Adamson's Mills 1981

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Lines at Hyde North

Photograph © Peter Whatley and used with permission.

The theme for City Daily Photo Blogs this month is Lines.

The picture was take on 24th March 1989 from a train approaching Hyde North station. The track on the left is the electrified line from Manchester Piccadilly towards Glossop which at one time went to Sheffield via the Woodhead Tunnel.

The line South through Hyde North goes to Marple and is not electrified.

On my photograph of Hyde North station, July 2006, taken from the top of the platform crossover bridge, you can see this viewed from the opposite direction.

Peter's picture (in colour) can be viewed on the Geograph site.

163 blogs have registered and are lined up to run this theme: ~~ Albuquerque, ~~ American Fork, ~~ Arradon, ~~ Ashton under Lyne, ~~ Aspen, ~~ Auckland, (Lachezar), ~~ Auckland (Baruch), ~~ Austin, ~~ Avignon, ~~ Bandung (Eki), ~~ Bandung (Harry), ~~ Bandung (Bunyamin), ~~ Barrow-in-Furness, ~~ Barton, ~~ Baziège, ~~ Belgrade (Bibi), ~~ Belgrade (BgdPic), ~~ Bellefonte, ~~ Bicheno, ~~ Birmingham, ~~ Bogor, ~~ Boston (Clueless), ~~ Boston (Ilse), ~~ Budapest (Zannnie and Zsolt), ~~ Budapest (Agrajag), ~~ Budapest (Isadora), ~~ Buenos Aires, ~~ Canterbury, ~~ Cape Town (JSB), ~~ Cape Town (Kerry-Anne), ~~ Cavite, ~~ Château-Gontier, ~~ Chateaubriant (Trieulet), ~~ Chateaubriant (Bergson), ~~ Cheltenham, ~~ Chennai, ~~ Coral Gables, ~~ Durban, ~~ Edwardsville, ~~ Fort Lauderdale, ~~ Franschhoek, ~~ Geneva, ~~ Glasgow, ~~ Greenville, ~~ Grenoble, ~~ Hamilton, ~~ Hangzhou, ~~ Helsinki, ~~ Hobart, ~~ Honningsvag, ~~ Hyde (Gerald), ~~ Hyde (Old Hyde), ~~ Islip, ~~ Jackson, ~~ Jakarta, ~~ Jefferson City, ~~ Karwar, ~~ Knoxville, ~~ Kuala Lumpur, ~~ La Antigua Guatemala, ~~ Lakewood, ~~ Larchmont, ~~ Las Vegas, ~~ Lisbon, ~~ Lodz, ~~ London (Mo), ~~ London (Ham), ~~ Madrid, ~~ Mainz, ~~ Manila (Hilda), ~~ Manila (Anthony), ~~ Manila (Heyokity), ~~ Melbourne, ~~ Menton, ~~ Mexico City, ~~ Middletown, ~~ Milton, ~~ Milwaukee, ~~ Minneapolis (Mitch), ~~ Minneapolis (Greg), ~~ Minneapolis (Scott), ~~ Molfetta, ~~ Monrovia, ~~ Monte Carlo, ~~ Monterrey, ~~ Muizenberg, ~~ Mumbai (Kunalbhatia), ~~ Mumbai (Anu), ~~ Nelson, ~~ New Delhi, ~~ New York City (Ming the Merciless), ~~ New York City (Kitty), ~~ Norwich, ~~ Orlando, ~~ Paderborn, ~~ Palos Verdes, ~~ Paris (Elsa), ~~ Paris (Eric), ~~ Pasadena (Can8ianben), ~~ Pasadena (Petrea), ~~ Pensacola, ~~ Petoskey, ~~ Philadelphia, ~~ Phoenix, ~~ Pilisvörösvár, ~~ Port Angeles, ~~ Prague, ~~ Quezon City, ~~ Quincy, ~~ Rabaul, ~~ Ramsey, ~~ Reykjavik, ~~ Riga, ~~ Roanoke, ~~ Rome, ~~ Rotterdam, ~~ Rouen, ~~ Saarbrücken, ~~ Saigon, ~~ Saint Louis, ~~ Saint Paul, ~~ Salt Lake City, ~~ San Antonio, ~~ San Diego, ~~ San Francisco (Burd), ~~ San Francisco (PFranson), ~~ Schenectady, ~~ Seattle (Chuck), ~~ Seattle (Kim), ~~ Selma, ~~ Sequim, ~~ Sesimbra, ~~ Setúbal, ~~ Silver Spring, ~~ Singapore, ~~ Sofia, ~~ South Pasadena, ~~ Stanwood, ~~ Stayton, ~~ Stockholm, ~~ Sunshine Coast, ~~ Sydney (Sally), ~~ Sydney (Ann), ~~ Székesfehérvár, ~~ Tacloban City, ~~ Tamarindo, ~~ Telluride, ~~ Terrell (Jim), ~~ Terrell (Bstexas), ~~ Test City, ~~ Torun, ~~ Toulouse, ~~ Turin, ~~ Tuzla, ~~ Twin Cities, ~~ Vienna, ~~ Wailea, ~~ Washington, ~~ Wellington, ~~ West Sacramento, ~~ Weston, ~~ Willits, ~~ Yardley.

