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 reference SJ865905
Metropolitan borough
Metropolitan county
Region
Country England
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town STOCKPORT
Postcode district SK4
Dialling code 0161
Police Greater Manchester
Fire Greater Manchester
Ambulance North West
EU Parliament North West England
UK Parliament

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

Heaton Mersey is a mostly residential area and commuter zone for Manchester. 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 lies on the north bank of the River Mersey just a few miles downstream from its source in Stockport Town Centre, the River acts as a boundary between Heaton Mersey and the north end of Cheadle. Heaton Mersey is also bordered by East Didsbury to the west, Burnage to the north-west, Heaton Moor to the North/North-east and Heaton Norris to the east.

Heaton Mersey overlooks the Cheshire Plain which can be clearly seen from the top part of Heaton Mersey park off Didsbury road. At the bottom lies the valley of the River Mersey where Heaton Mersey Bleachworks was situated (now demolished). Mersey Vale nature reserve and two ponds are also found here, one being a club-owned fishing pond. Just off Didsbury road opposite Heaton Mersey Village lies 'The Bowl', a large depression in the ground used as open green space.

Heaton Mersey Common which is another nature reserve with fields and woodland is situated next to the former Cranford Golf range. It too contains a large pond.

Out of the four Heatons, Heaton Mersey has the most green space by area and is the only to contain a River.

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.

Modern transport leading in and out of Heaton Mersey is primarily by Bus as various services travel along Didsbury road. East Didsbury metrolink and East Didsbury train station are active and located nearby.

Education

Schools include the primary schools: Tithe Barn, Didsbury Road and Saint Winifred's RC Primary School, famous for St Winifred's School Choir and chart hits in the 1980s, and Stella Maris School, an independent primary school, all rated outstanding; and Mersey Vale and St. John's Church of England, which is rated good. The local comprehensive is Priestnall School, also rated outstanding. Pre-schools are Freshfields, Didsbury Road, both rated outstanding and Mersey Vale.

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 around which there is a nature park and trail. Heaton Mersey Common with its several pubs, delis, restaurants and shops supply the local amenities to the area. Heaton Mersey Park has a local fishing pond and further down station road is day-ticket fishing pond. Heaton Mersey is also home to the Heaton Mersey Lacrosse Team, who play in England's Northern Lacrosse division.

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.
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