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.
