Old Hyde

The Crown Pole

2012-02-07T00:00:00.000Z

The "Crown Pole" is not a conventional signpost. The top eight fingers in descending order point to Audenshaw, Stalybridge, Dukinfield, Denton, Ashton-under-Lyne, Mossley, Longdendale (almost invisible here as it points directly at the camera) and Droylsden. The bottom finger, presumably added to give balance, merely points "South".

It was erected in 2002, along with others in Tameside, to commemorate the golden jubilee of HM Queen Elizabeth II.

On the market ground opposite Corporation Street, it replaced former flower tubs.

In January 2012 it was uprooted to be moved to an undisclosed site as Hyde Market underwent extensive renovations.

See the photographs on Hyde Daily Photo (Vol.2) and Hyde DP Xtra.

Pleasant Sunday Afternoon

2011-11-23T00:00:00.001Z

The PSA, (Pleasant Sunday Afternoon) was a reformer's answer to men languishing in the pubs and families left at home.

Until the day it closed it was only 1d (old penny) to get in and enjoy all the activities with a cup of tea and biscuits thrown in.

The building was on Market Street, just lower down than the junction with Union Street.

These photographs come courtesy of the Hydonian blog.

For a relic of the PSA see Hyde Daily Photo.

Herbert Allkin

2011-11-08T00:00:00.001Z

Image scanned from "History of Hyde (St. George's) Church and Schools" by Thomas Middleton (1911).
Herbert Allkin was the first minister of St. George's Church. The former curate of Ashton under Lyne Parish Church was described as a man of fine appearance, a good preacher and reader belonging to the old school of Evangelical clergymen who wore a white "choker" neck-cloth and preached in a black gown and white bands.

His stipend at the start of his Hyde ministry in 1832 was only £50 per annum and to augment his income he started a private school in his residence at Hill Bank. This became a popular local educational institution. The Rev. Jas. Brooks, parson of Hyde Chapel (1806-1854) records in his diary that he sent his son to this school, after stipulating that the lad was not to be taught the Church catechism. He adds that the greatest harmony prevailed between Mr. Allkin and the ministers of other denominations. Once the congregation at St. George's had increased to the extent that the living provided a sufficient income for the minister, the school was closed.

During his incumbency the church building was completed and the Old School in Church Street was erected and opened as a Day and Sunday School. However, a dispute arose between the minister and several wealthy members of the congregation with the result that a number of leading laymen left to join the new church of St. Thomas, which had started in the Chartist Institute in 1846.

Herbert Allkin died in 1849 at the age of 49. He was interred at the East end of the church in a grave which now lies beneath the clergy vestry. Originally this was an altar tomb outwith the walls but when a new vestry was built in 1897, the slabs of the tomb were placed in an upright position and now form part of the vestry walls.

A photograph of the tomb can be seen on Hyde Daily Photo.

Captain Clarke

2011-08-07T00:00:00.004+01:00

These images and this account of Captain Clarke are taken from The Annals of Hyde by Thomas Middleton. (1899)

CAPTAIN Hyde John Clarke was for a long period the leading spirit in public affairs in the neighbourhood of Hyde. He sat on the magisterial bench for four counties (Cheshire, Lancashire, Yorkshire, and Derbyshire), and was ever forward in any movement likely to tend to the general good. His prominence and popularity as a public man is evidenced by the fact that in 1839 the inhabitants of Hyde presented him with a handsome testimonial, in "recognition of his many services," and in order to show their regard for him, and for "his unwearied disinterestedness, impartiality, and affability." The testimonial took the form of plate, valued at 270 guineas, and on the tureen was this inscription:

"Presented with other pieces of plate to Hyde John Clarke, Esq., of Hyde Hall, Captain of the Royal Navy, by the inhabitants of Hyde and its vicinity, as a token of their regard for his long and valuable services, and of their high esteem for his private character. A.D. 1839."

As illustrative of the representative character of this presentation, it should be mentioned that the principal ministers of the Established Church, and of the Nonconformist bodies, together with influential members of both political parties, attended and spoke on the occasion, while the meeting, which took place in the Navigation Inn, is described by the newspapers as having lasted three hours, and being "a ceremony which in these excited and jealous times has hardly had its parallel."

The earlier portion of Captain Clarke's career was occupied by his naval duties. He joined the navy at Portsmouth on the 29th of June, 1791, at the age of fourteen, and was placed aboard the "Bedford" 74 guns, under Captain Sir A. Snape Hammond. One of his first duties was to provide three ropes with which to hang three men for mutiny. In 1793, he was removed to the "Duke" and served in the West Indies until the close of the year 1798, when he saw service in the North Seas on board the "Amphion," 32 guns, and the "Nassau," 64 guns. He became Lieutenant on December 31st, 1798, and subsequent to 1804 served on the "Antelope" and the "Powerful" in the North Seas and the East Indies. On the 13th June, 1806, he fought at the capture of the privateer, "La Henrietta" which result was effected after a running fight of two hours, and on the 9th July in the same year he aided in the capture of the French privateer, "La Bellone." He was invalided in August, 1807. Three years later he joined as senior the "Temeraire" for service in the Mediterranean, but prior to sailing was promoted to the rank of Commander. For a time he was on the safe-guard service in Liverpool.

After a distinguished career as an officer of the Royal Navy Captain Clarke settled in Hyde. The writer of a history of the Clarkes of Hyde and Swanswick tells us,

"After the death of the old Squire, Captain Clarke went to live at Hyde Hall, as manager of the estates, at the request of his half-brother George, who preferred to remain in America, in the spacious house called Hyde Hall, on the banks of the lake of Otsego, where he had a large estate left him by his great uncle George".

Another writer says,

"After ploughing the deep the Captain soon fell into his new sphere and ploughed the land. He took great interest in the colliers and workhands at the mills. He was an early riser, and his great delight was to meet them as they came down the private road from Haughton to the mills in Hyde, and to have a chat with them. He deemed it only right that they should be supplied with the produce of the land at as cheap a rate as possible, and on the same principle he kept about 20 cows, the "fore milk" being sold in the (then) village, while the "afterings" was all churned by a small steam engine, and he had his own private mark upon the butter".

From the time of his settlement in Hyde to his removal from the town, Captain Clarke was in every sense the grand old man of the place. He was the principal figure at most public assemblies both in Hyde and in the neighbouring towns, and in the newspapers of the day his name is constantly found as that of a leader of public opinion in these portions of Lancashire and Cheshire. Few magistrates played so conspicuous a part in the great industrial agitation of the thirties and forties, and certainly none exhibited the same degree of coolness, or won the general regard of all parties as did Captain Clarke. Throughout the Chartists' risings he was constantly in request, and to his efforts the satisfactory termination of many unpleasant incidents was mainly due. More than once, as was to be expected, his loyalty and devotion to duty brought upon him the odium of the ring-leaders of the rioters, and sinister threats were hurled at his head. But the Captain through all remained the same fearless, open-hearted, English seaman, with an old fashioned idea of the dignity of his public position, and of the responsibility that position entailed. His loyalty to duty was proverbial and probably no man feared the consequences less than he.

Captain Clarke for many years lived at Hyde Hall and had a family of nine children, only one of whom has survived, Mr. John Clarke, of Brook House, Oswestry, who has supplied the writer with much interesting matter concerning the early history of Hyde. Among other things of interest is the following extract from one of his letters which shows the prominence of Captain Clarke's position as a magistrate and a leading public man, besides throwing a side-light on one very important event of local history.

Mr. Clarke writes:

"I remember well the murder of Thos. Ashton. We were at supper and I happened to look out through the window; my sailor father did not like the blinds down so that he might "study" the stars - and saw someone hastening up the front court. Soon after there was a furious knocking at the front door that startled most of us and the man came in to ask my father to go up to Pole Bank. My mother did not wish him to go, for Stephens, I think it was, had said, "Mrs. Clarke would make a nice widow." You know my father was very active at the time. The man said, 'Captain, if you will give me your little book, I will swear this is the blood of Thomas Ashton on my hands.' After that he went, and I think called for Mr. Chorlton, Magistrate's Clerk, who lived at Wood End."

It is worthy of note that Captain Clarke's activity in suppressing the spirit of riot and lawlessness which was so rife about this period, won him the thanks of the war office and of the Earl of Stamford, and he was widely looked up to as one of the principal forces for the maintenance of law and order in the cotton district.

Among other striking incidents of Captain Clarke's career, was his connection with Louis Napoleon on the occasion of the latter's visit to Manchester, in 1839. The Prince carried letters of introduction to Captain Clarke, who stayed with the party at the Royal Hotel in Manchester. The Royal guests inspected several mills in the district, and attended a dramatic representation of one of Charles Dickens' novels, at the Theatre Royal.

Captain Clarke devoted much attention to the immediate social and religious needs of his own town. He was the moving spirit in the erection of St. George's Church, obtaining the gift of the site from his half-brother George. He also was mainly instrumental in securing the means wherewith to build, and for a long time was the principal supporter of the edifice. In politics Captain Clarke was a staunch Conservative, and was a prominent figure and a leading speaker at most of the great meetings in Lancashire and Cheshire. His removal from Hyde to Llangollen was felt as a great loss to the community, and his death in 1857 was deeply regretted. There was, perhaps, no greater favourite with all classes about Hyde than Captain Clarke. He is still widely spoken of with great feeling, and his memory will go down to future generations as that of an upright, honest man, who strove to live up to the highest ideal of an English gentleman.

Captain Clarke married, in 1808, Ann Joyce, of Whitchurch, by whom he had issue

Hyde, b. 1813, d. 1858, buried at Swanawick, Jamaica.
Edward, b 1815, d. 1874, buried in St. George's Churchyard, Hyde.
Henry, b. 1816, d. 1855, buried at Llantysilio, Denbighshire.
John, b. 1820, still living at Oswestry.
Sophia Ann (Peacock), b. 1809. d. 1879, buried at St. Peter's, Ashton-u-Lyne.
Sarah, b. 1810, buried in St. George's Church, Hyde.
Emma Beetenson (Cocks), b. 1811, d. 1846, buried at St. Peter's Oldham.
Elizabeth Mary, b. 1825, d. 1841, buried in St. George's Church, Hyde.
Fanny, b. 1828, d. 1874, buried in St. George's Church, Hyde.

