Why My Heart Lies in Non League Football

Why there’s more to the beautiful game than telephone number sized transfer deals

Football. Britain’s national game. One of many things we brought to the world, yet fell hopelessly behind as other countries improved. See also the railways: once the most advanced in the world, though now behind its peers in France and Germany.

The railways are still popular today, and rising in popularity despite being overpriced for the masses. Yes, it sounds a bit like the cost of watching Barclays Premier League football. Without the railways, there would have been no Football League, fewer theatres and tourist attractions, and certainly no away days. How did Stalybridge Celtic fulfil their Southern League fixtures before the First World War? By train. How else would a smattering of ‘Bridge fans get to Rushall for an early afternoon? By road these days. The nearest station is at Walsall.

Ten Shops That Have Defined The Ladysmith Centre: Ashton Review of Shops Extra

An Ashton Review of Shops Extra Not So Perfect Ten

Fifty years old: the Ladysmith Shopping Centre, Ashton-under-Lyne. This is the Warrington Street entrance. Photographed by Mikey in Easter 2015 (Creative Commons License: Attribution-Some Rights Reserved).

Back when the creator of East of the M60 was born, this entrance seen above was between two iconic stores: Marks and Spencer, and Woolworths. It was also the last weekend before VAT almost doubled from 8% to 15%. Warrington Street wouldn’t be pedestrianised till 1985, and the market ground had three roundabouts. A gigantic yellow-bricked hulk was under construction.

Retail Comings and Goings in Tameside, August 2017: The Ashton Review of Shops

This month’s window on the shop windows

Ashton-under-Lyne in the 1960s: captured in postcard form. Image courtesy of Historic Images – Lancashire (Creative Commons License: Attribution-Some Rights Reserved)

Better late than never. Please note that this month’s ARoS is later than the usual time of the first Saturday of the month (yours truly was otherwise engaged – on holiday that week). Thank you for your patience.

• Dinosaurs and new look ‘Spoons make up the Stalybridge scene;
• Co-op returns to Newton;
• Ashton-under-Lyne rail engineering works update;
• Plus all the usual retail movements.

Brass Band Music Appreciation for Beginners #1: Types of Music

Recommended hymns, marches, overtures, and the like for new listeners

Realised the joys of listening to brass band music? Yet to see your first brass band concert? This piece includes a selection of essential brass band pieces for the absolute beginner.

For almost two years, the creator of East of the M60 has reviewed the brass band concerts at the Boarshurst Band Club. It is a fantastic, intimate venue for brass band concerts, and a good environment for absolute beginners as well as hardcore enthusiasts. A wealth of local and not-so-local brass bands have made their journey to the Greenfield venue on most Sundays.

We Need to Talk About Bi-Mode Trains

What are Bi-Mode Trains, and why are they being hailed as a cheaper alternative to fully electrified systems?

At this moment in time, Network Rail are in the midst of realigning The Old Lanky line from Stalybridge to Miles Platting. On completion, it is hoped that overhead line equipment would follow shortly. By 2018, it is claimed that the new timetable will see Ashton trains terminating at Stalybridge. Plus, the possibility of Mossley and Greenfield passengers having to use Manchester Piccadilly and a skip-stop service. Therefore, passengers from the two stations wanting a direct Ashton link would have to get the bus!

On Reflection: The Joy of 3-2-1

A look at the bafflingly popular Yorkshire Television quiz show which ran for ten years

Before the 29 July 1978, Saturdays in front of the television meant World of Sport or Grandstand. Then a peek at the latest imported programme at teatime (something like The Man From Atlantis). Encroaching into the prime time slot, there was one inalienable truth for many viewers: the BBC had the best variety and light entertainment programmes.

Oldham and Saddleworth Bus Service Changes, Summer 2017

Summer bussing, slightest of changes 

Not in the Summer Timetable: the 409 service, loading at Ashton-under-Lyne bus station.

For once, a quiet set of service changes affecting Oldham and Saddleworth bus passengers. This time, just a few tweaks to the summer timetables. Some more First Greater Manchester routes will be seeing a few tweaks, including the 58 and 81A.

Tameside and Glossop Bus Service Changes, Summer 2017

Summertime timetables and a subtle service review

The normal bus of choice on the 216 route, outside Ashton bus station.

For the first time in a good while, we have little to say about this summer’s set of service changes. All but one set of service changes entail the Summer timetables.

Slaithwaite Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club (July 2017)

A sweet sixteen pieces from Slawit on a sunny Sunday

Slaithwaite, Slawit or Slathwaite: if you’re familiar at all with the Colne Valley villages, you would know that the first spelling is correct, though the place is not pronounced as seen. It is pronounced in the same way as the third spelling (which is incorrect in English, though probably correct in Pitman’s Initial Teaching Alphabet). The second is another spelling. Before we begin, we’re not here to discuss the spellings and pronunciations of Slaithwaite. Instead, we shall concentrate on the band’s splendid concert, which took place at the Boarshurst Band Club on the 16 July 2017.