The Heywood Family at Christleton Lodge
(The Cheshire Cat Inn)

In 1611, the land where the Cheshire Cat Inn now stands was owned by Ralph Goulbourne Yeoman Farmer of Christleton. It was before the English Civil war, so action during the nearby battle on Rowton Moor probably spread to the property especially when Royalist troops were being driven back towards the City Walls at the end of the main action. This area was given the name Streetway Hill, and there is evidence that the land was divided into four sections when the canal was being constructed in 1772. This is most likely to have happened around at the time of the enclosures act when the land belonged to Robert Townsend of Christleton Hall, the Recorder of Chester. He was also a major shareholder in the River Dee Navigation and Chester Canal Companies who were building the canal. By 1802, Thomas Salmon from Rowton seems to have acquired the land, and became the owner of Streetway Hill, but by 1854 on the Tithe Census, the area seems to be divided up into the four major segments, one with house and gardens, each having separate owners or occupiers.

How Hay. Pasture Land. Owned by Mary A Mawdsley. Occupied by Mary Parsons acre. 1 rood, 28 perches. Rateable value 9s.6d 2a Red Hill Containing hay. Owned by Mark Sharman. Occupied by Mary Parsons acre. 0 rood, 31 perches Value 1s 6d 2b. Red Hill Containing wheat. Owned by Townsend Ince. Occupied George Thomas acre 3 roods. 30 perches Value 10s.10d Streetway Hill Arable Crop. Owned by Towsend Ince. Occupied by James Morton 1 acre 2 roods 30 perches Value 11s 6d House and Gardens (Rent payable to rector) Occupied by J S Rogers Esq. 9 roods. 18 perches. Value 3s 5d Canal Croft Containing Arable Crop. Owned by John Brockwood (Lord of Manor) Occupied by Ann Gerrard 1 acre. 0 rood. 30perches. Value 8s 6d

In 1874 the site is recorded for the first time as Christleton Lodge, with Frederick Jeavons Esq as occupier. The first map of the village showing the elegant Georgian style house and gardens was produced in 1881, and by this time the occupier was Richard Hampson Esq. He was followed in 1902 by Frank Roberts Esq. a solicitor from Chester.

The fact that Esq. (Esquire) is used after each owner indicates with certainty that it was a Gentleman’s property, and this is the fine house and gardens that became Christleton Lodge. We learn far more about the house in 1903, with the arrival of The Heywood Family from Manchester. Arthur Henry Heywood was an accountant with the family firm of Heywood & Sons, Wool and Cloth Manufacturers of Church Street Manchester. Arthur Henry was also on the board of many Charities and Hospital Trusts in the Manchester area, and he soon became actively involved in Chester, for the House of Mercy, St Bridget’s Home and the John Sellers Trust.

Some years ago I spoke about the Heywood’s to the late Cliff Boddy from Christleton, a lovely man who served the church and the village in various capacities for over 79 years. He remembered Mr Heywood as an elegant grey haired gentleman with great charm, and with a very beautiful young wife. He told me that Mr Heywood would always wear a frock coat and top hat when seen in the village or in church. He was also extremely kind to the choir boys, like Cliff, and the Christleton Tower bellringers, and at Christmas time would give them all an orange and a sixpence. He and his wife took a great deal of trouble to be involved in Village Life, helping out where they could. There are numerous reports of them giving presents to the children of both Girls and Boys Schools, and providing parties at Christmas time. On one occasion Cliff remembers Mr Heywood giving the children of both schools a treat with tea and crackers, and entertained them afterwards with films about the LNER Railway and Edinburgh Zoo.

Concluded in January 2023