David Beckham has deep ties to Cheshire. Before becoming the archetypal Galáctico at Real Madrid, 

the Manchester United star was one of the galaxy of footballers who commuted to the North West’s super clubs from Cheshire’s ‘golden triangle’.

David and Victoria lived in the idyllic village of Nether Alderley during their time in Cheshire, 

joining the likes of former United manager and treble-winning teammate Ole Gunnar Solskjær. 

Fewer than 700 people lived in the sparse smattering of large houses when the Beckhams purchased their property.

The Beckhams moved into the Heawood Hall Estate in the village in 2001. 

The estate which was once owned by the family behind the well-known, Manchester-based brewery Boddingtons.

Grade II listed Heawood Hall is believed to date from 1720 and was later divided into three separate properties, one being the Beckham’s converted barn where they lived from 2001 until David’s move to Real Madrid.

CheshireLive visited the village in 2022 and spoke to the chair of the parish council, Norman Howick. Norman said that, despite everyone in the village living in properties separated by large parts of land, locals know each other ‘very well’.

He said: “There is no actual centre to the village and even though there are a lot of large houses with space between them, a lot of people know each other very well.

“The Parish Council takes a lot of effort to make sure that we put on community events. When we put on these events, a lot of the people know each other from years ago.

“Even though it might look like everyone is isolated in their big houses, people do communicate with each other a lot. Of course, we have a few celebrities here too, but they don’t turn out quite as much.”

The village is home to Alderley Park, former headquarters of ICI and now home to over 150 companies. In 2021, the village was named amongst the 54 ‘poshest villages in Britain’ by The Times, as Norman continued: “It’s a very old village, it was recently named as one of the nicest places to live.

“It’s a very long-established village, and a lot of the residents here have been here a long time. It’s recently undergone a major transformation because at Alderley Park they are expanding the science side and the village size is currently being doubled.

Norman described Nether Alderley as a ‘friendlier’ version of neighbouring Alderley Edge, a place that is perhaps more synonymous with Premier League footballers than anywhere else in the country.

Norman said: “It’s a contrast to Alderley Edge, it’s a lot gentler here and lot quieter and more friendly,” he said. “A lot changed in the village once the bypass was installed, and it made the place even quieter.”

Posh and Becks were regulars at legendary Alderley Edge nightclub Brasingamens. The legendary club – nicknamed The Braz – was also frequented by Cristiano Ronaldo, Peter Crouch and John Terry when in its early-noughties heyday.

The club was famed for its lock-ins, often featuring famous faces. Beckham attended football super-agent Dave Gardner’s stag do at the club in 2003.

The famous couple’s links to the region extend beyond the tiny golden triangle village. In 1998, Posh and Becks caused a major media storm at a Nantwich hotel.

Beckham had only been with girlfriend Victoria Adams 10 months when they visited Rookery Hall Hotel. But the morning after their visit, a major press conference was called at the resort.

The nation’s press assembled outside as Spice Girl Victoria flaunted her £65,000 diamond solitaire handcrafted ring. Then aged just 23, Victoria told the media: “I am the happiest girl on the world today. I’m with the man I know I’m going to grow old and wrinkly with.”

According to book Arise Sir David Beckham: Footballer, Celebrity, Legend, Becks popped the question when the couple were in one of the Rookery’s lavish rooms in their dressing gowns. Victoria had been given 30 roses, before arriving in her room to be greeted by £200-worth of lillies.

And as part of the band that pioneered the term “girl power”, she had also bought her beau a £50,000 diamond-encrusted gold ring during filming for Spice World from a Hollywood jeweller. She reportedly said: “I said yes, then produced my own ring and said ‘don’t forget girl power – will YOU marry me?”.

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Source: Tampa Bay Times