Hyde In War Time 1914-16 (Pages19-20

Enrolment of Special Constables.

A FINE BODY
OF MEN

Within a couple of months or so of the outbreak of war about a dozen members of the Hyde Borough Police Force had left the town and entered upon military duties. At that time a few special constables in uniform were engaged to take their places, and for several months special attention had to be paid to local railway bridges, waterworks, etc. After a little while the uniformed specials, who, of course, were paid, were dispensed with, and townsmen al lover the Borough were invited to allow themselves to be enrolled and sworn in as voluntary Special Constables. There was an excellent response, and their services began to be utilised early in May 1915. In, April, 1916, the total number “Specials" in the town easily exceeded 250, and they were giving three hours per week each on police duty, in the evenings. Appended is a list of the townsmen who have acted in this capacity. They are divided into sections, each section having a patrol leader.
　
　
PATROL No.1. - Mr. C. H. Brogden, Leader; Messrs. F. Shenton, J. Oldham, T. F. Blakemore, W. Shaw, H. Norgrove, S. Shepley, W. H. Hamer, W. H. Middleton, R. S. Anthony, A. Hodson, A. Heron. J. Handforth, and A. Kay.

PATROL No.2. - Mr. G. F. Wild, Leader; Messrs, C. Lisle, R. Winterbotham, F. Torkington, E. Hopwood, G. R. Hadfield W. Kenyon, G. Sidebottom, H. Smith, W. Baker, H. V. Hird, G. W. Henstock, P. Robinson, R. Andrew, E. Taylor, and J. Saville.

PATROL No.3. - Mr. J. Dunkerley, Leader; Messrs, A. Bateman, J. Johnson, E. Parker. J. Stainthorpe, E. Pickford, J. W. Quarmby, T. Keyworth. J. W. Jackson. J. W. Shaw and J. Marshall.

PATROL No.4. - Mr. A. Bancroft, Leader; Messrs. W. Dent, J. Rosebottom, G. Hopwood, J. H. Whitehead, F. Clarke, G. H. Oulton, W. Whitehead, H. E. Oldham, F. Whalley, H. Wild, F. Gosling, T. Thompson, J. Cross, C. Bland, and E. Oldham.

PATROL No.5 - E. J. Cobbett, Leader; Messrs. F. E. Wood, T. Molloy, W. Fell, A W. Jennett, E. Edge, J. F. Ibbottson, E. G. Harman, W. Lees, A. Oldham, S. Bardsley, C. Knott, and E. Bickerdyke.

PATROL No.6 - Mr. J. Higginbottom, Leader; Messrs. J. Proctor, J. H. Wild, W. Norgrove, F. Gregory, S. Leigh, J. Chorton, A. Gregory, C. H. Alty, W. Lord, T. Smith, T. Cooper, and J. Oldham.

PATROL No.7. - Mr. Percy Oldham, Leader; Messrs. L. Maiden, T. Magee, J. Morris, C. Lyon, G. Gledhill J. Williamson, A. Firth, H. Cooper, F. Bardsley, L. Brooke, A, E. A. Jympson, and T. B. Dawson.

PATROL No.8. - Mr. B. Garside, Leader; Messrs. H. Wrigley, O. Bardsley, B. Craig. G H. Nicholls, J. Hogg, J. Bowden, J. A. Bardsley, J. Broadbent, E. W. Crossland, A. E, Searle. G. Fox, W. Spiller, T. Cooper, F. Oldham. and A. G. Fox.

PATROL No. 9 - Mr. S. Ashworth, Leader; Messrs. A. E. Slack, J. Beaker. H. Mason. C. Berry, R. North, G. North, W. Oldham, J. Dakin, J. Pinnington, M. Hallas, A, E. Chadwick, W. Stott, J. E. Hopkinson, E. Thornley, and A. W. Mason.

PATROL No.10. - Mr. W. Gledhill, Leader; Messrs. C. E. Moore, J. Chatterton, J. Hunt, E. Lever, J. Hornby, M. Smith, W. Oldham, A, Wright, G. Brian, J.T. Slater, and C. Higginbottom,

PATROL No.11. - Mr. J. Wilding, Leader; Messrs. J. W. Wake, T. Cooper, D. Gratton, B. Hibbert, S. V. Aalten, W. Tudor, J, E. Woodall, C. R. Halton, G. H. Jackson. F. L. Brown, H. Linney, S. Hibbert, and J. Redfern.

PATROL No.12. - Mr. R. Forge, Leader; Messrs. J. McGinty, J. Wakefield, G. Hopwood, R. P. Kitchen, J. E. Andrew, H. Kelsall, G. H. Purssglove. F. Whitworth. J. Oldham W. B. Gregson, G. Leech, A. Boardman, W. Bowker and S. Fielden.

PATROL No. 13. - Mr. A. Barker, Leader; Messrs. W. Ridgeway, J. Nield, A Timperley. S. T. Taylor. S. Whitehead, G. T. Walker, T. Buckley, C. Aldred, P. Barber, J. Wright, and P. Roscoe.

PATROL No.14. - Mr. N. F. Cooke, Leader; Messrs. P. Scholes, J. Hopkinson, R. Sims, J. Lomas, H. Glover. C. Middleton, J. Axon, J. Proctor, A. Gee, A. Townsend, H. Broadbent, S. Coxon, C. Thompson. and J, Wood.

PATROL No. 15. - Mr. G. H. Stafford, Leader; Messrs. J, Dixon, J. Oldham, S. Leigh, L. Mellor, W. Dawson, J. Archer, M. Pleasants, A. Howarth, F. Mottram, J. J Wilde, N. W. Mellor, J, N. Collier, T. Hadfield, and J. Chadwick.

PATROL No. 16 - Councillor S. Fawley, Leader; Messrs. J. H. Stafford, B. Armstrong, A. Fawley, C.C., B. Taylor, C. W. Garlick, C. E. Duxbury, H. Whitehead. T. N. Bedford, E. B, Charnley, G. W. Davidson, C. Beeley, G. Lewis, M. Devlin. J. Vickers. G. W. Sutton, S. Plant, and S. Wood.

