The Maxonian Times

At the weekend I visited Macclesfield for the first time in my life. My friend Rachel moved there for work a couple of months ago, and a visit was well overdue.

Charter borough since 1261

I don’t know what I expected Macclesfield to be like. I didn’t even google it before I went. Anyway, it turns out that I really like it. It is an old mill town, and used to be the largest producer of finished silk in the world. There are some really interesting old buildings, and loads of terraced cottages.

This is the Heritage Centre, which houses a Silk Museum, and a cinema.

Heritage Centre

The Heritage Centre used to be a Sunday School and dates from 1813.

Entrance to the museum and shop

The Georgian Town Hall – it took me by surprise to turn the corner on the main shopping street and see it there! It’s very grand.

Macclesfield Town Hall

Pillars of the community

A lot of the streets are cobbled, which I like.

Churchside

The old entrance to the Majestic cinema…

Majestic

This, in my opinion, is the best charity shop in Macclesfield. Barnardo’s. I like the way they have organised the shop into different sections, and they have lots of random bric-a-brac and vintage clothing. Even a few small pieces of old furniture, such as cocktail cabinets and hostess trolleys. I bought an owl string holder.

Barnardo's

We also went in a really cool shop called Mac Vintage, which had lots of old stuff including clothing and homeware, and some retro type things too. There was the most amazing sideboard I have ever seen, which unfortunately was for display only and not for sale. One day I need to get a unit like this, no matter what. It’s got a built in clock. The shop owners even have my email address and have kindly offered to look-out for a similar one for me, that is how desperate I am! I pray that I find one as nice as this.

The unit I need for the kitchen

We passed this cool chimney a few times. Apparently it is due to be demolished soon, at least that’s what Rachel heard. If they demolish it I think it’ll be a shame.

The dye works chimney on the corner of Loney Street

On Saturday afternoon, we drove up to the Cat & Fiddle Inn, which is, according to Wikipedia (and I am sure other reliable sources also) the second highest public house in the country, standing at an elevation of 515 metres above sea level. The pub is located half way between Macclesfield and Buxton on the A537 and is very popular with motorbikers.

Cat & Fiddle

Late in the afternoon

We had a little something to freshen us up. Yes, two pints of orange juice and lemonade.

"I'm gunna get you a little something to freshen you up"

On Sunday we drove over to Alderley Edge for a look round the shops and a walk on The Edge.  There is an excellent Oxfam bookshop. I saw three 1950s Penrose Annuals. I wanted all three, but they were too much and I had to leave them.

Oxfam, Alderley Edge

I liked this Antonio Frasconi lino/woodcut, which was in one of the annuals.

Penrose Annual - 1955, I think.

The weather was really nice and we went on the Wizard walk!

The Wizard Walk

Woodland

Walking

Our shadows…

The Edge

More Macclesfield soon hopefully! x