How did coachman Scotch Bob became a local legend?

James Telford was only a lad of 14 or 15 when he arrived in Stockport from Dumfries in the late 19th Century.

He soon began work as a farm labourer where he was given the affectionat nickname of Scotch Bob.

His story is the subject of a new episode of Hidden Manchester on BBC Sounds.

Telford married in 1876 and lived with his family close to the White Hart pub at 8 Gatley Road, which is now a tanning salon.

Local historian Andrew Frazer said that by 1879 he was working with the Manchester Carriage company.

"It would have been the omnibus - a wooden stagecoach which had a lower level and also had a rather precarious looking higher level," he said.

"It's probably his skill with horses that got him the job.

"He would take them from the White Hart here in Cheadle, and he would have travelled down Manchester Road into Manchester through Didsbury as far as Palatine Road and then he would have turned and come back the other way."

It was this job, travelling on the rutted dirt tracks and cobblestones, that made him a local legendary figure.

Frazer, who is also chair of the Cheadle Civic Society, said Scotch Bob was remarkably talented.

"He was famed in some areas for being able to ride four horses across - quite an unusual number of horses to control all at once."

Frazer said Scotch Bob's robust frame, large grey beard and ruddy complexion made him resemble Father Christmas.

He said it was not just Scotch Bob's physical characteristics that drew the Santa comparisons.

"Stories from past years have described him as being very jovial and pleasant and he would ride his coach, raising his whip and saying hello to people on the way.

"He's also apparently known to have been quite apt to reciting Robert Burns' poetry on his travels."

There are also unverified reports that, in 1908, he gained a British record for travelling the most miles on the same route.

"This is where factual history tends to blur into folklore," explained Frazer.

"He is believed to have travelled nearly 900,000 miles in his career, although later contemporary research has suggested it's probably more around 60,000 - still quite a substantial mileage when you're riding on a horse and coach!"

Time stands still for no man, however, and Scotch Bob had to give up his omnibus job when motorised buses and trams were introduced.

Frazer said that in 1913, Scotch Bob "quickly secured the position of official timekeeper for the motorised buses in Cheadle".

"He would stand outside of the White Hart Hotel and would give the signal for when the buses were to leave and make sure that they arrived - transport was kept moving thanks to Scotch Bob!"

Scotch Bob died in 1929 and was buried in the churchyard of St Mary's in Cheadle.

His legend lives on nearly a century later, though, with his stories having been passed down through several generations.

"He wasn't a big wealthy man - he wasn't an industrialist or a businessman," said Frazer.

"He was just a normal working chap and he obviously held a lot of respect from the local community."

Frazer said an oak-carved statue of Scotch Bob was made in 2015 by sculptor Andy Burgess as part of the renovation of Cheadle Green.

He said that it was fitting that the statue "gazes out over Stockport Road, looking at the traffic travelling in... what's quite nice is that he slightly turns and he's overlooking the bus stop just by Cheadle Green.

"So in some way to this present day Scotch Bob still keeps an eye on the buses and keeps them moving throughout the day."

You can listen to the Hidden Manchester series on BBC Sounds.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.