PATROL No.17 - Councillor W. Pope, Leader; Messrs. W. Gee, H. Dennerley, T. Whitworth, T. Swindells, S. Etchells, J. Mosedale, H. Fisher, R. Wilkinson, J. Horrocks, D. C. Buttery. W. I. Bowker, J. Sparkes, S. Owens, J. W. Bowden, S. Fisher, and R, Newton,

PATROL No.18. - Mr. A. Slater, Leader; Messrs, I. Slater, J. S. Jackson. J. Gregson, J. Lever, George. F. Higham, J. Swindells, T. Worrall, T. Horrocks, Jas Broadbent, R. Rose, C. T. Billinge, H. Merritt, C. Morris, H. Lees, J. Sandiford, and John Broadbent

PATROL LEADERS OF THE “SPECIAL” CONSTABLES

Front Row: Messrs. A. Bancroft, P. Scholes, (Cr.) W. Pope, J. W. Danby (Chief Constable), G. F. Wild, (Cr.) S. Fawley, C.H. Brogden, F.A.I..
Middle Row: Messrs. J. Dixon (Inspector), J. Higginbotham, P. Oldham, G. H. Stafford, E. J. Cobbett, J. Wilding, S. Shepley, F.LI. Brown, W. Moore (Inspector.)
Back Row: Messrs. S. Ashworth, N.F. Cooke, A. Barker, H. Wilde, J. Dunkerley, B Garside. Mr. Albert Slater, Leader of Patrol 18, was unavoidably absent.

Photo by A. E. Searle, Hyde.

Lumn Road Grass Triangle

Lumn Road Grass Triangle in the 1980's. I've always thought it such a pretty row, especially when the cherry trees are in blossom!


In 2010. I'm happy to report that this hasn't changed too much. I notice the loss of one tree and that's not bad considering they were taken nearly 25 years apart.

Gardeners Arms

You may remember that we reported a couple of months ago that the Gardeners Arms on Lumn Road had closed down. Well, two weeks ago it re-opened it's doors under new management. Lets hope a few more of our lost pubs return in the not so distant future.

They are having groups playing every friday night so here's a bit of shameless advertising for my friends band who will be playing there on the 13th August .
Good Luck Neil and "Timeless"! :)

The Hyde Chartist Society

Chartism was so called because its basis was a charter of rights for all including the right to vote

A Declaration by the Chartists of Hyde

*No division or distribution of a man's property much less his life.

*We want our rights as Englishmen.

*We want a fair and equal representation in Parliament and a free voice in making laws.

*We declare the present Property Parliament unfair.

*We want no Poor Law Amendment Act.

*We want every man, rich or poor, to not only have a vote, but to be able to stand as a candidate for any Borough or County.


A Chartists club card.

The Northern Star reported on 27th April, 1839, that the Hyde Chartist Society contained 300 men and 200 women. The newspaper quoted one of the male members as saying that the women were more militant than the men, or as he put it: "the women were the better men".

The Queens, Clarendon Place

Not Changed much at all

The Queens always seems to have steady trade... and at times as been one of the more popular pubs in the town centre. It is alas forever linked to the Moors Murders.. In 1965 Superintendent Bob Talbot of the Cheshire Police used the pub as a base for all the officers when the search of the moors was taking place. I think I'm right in saying that some policeman were housed here in a make shift dorm in the function room. The pub was used as the police station as the town hall was not big enough to hold all the staff the investigation needed.

The Queens was at one time a coaching house.... there were provisions at the back for horses... and it was only recently the saddle hooks and feeding baskets were removed when alteration were done. I know they were there in the 1980s when Brian & Joyce Hunter were the landlord and lady. I worked on the door here for a while... which was fun... and I also did the bar for 2 other owners... but for me when I see or hear the Queens mentioned I am reminded of the fun and laughter shared with good friends when Brian and Joyce were the hosts...

Hyde In War Time (1914-16) Page17-18

CHAPTER III.

FORMATION OF TRAINING CORPS.

SPLENDID
PATRIOTISM AT

FLOWERY FIELD.

Immediately after the outbreak of the war, a Training Corps was started at Messrs. Ashton Bro's. Mills, Flowery Field, every facility being given by the firm to the male section of the operatives to enter the Corps and begin preliminary training with a view to active service for their country, if required. It was very fitting that this firm, the largest in the town, employing some 2,500 operatives, should take the lead it did in the direction of practical patriotism. From the the time Ashton Bros’ Training Corps was formed, the general manager of the mills, Councillor A. M. Fletcher, J.P., representing the firm, gave it all possible encouragement. Of course, as in the cases of all manufacturing concerns, a very large proportion of the operatives were female. When war broke out, there were in the firms', employ about 800 males, of thirteen years of age and upwards. Ashton Bros. Training Corps, made up of men and youths from the firms several factories, in the first few months of the war did an immerse amount of good. It reached a numerical strength of several hundreds, and attained a high state of efficiency. Up to the time of his joining the Army, Mr. (now Captain) G. B. Sayce was in command of the Corps. The firm's cashier Mr. James Dunkerley, besides acting as secretary of the Corps, was a platoon commander, his colleagues in latter capacity being Messrs. N. F Cook, George H. Stafford and Allen Barker. Some of the officers were ex-Volunteers, and previous experience in drill, marching, etc., served then in good stead, besides proving of benefit to the men. Instruction classes were held, and a rifle range was set up at the Wharf Shed. Route marches were frequent, and on one occasion the men, after journeying by train to Hayfield, walked from that village by the Kinder Scout path to the "Snake" thence to Glossop, and on through Mottram to Hyde, a total distance of over twenty miles, the first seven mile, being along a very rough and difficult track.

ASHTON BROS. TRAINING CORPS.

Werneth Low

Photo No. 1.......... A. E. Searle

The Corps. held several manoeuvre’s on Werneth Low and in the neighbourhood of Woodhead. At Ashton Bro‘s. factories, about sixty dummy rifles, with bayonets, very made, for the use of the men in drilling. These rifles were afterwards lent to the Hyde detachment of the Cheshire Volunteer Regiment, whose members were allowed the use of the Wharf Shed rifle range. So efficient did Ashton Bros' Trailing Corps become, that some men on joining Kitchener’s Army gained promotion with remarkable rapidity. In the early months of the war there were many stirring events at the Flowery Field Mills. One of these took place on Thursday, November 19th, 1914, when 39 members the Mates' Platoon, composed of employees of Messrs. Ashton Bro’s and Co., Lid,, left for their first drill at Belle Vue. These men had useful training in the Corps, organised at the mill. Before the men left they were addressed by the general manager, Councillor A. M. Fletcher. J.P., in the presence of about 2,000 operatives.

