Announcement: Glossop History - The Way We Were

I have been working on a verity of different projects over the last twelve months. From documenting rare and previously undiscovered finds, rediscovering documents and artifacts in private or locked or away collections, providing talks to clubs and schools as well as providing assistance with the ever threat of damage to our local heritage.

This is around my other passion which working with individuals who suffer from dementia. I work closely with the community and provide a ward winging experiences and sessions to engage and enhance a person’s day. This enhances the opportunity to social interaction and the ideal environment to reminisce, remember personal memories and create new ones along the way.

There will be two presentations this year that will be of note and I cordially invite you to join us. The first is on the 26^th October 2019 at Partington Theatre, Henry Street, Glossop. This will be an evening presentation/ workshop titled The Way We Were. It is the perfect combination of both of my passions. We will have a brief look at our social history, local events and images that are proving to be somewhat iconic.

There will be more updates soon regarding the latest request for permission for more housing in the old part of the town which is set to destroy not only history of our town but the skyline forever.

Heavy Rain, Floods and Christmas

Back to normal with monthly posts yet this month is more updates. 

The last week or so has brought heavy rain and new things even I haven't seen in the town before. The weather is turning autumnal and with Christmas just around the corner my reflections always turn to Woolworths.

The store that sold everything was definitely the place to get your Christmas stock. It had a fantastic line of plastic Christmas trees and lights and going to Woolworths was a pure tradition. We lost our store in 2009 when the business closed around the country. You can read more here.

Glossop has gained a multitude of local shops and businesses over the last couple of years and as of next month we will be featuring several of them here as I make the final arrangements and filming for Glossop Tours big Christmas Special, Personal Stories. Over the last 12 months I have been working with a local film producer filming interviews with local people to feature part of an online mini documentary series and for the Christmas Special.  These not only feature local shops, businesses but local people and dignitaries. We are continuing filming right through to summer next year so if you or know of someone that you think will have something interesting to share then please get in touch.

I have also started a sister site that follows my travels around the local area, region and beyond. These include reviews of cafes and restaurants as well as history, walks and interesting hidden gems, this will go live at the event in December.

Soon you will be able to book our tours in Glossop it's self as we are looking at possibility of having a booking office in the town. There will also be a opportunity to see some of our history and possibly some of our collection from time to time.

This year has been a real roller coaster with health and work opportunities and things  are looking good for the beginning of 2018 and hopefully we will be opening up our own local office, so watch this space.

There have been fears of local flooding recently with heavy rainfall again in Glossop. Nothing has been done to create new flood defenses since the last major flooding in 2001. Again there was no inquiry into whether it was human error that caused the flooding as evidence did show Swineshaw Reservoir in 2001 as it is common by word of mouth in the town must of opened their sluice gates because there was a serious threat the reservoir was to burst, which would of caused more serious threat to the town. 

So to the Christmas Special, tickets and more details are to be released in October. It will be three evenings of history, workshops and discussions. As there has not been any event this year so far we are pouring all our efforts into this. But hang on what's new, that I have discovered recently, well a lot but if you follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook we're asking you to work out where we are in the town and the most right answers will put together and a random lucky winner will get two free tickets to our Christmas Special.

Looking forward to seeing you all very soon....  By Matthew Cox.

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Woolworth's at Glossop 1941 to 2009

Winter Woollies

“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas”. There is definitely a chill in the air as the festive season sneaks in to town.  There was a feast of traditional sights and smells that were sampled by many at the Glossop Christmas switch on, last Saturday evening. The celebration kick started the late night shopping throughout the town and market, for all your gifts, goodies and treats.  It was at that moment I reflected about our more recent history.

In 1941 the drapers at 9 High Street West was bought by the American company that was spreading the country by storm. That company was F. W. Woolworths. It opened its doors later that year and offered a wide range of wares. It was to become one of Glossop’s first self-service stores. Previously you would have given your shopping list to the shopkeeper in order for them to find the goods for you.

The first Woolworths store to open in America was back in 1879 then in 1909 the first British store opened in Liverpool with a huge celebration with a full orchestra, circus and firework display. It was then in 1910 that Frank Woolworth commissioned the design and construction of the famous Woolworth building in New York.

Back in Glossop the store was vital throughout the war years, providing a wide variety of goods that were available all in one place.  It was an early example of the modern supermarket. The store expanded over the years taking up three shop spaces. The original sign over the door read “Woolworths. F. W Bazaar” and was set in gold and black very similar to the Finlay McKinlay’s sign next door.  The name changed over the years as it became a British company. This resulted in the famous red sign we all knew and loved.

Woolworth's lasted 68 years in Glossop as it closed its doors in 2009. During its closing down sales it sold everything right down to the fixtures and fittings.

Woolworth's was a local favourite and a national icon but will you miss it this Christmas?

By Matthew Cox

glossoptours.co.uk