HYDE CHESHIRE

Harry Rutherford's
Festival of Britain Mural




Tuesday 22 September 2015

NORTH CHESHIRE HERALD 5th JUNE 1953 (cuttings 1)








UPDATED ON THE 1ST OCTOBER  2015
I received an Email this week after posting these clippings, from a regular contributor to the blog Ken Smith.  
Ken wrote: On the 2nd of November I responded to a posting on Hyde Baths with a story about my great uncle Jimmy Oakes, who was employed as fireman/laundryman/general dogs body at the long gone establishment and who died on the 5th June 1952.
While scrolling down the blog on the Coronation Special Edition of the North Cheshire Herald 1953 I came across two entries under the name Oakes in the Memoriam column, which were entered by his wife, Fanny, and by my mother, father and myself. It was quite a shock seeing it and brought back many memories of the time he died.
I was in my final year at Hyde Grammar and was seeking to enter the RAF as an Aircraft Apprentice, which required sitting an entrance exam. That exam was held on the same day that Uncle Jim was to be buried and I was faced with the awful dilemma of taking the exam or attending the funeral. Common sense prevailed and I took and passed the exam and duly joined the RAF on the 10th of September 1952.
The photo I send today is of Uncle Jim, his wife Fanny and yours truly taken outside the front door of 312 Stockport Road, Gee Cross (Spout Cottage) in 1940, not long after the outbreak of WW2  hence my patriotic wearing of a military sidecap! Uncle Jim, is dressed in the 'working man's uniform' of cloth cap, Union shirt (no collar), braces, the obligatory stout leather belt and clogs!
Thank you to your wonderful blog for bringing back some long forgotten memories.

Best regards to you all,
Ken Smith.




Thank you Ken,
I very nearly left the Deaths and Memoriam columns out in case it caused upset.. but changed my mind, and I'm very glad I did now, Ken's story as put a personal touch to the post and I am so pleased he as allowed me to share it. It is such messages that make doing this worth while. 


















Sunday 20 September 2015

Memories of Greenfield Street Secondary Modern 1965-1969


Written by Steve Whitehead.

I attended " Greeny " between the above dates, having done my earlier schooling in the infants and juniors at the same school.
I was wondering if any visitors to your blog went to this school and if they remembered the teachers and the classes they took.
The Headmaster was a Scotsman called Christie and as far as I can remember, the only time he spoke to you was in his office if you were in bother : he possibly took a class now and the but I can't recall. His office was right in front of one of the two stairwells up to the classrooms. If you turned left here and past the cloakrooms you came to the classroom of Mr Williams who took History , but who sadly died , and then taken by a Mr Jenner who was crazy and looked exactly like the lead singer from Jethro Tull. Past this room was Mr Pickfords class which was RE or RK.
When you went back past the cloaks and past Christies office you came to several other classrooms and then the assembly hall/dinner hall. In these classrooms in no particular order were Robinson (maths ) Hindley (English ) Mr Howes who took Geography – we called him Howsie.
There was also a class taken by a Mrs Monks but I can't for the life of me remember what she took. Also on duty was a Mr Jones who never seemed to do much apart from drop in on classes and do a talk on sex education (what do you need to know sir ! ) but I remember he had a vicious temper and used to chuck things at you – book , ruler , chair etc..
When you got to the end of this row you turned left and found a duplicate of the other end of the school with cloaks and offices and a small shop. I think one of the classrooms down her was for music , possibly taken by a Miss Bennett and a nature study class ran by Mr Nichols.
When you went down either of the staircases you came to the playground and on the other side was the gym - also ran by Howsie who was as fit as anything. Next door was the science lab - Beaky Mellor and further along woodwork which was another Robinson and metalwork which was taken by Hawkins or Attree. 
Lastly , on the far side you had tech drawing taken by Mr Wainwright who was the hardest caner ever , I think he even scared the other teachers !! Also in this small building was art which was a Mr Howard.
The other school sports area was at Walker Lane which we used to walk about a mile to , for eleven-a-side football and cricket and school sports days. The changing rooms were a bit primitive even then.
All in all I thought Greeny was a good school with a well balanced curriculum and fair preparation for adulthood. There were some really clever lads in my year and a couple of superb footballers (no names !! ). I hope the guys I knew felt as sorry as I did when the place was finally demolished a few years ago ..........






Ref the info I sent you a couple of weeks ago re Greenfield Street - I've come this photo which I think is the 4th year, and must be from about 1968/1969 - the teacher is Evans , don’t know if you recognise anyone else.
Steve

Brilliant Steve, alas I can't put a name to anyone only Mr Even's...  here's hoping others will be able to add name by commenting here.


Update



Can anyone fit these names to the lads in the picture:
Pete Howles, Richard Shepley, Nigel Boak, Mark Sutcliffe, Ian Fyffe, Rob Dixon, Paul Harrop and Stan Fox

