Droylsden – And a Visit to the Moravian Settlement

30 January 2018 Andy

Sarah and I had planned to run a 10k in the morning, and then put our feet up in the afternoon, resting before the Sunday club ride. However, one of our ride leaders had to withdraw at the last minute, and Sarah stepped forward as a replacement back-leader. So it was that we found ourselves at Houldsworth Mill ready for a cycle ride to Droylsden.

Before the ride, Jim presented Arthur with a gold medal for cycling over 1,000 miles with the club.

The weather had been pretty rotten in the morning, but thankfully it was warming up by the time we left. There were eight club members who set off on this afternoon ride.

We began by heading around the back of the mill on a path towards Tarvin Avenue.

Then after weaving our way through Heaton Chapel we joined Nelstrop Road North

We then picked up the Fallowfield Loop.

We followed this to Fairfield.

After leaving the Fallowfield Loop we crossed over Ashton Old Road.

And made our way on to the Ashton Canal.

We cycled alongside the canal for a short while before turning off up a passage.

This took us to the Moravian Settlement. It is a place we have visited quite a few times (see here for example), and it is always an enjoyable return.

The Moravian Settlement opened in 1785. It was planned and built by its own people, with its inn, shop, bakery, farm, laundry, fire-engine, night-watchman, inspector of weights and measures, an overseer of roads, and even its physician. There were community houses for sisters and brethren, who applied themselves to the varied work of the Settlement. While there may no longer be a night-watchman, and the farm meadows are now streets and houses, the church and community continue to thrive.