Digital Hearing Aids Crewe – Cheshire Digital Hearing Aids

Digital Hearing Aids Crewe – Cheshire Digital Hearing Aids

Crewe was once the centre of the railways in the UK.  Not centre as central but centre as in one of the most important hubs in the industry.  Crewe Works is the big engineering facility for British Railways built in 1840 to manufacture and maintain locomotives and rolling stock.  A small ‘village’ of 200 houses was purpose built at the same time to house the staff, many of whom transferred from the original depot of Edge Hill in Liverpool.  This meant an influx of 800 men, women and children to the area.

This era when the railways were emerging meant that Crewe Works was constantly busy.  By 1845 the Grand Union Railway who had built the depot had merged with several other railway companies and space was at a premium.  In fact by 1948 1,000 men were employed here and one locomotive per week was in production.

Two decades later carriage manufacture was moved to Wolverton in Buckinghamshire and Earlestown in Merseyside.  By the end of the steam era, Crewe Works had built more than 7,000 locomotives.  After 1957 it was responsible for building a number of diesel trains too.

At its most thriving, Crewe Works employed more than 20,000 people, but by the end of 2005 numbers were down to 700.  Crewe Works suffered at the hands of privatisation with much of the site sold off for redevelopment.

As such a busy hub, Crewe Railway station just a mile from the centre of the city was one of the largest in the North West.  It still has 12 platforms in use and fast links with many large towns and cities in the UK including London, Manchester, Liverpool, Cardiff, Glasgow and many more.  It also links to Holyhead for the ferry connections to Ireland.

Can you hear us?
Can you imagine how noisy those engine sheds must have been?  Did you know that working in a noisy environment can be one cause of hearing loss?  In fact there are several causes of impaired hearing and anyone can suffer with this condition.  Of course our old friend – or enemy – old age can also play a part.  But if you find yourself asking people to repeat what they’ve just said, or are struggling to hear all of a conversation, then it might be wise to get your hearing checked out.

If you think you might have a problem get in touch with Hearing Aids Stoke on Trent to talk about free audiology tests which measure the hearing ability of each ear.  We can also talk to you about hearing aids.  Please call us for more information on 01782 69 80 90.

Other engineering in Crewe
Crewe was also home to Rolls Royce car production for well over 50 years.  When they sold up, the sale was split with Volkswagen securing a deal to produce the engines and BMW the grille and marquee.  Volkswagen declared more of an interest in the Bentleys also manufactured by Rolls Royce at the time of sale.  These are still produced in the factory in Pyms Lane by Volkswagen.

Other industry
Small arms ammunition is produced for the British Armed Forces in nearby Radway Green.  IT production – Fujitsu -  gas and chemical production and ice cream van manufacturers Whitby Morrison also operate in the area.

Crewe Heritage Centre
Once called Crew Railway Age, the renamed Crewe Heritage Centre can be found on part of the old Crewe Works site.  In this old railway yard you’ll find 3 signal boxes including the large, electrically operated Crewe North Junction signal box.  Visitors are able to go inside this box and operate the signals for a real hands-on experience.

Visitors can also participate in Brake Van rides at specific times and events.  There is a lot to see including a miniature railway which shows off steam, diesel and electric trains.  There are lots more exhibits in the Main Exhibition Hall which highlight this area’s history in locomotive production.

You can also catch a glimpse of the prototype of a Bentley Continental GB car.

A bit of culture
Crewe can also boast a share of historic buildings like the Grade II listed Lyceum theatre of Edwardian origin.  Although built in 1911, it still has a full programme of shows of all types.

Grade I listed Crewe Hall is a Jacobean mansion which can be found in the east of the town near Crewe Green.  It was built in the early 1600s by Sir Randolph Crewe.  It is now a hotel, restaurant and Health Club.

