Magic Tree (2)

We have been asked for directions to Hyde's Magic Tree that we featured the other day... well we have done better than that... our very capable resident photographer Dave Williams went back down there and took more pictures for use which show the way to find the tree. So it's over to Dave........

I thought the easiest way to tell you where the tree is would be to go down there and take a series of photos, so I did that this morning... You go down Apethorn Lane and over the canal bridge .

then down the steps and the path towards the river...

Go through the gate...... 

and by the side of the river....

and where the path coming across the bridge from Gibraltar Lane crosses that path, go straight ahead ...

follow the man with the dog!..... Go up the rise and past the bench on the left......

then follow the path till you see a small signpost on the left telling you about the lime trees......

The 'magic tree' is just ahead of you on the right.... 

You will see that the tree still has a good display of leaves .

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Thanks you again Dave for coming to the rescue..... this walk would be great to start the New Year off.... and on that subject I'd like to wish all our friends and fellow Hydonians far and wide... and one or two we have adopted as honorary Hydoniana as well.... a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

Nancy & Dunc

Tom & Jane

Band Stand Hyde Park

The Bandstand. Late C19. Copper roof on cast iron columns and brick base. Octagonal canopy on columns placed at eachcorner. Base has ashlar dressings. Elaborate pierced castiron arches span between the enriched columns which have crocket capitals. Similar pierced eaves brackets. Dome-shaped roof with decorative crown and weather-vane.

(Taken from http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-212480-band-stand-hyde
- with thanks.)



"The bandstand was officially opened in May 1922 and is now Grade II listed on the national “List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest”.

The bandstand was originally surrounded by moveable glass partitions and played host to bands such as the Household Cavalry, Black Watch and local colliery bands. During the 1930’s the bandstand hosted two concerts every Sunday. It is now used on special events during the summer months.
(Thanks to Tameside Local History Forum)
http://www.tamesidehistoryforum.org.uk/geecross.htm

We are showing these today in the hope they will jog your memories of times spent in Hyde Park... We have been trying to find pictures of the paddling pool, and the small train which one could ride on... if you have any pictures you'd like to share on Hyde Park please send them in, and of course your memories are always welcome in the comments section or by email... 

Thanks to Jack Morris for the most recent photograph - Much appreciated!

The Magic Tree

Holm Oak

Dave Williams sent this in for us all...   

This time of the year, and particularly when the weather's like it's been just recently always takes me back some 20 years or so to when our 2 boys were still young. There was a column in the Reporter one week about the 'Magic Tree' in Gower Hey Wood just the other side of the canal from Gee Cross Mill. The tree is an evergreen variety of the oak and as such is in leaf throughout the year - I remember taking the lads down to have a look at it. I've been down today to have another look and although it looks a little the worse for wear in this cold weather there are still leaves on the branches. It's not easy to get a good photo of it, but I've attached what I managed to take, and also a couple of others I took on my walk. You'll see that some people obviously thought the ice on the canal was thick enough to walk on, and luckily they were right!

Thank you Dave, I had this tree pointed out to me along with others when a very young boy by my dad, we were more than likely out collecting Holly to decorate the house. The above tree is a Holm Oak, also known as the Holly Oak.. Not far from this tree is a beautiful Variegated Holly which my dad always hoped was well in berry.

 



Dave mentioned about folk walking on the ice..... I cringe now looking back at all the times my friends and I did this... we even rode our bikes on it, and how we'd laugh if someone fell in...we'd then head for the woods to light a fire and dry off before going home.

I've added the old postcard which we've shown before, as a comparison to Dave's shot of Captain Clarkes Bridge.....  thanks again Dave for these great pictures..;0)

That Grand Old Hill of Werneth Low.

That grand old hill of Werneth Low

Of all the places I have seen , there is not one more fair
Than good old "Wer-neth Low", in fact it is beyond compare.
Its grand to stand on top and gaze on all the country round,
There is no fairer spot on all this earth that can be found.

Chorus
 Come for a blow, on the grand old hill of  "Werneth Low";
You will want to take it easy for it is so bright and breezy;
For miles around there's country to be found;
It's grand you know to have a blow
on good old "Werneth Low".




Chorus (repeat)

And on a moonlight night when there is such a peace profound
the moon shines out in glory, stars are twinkling ,oh so bright
and in delighted wonder , you say
"what a perfect sight".


Chorus (repeat)



It's grand in Spring and Summer when the fields are fresh and green,
and in the Autumn times such wonderous beauties I have seen;
It's even nice in Winter when the snow is on the ground.
On good old "Werneth Low" there's always beauties to be found.


Chorus (repeat)




Words and Music by E.A. Oldham

"Owd Joss"

As most Hydonians know, the large bell in the Town hall clock is known as "Owd Joss". It is so named because it was bequested to Hyde by Joshua Bradley , a former poor child worker in the mills who later became mayor of Hyde.



The clock chimes the "Westminster Quarters" which is the most common name for a melody used by a set of clock bells to chime on each quarter hour. The number of chime sets matches the number of quarter hours that have passed. It is also known as the Westminster Chimes, or the Cambridge Chimes from its place of origin, the church of St Mary the Great, Cambridge.
Big Ben is probably the most famous use of the Westminster Quarters.

Joshua Bradley Book

I read this in a book about Joshua Bradley called "Reminiscences in the life of Joshua Bradley" by James Bradley and thought I'd share it with you.
High praise,indeed ,from Reverend Dowson.




This is the introduction to the book.
I will post more at a later date.

