What strikes me as I look through this collection of old images of Middlewich is not how many things have
changed, but how many things have stayed the same or, at any rate, are still recognisable. Not so with this shot from the late 60s (though we may be creeping into the very early 70s here). Nothing seen here exists today. It's another slide taken by Jack Stanier, featured courtesy of Middlewich Heritage Society and showing Whiston's Garage at the bottom of Nantwich Road. Out of shot to the right was the Red Lion (now an apartment block called 'Lion House') and on the left is Yeowart's grocery shop which we had a tiny glimpse of in a previous shot of the Red Lion. Out of site behind Yeowart's is Chester Road Methodist Chapel (officially the Chester Road United Methodist Free Chapel) This was built in 1868 and is still in existence today as a computer and stationery supply business. A pity - I always thought it would make a nice little theatre/music venue. But I'm glad it is, at least, still there. I attended one of the last services at the chapel, just before it closed in the 1990s (In fact, it may have been the last service - does anyone know the date?) to be replaced, like the other Methodist Chapels in the town, by a new Church in Booth Lane in the year 2000. I did this just so that I could say I'd been there. I had a bad cough at the time and a kind lady supplied me with cough sweets throughout the proceedings). If you look at this view today you will see the old church, acres of dual carriageway with new housing in the background, some attractive flower beds and that highly dodgy junction between St Michael's Way and Nantwich Road. Whiston's was replaced by a new garage on what is now the Lidl supermarket site. As always, comments and corrections are very welcome.
