Bohemia rhapsody

Damon Wilkinson discovers colourful history among cottages on cobbled hill

- Damon Wilkinson

COLLEEN Clegg is sitting on the settee in Bohemia Cottages, the home she’s lived in almost all her life.

“There are a lot of memories here,” she says gesturing around the timber-framed room.

“I can’t believe it’s been 60 years. Your life just flashes in front of you.”

And it’s not just Mrs Clegg’s memories. If the walls of cottages could talk they’d have some story to tell.

Built-in 1721, they’re the oldest houses in Stalybridge and sit at the foot of Cocker Hill, the town’s first street.

Stephanie Mellor and her husband Alan moved into a former weaver’s cottage on Cocker Hill after getting married in 1997. Intrigued by her new 18th Century home she began researching its history.

Pretty soon she’d uncovered all manner of fascinating stories. And that led to her setting up a blog exploring Cocker Hill’s colourful past.

“I got interested in local history once we moved in,” she said. “I simply wanted to know how old the house was – I naively just walked into the local studies library to ask – they gave me tips on where to start.