The hub of a new canal network

Thursday, 01 April 2010 09:04

In 1796 this was the proposed plan for Ellesmere

In 1796 a meeting in Ellesmere raised money for the Ellesmere Canal, planned as part of the network to link the Midlands to the River Mersey. The Duke of Bridgewater (The Father of Canals - he began the age of canals twenty years previously with his eponymous canal at Worsley, clickety click) and his associates, reputedly raised a million pounds that day.

Thomas Telford installed himself in Beech House, which now stands at the junction with the main line and the Ellesmere Arm. Here he designed and oversaw the building of the Ellesmere Canal, now the Llangollen Canal.

Beech House

However Ellesmere has been an important town since the 11th century, when the glacial Mere attracted the builder of the motte-and-bailey castle. The earth works still remain overlooking The Mere. Ellesmere was granted a Market Charter in 1221 by Henry lll.

The Mere

The Mere is one of the largest natural ones in England outside the Lake District  The Parish Church of St Mary's also overlooks The Mere. Sadly the church (photo) was closed when I visited, although a key is available from the Vicarage.

Walking back towards the canal wharf from this part of town (see map), I spied a number of interesting buildings, including a number of pubs! The Red Lion is on the main road, but tucked away in Birch Road, just off the High Street is the White Hart, reputedly 16th century. It is up for lease, but still looked open.

White Hart

On the corner of Birch Street and St John's Hill stands this corner house - it looks as it it needs a bit of TLC, but its triangular design is wonderful.

Corner House

At the centre of the town is The Square where the old Town Hall stands, now without grandeur as it is a night club. This was built in 1833 by the then Countess of Bridgewater.

Old Town Hall

There are other buildings and things to see in Ellesmere and more photos here - clickety click. But I shall return to the canal wharf via the hairdresser who competently cut John's hair!

John outside Guys and Molls hairdresser (we promised a plug!)

The wharf is due for development and the main evidence of this to date is the new Tesco, alongside the visitor moorings at the winding hole. There was a dispute about the development in 2003-4. A planning application was submitted in 2006 by developers Pochin and passed in April 2007.

Tesco was opened in August 2009 to mixed reaction

There are plans for a pub/restaurant opposite, beside the old Shropshire Union warehouse. Other planned buildings canalside include retirement apartments, health centre and crèche. All this development should be good for Ellesmere, but I hope they remember their canal heritage too and do not just give token service as has happened in other places.

Warehouse through wharf crane wheel