Chester Chronicle - Cheshire Memories

Ellesmere Port Memories: Vauxhall marks 30 years of Astras

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:24:08 +0000

It is 30 years since the very first Vauxhall Astra rolled off the production line at Ellesmere Port. LAURIE STOCKS-MOORE looks back on its historic role in the town's fortunes...

SIX GENERATIONS and 2.8 million units later, the Astra has established itself as the fourth most popular car ever sold in Britain and accounts for almost one in 20 of all vehicles registered in the UK.

The latest mark six version, launched last year, is Britain's best-selling UK-built car.
Its popularity has single-handedly sealed the survival of the Ellesmere plant and has kept hundreds of locals in jobs over the decades.

Ellesmere Port Memories: A decade to remember

Sat, 26 Dec 2009 11:24:36 +0000

The Sizzling Seventies also took a grip on Ellesmere Port and in this week's Nostalgia there is evidence that a lot was happening in the town during this exciting decade.

Ellesmere Port Memories: A journey into town's past

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 09:57:33 +0000

A transport theme runs through this week's Nostalgia slot.

Ellesmere Port Memories: Food with fun and games

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:38:51 +0000

THIS week's Pioneer Nostalgia pictures span the fifties, sixties and seventies, with some memorable images of canteen staff in the town, a jive club, a youth club and coronation street party.

Residents of 'little' Bailey Avenue at a street party for the Queen's coronation in 1953.

Ellesmere Port Memories: Pictures from the past

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:35:49 +0000

Life through a lens is the focus again of this week's Pioneer Nostalgia section as we look back through the last century in Ellesmere Port.

Ellesmere Port Lions Club fundraising in the town.

Ellesmere Port Memories: Ellesmere Port National Waterways Museum celebrates family day

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:35:36 +0000

A SPECIAL 'Wartime Years' event was held over the weekend to rekindle the community's interest in the National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port.

Volunteer Celia Webber came up with the idea of having a 1940s themed weekend to encourage more people to get involved with the historic site.

Ellesmere Port Memories: Changing face of the Port

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:19:55 +0000

The Pioneer has once again been trawling through its archives of old photographs of Ellesmere Port.

A photograph taken on dockers in Ellesmere Port dockers apparently taken in the late 40s, early 50s.

Neston Memories: Fresh chance to dig into history of collieries

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:16:40 +0000

AN EXHIBITION on the former collieries at Neston returns to the town this week, telling the story of the local coal mines which opened 250 years ago.

The exhibition received much acclaim when it opened for six weeks earlier this year, and has since been used by several local schools.

Ellesmere Port Memories: National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port to go back in time for special family and history weekend

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:25:53 +0000

VISITORS to the National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port will get a taste of the 1940s as part of a special family and history weekend.

A wide range of entertainment and activities are planned for the event this Saturday and Sunday between 10am-4pm in a bid to rekindle community interest.

Ellesmere Port Memories: National Boat Museum in Ellesmere Port hosts open day

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:54:51 +0000

THE National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port hosted an open day last Sunday.

It aimed to get more young people aged 16-25 involved in volunteering and conservation projects.

Valerie Hackpil was on hand to capture the action.

Ellesmere Port Memories: National Waterways Museum looking for young volunteers

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:26:55 +0000

A PROJECT to get young people involved in the care of boats at the National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port is being launched on Sunday.

Ellesmere Port Memories: Readers' help needed to identify nostalgia pictures

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 09:48:51 +0000

THE Pioneer has been trawling through its archives and would like some details of these photographs that were submitted by our readers some years ago.

Ellesmere Port Memories: The history of the Ellesmere Port Boat Museum

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 08:52:42 +0000

LAST week we told you how Ellesmere Port evolved in 1795 following the opening of the Ellesmere Canal, now the Shropshire Union.

This time we're bringing you the background to how the Boat Museum (National Waterways Museum) was set up to become a thriving tourist attraction.

In 1971, five waterways enthusiasts who had an interest in restoring ex-working boats met to discuss their display, along with the preservation of fast disappearing waterways-related skills.

A voluntary organisation, now the Boat Museum Society, was formed.

Ellesmere Port Memories: Clue to Ellesmere Port's canal past lies in its name

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 09:08:49 +0000

EVER thought how Ellesmere Port evolved?

As a comparatively new town, we have - unlike much older towns - an exact date to go on: July 1, 1795. And it's all to do with transport writes Laurie Stocks-Moore.

On July 1, 1795, the Ellesmere Canal, now the Shropshire Union, opened for business between Chester and the Mersey.

It had been cut through a valley running from near the Dee at Chester to the marshes of the Gowy on the Mersey shores. It was the canal company that built it which gave the town its name.

Ellesmere Port Memories: High profile support for National Waterways Museum event

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 10:27:36 +0000

ELLESMERE Port mayor Tony Sherlock and MP Andrew Miller are backing a move to rekindle the town's interest in the National Waterways Museum.

Two weeks ago, we revealed how volunteer Celia Webber had come up with the idea of having a 'Wartime Years' event on November 14 and 15 in a bid to get more people involved with the historic site.

Having already received positive feedback from the public, Ellesmere Port resident Celia expects to launch a history society in the lead up to the 1940s themed weekend.

Mr Miller said: "The Waterways Trust and volunteers do an outstanding job down there.

The museum is a real gem.

"People tend to miss out on visitor attractions that are on their doorstep.