Hoviley Brow before the motorway came

2011-07-21T00:00:00.001+01:00

This photograph first appeared here in August 2007.

It shows Hoviley Brow, near the Dye Works which is now home to ABC Wax.

The houses were demolished by the 1970s and the ground covered by the M67 Motorway.

About the only thing still standing is the factory chimney. It would have been dirtier then and not carrying mobile-phone relay masts!

See how it looks now on Hyde Daily Photo.

War Hill Cross

2011-06-22T00:00:00.000+01:00

This photograph © Frank Bennett first appeared on the Images of England site and is republished here with permission.

Date Photographed: 21st August 2000.

SJ 99 NE LONGDENDALE WAR HILL 4/87 Cross - G.V. II Cross. Medieval in origin but heavily restored in 1760 and 1897. Ashlar. Stepped circular ashlar plinth inscirbed "Restored in commemoration of the sixtieth year of the reign of Queen Victoria 1897". Octagonal shaft on moulded base has foliated capital and supports a cubical sundial with 3 copper faces. The front face is inscribed "hora pars vitae", the rear "and watch and pray time hastes away when time is done eternity comes on".

See my own photograph from 2009 and more information on Hyde Daily Photo Vol.1.

For more W posts visit ABC Wednesday.

Mrs Bell's Fish & Chip Shop

2011-05-25T00:00:00.001+01:00

An old advert for Mrs Bell's fish and chip shop at 49 Dowson Road.

It is still a takeaway - see Hyde Daily Photo.

Godley Hall Inn

2011-05-20T00:00:00.000+01:00

This photograph taken in August 1999 by Frank Bennett and reproduced here with his permission, first appeared on the Images of England site.

A grade II listed house which is now a public house.

"ICE 1718" on door lintel. Squared rubble with graduated stone slate roof and brick stacks. 3-bay 2-storey plan, the original door position, (now on the rear) suggests a baffle-entry. A 2-storey stair wing at the rear (now the front) is used as a porch and C20 additions have been added to each end. 3 window openings on each floor totalling three 2-light double-chamfered mullion windows (2 with hoodmoulds and all with mullions removed) 2 plain casement openings and a round-headed light. The porch has 2 similar round-headed lights, projecting plinth, an off-centre door, and a coped gable with kneelers and a ball finial. 2 ridge stacks and a later door to the right. The blocked door to the rear has a moulded surround and finely carved dated lintel. 3-light double-chamfered window and a single storey wing of a slightly later date. Interior much altered.

Recent photographs of Godley Hall Inn can be found on Hyde Daily Photo and Hyde DP Xtra.

Queen Adelaide's Donation

2011-05-11T00:00:00.000+01:00

"The Highland Shepherdess" is one of nine pieces of needlework worked by Queen Adelaide herself and donated to a bazaar held in 1835 to raise funds for a school in Hyde. It was purchased by a member of the Tinker family and passed down through the family into the possession of Margaret (Peggy) Tinker. She has generously passed this artefact into the custody of St George's Church.

The church hope to have it restored in due course.

Queen Adelaide was born in 1792. She married William, Duke of Clarence in 1818. He reigned as King William IV from 1830 until 1837. Queen Adelaide died in 1849.

An enriched photograph of the tapestry can be found on Hyde Daily Photo.

Details from the frame can be found on Hyde DP Xtra.

For more "Q" posts this week visit ABC Wednesday.

Mechanics Intitute

2011-05-06T00:00:00.001+01:00

Hyde Mechanics Institute was founded in 1850. It was built on the former site of Hyde Lane Independent Chapel, which was purchased by Mr. Benjamin Goodfellow (the founder of an engineering works on Mottram Road), and converted into a Mechanics' Institute and then generously handed over to trustees. Classes for teaching elementary subjects were held regularly every winter. There was also a reading room and a small library attached, lectures were given at intervals by noted men.

The old building was succeeded in 1861 by the building shown above. Part of the expense of the new building was met by a public subscription and a series of Penny Readings helped to wipe off the debt of £1,200 with which the building opened. The Mechanics' Institute played an important part in the development of old Hyde, particularly in the education of general knowledge among the working classes. In 1894 it was transferred to Hyde Corporation, and became the precursor of the Technical School and Library.

More information can be found on Hyde Cheshire.

The present building was opened in 1897, see Hyde Daily Photo.

St George's 1840

2011-04-26T00:00:00.001+01:00

The earliest known picture of St George's dates back to 1840. It was found recently in a distressed state and fragments were carefully pieced together and stuck on a mount.

I took a photograph of this and then used PaintShop Pro to remove blemishes and restore the colour. Here is the result.

In the foreground is a horse-drawn barge on the Peak Forest Canal. Midground is the valley of the Gower Hey Brook before it became filled with trees, houses and allotments. The artist appears to have taken a little license with the tallness of the tower.

You can view the original distressed picture on Hyde DP Xtra.

A modern view of the church is on Hyde Daily Photo.

J & T Fowden - Undertakers on Hamnet Street

2011-04-15T00:00:00.001+01:00

I found this old advert in a book. It must date from the 1890s as a notice in the London Gazette [pdf file] dated 28th June 1901 states

NOTICE is hereby given, that the Partnership heretofore subsisting between us the undersigned, James Fowden, of 57, Brook-street, Hyde, in the county of Chester, Funeral Undertaker, and Thomas Fowden, of 3, Hamnett-street, Hyde aforesaid, Funeral Undertaker, carrying on business as Funeral Undertakers at 3, Hamnett-street, Hyde aforesaid, under the style or firm of "J. and T. Fowden," has be«n dissolved by mutual consent as and from the 24th day of June, 1901. All debts due to and owing by the said late firm will be received and paid by the said Thomas Fowden, who will continue to carry on the said business at the same address in his own name only.—Dated this 24th day of June, 1901.
JAMES FOWDEN.
THOMAS FOWDEN.

The water board were recently digging a hole outside but I don't know how deep they dug.

You can view the hole on Hyde Daily Photo and the roadworks on Hyde DP Xtra.

Hattersley Cutting 1951

2011-04-11T00:00:00.000+01:00

Photograph © Ben Brooksbank.

Taken on 28th July 1951 at Hattersley Cutting, with the Cleethorpes - Manchester express passing through.

The view is Eastward towards Broadbottom, Woodhead and Sheffield along the ex-Great Central Manchester - Sheffield main line, which since July 1981 was cut back to a local line just to Hadfield. The masts for the electrification had been erected in 1939 but electrification was not complete until the New Woodhead Tunnel was opened in June 1954. The very deep cutting used to be two tunnels until they were opened out in 1931. The train is the 09.27 Cleethorpes - Manchester London Road, headed by B1 4-6-0 No. 61160.

See how it looks nearly 60 years later on Hyde Daily Photo.

Albion Oil Works (updated)

2011-04-09T14:20:00.001+01:00

Frederick Wild manufactured all kinds of cog and waterwheel greases at the Albion Oil Works which I thought was on Albion Street.

Albion street was demolished in the late 1990s and the area transformed into the Croft Millennium Green.

See how it looks now on Hyde Daily Photo.

I've since discovered that works was not located on Albion Street but was on John Street behind the Albion pub.

American Football at Ewen Fields

2011-03-15T13:45:00.002Z

Photographs © Peter Moore.

These photographs were taken at a match between Manchester Spartans and Fylde Falcons on Sunday, 28 May, 1989. Final result was Manchester 28 Fylde 20.

In 1986, Hyde United had taken the radical step of selling Ewen Fields to Tameside Council so that a synthetic Baspograss pitch could be laid. The ground was also used to host American Football as seen here. The ground returned to grass in 1995.

Peter writes

"After completing the regular season 9 and 1 Manchester Spartans went on to win the Britball that year beating the Birmingham Bulls 21 - 14 in the final. I was supporting Fylde and recall that their American players were QB Cliff Walker and DE Jeff Christmann. Fylde finished the season 6 and 4 then lost in the first round of the playoffs to the London Ravens.

I also saw Accrington Stanley play against Hyde around that period and can safely say that the crowd for the American Football game was quite a bit bigger, probably because it was a sunny Sunday afternoon rather than a wet Tuesday evening in January."

See also A brief history of Hyde FC.

Photos of the laying of the artificial pitch can by found on Hyde Cheshire; part 1 and part 2.

Visit Peter Moore's website.

Mottram Congregational Church

2011-02-21T00:00:00.001Z

This photograph, © Frank Bennett, first appeared on the Images of England site and is republished here with permission.

Date Photographed: 21st August 2000.

The official description is

SJ 99 NE LONGDENDALE STALYBRIDGE ROAD (west side) 4/85 Mottram Congregational 19.7.79 Church - II Chapel. 1791, altered 1836 and 1852. Stone plinth, rendered walls, slate roof and hammer-dressed stone wing of 1852. 3 bays with outshut to rear and small later wing to right. The only external features are 3 round-headed windows with keystones and a plaque recording the name of the church. Interior much altered. Principal interest is historical as it was built as a Methodist meeting house, changed to the New Connexion in 1803 and to a Congregational church in c.1850. It is said to be the oldest surviving Methodist chapel in the Manchester area which is still in use as a place of worship.

See my recent photograph on Hyde Daily Photo.

The Market Place Fountain

2011-02-01T00:00:00.001Z

The fountain on the corner of Market Place and Market Street was presented to the Corporation by the Total Abstainers of the Borough in 1888.

Its remains now stand in Hyde Park near the children's play area, as you can see at Hyde Daily Photo.

The CDPB theme today is "Fountains": Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

Crown Pole Mottram

2011-01-17T00:00:00.001Z

This photograph, © Frank Bennett, first appeared on the Images of England site and is republished here with permission.

