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SANDBACH HISTORY 
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CLICK ON RIGHT TO DOWNLOAD PDF FILE OF HISTORY.
PDF FILE OF SANDBACH HISTORY Part 1 = #01 to C 
sandbach_history_part_1_dates_to_c.pdf
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PDF FILE OF SANDBACH HISTORY Part 2 = D to F (Includes Fire Station History)
sandbach_history_part_2_d_to_f.pdf
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PDF FILE OF SANDBACH HISTORY Part 3 = G to P 
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PDF FILE OF SANDBACH HISTORY Part 4 = P to R (Includes Police History) 
sandbach_history_part_4_p_to_r_-_police_to_raf_cranage.pdf
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PDF FILE OF SANDBACH HISTORY Part 5 = Railway Station ​
sandbach_history_part_5_r_railway_station.pdf
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PDF FILE OF SANDBACH HISTORY Part 6 = R to S  ​
sandbach_history_part_6_r_to_s_-_ramblers_to_sweets.pdf
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PDF FILE OF SANDBACH HISTORY Part 7 = T to #12 ​
sandbach_history_part_7_t_to_12.pdf
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PDF FILE OF SANDBACH HISTORY Part 8 = #13 to End​
sandbach_history_part_8_13_to_end_-_pubs_to_end.pdf
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INDEX TO PDF FILES ABOVE. 
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SANDBACH HISTORY PART 1 = #01 Dates to C
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#01. Statistics.
#01a. Defibrillators in Sandbach
#02. History in Date Order.
#03. Listed Buildings in Sandbach.
#04. Building and Business History (Including Transport Festival History).
Listed under Names and Alphabet #HA. to #HZ.
SANDBACH CHURCHES HISTORY
#CH01. to #CH27.
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SANDBACH HISTORY PART 2 = D to F
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SANDBACH /CHESHIRE FIRE BRIGADE INDEX
#FB00. Sandbach Fire Brigade a BRIEF History.
#FB01. Sandbach Fire Brigade a History.
#FB02. Sandbach Performance figures.
#FB03. Officers in Charge at Sandbach.
#FB04 Sandbach Fire Engines in Date order.
#FB05. Sandbach Firemen
#FB06. Cheshire Fire Stations – History, Appliances etc.
#FB07. Previous Cheshire Fire Appliances
#FB08. Current Cheshire Fire Appliances
#FB09. Historic Vehicle Collection – Based at Chester
#FB10. Historic Vehicles in Preservation outside Cheshire
#FB11. Fire Brigade Terms
#FB12. NW Air Ambulance history and incident around Sandbach
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SANDBACH HISTORY PART 3 = G to P
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SANDBACH HISTORY PART 4 = P to R
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SANDBACH POLICE INDEX
#PC01. Sandbach Police History - Brief History
#PC02. Sandbach Police History - Full History
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SANDBACH HISTORY PART 5 = R = (SANDBACH) RAILWAY STATION
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SANDBACH HISTORY PART 6 = R to S
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SCHOOL HISTORY
#SC01 Schools in Date Order
#SC02 Schools in Name Order A to S
#SC03 Sandbach High School / Sandbach Secondary School
#SC04 Sandbach School / Sandbach Grammar School
#SC05 Schools in Name Order S to Z


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SANDBACH HISTORY PART 7 = T to #12
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Including Town Hall history.

#05. Sandbach Town Council – Including list of Mayor’s.
#05b. Cheshire East Mayors (County Mayor)
#05c. Town MP (Member of Parliament)
#05d. Sandbach Town Council 2017
#06. Foden’s History.
#07. E.R.F. History.
#08. Jennings Coachbuilders.
#09. Shops in Sandbach (see also separate file)
#10. Local Celebrities (Past and Present)
#10a. Celebrities who have visited Sandbach
#11. Thomas Hughes (Writer Tom Brown’s Schooldays)
#12. Town Cryer
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SANDBACH HISTORY PART 8 = #13. To End.
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#13. Pubs and Restaurants (Eating Places)
#14. Market Charter
#15. Sandbach Wakes / Wakes Fair
#16. Christmas Best Shop Window (Sandbach Town Council Award)
#17. Citizen of the Year (Rotary Club Award)
#18. Societies - Dated Lists.
#18b. SOCIETIES Chairperson.
#19. Awards by HM The Queen – New Years and Birthday Honours.
#20. War Memorial Names Sandbach, Wheelock, Elworth etc.
#20a Brereton Church of St Oswald
#20b Market Square War Memorial
#20c Elworth War Memorial
#20d Sandbach Cemetery – Brunner Mond
#20e Sandbach Heath (St John’s)
#20f Sandbach Methodist Church / Wesley Avenue
#20g Sandbach School
#20h Smallwood Church of St John the Baptist.
#20i Warmingham (St Leonard Church)
#20j Wheelock and Hassell
#20k Wheelock Heath Baptise Church
#20L The Fallen not on a Memorial
#20m St Mary’s Roll of Honour 1914-18
#20n St Winifred’s Church
#20o Foden Works 1914-18 casualties / 1939-45
#21. Postcard Manufacturers – Local Scenes / Views.
#22. Venerable Bede’s account of his time in the Midlands.


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                        HISTORY OF SANDBACH
                                                                                   Compiled by Stewart Green © 2013 to date.
                                                       (Including information from publications by the Sandbach History Society)
                                                                                   http://sandbachwhatson.weebly.com/

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#01.       STATISTICS.  
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POPULATION
1664                       Population of 664 (Estinated by the Hearth Tax)
1801                       Population of 1,844
1851                       Population of 4,659
1860's                    713 Houses and a population of 3,252.
1901                       Population of 5,558
1914                       URBAN DISTRICT WARDS East 2,707; North 1,975; West 1,041
                                SANDBACH ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH 4,171 and Sandbach Heath 1,258
                                                Parish Clerk William Nock
                                                Sexton Arthur Allcock
                                (1914 Kelly’s Directory)
1951                       Population of 9,253 (National Census)  
1961                       Population of 9,862 (National Census)  
                                                (Men 4,811 / Female 5,051 / with a density of 2.7 people per acre of land)
1966                       Population 10,350 (Town Guide) 
1970’s                    15,000 residents
1984                       Population 14,724 (5,331 Houses)
                                                (Men 7,200 / Female 7,385 / Married Male 4,011 to 4,4023 /
                                                Pensioners 2,382 /
                                                CAR OWNERS Families with –
                                                0 car = 1,383 / 1 Car = 2,838 / 2 Cars or More = 980 /
                                                3 Cars or more = 128)
1991                       Population 15,839 (National Census)
2001                       Population 17,630
2013                       Population 18,023 (Supplied by GeoNames Database)
                                                (Ages 0 to 15 = 17.6% / 16-64 = 62.7% / 65+ = 19.6%)
                                                (3172.048 People) (11300.421 People) (3532.508 People)
                                                (180.23 People per 1% Approx)
                                                Approx 7,416 Houses in Sandbach. (based on 2 Adults per house)
                                                (8,000 Houses Quoted in 2013)
 
LOCAL GOVERNMENT DISTRICTS
1875-1894            Sandbach Urban Sanitary District
1894-1974            Sandbach Urban District Council
1974 – 2009         Congleton Borough Council
2009 to Date        Cheshire East (County Council)
                +              Sandbach Town Council (Town Council)
 
REGISTRATION DISTRICTS (Birth Death and Marriage + Census)
1837-1937            Congleton
1937-1974            Crewe
1974 -1988           Crewe or Congleton (and /or)
1988 – 1998         South Cheshire
1998-2007            Cheshire East
2007-2009            Cheshire (East and West)
2009 to date         Cheshire East
 
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#01a. DEFIBRILLATOR’S IN SANDBACH
There are a number of Defibrillator’s in Sandbach available for Public use.
                Ambulance Station, Congleton Road (Available Emergency Services only Via 999 Call)
                Ashfields Primary Care Centre (Middlewich Road).
                Co-op on Middlewich Road, Elworth
                Fire Station (On Emergency Vehicles / Access for Emergency Services only)
                Leisure Centre (Middlewich Road)
                Military Arms, Congleton Road (AVAILABLE 24/7 via key code available on 999 call)
                Sandbach Community Primary School, Crewe Road (Term Time Only)
                Sandbach High School, Middlewich Road (Term Time Only)
                Saxon Cross Antiques, Town Mill, High Street, Sandbach (Opening Times) 
                Turnpike Court, Middlewich Road, Elworth (Old People’s Home)
                Westfields (Cheshire East Council Building / Monday to Friday opening times)
 
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SANDBACH HISTORY IN DATE ORDER.
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The name Sandbach means 'The Sandy Valley of a Stream' in "Olde English".
 
Unkn                      Over the years the Welsh and the Danish had invaded this quiet town in Cheshire.
c 43 to 82 A.D.     A Roman Road from Middlewich to Chesterton passed through Sandbach.
                                Between 2005 and 2009 Alex York and a team of volunteers excavated the
                                Roman Road through Elworth and onto Malkin’s Bank on the Middlewich
                                to Chesterton link and has found links to Reeseheath, Whitchurch and Wrenbury.
                                He has also discovered the remains of a road near the M6 at Hassall.
c 653 A.D.             The Saxon Crosses were made to celebrate the marriage of Peada, Son of Penda,
                                King of Mercia to his bride Alchfleda, the daughter of Osway the Christian King of
                                Northumbria.
                                (First quoted in Earwaker’s History of Sandbach 1890 and is the story most
                                children in the area grew up with.) 
9th Century            A Minster is recorded in the Town but seems to have disappeared during the
                                late 9th Cenury. Like a number of other ecclesiastical foundations, Sandbach
                                may have become a victim of Viking raids but as Sandbach is far in land
                                this may not be the case as most Viking raids were on the East Coast by the sea. 
1086 AD                In the Doomsday Book the town was called SANBECD (or Sanbec).
                                This was the earliest evidence of a town in this part of Cheshire.
                                It records two entries.
                                (I have added Numbers after ii's to make it easier to understand)
                                1.
                                                "The same bigot holds Sandbecd. Dunning held it and was free.
                                                There is i (1.) hide reteable to the gelt and a virgate and a half so rateable.
                                                The land is ii (2) carucates. There is a foreigner with half a carucate and iii
                                                (3) serfs and there are two villeins with half a carucate. There is a priest
                                                and a church. A wood half a league long and xi (11.) perches broad.
                                                In King Edward's time it was worth iv (4) shillings; now viii (8) shillings".
                                2. 
                                                "The Earl himself holds Sandbec for two virgates and a half reteable to the
                                                gelt and Clive for i (1.) virgate so rateable and Sutton for iv (4) virgates so
                                                rateable and Wibaldelai for i (1.) virgate sorateable and Wever for i (1.)
                                                virgate so rateable and Aculvestune for i (1.) hide so rateable. Six free men
                                                hold these lands for vi (6) manors. The land is vii (7) carucates among
                                                them. The whole was and is waste".
About 1200          The first church was built in Sandbach.
1260                       The town was recorded as being called SONDBACHE from the Anglo Saxon
                                “sand baece” meaning sand stream or sand valley.
13th Century        The land around Sandbach was held by Richard De Sandbache, who in 1230 was
                                High Sheriff of Cheshire. He unsuccessfully laid claim to the advowson of Sandbach
                                Church against Earl Randle de Blundeville.
                                Richard’s son John De Sandbache also claimed the right to the land winning the day
                                temporarily against the Abbey of Diemlacres, only to lose it soon after when the
                                dispute was carried to the King’s Bench and the case was won by the Abbot on
                                the evidence of the Doomsday Book which proved that the Earl Randle Meschimes
                                (Earl of Chester) had originally given the advowson to the Monks of Diemlacres.
                                An estate in Sandbach is called Abbey fields after the Abbey of Diemlacres.
                                When Richard de Sandbach died, this was the end of the family line as he didn't have
                                any male heir's. His only heir was a daughter called Elizabeth who became the wife
                                of John de Legh (the son of John de Legh, of Booths.)
                                John de Legh and Elizabeth only had one child. The child was again a daughter
                                called Matilda de Legh who eventually married Richard de Radcliffe of Ordsall.
                                The line of the manor again passed down through the distaff (female line) of this
                                new family the de Radcliffe's in about 1361 (See 1611). Richard also inherited his
                                father's estate.
                                The estate was finally purchased by Sir Randulph (or Randle) Crewe. 

Mid 13th Century The area responsible by Sandbach Minster Church could have extended towards
                                Middlewich and Davenhan (Near Northwich). By the mid 13th Cenury it was
                                reduced to an area around the Church with two chapelries at Holmes Chapel
                                and Goostry.
1570                       The Lower Chequer Inn was built.
1578                       It is mentioned in a publication that the excellent quality of Sandbach Malt Liquor
                                and Worsted yarns were made in quantity.
1578                       A charter granted by Queen Elizabeth 1st to the town a market in 1578 on
                                application by Sir John Radcliffe, of Ordsell, in Lancashire.
1579                       On the 4th May 1579 Sir John Radcliffe of Ordsall (In Lancashire) applied to hold
                                Fairs and Markets in Sandbach from Queen Elizabeth 1st. The market would be
                                held on Thursday with two fairs each year being held. One of these two dates still
                                takes place during the September 'Wakes'.
                                Sir John Radcliffe also applied for the right to establish a Court-Leet and a Court of
                                Pied-Powder. 
1583                       Gentlemen fined for playing bowls on Scotch Common.
1600's                    The George Hotel was built as the George and Dragon. 
                                It is possible that the building was replaced in 1810 with the current structure.
1611                       In 1611 Sir John Radcliffe became the last member of his family to hold the Manor
                                of Sandbach as he mortgaged it for the sum of £2,200 before eventually selling the
                                majority off it off . The family had held the manor for the last 250 years.
                                In a deed dated the 7th November 1611 the Radcliffe family sold the Manor's land
                                to Richard Steele, Hugh Moss, John Wright, William Shaw and other Sandbach
                                yeomen and land owners. The Manorial rights and the remaining lands were sold to
                                Sir Randolph (or Randle) Crewe.
1634                       The Black Bear Public House was built.
1639                       Black and white building built on Front Street.
3 Sept 1651          On the 3rd September 1651 whilst the September Fair was in full swing, a skirmish
                                took place at (What is now called) Scotch Common when a party of about 1,000
                                of the King's Cavalry, made up of a bunch of Scotsmen, came to Sandbach
                                after their defeat at the Battle of Worcester earlier in the day (on the 3 Sept 1651)
                                a skirmish that turned out to be Cromwell's final victory.
                                King Charles 2nd had been in France since the Battle of Naseby where he gained
                                support from the Covenanting Party in Scotland. In 1650 Charles returned and was
                                then crowned King of England in Scone, Scotland. Despite Cromwell's victory at
                                Dunbar, Charles decided to invade England resulting in the Battle of Worcester.
                                The pretender King had been in the town since the 22 August 1651 and on the
                                3 September Cromwell's army and the Kings army of Scotts met at Worcester.
                                After the battle the Kings army scattered with some of the Scotts, who had seen
                                action under David Leslie, attempting to pass through Sandbach on their way home.
                                Sandbach at the time was loyal to the Parliamentarians and seeing the poor state of
                                the Kings army, the town's folk set upon the army with poles from the Market stalls
                                and killed many of them. Those captured were stored in the Churchyard. The Rev.
                                Henry Newcome in his diary wrote on the 7th September 1651 that he had to preach
                                in the Churchyard on that Sunday due to the prisoners being in the church waiting
                                for Cromwell's Militia to come.
                                A story I was told when I was young is that the bodies of the dead were laid to rest
                                in a plot of land near Sandbach Heath, later called 'Pipers Hollow', the exact spot 
                                that the M6 Motorway passes through the town and where the Saxon Cross Motel
                                used to stand. 
                                On the occasion of the burial a lone piper, who it was thought to be dead, recovered
                                enough to play a lament while the bodies of his comrades were being buried. On
                                completion of this task he was also killed and buried along with his kinsfolk. It is
                                said that the Ghost of the Piper can be heard along that stretch of the motorway.
                                The area of land where the piper is buried along with his comrades has become
                                known as “Piper’s Hollow” and the meadow next to it is called “Scotch Meadow”.
                                An account of the incident on Scotch Common was recorded in one of the earliest
                                newspapers “The Mercurius Politicus” number 66 which refers to the incident as
                                follows:
                                “They so managed the business that, when the Scots offered to fire, they ran into their
                                homes and soon as that party was past which had the pistols and powder, they fell
                                upon the remainder of the troops and continued pealing and billing them during the
                                passage of all their horse.”
1660                       Charity set up by local people that would eventually lead to the "Almshouses” (See
                                Almshouses). 
1661                       St Mary's Church was built (See above for more details)
28 Sept 1677        SANDBACH SCHOOL ESTABLISHED. (see 1851)
                                We know that Sandbach School was Founded on the 28th September 1677 by
                                Richard Lea and Francis Welles it is surrounded in 18 acres of land on the
                                Crewe Road. It was what they called an “Endiwed School” for children between
                                the ages of eight and eighteen.
1680                       Two public houses were built in this year. "The Crown" and "The Market Tavern".
17th Century          During the 17th Century Sandbach was noted for the quality of its Ales, which
                                were popular in London. Production of a Sandbach Ale seems to have ceased
                                by the late 19th Cenury.
1733                       The building that now houses the Leonard Cheshire home on "The Hill" was built.
1740                       Marriott House built. It was originally called "The Commons House". (see 1897)
1760 and 1860    Between these two dates shops in the High Street (Chatwins etc.) were built.
1760                       Police Station built on the Market Square (Now Godfrey Williams Delicatessen).
                                The Police entered from the rear of the building (Now the St Mary’s Hall Side)
                                and had the top floor of the building (Now a Hairdressers) as their rooms with
                                the station in the basement. It is possible that the cells were situated there or
                                were accessed via a tunnel to the Original Town Hall which had cells under the
                                Magistrate’s court.
1760                       Church House on the Market Square was built. In 1972 it was rebuilt.
1775                       Canal built at Wheelock by James Brindley.
1785                       Sandbach Wesleyan Society formed.
19th Century        Sandbach was a busy coaching point with 'The Royal Sovereign' coach running to
(1800's)                  London on a daily business, with the 'Rocket' taking its passengers to Liverpool and
                                Birmingham. Another coach 'The Nettle' journeyed daily to Manchester and
                                Nantwich.
                                Stopping off points.           
                                                THE ROYAL SOVEREIGN              The George.
                                                THE ROCKET                                     The George.
                                                THE NETTLE                                      The Wheat sheaf yard. 
                                COACHES
                                GEORGE HOTEL 1834 Timetable
                                                12.30pm (Every Day)         To London – The ROYAL MAIL from Liverpool
                                                2pm (Tuesday to Sun)        To London – RED ROVER
                                                10pm (Every Day)              To London - ERIN GO BRAGH
                                                Various Times Each day    To Liverpool from London.
 
                                WHEAT SHEAF 1834 Timetable  
                                                7.30am (Mon, Wed, Fri and Sat)      To Manchester –
                                                                                                ROYAL WILLIAM via Middlewich.
                                                8pm (Mon, Wed, Fri and Sat)           To Nantwich – ROYAL WILLIAM.
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TURNPIKE ROADS
Sandbach also had some Turnpike roads with Toll Bars on them in the following places ;-
                                Sandbach at the Middlewich Road end of Abbey Road.
                                Wheelock at Crewe Road, opposite the churchyard.
                                                The Black and White Toll cottage is still standing.
                                Crewe Green at the junction of the Crewe and Sydney roads.
                                Holmes Chapel at London Rd, about 100 yards on the Brereton side.
                                At the Cross-roads at Saltersford on the far side of the River Dane Bridge.
                                Betchton beyond the New Inn on the Newcastle Road
                                                                and at the Junction of Chells Hill Road.
SANDBACH TOLL ROADS INFORMATION
Nantwich to Wheelock Wharf  (http://www.turnpikes.org.uk/English%20turnpike%20table.htm)
                Act of Parliament = 56 Geo3 c15
                Date from 11 Apr 1816 to 1875
                Length in Miles = 9
                Main Gates = 3
                Side gates and Bars 1848 = Unknown  
                Income from Tolls = 291
                Total debt 1838 = 140
                Average income per gate = 97
                Modern Road Names A49 to A5020
 
Sandbach To Congleton (http://www.turnpikes.org.uk/English%20turnpike%20table.htm)
                Act of Parliament = 5/6 will4c37
                Date from 1835
                Length in Miles = 8
                Main Gates 1840 = 3
                Side gates and Bars 1848 = 2 
                Income from Tolls  = Unknown
                Total debt 1838 = 3250 
                Average income per gate = Unknown
                Modern Road Names A534 (Congleton Road)
 
Runcorn and Northwich (http://www.turnpikes.org.uk/English%20turnpike%20table.htm)
                Act of Parliament = 59 Geo3 c85
                Date from 1819
                Length in Miles = 9
                Main Gates 1840 = 3
                Side gates and Bars 1848 = Unknown  
                Income from Tolls  = 78
                Total debt 1838 = 3800 
                Average income per gate = 26
                Modern Road Names A533 (Middlewich Road)
 
Span Smithy, Linley Lane (Elton, Sandbach) Through Church Lawton to Talk.
                                 (http://www.turnpikes.org.uk/English%20turnpike%20table.htm)
                Act of Parliament = 28 Geo3 c104 
                Date from 1788
                Length in Miles = 8
                Main Gates 1840 = 3
                Side gates and Bars 1848 = 2 
                Income from Tolls  = Unknown
                Total debt 1838 = 2520
                Average income per gate = Unknown
                Modern Road Names (Main Route) A533 Middlewich Road
                                                                (Via A5011 and A5 Arclid, Church Lawton to Stoke) 
 
Span Smithy, Booth Lane (Elton, Sandbach) and Winsford through Middlewich and Stanthorn.
                                 (http://www.turnpikes.org.uk/English%20turnpike%20table.htm)
                Act of Parliament = 26 Geo2 c84  
                Date from 1753
                Length in Miles = 12
                Main Gates 1840 = 3
                Side gates and Bars 1848 = 4 
                Income from Tolls  = 876
                Total debt 1838 = 400
                Average income per gate = 292 
                Modern Road Names (Main Route) A533 Middlewich Road (Via A5018) 
 
