NOT A GREAT AREA FOR CASK BEER

As promised, we're heading in to Runcorn, but first we must call at the suburb of Weston (see the map here), viewed from the air (Creative Common  License).

Here is St John's church in Weston Village (Creative Common  License).

Arriva run the buses in Weston Village.

Despite the title of this post, the Prospect Inn at Weston Village does have real ale.

I'm not certain as to the cask beer situation in the Royal Oak.

If you like industry, Weston Point, where the Mersey widens, is the place for you.

Not far from Runcorn town centre, the yard of Yates' Coaches.

Both Halton Transport (formerly Widnes Corporation) and Warrington Transport ran into Runcorn.

However, the main operator was once Crosville.

This Ribble battery operated Leyland National is seen at Crosville's Runcorn depot, not operating.

Runcorn locks once took the Bridgewater Canal down to the Mersey.

The locks have now gone and the canal terminates in Runcorn town centre.

A visit to Runcorn station in 1995 saw a variety of traction.

In days of yore, there were two ways of crossing the Mersey; the transporter bridge or the railway viaduct.

Over the river is Widnes and the railway here turns towards Liverpool.

Widnes once had a loco shed. Standard 2-6-0 78015 was found here in the 1960s.

Halton Transport ran the local buses from a depot in Widnes. Several Leyland double deck vehicles were owned.

In later years, Halton ran only single deckers, including this rare East Lancs bodied Leyland Leopard.

Leyland buses were favoured by Halton Transport. The company ceased trading in 2020.

The "new" North Western Road Car also served the town of Widnes.

That's where I'll leave you for now. Next time, it's the Warrington area.

PLENTY OF SALT

Yes, we're back in England, Cheshire to be exact. Our first stop is Barrow & Tarvin station, ex Cheshire Lines Committee, closed to passengers in the 1950s, but still intact in 1961 (Ben Brooksbank - Creative Commons License).

Onwards now to Kelsall (see the map here) to visit the yard of Reliance/West Coaches.

Next stop, the small town of Tarporley. Just in time for a parade through the centre in the 1930s (Photographer unknown).

Here's Tarporley Town Hall (Creative Commons License).

There are Robinson's beers at the Rising Sun.

The Swan Hotel is where to stay and drink independent ales.

This Robey loco is at the Salt Union Ltd., West Works, Winsford.

The extraction of salt from below ground has caused the River Weaver to expand and form Winsford Flash.

Onwards to Middlewich. First, the Town Hall (Creative Commons License).

The parish church of St. Michael and All Angels, seen over the Trent and Mersey Canal in Middlewich (Creative Commons License). 

The Shropshire Union Canal joins the Trent & Mersey at Wardle Bridge, Middlewich.

More views of the Trent & Mersey in Middlewich.

Here's what's known as the Big Lock.

The nearby pub is named after the Big Lock. It's built on two levels, to serve road and canal users.

There's also a former Marston's house, the Newton Brewery Inn, in Middlewich.

Middlewich station closed many moons ago. 41206 called there in 1966.

We now follow the valley of the River Dane, to Holmes Chapel station, on the Crewe to Alderley Edge line, just after electrification.

Beside the station was once the Swan Hotel, a Samuel Smith's house, now closed.

The last pint of this post will be at the George & Dragon, Great Budworth, a Lee's house these days.

The Drum & Monkey at nearby Comberbach is no more.

A pleasant place to finish this post is at Daresbury.

We're not far from Runcorn and that's where we'll start the next post.