Date Photographed: 02 September 2000.

The official description reads

SJ 99 NE LONGDENDALE MARKET PLACE 4/66 Crown Pole 1.11.66 G.V. II Pole bearing light pendants, weather-vane and sign posts. Originally erected 1760 for the coronation of George III but replaced in 1902 and again in 1926. Stepped circular stone base inscribed "Re-newed by Lord Tallomache kings crowning 1902". The tapering cast iron pole records "pole renewed Harold Chapmans J.P. c.c. February, 1926". Topped by a weather-cock.

See my own photograph on Hyde Daily Photo.

Old Post Office Farm

2011-01-11T00:00:00.001Z

This photograph, © Frank Bennett, first appeared on the Images of England site and is republished here with permission.

Date Photographed: 02 September 2000.

The official description is

LONGDENDALE BACK LANE SJ 99 NE (west side) 4/43 No. 2 (Old Post 1.11.66 Office Farm) G.V. II Includes left hand bay only of No. 50 MARKET STREET (west side) which was formerly part of the same house. House, "NWM 1694" (Nicholas and Martha Wagstaffe) on door lintel. Squared coursed rubble with graduated stone slate roof and brick stack. 2-bay baffle-entry plan with 2 storeys, a 2- story porch,one room in depth and a slightly later wing added to rear. Stone plinth and quoins. Symmetrical facade with 5-light house-part window (with 3 mullions removed) and three 3-light windows (one with mullions removed) all with double-chamfered stone mullions. The central porch has an off-centre chamfered door surround, a round-headed first floor light, an owl hole and dove holes, and coped gable with kneelers and ball finials. Central ridge chimney stack. Rear has 2 windows with mullion removed. Round- headed attic gable light. Interior has a wattle and daub timber-framed partition on 2 floors.

See my own photograph on Hyde Daily Photo.

4 Back Lane

2011-01-05T00:00:00.001Z

This photograph, © Frank Bennett, first appeared on the Images of England site and is republished here with permission.

Date Photographed: 02 September 2000.

The official description reads

LONGDENDALE BACK LANE SJ 99 NE (west side) 4/44 No. 4 20.4.77 G.V. II House now shop. C18. Squared rubble, graduated stone slate roof and brick stack. l-bay, double-depth with 2 storeys. Stone plinth. Door to right with square-cut stone surround, window to left and small window with glazing bars on first floor. Gable chimney stack. Included for group value.

See my own photograph on Hyde Daily Photo.

Mottram Courthouse

2011-01-03T00:00:00.001Z

This photograph, © Frank Bennett, first appeared on the Images of England site and is republished here with permission.

Date Photographed: 02 September 2000.

The official description reads

SJ 99 NE LONGDENDALE MARKET PLACE (north-west side) 4/68 Mottram Court 1.11.66 House G.V. II Court house, now Longdendale Information and Advice Office. Second quarter C19. Hammer-dressed stone with hipped slate roof. 1 x 3 bays with the court room on the first floor above what was formerly a carriage house, now the information office. Stone plinth and quoins, first floor sill band, stone eaves cornice. Door to left with 4-panel door, square-cut surround, fanlight and keystone. Windows to either side (one small and one large) and one first floor all with round heads keystones and sash windows. 2 blocked round-arched carriage entrys to left side with carved keystones. Window and door to right as above. Lateral chimney stack. A drinking fountain on the front commemorates the installation of a piped water supply in 1888.

See my own photograph on Hyde Daily Photo.

Mottram Old School

2010-12-28T00:00:00.001Z

This photograph, © Frank Bennett, first appeared on the Images of England site and is republished here with permission.

Date Photographed: 21st August 2000.

The official description is

SJ 99 NE LONGDENDALE WAR HILL 4/89 The Old School 27.11.75 G.V. II School. 1858 on datestone. Rock-faced stone with ashlar dressings and graduated stone slate roof. T-shaped with one storey plus basement. Jacobean style. Projecting plinth, stone quoins and coped gables. Windows in each face are of 2, 4 and 6 lights with chamfered stone mullions, hoodmoulds and in the 2 principal windows transoms. The door has a chamfered surround and tudor-arched head. The door to the basement is re-used and in considerably older. Ridge chimney stack. A cusped panel in the gable reads "Scholam Grammatican, A.S. MDCXX Benivolentian Roberti Garsett Armig et Ricardi Willbraham Equit Fundatam. Metustate et Incuria Dilapsam Instaurarit Reposuit Restituit Geogius Woodhead Armig A.S. MDCCCLVIII". Included for group value.

See my own photograph on Hyde Daily Photo.

Mottram School House

2010-12-20T00:00:00.001Z

This photograph, © Frank Bennett, first appeared on the Images of England site and is republished here with permission.

Date Photographed: 02 September 2000.

The official description is

LONGDENDALE CHURCH BROW SJ 99 NE (west side) 4/48 No. 6 20.4.77 (School House) G.V. II Schoolmaster's house. Dated 1862. Rock-faced stone with ashlar dressings and graduated stone slate roof. 3 bays, single-depth with 2 storeys. 3, 4 and 5-light chamfered mullion windows with hoodmoulds on ground floor, none on first. Tudor style door in bay 3 with "manners maketh man" inscribed above in Gothic script. Bays 1 and 2 are recessed the eaves being supported on slender timber columns with arch bracing. A plaque in bay 3 reads "Come ye Children: Harken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord: The fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom: Bring them: In the nurture and admonition of the Lord: Anno Domini MDCCCLXII". Coped gables, 2 ridge chimney stacks and mullion windows to rear.

See my own photograph on Hyde Daily Photo.

Mottram Village Stocks

2010-12-12T00:00:00.001Z

This photograph © Frank Bennett first appeared on the Images of England site and is republished here with permission.

Date Photographed: 02 September 2000.

The listed buildings description is

SJ 99 NE LONGDENDALE MARKET PLACE 4/69 Village Stocks 20.4.77 G.V. II Stocks. Probably C18. Pair of plain stone posts with grooves for timber foot restraints which have iron fasteners. Formerly located in the village of Hattersley.

For a more recent view see Hyde Daily Photo.

Hyde Park Bandstand

2010-12-09T00:00:00.001Z

This photograph © Frank Bennett first appeared on the Images of England site and is republished here with permission.

Date Photographed: 22 August 1999.

It is described thus:

HYDE HYDE PARK SJ 99 NW 3/24 Band Stand - II Bandstand. Late C19. Copper roof on cast iron columns and brick base. Octagonal canopy on columns placed at each corner. Base has ashlar dressings. Elaborate pierced cast iron arches span between the enriched columns which have crocket capitals. Similar pierced eaves brackets. Dome- shaped roof with decorative crown and weather-vane.

For a recent view see Hyde Daily Photo.

Hyde Bus Station 1999

2010-11-01T00:00:00.000Z

The CDPB theme for today is Public Transport so here is a photograph of Hyde Bus Station from 1999.

On Hyde Daily Photo you can see Mark Delahoyde's blending of a 50 year old photograph with one of mine taken in July 2010.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants to the theme day.

A Brief History of Hyde FC

2010-09-08T00:00:00.002+01:00

Hyde FC was formed on July 27th 1885 at a meeting in the White Lion.

That was two years before the famous record 26-0 FA Cup defeat suffered at the hands of Preston North End in 1887.

Despite that the 1887/88 season was actually a very successful one at the end of which Hyde met Newton Heath (now Manchester United) in a match the local press termed the unofficial championship of Manchester.

The club was playing on a field close to the Bankfield Hotel, which may well have been where Ewen Fields is today.

In 1898 they moved to play at Townend Street, and set up a headquarters at the Gardeners Arms. This was home until May 1906 when they amalgamated with rival club, Hyde St. Georges, began playing at Ewen Fields and taking over their place in the Lancashire Combination. By 1917 however, in the midst of the Great War, the club had folded, and Ewen Fields was no more than a vegetable patch to aid the war effort.

In 1919 a new club, Hyde United FC was formed and, with Ewen Fields earmarked for housing, initially played at Townend Street on condition that the owner be allowed to graze his cattle on the pitch. By the summer of 1920 however, the proposed development plans came to nothing and the club moved into Ewen Fields.

After one season, Hyde United joined the Manchester League and by 1930 had won it five times and the Gilgryst Cup twice. They moved into the Cheshire County League in 1930 and won the League Challenge Cup four years later. The decade after the Second World War proved to be a purple patch for the club. The Cheshire Senior Cup, won in 1946, was the first of many trophies to arrive at Ewen Fields during the next ten years.

In 1953 Hyde United won the League Cup and this was followed by a league and cup double a season later. Season 1955/56 saw them retain the championship and they finished runners-up in the following three seasons. The FA Cup first round was reached in 1954 losing 5–1 away to Workington, who were then managed by Bill Shankly. In the following two seasons the club clinched back-to-back Cheshire League titles.

A new social club was built in 1966 and at the end of 1968 a game against Manchester City officially opened the new £4,000 floodlights.

Hyde's nickname, the Tigers, was adopted at the end of the 1960s when they were founder members of the Northern Premier League. They were expected to struggle but fought like Tigers for two seasons and finished seventh and eleventh. However, the club could not compete financially and returned to the Cheshire League in 1970.

In 1986, Hyde took the radical step of selling Ewen Fields to Tameside Council so that a synthetic Baspograss pitch could be laid.

In 1995/96 Ewen Fields returned to grass surface which played host to another FA Trophy semi-final appearance, this time against Northwich Victoria.

In 2005, Hyde United won the Northern Premier League title for the first time in their history, but it was not without controversy as they were awarded the title after an appeal to the FA. The title was originally awarded to Farsley Celtic after the expunging of Spennymoor United's results because they were unable to complete their fixtures that season (with a Hyde fixture one of those not played). On appeal, this decision was overturned and Hyde, along with other teams who had not played them twice, were awarded 3 points for a "0–0 win" which was enough to secure Hyde's first Northern Premier League title.

