Turn Right At Mottram Roundabout - Episode 44
Tue 9th May 2017 | General | By Stewart Taylor
The destination in the last Episode was Runcorn Linnets.
The photo was of the pitchside PA system housed in suitable sheltered accommodation at the side of the seated stand.
The quick link asked what links this club with Kings Lynn Town and Burscough football clubs and the answer is that the nickname of both Kings Lynn Town FC and Burscough FC is “The Linnets.” – not too tricky that one.
Assiduous readers of these often vague meanderings around the North West of England will know exactly where our destination is for the final Episode and, after the sojourn in Murdishaw Wood last time, we return to the industrial heartlands and history of our region.
As with many of our towns, this place has its origins as a small settlement and it was not until the middle years of the 19th century that it became discernable as a town. We know the general reasons why this should be, in that we have seen before the opening up of areas because of transport links and, because of that and the ever increasing requirement for manufactured goods, significant increases in population.
The development of this town owes much to its location on a large coalfield and although coal mining was a big employer another industry was developed which went on to be a world leader in its field.
Strange though it may seem, reference to this industry was highlighted to the nation via a well known TV advert.
It is often said that TV adverts are simply “fluff”, in other words, have no real substance. If that’s the case then why do some of them stick in the mind many years after they were shown?
To illustrate that, let’s consider these iconic TV adverts:-
1) The Cadbury Gorilla which featured a gorilla drumming to the Phil Collins hit “In the Air Tonight”
2) The Smash Martians in the advert for Smash mashed potato.
3) Hamlet Cigars featuring Bach’s “Air on the G String”.
I’m sure that most will remember these so, at least on that basis, these could be considered to be amongst the most successful of TV adverts. Whilst relying largely on visual images, TV adverts can also include a strapline and many have become memorable for that reason. Here we can consider:-
1) L’Oreal – Because You’re Worth It.
2) Carlsberg – Probably the Best Beer in the World – (although some of us may dispute that!)
3) KFC – Finger Licking Good.
It is a famous strapline in an advert for double glazing from way back when that still sticks in the mind, well, my mind anyway, whenever our destination town is mentioned.
Regular readers will know of my liking for Victorian architecture and it would be remiss of me to pass by the opportunity to mention one of the most famous, and stylish, Victorian buildings in Manchester.
This is a library which was commissioned by the widow of a famous son of the town which is our destination today and stands as a beacon of good taste and design next to an area of Manchester which has seen significant re-development. Long may it remain as a seat of learning and homage to the designers and builders of the day.
Sport features strongly in the life of this town with rugby, cricket and football represented. The town had the relatively rare distinction in England of hosting an amateur American Football team but this was disbanded in 1998. Football could be considered as very much the second sport in this town in a similar way to the town we explored in Episode 32.
Our final destination is, to be honest, a bit of a tease for reasons which will become clear...eventually. This member club can trace its roots back to 1946 although a club played under the town name either side of the First World War. Ambitions were high for the newly formed club and a long run in the Lancashire Combination – mainly the second division – found the side playing against teams with recent Football League experience.
A switch to the Cheshire League followed in the mid 1970s. It’s perhaps worth reminding ourselves here that the Lancashire Combination and the Cheshire League of the day were considered to be at the pinnacle of non-League football at the time and that clubs such as Macclesfield and Altrincham were only denied their place in the Football League due to the iniquitous re-election system. This system was abolished in 1986 and promotion to the Football League on merit was introduced.
Our destination club was a founder member of the NWCFL back in 1982 and holds the distinction of being the team which has played most matches in the League since its inception.
This year is significant in the history of the club as it marks the 30th anniversary of the club’s major achievement on the national stage.
The club has an impressive roster of former players and there is a direct link to one of them in Episode 5.
Quick link - What links a famous painting, valued at over £7 million, in the Ashmolean in Oxford by the artist John Everett Millais with this club?
We’ll be back with the answer to this Episode and a few words to close the series next week.
