Places Of Interest - Dukinfield
Dukinfield lies in the metropolitan county of Greater Manchester, a landlocked area bordering Cheshire to the southwest and southern area, Derbyshire to the southeast, West Yorkshire to the northeast, Lancashire to the north and Merseyside to the west. It is among the largest metropolitan areas in the UK and consists of ten metropolitan boroughs: Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan, and the cities of Salford and Manchester.
Dukinfield Town Hall
Dukinfield Town Hall was constructed in Domestic Gothic Style. It was launched on 15th June 1901 by Alderman James Pickup, and cost ₤ 15,000 to erect from plans by J. Eaton together with Sons of Ashton.
The clock is by JR Joyce of Whitchurch, and the five bells were cast by Taylor and Co of Loughborough. Nowadays the town hall doubles as the borough register office and as a leisure centre.
Old Chapel, Dukinfield
The very first Old Chapel was opened in 1707 and rebuilt in the mid-19th century, this is an early instance of the adoption of a Gothic design for a nonconformist chapel. Behind it, there are a number of intriguing graves, including the Astley memorial.
The vertical style makes this building a remarkable site which towers over the skyline when viewed from Ashton. The Chapel is a Grade II * listed building.
At the opposite side of Old Chapel is the Astley Arms where a dinner was hosted for Ensign Andrew Moyhihan V.C. on his return from the Crimea, and a blue plaque attests to the fact.
Old Hall Chapel
Old Hall Chapel is a Grade II * listed building yet is now unfortunately in ruins. The Chapel claims to have been the very first Independent church in England, in the 17th century. Constructed in the regime of Henry VII (1485 – 1509), it was expanded in the 19th century to become a congregational church, and set alight by arsonists in 1978.
