The history of Macclesfield goes back to a Saxon settlement once held by Edwin, Earl of Mercia. It became a centre for silk-button making and by the eighteenth century had become one of the world’s largest manufacturers of finished silk. Several imposing mills still remain in the town today. The breadmaker Hovis also built its first mill in Macclesfield by Macclesfield Canal and another landmark building in the town is the furniture store Arighi Bianchi, still trading from its Victorian building influenced by Joseph Paxton’s Crystal Palace. The cultural history of the town includes the writer Vera Brittain, who spent her early years in Macclesfield, and the town was also the manufacturing home of the pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca for many years.

A–Z of Macclesfield reveals the history behind the town, its streets and buildings, businesses and the people connected with the area. Alongside the famous historical connections are unusual characters, tucked-away places and unique events that are less well-known. It is fully illustrated with photography and will appeal to all those with an interest in this historic Cheshire town.

Jean worked at Manchester Central library for many years. She met John when he was stage director at the Manchester Library Theatre. They are now retired and have written a number of Amberley local history books. They include Manchester A-Z, Central Manchester Through Time and Historic England Manchester. Jean is now an adult tutor, offering courses in family history. John has numerous production credits in theatre, TV & film (BBC & Granada). He has worked mainly for the last decade in portrait, film and Artscape photography.