On 24 September 2009, the club was officially wound up at the High Court in London, with debts of around £120,000 to HM Revenue and Customs. Over the next few days major fund-raising efforts by the Club officials, supporters and players, which included a bucket collection at a Manchester City Premier League match, sufficient funds were raised for an appeal to be lodged against the High Court decision. The appeal was heard on 30 September 2009, and the original decision was rescinded.

In 2010 to celebrate its 125 year history, the club reverted to its former name Hyde FC. Their kit was changed from red shirts and white shorts to the original white shirts and navy-blue shorts. From 2010 the ground will also be home to Manchester City Reserves for at least the next three years. As part of the deal, an upgrade of facilities has dramatically transformed Ewen Fields, with a new colour scheme and general improvements to the ground.

The information above is sourced from the Offical Club Website, a recently updated article on Wikipedia and the Pyramid Passion website which includes several photographs of the old stands prior to the recent improvements.

A photograph of the new main stand can be found on Hyde Daily Photo whilst the new sign at the entrance to Ewen Fields can be seen on Hyde DP Xtra.

For more H posts visit ABC Wednesday.

Hyde Market in the 1950s

2010-09-01T00:00:00.000+01:00

This view of Hyde Market in the 1950s is taken from Nancy and Tom's blog Hyde Cheshire.

Hyde Market was the subject of local artist Harry Rutherfords' most famous work "Northern Saturday".

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants to the CDPB theme.

Happy Return From Sutton: A George Wain Film 1942

2010-08-12T00:00:00.001+01:00

George Wain, an art teacher at Hyde Grammar School, was also an amateur film maker.

During WWll he was commissioned by "The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents" to make road safety films for school children.

This is his film of his trip to Sutton in Surrey, and London, and his return home to Dowson Road and his family during the summer of 1942.

Another a war-time relic can seen on Hyde Daily Photo.

Cheshire Cheese, Gee Cross, 1982 and earlier

2010-08-04T00:00:00.002+01:00

This is the Cheshire Cheese on Stockport Road in Gee Cross. The photograph was taken by Janet Howie in 1982.

It is not to be confused with the Cheshire Cheese in Newton, nor the Cheshire Cheese in Broadbottom, featured today on Hyde DP Xtra.

Janet also sent me scans of two much earlier photographs (dates unknown) from her collection. As can be seen here, the left hand side of the building was originally a separate grocery shop.

See how it looks in 2010 on Hyde Daily Photo.

For more C posts visit ABC Wednesday

Bus Station, Hyde mid-20th Century

2010-07-28T00:00:00.002+01:00

Bus Station, Hyde mid-20th Century

This photograph of Hyde Bus Station [from Nancy & Tom's Hyde, Cheshire blog] is from the late 1950s or early 60s. In the background is the recently closed Astoria Bingo Hall.

On the left is George Street which was totally demolished when the M67 motorway was pushed through in the 1970s.

The post-motorway bus station still had the passengers waiting on the outside under draughty "shelters" with inadequate seating.

Hyde got a new bus station in 2005 where the buses circulate around the outside while passengers wait within an all-weather designed area.

You can see how it looks now on Hyde Daily Photo.

For more B posts visit ABC Wednesday

Hyde Hall in 1794

2010-07-26T00:00:00.000+01:00

Hyde Hall in 1794

According to Pigot & Company's Trade Directory of 1834

Hyde Hall, the seat of Hyde John Clarke, Esquire, is a building of some considerable antiquity; recent improvements have deprived the exterior of its ancient appearance, but a greater part of the interior is in its original state. It is pleasantly situated on the river Tame, but the rapid progress made in manufacture, and the introduction of machinery to such a vast extent and power has materially deteriorated from the beauties of the adjacent scenery.

Hyde Hall (not to be confused with its surviving namesake in Denton) was situated on the left bank of the river Tame, a short distance to the east of Clarke's Bridge over the river (not to be confused with Captain Clarke's Bridge over the Peak Forest Canal). The drive to the hall was off Mill Lane, just above the bridge. On the opposite side of the river in Glass House Fold, Haughton, Lancashire, the Clarke family worked coal pits where a company of refugee Flemish glass makers and blowers had settled during the reign of Elizabeth I.

Around 1793, George Hyde Clarke built Clarke's Bridge over the river Tame at the bottom of Mill Lane. He did this in order to improve the supply of coal into Hyde and also in anticipation of the opening of the Peak Forest Canal, in which he was a major shareholder. The lower level of the canal opened in 1799/1800. However, this single-arched bridge was seriously damaged, and possibly destroyed, by the great flood that occurred on the 17 August 1799. (The present Mill Lane bridge over the River Tame was erected in 1895).

Notwithstanding this, a tramway was constructed from Glass House Fold, over this bridge, or its successor, along the side of Mill Lane for a short distance and then up the field by Hyde Hall to a wharf on the canal where coal from the pit, carried in horse-drawn waggons, was loaded into boats. The date of abandonment of this pit is unknown but there is no reference to it in the 1888 Distance Table of the Peak Forest Canal.

The original Hyde Hall, dating from the seventeenth century, was considerably altered in the mid eighteenth century creating the Georgian country house pictured above. The hall was demolished in 1857, but the farm building, on the left in this picture, survived into the twentieth century. The site of the Hall was purchased by Hyde Corporation in 1924.

A map dated 1882 appears to show Hyde Hall itself occupying the land that is now Kingston Recreation Ground. Hyde Mill is shown adjacent to the river in an area now occupied by a Fairhaven caravan park.

A fuller account of the Clarke Family of Hyde can found at http://www.pittdixon.go-plus.net/clarke/clarke.htm

Recent photographs of Kingston Recreation Ground can be found on Hyde Daily Photograph and also on Hyde DP Xtra.

I'm indebted to Paul Hyde-Clarke for bringing some of this material to my attention.

Broadbottom Station Car Park 1965

2010-07-13T00:00:00.001+01:00

Photograph © Ben Brooksbank.

This photograph was taken on 5th May 1965 by Ben Brooksbank.

I recently posted his photograph taken from the Moss Lane bridge.

This is from the other side of the station looking West from Mottram Road down into the car park. The station buildings and Moss Lane can be clearly seen.

Compare it now with my recent photograph on Hyde Daily Photo taken from Mottram Road. The car park is much fuller and the abundant foliage obscures any view of the station buildings.

Yorkshire Bank 1990

2010-07-07T00:00:00.002+01:00

This 1990 view of Market Street was taken outside the Clarendon Hotel, by Alan Young. Alan was playing with the West Virginian classic rock band Par Avion who were over in the UK doing a few gigs. I'm not sure about the presence of the ambulance - what interests me is the Yorkshire Bank across the road.

Now, as can be seen on Hyde Daily Photo it is sandwiched between the Chicken Hut and Subway.

It had different neighbours twenty years ago. The shop above was Etcetera which I think was a ladies dress and accessories shop. The shop below was Granada TV Sales & Rentals
and to the right of that was Greenwoods Gents Outfitters.

According to Wikipedia

the bank was established on 1 May 1859 by Colonel Edward Akroyd of Halifax. Based in Leeds it was known as the West Riding Penny Savings Bank. It had originally been planned as a provident society but the status of savings bank was eventually chosen. ... The bank was operated on a non-profit making basis and in 1860 it was decided to extend operation to the other ridings of Yorkshire {and later obviously to surrounding counties}.

To recognise this the name was changed to the Yorkshire Penny Bank. In 1872 it issued cheque books for the first time, primarily for small tradesmen. At that time the bank became the first to create school banks, to encourage the idea of saving at an early age. {I recall as a child having a number of savings boxes and piggy-banks donated by the YPB}

... In its centenary year of 1959 the bank's name changed to the more familiar Yorkshire Bank Limited. During the 1970s the bank became one of the first to offer fee-free banking whilst in credit, a move that took bigger rivals a decade to follow. In 1982 it adopted public limited company status.

In 1990 it was acquired by the National Australia Bank who in 2005 announced its intention to merge the Yorkshire Bank with the Clydesdale under one operating licence, in which the former would be a trading name of the latter. Both operate under separate identities although the Clydesdale brand is the one that has been used in further expansion into the south of England.

For more Y posts visit ABC Wednesday.

Broadbottom Station 1965

2010-07-05T00:00:00.001+01:00

Photograph © Ben Brooksbank.
This photograph was taken on 5th May 1965 by Ben Brooksbank.

The view is eastward from Moss Lane towards Hadfield and Sheffield on the then ex-Great Central Manchester to Sheffield (Victoria) main line. It was called 'Mottram & Broadbottom' until 1954. The station is now served by local trains from Manchester (Piccadilly) to Hadfield and Glossop; the main line to Sheffield having lost its through passenger services in January 1970 and its freight in July 1981.

You can see how it looks 45 years later on Hyde Daily Photo.

Hyde Cemetery Chapel 2000

2010-06-20T00:00:00.003+01:00

I took this photograph of the chapel in Hyde Cemetery following the trial of Harold Frederick Shipman to use in my account of the murderous GP.

As you can see on Hyde Daily Photograph, ten years later the chapel looks much the same apart from some obvious strengthening of the doors.

Up the Junction 1990

2010-06-10T00:00:00.001+01:00

Alan Young took this photograph of the junction of Cheetham Hill Road with Birch Lane/Ashton Road from outside the former Dukinfield Arms in June 1990.

Compare this with the photograph on Hyde Daily Photograph which I took recently from the same spot.

The Junction Inn, like so many others, has been converted into a private residence.

There is now a shelter by the bus stop.

Apart from these changes it looks very much the same now as it did then.

Clock Tower on Stockport Road

2010-06-08T00:00:00.000+01:00

Janet Howie sent me this old photograph of houses and a clock tower on Stockport Road, Gee Cross.

I'm informed that these once stood on the site now occupied by the Smith Knight Fay car dealership at the top of Apethorn Road.

You can see the current day photo on Hyde Daily Photo.