Names given to me by Steve Daniels

Saturday 19 September 2015

Hyde In War Time (1914-16) Pages 1 and 2

Hyde in War-time
Book 1
Published by Herald Press
Hamnett Street, Hyde, Cheshire

THE CHIMES OF MIDNIGHT
The Opening of Hostilities

After the assassination of the Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his Consort, at Sarajevo, on June 29th 1914, the current of events moved with alarming rapidity, and, though Sir Edward Grey laboured incessantly for peace, "The Day” had arrived. The German war party was in the ascendant; they were demonstrating before Potsdam, and, the Kiel Canal had recently been completed. For 40 years herculean preparations had been in progress; enormous accumulations of ammunition and heavy artillery had been stored; the German navy had become one of the most powerful of any of the Continental powers, and the peace strength of the Conscription army had been increased. Three short but successful wars namely those of 1864 against Denmark, 1866 against Austria, and 1870 against France, had inflated German pride. The professors had taught the rising generation that war was a glorious thing; that Germany ought to be the Dominant World Power; that Britain was decadent, - "dry rot" had set in; and the links in her far-flung Empire were at the breaking point, - the Colonies were ripe for revolt. Her hour of destiny had struck. It was now too late for the Kaiser to stem the war party ; the populace hungered for blood; their shouts arose from below the Palace windows, the world Armageddon was in sight. In Russia a great revolution was evolving : businesses were closing down; workmen were combining and threatening the Government, who were mobilising the Cossacks to protect St. Petersburg; but with the appearance of those ominous clouds in the West the revolution ceased and Tsardom became united. In Great Britain bitterness and strife, and covert civil war in Ireland, were threatening to split tip the nation into factions ; but the greater menace on the Continent combined all parties, and a united front was presented to the world. Here the last step was reached, Austria appeared disposed to come to terms, but the German hosts were already being marshalled, and the impetus of militarism had aroused the German masses to fever heat, there was no turning back. On July 28th, 1914, Austria & Hungary declared war on Serbia; four days later, on August 1st, Germany declared war on Russia; and on August 3rd on France, and an ultimatum was sent to Belgium. The "Scrap of Paper"… the solemn guarantee of Germany, was torn to shreds, and the Germans invaded the little monarchy. This immediately brought Britain into the conflict. The British Cabinet dispatched an ultimatum to Germany to the effect that if Belgian territory were not respected, we could not stand idly by. That ultimatum expired at midnight on August 4th and as the hour approached, the British Cabinet Ministers were anxiously gathered at Downing Street, awaiting a message of peace from Berlin. In tense silence they watched the hands of the clock approach the fateful limit, but soon the chimes of midnight rang out from Big Ben…… it was war !


On the evening of Tuesday, August 18th, 1914, a meeting of members of the Hyde branch of the junior Unionist Association was held, "to consider the starting of a junior section of a civilian army, to assist the authorities in any crisis which is likely to arise." Several speeches were delivered in support of the movement, one of the speakers being Councillor T Middleton, who said that if the scheme of a civilian army were taken up it would do away with the need for conscription. It was decided to form a company, and to immediately begin training, a small committee being appointed to arrange details. At a further meeting, two days later, under the chairmanship of Councillor Middleton, the following resolution was unanimously carried. - "That in consequence of the grave national emergency which has arisen, this meeting of Hyde Junior Unionists, and each individual member, offer their services unconditionally, as far as time and circumstances permit, to assist the military and civil authorities in every possible way within the Borough of Hyde, for the maintenance of peace and the protection of life and property, and in doing so place themselves in the hands of the Chief Constable". About 45 members, of ages ranging from 17 to 25 were at once enrolled, and started drilling under the command of Sergeant John Travis, Lodge Lane, Newton, late of Manchester Volunteer Regiment. And Mr. E. Shaw, of the St. George's Boys' Brigade. Several weeks after the formation of the Corps, Sergeant Travis volunteered for active service The Junior Unionists also had route marches, often accompanied by Mr. J. Wilding, Conservative and Unionist Agent for the Hyde Division, who months later appointed recruiting agent at Hyde. Shortly after the formation of the Corps members began to enlist in Kitcheners Army, and by 1916 practically all were serving with the colours.

Thursday 10 September 2015

THE ACE OF CLUBS

Always nice to get a phone call from a friend, especially one who's local knowledge is second to none and a member of the team here on the blog.
Many will recall Paul from Hyde Lads Club, and from his book on the pubs of Hyde..   and of course being a member of the team here.





















CHEERS PAUL


Thursday 3 September 2015

Pictures From Elaine (1)


This post has been made possible because Elaine contacted me of late and later sent these pictures is.
Three excellent pictures to look over this as well..  and hopefully a bit of information will be forthcoming about each one. I've also done 3 close ups which might be of interest.

Serious damage on John Street 






UPDATE FROM PAUL TAYLOR
 
A bit of info for you. The butchers shop belonged to William Booth, and was at 62 George St, he had taken over from his father George Booth in the 1920's. The butchers dates back to around 1860, when George Booth (not sure if same George or father) established the shop. The shop on the right was Joseph Brunt, newsagents. The picture probably dates to around 1930.




UPDATE FROM PAUL TAYLOR

Just looking through The History of Hyde book page 172, it mentions the great storms of 1927. The main one was October 20th, which has been posted about a few times, but there was another one later on Oct 28th. Quote "On Friday Oct 28th, a destructive gale swept through the town. Commencing at five o'clock in the afternoon it soon reached a velocity of over 70 mph, and during the night it littered every street in the town with debris. Chimney pots and slates were hurled to the ground etc etc etc. Another heavy thunderstorm hit the town on Wed June 18th, 1930, causing deep flooding in all parts of the town. Either of these could be the cause of the damage to the house.





POSSIBLY HOPWOOD'S OUTING




LEFT




MIDDLE


RIGHT



TWO MEN AT A TABLE


Could they be the winners of a Botanical Competition? 



Or perhaps Art Work




These lads have workmens  hands





Would be great to get some names and information on the above pictures,  Elaine has other pictures to share and if they are as good as these I look forward to seeing and sharing them on here.

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