TURNPIKE ROAD HISTORY
Established in England and Wales from about 1706 they were used to pay to maintain roads rather like the toll roads of today. Each Road was set up by an individual “Act of Parliament” and by the 1830’s there was about 1,000 trusts and over 30,000 miles of road with 8,000 toll gates.
Between 1873 and 1878 most of the trusts were wound up by General Acts of Parliament. 
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c1809                     The Wheelock Mill was constructed starting the Textile Industry in Sandbach.
1809                       Sandbach Congregational Sunday School opened.
                                In 1909 on the anniversary of the school they held a service on the
                                12 and 15 September in celebration.
1810                       The first Town Hall was built in Sandbach. 
                                In 1882 Thomas Hughes (.b. 20 Oct 1822 .D. 22 Mar 1896 - The writer of
                                Tom Brown’s Schooldays) was appointed to a County Court Judgeship in
                                the Chester District in July of that year an appointement that included
                                Sandbach and worked out of the Town Hall.
1815-16                 Saxon Crosses collected from all over the area to be rebuilt in the Market Square.
1816                       The Market Square and the yard of the Malt-Kiln in Bradwall Road were cobbled.
30 May 1825       On the 30 May 1825 the first stone was bought for a new Bridge in Sandbach
                                (Later named Brook Bridge). It had been bought by Charles Whittingham and
                                was laid by William Smith the Builder on June 22 1825.
                                On the 3 November 1825 the Last Stone of the arch was laid by William Smith
                                and William Dickinson in the presence of Mr William Cross Snr at 10am.
                                On the 13 December 1826 (or 1825) the “Cinter” or Centre stone of the Battlement
                                was laid by Francis Johnson Ford Esq. one of the Majestrates of the
                                Hundred of Northwich, Cheshire.
                                Under a Copper Plate Mr Ford deposited one Half Crown, One Shilling,
                                one Sixpence and one Silver Sheffield “Jobu” with a value of sixpence.
                                Also deposited was one Copper Penny and one Half-Penny.
                                (See Ford)
1835                       Nationally, Local Government came into being with the introduction of the
                                “British Municipal Corporations Act”.
                                This act led to the formation of the SANDBACH URBAN SANITARY DISTRICT
                                which operated between 1875 and 1894.
1836                       An Independent (Congregational) Chapel was built in Hope Street in 1836.
                                In 1860 a Sunday School and burial ground were added to the site.
                                In 1893 an extension was added to house a new Schoolroom (Later used as
                                the Little Theatre by the Sandbach Players).
1837                       Christ Church Wheelock opened. 
5 Sept 1837          The Hope Street Chapel was opened and dedicated by Preacher Reverend J Hill
                                of Oxford and the Reverend Samuel Luke of Chester. 
Sandbach in 1837               SANDBACH AT THIS TIME from a leaflet by E Wakefield. 
                                No railway station in the town (see 4 May 1842) although a line had been opened into
                                Crewe in September 1937 which was then just a few houses and more a village
                                than a town.
                                The Literary Institute had not even been thought of and where the fountain
                                now stands outside this was a large garden.
                                There were no street lighting apart from the odd oil lamp and no pavements
                                in the town.
                                The Roads were cobbled like the Market Square is today with the Town Hall
                                in the Market Square (Where the War Memorial now Stands) which had
                                the Crosses opposite which had only just been restored to the town.
                                The George was the principal inn of the town and was the straight stopping place
                                for the London to Liverpool Stage Coach which came to the town three times a week.
                                High Street was only a narrow lane while Church Street and Hawk Street were the
                                main streets in the town.
                                At the rear of the newly built Hope Street Chapel were “Dickenson’s Gardens” a
                                Show place for Sandbach.
1838                       Sandbach Celebrated the Coronation of Queen Victoria at Westminster Abbey
                                on the 28 June 1838 with an event on the Market Square. 
1840                       The Manchester to Crewe railway opened. (see railway). 
1842                       The South Porch of St Mary's was destroyed.
4 May 1842          SANDBACH STATION
                                The first train to run on this line was on the 4th May 1842 from
                                Manchester to Sandbach while the first train to Crewe didn't run until
                                the 10th August 1842 with six trains running a regular service.
                                The Rev. John Armitstead wrote in 1860 that there were seven trains
                                each way daily calling at the Sandbach and Holmes Chapel stations.
1843                       Commons or Newfield Silk Mill built for John Woolley.
1844                       Two "Poor Houses" on The Hill replaced by Workhouse in Arclid. (See Almshouses)

1846                       On the 1st September 1846 the Rev. W Sylvester from the Hope Street Chapel
                                died (Aged 69).
                                On the day of his funeral the whole town turned out with all the shops shutting
                                in respect for the well-loved Preacher. A tombstone was paid for by public
                                subscription and laid on his grave in the Hope Street Chapel graveyard
                                (Now the Car Park to the side).
1847 - 1849          Sir George Gilbert Scott (.b. 13 July 1811 .D. 27 Mar 1878) reconstructed
                                St Mary's Church. (Built the Albert Memorial in London) 
1850                       The gate house at Sandbach School was built by Sir George Gilbert Scott.
1850                       Silk factory built on "The Hill" along with Mill Row (Chimney Row) houses for the
                                workers.
1850                       In 1850 there were Twelve establishments recorded as Hotels, Inns, Taverns,
                                or Beer Houses. 
1851                       SANDBACH SCHOOL NEW BUILDING
                                The school moved onto its present site in 1851 when a building designed
                                by Sir George Gilbert Scott was finished. (see 1677)
1853                       The 1st Public baths were opened in Sandbach on Newcastle Road. 
1854                       The Savings Bank was opened next to the Literary Institution (Now the Lloyds
                                Bank). It was built by Mr Thomas Stringer and designed by Jas Harrison.
1857                       The Literary Institution was built by Sir George Gilbert Scott. 
1857                       Miss Sarah Sibson died leaving enough money to build St John's Church Sandbach
                                Heath.
1857                       A New Counry Police Station was erected in Bold Street at a cost of £800 with an
                                edifice of Brick and Stone. It has offices, cells and a residence for the chief officer.
                                In 1914 William Lawson was the Sergeant in charge with 6 men.
1859                       Providence School built in Chapel Street. (Now the Scout Hall). 
1860's                    Sandbach had 713 Houses and a population of 3252.
                                Its business was as shoe makers for the Manchester and Liverpool Markets and Silk-
                                throwsting activities.
                                Its buildings included, a Head Post Office, Railway station, Corn exchange, Banking
                                office, 3 Chief Inns, a Market place, A Town Hall, a County Police Station, a
                                Savings Bank (in the Tudor Style), Public Baths, a Fire engine station, a Church, 4
                                dissenting Chapels, a Grammar School, large national schools. It also had a weekly
                                market on a Thursday, an Easter Fair (Easter Tuesday) and Fairs on the Tuesday
                                after 12 September and on the 28th December.
                                Also in the market square are the Ancient Crosses.
1860                       Brook Mill Opened. 
12 June 1861        St John’s Church in Sandbach Heath was consecrated.
1862                       Sandbach Industrial Co-operative Society (Limited) formed. 
                                The “Sandbach Industrial and Co-operative Society Ltd No 2 Branch” was at
                                462 Crewe Road Wheelock now the Magus Electronics building.
1865                       20 Almshouses were built in Sandbach on Newcastle Road. They were designed by
                                Sir George Gilbert Scott at a cost of £2,500.
1866                       Wheelock Railway Station was opened (see 1930). 
1866                       The auctioneers Hilditch and Sons opened.
                                In 2004 it is being run by Andrew Hilditch at a different location.
1868                       Salt works opened in Wheelock.
1870                      George Hancock retired from the business, officially but still acted as a consultant
                                when the company became (Edwin Foden) FODEN AND HANCOCK.
1871                       Wesleyan Society open a Sunday school building on Church Street behind what is
                                now the Wesleyan Chapel (See 1872)
22 July 1871         Coroner for Mid Cheshire Mr Dunstan resumed the inquest into the death of
                                Joseph Birley and Samuel Hamerton who had been killed in a Railway Accident.
                                The Court was held at the Commercial Hotel, Sandbach.
1872                       Wesleyan Chapel opened in Wesley Avenue. (See 1871)
24 Feb 1873         PC James Green (.b. 1836 .D. 24 Feb 1873) was murdered while on duty and
                                his body was dumped in the Trent and Mersey Canal near Elworth.
                                He was the first Cheshire officer to be killed on duty and is now buried
                                at St Peter’s Church along with his wife Ann.
                                A bridge in Moston is known as “Stabbers Bridge” after the event.
                                Born in Handbridge, Chester James Green had been a member of the
                                Cheshire Force for six years and was stationed at Bradwall near Sandbach.
                                It was while he was on plain clothes duty observing a James Buckley a farm worker,
                                known larcenist and petty pilferer of Moss Green near Elworth that PC Green was
                                attacked and dumped in the canal at Moss Bridge (Oakwood Lane / Moss Lane).  
                                Buckley was arrested by Superintendent Rowbottom who found him working on
                                his farm with a bruised forehead, face, a lacerated nose and two black eyes
                                which the criminal put down to a branch falling on him while he was pruning the tree.
                                At his trial evidence of tools including a garden fork were presented with
                                blood stains on them which specialists were unable to say had human blood
                                on them and Buckley said they were in fact pig’s blood.
                                After a 10 minute deliberation the jury acquitted Buckley of the murder a
                                clear case of injustice when a guilty man is set free due to a lack of evidence.
1874                       Gas Works built near Brook Street Silk Mill.
1875                       Williams delicatessen was opened for the first time. In 2004 it was being run as
                                Godfrey Williams and Son (David) and now is run by Godfrey’s grandson Daniel.
1875 -77                The area round the St Mary's church closed for extension work on the cemetery to
                                take place.
1876                       The Town Water Fountain was moved due to the extension of the churchyard. 
1876                       The company “Foden and Hancock” changed to EDWIN FODEN AND SON.
1877                       Sandbach Industrial Co-operative Society (Limited) built a factory and shops in
                                Bold Street.
1877                       Andrew Martin (Timber Merchant and Saw Mill) – Established in 1877 at
                                Wheelock Nr Sandbach. They continued until after 1933. 
1870 - 1880          Manchester District Bank built next to the Wheat sheaf Hotel.
                                Established in Manchester in 1829 the bank had branches in Sandbach,
                                Holmes Chapel and Elworth as part of 400 branches by 1906.
April 1885             An inquest was held into the death of Mr John Seaman (Aged 49) who died
                                after the paraffin lamp he was turning down exploded. This was one of
                                three deaths from the same cause that year that coroner Mr Deputy-Corner Blunt.
                                (20 Apr 1885 Gloucester Citizen Pg 3)
1885 to 1886        George William Latham (Liberal) (Crewe CONSTITUENCY) became the first MP
                                for the area representing Sandbach.
SANDBACH URBAN SANITARY DISTRICT 1875- 1894
1886                       Sandbach Cricket Club was Formed.
4 Oct 1886            Living at Bradwall Hall was Mr George W. Latham M.P. who died on the
                                4 October 1886. Known throuout Cheshire he was the founder of the
                                Bradwall Reformatory (Institute for Reforming Juvenile Offenders).
                                He suffered for many years from the most painful Malady and after
                                his death in 1886 his funeral was probably the largest public ceremony
                                in the town up until this date. 
                                Mr George W. Latham was the area’s first M.P. representing the Crewe area
                                Between 1885 and 1886. After his funeral he was buried at St John’s Church,
                                Sandbach Heath.
1888                       The 2nd Town Hall was built. (In 1891 it was demolished)
                                Also used as a Magistrates Court with Police cells underneath. 
1889                       The Foundation Stone of the present Town Hall (3rd building) was laid
                                on the 2 July 1889.
September 1889                  The local newspaper reported that the Snapes “BRITANNIA” Theatre
                                Started a second season of plays on Scotch Common Sandbach.    
                                The season started on the 16th September 1889 with the play “The Dark City”
                                And ended on the 9 November 1889 with the two plays “Monte Christo” and
                                “Oliver Twist”. This would have been a portable theatre possibly in a
                                big tent which toured the country. 
1890                       The Wheat Sheaf Hotel opened.
1890                       J.P. Earwaker Esq. M.A.,F.S.A. published a book called the "History of Sandbach".
1890                       Water fountain in the centre of the town donated by Lord Crewe. It was erected in
                                the middle of the Roundabout outside the Wheat sheaf Hotel.
c1890                     Sandbach Cricket Club was founded on Crewe Road in about 1890.
                                In the 1980’s PICCAR took over the assets of the Foden Company and
                                decided to sell off the Cricket Ground at the top of Wells Street / Green Street
                                which has also held numerous Company sports days.
                                In the early 1980’s (before July 1984) the club moved to the former Fodens Company
                                Sports ground who had now moved all its sports activities to Elworth. 
                                In 2005 an offer was put to the the club by Morris Homes a housing company for
                                the land to build on and it was decided to sell the grounds in the town centre and
                                move to Hind Heath Road, Ettley Heath with a new playing field and pavilion
                                built by Termax who had no end of trouble building the pavilion as the ground
                                had an underground stream and sinking sand which collapsed drains in the area.
Oct 1890               The 3rd Town Hall was opened.
                                (Tuesday before 29 Oct / 1 Nov 1890 Newspaper coverage)
1891                       Waterworks built near Dingle Lake. A Water tower was also constructed near the
                                Common. The Water Tower was demolished in 1962.
                                The Water Tower was designed by William W Wyatt (Civil Engineer of Whitchurch)
                                and was built by John Stringer (District Surveyor and Engineer) with a design that
                                resembled Windsor Castle.
1891                       Sewage works opened on "The Hill". (see 1908)
1891                       Dingle Lake created by Mr Walter Lea with an island in the middle.
1891                       2nd Town Hall demolished.
1892                       The Hungerford Café and Private Hotel opened next to the Town Hall. 
                                Over the years the building has been a Co-op store (Closed 1994) and various
                                other shops and businesses. 
19 Sept 1892        A new fountain in the middle of the town of Sandbach was handed over officially
                                to Lord Crewe. The fountain is positioned in the middle of the roundabout by the
                                Literary institute.
1893                       The CONGLETON CHRONICLE started. It would later produce a version
                                called the SANDBACH CHRONICLE that continues to date.
                                In 1902 the Sandbach Chronicle was published and printed by Robert Head
                                (Or Robert Hend) with Miss Harriet Jones, Local Publisher (Saturday)
                                based in High Town, Sandbach. 
19 Sept 1893        On the 19 September 1893 Miss Manchester laid the foundation stone of a new
                                School building next to the Hope Street Chapel.
                                The extension was opened in early 1894 at a total cost of £850.
                                The building later became the home of the Sandbach Players until the Chapel
                                found Dry Rot in the building and they decided to sell the old School room.
1894                       Mr W.J. Harper, R.A.I. (Lonson) wrote a history of Sandbach book
                                called “Old Sandbach”. Published in 1894 by James Hitchings at
                                Excelsior Works , Printers at Market Street, Hanley it was available for One Shilling. 
1895                       The Swan Hotel rebuilt by Mr John Stringer.
1896                       “Wrights” the printers started in the town. The company produced leaflets
                                and publications at its Middlewich Road works for 117 years before it closed in 2013.
                                Before its closure the company produced brochures for Bentley, Nissan, Michelin,
                                Odeon Cinemas, British Airways, Wrights Pies and since 2009 have sponsored and
                                produced leaflets and programmes for Foden’s Band. 
                                In June 2012 the company went into administration but was rescued by
                                Andrew Schne the managing director who bought out the company.
                                However on the 31 July 2013 the company went into liquidation and closed its
                                doors for the last time.
1897                       The number 4 Branch of the Sandbach Industrial Co-operative Society (Limited)
                                opened in premises at the Top of "The Hill".
1897                       The Marriott family donated land (Now the Park) and their house (Marriott House,
                                now the library) to the town.
                                It was described as a “Technical School, Public Gardens and Pleasure Gardens”.
1898                       The Town Celebrated the 60th Anniversary of Queen Victoria’s Coronation.
1899                       Mr R.W. Tomlinson wrote a history of Sandbach book. 
1899                       R. A. TOMLINSON (A relative of R. W. Tomlinson who wrote the history
                                of Sandbach) Owned a building in High Street which was a Printers,
                                Bookseller and Stationer.
                                The building also housed the Sandbach Branch of
                                                “THE MODERN CIRCULATING LIBRARY”
                                with the latest novels from the best authors as soon as they are published.
                                Books could be borrowed at a cost of 2d for four or seven days according
                                to the value of the book.
                                The shop also provided a Photographers which produced -
                                                “Artistic Photographic Views of the District”
                                The company provided two series of Albums of Views each containing
                                18 Views of Sandbach and District from special photographs by
                                Valentine and Sons, Dundee at a price of One Shilling for each Series.
16-17 May 1900 INTERNATIONAL EVENT.
                                The “Relief of Mafeking” happened when British Soldiers were in South Africa
                                defending it from the Dutch settlers known as Boers who wanted independence
                                from Britain.
                                Unable to stop the Boers the British were penned in at the small African township
                                called Mafeking.
                                The town had been left under siege for 217 days until it was finally given its
                                freedom by the relief forces.
                                The British troops in the town were Commanded by Lt. Gen. Robert Baden-Powell
                                (Later founded the Scout Movement) who was made a national hero as he kept the
                                troops moral high and refusing to surrender.
                                The event was transmitted to Reuters in London at 9.17pm on Friday the
                                18 May 1900.
                                This was the event that eventually led to the formation of the FODEN’S BAND
                                which came into existence from the old Sandbach town band and Wheelock
                                Temperance Society Band who had been playing during an event to celebrate
                                the event at Mafekin.
26 May 1900       LOCAL EVENT IN SANDBACH
                                At 3pm on the 26 May 1900 Mr Francis Poole led a procession from Sandbach to
                                Elworth that included the “Sandbach Volunteer Brass band”.
                                Decorated floats and a new Foden Steam Traction engine joined the procession
                                and it was suggested by nearby Sandbach Chairman of the Council Cllr. H Billyard
                                that in the evening, all should meet on Sandbach Common for an informal
                                get together. 
                                It was suggested that the bands lead the procession back to Sandbach and they
                                marched through Wheelock where they were joined by the Wheelock Temperance
                                Band. After various speeches it was planned to march back to Elworth for the
                                Evening bonfire, led by Weelock Temperance Band. 
                                However a local public house in Sandbach, offered free drinks to band members on
                                this day. Some of the Temperance members felt that by accepting this offer it was
                                seen as being against their beliefs and so they decide to take their instruments back to
                                Wheelock and failed to continue with the planned march back to Elworth.
                                The return event had groups depicting the Army and Navy leading a parade to
                                Elworth where a bonfire had been built on which effigies of the Boer leaders,
                                Kruger and Kronje were to be burned rather like Guy Fawkes on the 5 November.
                                The members of the Sandbach Volunteer Band also decided not to return to Elworth
                                as the offer of free drinks was too tempting and they stayed in the public House.
                                The organisers were not pleased at this snub to the celebrations and vowed that
                                Elworth would have its own independent band for these occasions. They met together
                                in the “The Commercial Hotel” in Elworth to discuss this new venture. Mrs Danvers
                                of the “Commercial Hotel” gave the first “Golden” Guinea towards the fund with
                                John Pring of “Wiremaster”, Thomas Plant a local gentleman, John Poole a boot and
                                shoe manufacturer and Edwin Foden all donated to the fund along with numerous
                                other local people.
                                In “The history of Fodens Motor Works Band” published in 1936 as a promotion
                                leaflet for the company, it described the events of the march and says –
                                “A vigerous demand for a Military March was passed down the line. Not a trumpet or
                                a drum was heard!
                                Jim Davies, a founder member told Allan Littlemore that the Wheelock Temperance
                                Band was tired and it had volunteered to go home and the procession returned
                                without musical honours.”
                                “Indignation, brought the Elworth leaders together on the very same night ….
                                Resolved forthwith that Elworth henceforth should be musically independent –
                                resolved also that a public subscription should be raised for the purpose of organising
                                and equipping a BRASS BAND.”  The Band in question became FODEN’S BAND.
1901                       The Park was opened in Sandbach. 
27 May 1901       WHIT WEEK - Dingle Lake opened in Sandbach with a "Grand Swimming Gala".    Mr Walter Lea was the Proprietor.
26 June 1902        Medal issued with the date 26 June 1902 and the words Saxon Crosses on it.
                                The reason for the medal is unknown.  It is Possible it is to commemorate
                                the original date of the Coronation of King Edward VII which was planned
                                for the 26 June but due to the King getting appendicitis it was postponed
                                until the 9 August and many of the commemorative items were left with
                                the original date.
1902                       The Boys Brigade was formed in Sandbach – 1st Sandbach and 1st Wheelock
                                Companies were formed. They were founded by the Reverend E. Hampden-Cook
                                from the Hope Street Chapel and lasted for over eight years meeting every
                                Wednesday at the Hope Street Sunday School. The group also had an annual
                                Summer camp at the Seaside.
                                On his retirement in 1912 the Boys Brigade held a reunion celebration of past 
​                                and present members to wish the Reverend Hampden-Cook well in the future. 
1906                       A. W. Dickenson's Exors, Ironmongers of 27-29 High Street, Sandbach were
                                established in 1906.
19 July 1906         An Express Goods Train from Manchester on the London and North-Western
                                Railway caught fire after passing through Sandbach Station.
July 1907              Dr CHARLES LATHAM died on the (6th or) 7 July 1907.
                                A prominent local physician, surgeon and registrar who worked in
                                Sandbach and a monument to him was erected outside the Town Hall on the
                                17 April 1908.
                                The reason for the monument is unsure but it is said that he would
                                treat the poor for no charge and so when he died a public collection
                                was made by the town with many of the poor (and rich) giving as much
                                as they could afford in memory of this kind doctor.
                                The Monument was later moved to the Park and now it finally situated
                                outside the Ashfield Primary Care Centre (Middlewich Road).
                                On the 3rd November 1867 the doctor, a member of the Royal College of Surgeons
                                (MRCS) delivered triplets to the wife of a brass dealer which was reported
                                in “The Lancet”.
                                Born in 1816 the third son of Richard and Sarah Latham he was also the nephew
                                of John Latham (1761 -1843). He went to Manchester Hospital to serve a
                                5 year apprenticeship with Scottish surgeon, Dr John Robertson. 
                                He then became a dresser at Manchester Infirmary before moving to London to
                                obtain his MRCS and LSA at St Bartholomew’s Hospital.
                                Dr Latham then returned to Sandbach to become a partner with Mr Sutton.
                                On the 29 March 1842 he was appointed medical officer for the
                                Sandbach Relief District a position he held for 57 years before he retired
                                on the 22 December 1899.
                                On the 25 March 1845 Charles Latham was appointed to be the medical officer
                                to the District after the Workhouse was opened another role he held for a
                                long period of 60 years.
                                For 30 years he was the public Vaccinator and surgeon to the
                                Bradwall Reformatory from its foundation in 1873 until the 19 March 1903.
                                Before his death he was also the registrar of births and deaths in the town,
                                handing over this duty to his son in 1888.

