Hyde DP Xtra

New operator for the Backbower circular.

2012-01-24T00:00:00.000Z

The bus leaving Hyde bus station last Thursday is a #342 on the Backbower circular. It is being operated by Stotts of Oldham after the previous operator Speedwells suddenly ceased trading the day before. On the left is the Astoria bingo hall which closed down in 2010. On the right is the Job Centre and in the background is the Bike-n-Hound public house.

The same bus on the #344 route (the Backbower circular in the opposite direction) can be seen on Hyde Daily Photo.

Front entrance to HBS Pharmacy

2012-01-23T00:00:00.001Z

A new pharmacy opened on Market Street recently. HBS have taken over a former furniture store.

There are already two pharmacies (Lloyds and a Co-op) in the same block. This makes three now and there are a another three (two Boots [one ex-Nupharm] and another Co-op) within the town centre.

Like the other two they have a main entrance on the front of Market Street and a rear entrance onto the Long Meadow car park.

You can view the rear entrance on Hyde Daily Photo.

For more Monday Doorways visit San Francisco Bay Daily Photo.

After a stormy night

2012-01-14T00:00:00.001Z

The morning after a very stormy night. There were large puddles on the footpath. Several branches have been blown down and are lying in the roadway. There is a blue rope wrapped around the tree but what might have been attached thereto I have no idea. The tree's reflection in one of the puddles can be seen on Hyde Daily Photo.

ABC Wednesday: Z is for Zeenath

2012-01-11T00:00:00.001Z

(click on photo for a bigger version)
I did Z is for Zeenath back in July 2008. I've no compunction about doing it again. That time I showed a view of the side window on Port Street.

This time I'm showing the front of the shop on Market Street.

Household domestic spares, fancy goods, small DIY and electrical goods. The windows and walls of the shop are stacked with all manner of stuff, yet there's just enough room for a few customers to go in and turn around.

A wider view of the front can be seen on Hyde Daily Photo.

For more "Z" posts visit ABC Wednesday.

D Sharpe & Son.

2012-01-09T00:00:00.001Z

On the corner of Lumn Road and Townend Street is leather & grindery merchant, D Sharpe & Son, suppliers of aprons, belts, straps &c. It is almost opposite the site of the former James North factory which produced leather products for worldwide distribution.

See the premises on Hyde Daily Photo.

Reflections under Dowson Road Bridge

2012-01-07T00:00:00.001Z

There was a big puddle under Dowson Road bridge on Christmas Day.

A man walking his dog passed me along the Trans Pennine Trail and I captured their reflection in the water.

Another reflection from that day can be seen on Hyde Daily Photo.

More reflections can be found on Weekend Reflections.

Hyde Market at the end of 2011

2012-01-04T00:00:00.001Z

This is how Hyde Market looked on January 31st, 2011.

In 2012 an extensive revamp of Hyde Market is to take place. The £1.2m redevelopment will begin in January and will see the creation of a civic space for events and a change in the layout of stalls to improve access. Key elements of the proposed scheme include the use of high quality materials, removal of street clutter, changing the lay-out of the stalls to improve access to Clarendon Square shopping centre, and the creation of a civic space. The work will take place in two phases so that half of the market will remain open and in use whilst work takes place on the other half. The whole work should be completed by September 2012. The trees will be removed and new permanent stalls provided.

The planning application files can be downloaded from the Tameside MBC website.

A closer view of the stall roofs can be found on Hyde Daily Photo.

Best of Hyde Daily 2011: Runner-up and Full results

2012-01-01T00:00:00.001Z

Reflections in a Tuba was the close runner-up in the competition for Best of Hyde Daily Photo 2011.

The winning shot can be viewed on Hyde Daily Photo.

Full size versions of all twelve contenders can be found on Best of Hyde 2011

Here are the full results with links to the original postings and comments by the voters.

1st (160 votes) By Captain Clarke's Bridge -- such a classic image of Hyde -- takes me back 50 years well done. -- it demonstrates that the sun occasionally shines! -- for being charming (and I always like reflection shots) -- so scenic and adorns many calendars and booklets of Hyde and district. -- I used to go down by the canal fishing with my dad and often used to play on the bridge. -- served my apprenticeship at Joseph Adamson & Co. walked along the canal to work and under the bridge -- the watery reflections and peacefulness combine to make this a beautiful shot -- . my brother and I played there as children, lovely memory -- A beautiful spot, a beautiful shot.

2nd (155 votes) Reflections in a Tuba -- even if it shows that it was raining in July. -- for being clever, -- for trying something a little different. -- I love a reflection, most people never notice them. -- love the reflections and the persistence despite the rain.

3rd (81 votes) Monochrome Market Street -- Beautiful black and white and my favorite place. -- Modern businesses using the old buildings and shops of days gone by -- Was raised (upper Market St) in Hyde and left 40 years ago (now in California); brings back the feel of the old days (B&W&Grey)

4th (70 votes) Pond at Pole Bank -- We used to go to Pole Bank when we visited my gran at Gee Cross -- An awesome photo; like your others, not only is this one beautiful, it evokes happy memories of childhood.

5th (62 votes) Cycling under the M67 -- truly evocative of so many things.

6th (61 votes) Book Bargains -- Bargain books indeed; even cheaper than a charity shop! -- (still raining in August) -- the market ground because they are changing it once again. -- you have gotta love a market and ya gotta love a bargain.

7th (52 votes) Mothering Sunday Race -- The path the runners were on I now go along to Zion church -- I like the oncoming "tide" of runners coming through the trees and washing around you.

8th (50 votes) Grey Day for Cemetery Chapel I'm partial to well-kept historical buildings. -- for being a good B & W shot -- what a tragedy that the council are going to demolish it.

