Bears Wood as always been a popular place to walk and take picnics for the folks of Hyde and Gee Cross.. I played here many times as a youngster, nesting and collecting birds eggs... as lads did back then, later in life poaching the odd rabbit from the fields between the woods and Green Lane. If you remember this woods why not leave a comment and tell us your memories. If you've never walked it, join the trans Pennine Trail, there is a footpath down to the trail at the Grange Road North/Mansfield Road junction. Bears Wood runs between the housing on the Grange Road South estate and the fields at the side of Green Lane... then follow the path up towards Mottram Old Road. For years Tawny owls have roosted in a certain Holly tree here... I remember it from my youth and was surprised to find it still used 2 years ago.... it may still be used now.
The Iron Bridge at Dove Fold.
Bears picnic lol. grand shot and history Tom-Ass.
ReplyDeleteAgain brilliant I have even rode motor bikes through there (unofficially):(
ReplyDeleteBears Wood has many memories for me. I used to walk over here every day when I used to help out at a farm on Green Lane. Many a time I've walked over the Iron Bridge which used to be at the top of Walker lane off Rufford Avenue. I can remember standing on the Bridge when a steam train went under and being engulfed in smoke.I also remember an old Mini van that was abandoned at the very bottom of Green Lane. When we used to go for walks with my Mum and Dad , me and my sister used to race off ahead to the van so we could sit in it and pretend we were driving it. It was there for years until it eventually fell to pieces.
ReplyDeleteGreat add with the IronBridge Nancy... I'd forgot all about that one... I loved the steam trains... living on Cheetham Fold Road and growing up with the train line running behind the house was a pleasure for me and I have many many memories from those times... Our age was the last to really see the Steam Engines working... and as this line was a Goods Line Steam held on a bit longer... I can still hear them now, and feel the ground shake as they went by... and the smell .. never to be forgotten.
ReplyDeleteI too remember the iron bridge, me and my friends used to play in Bears Wood quite a lot. Alas though, I do not remember steam trains as I am way too young for that! I do remember the diesel trains though and I also remember one time, me and Phil Alderson once built a bonfire and thought we were camping in the darkest wilderness.....until some bloke came over and made us put it out. I also remember walking down the railway line from the iron bridge to Godley. We used to hide when a train went past.
ReplyDeleteHi Graham, thanks for your input. :)
ReplyDeleteI,too, am too young to remember steam trains but on this one occasion the train was on a kind of tour - could it have been the Flying Scotsman? I have that in my head for some reason>..
I also used to play in Bears wood. There was a particular tree that was hollowed out on one side and was the perfect place to play cowboys and indians. On my later visit back to the wood in 1982 I found the same tree. What a memory.
ReplyDeleteI used to live in Werneth Avenue, and loved to take my Aunties dog Pal out to Bears Wood, usually with my cousins. My main memory is of the bog, and how we used to be frightened of getting sucked in. This would be late 40's, early 50's.
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ReplyDeleteCheers for commenting.... I think quite a few of our local woodlands had these bogs.. I recall on in the hollow at Gower Hey..and another near to Captain Clarks Bridge... this one was red/orange and it was very sticky.. Our dog ran in it one day.. we pulled him out but he was orange... we washed him in the canal but the orange stayed on him for a few weeks.. ha!
I grew up with Bears Wood just over my back garden fence, and for me and my brothers it is a very special place. Today it is very overgrown, although that is good thing as the trees have expanded right up to where the Old Iron Bridge once stood. Gone are the green grassy banks for sliding on cardboard, as nature has taken over, yet it is more beautiful than ever, I walk there regularly, living still within veiw of what was the old Iron Bridge, it is very important to me that my children share the experience, and hopefully share the same joy as I did.
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ReplyDeleteThis is perhaps the nicest comment I have read here... I cannot think of anything better than sharing a 'Special' place from your childhood with your children or grandchildren.. I took my sons on many many walks when they were younger and I fitter. I pointed out the places I played or had adventures.. I tried to install a love of nature and as I'm sure you have a love of their surroundings. I am certain if a child as a love or fondness for a place, be it a woods, town or even a city... they grow up with a sense of pride and belonging and are more likely to respect others and other surroundings... long may our children and children's children have these woodlands to roam about and play in.
hello tom we had some great times in bears wood we lived on coombes ave and used to build a den in our bonfire then we would sneak over the iron bridge to raid their bonfire on the other side then they would try and raid ours ha ha
ReplyDeleteI grew up with Bears Wood just over my back garden fence, and for me and my brothers it is a very special place. Today it is very overgrown, although that is good thing as the trees have expanded right up to where the Old Iron Bridge once stood. Gone are the green grassy banks for sliding on cardboard, as nature has taken over, yet it is more beautiful than ever, I walk there regularly, living still within veiw of what was the old Iron Bridge, it is very important to me that my children share the experience, and hopefully share the same joy as I did.
ReplyDeleteDoes anybody know what the brook that goes through Bears' Wood is called?
ReplyDelete