                                                Dr Charles Latham .b. 1816 .D. (6th or) 7 July 1907.
                                                1843 Married       Miss Mary Newnham Cobbe
                                                (Daughter of William Venables Cobbe of Hough, Near Wybunbury)
                                                1845 Son               Richard Venables Latham
                                                1849 Son               William Henry Latham 
                                                1851 Daughter     Catherine Maria Latham
                                                1852 Son               George Frederick Latham
                                                1854 Daughter     Louisa Mary Latham
                                                1856 Son               Harry Newham Latham
                                                1857 Son               Francis Gordon Latham
                                (see Mr George W. Latham M.P. 4 Oct 1886)
 
1908                       Sewage works closed on "The Hill". (see 1891)
17 April 1908       Monument to Dr Charles Latham unveiled outside the Town Hall. (See above)
                                Platform dignatories were Colonel John Kennedy (Brookside, Arclid),
                                Mr Ezra Harthern (Blackacres), Mr E Holland (Hounding’s Lane),
                                Reverend John Richard Armistead (Vicar and Chairman of the Memorial Fund
                                Committee), Mr J M Yates (Hassell Hall) and Mrs Kennedy who unveiled the
                                memorial. She was the wife of Colonel Kennedy and sister to the
                                Reverend Armitstead.  
1910                       1910 Sir Ernest Craig speaking in Sandbach on the Market Square a number of
                                pictures show him talking from the back of a carriage outside some shops
                                on the Market Square. In attendance were Mr Arthur Alcock the Sexton of
                                St Mary’s Church, Mr Billie Mainwaring the Undertaker (Double Fronted Shop
                                at the Centre of the Picture), Mr E.R. Foden and Mrs Furnival in the doorway
                                of her sweet shop. 
                                (MP for Crewe 1912 to 1918 and 1924 to 1929 = Sir Ernest Craig, Bt - Conservative)
                                Ernest Craig had been a pupil at Sandbach School as a boarder in Mr Imrie’s House
                                in the Headmastership of Mr Evans and Mr Chambers and was the first of its pupils
                                to become a Member of Parliament.
1910                       The Dingle Lake froze over and was used as a skating rink.
1 Oct 1910            FODENS MOTOR WORKS BAND WIN THE DOUBLE.
                                On the 1 October 1910 William Halliwell conducted the band in the second
                                major competition of the year and winning first place with both gave them a
                                unique Double Win in the Brass Band World with the “British Open Championships”
                                and now the National Championship trophies in their cabinet it would not be done
                                again for many years and in 2012 they did it all over again (See 20 Oct 2012)
                                WINNING TUNES
                                “Acis and Galatea” by Handel arranged by C Godfrey (British Open 5 Sept 1910)
                                “Gems of Schubert” (National Championship 1 Oct 1910) arranged by
                                William Rimmer.  

1911                       CREWE ROAD JUNIOR SCHOOL opened. 
                        Designed by A Price and Son it was constructed by John Huxley of Malpas in 1911.
                                In 1933 the school had room for 450 students.
                                By 2013 it was the Sandbach Community Primary School.
1912                       Congleton Chronicle started.
June 1912             New Wesleyan Chapel opened at Elworth. Costing £1,700 of which £1,200
                                was donated by the late Edwin Foden’s estate. 
                                Miss A Foden opened the Chapel door and Miss H Hollinshead opened the
                                Sunday School door with the service afterwards conducted by the
                                Rev F.L. Wiseman.
23 April 1913       King George V and Queen Mary visited Sandbach. They were accompanied by the
                                Marquis of Crewe, K.G.
                                A Special Medal was made for the tour with a picture of the King and Queen on
                                the Head and the tail side was the date they visited each town on their tour.
                                The Pewter Medal for Sandbach included the Saxon Crosses on one side and the
                                King and Queen on the reverse. In 1977 one of the coins was discovered by
                                Mr George Kesteven (Aged 41) of Abbey Road when he was at the Malkins Bank Tip
                                along with a number of other coins.
23 April 1913 am                                FODEN MOTOR WORKS BAND PLAY FOR KING AT CREWE. 
                                The FODEN band played for King George V and Queen Mary by Royal Command. 
                                E.R. Foden decided that nothing was too good for the band and so he purchased a
                                new set of uniforms in the “Prussian Style” for the band in 1912 to be worn on stage.
                                These new uniforms were put to good use when in 1913 it was announced that
                                King George and Queen Mary would be visiting the North West and Midlands in
                                April 1913 to see the “Industrial North” and would be staying at Crewe Hall the
                                residential home of the Marquis of Crewe.
                                A request for the band to play in front of the King and Queen and a programme was
                                put together with the assistance of Lady Crewe.
                                On the morning of the 23 April 1913 the band travelled by Steam Wagon to Crewe
                                Hall where they got into their new uniforms and at 9.30am they played the following
                                programme in front of the hall.
                                PROGRAMME
                                                Overture from Bohemian Girl (Balf)
                                                Merry Widow Selection (Lehar)
                                                Selection from Tannhauser (Wagner)
                                                The Lost Chord (Sullivan) (Cornet Solo Edwin Firth)
                                                Selection from Yeomen of the Guard (Sullivan)
                                                Waltz from The Dollar Princess (Fall)
                                After the band had played this selection of music the Marquis of Crewe was
                                instructed to convey their Majesties congratulations and asked the band if they would
                                be prepared to play the following day at 9am with a much longer programme.
                                This they did.
                                                Selection from William Tell (Rossini)
                                                Waltz from Salome
                                                Cleopatra (Damare) (Cornet Solo Edwin Firth)
                                                Evening Bells
                                                Waltz from Inspiration
                                                March from The King’s Courier
                                                Selection from The Quaker Girl
                                                March ‘Honest Toil’ (Rimmer)
                                                Overture from Light Cavalry (Suppe)
                                                Waltz from The Merry Widow (Lehar)
                                                Overture from Tancredi (Rossini)
                                                March from Harlequin
                                After the event the King and Queen congratulated William Halliwell and the band
                                and as the Royal Cortège left Crewe Hall, Foden’s played the National Anthem.                
                                The King and Queen then went to Congleton for a short visit as part of their tour
                                of Cheshire. A decorated canopy was erected infront of the Town Hall where they
                                were welcomed by the Mayor Councillor W I Fern and the Mayoress Miss Fern.
1913                       Elworth Cricket Club was founded as the Mount Pleasant Cricket Club.
                                In 1927 the club moved to its present location on London Road,
                                Elworth with a tenancy agreement with the Poole family who owned the land.
                                The first team captain was Francis Poole.
                                In 2013 the daughters of Francis Poole (Jennie Woodham, Val Corbett and
                                Chrissy Boyd agreed to sell the land to the Cricket club for £45,000 an
                                amout that Allan Littlemore its oldest serving member (Joined in 1951)
                                started fundraising for in August 2012 reaching its target in September 2013.
                                £10,000 was donated by Sandbach Town Council in April 2013.
1914                       POPULATION (1914 Kelly’s Directory Pages 552 to 556)
                                URBAN DISTRICT WARDS East 2,707; North 1,975; West 1,041
                                SANDBACH ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH 4,171 and Sandbach Heath 1,258
                                                Parish Clerk William Nock
                                                Sexton Arthur Allcock
1914                       POST OFFICE – Post, M.O., T and Telephone Express Delivery Office,
                                Bradwall Road (Letters should have Cheshire Added) 
                                Postmaster William M. John
                                Letter arrive from all parts of the Kingdom at 3 and 5.45am, 12.45pm,
                                3pm and 6.15pm and are delivered at 7am, 1.10pm, 3.15pm and 6.30pm.
                                Letters are dispatched from Sandbach at 10.30am, 11.15am, 3pm, 9.30pm and 10pm.
                                Money Orders are granted and paid from 8am till 8pm (Opening Hours)
                                One lady recalled that during this period of time because mail was delivered
                                on size she wanted to send a copy of the local Chronicle to her relative and
                                regularly put the paper through her Mangle (To squeeze clothes dry) to
                                make it smaller.
1914                       URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL
                                Meetings at the Town Hall on the 2nd Monday in the Month at 7pm
                                                CHAIRMAN Alfred Ernest Poole
                                                VICE CHAIRMAN James Proudlove
                                EAST WARD                       RETIRE FROM OFFICE (Changed at outbreak of War)
                                James Buckley                     April 1915
                                Charles Wardle                    April 1915
                                George Boulton                    April 1916
                                Matt. Hassall Eardley         April 1916
                                Edward Butler                      April 1917
                                Walter Lea                            April 1917
                                NORTH WARD                   RETIRE FROM OFFICE (Changed at outbreak of War)
                                Alfred Ernest Poole             April 1915
                                Arthur Buckley                    April 1915
                                George Newall                      April 1916
                                James Proudlove                                 April 1917
                                George Wright                      April 1917
                                WEST WARD                      RETIRE FROM OFFICE (Changed at outbreak of War)
                                Ralph Ruscoe                       April 1915
                                Alfred Price                           April 1916
                                Edward Holland                                  April 1917
                                                OFFICIALS
                                CLERK                  Alfred Edward Stringer of 3 Crewe Road.
                                TREASURER       John William Twigg of the Manchester and Liverpool District Bank
                                                                                Ltd, High town
                                MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH Robert Riddell M.B., C.M. Edinburgh of
                                                                West View, Crewe Road.
                                SURVEYOR AND SANITARY INSPECTOR John Rowland Price of
                                                                16a Welles Street
                                MARKET INSPECTOR AND RATE AND WATER RENT COLLECTOR
                                                                Amos Wood of 7 High Street.
                                POLICE SERGEANT William Lawson with 6 men.
                                FIRE SUPERINTENDENT Edmund Allen with 10 Men.
1914                       CHURCHES
                                St Mary’s                                              Rev. Canon John Richard Armitstead
                                St John’s                                                Rev Charles Edward Muckleston
                                St Winefrede Catholic Chapel          Rev. Patrick Kearney
                                Congregational Hope Street              Rev William Plaskett
                                Primitive Methodist (Welles St)         Rev David Rogers
                                United Methodist Church (Bradwall Road)   Rev. Arthur Lee
                                Wesleyan (Seaman’s bank)              Rev William Brookes
                                Wesleyan (Sandbach Heath)            Rev William Brookes
1914                       SCHOOLS
                                George William Braddock (School Attendance Officer) at Park Lane, Sandbach 
                                Council – Chapel Street (erected 1874)          Miss Jane Cheetham (Mistress)
                                                                                                Miss Mary Ann Wood (Assistant Mistress)   
                                Council Senior School, Crewe Road (Built 1912 – or 1911)
                                                                                                Arthur Maskelyne (Master)
                                Crewe Road Secondary School (Now Primary School)
                                Grammar School                 at Wheelock Rd   S.W. Finn M.A. (Headmaster)
                                Miss A Henrietta Harris (Private School) at 59 High Street, Sandbach 
                                The Square (Built 1841)                     William Nock (Master)
                                                                                                Miss Annie Robbins (Mistress)
                                Sandbach Heath (erected 1866 and enlarged 1891)    Arthur William Allen (Master)
                                                                                                Miss Maude Newall (Mistress)                                                                                                                          Miss Annie Hoole (Infants Mistress)              
                                Sandbach School (Built 1677) Private School with some pupils sponsored. Crewe Rd.
                                St Mary’s Church – National Day School (Built in 1841 and closed in 1961)
                                Wheelock Primary (1871 Old Building / 19 Nov 1973 New Building)
1914                       NEWSPAPERS.
                                Crewe Chronicle
                                                12 Welles Street, Sandbach – John Frost agent (Published Fridays)
                                Sandbach Chronicle (Robert Head Publisher and Printer)
                                                Jessie and Miss M A Wood 7 High Town, Sandbach, Local Publisher
                                                (Published Saturdays)
                                Sandbach Guardian (Mackie and Co Limited publisher and Printer – Saturday)
                                                Miss Mary J Jones Agent at High Town, Sandbach
                                Sandbach and Middlewich Advertiser (Swain and Co Limited – Proprietors
                                                and Printers – Friday) 43 Middlewich Road, Sandbach
1914                       DAIRY
                                By 1914 Sandbach had its own Dairy with the  “Lancashire Hyginic Dairies Limited”
                                based on Congleton Road. There was also a Lancashire Creameries Limited
                                at Bosley, North Rode near Congleton. Shepherds Dairies Limited at
                                63 Market Street, Crewe and 6 Witton Street, Northwich.  
                                The Lancashire Hyginic Dairies Limited was based in Manchester and produced
                                “Superior Pasturised Cream” which was sold all over the area. As a company it
                                possibly started prior to 1898 when it issued shares in the company.  

10 Mar 1914        FODENS MOTOR WORKS BAND CONCERT – Sandbach Town Band (Paid £15)
                                1 Concert
May 1914             St Winefride’s Roman Catholic Church opened on Middlewich Road. 
22 June 1914        Mr G Venables the Vice Chairman of Sandbach School’s Governors was killed
                                when he was knocked down by a bycicle rider outside his home.
7 July 1914           The Sandbach Urban District Council clerk read a letter from the
                                Secretary of the National Relief Committee in London asking for Sandbach
                                to open a fund to keep the people of Belgium alive. This was adopted by the Council.
1914-18                 World War 1. The Great War between Britain and Germany
                                28 July 1914 to 11 November 1918.
                                “Abbey Fields” a large House on an estate accessed from the Middlewich Road
                                near Abbey Lane was converted into a Hospital for the wounded.
                                The Reverend William Plaskett from the Hope Street Chapel not only looked
                                after Sandbach and Wheelock but was also the Free Church Chaplin at Abbey fields.
                                His wife and daughter Rene also worked in the Hospital as VAD auxiliary nurses.
                                It was also a sad time for the Reverend Plaskett and his family as their eldest son
                                William Chris Plaskett was killed in the fighting (29 July 1916).
                                Another VAD Nurse working at the hospital was Millicent Eva Ash who lived at the
                                Lakes Farm in Ettley Heath. Later she married Ted Johnson.
                                FAMILY - Father William Ash born in 1860 farmer in Ettley Heath with his
                                wife Grace Ash (.b. 1863 in Sandbach) and their children Nesta Lillie Ash
                                (.b. 1883 in Sandbach), Norman Ash (.b. 1890 in Sandbach) and
                                Millicent Eva Ash born in 1894 in Sandbach. (Details from the 1901 Census) 
                                At the age of 13 Millicent’s mother died leaving the family to work together
                                with their father on the farm and Millicent had to leave school and education
                                behind. She helped out by selling the families vegetables outside the Town Hall
                                on the market.
                                Millicent worked with Essba Twemlow the daughter of Sam Twemlow who
                                later married Jack Hawthorne and lived opposite the Grange.
                                They both learnt the basics of medicine working with very primitive treatments
                                including the use of Iodine, Sulphur and Soap and Water to make sure the hygiene
                                levels were kept. Miss Ash remembers that there were a number of suicides at
                                the Hospital when the soldiers were unable to recover from their wounds and
                                the terrible traumas they had witnessed at the front.
Aug 1914              The War Office ordered 10 Steam Wagons from Foden’s Motor Works
                                at three days’ notice making the employees work over the Bank Holiday Weekend
                                and later the Wakes weekend to finish the order.
19 Aug 1914         It was suggested by Sandbach Urban District Council that surplus funds
                                from the Dramatic Society (Possibly Sandbach Amateur Dramatic Society)
                                were donated to the Relief Committee. It was not confirmed that this
                                happened in minutes from the Council files.
Aug 1914              Men of all ages signed up to join the forces.
                                                                SANDBACH SCHOOL
                                At Sandbach School they published “The Sandbachian” which included a list of
                                those who had joined up to fight in the war. The magazine was published
                                three times a year and then reduced to one edition a year until after the war.
                                More than 200 students signed up with 35 students and one Master being killed.
                                After the war the names of the fallen were put on a memorial in the school chapel.
                                The first ex pupil to be killed in action was Second Lieutenant Alfred John Haughton
                                who had been at the school between 1892 and 1898. He was in the Cricket XI
                                of 1896 and 1898 and the Football XI in 1897. A. J. Haughton was a member
                                of the 9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry and was killed on 24 July 1915
                                at Flanders (Arrived in France and Flanders 17 April 1915).
                                In late May 1915 the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th Battalions were part of a force that was
                                sent to slow the German assault on the Bellwaarde Ridge the last battle of the
                                Second Battle of Ypres. 
                                Keiser Wilhelm II inspired a branch of the “Miniature Rifle Association” that
                                included 16 year old William George Upton who won many rifle shooting
                                competitions and was also a keen pilot. The School’s Rifle Club for many
                                years featured in the Sandbachian (School Magazine published three times a
                                year before the war and once a year between 1915 and 1918. It was at this time
                                printed by Eachus and Son, The Square, Sandbach) over many editions.
                                William Upton took part in class debates and was able to pinpoint British Troops on a 
                                Map of France during Geography lessons.
                                However on the 4 October 1918 at the age of 20 William George Upton died
                                when his plane a Sopwith Camel was shot down five miles over enemy lines
                                during a fire-fight over Roulers in Belgium.
                                He is buried at Dadizelle Cemetery in Belgium and commemorated with a
                                plaque in St Mary’s Church (On the Right when looking at the altar).
12 Sept 1914        FODENS MOTOR WORKS BAND CONCERT – Sandbach
                                Sandbach Co-op Society’s Fate (Paid £12)
                                Commencing 1.45pm. Play in Procession (Tea Provided) 
27 Sept 1914        FODENS MOTOR WORKS BAND CONCERT – Sandbach
                                One afternoon concert for the National Relief Fund.
                                If wet 4 Oct 1914
October 1914       Belgian Refugees are welcomed into Sandbach with some of them going to work
                                in the Foden Factory. Ernest Wakefield a Pattern Maker of Eva Street, Elworth
                                (Lived with his wife and two young daughters at the time) had attended evening
                                classes to learn French and was given the task of interpreting for the Belgium
                                employees at the works.
                                Two of the women refugees who came over from Antwerp (Antwerpen)
                                joined the Red Cross Working parties to help raise funds for the
                                Abbey Field Hospital in Sandbach. 
                                Madam Philomena Deliage who now lived at High Town, Sandbach
                                having previously lived at Boervase Street, Antwerpen (Antwerp) and
                                Madam Maria Van Lynt who was staying at Wheelock House, Wheelock and
                                originally had been at 154 Sg. Horbrock sn. Antwerp.
28 Oct 1914          Samuel Bolshaw Killed in action.
                                (Sandbach Methodist Church and on the Market Square Memorial) 
                                NUMBER Private 1st Battalion Kings Royal Rifles
                                DIED / AGE – Killed in action on the 28 Oct 1914.
                                BURIED Unknown
                                FAMILY His father had died before his son’s death while his mother lived
                                                in Middlewich Road, Holmes Chapel.
                                                He managed a Butcher’s shop in 8 Welles Street, Sandbach for
                                                his Aunt Mrs Mary Bolshaw, who he had lived with since the age
                                                of 12. He attended Cranage School and had been a member of
                                                the School Choir.
                                                He later trained as a butcher. 
                                                At the start of the 20th century Samuel joined the army and served in
                                                Egypt, Malta and Gibraltar for seven years.
                                                He was one of the Crack Shots in the Regiment and in one year
                                                he won the battalion prize.
                                                He then left the army when his Uncle John Edward Bolshaw died
                                                and his aunt asked him to take over the butchers shop as manager for her.
                                                On the 4 August 1914 he received his papers instructing him to re-enlist
                                                which he did at Winchester.
                                                Samuel was one of the first men in Sandbach to be killed in Action.
20 Dec 1914         FODENS BAND CONCERT at Sandbach (Venue Unknown)
                                In Aid of the War Relief Fund.
                                On the 14 December 1914 (Monday) Sandbach Urban District Council were
                                asked if they could let the War Relief Committee use the Town Hall
                                Free of Charge in the event that it was raining on the day of the event, next Sunday.
                                This was granted unanimously.
1915 (Date Unkn)               Pickford’s ordered 50 steam wagons from Fodens.
1915 (Date Unkn)               Foden’s issued a badge in 1915 to all employees with the words
                                “On War Work” inscribed on it to stop people thinking the workers were
                                not doing their best for the war effort. Some Suffragettes pinned white feathers
                                on those young men not in uniform as a sign of cowardess and this badge gave
                                the employees some security from this misconception.
1915 (Date Unkn)               Workers at Foden’s demanded an extra 5/- a week for a 54 hour week
                                (on Top of their current wage of £2 a week). This didn’t go down well with the
                                Foden family and many who had joined a Union were asked to leave the union
                                or be sacked. The Union held a mass meeting where 304 people to 13 voted to strike.
                                The Foden family decided however to bring in “Black Leg” labour and issued an
                                ultimatum to its workers to return to work or be sacked.
                                The workers had to survive on 17/6 a week on strike pay. (see June 1915)             
3 Feb 1915            The Crewe Parliamentary Division Recruiting Committee applied to the 
                                Sandbach Urban District Council on the 21 Jan 1915 to hold a recruiting meeting
                                on the 3rd Feb 1915 at the Town Hall (Free of Charge). 
March 1915          Pub house opening hours in industrial areas in March 1915 were reduced to
                                stop all day drinking from 5am in the morning to 12.30pm at night to 12 noon
                                until 2.30pm and 6.30pm to 9.30pm. In rural areas the opening hours stayed
                                the same allowing all day drinking.
May 1915             The Chronicle recorded the death of Frank H Knowles aged 35 the licensee
                                of the New Inn at Betchton.
                                He had died while out shooting rabbits. His body was found by Ernest Leese a
                                local boy who found the body in Love Lane said that a gun was by the man’s side.
                                West Cheshire Coroner Mr J C Bate and the jury decided that death was due to
                                accidental causes.
June 1915             Foden workers returned to work by June 1915 with the Union gaining a 2/- increase
                                and the reinstatement of sacked workers. One exception was Jim Wakefield
                                (the brother of Edward) who went on to work for Rolls Royce. 

