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Historic past consigned to the dustbin

10/12/2002

ALONGSIDE all the new building and the talk of a 'New Elizabethan Age' came an impatience with the past.

Many fine buildings were demolished with little public protest.

Eastwood, the big house in Cheetham Park, was taken down by Stalybridge Corporation, although at least its bookcases were saved and now adorn Stalybridge Library.

Highfield House and its museum in Stamford Park went the same way, and Stayley Hall, Millbrook, began its descent into ruin.

Perhaps the most serious loss was the destruction of Dukinfield Hall, the oldest building in the town, in 1950s.

Ashton's boundaries were extended again in 1951 when the Limehurst Rural District came to an end and Waterloo and Taunton lost their independence.

The varied history of the area was recorded by Winifred Bowman, who had been a Limehurst councillor, in her book 'Five Thousand Acres of Old Ashton'.

More history was recalled in 1957 when Stalybridge celebrated its borough centenary.