To view thumbnails of the participants to the theme, visit the CDPB portal

Theatre Royal Heritage Open Day

This photo of the Mullins Carousel performing at the Theatre Royal was on the display board today at the theatre.

It was open today and will be tomorrow also for guided tours. As a result of my visit today I've added an additional 12 photographs to my Theatre Royal album.

Haymaking at Dove Farm 1913

Dove Farm, built in 1675 and enlarged in 1781, is said to be haunted by hounds. It is in the Godley Green area, but I don't have a modern photograph.

This haystack (click on picture for a larger view) was set on fire on Thursday, 4th September 1913 and was still burning the following Tuesday.

Twinned with Colmar

Christmas at Colmar, France. Taken by Vincent Denefeld the 27th of November 2005. This work of art is distributed under the Free Art license.

The CDPB theme for 1st September 2008 is "Sister Cities" which is the American term for what we generally call "Town Twinning". It is a concept whereby towns or cities in geographically and politically distinct areas are paired, with the goal of fostering human contact and cultural links.

In March 1962, the two councils of Hyde and Colmar decided to establish friendly relations under the auspices of the Council of European Municipalities.

The North-West Film Archive has a 16mm film of the CEREMONY OF TWINNING BETWEEN THE BOROUGH OF HYDE AND THE TOWN OF COLMAR, FRANCE produced by G. Wain in 1963. Lasting 4 mins 54 secs it includes brief exteriors of Hyde Town Hall, followed by interiors featuring participants from both towns, speeches and ceremony.

A number of George Wain's films have been featured here, but we have been unable to locate a copy of this one.

The Tameside Local Studies and Archives Centre has only a few items related to the twinning, but they include a typescript of the speech by the Mayor of Colmar on 3rd September 1965 in which he says

In the arms of Hyde, which are those of a dynamic and active town, proud of its miners, its textiles and metal workers, there is a word which sums up the programme of your municipality and the aims of your citizens. That word is "ONWARD" ... It is this "ONWARD" spirit that we hope will characterise our partnership and help to draw the citizens of our two towns closer together in brotherly friendship and fruitful collaboration.

Forty-two years on and the arrangement appears to have been virtually forgotten.

More information about the twinning can be found on Hyde Daily Photo.

The 148 blogs that have signed up to the month's theme are:

Adelaide ~~ American Fork ~~ Arradon ~~ Aspen ~~ Auckland ~~ Aurora ~~ Avignon ~~ Bandung (Bunyamin) ~~ Bandung (Harry) ~~ Bandung (Eki) ~~ Barrow-in-Furness ~~ Belgrade ~~ Bellefonte ~~ Bogor ~~ Brighton ~~ Brookville ~~ Bucharest ~~ Budapest (Zannnie and Zsolt) ~~ Budapest (Isadora) ~~ Buenos Aires ~~ Busan ~~ Canterbury ~~ Cavite ~~ Château-Gontier ~~ Chateaubriant (trieulet) ~~ Chateaubriant (Bergson) ~~ Cheltenham ~~ Chennai (Shantaram) ~~ Chennai (Ram N) ~~ Christchurch ~~ Coral Gables ~~ Darmstadt ~~ Edinburgh ~~ Edmonton ~~ Evry ~~ Geneva ~~ Glasgow ~~ Gothenburg ~~ Grenoble ~~ Hanoi ~~ Helsinki (Kaa) ~~ Helsinki (PPusa) ~~ Hobart ~~ Honningsvag ~~ Hyde (Old) ~~ Hyde (Gerald) ~~ Istanbul ~~ Jefferson City ~~ Jerusalem ~~ Karwar ~~ Katonah ~~ Kuala Lumpur ~~ Kyoto ~~ Lakewood ~~ Las Vegas ~~ Lisbon ~~ London (Ham) ~~ London (Mo) ~~ Madrid ~~ Mainz ~~ Manila ~~ Mashhad ~~ Menton ~~ Mexico City ~~ Minneapolis (Mitch) ~~ Minneapolis (Greg) ~~ Misawa ~~ Monte Carlo ~~ Monterrey ~~ Muizenberg ~~ Mumbai ~~ Nashville ~~ Nelson ~~ New Delhi ~~ New Orleans ~~ New York City (Ming) ~~ New York City (Kitty) ~~ New York City (Eliane) ~~ Newport News ~~ Nice ~~ Norwich ~~ Orlando ~~ Palos Verdes ~~ Paris (Eric) ~~ Paris (Elsa) ~~ Pasadena ~~ Pensacola ~~ Petaling Jaya ~~ Petoskey ~~ Philadelphia ~~ Phoenix ~~ Pilisvörösvár ~~ Port Angeles ~~ Portland ~~ Portsmouth ~~ Prague ~~ Ramsey ~~ Rancho Palos Verdes ~~ Riga ~~ Rouen ~~ Saarbrücken ~~ Saigon ~~ Saint Louis ~~ Saint Paul ~~ Salem ~~ San Diego ~~ San Francisco ~~ Schenectady ~~ Seattle (Kim) ~~ Seattle (Chuck) ~~ Selma ~~ Seoul ~~ Sesimbra ~~ Setúbal ~~ Sharon ~~ Singapore (Zannnie) ~~ Singapore (Keropok) ~~ Sofia ~~ South Pasadena ~~ Springfield ~~ Stanwood ~~ Stayton ~~ Stockholm ~~ Subang Jaya ~~ Sunshine Coast ~~ Sydney (Sally) ~~ Sydney (Julie) ~~ Sydney (Ann) ~~ Tamarindo ~~ Tel-Aviv ~~ Telluride ~~ Tempe ~~ Terrell ~~ Tokyo ~~ Torino ~~ Torun ~~ Turin ~~ Vienna ~~ Villigen ~~ Virginia Beach ~~ Wailea ~~ Washington ~~ Wellington ~~ West Paris ~~ West Sacramento ~~ Weston ~~ Willits ~~ Yardley,


To view thumbnails for all CDPB participants to the theme, visit the City Daily Photoblog portal

Godley East 1989

This photograph of Godley East Station, taken on 24th March 1989 by Peter Whatley and reproduced here with permission, appears on the Geograph site with the description

At one time, the trackbed to the left 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.

Today's picture on Hyde Daily Photo shows the present view as seen with a zoom lens from Hattersley Station.

Old Hyde Wordle

Just for fun, here is a recent Old Hyde wordle.

Church Inn, 1902

The coronation of Edward VII was set for 26th June 1902.

On Werneth Low, a bonfire was built.

Two days before the ceremony, the King was taken ill and the actual coronation postponed until 9th August.

The bonfire went ahead as planned as did celebrations at Godley Hill.

This was the scene outside the Church Inn.

The last time I saw any celebrations at the Church Inn was in 2006 when England were playing in the World Cup.

Later that year it closed down and reopened as Tylers but before long it became another dead pub.

Recently it has opened again under the name Route 66.

Automasters 1980

The City Daily Photoblog network theme for today is Metal.

The word makes me think of heavy engineering and in Hyde the one name that comes to the fore is Automasters. Their works on the banks of the Peak Forest Canal closed down in recent years.

