HYDE CHESHIRE

Harry Rutherford's
Festival of Britain Mural




Thursday 31 January 2013

Kirkley House.

I don't know much about this next postcard only that it is entitled "Kirkley House".
I have no information on who the children were or the date it was taken..


kirkleyhouse

I recently found a map that showed me where Kirkley House was located which I have enclosed below.


IMG_0294
Kirkley house was/is ? situated around where Kirkley Street now stands.
Kirkley street is off Dowson Road.

If anyone has any more information they could give us on Kirkley House please contact the blog.

Thank you :)


EDIT 
 The following information was sent to us by Olwen...
Kirkley House is the house standing on Kirkley Street leading to the garage.
Whilst doing my family tree recently I found that my Great grandfather (Harry Mather Born 1881) lived there as a small child. When I was doing my research I called at the house to ask if I might take a 'photo and was kindly invited inside to see quite a few of the original features of the house- very emotional to see where my great grand father went upstairs to bed!!   
On a map of Hyde in 1897 Kirkley Hat Works is shown between Higher Henry Street, Thornley Street and Swain Street (Dowson Road) so presumably the house had something to do with the works. As children, I and my cousins were always told that John Mather (father of Harry) owned a hat factory off Swain street but have no paperwork to substantiate this - perhaps he was the Manager and the reason why he lived in Kirkley House.  
 The photo of the little girls looks to me to be taken on Church Street near St George's Church wall. 
Many Thanks, Olwen !! :)

Olwen
Update 15-01-2019

Olwen if you read this could you get in touch please by email, I have a message to pass on to you from someone in Canada

hydonian@gmail.com

Wednesday 30 January 2013

St Georges early 1970's

Here are two great photos lent to us by Ruth Dawson .



1972stgeorges
St Georges Junior School Nativity Play in 1972.
Ruth is far right on the middle row.
Some other names include...

  • Linda Baker, Crispin Trueman, Colleen Ellis Jones, the Titterington Twins, Gillian Taylor, Geoffrey Lloyd, Ivan Freeman, Neil Thorpe, Fiona Cook, Gaynor Green, Jackie Stewart....
    If anyone recognises anyone else please let us know !


whitwalks-2

St Georges Whit Walks . Walking up Market Street.
Ruth is far right and Susan Blackshaw is next to her .

(I used to call the jewellers shop British Rail jewellers because of the initials ) :)

Many Thanks, Ruth.
The photos brought back some familiar faces and great memories :)

Tuesday 29 January 2013

St Georges Sunday School.

A postcard showing St Georges Sunday School Whit Walks banner.
If anyone can help with the date, please let us know !

stgeorgesss

Monday 28 January 2013

St Thomas the Apostle

A lovely old postcard of St Thomas's Church on Lumn Road.

stthomas

The church was built in 1868. 
I am happy to say that it is still open although the congregation is much smaller than it used to be. I suppose this is a sign of the times.

The graveyard was declared full during the 1950s.

More history can be found here.


A previous post on St Thomas's

Thank you.

Sunday 27 January 2013

Hyde Baths

I was asked recently if I knew when Hyde Swimming Baths were closed down and the buildings demolished and although I used to go there regularly I couldn't actually remember when this was. I believe it was around 1984-ish but not 100% sure . I would be grateful if anyone could actually tell me the precise date.

hyde baths Pictures, Images and Photos

I know the Baths were opened on  May 4th 1889.
I also know that the Leisure Pool on Walker Lane was originally built in June 1988 and has undergone various refurbishments over the past 25 years.

 leisurecentre
Aeriel view of the Leisure centre taken a few years ago.

The distictive red stand of Hyde United (now Hyde FC) can be seen top left. This is now dark blue .
Walker Lane runs along the bottom of the picture. The road to the right is Grange Road North or, as it used to be known, Fairbrother Street !
The field to the right used to be known as "Charlie Barbers Field".

Edit
Charlie Barbers Field was opposite the leisure pool on the other side of Walker Lane - where Leigh Primary now stands !
Thanks Bill :)

Map courtesy of Bing maps.

Saturday 26 January 2013

Pole Bank Hall Past Occupants

Pole Bank Hall   (Past occupants and their families)

 

Pole Bank Film


Hope this is of interest to Pole Bank lovers like myself. I've done the research, cross-checked, double-checked and all the rest of it and pretty sure all facts and dates are now spot on but of course welcome any scrutiny.  The music I'm sure you won't be taking along to any parties but I think it fits the mood in this case.
Many thanks to sources of information used including  thepeerage.com (top class site and free) /Graces Guide/ Tameside Estates Dept./Tameside Archives.

