By Paul Hurley

THE sun shines on the rich dark loam of the Cheshire fields that stretch away into the forest at the crossroads of the busy A556 and Abbey Lane.

Across the road, the green of the hedgerows and trees form a perfect backdrop to the sandstone building. Traffic noise competes with the birdsong on a spring day, and the insidious presence of the road does little to spoil this perfect scene.

The presence of this old road, an ancient turnpike between Chester and Manchester, is the reason for the building being there, the 200 year-old Vale Royal Abbey Arms.

It was named after the nearby Vale Royal Abbey in 1905 but licensees can be traced back to 1822. It is quite possible that the pub dates from the 1700s when in 1797 the landlords could have been either William Harrison or Hugh Paver.

Until 1899 it doubled as Oakmere Court and prisoners were housed in the cellar.

After campaigning by magistrates, nearby Oakmere police station was built with a dedicated courtroom and cells.

It later became the headquarters of the Eddisbury Police Division and a stable for the superintendent’s pony and trap added.

After its tenure as a police station, the court remained until 1987 when it closed. Since then the building has made way for houses.

Behind the old building was the St Bedes Social Club. Next door, the old Fourways restaurant, closed and re-developed.

Caravan showroom Harrington’s has also gone and replaced by J & S Motorcycles’ showroom.