TRY as I may, I can't picture a stretch of water more beautiful, peaceful and tranquil than the Winsford Flashes, or Cheshire Broads as they were to become known.

Many times in years gone by we used the flashes to their full extent, swimming at the brook mouth, watching the birds nesting or exploring the many woods surrounding its banks.

We would also go rafting, or skating on the surface in winters much harsher than now. The flashes could have resulted in disaster when they were formed through subsidence in the mid 1840s.

If it had occurred a mile downstream the whole town centre, or bottom of Winsford as we knew it, would have been engulfed in water.

The bottom flash is the one which is most well known today, but of the three flashes it was the top flash which first started to appear in 1713.

On Sunday, August 3, the grounds of Weaver Hall suddenly collapsed into a breadth of two yards diameter and by Tuesday was over 12 feet deep by nine yards in diameter.

Winsford had suddenly and unexpectedly become a tourist attraction, numerous Edwardian postcards appeared showing its banks, houseboats and scenic boating.

But it took two Winsford men to tap into that potential and put Winsford Flashes on the map.

Arthur Breeze was a smith whose forge was in the old High Street and Joe Hallmark was a shopkeeper from John Street.

Together they formed an unlikely alliance, opening the Cheshire Broads, Bungalow and Boating Company on the flash bank close to Stockhill, and effectively cornering the market.

They built a thriving business which was to attract holidaymakers from all over the country and was an attractive alternative to seaside resorts.

It was to become known as 'Bungalow City' with its chalets, camping sites and boat line.

Winsford at that time, in the early 1920s, had easy access through three railway stations and full bus routes.

It also boasted two cinemas, a library, ballroom and by 1934 an open air baths.

The business was advertised as being in one of the beauty spots of England and boasted electric lighting in all chalets, town water supply, garages for cars, postal deliveries and miles of boating through enchanting scenery.

A prospectus in the 1930s for complete furnished bungalows had prices starting at £2 for a weekend for two, up to ten people for £6 with a full week for £12.

Camps were also arranged for Guides, Scouts, brigades and private parties.

Boats were also on hire by the hour, day or season and it is hard to believe that past the town bridge the salt works were in full swing.

Perhaps some readers can enlighten me on how after the war Bungalow City closed down. Was it because of the war, or did the pace of life quicken so much that such a venture was obsolete?

Whatever, in this day and age it is only going to take an enterpeneur like Arthur Breeze or Joe Hallmark to fill the Flashes banks again, or is it too late?

Can any readers tell us what became of Bungalow City? If so ring reporter James Powell on 01606 43333.