11 Aug 1915         A £1 reward was offered by the Superintendent of the Bradwall Training School,
                                Sandbach for the apprehension of John James Stanfield who absconded from the
                                Reformatory on the 8th instant (11 Aug 1915 Poster) and is supposed to have
                                enlisted, or to have gone to Belfast.
                                Any information to be sent to the School (Tel 40 Sandbach) or to Superintendent
                                of Police, Police Station, Middlewich.
28 Sept 1915        A detachment of the 3/7th Territorial Battalion Cheshire Regiment under
                                Major Taylor visited Congleton on the Monday in connection with a
                                Recruiting Rally of the Western Command after marching from Macclesfield.
                                On the Tuesday morning (28 Sept 1915) they visited Sandbach and were given a
                                Grand Military Smoking Concert in their honour at the Town Hall in the presence
                                of the Mayor of the Town. There will also be a boxing competition and local
                                personality Ex-Sergeant, now Pioneer Noah Kennerly, of the Cheshire Regiment
                                depot appeared in new patriotic sketches.
Oct 1915               Sandbach Council formed themselves into a Committee for the purpose of
                                sending Christmas Presents to all the men from Sandbach who were serving
                                at the front. By November packages for Soldiers and Sailors were being sent
                                to the Dardanelles in order to reach them by Christmas.
                                Each parcel contained a card bearing the Cheshire Coat of Arms and inscribed
                                                “From the Ancient Town of Sandbach to her gallant sons at home
                                and abroad, who have answered the call and are fighting, or eager to fight, on
                                sea or land, for liberty, for freedom, for motherland and home, wishing them
                                a happy Christmas and joyful homecoming. God Save the King 1915”.
Nov 1915              MP for the Eddisbury area Captain Harry Barnston announced that as he was a
                                Soldier in the Cheshire Yeomanry, fighting for his country and at the
                                same time the area’s MP he would return the cheque for his work as a
                                Member of Parliament as he was unable to do his constituency duty.
                                He had in reality always put the cheques into a separate bank account,
                                only spending it on public services as he is strongly opposed in principal
                                to the payment of Members of Parliament.
                                He was however Sir Harry Barnston, 1st Baronet MA JP DL son of
                                Major William Barnston of Crewe Hall and Mary Emma King.
                                In 1906 he stood unsuccessfully in Stockport but was elected for Eddisbury,
                                Cheshire from 1910 until his death on the 27 February 1929.
                                He became a Controller of the Household from 1921-1924 and Nov 1924 to
                                Jan 1928. In 1924 he was created a Baronet. 
Nov 1915              Figures were released of those effected by Scarlet Fever, Diphtheria and
                                Typhoid Fever in the town with Sandbach having 17 cases compared with 94
                                in Congleton.
Nov1915               Mr S Maskery and Co (Bakers) announced that with great regret that due to an
                                increase in the cost of Raw ingredients that he would have to increase the cost of
                                his Congleton Gingerbread. A tin of 1½lb would cost 1/10d, a 3lb tin = 3/7d,
                                4½lb = 5/3d and a 6½lb tin costs 7/6d.  
                                Special tins for the troops were also available with Christmas Boxes to Soldiers
                                and Sailors in the Dardanells and Egypt via Parcel Post costing 2/9d, 3/6d, 5/1d
                                and 6/9d. 
                                Some of those who received the Christmas Parcels sent letters to
                                Cllr James Proudlove the Chairman of the Sandbach Urban District Council
                                thanking them for the gift.
                                                D.W. Beard of the Royal Flying Corps,
                                                Private H Bowyer in the Trenches,
                                                Private T Vine,
                                                Private Cecil Mason of the 2/7 Battalion Cheshire Regiment,
                                                Chas Cooke of the Machine Gun Section, 8th South Lancashire Regiment,
                                                T Pratt writing from France,
                                                Private Albert Bullock attached to the Second Irish Guards,
                                                Private A Mainwaring,
                                                Captain A Chapman,
                                                Private A Pass,
                                                Private J T Snelson of the 3rd Battalion 7th Cheshire Regiment,
                                                Private H Morrey of the 68th Welsh Division, Cyclist Company.  
Nov 1915              In Macclesfield the British Motor Bus Company who ran the local service
                                started to employ lady conductors on their routes after Cheshire County Council
                                set up a committee to promote the employment of women in agriculture and
                                other jobs in the area including on the railway with female booking clerks,
                                ticket collectors and carriage cleaners. The bus routes probably included trips
                                to Sandbach and Crewe, similar to those run today.
8 Dec 1915           On Wednesday the 8 December 1915 the Headmaster of Sandbach School,
                                Headmaster Sidney Wallace Finn MA was officially appointed “Attesting Officer”
                                under Lord Derby’s Scheme to recruit soldiers in the area.
                                On the 9th and 10th December (Thursday and Friday) men flocked to
                                Sandbach School to be attested and classroom A was turned into a recruiting room.
                                (see Below)
Dec 1915               Khaki Armlets were distributed to the men of Sandbach who had attested under
                                Lord Derby’s Scheme in the Town Hall on Wednesday evening.
                                The Town Hall was full of those who waited their turn to receive the symbol
                                of Patriotism.
                                The first wave of recruits under the Derby scheme were encouraged to join up
                                in December 1915 and had until the 29th January to report to their unit.
                                If they needed more time before joining up they had until the 30 December 1915
                                to lodge an appeal to be placed in a later group of recruits.
                                (Reprinted in Sandbach Chronicle 31 Dec 2015)
                                Lord Derby was appointed British Minister of War between 1916 and 1918 and
                                had been brought into the Wartime Coalition Government in 1915 when he was
                                given the job of being the public face on the issue of Conscription after he had
                                proved his support in Liverpool during August 1914 when he encouraged the
                                idea of the PALS BATTALIONS where men from a town could all serve
                                together in one unit.
                                Asquith appointed Lord Derby as Director-General of Recruitment in 1915 and
                                he unveiled what became known as the DERBY SCHEME which was a recruitment
                                policy where young men could give their “Assent” to being called up if needed
                                with Single men being called up first and the government promising to only call up 

                                Married Men last.
                                In the Spring of 1915 enlistment averaged 100,000 men per month but this figure
                                was dwindling and it was soon decided to raise the upper age limit in May 1915
                                from 38 to 40 years old. On the 15 July 1915 the Government passed the
                                National Registration Act to discover how many men were between the age of
                                15 to 65 and who were eligible to be enlisted. The act, like the census of 1911
                                asked for occupations so the Government could decide who were needed on the
                                home front and who could be asked to join up. By Mid-September 1915 the results
                                showed that there were 5 million males of military age who were not in the forces
                                or in “Starred” (or Protected, High or Scarce skill) Jobs.
                                On the 11 October 1915 (Edward George Villiers Stanley) Lord Derby’s Scheme
                                (or officially the “Group Scheme”) started to recruit single men to join the war
                                and men aged between 18 to 40 with events in public places to recruit those who
                                wanted the chance to enlist voluntarily or attest (Sign up) with an obligation to
                                be called up later with the last date of the scheme to sign up being the
                                15 December 1915.
                                Once signed up the volunteers were segregated into groups. Those who
                                volunteered but wanted to defer service were put into “Class A” while those who
                                wanted to join immediately were put into “Class B”. Class A men were paid a day’s
                                army pay for the day they Attested and were given a grey armband
                                (or Khaki Armlets) with a red crown on it to signify that they had volunteered
                                and were officially transferred to the Section B Army Reserve before being sent home
                                to await their call up. Those who were Called up were done so according to age
                                groups from Single Men born in 1897 = Group 1 to those born in 1875 = Group 23
                                and Married Men born from 1897 = Group 24 to those born in 1875 = Group 46.
                                They were then mobilised between (Group 1) the 28 Mar 1916 and (Group 46)
                                the 13 June 1916.
                                (See also http://www.1914-1918.net/derbyscheme.html)
                                In some areas like Sandbach the scheme was popular however it didn’t produce
                                enough men to satisfy the demand with only 350,000 putting their names forward
                                and so in January 1916 Conscription was introduced via the Military Service Act.
24 Dec 1915         DEATH IN WW1
                                NUMBER Pte 58191 20th Battalion Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment)
                                DIED / AGE – Killed in Action 24 Dec 1915 Aged 23.
                                It was with great sadness that the Foden Motor Works Band learned of the death
                                of its first ex member of the band during World War 1.
                                Pte 58191 HARRY BOWYER was serving in the Canadian Infantry
                                (Central Ontario Regiment) as a bandsman and stretcher-bearer.
                                On the 24 December 1915 he was attending wounded soldiers when he was
                                killed at the age of 23.
                                He is buried at Ridge Wood Military Cemetery, in West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
                                (Grave number II K1) and like Edwin Firth (.D. 1 June 1918) he is commemorated
                                on the Elworth War Memorial.
                                The second son of Mr and Mrs John Bowyer of East Elworth Harry served his
                                apprenticeship in the blacksmith’s shop at Foden’s Motor Works in Elworth
                                and joined the Brass Band along with his father John Bowyer (Dates Not listed).
                                He had also been a keen sportsman and played football as a half-back and
                                won 6 medals, which he distributed to his family before he left to find employment
                                abroad.   
                                In 1912 Harry emigrated to Toronto in Canada where he found employment with
                                a Military Band.
                                In 1915 the Contingent arrived at Shorncliffe and Harry obtained leave to see his
                                family in Elworth the first time in four years. On the 14th September 1915 his
                                regiment was sent to France where he played with the band and was a
                                stretcher bearer on the front.
                                On the 24 December 1915 while he was attending the wounded he was killed.
                                Captain Nicholson wrote to his parents – “All I can say is that in my opinion a more
                                glorious sacrifice could not be made by a soldier and a gentleman as he was.
                                It was a terrible shock to me and my heart goes out to you and I want you to know
                                that he will be remembered by me and his comrades as a brave soldier and true friend.
1916 (Poss Jan)    Private Enoch Gater of 69 Park Lane, Sandbach sent a letter back home to his
                                parents telling them of a narrow escape he had while serving with the
                                Cheshire Regiment. A large piece of Shrapnel caught a cigarette box he had
                                in his left breast pocket and bounced off it towards his hand grazing it which
                                undoubtedly saved him from serious injury. Enoch intended to send home the
                                Cigarette box to his family as a souvineer.
                                POSSIBLE FAMILY in 1911 Census at 45 Sandbach Heath (The Hill).
                                Enoch Gater (Head) .b. 1852/3 (Aged 59) in Kidsgrove (Steam Engine Fitter 1901 /
                                                Turner at Chemical Works 1911) (Died 1925 aged 72 in Sandbach)
                                Martha Gater (Wife) .b. 1859 (Aged 52) in Sandbach
                                Married 27 Years. Children Born to family 10. Children still alive 5. Children died 5.
                                Leonard Gater (Son) .b. 1892 (Aged 19) in Sandbach
                                                                (Apprentice Turner at Foden Motor Works)
                                Enoch Gater (Son) .b. 1897 (Aged 14) in Sandbach (Bricksetters Labourer)
                                Samuel Gater (Son) .b. 1900 (Aged 11) in Sandbach (At School)
                                                (Also on St Mary’s List of Soldiers with an Ernest andJames Gater)
                                Harold Gater (Son) .b. 1901 (Aged 10) in Sandbach (At School)
                                ST MARY’S SANDBACH GRAVE
                                Enoch Gater .b. 1896 .D. 4 May 1965 
                                Also in the Grave are –
                                James, Mary, Martha and Miriam your children who died in infancy.
                                John Gater their son .D. 5 Apr 1905 aged 24 (.b. 1881).
                                It is possible that this is a family grave and it was the grave of (Father) Enoch Gater
                                (.D. Jan 1925) who’s family is that above along with his Son Enoch who died in 1965
                                when the names was re registered in the church records.
                                Those who died in infancy are 4 of the 5 children noted in the 1911 Census.
                                By the 1901 and 1911 Census John Gater had moved out of Sandbach. 
1916                       Private Tom Shaw has been awarded the Military Medal.
                                The son of Mrs Shaw of Wheelock who was informed of the glad tidings by
                                Lieutenant Thompson who wrote -
                                                “Private Shaw has been awarded the Military Medal for gallantry in the
                                recent offensive and for the following incident: after being wounded he took
                                his gun into a dangerous position to repel a counter attack and by his behaviour
                                rallied his team under heavy machine-gun fire.”
                                Private Shaw had been injured in the arm by shrapnel.
                                He was a former employee of Brunner Mond at Malkins Bank.
Feb 1916               Zeppelins were seen flying over Sandbach prompting the town to start
                                “Blackout procedures”.
1916                       Women started working at Foden’s as many of the men had been called up.
21 May 1916       British Summertime started by act of Parliament. The Idea of British Summertime
                                was campaigned for by William Willett to allow more time for Farm workers to
                                work in the fields during daylight hours. 
23 May 1916       A large Circus appeared in the town on the 23 May 1916 (Tuesday). 
                                It was decided that Sandbach School should have an extra holiday in the afternoon
                                of the Circus to allow the pupils to attend the entertainment.
                                (Venue not mentioned but possible behind the George Hotel where various fates
                                were held)
27 May 1916       FODENS MOTOR WORKS BAND CONCERT – Sandbach May Festival   
                                A picture has come to our attention which shows what happed to the “Prussian Style
                                Uniforms” that were worn by Fodens band but had to be abandoned because if their
                                association with the Great War (Purchased in 1913). It shows Joiners at Fodens
                                Motor Works winning first prize at the Sandbach Festival with a mock up
                                German Zeppelin on top of a Steam Wagon wearing the uniforms along with
                                other soldiers in costume.
                                The festival raised £538 which after expenses was reduced to £371.00
                                of which £300 was donated to make a Y.M.C.A. Hut in France to be named
                                the “Sandbach Hut”.
8 June 1916          WAR RELIEF FUND
                                Chairman              Mr Alfred Ernest Poole
                                                                (1914 Chairman of Sandbach Urban Council)
                                Below are some of the cases featured in their files.
                                Mrs Elisabeth Bowen of Crewe Road, Sandbach had been given an allowance
                                of 3/10 Per week. She was by now working at Brunner Mond where she
                                was earning 3/23 per week and so it was suggested that her allowance be
                                suspended while she was working at Malkins Bank. (8 June 1916 Meeting)   
                                Joseph Chambers was being given an old aged pension from the fund, but
                                his wife was earning a little money by taking in washing an so the
                                committee resolved to reduce their payment. (8 Dec 1916 Meeting)
                                Mr James Lees of 25 Forge Fields who had joined the Cheshire Regiment on
                                the 10th December 1915 was discharged from the army on the 24 July 1917.
                                He applied to the War Relief Fund on the grounds that he was unable to keep
                                his wife, 5 children with the eldest child being 4 years old on an a pension
                                of £2 a week as he was unable to work. He had been a chemical labourer
                                before he joined the army. The War Relief Fund felt they were unable to help
                                him as it was not a case for the Committee. (3 January 1918 Meeting)    

20 July 1916         Lieutenant Donald Wainwright Beard (Service Number 839)
                                (Born and Bred in Elworth near the Midland Pub and possibly played Cricket
                                for Elworth Cricket Club.) gained the Military Medal for his action on this date.
                                He was a WW1 Pilot who shot down 8 German planes and was awarded the
                                Military Medal (Established 25 March 1916 for Non Commissioned officer’s
                                / below commissioned rank it was the equivalent of the Military Cross) for this action.
                                Born on the 20 May 1895 in Elworth.
                                The 1911 Census puts the family in Elworth. 
                                                (Father) John W Beard .b. 1857 in Oldham and he was
                                                                                a Commissioning Agent in Agriculture.
                                                (Mother) Mary G Beard .b. 1870 in Sandbach
                                                Herbert C Beard .b. 1893 in Elworth and was an
                                                                                Engineering Draftsman’s Apprentice.
                                                Annie G Beard .b. 1894 in Elworth 
                                                Donald Wainwright Beard .b. 1896 in Elworth an
                                                                                Engineers Fitter’s Apprentice.
                                                Neville Beard .b. 1899 in Elworth
                                                Elizabeth Beard .b. 1901
                                                Amy Beard .b. 1904
                                On the 20 August 1913 Donald Beard joined the RFC as a Mechanic
                                with 4 Squadron.
                                By 1916 he was flying as a rear gunner and on the 20 July 1916 he was
                                in a Royal Aircraft factory B.E. 2 during a number 4 Squadron mission
                                with Captain Copeland as his pilot. Unfortunately he was wounded by an
                                attacking Pfalz E1 which Sergeant Donald Beard shot down before he grabbed
                                the controls and flew the plane home earning himself the Military Medal
                                (Serial No 839) and a chance to do Pilot training.
                                (No 4 Squadron formed at Farnborough in 1912 as part of the Royal Flying Corps
                                and moved to Netheravon just before the Great War where it stayed during the
                                First World War. Useful Aircraft of the Squadron were sent to France under
                                Major G.H. Rayleigh on the 16 August 1914 where they carried out reconnaissance
                                missions supporting the British Expeditionary Force with
                                Lieutenant G.W. Mapplebeck flying the first mission on the 19 August 1914
                                searching for German Forces over Gembloux in Belgium.
                                Other aircraft of the squadron were used to carry out Anti-Zeppelin patrols. )
                                After training on the 26 November 1917 Donald Beard was assigned to 11 Squadron
                                as a Sergeant Pilot flying a Bristol F2 Fighter (1916 made Sergeant,
                                Service Number 839).
                                On the 9 March 1918 with Sergeant H.W. Scarnell as his rear gunner they
                                shot down a Pfalz D III and six days later an Albatros DIII and two other planes.
                                A week later with Second Lieutenant H.M. Stewart as his Gunner they set a D.V.
                                on fire.
                                On the 3 April 1918 Donald Beard was commissioned as a Temporary
                                Second Lieutenant with his final mission of WW1 on the 9 May 1918 when he
                                destroyed a Pfalz D III and downed another plane.
                                In the London Gazette of the 31 December 1920 Donald relinquished his commission
                                for health reasons connected to his active service days.
                                Between 1926 and 1936 Donald sailed from Argentina to Cape Town.
                                He was also a member of the Port Elizabeth Light Aeroplane club until he left
                                Port Elizabeth (in South Africa) in December 1930.
                                Between the wars Donald Beard married Stella Marie Gladys Londt who he met
                                on a ship when he was delivering a Foden Steam Tractor to Koster, Transvaal.
                                At the time she was 18 years old and so they waited until she reached 21 and
                                married in England (1931-2) possibly in Darlington in 1932.
                                Unfortunately Stella died on the 27 December 1933 in a Car Crash aged 22.
                                They had a daughter called Sally who died on the 1 January 1934. The reason for
                                her death is not reported but it was possibly from injuries in the same crash as her
                                mother.
                                The 1939 Sandbach Urban District Council register has Donald living
                                with Marjory J Beard.
                                In WW 2 he became a Commissioned Officer from the 18 November 1940 as a
                                flying officer but by the 22 January he was assigned to administrative duties
                                due to ill heath, something he had suffered since the end of WW1 (1918)
                                and finally resigned as a Pilot Officer on the 13 March 1942 with a brief
                                return to duty until the 8 April 1947. 
                                One possible date for his death is in December 1980 at the age of 85 in Haringey,
                                London. (Tbc) (Dec 1980 as Donald Wainwright Beard) 
DONALD’S VICTORIES
Date                       Time       Unit        Aircraft                                  Opponent                              Location
1. 20 Jul 1916       Unkn      4              B.E.2c                                    Pfalz E (DES)      
2. 09 Mar 1918    1130       11           Bristol F.2b (C4846)           Pfalz D.III (OOC)                Douai
3. 15 Mar 1918    1115       11           Bristol F.2b (C4846)           Albatros D.V (DES)             Rumilly
4. 15 Mar 1918    1115       11           Bristol F.2b (C4846)           Albatros D.V (OOC)            Rumilly
5. 15 Mar 1918    1115       11           Bristol F.2b (C4846)           Albatros D.V (OOC)            Rumilly
6. 22 Mar 1918    1835       11           Bristol F.2b (C4846)           Albatros D.V (DES)             Quéant
7. 09 May 1918   1220       11           Bristol F.2b (C807)              Pfalz D.III (OOC)  Albert-Combles
8. 09 May 1918   1225       11           Bristol F.2b (C807)              Pfalz D.III (DES)       W of Combles
                                His war record is available at
  www.forces-war-records.co.uk/records/5344368/serjeant-d-w-beard-british-army-royal-flying-corps/ 
 
