Mr Harrop’s visit to 28 Edge Lane

There has been a lot of discussion on social media about 28 Edge Lane and in particular the planning application to demolish it and build ten properties in the grounds.

And for those who want to express an opinion, the deadline for comments is the end of today.*

All of which prompted Mr Harrop to take the bus from Heaton Mersey and visit the house which was built in 1865.

He has a special affinity with the place because amongst his collection or memorabilia from two world wars are the letters George Davisson wrote to his future wife between 1903 and 1907 when he was living at 28 Edge Lane.

George went on to serve in the Royal Artillery, continued to write home to his wife, and was killed on the Western Front in the June of 1918.

And so David took the 23 bus and stood outside the house, venturing towards the front door just like Mr Davison would have done a full century and a bit ago.

David told me "it was a humbling experience to stand by the steps of the house and think that George would have walked up the drive and used those stairs.

He lived here from sometime before 1903 when his parents were the caretakers until he married Nellie and they settled in Hulme.

That is the magic of history.

And having heard that the house might be knocked down I just had to come over from Heaton Mersey and see the place.

It was far grander than I thought".

The bonus for David was the Victorian pillar box in the wall close by which when he was working for the Post Office he had the job of restoring.

It had lost its door and had been replaced by a temporary box, but David located the door in a nearby garden and door and post box were reunited.

I hope there is an equally happy outcome for Mr Davison’s old home and it is saved from demolition.

Location Edge Lane

Pictures; the house and post box, 2018 from the collection of David Harrop

*Planning Application, 119208/FO/2018 | Erection of 10 four-bedroom, three-storey houses with associated parking, landscaping and boundary treatment following demolition of existing house | 28 Edge Lane Chorlton Manchester M21 9JY, Manchester City Council Planning Portal, http://pa.manchester.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=P4SU9FBCK4L00&documentOrdering.orderBy=documentType&documentOrdering.orderDirection=ascending