Stockport Independent Issue 191

JUNE 2025 4 A HISTORIC Stockport town centre pub with an amazing history has been given Grade II listed status. The Angel Inn in the Mar- ket Place has been added to the National Heritage List for England by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Built in the 16th century, several timbers within the Angel’s wooden frame date from the 15th century when The Wars of the Roses raged between the Houses of Lan- caster and York. Rare surviving wattle- and-daub – a technique that had died out by the 18th cen- tury - fills gaps in the build- ing’s frame. Historic England has used dendrochronology - a modern method of dating wood - on a sample of the inn’s floor- boards, which has proved that one was cut from a tree that was alive in 1086, the year the Domesday Book was completed. This floorboard was probably cut for an ear- lier building on the site. The inn’s long history reflects the story of Stock- port’s development over sev- eral centuries. Records show the name ‘Angel Inn’ dates from as early as 1769, although the site’s hospitality roots extend further, with references to ‘Cotterell’s inn’ being used for sequestrators’ meetings in the 1640s. Those meetings organised the confiscation of property of supporters of King Charles I during The English Civil War. During the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the inn became a cultural hub, host- ing meetings, concerts and theatrical performances, particularly by the Stockport Philharmonic Society in a purpose-built function room. By the mid-19th cen- tury, the building had been divided into three separate commercial units. Number 22 became home to RH Ros- tron, a prominent Stockport draper. Number 21 was par- tially occupied by Samuel Chadwick, a wholesale tea and coffee dealer. The elaborate plaster- work façade added in 1886, designed by architect TH Allen - who also designed the Grade II listed Bank of Stockport opposite - features angel heads with wings form- ing window keystones, a nod to the building’s long history as the Angel Inn. Crispin Edwards, listing adviser at Historic England, said: “The Angel Inn not only preserves historic timbers and building materials from the 16th century and earlier, but its later alterations also tell the story of its develop- ment from inn to cultural venue to multi-use commer- cial property. “The survival of a floor- board from a tree that was This was never truer when at the last Paris games Dame Sarah came back to sport after serious health issues at the age of 46. She had suffered a col- lapsed lung and her chest had been pumped full of medica- tion with 18 months left to the games, but still fought back to win. She said: “I simply wasn’t her going to let her beat me.  “Also, as a mum, I had so dearly wanted to have my youngest child, Charlie, see me race.  He had not been able to come to Tokyo because of Covid and had always said he wanted to see me race at a Paralympics.” Now as parents, they sim- ply wish to provide as many opportunities as possible for their own children. “My father used to drive me all over the country, from Edinburgh even down to the South Coast so I could race,” remembered Sir Chris. “He didn’t force me. If I wanted to race, he’d make sure I had the opportunity. Our children can choose what- ever they want. “It doesn’t have to be cycling. It doesn’t have to sport. It could be music, art, drama, wherever their passion lies, we would just like to provide those oppor- tunities. However, if it hap- pens to be track cycling, I won’t complain!” Sir Chris also gave an update on his cancer diagno- sis. He said: “It came out of the blue and there’s little I can do about it, but life is finite for everyone and it has inspired me to enjoy every day. “It has also provided me with an opportunity to raise awareness and in the pro- cess raise £1 million for can- cer care.” STOCKPORT’S new cul- tural destination has offi- cially opened its doors. The opening of ‘Stock- room’ has been described as a major milestone for the town - ushering in a new era of creativity, connection, and community. Hundreds of people gath- ered for the launch event, including community groups, artists, performers, and civic leaders. They cel- ebrated the conversion of formerly vacant retail units into a “dynamic new space” that combines a modern library, children’s learning zones, Stockport’s historical archives, a café bar, and the new Stockroom Studios. A Stockport Council spokesperson said: “Stock- room represents a key investment in culture, Sporting lives shared Stockroom opens up a ‘new era’ Cultural centre: Stockroom is now open (Photo credit: Stockport Council) Historic pub gains listed status History lesson: The Angel Inn’s story reflects Stockport’s development (Photo credit: Stockport Council) growing during the time of the Domesday Book is truly remarkable.” Stockport MP Navendu Mishra said: “The listing of The Angel Inn as a Grade II heritage site is a proud moment for our town. It’s one of Stockport’s oldest build- ings and has played many roles in the town’s history. “From its role in the Eng- lish Civil War to hosting concerts and community events, The Angel Inn has long been a cornerstone of local life. I’m delighted that its historical and cultural significance is being formally recognised and protected for future generations.” opportunity and inclu- sive growth. Mark Roberts, Stockport Council leader, said: “The opening of Stockroom is a celebration of everything that makes Stockport spe- cial - our creativity, our community, and our energy. It’s fantastic to see so many people coming together to mark the start of this excit- ing new chapter. “Stockroom is going to be a place where ideas come to life and people connect—and a big part of Stockport’s future. “I’d encourage everyone to pop in, explore the space, and get involved—there’s so much to discover, and something for absolutely everyone. There’s a packed programme of events this weekend and there really is something for everyone” A diverse calendar of events and activities is planned throughout the year. Visit the website www. stockrm.org to find out more. SPORTING superstars Dame Sarah Storey and Sir Chris Hoy shared a stage to recount theirmonumen- tal Olympian journeys. The evening at The King’s School, Macclesfield, hosted by former Sale Sharks scrum half Will Cliff, saw a sell-out 600 strong audience spell- bound by the cyclists’ stories. Proceeds from the evening will go to The Christie hospi- tal and King’s School’s Bur- sary fund. The list of honours is end- less for the Cheshire contem- poraries: Dame Sarah won 30 Paralympic medals, with 19 of them gold, plus 45 world titles with six in her first sport of swimming. Sir Chris with six Olympic golds, plus a silver, is one of Britain’s greatest ever Olym- pic medal holders. However, it has not all been accolades and acclaim and the pair recounted their tales of grit, guts and grim determination.  Sir Chris said: “I remember returning to my tiny shared Salford flat after winning my first Gold Medal in the 1km time trial at the Athens Olympics in 2000 to a pile of bills lying on a carpet that you could hardly walk on it was so sticky. No one recognised me. It was just back to training.” Dame Sarah, who is from Disley, recounted coming back to school in Manchester from her first Paralympics at the age of 14 after winning two gold, three silver and one bronze medal at the Barcelona Games and being cold-shoul- dered by her class mates in school. She told the audience: “I was advised not to keep talk- ing about my success, and was ultimately not really embraced by friends of my own age. I was only really able to talk about what had happened with the other swimmers who were all two years older than me. I really struggled at school, but in the process, I learned always to go my own way.” In China in 2008, the Olym- pic cycling team spearheaded by Sir Chris won eight gold, three silver and two bronze medals, with the Paralym- pians, led by Dame Sarah following up with a stunning 20 medals, including 17 golds. Sir Chris said: “It was after Beijing that the coun- try went cycling crazy with all the men in Lycra blocking up the roads.” So, what separates the merely very good from the great? Sir Chris said: “On my way up I saw people giv- ing what they thought was their all, but I could see it was just 99 per cent. You have to commit everything to every single session.” Dame Sarah said: “It’s quite simple: you have to leave no stone unturned. You have to examine every little detail of your performance, your train- ing, preparation and lifestyle and work out just how you can do better.”