Nether Alderley, St Mary's Church 1896

Photo ref: 37471

More about this scene

OF ALL the villages in this collection, Nether Alderley perhaps gives us the best impression of what a north-eastern Cheshire village was like before the Industrial Revolution changed both the countryside and society. It still has an ancient church, a working mill and a collection of farmhouses along roads and lanes that have changed very little in the last 200 years. Yet, once the proposed Alderley Edge bypass is built, the whole atmosphere will change as the road is planned to sweep through the calm countryside to the west of St Mary`s church and across the drive of Heawood Hall. However, when one looks under the surface, it is clear that much has already changed. The aristocratic landowners, the Stanleys of Alderley, sold up in 1938, and their park is now occupied by the research facilities for the pharmaceutical firm, Astra Zeneca. The Stanleys` one time care for their estate is still evident in their buildings in the village, often decorated with their crest, the Eagle and Child. They were an extraordinary family, witty and intellectual, who could count Bertrand Russell, Gertrude Bell and the Mitford sisters amongst their relations. But they have gone; a double dose of death duties and an extravagant sixth Lord Stanley meant they could not afford to continue living on the estates they had owned since the 15th century.