print 
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