History Society report on Wistaston

John White entertained a good audience of members and visitors of Audlem District History Society with his talk last night (Thursday) on 'The History of Wistaston'.

He began by stressing the importance of history with the quote 'the man who forgets his history is often condemned to relive it.'

The name Wistaston had many variations and in the Doomsday Book survey of 1086 was called Wistanestune- the farmstead of Wigstan. John challenged his audience to name the 24 'tons' or 'sons' in South Cheshire and explained the meaning of some of them eg. Haslington- the farmstead of hazel trees and Broxton after Brock the badger.
John then spoke about the families who had lived in Wistaston Hall including the Broughtons, Walthalls and Hammonds – all of whom have local streets named after them.

Of course, he related the tale of Joey the swan who lived on the pond (or stew) in the grounds of Wistaston Hall and who regularly tapped on the Hall window for his breakfast before his demise after an accident with a milk float! The emblem of the swan is very evident today throughout Wistaston and John teasingly asked if Audlem had an emblem! There was a suggestion of the Buttermarket!?

He bemoaned the loss of 'The Rockwood Arms' in Crewe built by the Walthall family to steer away the locals from 'The Dog' just opposite the Hall and the demolition of the house on Wells Green where Elizabeth Minshull lived- the third wife of John Milton.

John's passion and enthusiasm for history in general and Wistaston especially shone throughout his talk.

He concluded with an entreaty to all of us- history is all around us- just use your eyes and look!

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