Memories of a Bygone Hyde

Below is a description of Hyde from a Bygone era. It was written by Dave Davis who kindly allowed us to share it on here.

"Being born and brought up in Flowery Field, Hyde was the centre of the universe for us as children. After shopping on Hyde market we would turn the corner and enter into the world of this picture. On the right of the picture, in the distance there was the bank then Fred Dawes, TV and Radio dealer where we would go to pay rental on our black and white TV. This was later taken over by Granada. You can see their shop clearly on the LHS of the picture. Next, coming towards the camera, Ibbotson's bakery. The best tipsy cake in the world and when mum and I went in on our own during the week we would enjoy a delicious toasted teacake and cup of tea as they had half a dozen tables by the wall opposite the counter. Two doors up the tobacco shop and how fascinating were all the ephemera of smoking displayed in the window? Next door again, and two steps up a marvellous sweet shop, the only place one could buy Terry's Golden Feather, a mix of all soft centres and my mum's favourite. Crossing the road Sayer's bakery, a bit more modern than Ibbotson's and the first place we experienced the trick of making the edges of a product look far more full than the inside - an inch of cream round the outside edge of the Swiss Roll and a mere smearing in the middle!

Round the corner, in Norfolk Street my gran hed her first house when she was married. Purely by chance, 40 years later my brother rented the same house. So many good memories. I spend hours in my mind wandering around this area, taking me into adjacent places not in the picture.

The PSA building

The market hall with Nightingale's pulling toffee as you watched. The cinema, the Co-op, UCP - United Cattle Products, a great cafe and some of the best tripe in the area. H V Hird, ironmongers, Meschia's cafe and their delicious homemade Italian ice cream. The PSA, (Pleasant Sunday Afternoon) a reformers answers to men languishing in the pubs and families left at home. Until the day it closed it was only 1d (old penny) to get in and enjoy all the activities with a cup of tea and biscuits thrown in. I must stop, need to go away and dream.."!

Many Thanks ,Dave ,for your wonderful memories..

PSA BUILDING MARKET STREET.

Two pictures of the PSA building, which stood on Market Street just before the junction with Union Street. These pictures along with others were donated to the blog by Jack Cheetham of Newton. Jack is a wealth of imformation and a true gentleman in every sense of the word. Watch out for more from Jack as I'm sure it will be of interest to many.

Hyde PSA

Hyde

Pleasant Sunday Afternoon

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This building was on Market Street, just lower down than the junction with Union Street. I remember playing snooker here, but I can't say it was a place I went into often... there is however a memory I have of going here for an injection... but I'll leave that a while and show you these pictures first.

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The PSA, (Pleasant Sunday Afternoon) a reformers answers to men languishing in the pubs and families left at home.

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Until the day it closed it was only 1d (old penny) to get in and enjoy all the activiities with a cup of tea and biscuits thrown in.

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I recognised the PSA

From years and years ago.

On Sundays we would spend the day

Around the radio,

And listen to a well-known tune,

Perhaps a story too.

That Pleasant Sunday Afternoon

Was PSA we knew

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I can recall going here when I was very small to have some kind of injection.... a big line of mums and kids awaiting their turn did nothing to calm me down about having a jab... by the time it was my turn I was crying and as the nurse came towards me I kicked her shin and ran out screaming. That set off a load of others kids crying who must also have been just as scared. I ran off down Market Street with my mum and Aunty Doris chasing behind. I was dragged back by the arm, but mum was told to take me out as I had disrupted the other children... My mum and Aunty Doris 'never' let me live that down.

I'm pleased that someone saved this frieze which you can see in the top picture.