Hyde Town Hall 1898

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.

The Crown Pole 2002

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.

Read post update January 2012.

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.

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.

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.

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 of the Market & Town Hall, a Century ago

A view across a corner of the market towards the Town Hall.

Compare it if you will with the same scene today on Hyde Daily Photo.

Hyde Town Hall Xmas 1998

This is a composite picture from 1998.

A Happy Christmas to all our readers.

Hyde Town Hall 1907

This 1907 picture of Hyde Town Hall appeared on Old Wom Tigley's Wiggers World blog together with a poem by Joshua Bradley about the opening of Hyde Town Hall Clock and Bells, October 18th 1884.

Today's post at Hyde Daily Photo shows how the Town Hall looks one hundred years later.