The Tomb of Thomas Beeley

2010-06-03T00:00:00.001+01:00

I was recently sent this old photograph of the Beeley Tomb by Shane Sawyer who now lives in Australia.

I wasn't sure where it was but the building on the left in the background looked very much like Hyde Hospital so I surmised it was located in Hyde Cemetery. Houses have been built on Grange Road South in the meantime so the view across to the old hospital would be blocked now.

I found the tomb in Hyde Cemetery. It sits alone from the rest of the graves just North of the chapel.

The railings are now covered in vegetation precluding any view beyond.

On this old photograph only the following part of the inscription is visible

In loving memory of Thomas Beeley of Polebank Hall, Hyde who died June 5th 1908 in the 75th year of his age. Also of Elizabeth ...

Now the inscription on the Southern side is so worn as to be barely readable. However the Northern side is still visible and reads

In loving memory of Elsbeth Jessie, daughter of T.C & L.A. Beeley of Bowlacre, Gee Cross. Born March 31st 1901, Died August 16th 1901. Also of the above named Thomas Carter Beeley born October 10th 1869, died June 9th 1909.

Alongside the tomb now is a smaller gravestone in loving memory of Jane Slater of Brookfield, Woodend Lane, Hyde who died April 4th 1926 in her 57th year.

Other short-lived daughters of Thomas Beeley are buried at St. George's.

For the contemporary photographs visit Hyde Daily Photo and Hyde DP Xtra.

Inside Hallbottom Gate Inn 1990

2010-05-29T13:45:00.001+01:00

Last week I brought you some photographs taken by Alan Young of the Dukinfield Arms 1990.

A guitarist with the classic rock band, Par Avion from Charleston, WV, he came over in June 1990, together with Tim Thompson (manager & bass guitarist), Brian Young (drummer), Tena Hall (vocalist and now his wife) and Dennis Loudermilk (sound technician). They stayed with Harry Anderson the landlord of the Dukinfield Arms, and performed gigs there, at the Hallbottom Gate Inn in Newton and somewhere called Richmond's (?).

These photographs are from their gigs at the Hallbottom Gate Inn. It looks as though their music was extremely well recieved.

I wonder what has happened to the juke-box pictured here and that fireplace. One thing that you won't see inside a pub these days are those huge heavy ash-trays since smoking in pubs was banned a few years ago.

I was intending to get up and photograph the pub as it is now before posting these photographs but I understand it has recently closed and is due to be demolished. For information and other photos of the outside of the inn see Tom and Nancy's new blog Hyde Cheshire

Some of Tom Wigley's photographs of the Hallbottom Gate Inn can be found on Hyde DP Xtra.

Church Brow Gardens (repost)

2010-05-27T00:00:00.000+01:00

Church Brow is just below Wood End Street and this photograph (c.1910) shows the allotments in the valley of the Gower Hey Brook.

There were still allotments there in 2007 alongside Woodend Street, but the valley is now much more thickly wooded and below Gower Road is an estate of new houses.

When this was first posted, Tom Wigley wrote in the comments

where this picture was taken from, later had allotments on them as well. My father had his allotment here. There was a farm here called Fawleys Farm. I spent many a day in my childhood feeding chickens and rabbits that dad kept there. He was also into Pigeon Racing and was Secretary and Treasurer of Hyde Homing Society and Gee Cross Homing Society. When these allotments were pulled down and the land used for housing he moved over to Church Brew, it was the biggest Pigeon Loft on there, and I think it still stands. It is on the bank of St Georges Church. He shared that with George Higgingbotton and Stefen Zeaman.

The 2010 view of this area can be seen on Hyde Daily Photo.

Dukinfield Arms 1990

2010-05-23T11:30:00.001+01:00

These pictures of the Dukinfield Arms were sent to me by Alan Young.

A guitarist with the classic rock band, Par Avion from Charleston, WV, he came over in June 1990, together with Tim Thompson (manager & bass guitarist), Brian Young (drummer), Tena Hall (vocalist and now his wife) and Dennis Loudermilk (sound technician). They stayed with Harry Anderson the landlord of the Dukinfield Arms, and performed gigs there, at the Hallbottom Gate Inn in Newton and somewhere called Richmond's (?).

Shortly after they left, Harry moved out having sold the pub. It is now a convenience store as you can seen on Hyde Daily Photo.

VE Day 8th May 1945

2010-05-09T10:30:00.001+01:00

seftonwallet has posted another film by George Wain on YouTube.

This one is of VE Day 8th May 1945, filmed in his back garden on Dowson Road, Hyde.

George was his art master at Hyde Grammar School.

Note the Union Flag on the egg, at the end of the film.

Gee X Mill 1984

2010-05-08T00:00:00.000+01:00

A photograph of the Peak Forest Canal taken by Janet Howie, Easter 1984.

Gee X Mill in the background has since been demolished and replaced by a modern residence with lawns down to the canal.

See how it looks now on sithenah.

For weekend reflections around the world visit Newton Area Photo.

Clarendon Hotel 1990

2010-04-23T00:00:00.000+01:00

This photograph of the Clarendon Hotel on Market Street was taken by Alan Young from a bus in June 1990.

Alan was playing with the West Virginian classic rock band Par Avion who were over in the UK doing a few gigs.

I'll be posting a few more of his photos over the next few weeks or so.

The Clarendon Hotel is now the Last Orders and you can see how it looks in 2010 on Hyde Daily Photo.

Rowbotham Street 1984

2010-04-20T00:00:00.003+01:00

Photograph © 1984, 2010 Janet Howie.

This is the top of Rowbotham Street at its junction with Stockport Road in 1984.

See how it looks now on Hyde Daily Photo.

Look further down the street on Hyde DP Xtra.

Towards Windy Harbour

2010-04-06T00:00:00.000+01:00

This camcorder still from 1993 was taken on Werneth Low looking towards the restaurant at Windy Harbour.

This 1999 photograph was taken from a little further away looking past Windy Harbour towards Hattersley and the Longdendale Valley.

The restaurant was damaged by fire in 2000 and subsequently demolished.

The present state of the site can be seen on Hyde Daily Photo.

Red Pump Street

2010-04-01T00:00:00.002+01:00

Aiken's "Forty Miles Round Manchester," published in 1795, says:

Near the commencement of the Eastern Horn of Cheshire, which runs up into the wild country bordering on Yorkshire and the Peak of Derbyshire, is Hyde Chapel, or, as it is now called, Gee Cross. The chapel is a Dissenting place of worship. About 25 years ago there was only one house besides; now the place looks like a little town, and forms a continued street of nearly a mile; near it is Red Pump Street, a new village lately built by Mr. Sidebotham.

In a work entitled "Cheshire; or, Original Delineations: Topographical, Historical, and Descriptive of that County: the result of personal survey by E. W. Brayley and J, Briton, published in 1818, this passage occurs:

Hyde Chapel, or Gee Cross as it is now generally denominated, is a small village which obtained its primary name from a chapel for Dissenters, which, with a solitary house, were the only structures here till within these 40 years. The place now resembles a small town, and the houses range along each side of the road for nearly a mile; near it is a new milage lately built and called Red Pump Street.

The name Red Pump Street (which was given to a row of, cottages built by Mr. Hegginbottom, and not by Mr. Sidebotham, as Aiken states) was the name by which modern Hyde was first known. Later, we find the name of Hyde Lane (the principal road from Red Pump Street to Gee Cross) used to designate the growing village. Finally, with the increase of the population, the name of the township seems to have become generally used.

The CDPB theme for April 1st is "Red". Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

Godley Junction Marshalling Yards

2010-03-29T00:00:00.000+01:00

This photograph of the marshelling yards at Godley Junction was taken on 24th March 1989 by Peter Whatley and is reproduced here with permission.

It shows the extent of the sidings required at Godley Junction for locomotive changes between electric and diesel traction. At one time, the trackbed to the right was the main route for Yorkshire coal to Fiddlers Ferry electricity generating station via Woodhead. Godley Junction was the point at which electric traction gave way to diesel. Changes in coal flows and the expense of traction changes at both ends of the journey led inexorably to the Woodhead route's closure in 1981.

Godley Junction had no rationale as a passenger station and was replaced by a new station simply named Godley, but pending formal closure proceedings was renamed Godley East and served by a handful of trains on weekdays to fulfil legal requirements.

You can view Station Road, Godley on Hyde Daily Photograph.

Big Tree 1983

2010-02-01T00:00:00.000Z

The original "Big Tree", which stood at the corner of Lilly Street and Stockport Road by the Diamond Row reservoir, traditionally marked the boundary between Hyde and Gee Cross.

The reservoir was covered and the nearby Diamond Row cottages were demolished, to create an open space.

In 1983 a new "big tree" was planted as a memorial to sacrifices made in Northern Ireland and the Falklands.

Janet Howie's photograph was taken in September 1983; compare it with my own photograph from 2007 on Hyde Daily Photograph.

The CDPB theme for today is Wood. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

Captain Clarke's Bridge 1984

2010-01-01T00:00:00.000Z

Photograph © Janet Howie taken Easter 1984.

The towpath of the Peak Forest Canal changes sides at this point.

A horse, pulling a narrowboat along with a towline attached to its harness, would walk up and cross the bridge then curve down and go under the bridge, or in the opposite direction would walk under the bridge then up around the curve, over the canal and down the other side. The towline could remain attached the whole time, which would save the boatmen both time and effort.

It is named after the navel officer, John Clarke who lived at Wood End in the 19th century.

Other photographs of Captain Clarke's Bridge:

The CDPB theme today is Changes:
Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Hyde Grammar School Photo July 1959

2009-12-26T18:40:00.000Z

Seftonwallet has just added a new video to his YouTube collection. It is an eight-minute scan over the school photo from 1959.

Travellers Call No More

2009-12-23T18:40:00.000Z

When I published a 100 year old photograph of the Travellers Call, I was asked if I had a photograph of the modern building.

