In the borough of Trafford, the buildings which will be taking part in the open days include the Watling Gate house, bequeathed to Trafford Council by Colonel C E Newton, a First World War veteran. This will feature a heritage trail displaying his efforts during WW1.
Other places taking part include a number of religious buildings, such as Dunham Road Unitarian Chapel, which will be marking its 200th anniversary of Unitarianism in Altrincham, St Michael’s Church in Flixton, one of Trafford’s most historical buildings, St Paul’s Parish Church in Sale, which will feature performances from ‘Ye Olde Traditional Morris Men’ and a Scout and Guide band, and the Sale Quaker Meeting House, garden and burial ground, Park Road, Sale.
The Churches of St Mary’s in Bowdon, St Clement’s in Urmston, St Antony’s Centre in Trafford Park and St Werburgh’s in Warburton will all feature guided tours and light refreshments.
While for something a little different, there is also a guided tour around Sale/Brooklands Cemetery, the final resting place of James Prescott Joule (scientist), Dr Richard Pankhurst (husband of the Suffragette Emmeline), John Benjamin Dancer, John Brogden, Edwin Gibb, Edward Hulton and many more.
In Ashton, the town centre will be home to a Victorian beach complete with traditional attractions such as a Punch and Judy show, music and donkey rides on Saturday 13th.
Visitors can also enjoy a tea dance, Victorian street games, and meet the cast of “Mother Goose”, Tameside’s civic pantomime for 2014.
There will also be a shop window dressing competition with the themes of “Victorians” or “The Seaside”, plus a fancy dress contest at 3 o’clock.
Over Heritage Weekend (Thursday, September 11, to Sunday, September 14) buildings all over the borough will be throwing open their doors to the public. A leaflet giving full details can be downloaded from www.tameside.gov.uk/heritageopendays
Portland Basin Museum, the Museum of the Manchester Regiment, Tameside Central Art Gallery and the local studies and archives centre will all be hosting films, speakers and exhibitions. There will also be a chance to go inside the old Ashton Baths which closed 40 years ago and is about to be converted into a digital hub.
Tours will take place on Saturday, September 13, between 2 and 4pm. This programme has been supported by Ashton District Assembly and New Charter Housing Trust.