9th (49 votes) Leaving Hyde Central -- Great picture fantastic depth. -- Great Norbury Street I walked up for years to school -- I used to live on Great Norbury street and remember the steam trains!

10th (40 votes) Wardle Brook Avenue -- the name always makes me shiver as I can't forget the Moors Murderers who once lived there but how it has all changed now.

11th (31 votes) Acorn Hill - so quaint.

12th Wheelie Bins in Tinker's Passage -- I used to walk home along here each time I had been to see my beloved Hyde F.C.

ABC Wednesday: X is for Xmas Fete Xtra

2011-12-28T00:00:00.001Z

The Xmas Fete featured here took place at the Central Methodist Church on Crook Street a few weeks ago.

Another photo from the fete can be seen on Hyde Daily Photo.

There are only a couple of days left to vote for the Best of Hyde 2011. View the twelve contenders at Best of Hyde 2011 and vote for your favourite three photographs. Voting closes 12 noon GMT, Friday 30th December 2011.

For more "X" posts visit ABC Wednesday.

Foxholes Tree

2011-12-26T00:00:00.000Z

This tree stands by the side the Trans Pennine Trail at Foxholes just below Knott Fold.

I took this shortly after midday on Christmas Day just after an Emirates airline plane flew over.

See how the tree looked in July 2009.

See the plane flying over on Hyde Daily Photo.

Carols in Clarendon

2011-12-25T00:00:00.000Z

While the Salvation Army were playing outside on the market, members of the Hyde Fellowship of Churches were leading carol singing inside the Clarendon Shopping Centre.

A photograph of the singers can be found on Hyde Daily Photo.

ABC Wednesday: W is for Waiting

2011-12-21T00:00:00.001Z

The folk here were waiting for the Christmas lights to be turned on back in November.

They were switched on by pantomime dame Bev Moss after the crowd had been entertained by Mossley Band and other performers.

Another photograph from that evening is on Hyde Daily Photo.

I'll show you the lights on the Town Hall tomorrow.

For more "W" posts visit ABC Wednesday.

Equitable Warehouse on Railway Street

2011-12-17T00:00:00.001Z

This is the old Hyde Equitable Co-operative Society warehouse on Railway Street. The middle floors are occupied by businesses but the top floor offices and basement storage areas are currently to let.

For a closer look, see Hyde Daily Photo.

Plans for the future of Hyde Market

2011-12-12T00:00:00.002Z

Signboards have recently been erected showing details of the extensive revamp of Hyde Market that is to take place next year.

According to the BBC News report

The £1.2m redevelopment of a Greater Manchester market will begin in January 2012 following the completion of a public consultation.

The revamp of Hyde Market will see the creation of a civic space for events and a change in the layout of stalls to improve access.

Key elements of the proposed scheme include the use of high quality materials, removal of street clutter, changing the lay-out of the stalls to improve access to Clarendon Square shopping centre, and the creation of a civic space.

The work will take place in two phases so that half of the market will remain open and in use whilst work takes place on the other half. The whole work should be completed by September 2012.

The plans can be found on the TMBC planning website.

For a night-time view of Hyde Market as it looks now, see Hyde Daily Photo.

Croft Street Bridge

2011-12-11T00:00:00.001Z

Crossing over the railway line from Rose Hill (Marple) to Piccadilly (Manchester) is the bridge on Croft Street.

The street leads from Hyde town centre to the Adamson Industrial Estate based around a group of 19th century warehouses next to the Peak Forest canal.

The view of the railway line from the bridge can be seen on my 2nd December post on Hyde Daily Photo.

A glimpse of the bridge from the back of Bowling Green Street can be seen today on Hyde Daily Photo.

More Sunday bridges can be found at San Francisco Bay Daily Photo.

ABC Wednesday:U is for Union Street (looking West)

2011-12-07T00:00:00.000Z

Looking West along Union Street to the library, originally Hyde Technical School and Free Library. It opened in 1897 replacing the former Mechanics Institute. In recent years the building was shared between the library and Tameside College but the college has moved out and the library has been extensively refurbished.

The car park to the left is on the site of the original Hyde Baths.

For the view looking East see Hyde Daily Photo.

For more "U" posts visit ABC Wednesday.

ABC Wednesday: T is for Tesco

2011-11-30T00:00:00.000Z

Tesco are building a superstore on land at Hattersley. The land used to be occupied by houses but these were demolished some years when the estate was re-generated.

I suspect that the hole being dug in the foreground is for petrol tanks and this area will be a filling station.

Another photograph of the construction work can be found on Hyde Daily Photo.

More T posts can be found at ABC Wednesday.

China Kitchen and former Globe Inn

2011-11-24T00:00:00.001Z

The former Globe Inn next door to the China Kitchen on Lumn Road is being converted into flats.

Below is how it looked five years ago.

For the current view down Lumn Road see Hyde Daily Photo.

Hattersley Monkey Puzzle Tree revisited

2011-11-20T00:00:00.001Z

click photo to enlarge
The Hattersley monkey puzzle tree was moved from its original location in October 2010 in order to make way for a new supermarket.

Now the land off Chain Bar Road behind it is being used as a works unit for the construction work.

See its original site on Hyde Daily Photo.

Hyde John Clarke and Ann Clarke

2011-11-14T00:00:00.002Z

(click on photo for a larger view)
Hyde John Clark (1777-1857) was commonly known as Captain Clark. This memorial to him is on the wall of the porch of St George's Church.

In a recent BBC documentary in the "Who Do You Think You Are" series he was revealed as the great-great-great-great-grandfather of Sebastian Coe and the illegitimate son of a slave trader.

