Edgeley is under the academic magnifying glass at current; the suburb is the subject of a PhD project by a researcher at Manchester Metropolitan University.

And the best bit is that local residents can take part!

PhD student Suzie Cloves has developed an augmented reality (AR) trail around Edgeley. It works like a phone map application - residents are invited to walk around the area visiting local landmarks, guided by a digital trail.

At certain key locations, the trail can play sound recordings. These recordings feature stories and sounds, sharing the history of the landmark in question in an immersive way.

In other words, it's like taking a stroll, with a good-humoured Edgeley expert by your side.

A wide variety of Edgeley locations are featured in the trail, including St Matthew's Church (Image - Suzie Cloves)

The project is named 'NOW HEAR THEN'. As Suzie explains: "NOW HEAR THEN is not just a trail. It's a community effort. It's about sharing stories from all corners of Edgeley, from parks to pubs to churches and even Stockport County."

The purpose of the project is to investigate whether one's perception of a place is influenced by sounds and stories. It is also part of a wider project to "transform Stockport's heritage-rich historic centre into a sustainable, world-leading digital arts neighbourhood".

Residents take part by filling out a short survey, and by taking part in the trail itself.

You can even take part if you aren't in the area. Edgeley expats can enjoy the trail remotely, by dropping an avatar onto a map to activate the sounds, similar to Google Street View.

Find a survey link and more information HERE. Alternatively, you can scan the QR code at the top of the article. You may need to use the arrows to find it!

You'll need a data or internet connection to take part in the trail. You'll also need to be over 18, and must have an email address.

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