From the early weeks of the war to the present time, the patriotic weavers at Bayley Field Mill have subscribed each week, and sent numberless comforts and other gifts to the soldiers. For this movement they had two splendid workers in Miss Esther Shaw, secretary, and Miss Martha Edwards, treasurer.

Up to the beginning of April, 1916, two hundred and eighty men from Ashton Bro’s. had joined the colours, and nine had been killed.

ASHTON BROS. TRAINING CORPS

Werneth Low

Photo No. 2..........A. E. Searle

ST. GEORGE’S
CHURCH CORPS.

During September, 1914, there was also formed a Training Corps in connection with St. George’s Church. The Corps numbered 50 strong. Many of those who became members subsequently joined the colours, and some have fallen on the Field Of Honour.

After the local Reservists and Territorials had left the town, recruiting for Kitchener's Army proceeded with considerable briskness. There also arose several local Citizen Training Corps. 0n the 11th. January, 1915. the new Mayor (Councillor Welch) initiated a movement which led to the formation of the Hyde Volunteer Training Corps at a public meeting held in the Town Hall, about three weeks later - On the 2nd February. Not long afterwards this Corps became a detachment of the Cheshire Volunteer Regiment. Its primary object was home defence. Up to April, 1916, there had been 320 men entered on the membership roll, and about 50 had enlisted, which was a large proportion, considering that the great majority of the men were above military age, the eldest being nearly sixty. The uniform of the men was paid for out of a Battalion fund, subscribed by members and friends. Up to the time named, Hyde had subscribed to the fund £268. The Battalion was made up of five detachments - A. Detachment, Stalybridge; B. Dukinfield; C, Hyde; D, Glossop; E. Bredbury, Romily, and Marple. The full numerical strength of the Battalion was over a thousand. A remarkably high state of efficiency was obtained all round. Mr. T. Victor commanded the Hyde Detachment for a few months, until he obtained a Lieutenant's commission, and the duties of commander were then undertaken by Mr. H, L. Plant, of Romily, with Mr. Daniel Pennington, the well known Hyde Solicitor, as sub-Commander. The following were the officials of the Corps:- President, Lord Ashton of Hyde; acting President, the Mayor (Councillor Welch); secretary and treasurer, Mr. D. Pennington. Committee: Messrs. C. H. Brogden, Robt. Gregory, Joseph Heginbotham. Ed.Ogden, John Torkington. H. E. Poole, C. E. Moore. Albert Slater, (Councillor) Percy Hibbert, (Councillor) W. Pope and Mr. J. W, Danby (the Chief Constable), the three last-named elected by the Corporation. There were four platoon commanders:- viz, No.1 Platoon, Frank Shenton; No 2. Wm. A. Aspland; No.3, William ---ton, junr: No. 4, J. W, Sutcliffe. The Corps had frequent drills and marches, the longest march in one day being fully twenty miles. One of the results of these exercises was a remarkable improvement in the physique of the men. They also learnt the Maze Dance, which was an effective test of physical endurance for men between forty and fifty-five In April, 1916, the working strength of the Hyde Corps was about 200.

ASHTON BROS. TRAING CORPS.

Werneth Low

Photo No. 3..........A. E. Searle

SMART CORPS
COMMANDER

Mr. H. L. Plant, of Bredbury, joined the Hyde Volunteer Training Corps on its formation. He was at once appointed a platoon commander, and succeeded Mr. T. Victor as commander of the Corps when the latter gentleman received a Lieutenant’s commission, about October. 1915. A native of Staffordshire, Commander Plant had previously been in the Wolverhampton Yeomanry for about twelve months, and had spent ten years in the Leicestershire Volunteers, the latter half of the period as Sergeant; so that on taking charge of the Volunteer detachment at Hyde he was fortified with much useful military experience. His skill in shooting was another valuable asset to the Corps, whose efficiency is in no small measure due to his capable instruction and commend.

St George's Parish Magazine

A good friend of ours ,John Hopwood, a regular contributer to this site, has lent us a magazine which I've scanned to show you a slice of Hyde life from the 1920's. Just showing the front cover today - look out for adverts and articles in the future. Hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did. :)


St George's Parish Church magazine Feb.1927
Note one of the church wardens lived on Swain Street - now Dowson Road!

The map above shows the Swain Street turned into an old footpath which skirted the hollow.

Charles Street.( Disappeared streets 3)

Charles Street was located at the bottom of Market Street, where the bus station now stands. If stories are true then it was one of Hydes roughest slum areas .People didn't like to venture through it in daylight never mind at night. Many a tale has been told about the fights that used to occur on there after a boozy saturday night out. Also stories of heroism. One in particular was concerning a man who was described as a "wastrel and a drunk", who was known to regularly beat his wife after too much alcohol. But despite his ways, he was the only one who went to help a little girl one night who had stood too close to the fire and set her nightdress alight. She ran into the Road screaming ,on fire. Everyone stood there frozen to the spot not knowing what to do except this man who was passing by on his way out. He took his overcoat off and smothered the little girl in it ,thus putting out the fire and saving her life. A true hero indeed!




A photo showing the closeness of the street despite the immense poverty.