An account of his life can be found on Old Hyde.

(click on photo for a larger view)
Sacred to the memory of Ann Clarke wife of Hyde John Clarke Captain Royal Navy Died August 21st 1843 Aged 34 years.

See the two adjacent memorials in situ on Hyde Daily Photo.

ABC Wednesday: P is for Pole Bank

2011-11-02T00:00:00.000Z

Pole Bank was the home of the Ashton family, prominent mill-owners. The house is now a private nursing home. The grounds, however are a public open space.

I first published a photo of the pond in May 2008. In early 2010 the pond was dredged as part of renovation work which you can see here and also here.

This photograph was taken yesterday. It was raining heavily and I had to shelter under the trees as best I could. Another photograph from a different angle can be seen on Hyde Daily Photo.

A vintage view can be found on Old Hyde.

For more P posts visit ABC Wednesday.

ABC Wednesday: L is for Leaves

2011-10-05T00:00:00.001+01:00

leaves and leaves
that rustle raucously
in the night wind

© gerald england.

This was the view from my wife's room in Charnley House overlooking Woodend Lane and across the valley of the Gower Hey Brook.

For more L visit ABC Wednesday.

Bertram Terrace 1878

2011-09-15T00:00:00.001+01:00

Date stone for Bertram Terrace on Syddall Street.

See the terrace itself on Hyde Daily Photo.

Road markings on Dowson Road

2011-09-13T00:00:00.000+01:00

Following the recent re-surfacing of Dowson Road the road markings have now been repainted. Compare this with the view before re-surfacing.

At the other end of the resurfaced section there are also double-yellow lines indicating no parking.

Another photo of the road markings can be found on Hyde Daily Photo.

Queueing for The Theatre Royal

2011-09-12T00:00:00.003+01:00

There was alas no getting in to the Theatre Royal last weekend on the Heritage Open Day. However this brief video shows what did go on.

My photographs of the theatre from previous open days can be seen at Theatre Royal Hyde and information about the efforts being made to preserve and re-open the theatre can be found on the website of the Theatre Royal Onward Trust.

I won't be around for a little while as I'm off into a different theatre shortly at Stepping Hill.

The Sportsman

2011-09-12T00:00:00.001+01:00

At the end of the row of terraced properties on Mottram Road, past the hairdressers and next door to the monumental mason is the Sportsman. It is a real ale pub serving the products of the Rossendale Brewery. It now also includes a Cuban restaurant.

See the sign for the Sportsman on Hyde Daily Photo.

Dowson Road Bridge with puddle

2011-09-10T00:00:00.001+01:00

Last week's contribution to Sunday Bridges at San Francisco Bay Daily Photo was of Dowson Road bridge over the Trans Pennine Trail.

This is the view from the opposite direction. For a view of the reflection of the bridge in the puddle see Hyde Daily Photo.

Wet Saturday on Hyde Market

2011-09-09T00:00:00.000+01:00

A view of Hyde Market the other Saturday when the rains came down and sent everyone except the stall holders heading towards Clarendon Mall.

See another view on Hyde Daily Photo.

Across Old Court Street from Water Street

2011-09-08T00:00:00.001+01:00

This is Water Street looking past Old Court Street towards the back of the former Co-op (now Wilkinsons) on Greenfield Street with the Town Hall in the background.

For a closer view of the Town Hall clock tower see Hyde Daily Photo.

Telephone Box in the Rain

2011-09-03T00:00:00.001+01:00

Last Saturday morning it rained heavily and large puddles formed by the entrance to Clarendon Mall.

See a closer view of the telephone box reflected in a puddle on Hyde Daily Photo.

Plastered over cracks

2011-08-29T00:00:00.001+01:00

The M&M discount grocery store on Clarendon Place closed a few months ago. A little later I noticed the cracks in the plastering on the side wall and took a photograph.

Since then the cracks have been plastered over and some of the signage painted over too. It would seem that the premise will reopen soon as a furniture store.

A wider view of the rear of the store can be seen on Hyde Daily Photo.

Frames Snooker Club

2011-08-25T00:00:00.002+01:00

Frames Snooker and Pool Hall as viewed across the gardens of Chartists House.

I'm not certain but I think it has closed down. A taxi-driver I asked yesterday said he hadn't heard of it closing but when I tried to telephone the advertised number for the club it was unobtainable.

A sepia close-up can be seen on Hyde Daily Photo.

New Tarmac on Dowson Road

2011-08-14T00:00:00.001+01:00

A few days ago I showed you Dowson Road awaiting re-surfacing and on Hyde Daily Photo I showed how the road looked on Monday morning when re-surfacing work began.

Today on Hyde Daily Photo you can see how the work was progressing on the Tuesday morning when the guys using the machine you see above were busy.

Nothing much else happened after Tuesday until Saturday morning when they were back again causing traffic disruption whilst putting down the top layer of tarmac. By the middle of Saturday afternoon they had packed up and gone and this is how it looked then.

Dowson Road Awaits

2011-08-10T00:00:00.000+01:00

Dowson Road from the end of Garside Street last Wednesday. On Monday there will be traffic chaos as the roadgangs come in to resurface the road. They'll be working from 9 till 4 for a week working on one side of the road at a time and allowing traffic along the other side controlled by temporary traffic lights. The delays will be horrendous.

See how it looked on Monday morning on Hyde Daily Photo.

For more D posts visit ABC Wednesday.

Looking Up from the Bottom of Market Street

2011-08-06T00:00:00.001+01:00

A view up Market Street showing the colonnade that shelters the row of shops leading up from the entrance to the bus station.

