December 2023. Macclesfield.
One last Macclesfield pub on the Old Codgers Grand Tour (available on Sky + shortly), as I finally get to stretch my legs and finally get to tick a new GBG entry. Phew !
I skipped the at risk Wharf, and finally got my street art hit.
Kentish Paul has done two excellent write-ups of the trip to Maccy as he endearingly renames it to the approbation of locals.
What a shame Paul neglected to tell us that Macclesfield is, like Stockport*, a suburb of Manchester, confirmed by the mural dedicated to the singer from the greatest Mancunian band.
Yes, the mural given pride of place above the Express Mini Market which inspired many of the songs on Joy Division’s seminal debut album “Unknown Pleasures“.
The jaunt west takes you past Guide pubs of yore,
to a new entry that used to be the hard to say Ox-fford, but is now the much snappier Happy Valley Tap & Pizza.
I used to pass the Ox-fffford on every trip from Congleton to Maccy, and it always seemed a pub on the very edge of Guide entry, and now here it is, with a little push from a decent micro brewery.
Ever the optimist, I was targeting the 17:17 train out, squeezing in a quick half and a 20 minutes walk.
The minor complication was that the Happy Valley is a 5pm opener (boo !) so I was relying on a prompt opening and quick service at the bar.
At 16:59 I was standing at the bar.
“What time to you open, mate ?”. There were already half a dozen locals with beers.
“5pm”.
It’s a cheery allrounder of a suburban pub, nothing wrong with that,
and the Stout was as silky as the town (NBSS 3.5). And the soundtrack.
17:03. I had 14 minutes to do the 20 minutes walk to the station without impaling myself on that pole.
Those cobbles leading to the Castle are still the highlight of a town not quite in the top tier of pub towns, a B (+) if you like.
*I shall now be in hiding for a little while
retiredmartin 
If estate agents were ever believed, then about half of Macclesfield is part of Prestbury.
So yes, a suburb of Manchester.
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“Greatest Mancunian band.” Now would that be the Hollies? Or would it be Oasis?
As for the perceived lack of walking, referenced on previous posts, and hinted at on this one, I clocked up in excess of 15,000 steps last Tuesday, equivalent to 7 miles, according to t’interweb. That did include the walk, to and from Tonbridge station, but it’s plenty of walking, as far as I am concerned.
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Bee Gees, surely!
15k ! 17,288 for me, both good.
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The Brixton Premier Inn to the Camberwell Stormbird and back was fine for Mrs. E and me last Thursday night, especially with the Marble Manchester Bitter fuelling the beer skates for the return. I didn’t count the steps, though Mrs. E has some sort of device which does. I think.
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Freddie and the Dreamers ?
Herman’s Hermits ?
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I’d forgotten about Peter Noone and Freddie Garrity, to say nothing of the Brothers Gibb.
Lots of Manc talent to choose from, without love tearing anyone apart 💔 😀
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Wayne Fontana And The Mindbenders, 10cc, though they came from that suburb, Stockport.
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Paul,
I saw Freddie Garrity in a pantomime at Stoke, probably the 1980s, as energetic as ever.
I thought the Brothers Gibb were Manx not Manc, or maybe there’s not much difference.
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Born in Douglas, grew up in Chorlton. Bit of both,
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10cc even had their own recording studio in that suburb of Manchester!
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Macclesfield is proper. Macc is allowed for the sons of our town.
Maccy or Maccers is abhorrent
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McFielders. That’s what the Americans will call it when they buy up the club.
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