Hyde In War Time (1914-16) Page15-16

How Germany Makes War

At a lecture in the Primitive Methodist, Hoviley Brow, on September 28th, Dr. Hulme, who had visited Germany, and was intimately acquainted with many prominent Germans before the war, aroused his audience to an intense feeling of indignation and disgust as he tore away the veil of hypocrisy, and portrayed the hideousness of Teuton “Kultur,” showing with lucid emphasis how the Hun was insidiously working to destroy British prestige, and so become the Dominant World Power. Dr. Hulme’s statements were not mere hearsay, for he had talked to German military officers, business men, and manufacturers; and had discovered, beyond a shadow of doubt, they were all inspired by the same determined purpose, and were prepared, if possible, to accomplish that purpose whatever the cost. Some of the German atrocities upon unfortunate and helpless Belgians which he described were absolutely diabolical. He told of a Belgian who saw every member of his household murdered before his eyes by Germans; of little children’s noses being slit from their faces, arms cut for their bodies, and hands from their wrists, of Germans having entered a place as “members of the Red Cross,” armed with revolvers and knives, and murdered people as they lay in their beds. And, worst of all, he related that 550 inhabitants of the Belgian town of Dinant were taken into the public square, and, in batches of 110 at a time were blown pieces by the Germans with field artillery some of the victims being old men over eighty, some children under five. Some of the horrible incidents narrated by Dr. Hulme had been told to him by actual eye-witnesses. It is well that people of Hyde should understand the character of the Teuton, and bestial brutality of the Hum, and then they will be better able to realise that Britain and her Allies did not enter war without adequate reason, and that the gallant lads of Hyde who have fought and fallen in the war have not given their lives in vain. If the treacherous German jackboot could have swept over England as it swept through Belgian, the fate of thousands of our women and children would have been quite as horrible as that of the Belgians.

ASHTON BROS’. MATES’ PLATOON.

Front row : A. W. Smith, J. Hurst, R. Hickson. J. W. Bury, J. Brookes, Tom Lees, W. Dimelow, J. Higginbottom, John Hardy, J. Hannible, F. Knowles, T. Bramhall, W. Livett, J. Hallows.
Middle row : H. Rowland, F. Robbins, J. T. Robbins. H. Kirby, P. Preston, E. Moores, J. Rowland. J. Booth. A. Bennet, J. Oldham, W. Ainsworth, -- Finch, Tom Taylor, C. Booth, H. Pimblett, J. Charlesworth, C. Eyre.
Back row : E. Williamson, A. Dawson, O. Parrott, W. Wild, E. Marshall, W. Kennion, H. Ingleson.
In the centre (standing) is Councillor A. M. Fletcher. J.P.

Photo by A.E. Searle, Hyde.

St. Mary's Church, Newton.

Parish Magazine 1948

My friend Jack Cheetham called around the other day, to pick up a book and some pictures he'd left for me to scan. Anyhow over a cup of tea he was telling me storys and memories of Hyde and Newton. It's always a pleasure to have Jack call around.... before he left he pulled out a little booklet concerning St. Mary's Church, it's dated September 1948... Jack as been a member of this church as long as I've known him.... and I know it means a lot to him. Anyhow he asked if the booklet was of use to me for the blog... I had a quick flick through the few pages and told him it was perfect.. the cover below is worth showing for the date and price alone... but the adverts inside... which there are many of are well worth showing in future posts.. so watch out for them coming up soon.

Why we find this of interest... the date 1948, and the price being threepence (3d), the names, and the phone number. HYD 448... and thats what you had to dial then. Also of interest is right at the bottom of the page... J. Andrew & Co. Ltd., "Herald-Reporter," Hyde.

Anything printed like this is just the thing we need to turn up and look at... there must be such stuff at the back of draws going unnoticed... anything like this is of interest for the Social History it hold.

St. Mary's Church

The parish church of St. Mary's, Newton, was built in 1839, chiefly through the munificence of the Ashtons of Newton. It is a neat edifice in the Norman style, consisting of nave and chancel, the latter having been enlarged since the original building. The first vicar was the Rev. G. W. Bowers, who held the post about 40 years..

From The History Of Hyde

Hyde In War Time (1914-16) Page13-14

SUCCOURING HOMELESS BELGIANS.

CHURCHES', ETC.,

MAGNIFICENT HOSPITALITY.

When the refugees arrived arrangements were already in hand for housing and maintaining them. Practically every church in the borough, and private individuals, took a share in this excellent work, and vied with each other in providing the most comfortable and cosy homes for the guests whom they had promised to support, and, when one reflects on the thoughtful consideration and admirable enthusiasm evinced by all sections of the community in this self -sect sacrificing work, of the anxious planning and scheming so that nothing should be wanting from the newly-furnished households, one thrills with pride in being connected with such a glorious effort of practical Christianity.

The total number of refugees was 137, all Belgians except two, who were of French nationality. They were provided for by the following at the addresses named:-
ASHTON ROAD U.M.C. Married couple and two children = 4. At 1 Turner Fold, Newton.
BARON ASHTON & MISS ASHTON. Man and two daughters; woman and two daughters = 6. At 32 Well Meadow, Flowery Field.
COMMITTEE OF ASHTON BROS‘. MANAGERS ; Man, wife, three daughters, and another Belgian = 6. At 20 Mulberry Street, Flowery Field.
MR. VAN AALTEN TOWN HALL BUILDINGS: Married couple, and three children = 5. At Werneth Hall Cottages Gee Cross.
MRS. JOSEPH ADAMSON'S COMMITTEE: Married couple and three daughters = 5. At 290 Mottram Road, Godley.
GEORGE STREET U.M.C. & HOVILEY BROW PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH: Married couple and three children = 5. At 24 Union Street, Hyde.
GEE CROSS WESLEYANS; Married couple and daughter = 3. At 5, Elm Grove, Hyde.
HYDE WESLEYAN CHURCH; Married couple, daughter and son-in-law = 4. Housed at 16 Port Street, Hyde.
HYDE P. S.A.; Mother and daughter = 2. At 22 Croft Street, Hyde
HYDE CHAPLE, GEE CROSS; Married couple and 7 children = 9. Slater's Farm, Gee Cross.
HYDE ST. GEORGE'S; Mother (whose husband was a prisoner of war in Germany) and nine children = 10. Town Hall Buildings, Hyde.
HYDE Y.M.C.A. Married couple and son = 3 At 3 Port Street, Hyde.
HOLY TRINITY, GEE CROSS; Married couple and boy = 3. Joel Lane, Gee Cross.
JOEL LANE PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHAPEL; Married couple and one child = 3. At 299 Stockport Road, Gee Cross.
MR. T. KERFOOT, POLE BANK; Man, wife, mother-in-law, and two children = 5. At 3 Harrison Street, Gee Cross.
MUSLIN STREET U.M. CHURCH; Married couple and five children = 7. At 120 Muslin Street, Newton.
St. MARY'S, NEWTON : Widow, married couple and two children = 5 At 36 Shaw Hall, Newton Hall.
NEWTON WESLEYAN CHURCH; Man and his stepsister = 2 Commercial Brow, Newton.

