For many years The Marple Website ran a small portfolio of web sites created for a variety of local clients. Following a health issue in 2021 a gradual run-down of the website's commercial activities began. By the end of 2024 virtually all business web sites had been successfully migrated to other providers and a much smaller portfolio of community web sites is now managed.
This section of the web site is being updated.
Community web site portfolio
John Oldham Plastering
Following a move to Buxworth in the High Peak, plasterer John Oldham decided he needed a web site to help spread the word about his plastering services to the areas around his new home. The site created for John was based on the look of his van and used the same graphics in a clean and simple responsive design ideal for desktops, laptops, tablets and smart phones.
John has moved back to the area and is now Bredbury based. www.plastererhighpeak.co.uk
Hiya Mark, website looks absolutely fantastic, well chuffed, thanks very much! "Olly the Spread".
St Martin's Low Marple Heritage Trust
Newly registered charity St Martin's Low Marple Heritage Trust, a group set up to preserve and make known the artistic heritage of St Martin's Church in Marple wanted a web site that would help to promote their objectives. The site created for them is fully responsive, working on all platforms, and allows the group to add their own news and events. www.stmartinsheritagetrust.org.uk
The St Martin's Heritage Trust took the decision to use Mark to design and host the website based on a number of factors - he is local, affordable and we like the work he has done for other organisations similar to our own. Since we commissioned him, he has been extremely supportive, he grasped what we were trying to achieve very quickly, he had lots of ideas to improve the look and functionality, and also extremely efficient in processing changes to text and layout. We have more ideas to further improve our website and will have no hesitation in using Mark again. We can thoroughly recommend him to anyone starting the web design process.
Michael Newton, Treasurer, St Martin's Low Marple Heritage Trust.
Stockport Canal Boat Trust - New Horizons
Stockport Canal Boat Trust, the charity based at Marple Wharf who provide day trips for people with disabilities on their canal narrow boat New Horizons, wanted to bring their existing web site up to date. They also wanted to add a calendar system to make it easier for their visitors to know when the boat is available for hire. The new site has been redeveloped using a "responsive design" template that allows it to adjust to suit PC/Mac desktops, laptops, tablets and smartphones. It features a simple colour-coded availability calendar that the booking officer can log-in and change easily.
The latest Joomla Content Management System also enables the Trust to edit existing articles and add their own latest news items whenever they wish. MWDH was also pleased to provide the first year's hosting free of charge as a donation to this important local charity! www.newhorizons.org.uk
The Trustees of the Stockport Canal Boat trust decided earlier this year to refresh and renew the then current website. We approached Mark Whittaker and explained our requirements. He very promptly developed a specification with a number of options for us to choose from, and we have been very happy with the spec. that we eventually chose. Mark has been extremely helpful and patient in dealing with our various requirements and we are delighted with the result.
James Dunlop, Chairman, Stockport Canal Boat Trust (New Horizons).
Mellor Archaeological Trust
Mellor Archaeological Trust have a well established web site first created in 2000 but ongoing management of the site had proved technically difficult. The Trust approached Marple Website Design and Hosting after hearing about the success of the site developed with Marple Local History Society. They wanted to manage the site themselves in the longer term so a content management system that allows that was developed with them. The new site was launched at a presentation by the Trust at the end of September 2012. www.matrust.org.uk
To whom it may concern,
Mark contributed not only by establishing the technical details of the website but also by making valuable suggestions about how it could be laid out to provide information in a comprehensive, interesting and attractive form. Working with Mark is a joy. He is always willing to help, but does not add unnecessary work that increases costs. In summary, I do not believe that we could have made a better choice than Mark Whittaker to set up our new web site.
Professor John W S Hearle, Chairman Mellor Archaeological Trust.
Marple Local History Society
After a long association with Marple Local History Society and our joint efforts to put the Society's photographic archive on-line in the Virtual Tour, I was delighted to be asked to help them set up their own web site. Over several months we have developed a content management system site that allows Society members to update and add pages, menus and links themselves. The site was launched at a presentation by the Society in September 2012. www.marplelocalhistorysociety.org.uk
Dear Mark,
When we first talked about a web site for the Society I realised that it would involve a lot of work. However, what I know now is that without your encouragement, hard work and patience (!) we would not have achieved so much. The MLHS Committee has asked me to thank you on their behalf for all your help, which is very much appreciated.
With best wishes,
Hilary Atkinson, Marple Local History Society Chairman.
Paul Whittaker PLUMBING | The Marple Plumber
Design and hosting of a content management system web site with photo gallery for Paul Whittaker PLUMBING. www.marpleplumber.co.uk
My new site is on the first page of Google when searching for "Plumber Marple" - brilliant! Thanks dad!
Paul Whittaker - Marple Plumber.
Friends of Romiley Park
A content management system web site for Friends of Romiley Park that enables them to update articles, upload minutes of meetings and add photographs themselves. Now on its second generation following a recent upgrade. www.romileypark.org.uk
Friends of Romiley Park moved to the Marple website after recommendation from one of their existing clients. Mark designed the format and then we went along to tweak it to our personal specification. Now into our third year, we will continue with them as they have provided quick and efficient service when we have needed to make amendments or have any queries.
Tracey Adams, Chair FORP.