A closer view of the shadows in the window of Waterways can be seen on Hyde Daily Photo.

Hyde Cemetery

2011-08-03T00:00:00.001+01:00

Looking here into the older part of Hyde Cemetery from a bench near the entrance.

This is a view along a path near the South-East corner of the cemetery. The patch of grass marks the site of one of three chapels that were built originally. Two have long been demolished and the one remaining chapel, which you can see on Hyde Daily Photo is now also under threat.

For more C posts visit ABC Wednesday.

Busker on Market Place

2011-07-27T00:00:00.001+01:00

This week's contribution to ABC Wednesday features the busker who plays his accordion in the Market Place at the corner of Russell Street.

There is another view of him on Hyde Daily Photo.

Mirror Image of Reflection in B's

2011-07-23T00:00:00.001+01:00

This a greyscale mirrored image of today's photograph on Hyde Daily Photo.

The Cheapside Ramps

2011-07-22T00:00:00.001+01:00

Looking down at the ramps leading up from the Cheapside underpass. See the lefthand ramp on Hyde Daily Photo.

They emerge into the car park at Morrisons supermarket. This part of the car park though only gets really busy at peak times.

In the background are the houses at the bottom of Brook Street.

Acorn Villa

2011-07-20T00:00:00.000+01:00

The house next to the Werneth Hotel is called "Acorn Villa" and is dated 1879.

Old maps of Gee Cross mark this section of Stockport Road as "Acorn Hill".

For more A posts visit ABC Wednesday.

Gee Cross Well Dressing 2011

2011-07-19T00:00:00.001+01:00

As I promised last week here are photographs of some of the displays made for the 2011 Gee Cross Well Dressing.

The Village Green Well outside Sam Redfern Green, was created by the Guides, Brownies and Rainbows. The theme for their 2011 display was "The Brownie Story". The story is learnt by every girl who becomes a Brownie, where she discovers that the "helpful" person is herself. The story is an integral part of the learning process for Brownies and Guides. In 2011 Hyde Chapel celebrates 85 years of Guides and 60 years of Brownies.

The display in the grounds of Hyde Chapel by students at Alder Community High School was a collage created to tell the community about what they like and what they do within the local community.

The 3rd Gee Cross Scouts display was at Baron Road. The scouts are celebrating the opening of their new scout hut. They are now raising funds to allow them to carry out Phase Two of the building that will create an activity hall for the benefit of the wider community as well as the scouts.

A photograph of Booth's Well is on Hyde Daily Photo.

Information about the history and format of the Gee Cross Well Dressing can be found on Gee Cross Well Dressing 2006.

Adamson Band at Gee Cross Well Dressing 2011

2011-07-16T00:00:00.001+01:00

As in previous years the Adamson Band led the procession around the Gee Cross Wells.

Here they have just turned into Joel Lane.

A wider view can be seen on Geograph.

A closer view of the reflection in the trombone can be seen on Hyde Daily Photo.

I'll show you some of the wells next week.

Information about the history and format of the Gee Cross Well Dressing can be found on Gee Cross Well Dressing 2006.

View towards Yew Tree Lane

2011-07-15T00:00:00.001+01:00

Taken a few weeks ago looking across the site of Hyde Mill towards Yew Tree Lane.

Houses on part of the site (now named "Cotton Mills") are already going up and more will be built on this land too before long.

Another photograph of the site can be seen on Hyde Daily Photo.

More skys at Skywatch Friday.

Grafton Street 2011

2011-07-14T00:00:00.001+01:00

At one time a street of terraced houses but since the coming of the M67 motorway Grafton Street is home now only to the Bangla City, an Indian restaurant that has been established since 2003 and the Grafton Centre.

The Grafton Centre is Tameside's 1st Active Ageing Centre which hosts a wide variety of activities for the over 55s living within the community to enhance their overall health and wellbeing. The centre hosts a luncheon club that meets daily Monday to Friday at 12 noon serving a two course lunch at very reasonable price. It used to be known as the "Pensioners' Club".

See a sepia view of Grafton Street in the opposite direction on Hyde Daily Photo.

Umbrellas at the Grapes

2011-07-12T00:00:00.000+01:00

It was the Gee Cross Well Dressing last Sunday.

At the start of the procession it was raining heavily so everyone was huddled under their umbrellas. Those of us without umbrellas got soaked.

A photograph of Booth's Well can be seen on Hyde Daily Photo.

More photos will be published at the weekend and next week.

Information about the history and format of the Gee Cross Well Dressing can be found on Gee Cross Well Dressing 2006.

Cobbled path to Godley

2011-06-28T09:30:00.000+01:00

On Saturday I showed you the little bridge over Godley Brook and yesterday on Hyde Daily Photo the path to Mottram Road.

Here now is the path in the opposite direction leading up to Godley.

Looking back from half way up.

Looking back from near the top.

The view looking up from halfway up can be seen on Hyde Daily Photo.

Godley Brook downstream of Werneth Brook

2011-06-27T00:00:00.000+01:00

The other day I showed you the little bridge over Godley Brook near its confluence with Werneth Brook. On Hyde Daily Photo I showed you the view looking upstream.

Today's view is looking downstream from the bridge, whilst on Hyde Daily Photo you can see the pathway from the bridge up to Mottram Road.

Little Bridge over Godley Brook

2011-06-25T00:00:00.001+01:00

Looking down the path alongside Godley Brook to the little bridge that crosses the stream near its confluence with Werneth Brook.

You can see the reflections in the water by viewing my photograph taken from the bridge which is on Hyde Daily Photo.

For more bridges check out San Francisco Bay Daily Photo.

