Fashion in the 1940s

At the recent Gee Cross Fete I was asked to photograph a newspaper cutting that included this photograph of a Mannequin Parade at Hyde Town Hall. I think it was a cutting from the North Cheshire Herald. There was a handwritten date of 1930 given but the text refers to clothing coupons and so it must in fact be from the 1940s.

There was no evidence of the battle for "the longer skirt", now said to be raging in the fashion houses of London and Paris, at the Mannequin Parade at the Town Hall Hyde, on Tuesday, presented by the Mayoress's Ladies' Committee and Clegg's, Newton Street, in aid of the Mayoress of Hyde's Hospital and Charity Fund. The models were all the current just-below-knee length. Gracfully displaying the wide range of styles were the Misses Doreen Tewson, Eva Hambleton, Pauline Norman, Mrs Cowling and Mrs Burgess, and they carried themselves with the poise of practised mannequins, though usually they are serving behind the counter at Clegg's .

Noticeable features were the pre-dominance of feathers as trimming, the popularity of the off-the-face hat and the tendency tcwards a one-sided outline by the skilful use of side draping in gowns and off-centre bows on hats. Colour combinations of note were: black and sage green, cherry and turquoise, and turquoise and brown.

As an added note of colour a large white cameo-type brooch was pinned to the lapel of the coat. For the fuller figure was a charming brown fur fabric coat with full swing back from a circular yoke. With this was one of the new hats figuring the east-to-west trend, and underneath was an ice-blue wool dress trimmed with self-coloured frilling. Having long sleeves with turn back reefer cuffs it should be a cosy style for the colder days.

The evening dresses were outstandingly smart, in particular a lemon crepe trimmed with black sequins on the pockets, and a full draped skirt, worn with a silver fax cape. Peploms were a noticeable feature of the evening wear, being either draped or pleated and longer than some months ago, when they were first introduced. The woollen indoor suits in fine jersey cloth were very attractive. but at 14 coupons they are out of reach of the woman who wants a winter coat out of her ration of 20 coupons.

Carrfield Mill

This old postcard shows the junction of Newton Street and Dukinfield Road circa 1920.

The tram in the foreground is one that was operated by SHMDJT - Stalybridge, Hyde, Mossley and Dukinfield Joint Tramways from the 1900s until the 1930s.

Behind the old tram is the Ashton Brothers' mill complex: Carrfield Mill, Bayleyfield Mill and Balaclava Mill. The latter two mills mere demolished in 2008.

Carrfield Mill was founded by the Ashton Brothers, Samuel, Thomas, James and John. Erected in 1817, Carrfield Mill was intended as a combined spinning and weaving mill from the start and 200 powerlooms weavers were being employed there in 1819. The partnership known as Samuel Ashton & Brothers was dissolved in 1821 when Samuel left and the remaining three brothers traded as T.J. & J. Ashton. In September 1823 this partnership too was dissolved, John and James forming another partnership with Robert Ashton, a younger brother, at Newton Moor Mill and Greencroft Mill. This left Thomas Ashton in sole control of the Carrfield Mill site.

Originally known for manufacturing Zorbit terry nappies, it became the home of "Christy Towels". The brand was founded in 1851. Christy is the world's oldest towel manufacturer and is the UK's leading towel brand. Christy invented the first loom to mechanically weave what remains today the basis of the modern towel and is the exclusive supplier of the towels to the world famous Wimbledon Tennis Championship. The 1 billion USD Welspun Group acquired an 85% interest in Christy for a business valuation of GBP 15.6 m, in July 2006. In 2008 they closed the dyehouse and making-up departments at Hyde and transferred the machinery to a specially designed site at Welspun's Anjar facility in India.

Their UK HQ and sales office remained at Carrfield Mill until 2012 when they took over 12,000 sq ft of offices and showroom facilities at Orbit Developments' Park Square complex in Cheadle.

The last remaining mill was demolished in 2013 although the office building wasn't finally raised to the ground until 2015. The 7 acre industrial and office development site is now for sale.

See how Newton Street looks now on Hyde Xtra and take a peek at the demolished mill site on Hyde Daily Photo.

Hyde Carnival 1923?

This photograph was sent to me by Sheila Metcalfe who writes:

This photo is believed to be of the Hyde Carnival Parade and my grannparents belonged to an acting company taking part in the parade. My grandfather is the "Queen" at the front on the right. I see the "King" is holding a large key which must be symbolic of something.

According to my aunt, my grandparents were in Hyde for six months doing repertory theatre at the New Theatre Royal. They were most probably with Langley Howard’s Company. My aunt was born in January 1923 and the family (Godfrey, Winifred and Joan Ward) lodged with John and Jane Mattin and their adult daughters. In the 1911 census John Mattin had a grocer's shop at 77 Commercial Street, Newton, Hyde. When Jane died in 1932 they had moved to 75 Mottram Road, Hyde. I'm not sure which address my grandparents were at. Their adult daughters were a school teacher and a tailoress.

I think they were probably there from about June 1923 for 30 weeks, as they were in Hull in May, but it could have been later. Memories fade over time so the year and theatre could be wrong. I haven't managed to find any direct reference to the company performing repertory at the Theatre Royal in Hyde. The only mention I have found of Langley Howard repertory in Hyde in 1923 was in the Hull Daily Mail the following year when the company took repertory theatre to Hull, and only in passing. Apparently "The Silver Crucifix" was their most popular play. I see from the Manchester Guardian that the Langley Howard Players were performing repertory at the Little Theatre, Rusholme in 1926, but neither my grandparents nor Langley Howard are listed as being involved, so I think this is too late.

I would be very grateful if someone could tell me more about the photograph and if anyone knows of Langley Howard's company performing at the Theatre Royal, Hyde or could point me in the right direction. My grandparents performed under the stage names Godfrey Ward and Winifred James.

Please contact Sheila directly at metcalfe012@btinternet.com.

I am also posting this on the Facebrook Groups:
Friends of Theatre Royal Hyde;
Hyde Memories.