The clocks went back one hour this morning so I had a lie in which is something I rarely do nowadays due to early starts with work etc. I had planned to do this as a summer photo walk in mid-August but other commitments got in the way. My plan was to park my car in Stockport not far from the college campus and walk the 15 minutes or so up to Lark Hill road which is next to Hollywood Park.

Back in 1961, the film ‘A Taste of Honey’ by dramatist Shelagh Delaney starring Rita Tushingham and Dora Bryan was released in cinemas. Some of the filming locations were shot in Stockport around St Mary’s church, the viaduct and Lark Hill road in Edgeley. The film was originally a novel which was then turned into a play. More details about the filming locations can be found here at the Reel Streets website.

From Lark Hill road, I walked down the footpath towards (A560) Brinksway.

The path looked a bit slippery and there were lots of ladybirds on the handrails. I decided to walk back up the footpath to continue my walk.

From Lark Hill road, I walked the streets of back-to-back house towards Alexander Park and on towards Skye’s Reservoir.

Alexander Park is not far from the town of Edgeley and is a public park with bowling greens and playgrounds. A nice leafy park with Skye’s Reservoirs nearby.

Sykes’ Reservoirs was so named after businessman William Sykes who rented then bought the land in 1793 to establish the Edgeley Bleach Works. The reservoir supplied fresh water to the bleach works which aided in bleaching the cloth using natural alkaline derived from ash. The cloth was then stretched and dried in the sun. The whole process could take up to 8 months. The cloth was then sold to Manchester and London merchants.

The business which later became Sykes and Company ceased trading in 1986.

From the reservoirs now frequented by anglers and geese, I walked towards the football stadium at Edgeley park.

Formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, they were renamed Stockport County in 1890 after the borough of Stockport. The club is currently first in league 2.

Back to the walk. I made my way towards Shaw Heath towards the old workhouse buildings.

There seems to be some activity at the old hospital site with some clearing work in progress. The area is sealed off by high wood and metal fencing. I was able to take some photos through the fence.

Hopefully this area will be regenerated in the not too distant future into maybe housing or an extension to the college.

Finally, I headed towards the college and visited Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery to look at a couple of exhibitions.

Most of the campus at the college looks as though it’s been abandoned and is in a sad state. Hopefully as with the workhouse buildings, this whole area can be fully regenerated and bring back some dignity to the place.

I headed back to my car and set off for home. I was lucky with the weather (14c) and really enjoyed the photo walk with plenty of images from a Sunday afternoon stroll.