Another great post by David Barlow.
Many Thanks !

Friday 25 January 2013

Pudding Lane

A lovely postcard of an untouched Pudding Lane - Beautiful indeed !


Puddinglane

Thursday 24 January 2013

Hyde Junction


HYDE NORTH/HYDE JUNCTION.

Prior to 1951, what is now known as Hyde North was Hyde Junction.

It was situated at the junction of the line going south through Hyde and to Hayfield and Macclesfield and the line going to Hadfield and Sheffield with a spur to Glossop, this line was later electrified 
but not the line through Hyde.As a passenger station it served only the line going south towards Hyde.

Although named Hyde and situated there [I think] it served the industrial district of Dukinfield rather than Hyde with such companies as Fletcher Miller and Adamsons.
IMG_0001

IMG_0003
The second photo[1968] shows the station buildings looking south to Hyde [is that St. Stephens in the background?]

IMG_0004
 The third shows a diesel going towards Manchester having come from either Macclesfield or Hayfield [1970]

IMG6
 The fourth, from 1948 shows a steam train[pre electrification] from Manchester London Road heading towards Hadfield/Glossop with Adamsons in the background.

IMG_0007
 The final photo...all that I can say is that it looks ready for the Dr. Beeching axe!


Another excellent account supplied with wonderful photos sent to us by Graham Sharp !

Thank you very much & keep up the great work, Graham. :)

Wednesday 23 January 2013

Memories of Walls

 Below are a couple of photographs and a great account of working for The Walls Meat Company by Ken Charles...

 Over to Ken....

 
"Hi
I worked for T. Walls Meat & Handy Foods (changed name to The Walls Meat Company) for 11 years from 1968 to 1979 on van sales in Cheltenham
We had five vans parking at Walls Ice Cream Factory and three in Worcester
I had some great memories .
I was taking £1,100 per week in sales of just sausages and pies.
The company were slaughtering 40000 pigs a week  !!
 
We were supplied with  a trilby hat, overalls, ties, and shirts. We also had van boys who had blue and white striped overalls.  We were the envy of our competitors.
No refrigeration in the vans we used to get dry ice from the ice cream cold store in the summer to put over the stock we had left and the company supplied a blanket to go on top.
I have attached a couple of photos of the van we had just had a new van with refrigeration the one where you can see the back of the van was one without refrigeration
I also have a model of one of the first T Ford sales vans yellow top blue bottom, advert Eat Well- Eat Walls
 
We used to in the early days have a conference every year in London with an over night stay..
One funny story we used to have auditors who would come and audit you stock some times over night .
The one auditor (I remember his name)left his weighing scales and when we all came back at night he had a bit of the scales in each hand and wanted to know who had run over it with the van .
No one saw that.
 
I have many more great memories."
 
 
Picture003
 
 
 Picture002
 
Thanks so much, Ken. :)
Please send us a picture of the "Eat Well - Eat Walls" van if possible !
 

Tuesday 22 January 2013

Oh, what a lovely walk !

A postcard depicting "Promenaders" on Mottram Old Road !
This used to be a popular walk, from Gee Cross to Hattersley...and very picturesque,too !

mottoldrd

Monday 21 January 2013

Werneth Low 2013

Werneth Low in the snow.

low1-1

A beautifully captured shot by Tony Husband !!
The cenotaph is in the middle distance. 

low1
Thumbnail for larger view !


Many thanks, Tony !

Sunday 20 January 2013

Fernbank Farm View

A few days ago we posted a couple of photos of the demolition of Fernbank Farm .
Here is the stone from the farm and a rather nice view of it from across "Buttercup Meadow" taken in the late 1970's/early 1980's.

The farm is the building in the middle of the photo on the left of the big tree !

Fernbank1838
I'm happy to say that the stone is still in the vicinity of the farm, in a neighbours garden !!

field-1
Also on the photo is Oxford House which is on the left of the photo and Oxford Road which is the row of houses on the right.

fernbankmap1875
Map showing Fernbank Farm in 1875

The Tithe map from 1836-51 shows that the area where the farm stood was owned by John Boardman and was known as "Fern Hill". The field itself was known as "Thistly Field and Old Meadow" !