12 Sept 1916        The results of the Christmas Present Fund were announced with money collected
                                totalling £77/9/1 which provided 362 parcels and 33 plum puddings for Soldiers
                                and Sailors from Sandbach fighting abroad.
                                A further meeting was arranged for the 20 September 1916 when the subject
                                of presents was raised again. Groups involved were the ladies sewing committee,
                                Belgian Relief Committee, the Red Cross Committee, Mr Hancock and
                                Mr William Foden as well as ministers from the local churches.
12 Dec 1916         Sandbach Urban Council allowed the “Sandbach Wakes” to take place on the
                                Common for one week for the sum of £17 as long as Mr Patrick Collins closed
                                his show and sideshows at lighting restriction time. The Council also asked
                                for a £50 deposit as a guarantee of Mr Collins sticking to the conditions they
                                had laid down.
14 Dec 1916         POST OFFICE
                                Nationally the hours of the Post Office were being reduced to cater for the lack of
                                Postmen to deliver the mail and to sort it. Sandbach was asked to reduce its hours
                                to 9 per day and a letter was sent to the Postmaster on Bradwall Road and the
                                Sandbach Urban Council to this effect. It also said that it may be necessary to
                                reduce the hours and Postal Services further should the war continue.
                                By March the Council had asked the “Secretary General Post Office”, London
                                About extending the hours again to which he replied that ‘In  consequence of
                                depleting the staff and the imperative need for economy, it was not possible to
                                modify arrangements now in force in the direction of extensions of service.’ 
                                (13 March 1916) 
Feb 1917               Rationing introduced in Britain.
25 May 1917       George Wright the Chairman of the Sandbach Urban Council lent 3 sets of bowls
                                and 2 jacks for the wounded soldiers to use at Abbey Fields with arrangements
                                being made for the Marriott House Green to be available free of charge for soldiers. 
4-7 Sept 1917       The Crewe family who had purchased the Manorial rights to Sandbach sold the
                                Sandbach properties they owned in a sale that took place on the 4th, 5th and 7th of
                                September 1917 at the Town Hall at 11am and 3pm each day by auctioneers,
                                Messrs Frank Lloyd and Sons. The sale included buildings and land owned by
                                the family.
                                It is possible that the sale was needed due to gambling debts by the Crewe family.
                                The map of property to sold included some alternate names for streets in the area.
                                                Seaman’s Bank became Wesley Avenue
                                                Narrow Lane became Offley Road.
                                PROPERTY SOLD IN THE SALE
                                1) The Temperence Hall                    Mr John Beech for £200
                                2) Mrs W Mainwaring’s House in the Square also used as the Liberal Club
                                                                                                Mr H Beech £480
                                3) The Lilly Works in Crewe Road  Mr John Henry Jennings for £1,325
                                4) Portions of the Premises occupied by Mr J Warburton and others
                                                                                                Mr E R Foden for £960
                                Offices of Mr H Ferrand Clerk to the Congleton Union Guardians
                                                                                                Congleton Union Guardians for £200
                                Businesses occupied by Messrs Johnes and F Allman in Hightown
                                                                                                Mr F J Poole for £600 and £400 (2 Lots)
                                Shops in Hightown and High Street                 Mr Poole (Tenant) £500 
                                                                                                Mr C Wardle (Tenant) £1,200
                                                                                                Mr J J Hawley (Tenant) £460
                                                                                                Mr Lightfoot (Tenant) £480
                                                                                                Messrs Wood (Tenants) £760
                                                                                                Mr J Johnson (Tenant) £470
                                                                                                Mr Higgins (Tenant) £470
                                                                                                Mr Frank Alcocks Shop (Tenant) £380
                                                                                                Mr Daniel Clowes (Tenant) £360
                                Houses in Sandbach                           Mr F Wakefield and Mr Morrison £452.10s
                                The School House                               Miss Harris (Tenant) £520
                                Hungerford Café, Shop and Land next to it (Next to Town Hall)            
                                                                                                Mr Foden (of Elworth) £3,725
                                Mr Scutcheon’s Boot Shop               Mr Scutcheon £520
                                TOTAL AMOUT RAISED £90,854
1917                       Due to the sale of the estate of Lord Crewe the supervision of the Common was
                                taken over by the Town Council. 
18 Aug 1917         FODENS MOTOR WORKS BAND CONCERT – Sandbach Hospital Fate
                                and Pageant (Paid £15)
                                The event was to raise funds for the Hospital based at Abbey Fields on
                                Middlewich Road.
Nov 1917              NATIONAL NEWS – School children in two North East English Villages went
                                on strike to protest that they wouldn’t go to school unless they could have
                                free school meals.
18 Jan 1918          On Friday the 18th January 1918 the Children of Sandbach School were taken
                                by their teachers to a lecture and picture show in the afternoon by Mr Mock
                                at the Town Hall on “War in the Air”.
1 June 1918          Edwin Firth killed in action at a place called Varennes, North West of Amiens on the
                                1 June 1918 while returning to the trenches a shell exploded just outside some woods
                                killing Edwin and his party, he was only 29 Year’s old. 
                                Edwin had been the principal Cornet Player with Foden’s Band up until his last
                                tour of duty
                www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/bygones/11688328.Tragic_tale_of_a_top_wartime_trumpeter/
28 June 1918        New Ration Cards were to be issued by teachers at Sandbach School who were
                                working for the Food Control Office. 
July 1918              Sunday Schools were suspended in Sandbach due to an outbreak of Influenza.
                                The epidemic became one of the most serious global epidemic in recorded history.
15 July 1918         Butter, Marge, Lard, Meat and sugar were added to the Ration list.
20 July 1918         FODENS MOTOR WORKS BAND CONCERT – Abbey Fields Hospital,
                                Sandbach (Paid – Gratis) 
                                The concert was for wounded soldiers at the Hospital.
18 Aug 1918         FODENS MOTOR WORKS BAND CONCERT – Sandbach Hospital Fate (£15)
                                J H Broad (Secretary). (Tea Provided) 
25 Oct 1918          On Wednesday afternoon (23rd October 1918) all the boys from the school
                                and all other students from the town were taken to a Lantern Lecture at the
                                Town Hall given by Mr Mock on the subject of “War on the Land”.
                                EXTRA INFO.
                                This would have been like a slide show with a narrative given by the lecturer
                                and possibly as it was a lantern show some of the glass slides may have had
                                animated parts to them allowing a moving illustration to the lecture rather
                                like an early form of animation. 
11 Nov 1918        On the 11 November 1918 War officially ended at 11am with a cease fire.
                                It was an opportunity for all the churches to put aside their differences and to
                                join together for a “UNITED THANKSGIVING SERVICE” at St Mary’s Sandbach
                                on the 17 November at 3pm when Fodens Band would provide the musical
                                entertainment and various ministers would take part doing readings and prayers for
                                the congregation. (see below)
17 Nov 1918        UNITED THANKSGIVING SERVICE at St Mary’s Parish Church 3pm.
                                Opening Voluntary “Lead Kindly Light” played by Fodens Band
                                Conductor Mr Hines.
                                HYMNS               
                                                1. All People that on Earth do dwell.
                                                2. Psalm XLVI God is our Hope and Strength.
                                                3. Psalm XCVIII O Sing unto the Lord a new Song.
                                                4. Psalm XLVII God me merciful unto us.
                                                5. Hymn 165 and 376
                                                                O God our Help in Ages Past
                                                                Now Thank we all our God.
                                                7. Hymn - Oh King of Kings Whose Reign of Old.
                                                8. The Hallelujah Chorus Played by Fodens Band
                                                9. The Trumpet of Victory Played by Mr W Nock on the Church Organ.
                                                10. The National Anthem
                                                11. Concluding Voluntary Played by Fodens Band.
1919                       WHEELOCK held a Peace Celebration celebrating the end of the Great War.
1919                       Mr Fred Hackney started his haulage business in Sandbach in School lane, Elworth
                                with 2 Commer vehicles and the 2nd ERF to be produced.
                                After the war when all vehicles had been commondeared for the movements of
                                essential equipment etc. by the Government in the 1950’s after they were returned to
                                their owners with the Denationalisation of haulage, Fred Hackney acquired the
                                Tower Garage (Named after the Water Tower near where the Fire Station now stands)
                                in Sandbach off Congleton Road where he stayed until the end of his business.
                                Wherever possible over the years he had used lorries made in the town by ERF
                                or Foden.
1919                       ZAN works in Wheelock Mills, Wheelock opened by Mr R.B. and Mr E.L. Hovey.
                                #####################################################  
1919                       Tom Whitfield Houghton Biography.
                                2nd Lieut. T.W. Houghton (Tom Whitfield Houghton) .b. 1897 in (.b. Runcorn or)
                                Bradwall, Congleton District, Cheshire and by 1903 living at 36 Marsh Green Road,
                                Elworth. This was the house of his aunt, Mrs A Houghton who had only moved into
                                the house that year (1903) and stayed there until the 1980’s when she was forced to
                                leave the property. 
                                His father was John Houghton an illegitimate child who was brought up by his
                                Grandparents for a couple of years until a tragic accident happened when his
                                Grandmother fell down the stairs and broke her neck. When John was older he went
                                to work as a cooper (Barrel maker) in the bleach industry at Runcorn and after the
                                war was also one of those walkers who took part in the Kinder Scout Trespass on the
                                24 April 1932. At the age of 45 John was called up to the
                                Cheshire Regiment 2nd E.C.V. Cheshire Rifle Volunteers where he became a
                                Sergeant and was injured at Gallipoli, brought back to England where he never really
                                fully recovered from his experience.
                                John had two sons John, known as Jack and Tom.
                                Tom Houghton was educated at Sandbach Primary School (Sally Lunn’s?)
                                (about 1906 to 1909) and was an old boy of Sandbach School (1909 to 1913).
                                Tom went on to train as a teacher at the Crewe and Alsager Collage where he met a
                                girl who he hoped to marry after he had returned from the forces.
                                He then did a term as an Assistant Schoolmaster at the Seaman’s Moss School in
                                Altrincham and in 1915 joined the Cheshire Regiment, Machine Gun Corp,
                                a regiment his father had also joined and both he and Tom served together
                                in Ypres, France before Tom was posted to another company.
                                Tom saw service in France, Libya, Syria, Egypt and Palestine where he died in 1919
                                of Amoebic Dysentery caused by contaminated food and water. 
                                He was reburied in the Damascus CWG Cemetery.
                                #####################################################  
1920                       The Sandbach Advertiser (Newspaper) was published on a Friday.
                                It was Published from 1920 to 1942. 
July 1921              A new Super Cinema was proposed for the town in Congleton Rd.
                                The plans were however turned down.
1921                       The Sandbach Branch of the British Legion was formed.
                                The Legion was given Royal Status in 1971 becoming the Royal British Legion.
                                In 1998 Marjory Newton joined the group and later became the Chairman and
                                Poppy appeal organiser until 2016 when a difference of opinion left Marjory
                                as the Poppy appeal and events organiser.  

16 Apr 1922         The War Memorial was unveiled on the 16 April 1922 at 3pm by
                                Lieut Colonel John Kennedy, C.M.G., D.S.O., of the Black Watch
                                on the Market Square.
                                He was the son of Colonel and Mrs Kennedy of Brookside, Arclid. 
29 Mar 1926        On the 29 March 1926 a Library in Marriott House was opened on Scotch Common.
1926 INFO            By 1926 Sandbach had four newspapers covering events.
                                                Crewe Chronicle (Sandbach Edition) - Published Saturday
                                                Sandbach Guardian - Published Wednesday and Saturday
                                                Sandbach Advertiser - Published Friday 
                                                Weekly Sentinel - Published Saturday
1930                       Wheelock Railway Station closed (see 1866).
1930                       The Sandbach Congregational Amateur Dramatic Society was formed.
                                (Hope Street Chapel – Became the United Reform Church)
July 1931              A Box of Matches in the pocket of the wicket keeper caught fire when they were
                                hit by a ball in a Sandbach Cricket fixture. (7 July 1931 Aberdeen Journal Pg 6)
July 1931              In July 1931 Reverend Robert West formed a Controlled group of Baden-Powell
                                Scouts known as the 14th SW Cheshire Scouts. Mr Robert West was the
                                Scoutmaster until he left the Hope Street Chapel in 1932.
1931                       The 124th Anniversary of the Congregational Church in Sandbach (Hope Street)
                                The Rev Sydney M Barry, Secretary of the Congregational Union of England
                                and Wales gave the service along with Sandbach Vicar Rev R.T. West. 
                                Special music and songs were sung by Mrs H Healey of Middlewich. 
18 Feb 1933         Captain H.P. Rigby was elected president of the Sandbach Branch of the
                                British Legion with Mr A W Lees being reappointed Secretary. 
1933                       By Easter 1933 the company of E.R. Foden was formed (ERF).
1933                       “Sandbach the Official Guide” issued. A guide to the Town it included a
                                brief history and adverts for local businesses and was published by the
                                Sandbach Urban District Council.
28 Aug 1934         Sandbach Cemetery was opened on the Hill, Sandbach Heath with a United Service
                                on the 28 August 1934 at 7.30pm. The gates were officially opened by the
                                Chairman of the Council, Councillor Thomas Platt J.P. 
1936                       Woolworth opened a shop in the High Street.
8 May 1937          Elworth Park was opened. It included a concert by the Foden’s Motor Works
                                Brass Band with Harry Mortimer conducting.
1939                       In February / March 1939 the first women fire (person) man started at Sandbach fire
                                station.
3 Sept 1939 (“We are at War With Germany” Speech) to 8 May 1945 (Germany Surrendered)
                                SECOND WORLD WAR
                                1st September 1939 Germany invaded Poland.
14 May 1940       On the 14 May 1940 the Local Defence Volunteers were formed by the Government
                                to defend our shores from invading German Armies.
                                The Volunteers later became know as the Home Guard on the 23 July 1940 and
                                the TV programme nicknamed them “Dad’s Army”. 
                                On the 11 November 1944 the Home Guard were disbanded.
                                Sandbach had its own unit led by Colonel Findlow.
                                Although they were official diabanded in 1944 the members of the group held
                                reunions in the town for many years and the Foden Band played at a number of
                                them including a concert on the 8 January 1971 and the 7 January 1973 which
                                they did for free. I know that when the band went on tour with ENSA they travelled
                                in Home Guard Uniforms so it may be possible that some or all of the band members
                                were a part of the Home Guard in Sandbach.
26 Apr 1941         A Bomb was dropped on Wheelock. The Parachute mine dropped by the
                                Germans blew a crater 57 feet across by 22 feet deep and destroyed
                                many nearby houses. 
30 Nov 1941        Foden’s Band played for the “Sandbach Warship Week” when the town
                                officially adopted a warship “HMS Vimiera”. (see below)
1941                       In December 1941 the town adopted HMS Vimiera in a civil ceremony after a
                                successful “Warship Week National Savings Campaign”. 
                                A relic of the first great war HMS Vimiera was built at the Swan Hunter yard in
                                Tyne and Wear from October 1917 (Laid down) and was launched on the
                                22 June 1918. On completion on the 19 September 1918 it sent into service
                                with its motto “Sicut clin” (Victory as Formerly). An Admiralty V class destroyer
                                it was 300ft (91.4m) o/a 312ft (95.1m) in length and 26ft 9in (8.2m) wide.
                                It had a top speed of 34kt with a crew of 110 sailors.
                                During the first world war it was involved in conveying Leonid Krasin and
                                Viktor Nogin to Reval for the first stage of negotiations in the
                                Anglo-Soviet Trade Agreement.
                                During the second world war it was adapted to an Escort destroyer (WAIR) with
                                anti aircraft and Submarine capability in September 1939.
                                In January 1940 she became part of the “Nore Command” for coastal duties in the
                                North sea and English Channel.
                                In April 1940 she was transferred to Dover Command supporting military operations
                                in France including the Battle of Dunkirk including the evacuation of troops from
                                Flushing. 
                                On the 19th May 1940 she rescued survivors from HMS Whitley.
                                After assisting other ships in Boulongne and Calais when HMS Wessex was sunk the
                                Vimiera sustained damage and was taken for repairs on the 25 May 1940.
                                After being adopted by Sandbach in December 1941 the Vimera under
                                Lieutenant-Commander Angus Alexander Mackenzie, RNR was sunk in the
                                Thames estuary when it hit a mine on the 9 January 1942 off East Spile Buoy
                                with the loss of 96 hands.  

1941-1942            Just outside Sandbach at BETCHTON a Decoy Bunker was in operation.
                                It was designed to act as a Decoy to deflect enemy bombers away from the
                                RAF Base at Cranage. The decoy was a “Q type” night decoy which was
                                lit up to look like the Royal Air Force Base at Cranage (known locally
                                as Byley Airfield http://www.rafcranage.org.uk/history-of-raf-cranage.html) .
                                Jack Bowser (.D. May 2015) was the last survivor of the 4 men who manned
                                the decoy. 
1943                       British Pathe filmed a sequence about Sandbach and Great Budworth.
                                The film featured the Old Hall, Saxon Crosses and St Mary’s Church.
1945                       Winston Churchill the Prime Minister visited Sandbach and gave a speech on the
                                Congleton Road towards the side of the Town Hall (Sandbach Chronicle article about 
                                the event in the 28 June edition, Actual date not recorded). He had disembarked at a
                                siding in Ettley Heath. (Film exists of the visit and a copy is held by the Sandbach
                                History Society. ) 
WW2                      When the Americans entered the war some GI’s were billeted in the area with
                                their headquarters being based at the Wheat sheaf Hotel.
1946                       Sandbach Urban District Council sent out a Certificate to all Service Personnel
                                from the Town of Sandbach. The wording goes as follows;-
                                                “The Townspeople of Sandbach present to ….. This Certificate in
                                Appreciation and Gratitude for the devoted service you have rendered in the
                                cause of Freedom and Justice for the benefit of humanity generally.
                                Your contribution to Victory is a source of pride to your fellow townsmen,
                                and on their behalf the Urban District Council tender to you sincere thanks”
                                The certificate was then signed by F.T. Blease, Chairman of the Council and
                                the Clark of the Council at the time.
                                KNOWN CERTIFICATES Issued to;-
                                                Kenneth Chester (Prisoner of War and served in the Cheshire Regiment)
                                                J. Minshull (Gunner and diver in the Royal Navy)
                                The Town of Helsby also issued these certifcates and it is thought that each town,
                                village or city produced their own certificates in thanks to their own brave
                                servicemen.
1946                       The Sandbach Amateur Dramatic Society (Sandbach Players) were formed.
1947                       Cath Jones converted her father’s cabinet making shop in Congleton Road into a
                                Music studio. It opened in August 1947 (See 2000)
1948                       The Second Edition of the Sandbach Town Council Official Guide was published
                                by the Urban District Council.
1948                       Clifford Welsby opened "Welsby's Chemists" at 1 Crewe Road.
Nov 1948              Sandbach Round Table formed.
                                Founded by Mr Louis Marchesi as a national organisation in 1927 the Sandbach 
                                branch was the brainchild of Fred Bennett a company secretary at the Zan Works
                                in Wheelock.
                                Mr Bennett  and Mr Charles Lowe were joined by Chris Peyton and Joe Lewis
                                from ERF, Harold Charlesworth and Cecil Rigby , Solicitors at the Co-op Café,
                                later the Price City building and later 15 more members.
                                The Sandbach Round Table officially started in 1948 with its Charter
                                being granted in May of 1950 when they met at the Market Tavern.
                                The Group then met at the Old Hall and then the Wheat sheaf by 1953.
                                In 1957 the Round Table started the famous Ox Roast during Wakes Week.
                                In 1970 they also started organising the Christmas Lights.
                                By 2003 the group had moved back to the Market Tavern for their meetings.
                                They also help Father Christmas seeing children around the town in their annual tour.
                                CHAIRMEN
                                                1948       Mr Chris Peyton
                                                1953       Mr Charles Lowe
                                                (TBC)
                                                2003       Steve Walsh
12 Jan 1954          BBC LIGHT PROGRAMME “WOMAN’S HOUR”
                                Interviewed Mrs Mary Ferguson from Sandbach Cheshire on Namesakes.
4-12 Sept 1954    WHEELOCK HEATH BAPTIST CHURCH 250th Anniversary Celebrations.
                                The Church was founded in 1704 with the Present Church erected in 1860.
                                (Hassall Road between Coppice Road and Sandy Lane) 
1955                       The BBC Radio Programme “Down Your Way” came to Sandbach.
15 May 1955       Sandbach Churches held a procession for “Rogation Day” (Days of Prayer and
                                Fasting around the 25 April) starting at the top of The Hill at 2.15pm and hope
                                to reach the church at 3pm.
 
#################################################################################  
7 July 1956           FODEN CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS.
FODENS Ltd Celebrated its 100th Anniversary with a Gala Day at the Sports Ground in Sandbach.
The day started with a procession led by Foden’s Band followed by various trucks and floats with events throughout the day including sports and the day ended with a concert and firework display. The Foden Band and parade would march from the Foden Works to the Foden Sports Ground at the top of Welles Street / Green Street, Sandbach.
Some of the men at the Foden Motor Works formed “The Beard Club” which vowed to grow a beard until after the event to give that authentic look to their costumes. President of the society Mr J Hollingshead (Drawing Office) was joined by Mr D.V. Lloyd (Engine department), Mr S Harrison (Buying department), Mr N Hollinghshead (Buying department) and Harry Bayley took part in the group. 
After the Procession from the works in Elworth the party continued at the Sports Ground at the top of Welles Street / Green Street with various games for employees to take part in.
Events also included -
CHILDREN’S CORNER
Hobby Horse (For Youngsters), Donley / Pony rides, a miniature Railway, Durham’s Royal Punch and Judy show, Yoxani Clowns, The Sensational Lesters in their Trapeze Acts, Model Locomotive and Train.
INSIDE LARGE MARQUEE
Joe Marsh in Comedy Juggling Act, Clifford Hough with Magic for Young and Old, Yoxani and his performing Animals and Birds accompanied by Mr Arthur Bailey and Compere Fred Yoxall. 
 
 
PROCESSION
1) Centenary procession banner carried by two members of the Beard Club in period costume (Mr J Hollonshead and Mr N Hollinshead).
2) Fodens Motor Works Band. 
3) Heavy Horse-drawn Passenger Coach (Mr John Stringer, Somerford)
4) Light Horse-drawn Passenger Coach (Fodens Limited)
5) Landau (Mr W Proctor, Hanley)
6) Phaeton (Mr W Proctor, Hanley)
6a) Shooting brake (Mr W Proctor, Hanley) Members of the Beard Club and Ladies Committee in Period Costume will ride in the horse drawn vehicles. 
7) Penny Farthing cyclists (Mr J Keaton and Mr K Hockemhull)
8) The Red Flag Bearer (1865 act requiring a flag bearer to walk infront of a mechanical road vehicle) – (Mr Rex Harrison)
9) Foden Traction engine No 1174 (Drivers Mr G Nicholas and Mr Whittingham)
10) Foden Traction engine No 2654 (Drivers Mr W Foster and Mr P Davies / Owner Barlow Brothers of High Leigh)
10b) Threshing Machine (Owner Mr W Davies of Holmes Chapel)
10c) Binder (Owner Mr W Davies of Holmes Chapel)
10d) Baler (Owner Mr W Davies of Holmes Chapel)
11) 1898 Butler “Quad” Veteran Car (Owner Mr J Broadhead of Bollington) 
VARIOUS CARS AND FODEN VEHICLES (12-52)
53) 1939-46 Crusader Tank loaned by the Royal Armoured corps Museum and carried on Messrs Adamsons 30 Ton Trailer Towed by Foden “GOLIATH” breakdown crane, Vehicle No 15070.
54) Congleton Town Band 
CURRENT FODEN VEHICLES(55-72)  
/ CUSTOMERS’ DECORATED VEHICLES (73-80)
81) Assembly Shop Copper Pipe Band (All instruments hand made in the works out of copper)
82) “Revelry” Troupe of Morris Dancers
83) Lower Withington Troupe of Morris dancers
84) Fodens Centenary Queen
85) Fodens Centenary Queen’s Maid of Honour
DEPARTMENTAL TABLEAUX
86) Assembly Shop
87) Bond Stores
88) Cost and Accounts
89) Cricket Club
90) Drawing Office
91) Despatch Stores
92) Employees Children
93) Engine Shop
94) Experimental Department
95) Inspection Department
96) Machine Shop No 1
97) Machine Shop No 2
98) Pattern Shop
99) Planning department
100) Production department
101) Repair Shop
102) Service Department
103) Student Apprentices
104) Tool Room
105) Paint Shop
106) Unknown
107) Fire Brigade
108) Ambulance
109) Rear Engine Band Coach Vehicle No 31234
110) Forward Engine Passenger Vehicle No 30688 

 
2.30pm to 4.30pm POTTED SPORTS – MEN
Various Athletic and Gymkhana Events with teams from Gamast (Garage Maintenance and Stores), Scratch and Pop Boys (Assembly Shop), Johnson’s Jokers (Erecting Shop), Mostonross (Repair Shop and Despatch Stores), Alf’s Nitwits (No 2 Machine Shop), Barber’s Inkspots (No 1 Machine Shop), Hollinshead’s Hoboes (The Beard Club), Diehards (Office Staff), Geoff’s Agile Imps (Lab Tool Room and App School) and the Olympic Rejects (No 1 Machine shops). The took part in a number of events including, Football Dribbling Relay, Putting the Shot, Relay Sack Race, 50 Yard Sprint in Costume, Hop – Skip and Jump, Target Bowls, Wheelbarrow Race, Ringing the Bell, Arch and Tunnel Ball and a Comic Obstacle Race.    
4.30pm to 5.00pm LADIES SPORTS
                Egg and Spoon Race, 50 Yard Sprint, 3 Legged Race and a Comic Obstacle Race. 
5.10pm TUG OF WAR
 
5.30pm OPENING CEREMONY by William Foden. 
 
