The big names complete

I am currently making my way back through all 30+ chapters of "The Residents of Romiley Road" to make little tweaks, take out anything that doesn't work, and of course go down some very late in the day rabbit holes just to be 100% sure that I haven't missed any vital information. The first three chapters (not including the Intro) are the three longest chapters, with the most interesting of the residents (in my opinion). 13,594 words in total.

I did find a mistake in the Ridgway chapter. On the find a grave website Mary Ridgway (wife of Andrew Ridgway the plantsman and devout Methodist) was listed as dying in 1900. For some reason it didn't feel right. Almost as though I have developed a sixth sense for incorrect historical data. She actually died in 1893 and frustratingly I still couldn't find an obituary for her.

Anyway, although I still have a great many chapters to go through, those first few are rather hefty and it feels like something to celebrate.

In other news, whilst seeing whether my website will come up on search engines without literally typing the address (it doesn't yet), I saw that the Marple Local History Society have recently had a guided walk in Romiley! They stole my idea! (I'm joking of course...I believe walking tours have been done before) Unlike my tour, which will be incredibly narrow and focus entirely on a 700 yard stretch, they branched out to various parts of Romiley. They did stand at the site of Samuel Robinson and James Schofield's hatworks but Samuel didn't get a mention because he seems to have been erased from Romiley history.

I feel very sad when I think of Samuel's legacy disappearing. And his relative Matthew Robinson who took over a small part of the hatworks only to meet his grisly end shortly afterwards. I really hope that once the book comes out, Samuel Robinson, James Schofield and Matthew Robinson will take up a little space in everybody's minds when they walk past that area. Perhaps one shouldn't be biased when writing a non-fiction book, but Samuel gave me so much joy. Imagining the faces of his workers as they enjoyed day trips for possibly the first time in their lives and sung and danced at the incredibly high number of parties he funded. For that reason he is definitely one of my favourites and I shall make it my mission to bring him to the people of Romiley...or failing that the members of the Marple Local History Society.