Manley Common -17 July

Manley is a small Cheshire village, very scattered and rural. At one end of it there is an enclosed section of Manley Common with a few houses at one side - a triangle of field which is surrounded by a drystone wall. Talking with Mike Wellman, of the Cheshire Sandstone Ridge Econet Project, the idea came up of a writing workshop to capture some of the village stories and memories.

So, on a warm evening, we gathered by Manley Common. I had prepared some sheets with some background information on the 'stories' that converge at Manley Common - the stone walling, quarrying, animal farming, Roman remains, the use of marl, the wells... About thirty people came from the village and immediately began to talk and share experiences. This conversation continued in the Village Hall all evening with wine and cheese. Older people were telling their stories and younger ones writing them down. This material will provide the basis for my commissioned poem for a meeting in Chester in September. At this, representatives from Local Government around the country will be discussing the future of villages. So, watch this space for the poem and further village material!