6pm PRIZES
 
OUTSIDE ENTERTAINMENT
                7pm to 7.15pm                    Lower Withington Morris Dancing Troupe
                7.15pm to 7.30pm              The Revelry Morris Dancing Troupe
                                                With the Congleton Towb Prize Brass Band (Conductor Mr E Ogden)
                7.30pm to 7.45pm              Ross and Ross (Comedy Aerial Gymnastics)
                7.45pm to 8.15pm              Old Time Cricket Match
                8.15pm to 8.30pm              Jeep Assembly Demonstration
 
7pm to 8.30pm    FIRST CONCERT
                                Fodens conducted by Harry Mortimer
                                Scott Joynt (Bass Singer of the BBC) 
                                Robbie and Platt (Laughter Makers)
                                Clifford Hough (Illusionist)
                                                Fodenway (Arthur Bailey) 
                                                Poet and Peasant (Suppe)
                                                The Gay Highway – Sung by Scott Joynt
                                                Myself when Young – From In a Persian Garden (Liza Lehmann) 
                                                                                Sung by Scott Joynt
                                                The Song of the Flea (Mussorgsky)
                                                                                – Sung by Scott Joynt Accompanied by Mr Bailey
                                                Lilac Time (Schubert)
                                                Silent Worship - Trombone Solo by Mr Alex English
                                                Firefly - Trombone Solo by Mr Alex English
                                                Invincible (H. Scott) – Solo by Mr Wilf Mountain
                                                Drinking – Solo by Mr Wilf Mountain
                                                Slavonic Dance No 8 (Dvorak)
                                                Paso doble “Amparita Roca” (Texidor) 
                                                Selection from “Ivan Susanin (Glinka)
                                                                                (Originally called A Life for the Tsar) 
                                Mr Clifford Hough provided Magic for the Youngsters.
                                Robbie and Platt “The Inimitable Laughter Makers” 
 
                7.30pm to 8.40pm              DANCING AND CABERET
                                                                Sid Phillips and his band
                                                                Kay McKinley and Frank Nelson
 
                8.40pm to 9.10pm              Robbie and Platt
                                                                Clifford Hough
                                                                Compere Mr Fred Yoxhall 
                               
                8.40pm to 10pm SECOND CONCERT (Different Hall from above)
                                                March from Tannhauser (Wagner) 
                                                Chit Chat Polka (Strauss)
                                                Overture to “Der Frieschutz” (Carl Maria von Weber)
                                                Slavonic Rhapsody No 2 (Friedemann) 
                                                Alpine Echoes (Windsor) - Mr E Gray (Cornet Solo).
                                                Carillon – Cornet Trio
                                                Czardas (Monti) - Mr W Illingworth (Xylophone Solo). 
                                                Vulcan’s Song (Gounod) – Sung by Mr Scott Joynt
                                                Yeomen of England (Ed. German) – Sung by Mr Scott Joynt
                                                Simon and Cellarer (Hatton) – Sung by Mr Scott Joynt  
 
                8.45 to 9pm          Ross and Ross (Comedy Gymnasts and Comic Wire walking Act)
                9.15pm to 10.45pm            DANCING AND CABARET
                                                Syd Phillips and band
                                                With Kay McKinley and Frank Wilson
                                (The programme comes from the Sandbach Chronicle and differs from the
                                official programme)
 
10.45pm FIREWORKS DISPLAY
                                Feature 14 July 1956 Crewe Chronicle.
                                A film of the event was made by William Bell (Bill Bell) a test driver with
                                Fodens and has been put on Youtube by his grandson Derek Walker
                                (5 July 2011). www.youtube.com/watch?v=kecLtO4l5QA
#################################################################################  
1957                       The “Elworth Flower Club” was formed.
1958                       Cyril Massey wrote his "History of Sandbach and District" book. (see 1978)
1960                       The Leonard Cheshire Home held the first of its annual Fate’s or “Faterama”
                                in June. (15th year it was held on the 7 June 1975)
1960                       Sandbach County Secondary School held its first Sports Day (June/July).
1960                       Bradwall Hall (Nr Sandbach) was demolished.
21 June 1961        Sandbach Fire Station was officially opened on the 21 June 1961 by
                                Alderman F.D. Gee the Chairman of the County Fire Brigade Committee.
1962                       The Old Water Tower in the Town was demolished.
1963                       On the 15th November 1963 the Minister for Transport officially opened
                                the M6 Motorway between Bartomley, Sandbach, Holmes Chapel and
                                Thelwall near Warrington.
1964                       The Sandbach Original Small Livestock Society held their first “Open Pen Show”
                                of 1964 at the British Soda canteen with 330 entries for secretary
                                Frank “Chubby” Payne to organise.
June 1965             Sandbach Police did a “Moonlight Flit” (On a Thursday before 25 June)
                                from their offices in Bold Street to rooms behind the Courtrooms in
                                Middlewich Road which were formally the Congleton Rural District Council Offices.
                                Their first enquiry was at 3 O Clock when a man asked them where the
                                Police Station was! (Sandbach Chronicle 25 June 2015, Pg 14, “Glancing back”) 

17 Oct 1965          BBC2 reached Sandbach when the UHF Transmitter was switched on at
                                Winter Hill allowing viewers to see programmes on the channel for the first time.
                                BBC1 was broadcast on VHF and so you had to have a duel receiver on your TV
                                to view BBC2 which had only been produced in the last two years.
                                Previous versions were unable to be converted to the new frequencies.
                                BBC Television was supposed to have been launched BBC 2 at 7.20pm on the
                                20 April 1964 in the London Area but due to a power failure at
                                Battersea Power Station the programmes failed to go on the air.
                                At 11am on the 21 April 1964 BBC was officially launched with the blowing out
                                of a candle in jest at the power failure the previous night and the children’s
                                programme “Play School” became the first programme to be broadcast.
                                As mentioned above BBC 2 didn’t reach Lancashire and Cheshire until 1965.
Jan 1966               Sandbach Town Council announced the names of some new streets in the town. 
                                A new street at LIGHTLY CLOSE will be called Ordsall Close after the home of the
                                Radcliffe family the Lord of the Manor.
                                FACTORY LANE ESTATE
                                                Palmer Road = Named after the man who restored the Saxon Crosses.
                                                Ormerod Close = Named after a Cheshire Historian
                                                Birch Gardens = Named after the Predecessor to Mr Arthur Skeath who
                                                                is now the Clerk of the Town Council.
                                                Saxon Way = Self Explanatory
Jan 1966               Councillor Sam Riley and his wife retired from running their butchers shop
                                in Elworth ending 100 years of business which had started with Samuel Riley
                                and a portable shop he had outside the Red Lion in Sandbach. 
                                The shop then moved into 6 Congleton Road (1902 / 1914) as
                                Samuel Riley and Sons (Butcher) and then by 1938 Ernest Riley had taken
                                over the Butchers shop and by 1955 had opened the shop in 13 London Road,
                                Elworth.
1966                       The Sandbach and District Bowling League was formed.
                                By 2015 there were 72 teams in 6 divisions (12 Teams in Each). 
Sept 1968              Sandbach Scouts were reformed by Reg Shallcross and others after a break of about
                                15 years when the Cubs and Scouts were disbanded due to a lack of leaders.
1969                       A new swimming pool was added to Sandbach School. 
1969                       Sandbach had a “Sandbach Arts Festival” sometime in March or April. 
31 Aug 1969         BBC RADIO 4 PROGRAMME “DOWN YOUR WAY” came to Sandbach.
                                Franklin Engelmann visited Sandbach, Cheshire for the programme broadcast
                                on the 31 August 1969 at 5pm with a repeate on the 3 September 1969 at 12.15pm.
                                The producer was Richard Burwood.
Oct /Nov 1969     The impressionist Mike Yarwood opened the new TESCO Store in Sandbach,
                                High Street. (Now Iceland) 
1960’s -1970’s     Sandbach was visited by an Elephant. Not the usual type but a mechanical one
                                which children could sit on and were taken for a ride round the car park.
                                There was a lot of Mechanical Elephants after the Second World War with
                                seaside resorts using them to give rides without the danger of a temperamental
                                live elephant.
                                On the 28 July 1950 Frank Stuart (.b. 27 July 1883 .D. 12 Jan 1977) premiered
                                his man made walking elephant on the roads of Essex with children on its back
                                in what is known as a Howdah.
                                Frank was a theatrical mask maker and scenic artist who came up with the idea
                                in 1948 while watching donkeys on the beach and wondered if he could do the
                                same thing with a mechanical elephant. Powered by a 10 horsepower the elephant
                                could do 27 mph and had to have a special licence to go on the roads.
                                Frank had about 25 elephants made and by 1957 he was in debt as they didn’t bring
                                in enough money to run them. One was transported to America for a Republican
                                Parade but was damaged by a hurricane and in 1965 Frank Stuart put his creations up
                                for sale to an amusement park and it is possible that it was this elephant that came to
                                Sandbach on that magical day.
                                In 1966 one of Frank’s “Electrophant” (As they were called) appeared at Whiteley’s
                                Department Store with Mr Colin Cook driving the elephant. He was an ex employee
                                of F Barry in Aldham, Colchester, who had worked on making the model frames
                                for Mr Stuart.
                                In about 1967 an elephant named Jessica appeared on Blue Peter with
                                Valerie Singleton and Christopher Trace. It was made by a new company called
                                the “Electrophants Limited” who produced them in Stretford St Mary, Suffolk and
                                they marketed them with a promotion film and a brochure of the product. 
                                In December 1975 and April 1976 one of the original versions called “Bertha”
                                appeared on Blue Peter with John Noakes, Peter Pervis and Lesley Judd.
                                They even interviewed the creator of the elephant for Frank Stuart,
                                Mr Maurice Radburn who came up with the frame design to make it walk.
                                He said there were about 25 elephants made both Petrol driven and some like
                                Berth with a Battery powered motor.
                                http://cyberneticzoo.com/walking-machines/1961-electrophant-mechanical-elephant-frank-stuart-scottishgreat-britain/
                                Margate in Kent had one on the Sea front (about 1950) and
                                Pickering Park in Hull, Humberside had one which was featured in trials as shown
                                in Pathe News in 1949.
                                http://www.britishpathe.com/video/mechanical-elephant
1970’s                    A Large Blue Whale (or Finback Whale) was parked on the Common.
                                It was one of three whales                 that toured the country, Jonah, Goliath and Hercules.
                                Two of the models / Whales have since disappeared but the third one Jonah
                                was by 2013 being restored for exhibition. (Poss in Sandbach 1970-72)
                                JONAH was a 70ft, 70 ton Finback Whale which had been caught off Trodheim
                                in Norway in 1952. It was originally exhibited at Oslo University. It then had its
                                organs removed and was fitted with a refrigeration unit and was put onto the back
                                of a 100ft trailer (At the time the biggest lorry in the world). It then toured Norway
                                to promote Whaling along with a stuffed dormouse in a glass case which was put in
                                its mouth (or on its nose) to show the largest and smallest mammals in the world.
                                It then toured for 25 years to just about every town in Europe, Japan and Africa.
                                Eventually it was sold to a Circus Owner and then a Swiss businessman who
                                exhibited it as an educational exhibit touring places like Sheffield in the 1950’s,
                                60’s and 70’s. In 2006 after a newspaper article about the link with Sheffield
                                and a book of its visit, Mike Austen the head of one of the UK’s Oldest Circuses
                                contacted the author to say he had driven the lorry with the whale on it in the 70’s
                                and that it still existed and had been kept in Holland and Belgium over the
                                last 30 years. The interest from the article allowed the writer to see the whale
                                which was in a good condition and it was subsequently purchased by a showman
                                is being restored for another tour round the UK.
                                HERCULES – The second Whale on tour was disposed of when the
                                Circus went bust in Spain. 
                                GOLIATH – Has just disappeared. It may have been destroyed in Barnsley
                                or Soot Hill, Dewsbury when it was burnt due to it going off.
                                The kiln that the whale was burnt in is supposed to have exploded due to the
                                gases in the whale.
1970                       The Library was opened on the Commons on the 17 March 1970.
1970                       Aquarius Swimming Club for the Disabled formed in 1970. 
                                The first meeting and subsequent meetings took place at the
                                Sandbach School Swimming pool.
                                The club encouraged those with disabilities to do something able bodied
                                take for granted and with support from volunteers they have ways of
                                getting people into the water if they are unable to do so without assistance as
                                well as having competitions which involve a handicap system depending
                                on the ability of the swimmer to start at various times making the winner
                                being the one across the line (Touch the wall) first.
                                Sandbach Secondary School 6th form sponsored one of the prizes and members
                                of the 6th form attended to present the cup. 
                                In October 2015 the club celebrated its 45th birthday.
1971                       The Wheelock Railway line closed on the 1 January.
1972                       Post Office and Sorting Office opened on the Market Square.
1972                       In 1760 the Church House on the Market Square was built. In 1972 it was rebuilt.
1 Nov 1973           Jimmy Greenoff from Stoke City opened a Sports shop in 22 Congleton Rd,
                                Sandbach. (2014 = Peppers Café)  
2 June 1974          BBC Radio 4 Broadcast its “Morning Service” for Whit Sunday from the
                                Methodist Church, Sandbach conducted by the Rev Arthur Shaw assisted
                                by Rev Stanley Waite.
                                Readings: John 14, vv 15-21, 25-27; Acts 4, vv 23-35
                                Hymns (MHB): Father of everlasting grace (730): Away with our fears (278);
                                On all the earth (301); Come down, 0 love divine 1273)
                                Anthem: God is a Spirit (W. Sterndale Bennett)
                                Choir director Jessie Rosson
                                Organist Derek Jennings.
1974                       A new Sandbach newspaper was launched in 1974 and by November 1976
                                “The Saxon Crosses” was being edited by Mrs Annette Bowland of
                                78 Belmont Avenue, Sandbach (Phone Sandbach 4996).
                                “Volume 3 Number 8” was dated November 1976 so in theory the paper could
                                have been started in February 1973. According to the minutes from the
                                Sandbach Players they indicate a new newspaper in April 1974.  
                                The headline on the above adition was Saxon Crosses Restoration and goes into debth
                                about a new process seen on “Tomorrows World” about a preservative that could be
                                added to the stones to allow the stone to “breathe” yet hold its fabric and design
                                theron for many decades.
                                After writing to Raymond Baxter (Presenter of “Tomorrows World”) for the company
                                that produced this magic liquid it was then down to David Carrington-Brown who
                                was the Chairman of the Sandbach Chamber of Trade to persuade the Inspector of
                                Ancient Monuments to allow this process to be used. On the 1 April 1976
                                Mr Carrington-Brown, Mrs Pauline Taylor, Mr Arthur Holliday and President of
                                the Chamber of Trade, Mr John Gleaver met with a trio of representatives from the
                                Ancient Monuments, Mr Weaver (Inspector), Mr Clark (Architect) and
                                Mr Whayman. After a long discussion the meeting agreed to the use of the new
                                covering and after a delay of seven months scaffolding was erected and the job
                                was done in November 1976.  
 
1974                       SANDBACH TOWN COUNCIL formed following a local government
                                re-organisation.
                                The Council had a budget of £85,520.oo
1975                       THE SANDBACH FOLK DANCING CLUB was formed.
28 Sept 1976        The Sandbach History Society held its inaugural meeting on the
                                28th September 1976 at St Mary’s Church Hall.
                                The following were elected –
                                                President – Lawrence Massey
                                                Vice President – J Rigby
                                                Chairman – Cllr Don Broad 
17 Jan 1976          The LEISURE CENTRE was officially opened.
                                The Leisure Centre was built next to the Sandbach Secondary School
                                (Now Sandbach High School) during the previous year.
                                One of the workmen was from Scotland and knew how to play the bagpipes.
                                Once the roof had been finished he decided to play the bagpipes from the top
                                of the building. Instead of being told off for his stunt he played them so well
                                that he was invited to play at the school’s assembly for the pupils.
1976                       The Road Chef at the SANDBACH SERVICE STATION was opened.
1977                       The Department of the Environment put forward a plan to move the Saxon Crosses
                                from the Market Square to a controlled environment to halt erosion of the
                                old Sandstone. The D of E had been given control of the Crosses by
                                Congleton Borough Council because it was thought that they knew how to
                                protect the ancient monument but Cllr Mrs Henshall said she could hardly contain
                                her outrage against the suggestion to move the Crosses and the people of the town
                                were absolutely adamant they should not be removed.
1977                       Sandbach formed a “Silver Jubilee Committee” to raise funds for the
                                Queen’s celebrations. Chairman of the committee was Mr Robert Holmes
                                who helped to organise a number of events to raise funds including a
                                Cheese and Wine evening at the Town Hall which raised £300 and involved
                                the Rotary Club, Ladies Circle, Darts and Dominoes League and local traders
                                who donated prizes for the evening. 
18 June 1977        JUBILEE FAIR and Carnival in Sandbach.
                                The Market Traders dressed up in costumes Medieval Costumes
                                (Later to become the Tudor or Elizabethan Market)   
1977                       The First SANDBACH MARATHON took place.
                                There were 158 runners who finished the course with C Taylor (Airedale) finishing
                                in a time of 2 Hours 17 minutes and 17 seconds.
                                                                WINNERS
                                                YEAR   
                                                1977       C Taylor (Airedale)                             2h17m17s
                                                1978       A Simmons (Luton)                            2h12m50s
                                                1979       C Kirkham (Coventry G)                                   2h17m30s
                                                1980       T Wright (Wolves and B)                   2h13m43s
                                                1981       A Robertson (Army)                           2h14m23s
                                                1982 (12 September 1982)
                                                                                WOMEN’S
                                                1979       Joyce Smith (Barnet L)                      2h41m37s
                                                1980       Joyce Smith (Barnet L – No 15)       2h33m32s 
                                                1981       Julie Barleycorn (Crawley)                2h48m21s
                                The Fifth Marathon (Men’s) was held on the 21 June 1981 and was sponsored
                                by Sandbach Engineering (Fodens) and had their Band Playing on the Lawn by
                                the outside gates.
11 Aug 1977         The BBC were filming Sandbach Market.
1978                       The Sandbach History Society Founded (Officially) in memory of Cyril Massey
                                who wrote the book "History of Sandbach". (see  28 Sept 1976)   
1 Apr 1978            The Original TOWN CRYERS Competition took place in the Market Square in
                                April some 150 years since the town had a town Cryer.
                                Organised by Councillor’s Bob Holmes (Sandbach Town Council) and
                                Mrs Eileen Henshall (Congleton Borough Council) the competition was
                                won by 45 year old Don Burgess a wages boss at Fodens Motor Works Ltd
                                Marcia Brooks was the only entry in the female class and so was awarded
                                a bottle of Sherry.
7 May 1978          Sandbach Marathon – Started at Offley Road and finished at Sandbach Secondary
                                School. (see below)
13 May 1978       BBC GRANDSTAND (BBC1TV at 1pm) Introduced by Frank Bough.
                                The programme broadcast a filmed report of the Sandbach Marathon (7 May 1978)
1978                       FODEN’S MOTOR WORKS CARNIVAL
                                The Manufacturer opened its Welles Street Sports and Social Club to the public
                                and staff for a Carnival.
                                The event had a number of old and new lorries including the “Pride of Edwin”
                                one of the first steam wagons and a new £5 Million Army Truck.
                                A 47 strong Royal Artillery Junior Leaders Band provided the music and the
                                Whitworth Morris Men of Rochdale provided a dancing display.
                                The days events ended with a disco.
3-5 May 1979      SANDBACH TUDOR CELEBRATIONS (Elizabethan Market)
                                In celebration of the 400th Anniversary of the Charter given to the town by
                                Queen Elizabeth 1st (1579) the town went Tudor for three days in May
                                (3-5 May 1979 – Crewe Chronicle 10 May)
                                Continued as an annual event (Later than 1984).  
31 Jan 1981          Sandbach Folk Club held its first evening with a rendition of
                                “San Francisco Bay Blues”
1981                       An Archaeological Dig took place in the Central Market area revealing
                                deposits from the Medieval Period. The evidence comprised a
                                Domestic Settlement with a potential oven within the boundaries
                                of the property. Evidence shows that the property ran at right angels
                                to the High Street frontage and backed onto what is now Hope Street.
1981                       In 1981 Sandbach was given its own version of the Chronicle with the
                                CREWE CHRONICLE (Sandbach) edition being published.
24 May 1982       BBC 2 (TV) programme “A Moment to Talk” broadcast a programme
                                filmed in Sandbach with workers from ERF.
                                (Cameraman Steve Saunderson and Editor Greg Miller).
15 May 1982       Larry Grayson (The Generation Game) was the special guest at the
                                Sandbach County Primary School (Crewe Road) PTA Fair.
                                The event also had an ERF Stand as well as the new JIMP manufactured
                                by P.K. Manufacturing (Sandbach).
1982                       Commons Mill was demolished. Built in 1843 (or 1850) it had been unused for years
                                and was finally knocked down in 1982.
5 May 1983          BBC Radio 4 presented a programme called “Enterprise” which featured
                                the Sandbach based “The Jimp” car designers and builders.
                                Steve Robinson and Peter Kukla were childhood friends who worked
                                together on the project. (Producer Ann Tennant at BBC Birmingham)
                                Repeated 6 Aug 1983 
1984                       John Minshull produced a pictorial history of Sandbach called “Bygone Sandbach”
                                Which was published by the Rotary Club to commemorate Christian Heritage Year.
                                John photographed Sandbach since 1949, recording the changes in the town and
                                also collecting postcards and pictures for an archive of the town’s history.
1984                       A leaflet about the town lists some of the events during the year.
                                                April       HOME AND LEISURE FAIR 
                                                May       ELIZABETHAN MARKET
                                                                (The Sandbach Players took part in the festival in 1980, 1982)
                                                                Including Morris Dancers.
                                                May       WHEELOCK MAY DAY
                                                                (The Sandbach Players took part in the festival in 1977)
                                                June        LEONARD CHESHIRE HOME FATE AND PARADE
                                                August                   BRADWALL SHOW
                                                September             SANDBACH WAKES
                                                September             SANDBACH MARATHON
                                                November             BRIDAL FAIR 
                                                December              CHRISTMAS LIGHTS 
July 1984              Sandbach Cricket Club on Crewe Road was demolished to make way for houses. 
Spring 1984          The Shopping Precinct was built. Now Penda Way to Sanbec Walk.
6 May 1985          The Elizabethan Market was the subject of a Children’s Saturday Morning
                                programme when on the 6 May 1985 the “Saturday Picture Show” recorded
                                items at the Market for the following week with Maggie Philbin and
                                Mark Curry (Later Blue Peter Presenter).
1985                       A new Surgery was built on Middlewich Rd, opposite the Wesley Avenue Chapel.
                                It was later taken over by Poole and Alcock (Financial / Legal Services).
May 1986             Elizabethan Market Day (Tudor Market / May Day)
                                Included Ox Roast, Morris Dancers, Kiddies Motorbikes, Magician and
                                a Performing Brown Bear act.
27 Nov 1986        The Sandbach Bye-Pass opened in November with the official opening being
                                performed by Cllr Mrs M.E. Melrose on the 27 November 1986.
                                The contract to build the Bypass was awarded to A Monk and Company PLC
                                who put in a tender for £2.3 million. They started work in March 1985 with a
                                90 week contract for completion with a completion date of December 1986.
                                The road was opened to the public on the 31 October 1986 (Friday) after
                                a car boot sale was held on the road the previous Sunday 26 Oct 1986.
Dec 1986               Sandbach Talking Newspaper formed. Their first home was in the offices of
                                Stuart Lowndes in Hind Heath Road.
                                They then moved to Lea House on Old Middlewich Road and in 2004 they moved to
                                501 Crewe Road, Wheelock CW11 3RX in the Tarmx building.
June 1987             The Slaughter house in Sandbach was demolished.
19 Mar 1988        BBC 1 TV programme “First Class” featured a team from Sandbach School
                                against Kirkland High from Methil, Fife. The presenter was Debbie Greenwood.
                                The team won through to the next round on the 28 May 1988 where they
                                met the All Saints High School from Huddersfield.
Jan 1989               Plans were submitted for a new SAFEWAYS Supermarket in Sandbach. 
                                (now Waitrose)
1-17 Mar 1990     Sandbach Festival (Music Festival) – Including the group Bandersnatch.
                                (see 1992 for first Balcony Arts Music Festival)
April 1990 or 91   Sandbach held its first "Festival of Transport" (Sandbach Transport Festival).
Apr / May 1990  NEW POLICE STATION
                                Opened since April 1990 the new purpose built Police Station was
                                officially opened by the Chairman of the County Council’s Police Committee
                                Cheshire (May 1990) next to Westfield’s the home of Congleton Borough Council’s
                                Headquarters and the site of the temporary building.
Jan 1991               The George Bowling Club was renamed the “Sandbach Park Bowling Club”
                                after the move from the George Hotel to the Park. 