Map courtesy of cheshire maps.

 thistlyfields

thistlyfields1

Saturday 19 January 2013

Joshua Bradleys House

A postcard of Joshua Bradley's property and residence, Mottram Road, Godley.

jbhouse001
He lived (and died) in the middle house.

jbnow
The house as it looks today, complete with a blue plaque.There is also a similar plaque on Hyde Town Hall.
(Courtesy of Google maps) 

Joshua Bradley - a short summary

A local man, born in a humble cottage in Further Lane, Hattersley.
After his father died he was sent to work to learn pin winding and ball making with a local thread manufacturer. Through hard work he rose to manage the Boston Cotton Mill in Hyde and in 1885 was elected to Hyde Town Council to represent Godley Ward. He retired in 1888 and died in 1898.
The large bell in Hyde Town Hall was given by Joshua Bradley and is known as "Owd Joss".

More Joshua Bradley

Friday 18 January 2013

Postcards.

 Here are a couple of postcards showing Hyde in quieter times.

mottyoldrd


Mottram Old Road .
The Low is in the background to the left of the telegraph pole.

Dowson Road
Looking down Dowson Road.
How quiet is the road  !

Thursday 17 January 2013

Memories of Hyde in the 1950's

A Walk Down Hyde, 1950 
by Graham Sharp

    My memories of Hyde are that of a pleasant and safe place in which to grow up. In 1950, I was sixteen years old living on Laburnum Avenue with my parents and younger brother, and working at Hyde Station

    World War Two had not been over very long and shortages were still widespread, but somehow, Hyde managed to be a good place to live and I think that one of the factors in making that so was the variety of shops. There was no need to go out of the town for anything.

    Leaving the house to “go down Hyde” the first shop was an off license on the corner of Dowson Road and Grosvenor Road. Between there and Kirkley Street there was the large, deep Borough Tip on the left and open ground on the right. On the corner of Dowson and Markland Street was Bridges Bakery, my Dad worked there for a time, they sold lovely potted meat, I think the building is still there.

Dowson Road Pictures, Images and Photos
Looking down Dowson Road.

    Bells chippy was on the corner of Green Street. On the left, opposite Bradbury Street was a double fronted shop set back from the houses, Torkingtons Hardware.[used to buy paraffin here for the portable heaters at home]. Next was Harndens Engineering and then on the corner of Dowson Road and Market Street was Whalleys Chemists [I think that corner has long gone] On the opposite corner was a branch of Hyde Co-op and if this was a Saturday, I would have crossed the road and gone down Queen Street to Ewen Fields. Jimmy Lovery would no doubt have scored a hat trick for Hyde against their dreaded rivals Stalybridge Celtic!

    For some reason I always walked down Market Street on the left hand side and somehow with the exception of Meschias and Kinder’s green grocery I was not all that familiar with shops on the right

lookingupfromtowerst
Barnfield Dance Academy on the right

    Next to Whalleys on the left side of the street was Booth’s Dairy [Cheetham Fold Farm], a toffee shop and tucked away in the corner Robinson’s Funeral Home. Next was Pickfords Barnfield Dance Academy and a little lower down still on the left was the Shepherds Call.


johnsons
Johnsons and Hopwoods Barbers

The other side of Tower Street was Johnsons baby clothes shop and next to that George Hopwoods barber shop. My memories of having my haircut there was that Mr. Hopwood always seemed to have a pint pot of tea in his hand and breathing tea all over me ,always using a lighted wax taper on the back of my head after cutting and strangely, a rack of umbrellas next to the door, I think a lot of barbers repaired umbrellas as a spare time side line. Then there were some high wooden billboards advertising many products [notably Guinness] and behind the billboards was a little wooden shack - a bookies!



hopwoods
Mr Hopwood standing in the doorway of his shop !

    On the corner of Church Street was Rowbottoms. They sold all kinds of gift items, mostly ornaments and fine china, a really lovely shop.

    Crossing Church Street there was a row of small shops that I think at one time must have been houses. The first one that I remember was a crumpet shop, you had to step down into this dark, stone floored front room where they made the crumpets. Even after sixty years I can still taste those hot buttered crumpets for tea! I think that Moscrops had a branch in this row where they sold prams and other baby stuff Andrews had a confectionary and upstairs a nice café where my wife’s Auntie Clara used to work. Then, another bakers and confectioners, Oldhams, great meat and potato pies and vanilla cuts!