ROSEMOUNT PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH, NEWTON. Married Couple and one child; a young man; married couple and two children;: another married couple; a young woman = 11. Rosemount School.

ST. JOHN‘S, GODLEY : Mother, three sons, daughter-in-law, and grandchild = 6. Highfield Farm, Godley.

SLACK MILLS Married couple and two children = 4. Ash Fold, Gee Gross.

ST. THOMAS’S CHURCH: Married woman (husband a prisoner of way in Germany), her two childen, and her two sisters = 5. At 24, Fairbrother Street, Hyde.

ST. PAUL’S NEWTON: Members of for different families; in all 12. Hamilton House, Water Street, Hyde.

ST. STEPHEN’S CHURCH FLOWERY FIELD; Married couple and two children, married couple and one child = 7. St. Stephen’s Institute.

UNION STREET CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH; Married couple and two children = 4. At 45 Fairbrother Street.

MISS WHITWORTH, BONNYFIELDS, GODLEY; One young woman. Bonnyfields Farm.

THE MAYOR’S BELGIAN SCHEME (Continued).

Many excellent pieces of furniture were made by the Belgians, including sideboards and cabinets, and when a representative of the “North Cheshire Herald” visited the refugees’ workshop, early in January 1915, he found eighteen Belgium men and youths in the large room. One was operating a cirular saw; another was turning table legs; a third was engaged on some beautiful carving, whilst others were busy dovetailing, etc. This splendid scheme, which became known throughout England, and was “copied” in many parts of the country, was continued for a few months, until, with the great call for munition-making, the departure of more and more men for the British Army, and general improvement in trade, coupled with the scarcity of home labour, it was found possible, and even expedient, to divert Belgian refugee labour into the ordinary channels amongs us. It is hope, when the war is over, and the Belgians return to their own country, they take back with them furniture made by themselves whilst in England. One can well imagine how, generations hence, the young people of Belgium will deeply revere the chest of drawers, the table, or the rocking-chair made in England by their refugee ancestors during the Great War. What an honoured place such articles will occupy in Belgian homes - and, it may also be said, in English homes - fifty or a hundred years hence!

One of the articles made at the works was a lovely solid-oak cabinet, which was presented on Christmas Eve, 1914, to Miss Welch, daughter of the Mayor and Mayoress, by the Belgians in Hyde. On a table attached to the cabinet, the following inscription is carved in Flemish; - “Presented to the Burgomaster’s daughter, from the Belgian refugees.” This cabinet is now a highly- valued souvenir in Councillor Welch’s domestic castle, and will remain so for generations.

BELGIAN
WEDDING BELLS

At St. Stephen’s Church Flowery field, on Monday, the 28th December, 1914, there took place a wedding of more then ordinary interest, for both the bride and bridegroom were Belgian refugees in Hyde. They were Anne Marie Schippers and Gustaaf Vervoorst. The Rev. F.H. Coveney, then Curate-in-Charge of St. Stephen’s, preformed the ceremony, and once more the services of Mr. Van Aalten were obtained as interpreter. The Mayor (Councillor Welch) accompanied the parties to church, and gave the bride away. Other Belgian refugees including to from Rosemount, with the Rev. H. Ross, Primitive Methodist minister, were at the wedding. After the ceremony, the bride and bridegroom were driven to Marple, where they were entertained by Councillor and Mrs. Welch at their home. In the evening, there was a reception at Rosemount School, Newton. In accordance with custom, the bride and bridegroom were given numerous wedding presents.

Mount Street

The Factory on Mount Street was called Higginbothams Hat Factory and it operated there for many years. After the hat trade went into decline the building was occupied by "The Hyde Chamois Leather Company".

Looking down Thomas Street towards Mount Street.

In the war, the part to the left of the gates was used as a makeshift morgue after bombs fell in Hyde . After the war it was used as storage for J.Adamsons. It is now home to "Frames" snooker club.



View of where Mount Street meets Ridling Lane. The building have long changed or even gone! See "Fine Fare" Supermarket (now Morrisons) in the background.

Hyde In War Time (1914-16) Pages11-12

Succouring Homeless Belgians.

TERRIFYING
EXPERIENCES.

Several of the refugees told of terrifying incidents they had experienced or before fleeing out of their country. One of them, a girl of sixteen, had the windows of her bedroom smashed the night before she left Malines by splinters from German shells. In hurriedly escaping, she fell into a dyke, but fortunately was rescued by her father. One of the men refugees had seen a Civilian in Malines with a bayonet stabbed through his heart done by a murderous German. The house of another refugee, at Malines, was destroyed by a German bomb before they left. but this man (who find a wife and seven children) and his family happened to be out at the time, otherwise they might have been killed.

MORE REFUGEES
ARRIVE.

A second party of thirty-nine Belgian refugees arrived before six o-clock on the evening of Friday the 16th October; while on the following morning nineteen were brought from Manchester in motor cars belonging to several Hyde gentlemen. This made exactly a hundred up to that time. The thirty-nine were received at the station, and were conveyed in motors to the old Hospital. Similar scenes were witnessed as on the previous occasion, although it was only a few hours before their arrival that the Mayor received a telegram that were travelling by train from London. As the pitiable bundles of humanity, helpless and careworn, emerged from the station, one eyes grew misty, and many a handkerchief stole up to the faces of the onlookers to brush aside the tears of sympathy that welled up from overflowing hearts.

Among the thirty nine was an old man of 72 years, whose relatives, it was stated, had all been killed of were missing. There he stood, dazed and stupefied, with farrowed brow and stooping mien ; with wisps of grey hair, which he tremblingly pushed back from straggling across his forehead. But for the cruel Huns he have been ensconced near the fire, listening to the lisping of his grandchildren, as they played about his chair, instead of which he had been buffeted from pillar to past, through long nights and days as he pressed with the crowd to Ostend.