This is how the works looked at its peak in the 1980s.

You can view thumbnails from over 180 participants to the theme on the CDPB portal.

Potter Family Grave

This is the Potter family grave in the grounds of Hyde Chapel where lie buried the parents and grandparents of Beatrix Potter.

Click on the photograph for an enlarged view.

Beatrix was the daughter of Helen and Rupert and was born on 28th July 1866 at their London home. Her paternal grandfather, Edmund Potter was a successful cotton manufacturer with mills at Dinting, near Glossop, a radical MP, and a friend of Cobden and Bright. Her maternal grandmother, Jane Leech was from another prominent local Unitarian family, the Ashtons of Hyde and was the sister of Thomas Ashton of Pole Bank Hall and the first Mayor of Hyde. She married John Leech in 1832. They had eight children (two of whom died in infancy) and it was their daughter Helen who was Beatrix Potter's mother.

See Hyde Daily Photo for a view of the tombstone in situ.

Hett's Sweet Shop

Hett's Sweet Shop was next to the Hippodrome Cinema on Clarendon Street.

It was situated where Borough Arcade now cuts through.

The Hippodrome closed in the 1960s and was re-opened by Morecambe & Wise as a Supermarket.

Zion Congregation

The original Zion school and chapel was opened in 1847. It consisted of two storeys with the chapel above the school and was enlarged in 1859.

The large building on Peel Street, pictured above, was opened in April 1899. One hundred years later it was replaced by the modern new Zion Church which opened in 2000.

To visit more ABC-Wednesday Z posts go to Mrs. Nesbitt's Place.

Reverend Dowson

Henry Enfield Dowson was born November 23rd, 1837 and died August 20th 1925. He became the minister of Hyde Chapel in 1867 and served for 51 years.

He gave his name to Dowson Road as well as other places in the town.

So revered and respected was he that he lies buried not in the graveyard but inside the chapel.

His bust can be seen on Hyde Daily Photo.

Under the Limelight

Earlier I showed Hyde Town Hall decorated for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.

Go back to the 1937 coronation and we see the Town Hall under the limelight.

On Hyde Daily Photo today is a close-up view of the clock.

X-country Race

Hyde Grammar School Cross Country Race 1949, filmed by George Wain.



My other ABC Wednesday X posts this week are ~~ X marks the spot at Hyde Daily Photo ~~ Xercise blocks at Ackworth born, gone West ~~ X-stiles at Sithenah

To visit more ABC-Wednesday X posts go to Mrs. Nesbitt's Place.

Hyde Chapel, 1767

The present Hyde Chapel was built in 1846.

The first chapel on the site was built in 1708. It was extended in 1767. No picture of the original chapel is known to exist, but when we visited the recent Beatrix Potter Exhibition, we were shown this picture of the extended chapel. It was demolished following the completion of the new chapel, but the site can be made out in the present graveyard.

A look at the picture in situ can by found on Hyde Daily Photo.

Coronation Bonfire on Werneth Low

The coronation of Edward VII was set for 26th June 1902.

On Werneth Low, a bonfire was built.

Two days before the ceremony, the King was taken ill and the actual coronation postponed until 9th August.

On the command of the King, the bonfire was lit and the celebrations went ahead on the original date as planned.

Wakes Week

This 1950s picture shows Hyde during Wakes Week.

Wakes Weeks were a tradition across the industrial North of England, especially Lancashire, Yorkshire and Cheshire. Each town had its own Wakes Weeks in June, July or August. Whole towns would virtually close down for one or two weeks. For large mills and factories it made more sense to close completely rather than allow workers to take their holidays at staggered times.

Many people went away to Blackpool, Morecambe, Southport and other destinations. For those that remained at home, there was usually a local fair to attend.

The tradition lived on well into the 1980s but has now largely been abandoned.

My other ABC Wednesday W posts this week are ~~ Well on Wych Fold at Hyde Daily Photo ~~ Wreck of the Riverdance at Ackworth born, gone West ~~ Windsurfer at Sithenah

To visit more ABC-Wednesday W posts go to Mrs. Nesbitt's Place.

Godley Hill 1902

This is Godley Hill decorated to celebrate the coronation of Edward VII.