Werneth Low from Godley Green

2011-06-22T00:00:00.001+01:00

Werneth Low is a hill which rises to a height of 915 feet (279 metres). On the top is the Hyde War Memorial, a prominent landmark from miles around.

This view is from the bottom of Green Lane looking over Godley Green.

Compare it with similar views from May 2009.

More information about the War Memorial can be found on Hyde Daily Photo.

For more W posts visit ABC Wednesday

Shadows across Peel Street Bridge

2011-06-12T00:00:00.000+01:00

This bridge across the former Godley to Apethorn railway line (now the route of the TransPennine trail) links Peel Street to Mansfield Road.

A view of more of the bridge can be seen on Hyde Daily Photo.

The coloured version of this photograph can be seen at Geograph.

More shadows can be found at Hey Harriet

Underwood Road

2011-06-08T00:00:00.002+01:00

Underwood Road on the Hattersley Estate looking West from near Silverton Close.

Hattersley Estate was built in the 1950s to house Manchester's "overspill" but has seen much re-generation over recent years.

Underwood Road is a continuation of the ancient route known as Pudding Lane.

View the road from the other end on Hyde Daily Photo.

For more U posts visit ABC Wednesday.

Friends Meeting House 1873

2011-06-07T00:00:00.003+01:00

Date stone on what was originally the Friends Meeting House on Chapel Street.

It has belonged to various denominations over the years.

Now it is the home of the Hyde Christian Fellowship - see Hyde Daily Photo.

Gerrards Wood

2011-06-06T00:00:00.000+01:00

Gerrards Wood is a short road leading from Apethorn Lane into Gerrards Hollow.

Geese at the Bluebell Centre

2011-06-04T00:00:00.001+01:00

These two geese are not noted for their friendliness. They live in the pond at the Bluebell Centre in Gee Cross.

The coloured version of this photograph can be seen on Geograph whilst a view from a different direction can be found on Hyde Daily Photo.

Skywatch Friday: St Michael's Road

2011-06-03T00:00:00.001+01:00

Early one morning I was walking down St Pauls Hill Road. A black cloud overtook me on the corner of St Giles Drive.

By the time I reached St Michael's Road it was rainy stair-rods.

See Skywatch Friday for more views.

One Off Engineering

2011-05-31T00:00:00.001+01:00

One Off Engineering on Simpson Street shares its premises with a couple of other businesses.

See their one-off signs on Hyde Daily Photo.

Clocks on the Trail

2011-05-26T10:30:00.002+01:00

Taraxacum officinale, the common dandelion, grows alongside the TransPennine trail.

After flowering is finished, the dandelion flower head dries out for a day or two. The dried petals and stamens drop off, the bracts reflex (curve backwards), and the parachute ball opens into a full sphere. Finally, the seed-bearing parachutes expand and lift out of it. After the seed is released, the parachutes lose their feathered structure and take on a fuzzy, cotton-like appearance.

We call these "dandelion clocks".

For a closer view see Hyde Daily Photo.

Looking Up Cheetham Fold Lane

2011-05-22T00:00:00.001+01:00

Taken about a month ago during the brief warm sunny spell before the weather turned back to wintry again.

For a view in the opposite direction see Hyde Daily Photo.

For more shadows visit Hey Harriet.

Godley Hall Inn at Goldey Hill

2011-05-20T00:00:00.002+01:00

A view up the path to Godley Hill and the inn built in 1718 which stands on the site of an earlier Manor House.

This is the view from the other side where it lies at the end of a small street.

Another view of the inn from across the car park can be found on Hyde Daily Photo. That view can be contrasted with a 1999 photograph on Old Hyde which describes the building's Grade II listed status.

Cherry Laurel

2011-05-15T00:00:00.000+01:00

Cherry laurel is poking through the fence of Tameside Caravans on Russell Street.

Prunus laurocerasus is an evergreen shrub and an invasive plant. Its rapid growth, coupled with its evergreen habit and its tolerance of drought and shade, often allow it to out-compete and kill off native plant species. It is spread by birds, through the seeds in their droppings.

For a wider view see Hyde Daily Photo.

The Chapman Arms Sign

2011-05-12T00:00:00.000+01:00

The pub sign for the Chapman Arms which can be seen on Hyde Daily Photo.

According to Daves History of Hattersley

In 1858 the Manor House was sold to John Chapman, Member of Parliament for Grimsby. A local farm-house was turned into a pub and became the Chapman Arms in his honour. It was demolished and replaced in 1967.

and according to Wikipedia

Chapman died at his house at Hill End in Mottram where he was also lord of the manor of Hattersley and as such always supported the residents of the area including presenting them with a free library.

and that's all I know.

Queen Adelaide's Present

2011-05-11T00:00:00.003+01:00

Details from the frame around "The Highland Shepherdess", one of nine pieces of needlework worked by Queen Adelaide herself and donated to a bazaar held in 1835 to raise funds for a school in Hyde. It was purchased by a member of the Tinker family and passed down through the family into the possession of Margaret (Peggy) Tinker. She has generously passed this artefact into the custody of St George's Church.

The church hope to have it restored in due course.

Queen Adelaide was born in 1792. She married William, Duke of Clarence in 1818. He reigned as King William IV from 1830 until 1837. Queen Adelaide died in 1849.

A photograph of the tapestry in its frame can be found on Old Hyde.

An enhanced photograph of the tapestry can be found on Hyde Daily Photo.

For more "Q" posts this week visit ABC Wednesday.

Dandelions on Knott Fold Bridge

2011-05-08T00:00:00.001+01:00

Knott Fold Bridge crosses the former Godley to Apethorn railway, now used by the TransPennine Trail.

