Guest post by Alan Mellor
It’s always great to hear of amazing things in the past. What never ceases to amaze me, though, is how the past tends to become the present. I write this in spring 2010 as a resident of Cocker Hill. There isn’t a church here anymore, and so no fantastic stories of 3,000 people gathered to see vicars at each others throats. There is the odd horse – the odd sheep grazing on the Churchyard, even – but no liveried huntsmen at funerals. Weaver’s cottages but no weavers. Pub visitors (ahem) but no pubs.
Massive change, perhaps as you might expect in quarter of a millennium of change and adjustment.
The weavers now live in China, and we buy their wares from Tesco. The pubs are still around, of course, just a little further away. Whilst not a major communications route by road, Cocker Hill – by virtue of its proximity to the telephone exchange – has probably the fastest broadband internet communications around. As such, perhaps it is no surprise to find it is home to an outpost of internet technology company http://www.yuuguu.com
Many things are the same. The cobbles are still here. A sense of local pride and neighbourly decency is here. But I think the similarities go even deeper.
Just as in 1750, when Cocker Hill was home to what were then the hi-tech industries of the day (steam power, textiles, precision instrument manufacturers) – it still is. Within walking distance are no less than two media companies ( www.greekblokeproductions.com and www.cockerhillmedia.net) and company specialising in Actor’s showreels (www.simplyshowreels.co.uk).
Perhaps there is something about the view from our windows that encourages looking up and dreaming positive dreams. Perhaps the area simply attracts – as it always has done – hard-working, creative people. I don’t know.
But I do know that Cocker Hill – both the street and the area – has been home to many interesting, challenging, creative people this last 250 years.
It looks well set to continue!
Cocker Hill, Stalybridge 
Just enjoyed reading about my “old” church.I brought back happy memories. I attended Old St. Georges from the age of 6. Froom my teenage years I was a member of the choir (Mr. Lee was the choir master). Was married there 10th October, 1953 and my two eldest children were christened there. I was in the Girl Guides and was a Sunday School teacher and a member of the dramatic society and took part in pantomimes, later helping Jack Wilkinson with the productions. My brother and two sisters also attended the church and Sunday school. My father was the verger at the church when Rev. Saunders and Rev. McGowan were there. He left in 1957. It was so sad to hear that the church was closing and later demolished. I have lived in Dorset since 1958. It would be lovely to hear from anyone from that era.
Thanks June, lovely to hear from you, I’m glad you have enjoyed what I have written. I have had comment in the past from another lady who was in the choir. https://cockerhill.wordpress.com/2010/07/06/old-st-georges-church-cocker-hill/
I’ll forward your email address to her and see if she wants to get in touch, you were maybe in the choir together. Thanks again, steph
Hi Steph Alan and children hope you are o.k , I have put a bit of info on your page about major John Buckley I don’t know where it’s gone I cant seem to find it .Hope you have read it . I will try too see you if I can be of any help lots of love .Happy Easter to you all Amy and family xx
Hi Amy, I didn’t get the John Buckly info via the comments, but did get it by email. Thanks very much.
It was good to see you last week. I’ll look out my old maps and bring them round one evening/weekend. I have definately got one with Hall Street on it.
See you soon
Steph