Famous sons and daughters of Crewe
·         A few famous players have a link to Crewe’s football club – Crewe Alexandra FC – who are called The Railwaymen.  Crewe has a reputation for developing young players.  These include retired Geoff Thomas, Danny Murphy from neighbouring Chester who now plays for Blackburn Rovers, Craig Hignett also retired, David Platt now team coach for Manchester City, Doncaster Rovers player Rob Jones, Celtic manager Neil Lennon, Dean Ashton now retired and Nick Powell who plays for Man U
·         Retired South African player Bruce Grobbelaar also played for Crewe for a while
·         Actor Richard Beckinsdale who died tragically early from a heart attack at the age of 31, worked at Crewe Repertory Theatre before finding TV fame in series Rising Damp and Porridge

·         Suffragette Ada Nield Chew was working as a tailor in Crewe when she had letters published in the local paper complaining of poor pay and conditions.  She later took an even more active role in women’s suffrage
·         A recent inhabitant of Crewe is Chris Hughes one of the regular contestants on the BBC’s Eggheads quiz program.  Chris, once a railway worker, is also a good karaoke singer with a 4 octave vocal range!
·         Australian Olympic medallist for swimming Neil Brooks was actually born in Crewe
·         Golfer David Gilford was also born here and has been in European Tour and Ryder Cup teams
·         Cricketer John Morris also born in Crewe played in 3 Tests and several One Day Internationals

·         Local actor, model and singer turned fundraiser Adam Rickitt is probably best known for playing Nick Tilsley in Coronation Street
·         Gymnast Beth Tweddle from the Crewe and Nantwich Gym Club won a gold medal at the World Championships in Qatar earlier this year and a Bronze at the London Olympics in the summer

We know this has been simple as you’ve been able to read all about Crewe’s railway background and its industries historically.  If it would be more difficult to hear someone tell you all about it, you’re missing out.  So get those ears checked out today – you might be surprised to learn how we can help you.

Give our local office a call on 01782 69 80 90 or use our online form to explain your problem to us.

Hearing Aids Congleton – Digital Hearing Aids Cheshire

 

Congleton is in the east of the county of Cheshire, less than 10 miles from Macclesfield and about 25 from Manchester.  Cheshire has wealthy pockets though Congleton is not known for its wealth, near neighbour Wilmslow is.

 
Congleton is also known as Beartown.  Yes you did hear that correctly.  The name’s heritage dates back to Elizabethan times when bear-baiting was popular.  One year, just before the annual holidays when traditionally the bear-baiting took place, the town bear died.  Or some rumours say it was too old and feeble to fight.  Which ever version you read, it is agreed that in a radical decision, the town’s people used money which was allocated to buy a new bible to buy a bear instead.  Supposedly they returned the money to the funds generated by attracting more people to the bear-baiting.  Since those times though, Congleton has also been known as Beartown.

A folk song that dates back to last century (20^th) records the evidence:

‘Congleton Rare, Congleton Rare

Sold the Bible to buy a bear’

Congleton is an average sized town of almost 26,500 people whose economy relies on the manufacture of airbags, golf balls and light engineering.  Congleton acts as a dormitory town for larger conurbations like Manchester and Stoke on Trent in the main.

Back in the 18^th and 19^th centuries the town was known for its production of textiles, particularly lace and leather gloves.  It had a silk throwing mill – where silk is wound onto bobbins – and cotton mills too.  Silk ribbons and labels were still woven in the area into the 20^th century.  Although the industries have died, many of the old mill buildings remain either as residential or industrial units.

 

Hearing about Congleton

Imagine trying to hear above the noise of those weaving shuttles.  They would have made such a noise.  Sometimes it is loud noises, like an explosion, that cause wear on our hearing abilities.  Probably more likely is just the general wear caused by aging.

 

Are your ears in full working order?  Do you find it difficult to make out what people are saying when there is a lot of background noise for instance?  Difficulty like this is often the first sign of wear and tear on your hearing.  If you are having problems, then we can definitely help.  Just give us a call on 01782 69 80 90 and our professional audiologist can visit you at home at your own convenience.

 

Country houses

Whilst the town may have been an industrial centre, many of the landed gentry had fine houses built in the surrounding areas.

 

Little Moreton Hall

Just 4 miles away Little Moreton Hall still stands.  It dates from the 15^th/16^th centuries and has a moat.  It is also a timber framed building, one of the best examples in the UK.  Owned by the National Trust now, this building has Grade I status and has Scheduled Monument protection.  It was originally built for local land-owner Sir Richard de Moreton and remained in the hands of the Moreton family until the 20^th century.