See how it looked in July 2009.

See the side of the bridge on Hyde Daily Photo.

More Sunday bridges can be found on San Francisco Bay Daily Photo.

Talbot House

2011-05-02T00:00:00.001+01:00

This large house on the corner of Great Norbury Street and Croft Street was once a family home but is now split into offices and flats.

See a close up of the roof on Hyde Daily Photo.

Over Yonder Bridge

2011-04-30T00:00:00.001+01:00

The footbridge from the Peak Forest Canal towpath by Adamsons Industrial Estate to Raglan Street at Over Yonder was declared unsafe in 2006. Neither British Waterways, Tameside Council nor the owners of the industrial estate have agreed who is responsible for its repair and so it remains closed.

See its reflection in the canal on Hyde Daily Photo.

See the original photograph from which this was selectively cropped on the Geograph website, or all 49 photographs (with slideshow) from my walk of April 10th on the Geotrips website.

If you look closely (click your mouse on the photo to enlarge it) you should be able to make out a heron on the towpath. It flew across to the opposite bank later: see the photographs I posted of it last Saturday.

This is an early contribution to Sunday Bridges at San Francisco Bay Daily Photo.

What difference a day makes

2011-04-29T00:00:00.000+01:00

The grassland at Swains Valley was covered in dandelions and daisies on Tuesday morning. There is a closer view of the flowers on Hyde Daily Photo.

On Thursday morning a council worker came round and mowed the grass.

Onward Chambers; A choice of Two

2011-04-27T00:00:00.000+01:00

The first Onward Chambers in Hyde is at 34 Market Street. In Kelly's 1914 Directory it was listed as being the offices of the Brittanic Assurance Co. Now it is home to the restaurant, "Taste of India". For a clear look at the name over the door see Hyde Daily Photo.

The second Onward Chambers is on Onward Street. Recently it was the offices of the software company Wax Digital but now it is the home of the Hyde Islamic Resource Centre.

The lintel of the latter is in a distressed state.

For more O posts visit ABC Wednesday.

An old picture of St George's Church

2011-04-26T00:00:00.001+01:00

The earliest known picture of St George's dates back to 1840. It was found recently in a distressed state and fragments were carefully pieced together and stuck on a mount.

In the foreground is a horse-drawn barge on the Peak Forest Canal. Midground is the valley of the Gower Hey Brook before it became filled with trees, houses and allotments. The artist appears to have taken a little license with the tallness of the tower.

I took a photograph of this and then used PaintShop Pro to remove blemishes and restore the colour.

You can view my "restored" picture on Old Hyde.

The road from Ennerdale

2011-04-24T00:00:00.001+01:00

This is the road from Ennerdale, the last of the new homes to be constructed on the site of the former Automasters Engineering Works.

The trees casting their shadows across the road are on the banks of the Wilson Brook, an area which lay invisible to the public for years inside Automasters.

Beyond the railings is the Peak Forest Canal by the now spruced-up sluice gates.

See "The Ennerdale" under construction on Hyde Daily Photo.

Find more shadow shots for Sunday on Hey Harriet.

This is one of 49 photographs from a stroll along the Peak Forest Canal on April 10th 2011. See them in a sideshow on the Geo-trip website.

More shots of the heron

2011-04-23T00:00:00.001+01:00

Here are three more shots of the heron I saw a couple of weeks ago by the Peak Forest Canal at Over Yonder.

You can see it with its reflection in the canal on Hyde Daily Photo.

I have to wonder if it is the same heron I saw in the same place two years ago.

You can view a slide show of all the photos I took that day on the Geo-trips website.

Free Parking, for now

2011-04-22T00:00:00.000+01:00

For many years now the upper floors of the Clarendon Multi-story car park have offered free car parking for shoppers between 9.30 am and 6.30 pm.

Now (click on the image below to enlarge and read the full notice) the council are planning to extend parking charges to include the upper floors.

You can see the scale of charges in yesterday's post on Hyde Daily Photo and a close-up of the gate on today's post.

Goose at Woodend

2011-04-18T00:00:00.001+01:00

A goose in one of the allotments at Woodend.

See the wider view on Hyde Daily Photo.

Roadworks on Hamnett Street

2011-04-15T00:00:00.002+01:00

They were digging a hole in Hamnett Street the other week.

It was outside #3 which a century ago was home to a firm of undertakers - see today's post on Old Hyde for more information.

There is a closer view of the hole on Hyde Daily Photo.

Hattersley Pigeons

2011-04-10T00:00:00.001+01:00

As I walked over the bridge on the A560 into Hattersley a few weeks ago I saw these pigeons perched there.

As I approached them they flew off, but after I'd passed by they returned as you can see on Hyde Daily Photo.

Mossy Logs

2011-04-07T00:00:00.000+01:00

These old logs were part of the vast Gower Hey Wood. They lie now in a swamp crossed by duckboards.

Although these trees have died, life continues in the form of moss growing on the dead wood.

See the duckboards on Hyde Daily Photo which tomorrow celebrates five years by moving to http://hydedaily.blogspot.com/

Five Mile April Run

2011-04-05T00:00:00.004+01:00

On Mothering Sunday last weekend some 100 athletes gathered at Swains Valley for a five mile run to Werneth Low and back.

(click on photos to view larger versions)
all photos © Gerald England

The event was organised by Jason Chapman the manager of Sweatshop Hyde.

Here the runners are leaving Swains Valley to join the Trans Pennine Trail.

Already some runners are cutting through the trees rather than rounding the pathway.

As they head along the trail towards Stockport Road, at least nobody is running down the bridlepath.

Half an hour later and the first returning runner (on the right) watches the fourth finisher come in.