There were two little babies in aims, one apparently four or five months' old, the other seven or eight months. These precious little Belgian bairns in innocent and perfectly unconscious wonderment, gazed at their benefactors as they were tenderly carried from the platform to a motor car by two prominent townsmen. It was pathetic to see the Belgian women and to note their silent gratitude for having been delivered from the risk of German violence and outrage, which was so rampant in the early months of the war.

About the beginning of December, there arrived at Hyde nearly thirty more, including a young women of 22, with her two babies, aged two years and one year car respectively, her husband being a prisoner in Germany; and a married woman with nine children - the eldest twenty years of age, the youngest twenty months, - whose husbands was also in the hands of the Germans.

THE MAYOR’S BELGIAN SCHEME. - REFUGEES AT WORK.

After this country had become the host of tens of thousands of Belgian refugees, there soon arose the problem of how to provide these unfortunate people with employment. In the last two or three months of 1914, work was none to plentiful in England, even for our own countrymen, consequently, if any of the refugees were found ordinary employment, there was the danger of some of our own people being displaced. At this juncture, our worthy Mayor (Councillor Stanley Welch, who had succeeded Alderman Hinchcliffe, Brooke), devised a scheme for providing work for the refugees without interfeing with the employment of our own inhabitants. The underlying principle was that the Belgian males should be employed making furniture for themselves. As the contents of many of their homes in Belgium had been smashed by the German shells, it was recognised that great numbers of new homes would have to be set up, and huge quantities of furniture would be required to furnish them. Among the refugees in Hyde were craftsmen skilled in wood carving and joinery. Through the courtesy of Messrs. J. and J. Ashton, whose cotton factory adjoins Messrs. Jacobsen and Welch’s Newton Mill, the Mayor had the disposal of a large room, which he equipped as a workshop for the Belgians.

The James North Company

James North started life as a family business. It began as a chamois leather firm in Colne in 1868 but moved to Hyde in 1876. The first place they operated from in Hyde was a disused stable in Robert Street but soon expansion into the glove making industry meant they needed bigger premises and they moved to Godley Mills.



James Norths' Bottom Street works during the Hyde Flood.

Heavy flooding caused extensive damage in 1900 and 1906 - in the latter year a large part of Godley Mills was destroyed. But the firm fought back from these, several fires and the 1930s depression, to become a highly successful multi-national safety apparatus and clothing manufacturer, patenting the PVC glove in 1947.


James Norths at the Market Street Premises just before demolition.

James Norths were commissioned to make gauntlet gloves for Sir Ernest Shackleton's great Antarctic expedition.
(With thanks to the M.E.N.)

There is too much to write about James North in one post so this is just a short history. Look out for more photos in the future.

Hyde In War Time (1914-16) page 9-10

Succouring Homeless Belgians.

FIRE AND SWORD
IN BELGIUM.

During the first few weeks of the war the Prussian hordes swept through Belgium, murdering the inhabitants, and pillaging and destroying its Churches and public buildings, Men were ruthlessly butchered, and women and children violated, till the land, drenched with blood, became a shambles and a charnel house. Tens of thousands fled before the occurring scourge, leaving everything behind, and anxiously pressed towards the coast, with the pitiful words on their lips, “When will the British come? Great numbers of these were conveyed across the Channel to England and safely. The immediate problem was to shelter and feed them, for they were destitute of everything except the clothing they had ion, and what could be carried in bundles. The then Mayor of Hyde, Alderman Hinchcliffe Brooke, at a meeting of the Town Council, on the 12th October, 1914, announced that he had received a telegram from London, stating that large, numbers, of Belgian refugees were arriving in this country, and that offers of hospitality, would be welcomed. He stated he had replied to the effect that the town would warmly welcome 150 refugees. The Town Clerk (Mr. Thomas Brownson B.A), who was indefatigable in his efforts, announced that already the people of various places of worship in the Borough had offered to make prevision for housing them, ant several subscriptions for a local Belgian Refugee Fund had been received. Mr. E. J, Cobbett ably acted as secretary of the scheme.

HEARTBREAKING
SCENES

On Wednesday, October 14th, shortly before six p.m. the first hatch of Belgian refugees arrived at the train station. Their arrival was accompanied by scenes and incidents never to be forgotten. The writer was on the platform when the train conveying the refugees pulled up in the station. Words fail to describe one’s feelings at the time. Here were forty Belgians, not one of whom could speak a word of English, driven from their land of their fathers, and from all their old and venerated associations; placing themselves unreservedly at the mercy of the inhabitants of Hyde, On the platform, to welcome the fugitives. were the Mayor and Mayoress, the Town Clerk, and other prominent townspeople; while Great Norbury Street, in the vicinity of the station, was packed with people, it having been made generally known in the town during the previous few hours the Belgian refugees were expected to arrive. The party comprised twelve men, fifteen women, and fifteen children, - a total of 42. Some had had their homes smashed by German shells; all had had to leave hurriedly, and the few priceless relics they retained were carried in their hands, wrapped in tablecloths and large coloured handkerchief. Poor stricken humanity, it was pitiable to see them as they emerged from the saloon carriage, and wearily stepped on to the platform, sticking to their bundles as if their lives depended upon the contents. Mr. Van Aalten, a well known Hyde tradesman; and Father Marrs, of St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church. Hyde, both had sufficient knowledge of the Flemish language to hold conversation with the refugees, paved the way for enabling them to understand the arrangements made. All of them seemed to belong to the working class, or peasantry. The eldest refugee was a lady of about seventy years, the youngest a child of about eighteen months, in the arms of it mother. A young woman among them sob bitterly, and it was stated she had lost both her parents. Onlookers were moved to tears. As the refugees were emerging out the station at the front entrance, a Corporation junior clerk waved the Belgian flag, and several Hyde young women fervently kissed the Belgian children. The refugees were taken to the old Hospital, at Gee Cross, in motor cars provided by friends. The refugees were taken up to the Hospital, having had a wash and “brush up” their were welcomed in a few cheering words by the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr. Van Aalten acting as interpreter), and then were feasted with a good meal of potato pie, which evidently they greatly needed. One of the families comprised father, mother, and seven children; another, the parents and five children. They were “housed” at the old Hospital for a day or two, pending the preparation of more permanent accommodation for them in various parts of the town. With two or three exceptions, from Antwerp, the whole of the refugees were from Malines.