Well I've not yet had the chance to get up there and take a recent view. I do however have this photograph taken by Janet Howie in 1982. So far as I recall it looks much the same now.

Waiting at the Travellers Call

2009-12-01T00:00:00.001Z

The Travellers Call was a public house on Joel Lane just above Slateacre.

Who they are and what all these people were waiting here for some 100 years ago, I cannot say.

Neither do I know when the pub was converted to a private residence.

Waiting is the CDPB theme for today; click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

Dowson Road 1982

2009-11-14T00:00:00.000Z

Taken from the end of Queen Street, Janet Howie's photograph from 1982 shows the junction of Market Street and Dowson Road.

Compare it with my photograph of 2009 on Hyde Daily Photo.

Kelly's fishing tackle shop has gone along with the three adjacent shops. The first recognisable building is Robinson's funeral directors. The whole junction has been widened up with a left hand filter and pedestrian crossings.

Diamond Row

2009-11-03T00:00:00.001Z

Janet Howie sent me this photograph of the cottages known as Diamond Row. I'm not sure of the age of this; I'd guess circa 1920.

They used to stand on the corner of Stockport Road and Back Bower Lane.

The Diamond Row reservoir, which was behind them, has been covered and is now an open space.

Alfred Woolley in his Shop Doorway

2009-11-01T00:00:00.003Z

Denys Meakin sent me this photograph of his wife's great grandfather, Alfred Woolley, sitting outside his grocery store at 284 Stockport Rd, Gee Cross, around 1900.

This second photograph is probably ten to twenty years later and shows the premises on the corner of Knott Lane. Denys' wife lived next door at 286 Stockport Road until their marriage in 1959.

With two-foot-thick walls, it dates back to around 1750 and was one of the earliest buildings in Gee Cross. At one time, it was apparently a pub, The Beeston Castle.

In the forties and fifties, the shop was Johnny Graham's barber shop.

This third photograph is © Denys Meakin and taken in 2003. Compare it with my own photograph from 2008.

Today the CDPB theme is Doorways: Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

Orlando Oldhams Cork Cutters Factory

2009-10-28T00:00:00.001Z

Janet Howie's photograph from 1984 is of the Orlando Oldhams cork cutters factory, latterly Ashworth's bag factory. The white building on the right is the Queen Adelaide.

The factory has since been demolished and an estate of modern houses, called Queen's Close, has been built on the site, as can be seen on Hyde Daily Photo.

More O posts at ABC Wednesday

Queen Adelaide 1982

2009-10-25T00:00:00.000+01:00

Another of Janet Howie's photographs from 1982.

See how it looked in

Whittaker's Whim

2009-10-24T00:00:00.002+01:00

About a hundred years ago in the old quarry below the Werneth Hotel on Stockport Road was found what was known as Frederick Whittaker's Whim.

I've been unable to find much out about this, but it is mentioned in an obscure, rambling spoof poem by James Leigh

...
Just take a walk up o'er Werneth Low, and there you will behold
That grand and noble structure at the foot of yonder hill
An ever lasting monument of architectural skill.

We then besieged the palace of King Frederick the Great.
That tumble-down old building on the Back Bower Estate
But not a Godl(e)y soul we found in that ungodly place,
So we razed the building to the ground and left of it no trace

We then marched through the city of Gee Cross, but, strange to say,
The city's ancient glory has long since passed away;
The only ancients that we saw, beside old Freddie's whims
Was Robin and his brother Jam, the famous Gee Cross twins.

We halted on Mount Pleasant, and as we gazed around
We felt that we were standing upon historic ground,
For the foot of Treacle Hill stood gloomy, dark and grim,
The ruins of a temple, His Majesty's first Whim.

Each warrior bowed his crested head above Stone Pit wall,
And thus each one soliloquised upon the city's fall.

Oh, city of the ancients, we gaze upon you now,
Shorn of thy former glory how desolate art thou;
Thy Market Hall, without a roof, is crumbling to decay
Thy public park and pleasure grounds have long since passed away

But soon we noticed that the sun was sinking in the west,
And weather it was time or not, of course the sun knew best,
But we ourselves were very weary, though only half-past nine,
The heat is so oppressive in that Oriental clime.

We sought a refuge for the night at Doorbar's famous inn
...

Stone Pit is a reference to the reservoir now used for fishing and Doorbar's is a reference to the Grapes Hotel.

Now the old quarry is full of modern houses which you can see on Hyde Daily Photo and the quarry wall can be seen on Hyde DP Xtra.

The Lumn

2009-10-14T00:00:00.002+01:00

This image is from The Annals of Hyde according to which

Probably the oldest house in Hyde is "The Lumn" homestead of the Shepleys. Purchased in 1612 from Sir Uryan Legh, of Adlington, "The Lumn" estate became the property of Richard Shepley, whose direct descendants continue to hold it. This estate is said to have received its somewhat uncommon cognomen from the fact that the homestead erected thereon was then the only house near that boasted a chimney. On that account it was named "The Lumn."

Precisely where it was located I don't know but the name survives in Lumn Road which runs from Mottram Road to Stockport Road, a length of which can be seen on Hyde Daily Photo.

Grapes Hotel 1982

2009-10-09T20:00:00.000+01:00

This photograph of The Grapes was taken by Janet Howie in 1982.

Compare how it looked in

Werneth Bredbury Boundary Stone

2009-10-07T00:00:00.002+01:00

Another photograph from Janet Howie taken in 1984.

In the wall outside what is now the Joshua Bradley a stone marks the boundary between the ancient townships of Werneth and Bredbury.

Now it is the boundary between the Metropolitian Boroughs of Tameside and Stockport.

You can see the wall in context from across the road on Hyde DP Xtra and a 2009 closeup by Gerald England on Hyde Daily Photo.

Gee Cross Post Office 1982

2009-10-02T21:45:00.002+01:00

Another photograph by Janet Howie showing Gee Cross Post Office at the corner of Stockport Road and School Lane.

It is no longer a Post Office, falling foul of the general closure of numerous sub-offices, despite a concerted campaign against it. When I posted a photograph of the former Post Office someone asked "Is the new one near?". Well no you have to go all the way into town to the Main Post Office.

Someone else remarked "At least they kept the post box." In this shot the post box is behind the two ladies. It has since been moved round the corner into School Lane.

One thing hasn't changed - there is still a newsagents next door.

Contrasts on Joel Lane

2009-10-01T00:00:00.001+01:00

This is another photograph from Janet Howie showing Joel Lane in 1983.

The white stone cottage was built in 1738 and whilst it has been modernised it still stands as can be seen from the photograph I took in 2008 which you can view on Hyde DP Xtra.

The later brick-built house below it in Janet's photograph has however been demolished and replaced by a newer property although I don't have a photo of that to show you.

The CDPB theme today is "Contrast": Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

Aspland Maternity Home

2009-09-23T15:45:00.003+01:00

I recently acquired some scans of photographs taken in the 1980s by Janet Howie.

The first I am posting is of Aspland Maternity Home on Higham Lane.

It opened in October 1931 and closed in November 1973.

According to an expats page on Manchester OnLine

The building on Lower Higher [sic] Lane, Gee Cross, was presented to the town of Hyde by the widow and son of Arthur Palmer Aspland, a leading figure in the industrial and social life of Hyde. The grounds were formally opened as a public park on 29th July 1922 before the house was converted into the maternity hospital. Staffed by a matron, two midwives, laundress, cook, two domestics, and a caretaker, there were only two small wards and 14 beds. ... The building was demolished in 1987 and the land sold to make room for private housing. Two stone pillars, which once stood on the driveway to Aspland were donated to Werneth Low Country Park, and were erected on the drive at the entrance to the park.

One of the stone pillars can be seen on a photograph I posted in April 2008 of the wall at the entrance to Lower Higham Visitor Centre.

I'll be posting several more of Janet's photographs over the coming weeks and months.

Gower Hey Bank in the 1950s

2009-09-22T00:00:00.001+01:00

Gower Hey Bank, a large house at the end of Osborne Road, was once the home of Thomas Middleton, one time Mayor and author of the Annals of Hyde.

More recently in the 1950s it was the home of then teenager Denys Meakin who emigrated to Canada in 1959 and who has kindly sent me this photograph.

Today the site contains a small estate of modern houses named Gower Hey Gardens which back onto Gower Hey Woods.

You can see the fence and banking on Hyde Daily Photo.

Slack Mills

2009-09-17T00:00:00.001+01:00

Looking down Stockport Road from Gee Cross into Hyde about 100 years ago.

Taken from near the crossroads with Osborne Road and Peel Street, the scene is dominated by Slack Mills. The site was taken over early in the 1900s by James North whose firm patented the PVC glove in 1947.

I recently posted a 1993 view of the factory from Werneth Low.

The mill was demolished in 1998 and the only monument is the restored James North Clock.

See how the view from the same vantage point looks today on Hyde Daily Photo.

The Big Flood of 1906

2009-09-01T00:00:00.001+01:00

The Big Flood happened in Hyde in 1906.

A violent thunderstorm struck on May 8th and five inches of rain fell in five hours.

I've previously shown here photographs of the destruction at Newton Bank Printworks and at the James North Works.

I am grateful to Graham Hadfield for sending me this image that shows the big damage caused to Thornley & Booth's solicitors offices.

The firm survived and today are known as Booth, Ince & Knowles (established 1872) and you can see their present day office on Hyde DP Xtra.

Big is the theme for City Daily Photobloggers today: Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

James North 1993

2009-08-19T21:30:00.000+01:00

This is a still picture from a video I took in 1993 and recently had transferred to a DVD. Apologies for the quality but lets examine the width.

In the foreground is the rough ground now occupied by Alder Community School.

Under the trees in the middle lies Hyde Cemetery.

In the background is the James North Factory, which was demolished in 1998.

Hyde Chapel 1708-1846

2009-08-10T19:45:00.000+01:00

These images are from The Annals of Hyde.