 

In 1996 it featured in the TV production of Moll Flanders and in 2007 featured in a documentary called How we Built Britain by David Dimbleby.

 

Capesthorne Hall

Another nearby house, Capesthorne Hall is the family home of the Bromley Davenports and has been for almost 3 centuries.  This Jacobean Manor house is surrounded by 100 acres of parkland, with gardens and lakes.  Research suggests that the exterior of Capesthorne Hall ‘looks like Mr Darcy’s Pemberley’ in the TV production of Pride and Prejudice.  However there is no substantial evidence for this and the TV production company claims to have used Lyme Hall in Disley, which is further north in Cheshire.

 

Tatton Park

This house and park is some 15 miles from Congleton but is described as one of ‘the UK’s most complete historic estates’.  The old manor house known as the Old Hall was replaced by the Mansion in the 17^th century.  Today the Old Hall is used as an education centre for visitors and the Mansion hosts several exhibitions every year.  Visitors are privileged to be able to use the library and see the collection of rare books and paintings.

 

Tatton Park has 50 acres of landscaped gardens, 1,000 acres of deer park and a working rare breeds farm.

 

Throughout the year Tatton Park hosts more than 100 events including the RHS Flower Show, Summer Picnic Concerts which star the Halle Orchestra as well as antique fairs, car shows and more.

 

Gawsworth Hall

Another Grade I listed building, the Tudor, Gawsworth Hall is still occupied by the Richards family who bought the property in 1960.

 

Originally it was occupied by the Fitton family.  The daughter Mary Fitton made a brief appearance at the court of Elizabeth I as her Maid of Honour.  After an affair with Lord Pembroke, Mary became pregnant and they were sent to the tower for an unspecified time by the Virgin Queen.  The Fitton’s finances never recovered after this.

 

At one time playwright and comic, Samuel ‘Maggoty’ Johnson lived here and his violin is displayed in the dining room for all to see.  He is buried in nearby Maggoty Johnson’s Wood!

 

Arley Hall

Arley Hall is the home of Lord and Lady Ashbrook.  It has been the family’s home since the 15^th century.  Now the house and gardens are open to visitors at selected times and it is also an event location.  Familiar scenes have been filmed here including Coronation Street’s Steve and Tracy’s wedding, Hollyoaks, Cold Blood, The Forsythe Saga, Four in a Bed, Islands at War, Bargain Hunt and a variety of adverts.

 

The rich and famous of Congleton

Local girl Emma Bosson designs pottery for Moorcroft who are based in Stoke on Trent.  She’s a self-taught artist and has become a treasure for Moorcroft being responsible for 40% of their annual sales.  They were advised to insure her for £1.5 million.

 

Retired footballer Ian Brightwell grew up in Congleton.  He played for city teams, Manchester, Coventry and Stoke and later played and then managed Macclesfield Town.  Brightwell’s brother David also played for Manchester City too.  The boys’ parents are Olympic gold medallist Ann Packer and Robbie Brightwell, a 400 metre runner.  Ian’s parents still live in Congleton.

 

Award winning children’s author Alan Garner was also born in Congleton.  He’s best known for his fantasy novels such as The Owl Service and Red Shift.  Many of his peers recognise him as a great fantasy writer.

 

Clockmaker and scientist John Whitehurst was also born here in the 18^th century.  He was a member of the Lunar Society and was involved with clock-making, barometers, compasses, sundials and anything to do with hydraulics and pumps.

 

Retired International Cricketer Laura Newton was born in Congleton too.

 

Conservative MP Ann Winterton was the representative for Congleton from 1983 until 2010.  She has twice lost her post for publically telling racist jokes.  Both she and her husband, also a conservative MP, were both investigated for misuse of MP’s expenses.

 

Help with hearing

Remember if you have difficulty hearing the television, following a conversation in a restaurant or other noisy public place or maybe hearing on the telephone, you may have a hearing disability.  We know that it is often hard to accept that you need help in this area, but the benefits of regaining an ability to feel part of conversations again is more than worth it.

 

If you need to know what is available and how it will help you, please contact us for Hearing Aids in Cheshire by calling 01782 69 80 90.  We look forward to hearing from you!