This is one of those simple lessons about what we have lost in just the last few decades.
It was prompted by more of those pictures by Andy Robertson who in the long tradition of Chorlton photographers rambled down Barlow Moor Road and snapped a series of images.
And as I looked at them I tried to remember them as they were back when I first came to Chorlton in the 1970s.
I have no memory of the old garage and guess I will have to do some research to discover when it was demolished and the present one built.
Of course there will be those who question why I should be bothered and a few more who while they are interested in the past can’t really understand why an ugly brick building from just a few decades ago should fascinate me.
But this building which I agree is pretty ugly does draw me in and makes me want to know more.
Now the notes accompanying the two pictures from the digital collection refer to the “Garage for United Yeast Co them Williams garage and filling station” and “Rebuilt December 1958, Chorlton Garages Ltd.”
Both were taken by R.E. Stanley in March 1959.
All of which is fine and makes sense but just throws a whole lot of questions starting with United Yeast Co which according to one source might be The United Yeast Company Ltd, “formed in 1899 as a subsidiary of the large Scottish whisky distillery group, Distiller’s Company Ltd (DCL) with branches throughout Britain and Ireland.
DCL, the parent company was formed in 1877 from an amalgamation of six Scottish distilleries and were also involved in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals. DCL underwent a change of ownership in the 1920’s and finally in 1986 were subsumed into the Guinness empire, now part of Diago plc.”
Now if that is not confusing enough there is the simple mismatch of addresses on the 1959 pictures, which has the first image at 423/425 Barlow Moor Road by the bridge over the Brook, and the second as 417 which would place it that the junction with Cundiff Road.
That actually fits because the large chimney seen in both belonged to the printing press building which is now Leon’s fabric shop.
And looking closely at the position of the chimney would place our second image further along the road south of Leon’s.
At which point I am reminded of that oft quoted Medieval debate about how many Angels could dance on a pin head which I am reliably informed was an invention of the Renaissance.
So I shall leave it there, hoping that someone with a better memory will come up with descriptions of this stretch of the road, and maybe even some pictures.
Well we can hope.
Pictures; the present garage from the collection of Andy Robertson and 423/425 Barlow Moor Road, m17925 and 417 Barlow Moor Road, m17531, both taken by R.E. Stanley in March 1959, courtesy of Manchester Libraries, Information and Archives, Manchester City Council, http://images.manchester.gov.uk/index.php?session=pass
*Manchester Local Image Collection, http://images.manchester.gov.uk/index.php?session=pass
**United Yeast Company Ltd of London - golden jubilee badge 1899-1949 https://www.flickr.com/photos/23885771@N03/6028965500/
 |
| The garage, 2014 |
And as I looked at them I tried to remember them as they were back when I first came to Chorlton in the 1970s.
I have no memory of the old garage and guess I will have to do some research to discover when it was demolished and the present one built.
 |
| 423/425 Barlow Moor Road by Brook in 1959 |
But this building which I agree is pretty ugly does draw me in and makes me want to know more.
Now the notes accompanying the two pictures from the digital collection refer to the “Garage for United Yeast Co them Williams garage and filling station” and “Rebuilt December 1958, Chorlton Garages Ltd.”
Both were taken by R.E. Stanley in March 1959.
 |
| 419 Barlow Moor Road, 1959 |
DCL, the parent company was formed in 1877 from an amalgamation of six Scottish distilleries and were also involved in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals. DCL underwent a change of ownership in the 1920’s and finally in 1986 were subsumed into the Guinness empire, now part of Diago plc.”
Now if that is not confusing enough there is the simple mismatch of addresses on the 1959 pictures, which has the first image at 423/425 Barlow Moor Road by the bridge over the Brook, and the second as 417 which would place it that the junction with Cundiff Road.
That actually fits because the large chimney seen in both belonged to the printing press building which is now Leon’s fabric shop.
 |
| The garage today looking up towards 419 Barlow Moor Road, 2014 |
At which point I am reminded of that oft quoted Medieval debate about how many Angels could dance on a pin head which I am reliably informed was an invention of the Renaissance.
So I shall leave it there, hoping that someone with a better memory will come up with descriptions of this stretch of the road, and maybe even some pictures.
Well we can hope.
Pictures; the present garage from the collection of Andy Robertson and 423/425 Barlow Moor Road, m17925 and 417 Barlow Moor Road, m17531, both taken by R.E. Stanley in March 1959, courtesy of Manchester Libraries, Information and Archives, Manchester City Council, http://images.manchester.gov.uk/index.php?session=pass
*Manchester Local Image Collection, http://images.manchester.gov.uk/index.php?session=pass
**United Yeast Company Ltd of London - golden jubilee badge 1899-1949 https://www.flickr.com/photos/23885771@N03/6028965500/
I used to play as a kid in the workshop at the back, it was deserted then that would be about 1968.j live in cheadle now and my neighbour opposite was a petrol attendant there in the late 50s
ReplyDeleteHi
DeleteMy name is Clifford Carr and my dad Donald owned the garage on the junction of Cundiff rd in the 70s when it was a Chevron garage. i hope this is useful info for anyone interested.
Hi
DeleteMy name is Clifford Carr and my dad Donald owned the garage on the junction of Cundiff rd in the 70s when it was a Chevron garage. i hope this is useful info for anyone interested.
Thank you Donald ... would like to know more.
Delete