In 1708, on an estate belonging to an ancestor of the Thornelys, the original chapel at Gee Cross was built largely under Presbyterian influence. The district at that time contained only a few scattered farmers, and there was no other place of worship in the township. For nearly 100 years the chapel remained the only place for public worship in Hyde, until in 1814, the Independent Chapel was built on the site now occupied by the Mechanics' Institute.

The original Hyde chapel was a low building of stone with a small flat gallery entered by an outside stone staircase. "It was fitted up," says Mr. Hibbert, "with wooden benches without backs, standing on an earthen floor, which in wet weather was covered with rushes." Among the first trustees the following names occur : Thornely, Shepley, Ashton, Brook, Mottram, Hegginbotham, Harrison, Sidebotham, Gee, and others, showing the ancestors of the principal Hyde families to have been concerned in the erection of this old and interesting place of worship. That the chapel flourished in its earlier years is evident from the fact that a return made in 1715 states that "at Hyde, John Cooper had 674 hearers, 10 gentlemen, 39 tradesmen, and 70 yeomen, including 65 voters for the county."

The present chapel is built of stone and is of most beautiful appearance. Its style is partly early English and it consists of a nave with north and south aisles and chancel, and a fine tower and spire rising to the height of 145 feet. The nave is divided by rows of clustered pillars from which spring moulded arches which support the clerestory. The chapel took two years to build and cost £7,500. Upon a stone tablet over the north door is this inscription :
This House of Prayer, standing near the site of a chapel built A.D. 1708, was erected A.D. 1846 by the descendants of the founders, and dedicated to the worship of our Lord Jesus Christ, under the protection of that Act of Public Justice, 7 and 8 Vict. c. 45, which secures to non-subscribing dissenters peaceful possession of the Chapel and Endowments of their pious forefathers.

The top image is a copy of the painting of the 1767 church which can be seen inside the church.

Compare the present print from the 1890s with my photograph from early Spring, 2009.

Hyde War Memorial Trust

2009-07-26T21:30:00.000+01:00

A new website has just come online. The Hyde War Memorial Trust website has been set up to document the 710 men of Hyde who perished in the Great war of 1914-1919 (when the treaty of Versailles was actually signed). In time, it will contain a wealth of information relating to the men, the monument and the country park.

One of the first additions to the site is a copy of the original 1921 unveiling souvenir brochure.

Dr. Beecroft's Surgery, c.1910

2009-07-22T00:00:00.003+01:00

This photograph of a house on Church Street, c.1910 was sent to me by Yvonne Michelle from Arizona.

She is the great-great-grandaughter of Dr. Samuel Beecroft and Sarah Bloor and the great-granddaughter of Arthur Beecroft and Edith Mary Clegg. The Beecrofts were doctors and the house doubled as their surgery.

When Arthur Beecroft died at sea, while working as a ship's doctor, his wife Edith Clegg Beecroft sold the home and moved to Australia. She sent Yvonne's grandfather (11 years old at the time) to live with relatives in Texas, so he'd have better opportunities in America. Yvonne thinks her grandfather's nanny bought the house and was living there when her parents visited in 1974.

A photo taken by her mother in 1974 can be seen on Yvonne's blog C'est la vie. Update That link is now dead.

For a 2009 photograph and more on the subsequent history of the house, see Hyde Daily Photo.

Hyde Central Station 1989

2009-07-10T00:00:00.001+01:00

Photograph © Peter Whatley from the Geograph website.

For a contemporary view see Hyde DP Xtra.

For a view of the street see Hyde Daily Photo

Hyde Town Hall 1898

2009-06-30T00:01:00.002+01:00

Taken from The Annals of Hyde, which says

The Town Hall was erected in 1883-4 at a cost of £10,000. The foundation stone was laid by Mr. Thos. Ashton, the first mayor, and the building was opened by the second mayor, Mr. Edward Hibbert. The Town Hall Clock and Bells were generously presented by Mr. Joshua Bradley, a retired spinner, who for some years occupied a seat on the Council.

and of the LAYING OF THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE TOWN HALL.

This important function took place on Saturday, June 30th, 1883, when, in the presence of a large and enthusiastic assembly and in beautiful weather, Mr. Thomas Ashton (then Mayor), discharged the principal duties of the ceremony. The event was hailed as a red-letter incident in the affairs of Hyde, and the actual laying of the stone was preceded by a procession in which bands of music, the various friendly societies, the Sunday schools, the members of the Corporation, and other representative bodies took part. Practically all Hyde turned out to assist in the demonstration and the town presented a lively appearance. The streets were thronged with people, every business place displayed flags and bannerets, and the front of the platform where the main event of the day was enacted, was lavishly decorated with over 500 flags and streamers of every conceivable hue. The various public bodies taking part in the procession, amounting altogether to some 3,000 people, assembled in Crook's Square, off Union Street, at 3 o'clock. The procession was led by the Borough Band and the Hyde Corps of the 4th Cheshire Rifle Volunteers. The Mayor, who wore his gold chain and badge, brought up the rear. At the principal scene of operations the Mayor was presented, by Mr. Alderman John Thornely on behalf of the Town Council, with a handsome silver trowel, with which his Worship proceeded to lay the memorial stone. Before finally adjusting the stone the Mayor placed in the cavity underneath it, a tin box containing a copy of the Charter, an abstract of the accounts for the previous year, a list of the Councillors and officers of the borough, copies of the local newspapers, and a few of the current coins of the realm. The conclusion of the ceremony was marked by the firing of cannon at the back of the platform and the playing of the Hallelujah Chorus by the united bands.

Today's post on Hyde Daily Photo shows the details of the Foundation Stone.

St George's Church

2009-06-28T00:00:00.002+01:00

These images are from The Annals of Hyde. Compare this with a recent view taken in April 2009.

The Annals of Hyde tells us

Prior to 1831, the Church of England had no place of worship in the township, and for ecclesiastical purposes Hyde was connected with the Parish Church of Stockport, which place many of the inhabitants attended. Others worshipped at Mottram, or at Denton Old Church ... But the rapid increase of the population of Hyde (owing to the spread of the cotton industry), and the long hours that the people had to work, caused the need of a church within the township to become apparent. The matter was taken up by (among others) Captain Clarke, who obtained the gift of a site from his half-brother, George Clarke, and eventually St. George's Church was built.

The erection of this spacious building was commenced in 1831, the foundation stone being laid on May 28th of that year, by Captain Hyde John Clarke, J.P. The cost, about £5,000, was chiefly guaranteed by the Church Building Commissioners.

The building was consecrated on October 20th, 1832, by the Rt. Rev. John Bird Sumner, D.D., Lord Bishop of Chester, afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury. The church is a plain substantial stone erection in the perpendicular style, consisting of a tower, a wide nave, and a small chancel. The tower which is lofty and square, surmounted by pinnacles with floreated finials, commands a fine view of the surrounding country. It contains a clock and a peal of eight bells the latter inscribed with the names of the gentlemen who contributed to the cost.

The first peal was rung on the 20th of March, 1853, by the ringers from Mottram Parish Church. Since that time the ringers of St. George's have distinguished themselves in various parts of the country, and have been awarded many prizes for
their skill in this department.

The interior of the church (which is galleried all round), underwent renovation some years ago, and is now calculated to seat above 1,200 persons, the whole of the sittings being free. The large east window of stained glass is a fine piece of workman-ship, and was the gift of John Sidebotham, Esq., J.P., of Kingston.

A large memorial window on the western side was inserted by Mrs. Horsfield, of the Longlands, in memory of her son, and on the north and south sides most of the original windows have been replaced by panes of stained glass in commemoration of departed parishioners. The edifice also contains tablets to the memory of the Rev. Alexander Read and the Rev. Herbert Alkin, former vicars, and one perpetuating the labours of Richard Gilbody and George Middleton, two workers in the Sunday Schools.

In the main entrance of the church, beneath the tower, is the family vault of the Clarkes descendants of the ancient lords of Hyde and there sleeps Captain Hyde John Clarke, who for many years was the chief figure in this part of the country.

St. George's was first formed into an ecclesiastical parish in 1843.

Today's photograph on Hyde DP shows the view from the Lych Gate.

Newton for Hyde 1989

2009-06-10T19:30:00.001+01:00

Photograph © 1989 Peter Whatley

Last week I showed you the ways in and out of Newton for Hyde station.

The picture day shows the platforms and is taken looking towards the Victoria Street bridge. The houses on Danby Road are clearly visible.

Twenty years on and they are hidden from view by tall trees as you can see in the recent photograph on Hyde Daily Photo.

In and Out at Newton for Hyde

2009-06-04T00:01:00.002+01:00

These photographs from 1989 are © Peter Whatley.

The first shows the way out from the Manchester bound platform at Newton for Hyde station.

The second shows the old booking office on Castle Street.

To see how it looks 20 years on, visit Hyde Daily Photo.

St Andrew's Whit Walk

2009-05-31T09:45:00.000+01:00

On Friday I showed you United Methodist Sunday School preparing for their Whit Walk.

Today we see St Andrew's Church on John Street.

It was a mission church and according to The Annals of Hyde

Mission work in the St. Andrew's district was begun in 1874 in the Temperance Hall, by the Revs. W. H. White, Dudley, Diggs, and Dr. Smith. Success attending the movement, the present buildings were erected in 1875. For a time Dr. Smith had sole charge of the budding church, but in 1885 it was again taken over by the Rev. W. H. White, and the Rev. D. S. Bowen became Curate-in-Charge. During his time the purchase of the building was completed; whilst a fund for providing an endowment (towards which the Bishop of Chester's Fund granted £1,000) was completed by locally raised sums in 1897. In 1893 the Rev. M. Wilson, M. A., succeeded Mr. Bowen, and was in turn succeeded in 1896 by the Rev. W. Graham, under whom many improvements have been effected. The present curate is the Rev. J. Lawton.

Remnants of John Street remain both North and South of the M67 but the motorway destroyed the middle of it.

Whit Walks: United Methodists

2009-05-29T00:01:00.004+01:00

Last year on Whit Friday I brought you a photograph of the walkers outside St George's Church and I also posted a view of walkers in Gee Cross.

