An old-fashioned British street party might make you think of a bygone era, the Queen’s Coronation, or maybe even a day during that whole year we’d rather forget, but this largely lost English tradition is still being kept alive in pockets across the country — Stockport being one of them.
Dovedale Road in Offerton, to be specific, but this now legendary local event is becoming bigger and better every year and its journey has been quite remarkable.
Set up way back in 2000, long-standing resident and local neighbourhood watch volunteer, Barbara Marriott, decided to get those living around the Dovedale loop in the Stockport suburb together for the millennium celebrations, using the street’s large green as what would come to be home for the festivities.
Born in the 40s and having celebrated the Coronation herself as a child back in 1953 and grew up on these kinds of street parties, as well as school and community fêtes, she wanted to draw on those influences and introduce them to a new generation. And that’s just what she did.
Credit: The Manc Group
Old school community spirit
Just like that, the first-ever Dovedale Green Party was born and it has been running pretty much every year since, going from a modest little gathering amongst locals on the road into becoming an annual event spearheaded by the Dovedale Community Group.
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With Dovedale consisting of a large looped road bisected by another and centred around the large patch of grass mentioned above, dozens of families come to plant their festive flags on the green, erecting gazebos and big marquees, setting up their barbeques and lining the street with tables and chairs.
This isn’t just a slapdash thing either; Dovedale Community Group gets permission to shut down the road at least once a year, blocking the entrance to the green with their cars and wheelie bins as well as a big banner specially commissioned by the organisers which reads, ‘For Offerton Revival’.
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And it isn’t just the main street party in the summer either: the locals have held special events down the years, be it Christmas, jubilees, the King’s Coronation this past May, ‘Freedom Day’ and many more.
They’re never put off by the typically unpredictable Manc weather.
Fun and festivities, come rain or shine
From the familiar bunting and union jack flags that you’d normally associate with the Great British street party tradition, to bouncy castles, petting zoos, face painting and even inviting along the local fire station for the kids, the Dovedale Green Party is a real family event.
Whether it’s tombolas, limbo competitions and the classic egg-and-spoon race, or even just dancing with their neighbours to the tunes of local DJ, pub quiz host and Dovedale resident, Dave Legg, who’s been MCing the event for years now, there is something for everyone to get involved in.
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Better still, they had a record amount of local businesses donating things to raffle off for 2023: everything from big hampers and vouchers to food, booze, as well as footy shirts and tickets for Man City and Stockport County, just to name a few. They even had Papa John’s serving up fresh pizza.
Moreover, with the help of Forever Manchester, Greater Manchester’s Community Foundation, not only were the organisers able to pump money into this year’s event but the money raised on the day will also be going right back into the fund for next year.
Taking an idea and running with it
Now in its 23rd year, the Green Party and the Dovedale Community Group who help bring it to life every summer haven’t just taken on the responsibility, they’ve built on the idea that Barbara started all those years ago and have grown it into something wonderful.
Speaking at this year’s event, volunteer Michaela said: “From the year 2000, our community champion Barbara started us on our journey and has kept the spirit of the community alive. This year she passed the baton onto our 2023 Community Champion Anna Nuttall and her volunteers to continue the success.
“We were awarded some funding thanks to Forever Manchester and were able to have many more activities for the children this year and even managed to get the fabulous Blank Cheque [a local favourite at Stockport’s Foodie Friday] to come and perform for us.
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“We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of so many local businesses who donated prizes, funding and their services to help make this year’s Green Party a success. It was a fantastic day enjoyed by all and long may it continue!”
In this day and age, it can be rare to find regular events in the community like this where people truly embrace that sense of neighbourly spirit on this kind of scale and do it for no other reason than they want to have a good time with good people for a good cause.
Post-pandemic, especially, this little road in Offerton has really come together and doubled down not only on the Great British street party as a concept but on the value of that ‘love thy neighbour’ ethos and what it can come to mean for so many.
These events are about giving back and getting out what you put in — a lesson we can all stand to remind ourselves from time to time.
Wouldn’t it be nice to see more events like this taking place throughout Greater Manchester’s various boroughs? Is there anything like this in your local area? Let us know in the comments.
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Dovedale Community Group: ‘Thank you to all the local businesses who contributed and here’s to next year!’
Inside Stockport’s stunning Grade II-listed waterside home for sale with its own private canal mooring
Emily Sergeant
Fancy a look inside a Grade II-listed property that’s currently on the market in the stunning Stockport countryside?
The only thing is, you’ll just need the small matter of £1.25 million before you can call it yours.