In between there and the Cheshire Cheese was a really good hobby shop, forget the name. Although, I do remember the name of the hobby/sports shop across from Union Street and the P.S.A. as being Dawsons.[good place to buy fireworks] Just past this shop the row stepped back and in the corner was Togos herbalists. Togos for some reason, had a reputation, particularly if you were allowed in the “back room” there was some oriental mystery and danger about the place, but really all they sold was herbal drinks and I don’t remember him as being oriental! Nearby was Nanettes, a high class ladies shop.
    On the corner of Croft Street was Higginbottoms ,one of the many newsagents that I delivered papers for.
There was then a row of mostly quite large shops among them Grundys shoe shop, Dewhursts and Redmans [great bacon] and on the corner of Corporation Street, Boots Chemist. This was a great corner to meet a girlfriend [or boyfriend] before going to the Theatre or the Alex after calling at Nightingales of course for some toffees.

Photobucket
The row in which Redmans stood.

Hyde really was a great place to live in those days and I am sure the same applies today although, there was something different back then.


Many Thanks. Graham , for the excellent account !! :)
Much appreciated !

Wednesday 16 January 2013

William Hodkinson & Son

William Hodkinson & Son, Fish & Poultry Merchants

A Brief History

William Hodkinson was born in 1854 and in 1874 at the age of 20 years he started his fish and poultry business in George Street, Hyde
In 1874 Queen Victoria was on the throne, Benjamin Disraeli was the Prime Minister & Ulysses S Grant was the President of the U.S.A.
William Hodkinson later married Elizabeth Ann ?? and they had 5 sons & 2 daughters.
William's business flourished and when his sons were old enough to marry, he decided to build houses for them. In Clarendon Street there were already 3 houses he owned. He then built 7 more for his offsprings and their families. It was known as Hodkinson's Row.
His sons later joined the family business. Thomas Hodkinson died at the age of 21.
Another son William became a chronic invalid after an accident on Broomstair. The family bought a sweet shop for William and his wife.
As well as his shop on George Street there was Hodkinson's permanent outdoor stall on Hyde market and three horse drawn fish carts operating around the town, Flowery Field and Godley etc.
At the start of the first world war, Ernest & Frank went to war, Harry stayed at home , William (father) was now 60 years old. At the time the business was badly affected by the war.
In 1918 the war ended, both Ernest & Frank returned safely, and things got back to normal.
The firm bought a lorry from " Whitehead & Furness" one of the first in Hyde. Thomas learned to drive. In 1920 William died aged 66 yrs.
In 1921 his son William who had been an invalid died aged 42 yrs. He left a son Thomas now aged 18yrs.
Thomas Hodkinson later married Elizabeth Ridgeway and in 1925 they had a son, who they named William. Later in 1932 Noel, 1935 Brian and in 1936 Albert were born.
At the outbreak of hostilities in 1939, fish supplies again were low, the business could not support everyone, Thomas left and the rest carried on.
Eventually the business was sold. There was still a Hodkinson's Fish shop in Hyde covered market (1998)

The above was written by a descendant of William Hodkinson, but I am not aware of his or her identity. If anyone knows please get in touch.

Tuesday 15 January 2013

Postcard from Market Street

Market st
A postcard showing Market Street.
Redmans "Good Bacon Shop" on the left ! :)

Monday 14 January 2013

Postcard from quieter times.

Here is a postcard sent to us by Elsie D.

It shows where Market Street meets Stockport Road. The Ring 'o' Bells pub is on the left and the old Zion chapel in the mist on the middle right.
Four out of the Five shops shown are still with us in some shape or form !

Note the distinct lack of vehicles on the road !!

ringobellspostcard
Postcard view circa 1910

ringnow
The view as it looks today, courtesy of Google maps..

Many thanks,  Elsie
Much appreciated.  :)

Sunday 13 January 2013

After the demolition of Fernbank Farm

Fernbank Farm or "Raymonds" Farm (after Raymond Martin who owned it) was demolished around ten years ago. 

I, for one, was sad to see it go even though it was in a bad state of repair for the last few years of its life.
It was great to see Raymonds prize winning chickens running free around the farmyard and all the wild cats who lived in harmony with Raymond.


 raymonds001

The row of houses on the right hand side are on Stockport Road.

raymond001

A sad site that the pile of bricks were all that remained of Fernbank Farm.

fbf

Fernbank Court was built in its place by Loxley Homes..
The houses were opened for occupation in 2004.

Saturday 12 January 2013

Hyde Lads Club "Then and now".

The other day I walked down Travis Street, past where Hyde Lads Club used to stand. I was saddened to see that the site is now even blocked off to car parking !! Is this something to do with the ownership of the land being questioned? I was always led to believe that the club was left to the people of Hyde and therefore charging people to park on the site seemed wrong - I might be mistaken however ...

