Derbyshire or Cheshire

 There have been a number of occasions when our local county boundaries have been changed. 

 

A major change, came about in 1936 when Furness Vale, most of Whaley Bridge and part of Newtown were transferred from Cheshire to Derbyshire. At the same time Mellor and |Ludworth joined with Cheshire, becoming Marple Urban District Council’s responsibility, . The original county boundary following the River Goyt had caused numerous administrative anomalies and duplications of offices. Furness Vale for instance was divided almost equally between two civil parishes, Disley and Yeardsley-cum-Whaley, whilst homes across the river were in another county altogether. Whaley Bridge, divided in two, was under the jurisdiction of two county councils, one urban district and two rural district councils as well as three parish councils. The town even had two police officers, responsible for opposite sides of the river. Each of the parishes levied different rates and even the pubs kept different hours.

The Local Government Act of 1972 brought about changes throughout the country. 1^st April 1974 saw the creation of new Metropolitan Counties such as Greater Manchester and at the same time, many adjustments to the boundaries of Non Metropolitan Counties, particularly Cheshire. These were however, only administrative changes and the act did not seek to change or abolish the historic counties nor their traditional boundaries. The postal addresses of some towns, such as Marple still recognise the original county distinction. The Department of the Environment stated at the time “They are administrative areas and will not alter the traditional boundaries of counties, nor is it intended that the loyalties of people living in them will change”. Nearly 50 years later, those loyalties have naturally become challenged. Many residents of Stockport and Marple now look more towards Greater Manchester whilst others, remain firmly attached to their Cheshire roots. It is the traditional loyalty that is strictly correct yet it is understandable that many feel that they now belong to the Metropolis.

Less clear is the situation in Furness Vale and Whaley Bridge. There are still a number of people who were born in Cheshire yet local allegiances are firmly with Derbyshire. Technically though, it might well be claimed that we are still within the old county for the notices issued in 1936 referred only to administrative changes.

Nearby Disley remains in Cheshire. The proposal in 1972 intended that the village should be within Stockport Metropolitan Borough but the decision was reversed after local campaigning. The question was raised again twelve years ago when a local referendum was considered to decide whether Disley might transfer to Stockport or High Peak. The village remains however, very much part of East Cheshire.

In the 1900s, it was within the Parish of Stockport but was included in the Hayfield Poor Law Union in Derbyshire (from the outset), despite being separated from Derbyshire by the River Goyt. The Hayfield Poor Law Union came into existence in 1837 and between 1839 and 1841 built the Union Workhouse in Low Leighton. Interestingly, New Mills, Derbyshire, did not join the Hayfield Union until 1885.

Historically, local government had been based upon ecclesiastical parishes with the power to levy a rate for the relief of the poor established by an act of 1601. This replaced an earlier feudal system of government. The 19^th century saw numerous reforms including the establishment of civil parishes in 1866. These followed common boundaries but population movement and growth led to many changes. 1894 saw the establishment of Rural and Urban District Councils which took over most of the powers of the civil parishes.

The map extracts below from wikishire.co.uk and the Association of British Counties websites indicate the traditional pre-1936 boundaries. It is interesting to note, and perhaps a surprise that Cheshire has a boundary with Yorkshire.

The third map has been coloured to show the modern Cheshire and the former Derbyshire; the unshaded area being that including Furness Vale and Whaley Bridge,and which changed counties.