Of course, it goes without saying that the vast majority of people reading this article won’t have £1.25 million just sitting in their bank accounts right now, but if like us, you’ve got no shame in admitting you love looking at houses you can’t afford in places you’ll probably never live, then allow us to introduce you to this absolute beauty.
Take a look behind the grand front door of what is, by far, one of the most unique properties the Greater Manchester housing market has to offer at the moment.
This is Bleak House.
This is Bleak House / Credit: eXp UK
Although the name doesn’t do it much justice, it has to be said, this magnificent five-bedroom detached stone residence overlooks stunning views as far as the eye can see.
And can you believe it’s only in Stockport too? Well, Marple shall we say, which is very much one of the borough’s most sought-after and affluent residential areas, combining the best of semi-rural living with easy access to all the amenities in the town’s centre, as well as Manchester being not far off either, so it’s ideally placed for peace and quiet yet modern life is within reaching distance.
Bleak House is actually a former mill manager’s house, and dates all the way back to the early 19th century, with associations to Samuel Oldknow and Peter Arkwright, making it a property of both archaeological and historical significance.
It’s a stunning five-bedroom Grade II-listed residence in the Stockport countryside / Credit: eXp UK
Gaining its Grade II-listed status in 1967, the house itself offers some 3,000 square feet of living accommodation set over three floors.
Due to is listed status, this means the current owners have been required to carry out all recent development works as ‘sympathetically’ as possible, with strict requirements adhered to along the way, and you’ll see once you step through the grand front doors that the property has managed to perfectly blend period charm with contemporary touches.
Some of the stand-out features the property boasts is a living room with a wood burner set in stone fire surround and dual-aspect sash windows offering far-reaching views, and a recently-fitted bespoke kitchen diner at the heart of the home, along with a separate boot room and utility room.
The property has its own separate annex and even its own private canal mooring / Credit: eXp UK
There are also four generous-sized double bedrooms, each with their own en-suite, and not only has the property been recently extended, but there is also planning permission granted for further reception rooms, plus a car shelter and storage space.
As well as the main house, there’s also a self-contained annex that comes with property, and this has also been recently refurbished, and now presents as a way to generate some extra income from short stays and holiday lets.
Once you step outside the property, it’s just as impressive as it is on the inside.
Bleak House faces south with the Peak Forest Canal to the west and Strines Road to the east.
To the front of the property, there’s a long driveway providing plenty of off-road parking, and EV car charging point, and a large lawn surrounded by woodland, while to the rear, there’s also another large lawn area with various steps, pathways, and tiers leading up to the canal.
At the top is a decked patio area that offers some of the best views of the pictursque Goyt Valley adjacent to the canal, with the property’s own private mooring.
Bleak House is currently on the market with the North West branch of property company eXp UK for a whopping £1.25 million, and if you fancy taking a closer look, then you can contact the agents to arrange a viewing.
Or you could just take the cheaper route instead and have a nosey at the Rightmove link here.
Featured Image – eXp UK
Stockport
Murder investigation launched after 93-year-old woman found dead in Stockport suburb
Emily Sergeant
A murder investigation has been launched after a 93-year-old woman was found dead at a property in a popular Stockport suburb.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that officers were called to an address on Altrincham Road at 9:38am yesterday morning (Wednesday 16 April), but when they arrived at the scene, a 93-year-old woman was sadly found deceased in the property.
Following the discovery of the body, police proceeded to carry out initial enquiries, and a scene is still in place whilst this continues.
At this time, police say this is an isolated incident, with a 39-year-old woman having been swiftly arrested on suspicion of murder and remaining in police custody.
#ARREST | This morning we were called to an address on Altrincham Road. Sadly, a 93-year-old woman was found deceased in the property.
A 39-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of murder. She remains in police custody.
Due to previous contact with the woman found dead, GMP has confirmed that a mandatory referral of this incident to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) has been made, but following an initial assessment by GMP’s Professional Standards Directorate, it has been concluded that all officers remain fully operational.
“The priority for our investigation is understanding the full circumstances which led to this tragic incident and getting justice for the victim,” explained Detective Inspector Adam Hitchen, who is a Senior Investigating Officer on the case.
Altrincham Road in Gatley, where the murder took place / Credit: Google Maps
“We recognise that this investigation may cause concern within the local community, but I want to assure the public that this is an isolated incident, with a swift arrest made, and no wider threat.
“You will notice an increased presence in the area today whilst we conduct enquiries, but also across the coming days as the local neighbourhood team look to provide reassurance to those living close by.”
Police are also appealing to the public for information.
Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact police on 101, quoting the log number 726 of 16/04/25, or reporting it online or by using the LiveChat function at www.gmp.police.uk.
You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Danny Jones -
16th July 2023 