The coronation was set for 26th June 1902. Due to the King taking ill two days before, the ceremony was postponed until 9th August. At the King's insistance though most celebrations still went ahead on the original date.

Video Footage of Hyde 1947

Much Ado is George Wain's award winning amateur film, shot around the Gee Cross area of Hyde, about 1947. It includes Dowson Road, the Peak Forest Canal and a steam train on the Godley Junction to Apethorn railway line.



My other ABC Wednesday V posts this week are ~~ Village Fete at Hyde Daily Photo ~~ Vroom Vroom at Ackworth born, gone West ~~ Vintage Cars at Sithenah

To visit more ABC-Wednesday V posts go to Mrs. Nesbitt's Place.

Children's Day

In 1931 Hyde was celebrating fifty years of incorporation as a Borough. Children aged three to fifteen had been given a jubilee medal and some chocolate.

June 16th was declared Children's Day and some 4000 marched to the Town Hall to sing hymns and the National Anthem.

As can be seen by the plethora of umbrellas, it was not a sunny day.

Godley Junction Marshalling Yard

This photograph was taken in March 1989 by Peter Whatley and is published here with his permission. It can also be viewed on the Geograph website.

There is a clear view on the right of where the track of the old line to Apethorn and Woodley branched off. This was where locomotive changes between electric and diesel traction took place.

In the distance you can see Hattersley Station.

Uplands Farm

This 1920s picture of Uplands Farm on Werneth Low features Violet Warner.

She and her husband lived there with her sister who was the wife of Wright Robinson, an active trade unionist who was Lord Mayor of Manchester 1941-42.

In the summer months they provided teas for ramblers and advertised by posting notices in rhyme on woodland trees.

My other ABC Wednesday U posts this week are ~~ Unity Inn Sign at Hyde Daily Photo ~~ Ulriken at Ackworth born, gone West ~~ Under the Pier at Sithenah

To visit more ABC-Wednesday U posts go to Mrs. Nesbitt's Place.

Throstle Bank

St George's Rowing Club was founded in 1883. The original boathouse was in a field by the Peak Forest Canal at Throstle Bank.

As well as some serious rowing, the club ran day trips to Romiley, Marple and Daisy Nook. After 1905 the HQ moved to a farm at Wood End.

My other ABC Wednesday T posts this week are ~~ Treacle Brow at Hyde Daily Photo ~~ Teithside Tree at Ackworth born, gone West ~~ Turnstone at Sithenah

To visit more ABC-Wednesday T posts go to Mrs. Nesbitt's Place.

Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II

Fifty-five years ago today on June 2nd, 1953 Queen Elizabeth II was crowned.

Hyde Town Hall was suitably decked out thus on Coronation Day.

Corner Shop

The CDPB theme this month is "Corner Shop".

This shop on the corner of Croft Street and Railway Street is alas, no longer a shop but like so many has been converted into an ordinary house as you can see on Hyde DP.

To view thumbnails for all the other participants in this month's theme visit the CDPB portal

Sundial Cottage

Dated 1697, this cottage on Pudding Lane had a stone sundial on its front.

The photograph was taken around 1905.

Although a listed building, it was badly vandalised and eventually demolished. Only the names of two terraces, Sundial Walk and Sundial Close on the Hattersley estate now commemorate the site.

My other ABC Wednesday S posts this week are ~~ St Michael's & All Angels at Hyde Daily Photo ~~ Scream at Ackworth born, gone West ~~ South Pier at Sunset at Sithenah

To visit more ABC-Wednesday posts go to Mrs. Nesbitt's Place.

Hyde Grammer School Sports Day 1946

Hyde Grammar School Sports Day 1946 filmed by George Wain.

Restaurant (British)

This was the British Restaurant in Hyde during WWII.

British Restaurants were communal kitchens created during the Second World War to ensure communities and people who had run out of rationing coupons were still able to eat. They were set up by the Ministry of Food and run by local committees on a non-profit making basis. Meals were purchased for a set price of 5 shillings or less. No-one could be served with a meal of more than one serving of meat, game, poultry, fish, eggs, or cheese.

