Our story begins as all the best stories do, with a stormy winters night. Cast your mind back to January 2021 and you may recall that the River Mersey burst it’s banks. That same night there was snow. Of course, with the benefit of hindsight we should all have taken this dramatic weather as a clear sign that 2021 was going to be well and truly s**t, but (20)22 vision is a wonderful thing.

I was looking at local Facebook groups and Instagram accounts to check what was happening and make sure everyone was ok. Some people were moved out of their homes for the night. Others endured / enjoyed a visit from the (in)famous Boris Johnson. Somewhere amidst this search, I looked on Instagram for a Burton Road account; assuming there would be something to represent all the local independents. There wasn’t.

Later that night, I went for a moonlight walk and started taking pictures of the snow. Burton Road is beautiful to start with and anything is improved when a blanket of white flakes falls on top of it. I got home with chilled fingers and a pink nose to start editing what I’d taken. My partner was watching something I wasn’t remotely interested in and, in that very moment of boredom, the idea came to me. Why not create an account for the road I live on and love?

I must confess, that it started out as a whim and something of a comical idea. Quickly, however, the account gained followers and I wondered how to make good use of what I had begun. Some of you early followers may remember that I posted a story asking what you wanted to see from the account. An overwhelming majority of you said that you’d like to learn more about the people behind the business. To hear local stories and learn more about what is going on in the community.

Eighteen months later, that is what I still try to deliver. The account is an eclectic mix of interviews, pictures of doors & dogs, and collections of photos from my many walks by the River Mersey. You can follow the account @burton_road if you don’t already and please do keep in touch with what you would like to see more of.

It has been the most enormous fun to meet so many inspirational locals and learn more about the place I am lucky enough to call home. Keep an eye out for my next blog, where I’ll direct you to some of the interviews I’ve most enjoyed to date.

Yours anonymously,

BR x