Heaton Mersey

Heaton Mersey

St John's church. Its broach spire was removed around 1990.[1]
Heaton Mersey
 Heaton Mersey shown within Greater Manchester
Population (2001 Census)
OS grid referenceSJ865905
Metropolitan boroughStockport
Metropolitan county Greater Manchester
RegionNorth West
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post town STOCKPORT, MANCHESTER
Postcode district SK4
Postcode district M19
Dialling code 0161
Police Greater Manchester
Fire Greater Manchester
Ambulance North West
EU Parliament North West England
UK ParliamentStockport
List of places
UK
England
Greater Manchester

Coordinates: 53°24′47″N 2°12′25″W / 53.413°N 2.207°W

Heaton Mersey is a suburb of Stockport, Greater Manchester, England. The area is situated on the north-western border of Stockport,[2] and is adjacent to Didsbury and Burnage which are both in Manchester.

Heaton Mersey is a mostly residential area serving as a commuter zone for Manchester and surrounding area. Heaton Mersey and its neighbouring areas (Heaton Norris, Heaton Chapel and Heaton Moor) are collectively known as the Four Heatons. Part of Heaton Mersey has been designated a conservation area.[3]

Geography

Heaton Mersey is situated in the valley of the River Mersey and overlooks the Cheshire Plain, which can be viewed from Heaton Mersey Park.

The village also contains Heaton Mersey Common, which is on the border between Stockport and Manchester. It is a conservation area containing a duck pond and two fields; the larger used as a sports field by the adjacent Priestnall School.

The Mersey runs at the bottom of the valley. where a bleach works, filter beds and a stream used to be situated; now replaced with small offices. There is also a small, crescent-shaped weir alongside which are a salmon sculpture and canoe/fishing platforms.

There are two small shopping parades accommodating various businesses, including an estate agents, chip shop and a restaurant. There are two pubs nearby.

Transport

Heaton Mersey railway station, which was open from 1 January 1880 until 3 July 1961,[4] was built by the Midland Railway and was situated on the line from Cheadle Heath to Manchester Central. The station was situated at the southern end of Station Road which still exists. The extension to Station Road, connecting it to the western end of Craig Road so as to create access for residential development, runs parallel to the old track bed of the Midland line from Stockport Tiviot Dale. From January 1889 until 4 May 1968, there was a steam locomotive running shed named Heaton Mersey, which lay on the north bank of the Mersey and was reached by a foot bridge still extant leading from Gorsey Bank Road.

Today East Didsbury Metrolink station is partially situated in Heaton Mersey, close to the A34 road.

Education

Saint Winifred's RC Primary School, famous for its choir and chart hits in the 1980s, is situated in Heaton Mersey. Other state-run primary schools include Mersey Vale, St. John's (Church of England), Didsbury Road and Tithe Barn. Stella Maris is an independent primary school. The local comprehensive school is Priestnall. Pre-schools are Freshfields, Didsbury Road and Mersey Vale.

Demography

Heaton Mersey is generally an affluent suburb home to professionals and families alike, many who commute to Manchester city centre to work.

Community Facilities

Lacrosse being played north of the church.

The area has a Sea Scout base on Didsbury Road, with beaver scouts, cub scouts and sea scouts currently active. It also hosts regular Harvest farmer's markets, car boot sales and family fun days. The Moorfest music festival was held at the Heaton Mersey Bowl in 2005 which included appearances from Badly Drawn Boy and Howard Marks. Local attractions include the River Mersey which the area around it has been dedicated a nature park and trail. Heaton Mersey Common with its several pubs, deli's, restaurant's and shops supply the local amenities to the area. Heaton Mersey Park has a local fishing pond and to the north of the suburb a golf course and golf driving range. Heaton Mersey is also home to the Heaton Mersey Lacrosse Team, who play in England's Northern Lacrosse division.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Heaton Mersey.

References

  1. ↑ http://www.stockport.gov.uk/2013/2978/8803/9020/12299/heatonmerseyapp1 p.24
  2. ↑ http://www.stockport.gov.uk/aboutstockport1/stockportmaps/
  3. ↑ http://www.stockport.gov.uk/2013/2978/8803/9020/12299/heatonmerseyapp1
  4. ↑ Butt, R.V.J. (1995). The Directory of Railway Stations. Yeovil: Patrick Stephens Ltd. p. 117. ISBN 1-85260-508-1. R508.