1991                       Sandbach were placed first in the “Best Kept Town” awards (Community Pride) 
1991                       Sandbach Art Club formed.
8 Oct 1991            SAFEWAYS opened in Sandbach
                                (Date to be confirmed Poss first Tuesday in Oct 1991)
                                The new superstore was opened by Mayor Cllr Trevor Howkins and a 10 year old
                                called Gemma Stevens who won a painting competition to win a bike and
                                open the store.
1992                       Sandbach were placed first in the “Best Kept Town” awards (Community Pride)
                                for the second year. 
May 1992             The first Balcony Arts “Sandbach Arts Festival”. Formed in 1991 ten people
                                who had been involved in a Pantomime decided to do something different and
                                organised the arts festival which ran over 3 days and had Tom Robinson as
                                its Headlining Act. Manchester Camerata also featured at the festival and
                                comedian Dave Gorman. 
1992                       SANDBACH HISTORY SOCIETY Produced a Heritage Trail leaflet. 
30 Apr – 2 May 1993         2nd Balcony Arts “Sandbach Arts Festival” with Lindisfarne and
                                The Liverpool Philharmonis Orchestra.
5 June 1993          Leonard Cheshire Home Carnival and Fun Day with a parade through the
                                town centre.
27Apr – 1 May 1994          Balcony Arts presented the “Sandbach Arts Festival” between
                                the 27 Apr and 1 May 1994
                                Headlining acts included Labi Siffre, Jooles Holland and  His Big Band,
                                The Halle Ensemble. Dave Gorman (2nd visit of the Comedian) and
                                Humphrey Lyttleton (Trumpet Player and BBC Radio Presenter)
22 Apr – 7 May 1995         Sandbach Arts Festival included the Searchers, Hue and Cry,
                                Christine Collister, Frank Sidebottom, Jeremy Hardy (Comedian),
                                Hattie Hayridge (Comedian / Red Dwarf) and Linda Smith (Comedienne)
                                with Dave Gorman (3rd visit of the Comedian)
6 May 1995          VE DAY STREET PARTY
                                To celebrate VE day Sandbach Community Partnership
                                under the chairmanship of Carol Burgess organised a Street Party in the
                                Town with music provided by the Dave Brown Big Band.
23 Sept 1995        FIRE AT FODENS WORKS
                                The old Foden factory on Station Road, Elworth had been the home of a
                                Go-Carting Track and other businesses. On the evening of the 23 September 1995
                                the building caught fire destroying the area in what was described as the
                                biggest fire in the town with fire appliances from all over the area in attendance
                                trying to put it out without success as far as the building was concerned as it
                                had to be demolished.
                                St Stevens had to be evacuated and various local residents helped house
                                those in need while the fire was tackled by appliances from Sandbach, Crewe
                                and the surrounding area.
                                Firefighters were still dampening down on the 24 September 1995.
7 Nov 1995           LODGE CHAIR TO BE HOUSED IN LIBRARY
                                Library takes Custody of Chair to be displayed in the Marriott Room.
                                On Tuesday the 7 November 1995 a chair originally used by Masters of the
                                Sandbach Bud of Hope Lodge, a section of the
                                “National United Order of Free Gardener’s Friendly Society”
                                whose headquarters were based in the town.
                                Founded in 1842 the chair was presented in 1893 as a memorial to
                                Brother Noah Lees for 50 years of service to the organisation.
                                In 1993 the chair was offered to the Sandbach History Society and was
                                restored by Mr John Minshull and local wood craftsman Mr Reg Lewis.
                                After many years in the Marriott room a member of the management of
                                Cheshire County Council’s Libries decided it was a Fire Risk and a new home
                                was sort to house the chair. At this time it was offered to the Sandbach Town Council
                                and can now be seen in the Literary Institute’s Council Chamber. 
9 Nov 1995           American Folk Singer Tom Paxton appeared at Sandbach School.
May 1996             The May Day celebration was swapped from an Ox Roast to a Hog Roast due to
                                an outbreak of BSE in the UK.
25 Apr- 5 May 1996           5th SANDBACH ARTS FESTIVAL
                                Sandbach Arts Festival included The Manfreds, Fairport Convention (Acoustic),
                                Mark Lamarr (Comedian / TV Presenter), Nigel Planer (Young Ones),
                                George Melly with John Chilton’s Feetwalmers,
                                John Shuttleworth, Snowy White (Singer), Circle Sensible   
22 June – 13 July 1996      SANDBACH SCHOOL FESTIVAL
                                Included Vin Garbut (6 July 1996 - Comedian) and Singer Alan Price (13 July 1996)
28 Feb 1997         Lindisfarne appeared at Sandbach School.
5 May 1997          May Day celebration 5 May 1997.
1997                       SANDBACH TODAY event.
                                Organised by the Sandbach partnership and Dot Flint the event brings together
                                local groups to publicise themselves to the people of Sandbach.
Jan 1998               SANDBACH SOCIETIES EVENING (Sandbach Today) 2nd event.
                                Groups included;-
                                (Murial Farnsworth Smith) Ladies Association
                                (Jim Thompson) Sandbach Scouts
                                (Don Haynes)Sandbach Unplugged / Folk Club
                                (Helena Massey) Sandbach Community Events
                                (Jean Marriott) Lions Club
                                (Mike Mate) Sandbach Transport Festival
1998                       Sandbach were placed first in the “Best Kept Town” awards (Community Pride)
                                for towns with a population of between 10,000 and 20,000. The award was
                                sponsored by Shell UK / Cheshire Building Society.
1999                       FODEN MOTOR WORKS stopped producing Lorries in Sandbach.
June 1999             Sandbach Rugby Union Football Club held its first “Donkey Derby”. 
26 Nov 1999        SANDBACH TODAY (3)
                                An event organised by Congleton Borough's Arts officer Carol McGregor and
                                Ex Mayor Dorothy Flint at Sandbach Town Hall.
                                                Carol Mc Gregor and Dorothy Flint (Organisers)
                                                Lyn Slack (Sandbach Talking Newspaper)
                                                Phil Umberg (RNLI)
                                                Dave Sant (Sandbach Players)
                                                Jean Bold (CPRE)
                                                Pat Riley (Churches together) 2 July 2000 event
                                                Joe Wilson (Transport Festival) 16 April 2000
29 Feb 2000         Cath Jones Music Studio closed for the last time on the 29 February 2000 exactly 18
                                Months after is owner Cath Jones had died. (See 1947) 
2 July 2000           MILLENIUM CELEBRATION on Scotch Common.
                                The event included the play “Have you Seen my Son?” which told the story of Christ.
                                It was performed by Sandbach Churches Together. 
2001                       The ERF Factory, Offices and Car Parks were demolished.
29 Dec 2001         One of the largest car crashes on the Motorway took place on the
                                Northbound lane of the M6 Motorway between Junctions 16 and 17 with
                                40 Cars and Lorries colliding. Only two people were injured in the crash
                                but it involved emergency crews from all over the Staffordshire and Cheshire area.
2003                       Sandbach were placed first in the “Best Kept Town” awards (Community Pride)
                                for towns with a population of between 10,000 and 20,000. The award was
                                sponsored by Shell UK.
Nov 2003              Sandbach Chamber of Trade started a Loyalty Card / Sandbach Traders Card
                                to boost sales locally.
24 Apr 2004         Sandbach Talking Newspapers new studio was officially opened by Sandbach
                                MP Lady Ann Winterton. Situated in Wheelock in a building owned by
                                Termax they have a studio and reproduction area to copy the programmes
                                onto cassette and now MP3 format.
12 Sept 2004        Battle of Sandbach reinactment on the 12 September 2004 at Sandbach Park.
Oct 2004               Sky Tv prgrammme “Most Haunted” filmed at the Old Hall with Yvette Fielding
                                and Gaby Roslin meeting Derek Acorah. (Series 5 Episode 2)
April 2005             The Sandbach Transport Festival was cancelled when its volunteer committee
                                were unable to find time to sort out all the arrangements.
Aug 2005              In August 2005 Peter Harris was murdered by Sean Carrahar a local drug dealer. 
                                The murder took place in the car park of Iceland. 
23 April 2006       The Sandbach Transport Festival returned with over 10,000 spectators. 
                                The theme of the event was “Farewell to Fodens” which was started in 1856
                                and employed 5,000 people. The event had 30 Foden trucks in the parade including
                                a 1908 and 1925 steamer.
                                Organiser Reg Shallcross said the event also had an art exhibition in the Town Hall,
                                a performance by the Lion’s Youth Brass Band and a chance to have your
                                teddy bear parachuted from the top of the Fire Station training tower.
                                Marshalls for the event was provided by members of the
                                Rotary Club of Saxon Crosses and the Sandbach Lions.
1 May 2006          MAY DAY Celebration with Hog Roast on Market Square.
6 May 2006          The WESLEY CENTRE was opened by MP Ann Winterton.
2006                       Battle of Sandbach on the weekend of the 16-17 September 2006.
                                The event took place at Sandbach Heath with members of the Sealed Knott
                                Re-Enacting the battle of Sandbach (see also 2004)
2006                       In July 2006 the last Foden Truck (Name Badge only) was produced at the
                                Leyland Factory ending 150 years of truck building. (see 1999) 
7 Oct 2006            A new Community Garden was opened on Scotch Common. It also houses replica
                                Saxon Crosses made out of Wood.
                                Town MP Ann Winterton, Cheshire County Council Chairman Neville Price
                                and Cllr Elsie Alcock opened the garden officially on the 7 October 2006. 
Mar 2007              First Sandbach Town Council Newsletter issued.
2007                       The Old Hall was put on the English Heritage “At Risk” list after it was put up
                                for sale. A “Sandbach Old Hall Action Group” was formed to try and save
                                the building.
2007?                     WESTFIELDS the Home of the Fodens Family for many years was demolished
                                to make way for the New Congleton Borough Offices.
                                Now the Cheshire East Headquarters.  
Oct 2007               Archaeological Survey took place in the Market Square before it was redeveloped.
30 Nov 2007        Christmas Light switch on with Sandbach Ladies Choir and Sandbach School Band.
19-20 Apr 2008   The Sandbach Transport Festival became a two day event for the first time.
                                Fodens Band and the Lions Youth band also held a concert on the Friday night
                                (18th) to launch the festival.
28 May 2008       A Fire took place at the Bear’s Paw in Warmingham on the 28 May 2008 during
                                renovations and was attended by two Fire Engines from Crewe an incident that
                                closed the building. It was reopened on the 20 May 2009 after extensive rebuilding.  
                                (Some websites put this event on the 27 May 2008)
17 July 2008         Sandbach became a “Fairtrade Town” with a local group being formed to bring
                                awareness and to promote Fairtrade products.
2008                       Sandbach Town Council was awarded “Quality Status” having met certain standards.
2008                       Sandbach Clean Team formed ( Pre 13 Sept 2008).
8 Sept 2008          Results announced in the “Sandbach in Bloom Competition” held at the
                                Masonic Hall.
Feb 2009               The Market Square refurbishment was completed.
1 Feb 2010            On the 1st February 2010 at 11pm a fire ripped through St Peters Church Hall
                                in Elworth taking eight hours to put out. Crew’s from Sandbach, Crewe,
                                Nantwich,Middlewich and the Aerial Appliance from Macclesfield arrived on
                                Scene to extinguish the fire.
2010                       Formation of the Sandbach “Woodland and Wildlife Group”. 
May 2010             STAR (Sandbach Traders and Retailers) formed to develop opportunities for
                                shops in the town.
12 June 2010        First of the Sandbach Farmers Market. Held on the second Saturday of the month
                                on the Market Sqaure. (Later taken over by the Makers Market) 
2010                       “Friends of Sandbach Park” formed.
2010                       The first “Day of Dance” was held in Sandbach with Morris Dancers from
                                all over the country converging on Sandbach. After 7 years of the event
                                organisers Lynn Purcell and Ray Archer decided to call it a day. Started as
                                an event on its own in later years it was combined with the Farmer’s Market
                                run by the Town Council and later the Maker’s Market which took over in 2015.
                                The event usually had some sunny weather but in 2015 and 2017 the rain came
                                down for part of the days event with performers moving to St Mary’s Church Hall
                                as well as a gazebo at the Old Hall. One of the highlights of the final day of dance
                                was the inclusion of the ‘Danze de Sans Chuse’ a group of dancers from Spain who
                                were given the loudest applause by the public and also by their fellow performers.
                                                GROUPS TAKING PART in 2017.
                                                Black Dog Molly
                                                Chorlton Clog Hoppers
                                                Danze de Sans Chuse (From Spain)
                                                Domesday
                                                Horwich Prize Medal
                                                Milltown Cloggies
                                                Mobberely
                                                Rivington
                                                Thelwall
12 Sept 2010        Fodens Band held a free concert on the Market Square.
29 Sept 2010        The first concert took place of the “Sandbach Concert Series” at
                                St Mary’s Church Hall. Organised by Lauren and Andy Scott (Local Composer)
                                The first show featured Lauren Scott (Harp) and Claire Southworth (Flute). 
July 2011              A new Sandbach Town Guide was issued (Picture of Crosses on purple background)
                                by Sandbach Town Council.
8-11 Sept 2011    200th Anniversary of Sir George Gilbert Scott was celebrated in the town.
27 Feb 2012         FODEN MEMORIAL STONE
                                A Memorial stone and Time Capsule were placed on the road near the spot of the
                                Foden Administration Building on London Road (joined to Middlewich Road). 
June 2012             The Town Council took over ownership of the Town Hall and appointed an
                                operations Manager to run it.
5 June 2012          “PARTY IN THE PARK” (Queen’s Diamond Jubilee)
                                Foden’s Band were playing in Sandbach Park to celebrate the
                                Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
                                The event was attended by about 1,000 people who braved the rain and the cold
                                to listen to the band who played in the dip of the park on a specially constructed
                                stage. When the finale came a volley of fireworks accompanied the
                                “Pomp and Circumstance March No1”.
20 Oct 2012          FODEN’S BAND WINS THE DOUBLE CHAMPIONSHIPS For the Second Time.
                                On winning the “National Championships” at the Royal Albert Hall, London with the
                                test piece “Daphnis and Chloe” by Maurice Ravel Arranged by Howard Snell,
                                they had pulled off a unique double, double win in the brass band world having
                                won the British Open Shield (1 Sept 2012) this meant that the band had won both
                                Major British Brass Band Championships.
                                The last time they had done this was back in 1910 when William Halliwell
                                conducted the band in “Acis and Galatea” by Handel arranged by
                                C Godfrey (British Open on the 5 Sept 1910) and “Gems of Schubert”
                                (National Championship) arranged by William Rimmer on the                1Oct 1910.
                                Conductor for Fodens Allan Withington.
                                RESULTS             FIRST                    FODENS BAND 
                                                                SECOND               Brighouse and Rastrick
                                                                THIRD                  Cory  
                                BEST INSTRUMENTALIST Richard Poole (Foden’s Bands Soprano Cornet)
                                BRITISH OPEN BRASS BAND CHAMPIONSHIP WINS
                                1909 / 1910 / 1912 / 1913 / 1915 / 1926 / 1927 / 1928 / 1964 / 2004 / 2008 / 2012.
                                “NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS” OF GREAT BRITAIN WINS
                                1910 / 1930 / 1932 / 1933 / 1934 / (Barred 1935) / 1936 / 1937 / 1938 / 1950 / 1953 /
                                1958 / 1999 / 2012
27 Oct 2012          Sandbach Partnetship held its first “Halloween Event” on the Market Square.
27 Apr 2013         The first “Saxon Crosses Market” took place on the Market Square.
                                It was an Artisan Style market and was held on the 4th Saturday of the Month.
6 July 2013           ELWORTH PARK RE-OPENING
                                Crowds flocked to the reopening of Elworth Park on Saturday 6 July 2013.
                                After a major overhaul the park has been given some new gates superbly
                                designed by Christine Wilcox-Baker, who has incorporated a number of events
                                in the history of Elworth.
July 2013              A Herb Garden was opened to the public by the Bus shelters.
10 October 2013 Sandbach won the COMMUNITY PRIDE AWARD for the Best Town in
                                Cheshire organised by “Cheshire Community Action”. The town won in the best
                                Market Town category for town’s with over a 10,000 population.
                                The awards ceremony at Ellesmere Port Civic Hall, also gave the Old Hall
                                a “Little Gem Award” for its improvements over the year and Sandbach Park
                                was Highly Commended under the title “Best Community Initiative Award”.
1 Jan 2014            The NEW YEARS HONOURS list had three names from Sandbach in it.
                                Mrs Valetta Mary Cranmer – For services to Charity through the Sandbach Ladies
                                Choir. AWARDED BEM (British Empire Medal)
                                John Lonsdale – For services to Education (Teacher of Performing Arts / Head of
                                Sandbach School – Retired). AWARDED MBE
                                Ms Alison Marjorie Wild – For services to Higher Education (Formally Chair,
                                Association of Heads of University administration and deputy Chief executive,
                                Liverpool John Moores University. AWARDED OBE
9 October 2014    Sandbach won the COMMUNITY PRIDE AWARD for the Best Town in
                                Cheshire for the second time in succession.
                                Organised by “Cheshire Community Action” the town won in the “Best
                                Market Town” category for town’s with over a 10,000 population,
                                A “Little Gem Award” for Sandbach Park’s Sensory Garden in the
                                Toddler’s Play area and the CHAMPIONSHIP AWARD for
                                overall best town / village.
                                Dick Macaulay of the Clean Team was also Highly Commended in the
                                “Community Champion Award”.
14 Apr 2015         BBC RECORDING – The Daily Politics Show filmed Foden’s Band as part of
                                the live Broadcast they were to make the following day.
15 Apr 2015         BBC BROADCAST – BBC 2 “Daily Politics Show”
                                Ian Raisbeck (2nd Cornet), Dave McGlynn (Principal BbTuba) and
                                Stewart Green (Archivist) took part in a live Broadcast from the Foden’s Bandroom
                                as part of the Election Coverage of the BBC’s “Daily Politics Show”. 
     ######################################################   
                                                BBC DAILY POLITICS COMES TO SANDBACH
                                The BBC’s Flagship daytime Politics Show came to Sandbach on the
                                14th and 15th of April to film and produce a live programme insert as part of a
                                series of articles. Giles Dilnot a reporter for the programme, goes round the
                                country talking to ordinary people at work or doing their hobbies and on this occasion
                                he visited the Foden’s Band members during a rehearsal and the following day the
                                BBC broadcast live to the studio from Sandbach. 
                                The day picked for the broadcast turned out to be a significant one as the latest policy
                                release was to do with schools and in particular the impact it would have on the
                                teaching of music within the education system a subject that is close to the heart of
                                many members of the band including Ian Raisbeck (Cornet) who took part in the
                                programme. Ian was joined by Dave McGlynn (Bb Bass) and Stewart Green
                                (Band Archivist) to discuss the issues of the day for three minutes on BBC2 and
                                then a repeat performance live on the BBC News Channel.
                                On the Tuesday the BBC crew turned up to film the band perform its signature tune
                                “The Cossack” which was recorded three times along with bits of the rehearsal which
                                were then used to great effect when Giles added a narration to the introduction for the
                                live broadcast on Wednesday when the three people connected to the band were
                                asked their opinions as part of the Daily Politics look at what normal people think of
                                the 2015 election.
                                During the 2005 election coverage the Daily Politics programme decided to find out
                                what the electorate in the marginal constituency’s really thought of the coverage of
                                the election and what their views were. The format of going out to meet people in
                                their place of work or play worked and the programme repeated the format in 2010
                                and again this year. Giles said that this election is a very different one as the voter
                                really does have the chance to make a difference as it is going to be a very close run
                                election with the public having more choice of candidates as different parties have
                                joined in the mix. The new dynamic of the race has changed the view of the
                                traditional voter who was brought up in a one party society to them having more
                                choice than ever before. The programme put a list of policies on a board and asked
                                voters to decide how they would make their choice based on the policy only and
                                surprisingly no one party came out on top but a mixture of all the different parties.
                                This year Giles Dilnot and the BBC team have spoken to Aquarium workers in
                                Plymouth, Cheese makers in Cornwall, Film Prop makers in Bristol, Stone masons
                                in Somerset, Iron workers in North Yorkshire and after the broadcast from Foden’s
                                Bands rehearsal room at Flowcrete in Elworth they went Water rafting in
                                North Wales.
    #########################################################     
May 2015             ST LUKE’S (Cheshire) HOSPICE Opened its second site at the
                                Winterley Grange, Wheelock Heath Business Park.
                                The ceremony was conducted by Phil Redmond (Creator and writer of Grange Hill /
                                Brookside etc.)
July 2015              Sandbach Park was given a “Green Flag” status in recognition of the standard of the
                                Park.
                                It is only one of 1,582 parks in the country to have the award for excellence.  
12 Aug 2015         The old Majestrates Court and Police Station on Middlewich Road were knocked
                                down to make way for houses.
15 Oct 2015          Sandbach won the COMMUNITY PRIDE AWARD for the Best Market Town in
                                Cheshire for the third time in succession.
                                Organised by “Cheshire Community Action” the town won in the “Best
                                Market Town” category for town’s with over a 10,000 population on the
                                15 October 2015. 
                                The town also won a “Little Gem Award” for Dingle Lake, Sandbach and
                                Sandbach Station was Highly Commended in the Best Community Initiative category.
4 Feb 2016            Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne (Tatton MP) arrived in Elworth
                                in a helicopter to visit the Persimmon new homes and promote the Governments
                                “Help to Buy Scheme”. He landed at the Cricket ground in Hind Heath Lane.
17 Apr 2016         FIRE AT THE FODEN’S BAND REHERSAL ROOM at Flowcrete on
                                Middlewich Road, Moston.
                                Foden’s Band played at the Sandbach Transport Festival from 12noon until
                                about 3pm when they left the Old Hall car park and returned their instruments,
                                red jackets and stands to their bandroom at Flowcrete. By 5.39pm smoke was
                                entering the building in the upstairs music store room. A crew from Sandbach
                                were called out by the smoke alarm being activated and when they arrived they
                                saw no smoke until they entered the building and at this point decided to call in
                                for support. 8 appliances and a Hydraulic Turntable turned up to tackle the fire
                                which destroyed the bandroom.
                                The cause of the fire was later revealed as an electrical fault.
                                APPLIANCES AT THE FIRE INCLUDED.
                                                Y495PTU Sandbach
                                                PO11FZN (P380) Possibly Northwich
                                                R43FMA reserve engine
May 2016             An estate off Middlewich Road near Albion Lock has been named after members
                                connected to the Elworth Cricket Club. These included the three ladies who donated
                                money to fund the purchase of the ground and Allan Littlemore (Littlemore Road)
                                who set up the fund and has been a main player (Chairman etc) in the club ever since.
3 July 2016           DENNIS ROBINSON GIVEN FREEDOM OF SANDBACH
                                Dennis Robinson received the greatest honour a town can give to one of its Citizens
                                “The Freedom of Sandbach” for his many years of contributions to the life of this
                                Market Town and in particular for his work as Town Crier.
8 July 2016           “ANY QUESTIONS” broadcast live from Sandbach Town Hall with
                                Jonathan Dimbleby in the chair.
                                With the political situation in Northern Ireland at this moment in time the
                                “Any Questions” producers at BBC Radio 4 decided a new venue should be
                                found to host the live programme on the 8 July 2016. Sandbach Town Hall
                                was the perfect venue for the broadcast and Lisa Jenkinson the producer of the
                                programme set about organising the event.
                                Jonathan Dimbleby as usual was in the chairman’s seat with Liberal Democrat leader
                                Tim Farron, Conservative Dominic Grieve, Labours Gisela Stuart and
                                Daily Telegraph columnist Liam Hagan on the panel.
                                Eleven questions were chosen by the production team with the question
                                setters sitting on the front row for the broadcast and Lisa choosing the appropriate
                                question for that part of the programme.
                                After a warm up and housekeeping rules by town hall staff, Mayor Keith Haines
                                and BBC Radio Stoke presenter Terry Walsh the hall went quiet at exactly 8pm
                                for the PIPS on Radio 4 followed by the news and then an introduction to the
                                programme by Jonathan Dimbleby who then held the programme together for just
                                over 45 minutes until 8.50pm when the programme came “Off Air”.
                                A brief chat about one of the questions not asked during the show and it was time
                                for the politicians and presenter to mingle with the audience in the hall and the bar
                                of the Town Hall after a very successful broadcast.
6 Sept 2016          TOUR OF BRITAIN Cycle Race Congleton to Knutsford via Sandbach.
                                Cyclists included Sir Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish.
                                11am                     Congleton Start
                                11.30am                Rode Heath
                                11.58am                Willaston / Nantwich
                                12.26pm                Middlewich
                (approx)                12.30pm                Sandbach
                                                                (Time Trial on Middlewich Road outside Sandbach High School)
                                                                Bradwall Road to Brereton
                                                                Cranage
                                13.10pm                Knutsford to Tatton Park (1st Time)
                                13.40pm                Alderley Edge / Prestbury
                                14.13pm                Macclesfield
                                                                Wildboarclough
                                                                Bosley
                                15.04pm                Gawsworth
                                                                Chelford
                                                                Knutsford
                                3.30pm                  Tatton Park (Finishing line)
5 Oct 2016            On the 5 October 2016 the Sandbach and Middlewich edition of the paper merged
                                with the CREWE CHRONICLE leaving only the Nantwich Edition as a
                                separate paper.
13 Oct 2016          Dame Mary Peters visited Sandbach to officially open the Latham Court Retirement
                                Living Accomodation on Middlewich opposite the Police Station.
                                The 1972 Olympic Gold Medalist gave a talk to residents and guests at the new
                                McCarthy and Stone building.
 
