Halmer End – The Changing Face of High Street

Researched by Clive Millington

Note 1: The name Halmer End (instead of Halmerend) has been used in the production of this article (except where stated). Whilst this remains a controversial issue, the Society does not wish to enter into any debate on the subject.

Note 2: Several ‘shops’ included in this article were nothing more than the front rooms of houses, used as a means of providing extra income. This was how many shops evolved in the local villages; the successful ones eventually being converted into proper shop premises. Others lasted for only short periods of time and as a result are only recorded today in the memories of those who used them many years ago.

The lower end of High Street at its junction with Station Road (to left) shows part of the original Halmer End school buildings at left. Immediate right is the grocer’s shop which adjoined the Railway Inn. The early licensees were also grocers. Following closure of the shop the building appears to have been rebuilt and has since been part of the public house. The large building which stands by the group of people in the middle distance is the Staffordshire Knot public house.

The same view in 2007 with the Railway Inn at right. Next is a new no. 12 and higher up is the gap in the houses where nos. 22, 24 and the Staffordshire Knot (no. 26) once stood. The old school buildings have also gone.

A similar view shows more of the original school buildings at left

Fact file: Halmer End School

The first school opened in 1849. It was enlarged by 1875 when it became Halmer End National School. The title changed to Halmer End Council School in 1909 and rebuilding followed in 1913. By 1929 it was Halmer End Senior Council School and, following a re-organisation of local schools, it became a Senior Mixed School in 1938. The infants’ section which had been in the old buildings was closed at the same time. The infants were transferred to schools at Alsagers Bank, Wood Lane and Audley. The infants’ school buildings were retained, mainly for use as a kitchen and dining hall, but a section was used for art classes. In 1944 the name changed again, to Halmer End Secondary Modern School. It was enlarged in 1966 and again in 1980 by which time it had been given its present title of Sir Thomas Boughey High School, named after the original landowner. The old buildings were demolished in the 1980’s. (See Audley Community News nos. 12-14 for article on the 1938 re-organisation of local schools)

The Railway Inn is now no. 10 High Street, but adjoins no. 1 Shraley Brook Road which is just visible to right of photo.

The Railway in 2007.

Fact file: The Railway Inn

The public house was also known as The Railway Hotel and is now The Railway. The address has changed too over the years, being classed as Shraley Brook Road first, then no. 4 High Street before its present address. Its name comes from the Audley Branch Line of the North Staffordshire Railway, from Alsager to Keele, which opened in 1870 to goods traffic to serve the local collieries. The public house was situated just yards away from the railway line and when the line opened to passenger traffic in 1880 Halmer End station was erected in the adjoining road which then became known as Station Road. (See article The Audley Railway in Audley Historian no. 4)

Licensees: Dates are those for which records have been found. The intervening years could be covered by those listed or by an unrecorded licensee.

                                                William Highfield 1871

                                                Eli Turner 1881-1884

                                                Charles Lawton 1891-1896

                                                William Highfield Turner 1901-1905

                                                Thomas Warburton 1908-1910

                                                Moses Heath 1912-1916

                                                Arthur Steele 1921

                                                William A. Janion 1924

                                                Albert Johnson 1928

                                                Frank Price 1932-1940

                                                Florence Dukes 1950-1960

                                                John Machin 1970-1995

                                                Michael Clayton 2000

The following is a licensing application from 1901 by William Highfield Turner:

The Railway is now the only public house in High Street.

The oldest parts of Halmer End school were still in use as a kitchen and dining hall when this photo was taken.

This 2007 view, minus the old school buildings, shows the main school building in Station Road. The plaque in the wall, just to the left of the lamp-post, can be seen in detail in the next photo.

This is the foundation stone of the old school building, recovered during demolition and placed within the school grounds above the spot where it now rests. It was moved when the area was landscaped and a new wall built shortly before the photos were taken.

This view in the snow of December 1976 is taken from inside the school yard, and shows at left the buildings which were once at the rear of the Staffordshire Knot. Those buildings along with no. 24 High Street in the centre and no. 22 on the right were all demolished later and two bungalows built on the site.

This old view shows the Staffordshire Knot at right, jutting out to the edge of the road, and opposite, in the first building, are nos. 1 and 3 High Street. It would appear that no. 1 was later incorporated into no. 3.

Fact file: No. 26 High Street - The Staffordshire Knot Public House

The first listed licensee was Joseph Malkin who appears in the 1871 and 1881 census returns. His widow Hannah took over the license in 1884. The only other listed licensee is their son Frederick Malkin, in 1891 and 1896, who is recorded as blind. It is not known when the pub closed or when the building was demolished.

This was Bowers’ grocery and sweet shop, occupying nos. 9 to 11 High Street, seen in 1972. The property to the left of view is no. 3, with no. 7 next to the shop and no. 13 at right.

The same view in 2008 with only no. 3 still standing

Fact file: Nos. 9-11 High Street

William Henry Bowers is recorded from 1928 until 1936 and his wife, Mary Annie from 1940. They lived next door at no. 13. William Henry set up the cycle and electrical business of W. H. Bowers and Sons (see Audley – The Changing Face of Church Street, part 1). The advertisement is from 1953 and is the only one found which gives both addresses for the business. Groceries and sweets were also sold in the shop.

These houses were nos. 19 and 21 High Street, seen on 1 January 1980 and later demolished on 14/15 April 1981. They and all other properties from nos. 7 to 27 inclusive have gone.

A 2008 view of nos. 31-53

Evans’ shoe shop at no. 49 in 1974. It is now Castle Stores. The large house on the left is The Firs.

A 2008 view of Castle Stores at no. 49

Fact file: No. 49 High Street

William Evans, a boot and shoe repairer was there in 1921. The shoe shop continued until at least 1974 when the above photo was taken. It then became the clothing shop of Frederick Broad. By 1996 it was Castle Stores, run by Jeanie and Trevor Lloyd, and continued so until 2006. It is still there today, but under new management.

A 2008 view of the terraces from no. 28 at right

Fact file: No. 48 High Street

Frederick Cornes was a stationer and newsagent from 1904 until his death in 1928. His wife Jane continued the business until 1932. Reginald Fryer followed in 1936, then Joseph Fryer. Frank Sarsons, a dentist, used the kitchen of the property once a fortnight on his visits from his practice in Stoke.

Fact file: No. 54 High Street

In 1940 this was the home of John William Venables, a haulage contractor and coal merchant.

A view higher up in the same terrace, with no. 56 at right. The plaque on the wall can be seen in detail in the next photo.

The plaque reads Perseverando Place. Does anyone know the significance of this unusual name?

Nos. 66 (right) to 74. Nos. 68 and 70 are named Minnie Villas and nos. 72 and 74 are named Holly Villas.

Fact file: No. 68 High Street

Leonard Harrison, a cycle and radio dealer was there from 1936 until 1950. He was an agent for Royal Enfield, Raleigh and Dawes cycles.