Carved Lintel on Caxton Works

Following up on my post about the demolition of the Caxton Works, the carved doorway is still there, but the top part has already gone.

Here is a close-up of the door lintel; you can see it in situ on Hyde Daily Photo.

Sky Watch Friday: Pawnbroker's Balls

This weeks contribution to Skywatch Friday shows pawnbroker's balls hanging over a shop on Market Street.

This is no ancient shop sign but a modern one and not the only one in town.

See it from the opposite side on Hyde Daily Photo.

End of Hyde Central

A follow up to my longer shot of Hyde Central Station this is the view from the end of the platform looking towards Manchester.

On the right is a glimpse of Flowery Field church.

A monochrome version of this photograph can be found on Hyde Daily Photo.

Scary Skywatch in Broadbottom

This weeks contribution to Skywatch Friday is taken in the West End area of the village of Broadbottom.

Can you spot the snowman?

All is explained over at Hyde Daily Photo.

Caxton Works Demolition

I first became aware of the Caxton Works in February 2008 when I took a walk down Mary Street and photographed the Door to Caxton Works and the Top of Caxton Works

Although in a sorry state it had recently been in use by a number of businesses but by October 2008 when I posted Sky over Edward Street it had been abandoned.

Early in July I was not surpised to see some action at Caxton Works.

Here now is the scene last Monday.











This is the Mary Street facade which so far remains intact.


But not for long I suspect.

Gee Cross Well Dressing 2009

Yesterday I went up to the Well Dressing Ceremony that starts each year from outside the Grapes Hotel.


It was led, as in previous years by the Adamson Band.


I've posted a short video clip on Ackworth Born, Gone West.


Booth's Well was dressed by members of Gee Cross & District Women's Institute whose theme this year was the Bandstand in Hyde Park.


The Village Green Well is the responsibility of the Guides, Brownies and Rainbows. "Changing the World" depicts several of the logos of the Charities the girls have been supporting.


At Hyde Chapel, the display by pupils from Alder Community High School is intended to "remind everyone in our throw away society how important it is to recycle, save energy and conserve our dwindling resources".

I didn't follow the band or visit all the sites this year.

For more about the Well Dressing ceremony, read my account of the 2008 Gee Cross Well Dressing and my photographs of the 2006 Gee Cross Well Dressing.

Caption Competition Runners-Up

Last week I posted a Caption Competition photograph.

The winner is Alison Williams from Southampton whose blog is Miso Soup. Alison is actually the person who first introduced me to blogging. A small prize will on its way to her shortly.

You can view her entry on Hyde Daily Photograph.


The first runner-up is Jacob from Ocala. He has a number of blogs and you might care to check for a change his literary offering Creative Confections. I have given this an aged-newspaper look.


The second runner up is Lynn from Cheltenham. I have given this a coloured pencil treatment.

Skywatch Friday: Hyde Central Station

Once a busy station, nowadays there is only an hourly service to Manchester Piccadilly from Hyde Central Station.

See how it looked in 1989 on Old Hyde.

See the view from the station over Manchester Road on Hyde Daily Photograph.

For skys around the world visit Skywatch Friday.

Caxton Top

This is the top of the Caxton Works on Edward Street.

For more information about this building under threat, visit Hyde Daily Photo.