GROUP OF BELGIAN REFUGEES AND TOWN OFFICIALS
 AT THE OLD HOSPITAL

Centre: Councillor and Mrs. Hinchcliffe Brooke (Mayor and Mayoress) and Miss Brooke. At the back: Councillor W. Fowden (Chairman, Sanitary Committee.) Mr. T Brownson, B.A. (Town Clark), and Miss Pristley (Matron). Left: Mr. Van Aalten (Interpreter.) Right: Councillor T. Middleton.

Help Needed Concerning Hyde Brewers

One of our blog readers has got in touch about the above jug... as anyone any information on "The Eclipse Brewery" Mottram Road Hyde.. any snippet is of use here..

This tray caught my eye a week or so ago on Ebay... "Andrew & Atkinsons" Mottram Road.. Update- Andrew & Atkinsons established the bottling of Mineral Waters in 1868.

This is another Jug, and again this was resently for sale of Ebay... "J. Rowbottom & Sons" Reliance Drinks, Henry Street Hyde.

I was once doing a spot of Community Work just off Halton Street.. on the left as you are heading towards the juction with Mottram Road... we were clearing the stream of rubbish... the stream and banking was full of such jugs, and smaller bottles.. most of which were smashed... but one or two were intact... I cannot recall the names on them.... I was also looking on an old map and it showed a large building at the bottom of Henry street, just before Onward Street at the back of the picture-house.... I cannot think of any other place on Henry Street where such a place could have been... so if any of you know anything else about these or other brewers please get in touch... by commenting below or by email if prefered.. Thankyou

One more thing about these jugs... I can't be the only one who used to have these as hotwater bottles can I... we had quite a few around the house when I was small.. but the names escape me.

Hyde In War Time (1914-16) Page7-8

THE STRESS OF WAR

OTHER EFFECTS
OF THE WAR

In many directions the war immediately caused much dislocation, Continental work of local boilermaking and engineering shops was “ held up.” Chamois leather works in the Borough were seriously affected for several weeks, hat manufacturing was in a parlous condition, and Newton Bank Printworks went on three days a week. It was found necessary to protect the country’s gold reserve as far as possible, .and very soon 10shilling and £1 notes displaced the gold coin.. "Business as usual” became a very familiar motto with almost ,everybody, but our townspeople also soon realised that they must settle down to the practice of economy. Through the "North Cheshire Herald" the Borough Survey Mr.. James Diggle, issued a letter to all the Hyde Corporation workmen advising them in exercise the utmost care in spending, for the sake of their wives and children, expressing the opinion that we were entering upon a very disastrous period, and that fend would become dear.
　
HOUSEWIVES
"RUSH" THE SHOPS

Immediately on the outbreak of war the price of many foodstuffs advanced in Hyde In most instances flour rose by 2d. and 4d. per dozen pounds. During the threatened panic one or two local grocers charged up to 2s. and. a dozen, Or nearly a shilling above the normal price at that time. The rise was much encouraged by the rushing of housewives to get as much flour in stock as they could. Local butchers at once raised beef by 1d. per pound, and fish went up 1d. and 2d. Some of the local grocers' shops were, quite over-run with customers, and one or two establishments in the first few days repeatedly had to close in order to enable the staff to keep pace with the orders, and prevent the shops from being “taken by storm.” As the war proceeded, the tendency continued to be upward, and at the end of 1915, after nearly seventeen months of war, flour was selling in Hyde at 2s. To 2s 3d. ; beefsteak, 11d. or 1s., before the war, was 1s. 4d., to 1s 6d.; while the price of coal had risen in the same period from 11d, or 1s. to 1s 1s. 4d. and 1s 7d. per cwt., an increase of about fifty per cent. During the same seventeen months cheese had risen from 9d. to 1s. or 1s. 2d., bacon, from 10d. to 1s. 3d,; while lump sugar, formerly 2lbs.for 41/2d., was now 5d. per lb.

HYDE "C" COMPANY AT MOTTRAM

Inspection of the Corps - Colonel John Wood, M.P., acknowledging the Salute

Photo by Cuthill, Hyde

Hyde In War-Time (1914-16) Page5-6

A COSSACK RUMOUR

Near the end of August there was a persistent rumour that Russian Cossacks in large numbers had passed through Hyde Borough, on the Great Central Railway's main line, on their way to a port, to embark for the Continent, in order that they might help the British, Belgian, and French Armies to stem the tide of German invasion in France, - the Armies and big guns of the Kaiser at that time being within 130 miles of Paris. It was not until many weeks after, that an announcement was made in Parliament that no such movement of Cossacks in this country had taken place.

The Stress of War

For some months before the war, the cotton trade of the Hyde District had been somewhat depressed, following several years of prosperity. As many of these mills had trade with foreign countries, the effect was to make the position much worse. It was immediately arranged to run the factories of Ashton Brothers and Co., Ltd, Flowery Field, with about 2,500 hands, from Wednesday morning till Friday night each week until further notice. Slack Mills, the next largest concern in Hyde, stopped on the night of Thursday, August 6th for ten days. It was notified that Kingston Mills would be closed all the following week, and it was the same with Hyde Spinning Co, Edward Hibbert and Co.‘s mill, Manchester Road Hyde, stopped the night of August 6th till further notice; while the factories in Longdendale Valley, with the Wakes holidays close at hand, did little or nothing for several weeks. The staple trade was in a precarious position, for in the Hyde cotton district, including Glossop and the Longdendale Valley, there were probably in all not far short of 20,000 cotton operatives, the Hyde and District Weavers Association alone having a membership of about 8,000.