Originally called Community Feeding Centres, the name British Restaurants was preferred by Winston Churchill.

Hyde Swimming Baths on Union Street was commandeered to provide the service. The site is now a car park.

My other ABC Wednesday R posts this week are ~~ Rabbit Lane at Hyde Daily Photo ~~ Reflections in a Teapot at Ackworth born, gone West ~~ Roadworks at Sithenah

To visit more ABC-Wednesday posts go to Mrs. Nesbitt's Place.

Nunc Amici

Hyde Grammar School, Nunc Amici, The School Song

Whit Walkers: St. George's

It is Whit Friday today.

This group of walkers gathered outside St. George's on Whit Friday 1919.

They would probably meet up with walkers from Gee Cross and other churches in the area.

Queen Adelaide Reservoir under construction

The Queen Adelaide Reservoir, across the road from the Queen Adelaide Public House in Gee Cross, is one of several in the area, built by the Victorians in the late 1860s.

Most like the one at Little Stonepit have long since been covered in and grassed over.

This one is now Sam Redfern Green and the venue for the annual Gee Cross Fete.

My other ABC Wednesday Q posts this week are ~~ Queen Adelaide Inn Sign at Hyde Daily Photo ~~ Queen Victoria's Back at Ackworth born, gone West ~~ Queen Victoria Not Amused at Sithenah

To visit more ABC-Wednesday posts go to Mrs. Nesbitt's Place.

Brian & Michael talk about Matchstalk Men & Matchstalk Cats & Dogs

L.S. Lowry, lived in Mottram from 1948 until his death in 1976. Today's post on Hyde Daily Photo features the bronze statue of Lowry seated on a bench located next to the junction of Hyde Road and Stalybridge Road. There is also a close-up picture of the statue on my photoblog Sithenah.

Local duo Brian & Michael created a new audience for Lowry when they recorded their One Hit Wonder Matchstalk Men & Matchstalk Cats & Dogs. In this video they talk about why Kevin is Brian, and how St. Winifred's Choir came to sing on the record, but not Top of The Pops.

Hyde Grammar School The Staff of 1959

Hyde Grammar School The Staff of 1959 - does anybody recognise anyone?

Pole Bank Hall

Pole Bank Hall was the family home of the Ashton family.

More information can be found on my Pole Bank Perambulation at Ackworth born, gone West.

Recent pictures of the pond can also be seen on Hyde Daily Photo and my photoblog Sithenah.

To visit more ABC-Wednesday posts go to Mrs. Nesbitt's Place.

Horse, Cart and Tram on Market Street

Another Edwardian picture of Market Street, this time featuring a horse, cart and tram.

Royal Visit to Hyde 1946

The Royal Visit To Hyde by Their Majesties King George VI & Queen Elizabeth.

This rare footage was filmed on Dowson Road by George Wain in July 1946.

Onward Christian Soldiers

Whit Walks are a strong traditon in the North of England. They still take place in neighbouring Ashton.

This picture from the 1900s shows the walk in Gee Cross, passing the Lamb Inn.

One of the most popular hymns of the time was Onward Christian Soldiers.

My other ABC Wednesday O posts this week are ~~ Onward at Hyde Daily Photo ~~ Oslo at Ackworth born, gone West ~~ Over the Rainbow at Sithenah

To visit more ABC-Wednesday posts go to Mrs. Nesbitt's Place.

West Side of Market Street

This picture of the West side of Market Street compliments the picture of the East side posted last week.

That is the same tram at the bottom of the street.

On this side is the Church Inn which in recent years has changed its name to Tylers. At present it is closed as are the Globe and Flannagans (previously Moulders).

Newton Bank Printworks

I recently posted here a picture of the Damage at James North Works caused by the flash flood which hit Hyde in May 1906.

A violent thunderstorm struck on May 8th and five inches of rain fell in five hours. Here we see the destruction caused around Newton Bank Printworks.

My other ABC Wednesday N posts this week are ~~ Newton Hall from the Rear at Hyde Daily Photo ~~ No Smoking at Ackworth born, gone West ~~ No Through Road at Sithenah

To visit more ABC-Wednesday posts go to Mrs. Nesbitt's Place.