Graham reports back from Friends of Scholes Park meeting
Cheadle and Gatley Liberal Democrats
Demand more Learn more
Graham reports back from Friends of Scholes Park meeting
Gatley's Lucy Boxes
Sign up for weekly emails
Friends of Scholes Fields to hold first meeting
by Lib Dem Team on 13 October, 2016
A new Friends of Scholes Fields group is being set up to improve the playing fields in the heart of Gatley village.
The Friends group will be able to access external funds and have a say on improvements to the fields.
Everyone is invited to the first meeting, at 7pm on Tuesday 25th October in the Gold room, Gatley Hill House.
11 Comments
I wonder whether Scholes Fields are related in any way to the Scholes family who once owned the area around Schools Hill – which is derived from the name Scholes, I believe.
Dave
The Wikipedia page for Gatley notes that the money for the playing fields came from the William Scholes Foundation. It further notes that Scholes was a Gatley resident and estate agent, who died in 1927
Now that may not be entirely accurate, at least for his occupation. I can’t find anything on the Foundation but the 1911 Census records William Scholes living at 177 Gatley Road. He was single man, then aged 52 and recorded as a retired buyer. His widowed sister and her daughter were living with him (and they are recorded as being of “independent means”). This must be the 69 year old man who died in 1927.
The 1871 census has him living at 30 Green Bank, Northern Etchells (Gatley) with the sister. His parents are Richard & Harriett. Richard is working as a gardener, so doesnt sound as though this was a land owning family. Something of his career can be picked up from subsequent census returns – 1881 has him as a warehouseman, and in 1891 he is a buyer. I can’t find him in the 1901 census but it seems reasonable to assume that he was relatively successful as, even as a buyer, he was able to retire at an early age. I can only guess that he created the Foundation as he had few, if any, surviving family.
A regeneration of the the running track would be a dream cone true.
It will be a good if cyclist could be prevented from riding their bikes down the footpath at the bottom of Scholes field. Not a day goes by without me having to stand aside for at least one cyclist to pass. I know I am far from being the only one who is being inconvenienced. They usually say “thank you” but that is no excuse.
I cannot believe that they don’t know that cycling is not allowed on the path.
Hi Paula – the footpath at the bottom of Scholes is classed as a bridleway so cycling is legal along it – but it’s important for everyone to rub along and be polite.
If cycling is permitted why is there an old “no cycling” sign at the school end and a new blue “cyclists dismount” sign at the top of Beech Rd? ie appropriate to the narrow section.
An error in the signage that should have been fixed but hasn’t been yet.
Hi, I can’t make the meeting, could you please post any notes made?
Regards,
Andrea
Will do
I’m wondering which if any local authorities have been invited or notified and intend to join the meeting.
I’m more concerned about the fact that the field is misused. That youths congregate there to drink under age and take drugs with little or no policing.
That the parks department seem to take no interest of such activity.
That the joke of a children’s park is yet another yob congregational meeting point , hence the result there only being a climbing frame/slide left to boast of, all else having been destroyed.
That for the last, god knows how many years, local residents have to be subject to all night raves and antisocial behaviour.
Anyone else share these thoughts?
Hi Lee – once the Friends group is up and running it will have the authority to speak to the parks department, police etc. and work with them to sort out those sorts of problems. We need to get it set up first though.