Hyde Chapel Dramatic Society Productions. 2

We recently did a post about Hyde Chapel Dramatic Society, and a number of it's productions... these had been sent in by Graham Sharp.  I am pleased to say this led to another or our readers and regular contributors Eric Downs sending it the follow:

 

Eric say's he thinks this is the same play as already shown in the first set and shows a production of "When we are married" by J B Priestley.  Eric was the reporter and that Trevor Trueman was the photographer in the straw cadie.

Principal Cast of Aladdin  

Front row L to R: George Fogg, ??, Cyril Morris, Dorothy Newton, Joan Wimpenny, Nancy Shelmerdine, Albert Platt.

Back Row L to R: Stanley Weston, Eric Downs, Margaret Shelmerdine, Peggy Kay, Trevor Trueman.

The Hyde Chapel float for the Festival of Britain parade in Hyde.

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Thank you again Eric for coming up with the goods... another great post which hopefully be of interest to many.  If anyone as any more pictures or memories of Hyde Chapel Dramatic Society.. maybe a bit of information on how it formed and when. We could keep this going and collect enough information in one place so everyone can enjoy it.  

Arnold Hill, Gee Cross

Arnold Hill, Joel Lane

This seems to have been a popular road in times gone by, there seems to be quite a few pictures taken of this area. I've walked up Joel Lane a few times myself and for those who haven't I'd say you've got to do it at least once... you need to feel the heat in the back of your legs as each step past the crest of Arnold Hill starts to take toll.. By the time you top Joel Lane you will be ready for a good rest so I recommend you make for the Hare and Hounds

Enjoy the views over a refreshing, well earned drink..

Perfect for walking off the Christmas Dinner

Merry Christmas Everyone.

Queen Street.

Below are two views of the James North factory tunnel that used to be on Queen Street . This was a very busy Mill with the tunnel linking two different sites. There are records of a tram that used to run between the two sites in 1897 when it was known as Slack Mill.






Tramway shown on 1897 map.

Hyde Lane Orchestra

This is a photo of Hyde Lane Orchestra taken in 1956.
Unfortunately we dont have any information on this Orchestra yet. If anyone out out there can help us with names etc We would be most grateful.

Merry Christmas Lights at Dusk.

A couple of photos showing the lovely festive lights outside Hyde Town Hall.
It was absolutely freezing when I took this photo - was something like minus 4 - It actually felt a lot colder !

ABC Lane

ABC Lane

For a while I'd read the odd bit about a certain ABC Lane in Hyde, I always got it confused with Pudding Lane Godley.. I've read somewhere it got it's name from plots of land made over for allotments. I recently bought a copy of the last picture and wondered if I could work out where the buildings are, if they were still up that is. I'm glad to say they are... but ABC Lane is now known by another name... and unbeknown to me I've walked and drove this lane many times before and not realised it. Do you recognise it?

Hyde Chapel Dramatic Society Productions.

We were recently contacted by Graham Sharp concerning a post we did about Hyde Central train station... more on that at a later date. What I'd like to show you today are 6 fantastic pictures that Graham has sent of Hyde Chapel Dramatic Society productions. These pictures all date from around the beginning of the 1950s.

I'll now hand the post over to Graham now.

Two Hyde Chapel Dramatic Society plays around 1950 

On the stage in Enfield Street School

First, forgot the play but Joyce my wife to be, is laying down the law on the right, still doing it after 55 years marriage!

Second is a play called The Hollow, Joyce is on the left and Albert Platt stood next to her, far right is Freda Kitchen  (Ketchen)

Chorus line and Aladdin

A performance of the pantomime Aladdin in the school hall 

Probably 1949.

Graham says "Somehow, one of my pals and I got a job working the spot lights high up in the wings of the stage, we could keep an eye on the girls from there."

First picture is of the chorus line, The Hyde Chapel Rockettes, not to be confused with the one at Radio City Music Hall.

From the right; Joan Stafford, Margery Bennison, Joyce Baddeley, Joan Wimpenny, Nancy Shelmerdine, Cora Wilson, Beryl Gorrard, Dorothy Begent. 

Aladdin - The Full Cast

The Festival of Britain

In mid summer 1951 there was The Festival of Britain, it was centred in London but with many other communities taking part.

The object was to add some economic push to the lagging post war economy and also to lift the spirits of the people.

Hyde Chapel Amateur Dramatic Society

Did it's part by staging their own Festival of Britain. 

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I would like to thank Graham for these fine pictures and for his words to go with them. Posts like this are fantastic and of much interest. I recognise a few of the surnames from my school friends and realise it was their parents. Hopefully other might recognise friends and family.  Post like these could not be possible if not for the kindness off others... Graham as done us proud with this post and we are truly grateful. If you have anything you would like to share with us on our Hydonian friendly blog please get in touch and make our day. 

Trams

These picture all show trams around the Hyde area.... can anyone put a name to the roads they are on? One seems to be on it's way into Hyde... where as the others have a Mottram sign on show.

Demolition of Hyde Lads Club

Here are a series of photographs sent to us by Paul Taylor. They show the demolition of Hyde Lads Club circa 1991. A sad day, indeed ,when this came down. I wish it was in operation now to give the youth of Hyde a place to go. Maybe they should open a new one? It would have to be called "Hyde Lads and Lasses Club" thought due to equality laws ;)

Showing the Beeley Street entrance which was the main entrance.

The view from the Travis Street side.

This view was taken from the multistory car park showing the Gymnasium wall - The main building has already been pulled down.

A view from the bottom of what was Thomas Street showing the Gymnasium building.

Looking over to what remains of the club from Travis Street.

Thanks Paul. Much appreciated . Excellent photos,as ever! :)

Another great up-date by our resident photographer

Dave Williams