###############################################################################   
#03. SANDBACH BUILDINGS.
###############################################################################  
LISTED BUILDINGS IN SANDBACH
www.english-heritage.org.uk/caring/listing/listed-buildings/
Grade 1 (Scheduling)          Saxon Crosses (EH Ref: 1159937 Listed 11/08/1950)   
Grade 1 (Scheduling)          Early Medieval Sculptural Fragments in St Mary’s Churchyard
Grade 1 (Scheduling)          Standing Medieval Cross 10m South of the Nave of St Mary’s Church.
Grade 1                                  Old Hall (EH Ref: 1310849 Listed 11/08/1950)   
                                                Dated 1656 with a later Gable on the left hand side.
 
GRADE 2
HIGHTOWN (EH Ref: 1130350 Listed 27/04/1978)  
Grade 2                  Town Hall and Market Hall, Hightown, Sandbach 
                                (EH Ref: 1130352 Listed 27/04/1978)  
                                Built in 1889 by Thomas Bower of Nantwich.
                                The Market Hall was added later.
Grade 2                  K6 Telephone Kiosk in front of the Town Hall, Hightown, Sandbach.
                                (EH Ref: 1330424 Listed 28/02/1989)  
                                Designed in 1935 by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott but was added later to Sandbach.
Grade 2                  5 and 7 Hightown, Sandbach (EH Ref: 1130350 Listed 27/04/1978)  
                                (5 = Swift Shoe Repairs) (7= Eric Alcock TV)
                                Built in the late 1800’s
Grade 2                  17 Hightown, Sandbach (Blockbuster / Rumbellows)
                                (EH Ref: 1130353 Listed 27/04/1978)  
Grade 2                  Trustee Savings Bank, Hightown, Sandbach (EH Ref: 1330395 Listed 27/04/1978)  
                                Built in 1854 with an extension to the left. The original building was possibly
                                designed by George Gilbert Scott. 
Grade 2                  Drinking Fountain, Hightown, Sandbach (EH Ref: 1330396 Listed 27/04/1978) 
                                Designed by Thomas Bower of Nantwich.
Grade 2                  Literary Institute, Hightown, Sandbach (EH Ref: 1130351 Listed 03/06/1976)    
                                Built in 1857 by George Gilbert Scott.
 
HIGH STREET
Grade 2                  Sandbach Bridge, High Street, Sandbach (EH Ref: 1130360 Listed 27/04/1978)  
Grade 2                  Outbuildings of the Old Hall Hotel, High Street, Sandbach
                                (EH Ref: 1130357 Listed 27/04/1978)  
                                                (see also Grade 1 Old Hall Building)
Grade 2                  34 High Street, Sandbach (EH Ref: 1130358 Listed 11/08/1950)  
                                Designated while it was Williams Decon’s Bank building.
                                Also shop occupied by F J Glower Optician (1950).
                                                (34 = Flowers on the Cobbles)
Grade 2                  36 High Street, Sandbach (EH Ref: 1330400 Listed 27/04/1978)   
                                Built in the 1700’s.
                                                (36 = Northwood Estate Agents)
Grade 2                  38 High Street, Sandbach (EH Ref: 1310817 Listed 27/04/1978)   
                                                (38 = Stephen Brown Estate Agents)
Grade 2                  George Hotel, 39 High Street, Sandbach (EH Ref: 1330397 27/04/1978)   
                                Built in 1810 with later alterations.
Grade 2                  40, 42, 44 High Street, Sandbach (EH Ref: 1130359 Listed 27/04/1978)  
                                                (40= Carpets and Rugs)
                                                (42 = Little Stars)
                                                (44 = Eureka Studio)
Grade 2                  41 High Street, Sandbach (EH Ref: 1130354 Listed 27/04/1978)  
                                                (41= Guardian Accountancy)
Grade 2                  43b High Street, Sandbach (EH Ref: 1130355 Listed 27/04/1978)  
                                                (43 = Heart Tree Furniture)
Grade 2                  45 High Street, Sandbach (EH Ref: 1159843 Listed 27/04/1978)   
                                Late 16th or 17th Century building.
                                                (45 = Empty was Just Jill)
Grade 2                  47 High Street, Sandbach (EH Ref: 1330398 Listed 27/04/1978)   
                                Early 1800’s
                                                (47 = N A Whieldon Solicitors)
Grade 2                  49 and 51 High Street, Sandbach (EH Ref: 1159844 Listed 06/03/1978)  
                                Late 17th or Early 18th Century.
                                                (49 = Williams and Lowe Funeral)
                                                (51 = Pink Feather Boutique)
Grade 2                  53 and 55 High Street, Sandbach (EH Ref: 1130356 Listed 27/04/1978)  
                                                (53and 55 = H G Hopkins -Gun Shop)
Grade 2                  57 and 59 High Street, Sandbach (EH Ref: 1330399 Listed 27/04/1978)   
                                Built in the mid 1800’s
                                                (57and 59 = Private Houses)
Grade 2                  Black Bear Inn, High Street, Sandbach (EH Ref: 1159872 Listed 11/08/1950)   
                                Dates 1634
Grade 2                  Churchyard Walls, Gateways and Railings to South East and North of
                                St Mary’s Church, High Street, Sandbach (EH Ref: 1159891 Listed 27/04/1978)  
                                Built round about 1850. 
Grade 2*               St Mary’s Church, High Street, Sandbach (EH Ref: 1330401 Listed 11/08/1950)   
                                Built in the 15th Century it was restored in 1847-49 by George Gilbert Scott
                                (Inscription above West entrance) who also installed some monuments.
                                In 1894-5 the west end suffered a fire.
                                The Choir and vestry was restored by Austin and Paley in 1930. 
                                Caen stone Font in the South West Corner of the Nave installed in 1859 by
                                builder Thomas Stringer.
                                Leversage Arms in the panelled ceiling, north isle built c1587.
                                A Marble Relief of the Rev John Armistead, M.A. Vicar from 1828-1865
                                was designed by G.F. Watts and sculpted by George Nelson in 1876.
                                Nave contains a font dated 1669 (Richards).
 
MARKET SQUARE
Grade 2                  1-5, 5a and 7 Market Square, Sandbach. (EH Ref: 1159924 Listed 03/06/1976)   
                                                (1= Francesco)
                                                (3= The Real Thing Jewellery Shop)
                                                (5 and 7 = Bridgefords)
Grade 2                  Market Tavern Public House, 4 Market Square, Sandbach 
                                (EH Ref: 1159934 Listed 14/08/1970)   
                                Dated 1767. 
Grade 2                  Crown Hotel, 10 Market Square, Sandbach (EH Ref: 1330405 Listed 03/061976)   
                                Built in the 17th Century the front was altered in 1910. 
Grade 2                  9 and 11 Market Square, Sandbach (EH Ref: 1130365 Listed 03/06/1976)   
                                                (9 and 11 = Williams Delicatessen / was old Police Station)
Grade 2                  19 Market Square, Sandbach (EH Ref: 1130366 Listed 03/06/1976) 
                                Built in the early 1800’s.  
                                                (19 = Butters John Bee)
Grade 2                  War Memorial, Market Square, Sandbach (EH Ref: 1130367 Listed 27/04/1978)   
 
WELL BANK
Grade 2                  10 Well Bank, Sandbach – Built 1570 (EH Ref: 1130327 Listed 27/04/1978)   
 
HOPE STREET
Grade 2                 4 Hope Street, Sandbach (Next to Shoe Shop) (EH Ref: 1330403 Listed 27/04/1978)    
Grade 2                  11 Hope Street, Sandbach (EH Ref: 1130363 Listed 03/06/1976)  
                                Built in the early 1800’s. 
                                                (Now the CVS Building)
Grade 2                  Hope Chapel, Hope Street, Sandbach (EH Ref: 1159911 Listed 27/04/1978)   
                                                (Church built in 1836 with the Hall Added in 1893- Not Listed)
 
CONGLETON ROAD
Grade 2                 Oakley House (A533 CW11 1JZ) (EH Ref: 56230 Listed 27 April 1978)
Grade 2                  Farmhouse, Brickhouse Farm No 2, Congleton Road, Sandbach 
                                (EH Ref: 56189 Listed 27 Apr 1978)
Grade 2                  New Field Terrace 92-104 Congleton Road, Sandbach (EH Ref; 56187
                                Listed 27 Apr 1978) (Opposite Tatton Drive built in 1850-1851)
Grade 2                  Old Hall Farmhouse, Congleton Road, Sandbach
                                (EH Ref; 56188 Listed 11 Aug 1950)
Grade 2                  Outbuildings of Brick House Farm No 2, Congleton Road, Sandbach
                                (EH Ref: 56190 Listed 27 Apr 1978)
 
CREWE ROAD
Grade 2                  Grammar School Lodge, Crewe Road, Sandbach (EH Ref: 56193 Listed 3 June 1976)
Grade 2                  Grammar School, Crewe Road, Sandbach (Sandbach School)
                                (EH Ref: 56194 Listed 3 June 1976)
Grade 2                  The Commercial Hotel, Crewe Road, Sandbach
Grade 2                  21-25 Crewe Road, Sandbach (EH Ref: 27 April 1978)
                                                (25= Harbour Dental Practice)
                                                (21and 23= Towards Roundabout)
Grade 2                  32 and 34 Crewe Road, Sandbach (EH Ref: 56195 Listed 16 May 1974)
                                                (32 = NUNU)
                                                (34 = Dixon Rigby and Keogh)
MIDDLEWICH ROAD
Grade 2                  6 Middlewich Road, Sandbach
                                                (6= Pool and Alcock / was Doctors Surgery)
Grade 2                  15-21 Middlewich Road, Sandbach (EH Ref: 1130369 Listed 27/04/1978)    
                                Built in the early 1800’s.
                                                (15 = Express Cantonese Takeaway) 
                                                (17 and 19 = Piyata takeaway)
                                                (21 = R.J Edmonds - Dental laboratory)
Grade 2                  31 Middlewich Road, Sandbach (EH Ref: 1130325 Listed 27/04/1978)   
                                Built in the late 1700’s.
                                                (31 = Butcher and Barlow Solicitors)
 
THE HILL 
Grade 2                  2-40 The Hill, Sandbach (Almshouses) (EH Ref: 56228 Listed 3 June 1976) 
Grade 2                  Oakley House, The Hill, Sandbach (EH Ref: 56230 Listed 27 April 1978) 
Grade 2                  Coach House of Oakley House, The Hill, Sandbach
                                (EH Ref: 56231 Listed 27 April 1978)  
Grade 2                  The Hill, The Hill, Sandbach (Leonard Cheshire Home) 
                                (EH Ref: 562229 Listed 27 April 1978) 
 
VARIOUS
Grade 2                  Abbey fields, Park Lane, Sandbach (EH Ref:56250  Listed 11/08/1950)
Grade 2                  Old Farmhouse, Hassall Road, Sandbach
Grade 2                  21 Hawk Street, Sandbach (EH Ref: 1130349 Listed 03/06/1976)  
Grade 2                  Farmhouse, Brickhouse Farm No 1, A5022 Holmes Chapel Road, Sandbach
                                CW11 1SE (EH Ref: 56232 Listed 27 April 1978) 
Grade 2                  Lower Chequer Inn, Crown Bank, Sandbach (EH Ref: 1130388 Listed 03/06/1976)  
                                Early 17th Century building much altered and restored.
Grade 2                  6 Elworth Street, Sandbach (EH Ref: )  
                                FRONT STREET (EH Ref: 1130347 Listed 27/04/1978)  
Grade 2                  2-20 Front Street, Sandbach (EH Ref: 1130347 Listed 27/04/1978)  
                                Built in 1861 for Lord Crewe. Red Brick with stoke dressings and
                                blue brick diapering tiles.
Grade 2                  22 Front Street, Sandbach (EH Ref: 1130347 Listed 27/04/1978)  
Grade 2                  47 Church Street, Sandbach / Front Street. (EH Ref: 1130347 Listed 27/04/1978)  
                               
Grade 2                  Dingle Farmhouse, Dingle Lane, Sandbach (EH Ref: 1159813 Listed 11/08/1950)  
                                (11 Aug 1950 Amended 27 Apr 1978)
                                Was first listed under Back Street, Sandbach, 17th Century building
                                with a 19th Century extension. 
Grade 2                  Sandbach Methodist Church and Sunday School, Wesley Avenue, Sandbach
                                                (Wesley Centre and Church) (EH Ref: 1239994 Listed 26/01/1993)   
                                Sunday School added in 1870.
Grade 2                  Hall Cottage and attached Coach House of former Bradwall Hall, Sandbach Road,
                                                Bradwall Nr Sandbach
Grade 2                  St John the Evangelist’s Church, Church Lane, Sandbach Heath (1861) 
                                (EH Ref: 56185 Listed 2 June 1976) 
Grade 2                  92 Heath Road, Sandbach Heath (also listed under 2 Bailey Crescent CW11 2JY)
                                (EH Ref: 56259 Listed 16 Oct 1990) 
 
ELWORTH  
Grade 2                  Elm Tree House, London Road, Elworth, Sandbach CW11 3BF
                                (EH Ref: 56237 Listed 27 April 1978) (See Below) 
Grade 2                  Outbuildings of Elm Tree House, London Road, Elworth, Sandbach 
                                (EH Ref: 56238 Listed 27 April 1978) 
Grade 2                  Fox Inn, London Road, Elworth, Sandbach (17th Century)
                                Also listed under Moss Lane, Sandbach CW11 3BF
                                (EH Ref: 56236 Listed 27 April 1978) 
 
CANAL
Grade 2                  Trent and Mersey Canal Stable with attached Ticket office at Wheelock Wharf.
                                                Trent and Mersey Canal, Sandbach, Cheshire.
                                Crewe Road, Sandbach CW11 3RJ
                                (EH Ref: 351193 Listed 5 July 1994) 
Grade 2                  Trent and Mersey Canal Bridge Number 157 at SJ7387 5938
                                (EH Ref: 351195 Listed 5 July 1994) 
Grade 2                  Canal Milepost East of Wheelock Wharf, Trent and Mersey Canal,
                                                Red Lane, Wheelock Sandbach. Ngr 7322 6056
                                (EH Ref: 56407 Listed 5 Dec 1986) 
Grade 2                  Canal Cottage, Wheelock Wharf, Sandbach
                                Also listed under Chapel Street, Sandbach CW11 3RJ
                                (EH Ref: 56253 Listed 3 Dec 1986) 
Grade 2                  Lock Number 66 Trent and Mersey Canal, Wheelock, Sandbach
                                Also listed under Cotton Lane, Sandbach CW11 4RB
                                (EH Ref: 56255 Listed 3 Dec 1986) 
Grade 2                  Double Bridge at Lock Number 66, Trent and Mersey Canal, Wheelock, Sandbach.
                                Also listed under Cotton Lane, Sandbach CW11 4RB
                                (EH Ref: 56254 Listed 3 Dec 1986) 
Grade 2                  Trent and Mersey Lock House, (Canal) Cotton Lane, Wheelock, Sandbach
                                Also listed under Cotton Lane, Sandbach CW11 4RB
                                (EH Ref: 56257 Listed 3 Dec 1986) 
Grade 2                  Trent and Mersey Canal Milepost West of Bridge No 157 at SJ 7380 5934,
                                                Trent and Mersey Canal, Sandbach. 
                                (EH Ref: 351194 Listed 5 July 1994) 
Grade 2                  Trent and Mersey Canal House and Attached Warehouse, 464 Crewe Road,
                                                Wheelock Wharf, Sandbach
                                (EH Ref: 351196 Listed 5 July 1994) 
MIDDLEWICH
Grade 2                    Cledford Hall Barns, Cledford Lane, Midldewich
Grade 2                    Yew Tree Farm (Murgatroyd Club), Booth Lane, Middlewich (Albion Lock) 
 
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