What a loss to the youngsters of Hyde that the land now stands empty. So much good could come of it if only the council would invest in something to take its place  for the Youth of Hyde and District .

Hyde Lads Club had football teams, boxing, judo, table tennis & basketball to mention a few activities. 
The Lads Club was demolished around 1993



Circa 1990


Circa 2010

Hyde Lads' Club commenced on 5 October 1928, utilising 2 rooms in Hyde Town Hall. The Club's founder was the Chief Constable of Hyde, J W A Danby. The Club soon moved to the Wesleyan Sunday School, as it was too popular for the Town Hall accommodation. There were 489 members by 1930. The Club's ethos was to provide a safe and "sound" outlet for the energies of the young men of the Borough. The Club ran football teams, physical training, boxing and games such as ping pong and bagatelle. In 1930 the Club moved to new premises in Beeley Street, where they remained until the building was demolished c1993, and the Club wound up. This building included a gymnasium, assembly room, games rooms, library, reading room and lecture rooms. The new Club was declared open by the Duke of Gloucester on 6 February 1930.

Thanks to The National Archives for the above information.

Friday 11 January 2013

1950's Industrial Hyde

Here is a great panorama of 1950's industrial Hyde. 

The shot was taken from the top of James North factory. Below it, in the foreground, is part of James North itself including the two chimneys to the middle of the picture and the long building with lots of windows which was the Douglas Street part of the factory and stood on Queen Street. To the left of this is the "Rec" playing fields which was also on Douglas Street/Mona Street and to the right is the reservoir which stood on Queen Street. The Town Hall can be seen  towards top left of the photo.
 
My Nan's house stood next to the two chimneys and although it looks grim it was a great place to grow up in - our playground was Norths factory yard! Heaven to us as kids !


queenst001-1-1

 I love this picture. It reminds me of a Trevor Grimshaw painting.

queenst001-1
Thumbnail for larger view

Thursday 10 January 2013

Three Storey Building in Gee Cross


This building stands on the corner of Knott Lane and Stockport Road and was built circa 1770-1790 and was originally built for cotton processing. 

It has also been amongst other things a Barbers shop and a Grocery shop owned by Alfred Woolley..
I'm happy to say it is still in use as a house !

Tom knew this as Johnny Grahams Barbers in the early 1960s while he attended Enfield Street School. He say Johnny was lovely chap who give you sweets if you kept still while he was working. Always the same hair cut.. shot back and sides.



Grahams Barbers circa 1959



 Circa 2010

On the Tithe map of  1836-51 the following details are shown about the building.
It was owned and occupied by Daniel Wood and was used as a homestead. It comprised of a house,outbuilding and garden.





















Wednesday 9 January 2013

Hyde Central Station

  Todays post is an email with accompanying pictures from Graham Sharp.

Over to Graham,....    

"Here are some old photos of Hyde station that some of your readers might have an interest in. I worked at Hyde Central from 1950 until 1952 when I did my National Service. Working there was a very interesting experience for a young lad!
        What was the original Hyde Station on Great Norbury Street , it was built in 1862 it was expanded in later years and was renamed Hyde Central in 1951. The original building is to the left on the second photo and housed all the usual offices and the Station Masters house, the newer addition is the taller building in the centre and the entrance hall with the roof lights. This part was the main entrance and   booking office.Everything was gas lit until I left in 1952 and probably for a long time afterwards. The goods office was further up Great Norbury Street in the old coal yard.

        I think that the first photo is very interesting and is from August 1960 and shows a crowd of people waiting for one of the several Wakes trains. If I remember correctly, there was a Friday night train to    Liverpool and the ferry to the Isle of Man and Saturday "specials" to Blackpool and North Wales... perhaps some of your readers might recognise themselves!!"


IMG 

 IMG_0003

 IMG_0002

IMG_0001

As always, much appreciated!
Thank you, Graham :) 




Tuesday 8 January 2013

Hyde Town Hall

One of the cards we received this Christmas (thanks again Ann and Bill!) had an old photograph of the Town Hall which I don't remember having seen before.
On the back of the card it appears to say that this is a photograph of Market Street in 1968:
It looks older than that, however, as the trolleybus wires are still there, and a check on the Francis Frith website shows that the date is actually given as c1955, which seems about right as the trolleybus service ended in 1966.
Have a look at the website - there are only three photographs of Hyde shown on it, but quite a few 'Memories of Hyde' from Hyde people.