The club have a facebook page which is open to public view.

A full report on the race can be found at the Kiwi Classic Events website.

Another of my photographs of the race can be found on Hyde Daily Photo.

Hattersley Boundary Stone

2011-04-03T00:00:00.001+01:00

This boundary stone lies by the side of the A560 as one enters Hattersley from Stockport. I'm not sure how long the stone has been there nor have I been able to discover the provenance of the heraldry.

For its wider context see Hyde Daily Photo.

Norbury House

2011-04-02T00:00:00.000+01:00

Norbury House on Great Norbury Street was a rest home for the elderly. It is not currently listed by Tameside MBC and I believe it is now closed.

The White Hart

2011-03-28T00:00:00.001+01:00

The White Hart in the centre of Mottram has been described as having

up to 8 cask ales on offer, with a Cuban restauraunt upstairs. Listed in the Good Beer Guide this pub is a hub of the local community.

I cannot vouch for that personally as I've never been in.

See the pub sign on Hyde Daily Photo.

Sluice gates by Moorside Place

2011-03-22T00:00:00.000Z

Looking East alongside the Peak Forest Canal just past the tunnel under the M67. On the left are the new houses in Moorside Place.

See how it looked three years ago in March 2008 before the demolition of the Automasters Engineering Works.

The graffiti dense brick wall has been replaced by low railings.

See the view looking West on Hyde Daily Photo.

Benevolent Buildings 1834

2011-03-21T00:00:00.001Z

On the corner of Vernon Street and Market Street lie the Benevolent Buildings built in 1834.

I only noticed the sign in the wall very recently. Part of the building is now a private art gallery while on the corner is a chandlers.

I was pleased to see that they had cut a space in the wooden cladding so as not to obscure the old sign.

I know nothing about its history.

You can see a close-up view on Hyde Daily Photo and a full colour version of this photograph on Geograph.

Site of Toray Mill

2011-03-12T00:00:00.001Z

The site of the now demolished Toray Mill by the Peak Forest Canal.

Public Art on Throstle Bank Street

2011-03-10T00:00:00.001Z

On land at the corner of Throstle Bank Street and Dukinfield Road, in the Flowery Field area of town, is a piece of public art.

It looks like a sundial but lacks any figures that would indicate the hours. I think it might be a monument to the former industrial activity in the area, or perhaps it's just abstract art.

See the view in the opposite direction on Hyde Daily Photo.

3rd Gee Cross Scout Group's New Hut

2011-03-07T00:00:00.001Z

Back in 2007 I reported on the campaign to Save our Scout Group after the 3rd Gee Cross Scout hut was destroyed by storms.

The building work on the new hut is being spread over two phases. The first has been completed giving them a hall, kitchen. toilets and upper storey storage.

The second phase of building will provide a larger hall and bigger kitchen.

More information can be found on their new website.

Another picture can be seen on Hyde Daily Photo.

Peak Forest Canal from Manchester Road Bridge (March 2011)

2011-03-06T00:00:00.001Z

Here is the latest view from the Manchester Road Bridge over the Peak Forest Canal.

Previous views of the Peak Forest Canal from Manchester Road:

For a view in the opposite direction from Moorside Place looking towards the bridge see Hyde Daily Photo.

The Albion's New Sign

2011-02-12T00:00:00.000Z

The Albion has recently had a makeover as you can see on Hyde Daily Photo.

It has also acquired a new pub sign.

Curiously the new sign has an image of Britannia which is very different from the old sign which depicted a ship.

Brick Bridge over Dawson Street

2011-01-15T00:01:00.001Z

This brick built bridge over Dawson Street links two buildings which were once part of the Redferns Rubber Works.

Now the old buildings are used by a number of separate small businesses.

For a closer view of the reflections under the bridge see Hyde Daily Photo.

To see more bridges visit San Franciso Bay Daily Photo.

Arches at Hyde Central

2011-01-02T00:00:00.001Z

A Manchester bound train is leaving Hyde Central station.

The arches under the railway are used by businesses which include a car valeting company.

For a view just a few moments later see Hyde Daily Photo.

To see more bridges visit San Franciso Bay Daily Photo.

Best of Hyde 2010 - Runner-up

2011-01-01T00:00:00.007Z

"Edith" approaching on the Peak Forest Canal is the runner-up in my poll to find the Best of Hyde Photo 2010.

I selected twelve contenders and asked readers to vote for their favourites.

The winning picture is posted on Hyde Daily Photo.

The results of the voting were:

1st (170 votes) Jan 4th: New Year on Market Street.

I have never seen Market Street look so clean and white! -- Great perspective looking all the way up to Werneth Low in the background. Would make a great Christmas card -- I love the snow. You must have been out early to take this as the snow looks quite new -- A beautiful (and peaceful) winter shot of what is usually a hectic place -- Definitely one of the best images of a main street I have ever seen. Picture postcard perfect! I now live in Western Canada but I traveled up and down this street many times. Thanks for the memories -- the red buildings pop out between a colorless sky and snow, thus enhancing the street perspective -- This photo totally brings back Hyde for me. How many times I must have stood at the lights looking up Market Street the same as this photo. The snow adds great character to the scene. This is a masterful photo.

2nd (82 votes) May 9th: Edith Approaching

Just want to get on that boat and escape... to wherever it's going. -- Idyllic scene with the water ripples adding to the sense of relaxation -- How typically English this photo is, it brings back great memories of summer days and lazy afternoons spent by the Peak Forest Canal.

3rd (67 votes) Sep 24th: Laughter on the Market

Lovely capture. These is a lot of fun and joy of life in this photo -- The detail of the garments compliments the humanity of the picture -- Like how you've captured a split second moment here. This shot has a really happy atmosphere to it.

