IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Nursery Drive, STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST8 6RE

One of several cul-de-sacs that run off Long Valley Drive (see Image), the name probably comes from the nearby Plant Centre (Image).

This path leads from the former railway line that is now the Biddulph Valley Way to give access to Long Valley Road.

The unusual name of this housing development off Well Lane may refer to a tree that stood on the site - or could have a completely different origin! It appeared to be a recent development, as at the time of submission (2011) an aerial photography website still showed it undeveloped.

The Image is located on the junction of Well Lane and Marshfield Lane in Gillow Heath. The knot is more properly known as the Stafford Knot and, although not a heraldic device in its own right, has been used on coats of arms throughout the county of Staffordshire. There is a seal existing in the British Museum London which was the property of Lady Joan Stafford (later to become Lady Wake). It would seem that Lady Wake used on her seal a border made up from her husband's badge, the Wake Knot, made up from the initials W and O (for Wake and Ormond) intertwined. The seal quite clearly depicts a cordon of four knots in the shape of the Stafford Knot. The knot was handed down through the Earl's family, and it was gradually used by the citizens and freemen of Stafford, until it was eventually included in the Stafford Borough Coat of Arms. It is incorporated into the badges and symbols of many organisations and companies, including the Police, Fire Service and Ambulance Service. It was also used for many years by the Stoke-on-Trent potters as part of their marks on the bases of chinaware. There is a fanciful tale that the Knot was originally created by a Sherrif of Staffordshire who wanted to hang three men at once, but this is a bit far-fetched.

A popular pub located on the junction of Well Lane and Marshfield Lane in Gillow Heath. The white windows to the left belong to a hairdressing salon called Sophisticut. For a picture of the sign and information on the origins of the name see Image

A Victorian post box and the pub sign on the wall of the pub Image I could not get a full-on view as there was a van parked adjacent.

For more information about this pub in Gillow Heath, see Image It proved to be a very friendly family "local".

This short path leads from the former railway line that is now the Biddulph Valley Way, across some waste ground to York Close.

Looking from Image on Mow Lane to the former Biddulph Valley Railway that has been converted into a very popular track for cyclists, walkers and horse-riders.

Viewed from its junction with Well Lane, City Bank is a short cul-de-sac with a former textile mill located at the top. I can find no information on UK Workwear, I hope this does not mean that they are no longer trading.