If you grew up in and around Stockport or have simply passed through the Greater Manchester town with someone who knows the area, you yourself might have asked the age-old question, ‘Why’s it called The Bear Pit?’
We are, of course, referring to the oft-unexplained landmark that sits on Mersey Square between the shopping centre, the bus station and the precinct underneath the stretch of Wellington Road that leads to the A6.
The stone rotunda which is set into the square and sits as somewhat of a disused amphitheatre — apart from the odd busker playing drums, people eating their lunch, memorials, or the site of Stockport‘s Christmas tree — and has long existed as one those places everyone knows but knows very little about.
Speaking as a native Stopfordian myself, I too will confess that it was not until recently that I finally learned the history behind The Bear Pit and how it got its name. It sounds a bit daft to admit now but it’s pretty much exactly what it says on the tin.
Yes, believe it or not, legend has it that the landmark may have once played host to big furry beasts hundreds of years ago as part of the cruel tradition of ‘bear-baiting‘, which was prominent throughout England and the UK from the 12th-19th century.
Although it might seem weird to picture a bear in the middle of Stockport now, it is said that much like many city centres and town squares back then, people would gather around the now-empty landmark to watch as bears were poked, prodded, taunted and forced to fight dogs on chains.
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Not the finest chapter in the region’s history.
24th in the #Manchester Scrapbook, and like no. 23 a grim scene: 'Bear beating with Wheel barrows and Bladers opposite the Old Boars Head Hydes Cross about the year 1749'. Thomas Barritt was 5 or 6 then, so he may just have remembered events of this kind. https://t.co/VCYqyjcPELpic.twitter.com/T3qvF14Rnt
— Chetham's Library (@chethamslibrary) June 5, 2020
The bears were reportedly kept in large caves cut into the sandstone at the foot of the High Bank Side towards Underbank and Stockport’s famous Air Raid Shelters, though they were obviously sealed up not long after. In fact, the area located just next to the shelters is called ‘Bear Hole’ for that very reason.
Bear-baiting was eventually abolished in 1835 just before the beginning of the Victorian era and the site which earned its name from the cruel blood sport was no more, but its slightly eery legacy lives on without most people even knowing it — especially when you think of teddies left there for memorials.
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It may have stopped functioning as an actual bear pit a long time ago, but it has played host to various other public demonstrations in the 188 years since and is still known by that same morbid moniker. Pretty cool, right? As for how much truth there is to it, we’d love to know as much as you.
The Bear Pit in its present form was rebuilt in 1935 as part of the other Mersey Square improvements and obviously looks a lot different to how it did back then the same goes for the ever-changing face of Stockport, but at least now you know how it came to be in the first place. Random pub chat trivia sorted.
Parents of baby Genevieve Meehan killed at Stockport nursery pay tribute after woman found guilty
Emily Sergeant
The parents of a baby girl who was killed by a nursery worker in Stockport have paid tribute to their “wonderful daughter”.
Genevieve Meehan was killed at Tiny Toes nursery, in the Cheadle Hulme area of Stockport, on 9 May 2022, and a 37-year-old woman, Kate Roughley, from Heaton Norris – who was the deputy manager at the nursery – has now been found guilty of manslaughter, according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
Norris was found guilty following a four-week trial at Manchester Crown Court, and her sentencing is due to take place tomorrow (Wednesday 22 May).
Following Norris’ verdict, and ahead of the sentencing this week, Genevieve’s family have now paid an emotional tribute the baby who “embraced every day” and “loved life”.
The tribute, as shared by GMP, yesterday reads in full: “It has been just over two years since our beautiful and wonderful daughter’s life was taken from her. Genevieve’s loss has destroyed our family. We grieve for her every day. We long desperately to see her smile, hear her laugh and feel her warm embrace. Her absence is a physical and emotional wound that will never heal.
Parents of baby Genevieve Meehan killed at Stockport nursery pay tribute after woman found guilty / Credit: GMP
“Genevieve wasn’t just a baby, she was a person. She loved to laugh, to play with her tambourine, to eat Spaghetti Bolognese and to be with her big sister. She was kind, affectionate, independent and mischievous. She was fascinated with the world and everything in it. She embraced every day. She loved life and we loved her instantly.
“We were amazed every day watching her grow and develop. She was such a strong person, bright and talented. To be in her presence was such joy.
“We will never accept the cruelty of her life being taken away. That we will not get to hear her speak her first words or watch her grow up is impossible to comprehend. Genevieve could have done anything she wanted to. She had her whole life to live and was loved so dearly by her family.
#TRIBUTE | Family of baby Genevieve pay tribute to their little girl.
"It has been just over two years since our beautiful and wonderful daughter’s life was taken from her. Genevieve’s loss has destroyed our family. We grieve for her every day."https://t.co/zEFWZunW3Apic.twitter.com/50OrdYGQOF
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) May 20, 2024
“We grieve for what we do not have. Words cannot adequately convey how much we miss Genevieve. We are so desperate for her to be in our arms as she should be and watching her put on her school uniform in September when she would have started pre-school. Instead, we are here in a place we could never have imagined when we took her to nursery that day on 9 May where she was meant to be safe and cared for. The pain of her loss is beyond any measure.
“We grieve for everything Genevieve has lost. Her life, that was so full of wonder and promise, was taken from her.”
Her parents also took a moment to thank the police for their “dedication to getting justice for Genevieve”, and for their “professionalism” and “compassion”, as well as thanking the CPS and legal team who have “fought” for their daughter and their family.
“Our beautiful daughter deserves to be remembered for the wonderful person she is, not the nature of her death,” the tribute concludes.
“She deserves to have a legacy so that her life can inspire others, and as a family, we will work tirelessly to ensure she has the legacy she deserves.”
Featured Image – GMP
Stockport
Phil Foden picks up Premier League Player of the Year for 2023/24
Danny Jones
Manchester City forward Phil Foden has picked up the Premier League’s Player of the Year award for the 2023/24 season.
Having enjoyed the best statistical campaign to date, with two games still left to play, the Stockport-born star City and England star has swept up his first-ever Premier League POTY award at the age of 23.
The attacking midfielder has already swept up Young Player of the Year twice in his career (2021 and 2022), which was awarded to former teammate Cole Palmer on Friday, and this accolade just goes to show how much of a first-team star he’s become over the past couple of years.
With both awards going to Manc footballers and Foden being the first Englishman to win it since Jamie Vardy in 2015/16, you’ll hear no complaints from us.
Foden has 25 goals and 11 assists this season, his highest tally ever, and with the chance of a domestic double still looming, he could be set for another unreal 12 months in sky blue.
Pep Guardiola’s side simply needs to beat West Ham this Sunday to win their fourth consecutive Premier League title and with a Manchester derby FA Cup final waiting for them next week, the local lad has a big fortnight ahead of him.
Having already become a treble winner with Man City last season, not to mention emerging as one of the first names on the team sheet for the Three Lions, he’s graduated from one of the most talented youngsters to one of the most impressive in Europe – and he’s got the stats to back it up.
Here’s hoping he can round off this year with some more silverware while wearing an England shirt. Here are some of his highlights from this season:
A huge congratulations to Phil Foden on winning the 23/24 Premier League Player of the Year; regardless of who you support, you can’t deny he’s been unreal this season.
In fact, his emergence as a senior figure and somewhat of a leader in this current City side has given us a lot faith for the summer and we’re more convinced than ever that Gareth Southgate must try and build around him if we stand a chance of going for in Euro 2024.
Is it coming home and will a lad from Stockport play a big part in bringing it here?