4th (55 votes) Feb 13th: Ice under Dowson Road

Love the "angle" of the photograph, a sense that the arches/bridges go on forever.

5th (32 votes) Aug 20th: Nelson Street

I love the black/white with one red spot of color in the red car. Fabulous perspective.

6th (21 votes) Mar 30th: Treasurer's Daffodils

Lovely composition and resonates with the economic times. At least there are still the flowers...

7th (18 votes) Apr 24th: Godley Green

The reflection in the puddle is really quite beautiful. If I had to drive through it, though, I probably wouldn't be noticing the reflections!

8th (15 votes) Nov 17th: Runners

You can feel the pain!

9th (14 votes) Jun 21st: Gee Cross Fete

Another wonderful English photo, summer sunshine and happy faces.

10th (13 votes) Jul 30th: Waiting at Newton

There is something exciting about this picture. It makes me think of all the lovely places I would like to go to -- I love the way you've captured the scene with the arriving train.

11th (12 votes) Oct 17th: Tinkers Passage

I just want to jump over the wall to see Hyde play a good match. I have been going to all the home matches for over forty years.

12th (7 votes) Nov 7th: Pylons over Hattersley

Reminded me much of home, wide country sight, sound on these electrical lines during rain.

The full-sized version of all twelve contenders can be viewed on Best of Hyde 2010.

Footbridges over the M67

2010-12-26T00:00:00.001Z

This is the Eastern of the two footbridges that cross the M67 from either end of Hyde bus station.

Here is the view alongside the retaining wall of the bus station towards the Western footbridge. On the right is the Eastbound sliproad off the motorway at Junction 3.

For the view in the opposite direction see Hyde Daily Photo.

If you are wondering where all the cars are -- this was Christmas Eve morning and they were all jampacked in the carparks of the nearby supermarkets.

For more Sunday Bridges visit San Francisco Bay Daily Photo

Weekend Reflections: Over Yonder

2010-12-18T00:00:00.001Z

This was taken last Saturday by the frozen Peak Forest Canal next to Aldi superstore in an area known as Over Yonder.

See how it looked from the opposite direction in summertime.

Another photograph from the same area can be seen on Hyde Daily Photo.

See more weekend reflections at Newtown Area Photo.

Carols in Clarendon

2010-12-14T00:00:00.001Z

On Saturday morning a group of musicians belonging to local churches led carol singing in Clarendon Mall.

There is another photograph of them on Hyde Daily Photo.

Weekend Reflections in the slush

2010-12-04T00:00:00.000Z

Take three days of heavy snow
Add two nights of record freezing lows
Sprinkle some salt around the market

Result: Reflections in the slush.

For the original photograph from which this crop was taken see Geograph.

For more weekend reflections see Newtown Area Photo.

A ride through Hyde Park

2010-11-30T00:00:00.000Z

This video of a ride through Hyde Park was posted on YouTube by Gaz the 39 Stone Cyclist.

For an autumnal view of the park visit Hyde Daily Photo.

Brookfold Valley

2010-11-21T08:30:00.004Z

Looking across the Brookfold Valley from Station Road, Godley. The house on the left is Swindells Fold and below it is Beech Cottage. This was taken 2nd March 2010.

See how these used to look on Nancy & Tom's Hyde Cheshire blog.

This was taken 12th April 2010 and shows the end of Swindells Fold as I was walking down Brookfold Lane.

Runners on the Trans Pennine Trail

2010-11-17T00:00:00.001Z

Several runners are lumbering up on the Trans Pennine Trail before the start of a race.

On Sunday 31st October 2010 a group of around thirty runners gathered at Swains Valley for a Halloween Race. Here the organiser is giving them the route instructions.

Whether it was 5 miles or 5 kilometres I can't remember. The route was along the Trans Pennine Trail to Apethorn and then towards Gibraltar Bridge before doubling back along the Peak Forest Canal to Apethorn and returning to the start.

Another photo of some runners can be found on Hyde Daily Photo.

For more R posts visit ABC Wednesday

Mercian Regiment in Hyde

2010-11-11T00:00:00.003Z

Following up my three photographs of this event on Hyde Daily Photo, here are a few videos c/o YouTube and some other links.

Lots of photographs of the march can be found on Nancy & Tom's Hyde Cheshire blog.

Read the Tameside Advertiser report.

This next one is 10 minutes long - I found it on the Gmp Werneth Ward facebook page - it includes footage of the post-march fallout on Water Street.

Bus Stop Unavailable

2010-11-09T00:00:00.002Z

A notice on the bus stop outside Hyde Market regarding the lack of services due to re-routing on account of the repairs ongoing at the Bus Station.

See the cause on Hyde Daily Photo.

Looking Down Church Brow

2010-11-08T00:00:00.001Z

Church Brow is a path that leads from Woodend Lane down to the bottom of Church Steps.

This view is from half-way down.

See the coloured version on Geograph.

Check the view looking up on Hyde Daily Photo.

Electrical Bridge at Hattersley

2010-11-07T00:00:00.001Z

This pylon (or tower as they are called in the electricity transmission industry) forms part of an electrical bridge over Ashworth Lane crossing the site earmarked for a new Tesco superstore at Hattersley before marching on towards Harrop Edge.

A source I'm unable to name told me that this transmission line was due for renewal in 2011 and opined that if a supermarket was to built here then the route would need to be realigned.

A wider view of the bottom of the pylon and its neighbours can be seen on Hyde Daily Photo.

See more Sunday Bridges at San Francisco Bay Daily Photo.