Turn Right At Mottram Roundabout - Episode 44
Tue 9th May 2017 | General
By Stewart Taylor
The destination in the last Episode was Runcorn Linnets.
The photo was of the pitchside PA system housed in suitable sheltered accommodation at the side of the seated stand.
The quick link asked what links this club with Kings Lynn Town and Burscough football clubs and the answer is that the nickname of both Kings Lynn Town FC and Burscough FC is “The Linnets.” – not too tricky that one.
Assiduous readers of these often vague meanderings around the North West of England will know exactly where our destination is for the final Episode and, after the sojourn in Murdishaw Wood last time, we return to the industrial heartlands and history of our region.
As with many of our towns, this place has its origins as a small settlement and it was not until the middle years of the 19th century that it became discernable as a town. We know the general reasons why this should be, in that we have seen before the opening up of areas because of transport links and, because of that and the ever increasing requirement for manufactured goods, significant increases in population.
The development of this town owes much to its location on a large coalfield and although coal mining was a big employer another industry was developed which went on to be a world leader in its field.
Strange though it may seem, reference to this industry was highlighted to the nation via a well known TV advert.
It is often said that TV adverts are simply “fluff”, in other words, have no real substance. If that’s the case then why do some of them stick in the mind many years after they were shown?
To illustrate that, let’s consider these iconic TV adverts:-
1) The Cadbury Gorilla which featured a gorilla drumming to the Phil Collins hit “In the Air Tonight”
2) The Smash Martians in the advert for Smash mashed potato.
3) Hamlet Cigars featuring Bach’s “Air on the G String”.
I’m sure that most will remember these so, at least on that basis, these could be considered to be amongst the most successful of TV adverts. Whilst relying largely on visual images, TV adverts can also include a strapline and many have become memorable for that reason. Here we can consider:-
1) L’Oreal – Because You’re Worth It.
2) Carlsberg – Probably the Best Beer in the World – (although some of us may dispute that!)
3) KFC – Finger Licking Good.
It is a famous strapline in an advert for double glazing from way back when that still sticks in the mind, well, my mind anyway, whenever our destination town is mentioned.
Regular readers will know of my liking for Victorian architecture and it would be remiss of me to pass by the opportunity to mention one of the most famous, and stylish, Victorian buildings in Manchester.
This is a library which was commissioned by the widow of a famous son of the town which is our destination today and stands as a beacon of good taste and design next to an area of Manchester which has seen significant re-development. Long may it remain as a seat of learning and homage to the designers and builders of the day.
Sport features strongly in the life of this town with rugby, cricket and football represented. The town had the relatively rare distinction in England of hosting an amateur American Football team but this was disbanded in 1998. Football could be considered as very much the second sport in this town in a similar way to the town we explored in Episode 32.
Our final destination is, to be honest, a bit of a tease for reasons which will become clear...eventually. This member club can trace its roots back to 1946 although a club played under the town name either side of the First World War. Ambitions were high for the newly formed club and a long run in the Lancashire Combination – mainly the second division – found the side playing against teams with recent Football League experience.
A switch to the Cheshire League followed in the mid 1970s. It’s perhaps worth reminding ourselves here that the Lancashire Combination and the Cheshire League of the day were considered to be at the pinnacle of non-League football at the time and that clubs such as Macclesfield and Altrincham were only denied their place in the Football League due to the iniquitous re-election system. This system was abolished in 1986 and promotion to the Football League on merit was introduced.
Our destination club was a founder member of the NWCFL back in 1982 and holds the distinction of being the team which has played most matches in the League since its inception.
This year is significant in the history of the club as it marks the 30th anniversary of the club’s major achievement on the national stage.
The club has an impressive roster of former players and there is a direct link to one of them in Episode 5.
Quick link - What links a famous painting, valued at over £7 million, in the Ashmolean in Oxford by the artist John Everett Millais with this club?
We’ll be back with the answer to this Episode and a few words to close the series next week.
