Friday
Mar192010
There and Back, To See How Far It Is*
March 19, 2010 * * * * * Posted by: guest blogger 
Every now and again my work takes me over the Pennines to the town of Ashton under Lyne, to get there I could take a slow haul along the A roads followed by a dash of motorway, but I prefer the scenic route, it’s one I never tire of, the journey has inspired a post or two (or maybe, it is at least three!) but there could be many more.
Ashton would once have described its self as a Lancashire Mill town, towns that were woven from the weft and the warp of the textile industry.
These days however it is billed as being part of the Tameside Metropolitan Borough which doesn’t seem to raise the same civic passion as the War of the Roses, but maybe that was the plan
Many of the mills are now demolished, the textile industry fell into decline during the great depression and never recovered. As with all towns, things have changed, and it is a town that is not without it social problems (but then which town isn’t).
But Ashton maintains a friendly feel (and I suspect if the place was just a smidge larger than it is, this would be lost.) People know one another and greet one another in the street and stop to chat. Park yourself on a bench in the town centre at lunch time, to eat your sandwich** and the person next to you is likely to strike up a conversation, it's that sort of town.
I have an affection for the place.
*‘There and back, to see how far it is’? That is what my brother always used to reply, as a teenager, when Mum asked him, as he left home, ‘Where are you going?’
** Or a barm cake as a sandwich or 'buttie' would be known in Lancashire, although there is something about visiting Aston that makes me buy pies for my lunch! It is that sort of town.
Reader Comments (12)
Your brother sounds like he could have been a Hobbit, UHDD. :D That sounds so much like something out of "The Lord of the Rings," and I love it. The way you have described your jaunt, along with your image, makes this magical. As Astrid and I start to take our day trips across Holland, we do the same...over the back roads where we have to slow down and see what's there. I'm sure the people are more "real" in these small towns where adversity has hit. They probably have a lot to teach us about coping...and about being neighborly, in spite of the hardships.
That picture is gorgeous ! And along with the post so british to me, I love Britain, my mum was born in London and I still have a lot of family over there
Such stunning light in this image!!!! And - I love the local jargon and how you describe this sleepy old mill town. Sounds like a great place to visit!
Beautiful post and image, so British! Makes me wanna visit Britain and especially this town. I'm happy to see the final note about food :)
I love the travels around the world here at Vision and Verb. What a wonderful thing to have this town still have at small world feel when it is the age that it is. Such a difference from the newer bigger towns. It's wonderfully nostagic.
I agree with Puna - I feel as though I get to travel the world here at V&V. Love the expression of your brother and I'd love to sit down on a park bench and eat a barm cake.
Wow, UHDD! First off, this picture unleashed a thousand thoughts and memories for me. I lived in England for over two years way back when and this picture is absolutely gorgeous! It is very reminiscence of my time living there. I travelled extensively when I was there and saw all parts of England, Scotland, and Wales. I have been to pubs and down streets and to places that normal visitors would never get to see and experience. Always a friendly face and a welcome hand, from the locals, that to this very day exudes a warmth and friendship that wraps my heart in fondness. It is really striking that you should post this at such an auspicious time for me with a very special anniversary from my time there coming up very soon. Thank you so much for this post...it warms my heart!
I'm very impressed by the quality of your web site girls ! And moreover, attractive images and beautiful texts. I can see that Sylvia from Italy has joined u as a special guest (good initiativeand she makes very good photographs indeed)... and Ginnie (I knew Ginnie on my former blog Shutterchance)is one of your numerous fan.
I had so much fun reading this post and clicking on the links to see and learn more. And, oh my goodness, what glorious light in your image.
It looks just like the street I lived in during my year in the Midlands. I lived and worked for a year in a small town called Ashby-de-la-Zouch but my house was in Donisthorpe and it was in just this type of terrace. Lovely image!
Ah, we call those little trips, "beckonings", we just go over this way to see what we'll find. xo
I just love the quote from your brother. "There and Back, To See How Far It Is" When I go out and don't exactly have a goal I always say - I'm going down to the town square, round it and back again. We live in a small town......