A View of Pole Bank

Pole Bank was originally the home of the Ashton and Beeley famiies. Thomas Kerfoot rented the property from 1912-19.

The hall and grounds were purchased in 1920 by George Frederick Byrom for £4200. He died in 1942 and in 1946 in accordance with his will Pole Bank Hall and Grounds were bequeathed to the Corporation of Hyde for the use and recreation of the general public. Read details of the bequest.

A video by "Lilac Toad" with old photos relating to the history of Pole Bank can by found on YouTube.

Another video shows the work of the Friends of Pole Bank who carried out needed restoration work of the pond last year.

The hall itself is now a nursing home and the grounds are a public open space.

The small three-foot sapling in the above photograph is now a mature fir tree as can be seen in a view across the pond on Hyde Daily Photo (Vol. 2).

Another four recent photographs of Pole Bank pond can be found on Hyde DP Xtra.

The Tomb of Thomas Beeley

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.

Werneth Bredbury Boundary Stone

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.

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.