This year I am bringing you the United Methodist Sunday School, George Street.

I don't know the age of the photograph, and I wasn't sure of the whereabouts of George Street which is not marked on modern A-Z atlases.

According to The Annals of Hyde

In the year 1830 the (Methodist New) Connexion commenced work in Hyde, a small room in Cross Street being used for religious worship. In 1833, the Church had grown sufficiently to warrant the erection of a small chapel in George Street. The leading spirit in the movement about that time seems to have been a Mr. John Leech. A Sunday school was formed and this appears to have strengthened the church. Progress continuing, the large George Street Chapel was erected in 1858. The old schools were replaced in 1885 by the present spacious building adjoining the chapel.

I've recently learnt that George Street was completely obliterated by the building of the M67 motorway.

Inside Automasters Again

2009-05-21T20:30:00.000+01:00

Photograph © Bob Abell.

Another 2005 photograph of Automasters courtesy of Bob Abell.

See Hyde DP for a look at the site now.

The Annals of Hyde

2009-05-04T19:00:00.003+01:00

Thomas Middleton's book The Annals of Hyde, published in 1899 is now available for download in various formats incluing PDF from the University of California Library.

This brief extract recalls the early origins of the town.

The earliest references to modern Hyde are contained in Aiken's "Forty Miles Round Manchester," published in 1795, and in a History of Cheshire written 20 years later, Aiken, speaking of this district, says :

Near the commencement of the Eastern Horn of Cheshire, which runs up into the wild country bordering on Yorkshire and the Peak of Derbyshire, is Hyde Chapel, or, as it is now called, Gee Cross. The chapel is a Dissenting place of worship. About 25 years ago there was only one house besides; now the place looks like a little town, and forms a continued street of nearly a mile; near it is Red Pump Street, a new village lately built by Mr. Sidebotham.

In a work entitled "Cheshire; or, Original Delineations :Topographical, Historical, and Descriptive of that County: the result of personal survey by E. W. Brayley and J, Briton, published in 1818, this passage occurs:

Hyde Chapel, or Gee Cross as it is now generally denominated, is a small village which obtained its primary name from a chapel for Dissenters, which, with a solitary house, were the only structures here till within these 40 years. The place now resembles a small town, and the houses range along each side of the road for nearly a mile; near it is a new milage lately built and called Red Pump Street.

It is noteworthy that the above writers make no mention of either town or village of Hyde by the present name.

A map of the Environs of Mottram-in-Longdendale, which accompanies Aiken's book, gives the names of such familiar places as Hyde Hall, Hyde Chapel, Godley Green, Gibraltar, Smithy Fold, Newton Green, Newton Hall, and Harrop Edge, but beyond the location of Red Pump Street no trace of Hyde is found. The name Red Pump Street (which was given to a row of, cottages built by Mr. Hegginbottom, and not by Mr. Sidebotham, as Aiken states) was the name by which modern Hyde was first known. Later, we find the name of Hyde Lane (the principal road from Red Pump Street to Gee Cross) used to designate the growing village. Finally, with the increase of the population, the name of the township seems to have become generally used.

Inside Automasters

2009-03-28T19:00:00.000Z

Photograph © Bob Abell.

Another 2005 photograph of Automasters courtesy of Bob Abell.

This is the front glass corridor. Bob tells me it was

Absolutely roasting hot in summer!

Hyde Grammar School Football Team 1946

2009-03-21T13:15:00.000Z

Hyde Grammar School Football Team 1946, filmed by George Wain.

Look out for future Manchester United and England star Warren Bradley, future PE master Fred Whyatt, and headmaster Dr Couzens.

Automasters 2005

2009-03-13T00:01:00.001Z

Photograph © Bob Abell.

This week Hyde Daily Photo is devoted to Automasters.

Bob Abell's photograph of the offices on Manchester Road complements the first of eight on Hyde DP taken across the road by the sign to "Over Yonder".

Hyde Grammar School: More boys from '57

2009-03-05T14:00:00.001Z

A follow up to Boys of 57 Reunion.

Hyde GS: Boys of '57 Reunion

2009-02-26T15:00:00.001Z

After 50 years, a few of the 1957 intake of boys from that year, get together for a reunion to celebrate a past and superior age. Amazingly, these old buggers can remember the words to the School Song.

Reflecting on Automasters

2009-02-03T09:45:00.000Z

Automasters Engineers were once one of the biggest employers in Hyde, but their huge factory on the side of the Peak Forest Canal has now been reduced to a pile of rubble.

I took this photograph from a bus passing the main entrance on Manchester Road in April 2008. Due to the reflections from the bus window, it isn't an especially good view so I never used the photograph at the time. There is no chance to take a better picture now, so here it is anyway.

The Crown Pole 2002

2009-01-09T16:45:00.002Z

Godley Station 1989

2009-01-03T00:01:00.000Z

This photograph is by Peter Whatley and used here with permission.

It was taken in March 1989 and shows the Manchester-bound platform and a train heading towards Godley Junction.

On Hyde Daily Photo you can see recent photographs of the platform (taken from the opposite end of the station) and of the line towards Godley East.

Adamson's Mills 1981

2008-12-23T00:01:00.001Z

Photograph © Dr Neil Clifton and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Dr. Clifton's photograph was taken in 1981 and he commented on Geograph UK that it "stood derelict and unlikely to find a future user."

Well compare it with my 2008 photograph on Hyde Daily Photo.

The chimney has gone but more or less everything else is still there and it is a thriving hub of activity.

Before there was a Woolworths

2008-12-11T14:30:00.002Z

About a hundred years ago there was no Woolworths in Hyde Market Place. Instead there was Brownson's Clothiers.

I don't know when Woolworths moved in but now it seems they may well be on their way out.

Captain Clarke's Bridge

2008-12-01T00:01:00.001Z

The City Daily Photo Blog theme is Circles or Spheres.

Question: How does a horse towing a boat perform a circle and cross to the other side of the canal without being unhitched?

Answer: Use a roving bridge.

Here is the famous Captain Clarke's Bridge on the Peak Forest Canal as photographed about 1900.

It is named after the navel officer, John Clarke who lived at Wood End in the 19th century.

The towpath changes sides at this point. The horse, pulling a narrowboat along with a towline attached to its harness, would walk under the bridge then up around the curve, over the canal and down the other side. If the boat was going the other way, the horse would cross the bridge then curve down and go under the bridge. Because the towpath goes under the bridge before circling upwards, the towline could remain attached the whole time, which would save the boatmen time and fiddling about.

Another roving bridge on this stretch is the Manchester Road Canal Bridge, of which you can see more on Hyde Daily Photo.

To view thumbnails for all participants to the "circles/spheres" theme, visit the CDPB portal.

Apethorn Farm

2008-11-24T18:00:00.002Z

Originally this was a cruck-framed longhouse from the 15th century.

It was encased in rubble in the 17th century and later with brick.

In 1831 it was the scene of a murder.

In 1928 it was divided into cottages and then in 1993 a fire reduced to it to just the original cruck frame.

You can see how it looked in 2000 in this earlier post

Glossop-bound Train at Broadbottom

2008-11-18T00:01:00.001Z

This photograph is by Peter Whatley and used here with permission.

It shows a Glossop-bound train at Broadbottom Station in July 1988.

A Manchester-bound train at Broadbottom Station in 2008 can be found on Hyde Daily Photo.

Top of Joel Lane

2008-11-06T00:01:00.001Z

A view of the houses on Werneth Low Road at Four Lane Ends from the top of Joel Lane.

See the view in the opposite direction about 100 years later on Hyde Daily Photo.

Broadbottom Station

2008-10-27T00:01:00.002Z

These photographs were taken by Peter Whatley and are used here with permission.

This was taken on 2nd July 1988 from the cross-platform bridge looking towards Manchester.

Although the line now only goes to Glossop and Hadfield, until the 1960s there was a through service to London (St Marylebone).

Of this picture on Geograph, Peter writes

By 1988, almost all the structure had been sold for use as a restaurant. British Rail retained the "lean to" section nearest the camera as a booking office.

Of this photograph from 1977 Peter writes that it shows the station in substantially its original state with the railway booking hall and waiting room still available.

You can see how the station looks today on Hyde Daily Photo.

In George Wain's footsteps

2008-10-25T19:00:00.007+01:00

George Wain's 1947 film Much Ado is probably the only moving memory we have of the area of Gee Cross where it was filmed.

Now seftonwallet who was responsible for transforming George's film into video-format was been revisiting the locations featured therein with Ken Richards and has produced this new fascinating video.

If you haven't seen the original I suggest you watch that first (link above) and then watch the new film.

Newton Street

2008-10-24T00:01:00.001+01:00

This is Newton Street which leads up towards Flowery Field church.

It was taken by Frank Bennett, some time prior to 2002 at the latest. It is a scan of an 8 x 8 print from a 120 film.

Dukinfield Road (the A627 from Ashton under Lyne) after passing Edward Street, meets Newton Street at this mini-roundabout.

Today, there are traffic lights. Although the smaller textile mill in the foreground remains, Ashton Bros Mill in the background has been demolished.

You can see how the junction looks today on Hyde Daily Photo.

Prince Henry in Hyde

2008-10-09T18:45:00.001+01:00

On Thursday 6th February 1930, Prince Henry, third son of George V, visited Hyde.

He was met at Pole Bank by the Mayor, Alderman Middleton.

Crowds lined the route along Stockport Road and Market Street all the way from Gee Cross to the Town Hall.

The entourage of dignatories proceeded to Beeley Street where the Prince was presented with a gold key which he used to open the new Hyde Lads Club. There he was treated to a gymnastic display.

The procession then made its way to the Town Hall where, after a presentation, lunch was served to 300 guests which included the Mayors of several neighbouring towns.

Afterwards the Mayor and the Chief Constable accompanied the Prince to Broomstair Bridge where they handed him over to the Lord Mayor of Manchester.