PASSING OF GOOSEBERRY CHAMPION

Peter  Buxton

Peter Buxton, a champion gooseberry grower and doyan of the Marton show, has died at his home in Congleton. One of the leading figures among Mid-Cheshire growers,Peter, who was in his eighties, lived for most of his life at Pump Cottage, Oak Lane, Marton.He moved over a year ago following his wife's death and had been in ill-health for sometime.
A friend said: "Peter was a brilliant grower and won many awards over the years. He was a countryman through and through and you could not have met a nicer person. He was an extremely good grower and  was always prepared to pass on his knowledge to novices and newcomers."
Peter died peacefully in his sleep on Friday.
*His funeral is to be held on Wednesday, June 15,
at Marton church, at 10.30 am.

WOODSIDE COTTAGE  HITS NEW AUCTION RECORD      

Cottage and outbuildings

A near derelict cottage at Blackden, Goostrey, hit a new auction record for the area when it was sold today.  The 116-year-old Woodside Cottage with 5.67 acres went for  £802,000 - almost twice its guide price  of  between £450,000 and £500,000 - at a sale by Meller Braggins in Knutsford.  

Jodrell Bank just across the fields

 The brick-built cottage  and extensive outbuildings close to Jodrell Bank radio telescope was offered with potential for complete modernisation but the name of the purchaser, a developer or individual, is unknown at this time.The property in open countryside is locally said to be the last of its kind to be available for sale in the area.

 In the 1970s similar period cottages and land in need of renovation were  auctioned in Goostrey and surrounding villages for between £20,000  and £30,000, and the sale of Woodside reflects the  unsatisfied demand for property with the potential for renovation or demolition and  rebuilding as so-called mansion-style homes. It is in easy commuter reach of Manchester, the M6 motorway and Manchester International Airport, but its position in open countryside and Jodrell Bank means the surrounding land is unlikely to gain planning consent for house building.

+Click on pictures to enlarge