SERIOUS DEPLETION OF UNION FUNDS

When the war started, the Hyde and District Weavers Association had between £5,000 and £6,000 available at the bank. The Association’s income was about £3,000 per quarter, and during the previous six months about £6,000 had been disbursed in stoppage pay. In one week immediately following the outbreak, the Association paid no less a sum than one thousand pounds through stoppages. Owing to the extraordinary position, the Members soon had to be put on half-pay as it was impossible to quickly realise the Association’s investments. By the end of 1914 a substantial improvement was noticeable, and this was fairly well maintained throughout the year 1915. While in the former year the local Weavers, Association paid over £10,000 for stoppages, the amount paid in the latter year was only about £4,250. The stoppage pay of the Hyde and District Operative Spinners Association, in 1914 was £2,700; in 1915, only £700. The local Cardroom Operatives' Association paid £3,400 for latter half of 1914, and only £600 for the whole of 1915. Among the male cotton operative the was a patriotic response to the country’s call. By the end of 1915 the weavers had contributed 400 soldiers, or over fifty per cent, of the male members; Spinners Piecers had enlisted to the number of 300, and almost all the remaining members of military age had attested under Lord Derby’s scheme; of the 300 male members of Cardroom Association 90% of the total membership are females about 130 were wearing khaki.

(This photograph was taken in front of the Fire Station.) Photo by A.E. Searle, Hyde.

The Hyde Volunteer Training Corps parade for divine service, Commander Victor at the head , with Miss Cartwright the Mascot of the Corps. Sub-Commander Daniel Pennington, the well-known solicitor, who acted as Secretary and Treasurer, is the outside man of the first row.

Thomas Street - (disappeared streets 2)

Thomas Street was in three sections : Mount Street to Union Street then Union Street to Beeley Street and Beeley Street to Platt Street.

A 1897 map showing where Thomas Street once stood.

This is the top section of Thomas Street, at the junction with Mount Street.

Thomas Street Working Men's Institute.(Middle section)

On the middle section stood The Working Men's Institute - Hyde was one of the first places to build a public institute to the Chartist cause .It was opened in September 1838, and sermons were preached in the morning and afternoon by the Reverend Joseph Raynor Stephens. This later became St Thomas's School. This building saw action a second time when it was used as a headquarter for 'A' Company of the 36th Cheshire Regiment of the Home Guard in the last war.

Why this building wasn't preserved is anyone's guess. I believe that there should be a sign on Union street where the Working Men's Institute once stood commemorating this building so that the Chartist connection with this part of Hyde is never forgotten. Chartist House now stands on the Mount Street - Union Street section of Thomas Street

The bottom part of Thomas street still stands, technically although it isn't road signed anymore.. It's the road leading into the multi-storey car park from Union Street. It used to run past the side of the gymnasium belonging to Hyde Lads Club. Both Club and Multi Story Car Park are now gone. 

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 In Wartime (1914-16) Pages3-4

Patriots to Arms

STIRRING APPEAL
FOR POLITICAL TRUCE

Immediately after the War started. Mr. J. Leadbitter Knott. the prospective Unionist candidate for the Hyde Division, made a public appeal for a complete cessation of all political dispute and criticism, The patriotism of this message was intensified by the fact that a Liberal Government was in power at the time " Our country” said Mr. Knott in his letter to the people of the Hyde Parliamentary Division, “is engaged today in a veritable struggle for the future existence of the whole British Empire. It is, therefore, the solemn and serious duty of every British man and woman to do all in their power to strengthen the position of the present Cabinet. Any criticism of their diplomacy, any open expression of dissatisfaction, must, in a larger or lesser degree, weaken that strength which is so essential at the present time. At the moment the sole coarse open to people of patriotic instinct is that they make what sacrifice they can on behalf of our King, our country and our flag." These words coming from a loyal and true Britisher, were re-echoed throughout the Hyde Division. Shortly afterwards Mr. Knott announced that he had joined the colours. He now holds the rank of Major in His, Majesty's Army, and for many months has been at the front in France. He was still there at the and of 1915. He had two brothers, and both of these have given their lives in the war, one in France, at the Dardanelle’s. His brother in France was killed by a German shell that exploded, whilst Captain Knott was in the immediate vicinity.

MARCH OF
PRACTICAL PATRIOTS

On the outbreak of war, there was considerable stir in the borough of Hyde, especially among local Reservists and Territorials. Reservists in different regiments were called up immediately, Among these were two members of the Hyde Borough Police Force… Constable Henry Howland of the 2nd Batt, Grenadier Guards, who joined the Hyde Force in April, 1913; and Constable Thomas Wilkinson a bombardier in the 6th Battery, Royal Field Artillery. Both rejoined their regiments on August 5th 1914. A number of local members of the Cheshire Yeomanry also left the same day to rejoin their units at Chester. On August 8th a batch of members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, under Superintendent C. W. Tapson, proceeded to Aldershot for work with the Army Medical Corps, and during the week the local reservists joined their regiments. Representatives of the military authorities were also busily engaged in commandeering horses. On the evening of August 12th the National Reservists in Hyde, numbering about 190 marched down Mottram Road, through Clarendon Place, and assembled in front of the Town Hall. Here they were welcomed by the then Mayor and Mayoress, Alderman and Mrs. Hinchcliffe Brooke, and were addressed by the Mayoress, after which they travelled in special tram-cars to Stalybridge for medical examination.

“TERRIERS”
ROUSING SEND-OFF

On the morning of Wednesday, August 5th. 1914. animated scenes were witnessed in the vicinity of the Armoury, Mottram Road, Hyde, the headquarters of the Hyde Territorial Force.. "Terriers" were proceeding to the Armoury by eight a.m. and several thousand people lined the road. As each man arrived, he was relieved of his bayonet. During the morning. the bayonets were taken to a local work, and sharpened. The full strength C (Hyde) Company of the 6th Battalion Cheshire Regiment of Territorials was 145; and the officers in charge were Captain Dodge, Lieut. Hoyle, Lieut. Cook. and Lieut.-Surgeon Morris. On August 8th thousands of town folk gathered on Mottram Road to watch the Hyde Territorials leave for Stockport preparatory to training for the front. In the presence of a dense crowd, and amid scenes which will remain in all who witnessed them, the men were addressed by the Mayor (Alderman Brooke), and a prayer was read by the Rev H, H. Pitts. M.A., Vicar of St. Thomas's, who also spoke to the crowd. Among the assembly were two ex-Captains of the 6th Cheshire’s, Mr. R. P. Stagg and Mr. E. E. Dowson. Cheers were given for the King, for the officers and men of the detachment, and for the Mayor and his daughter; while a private in the ranks called for a cheer for ex-Captain Stagg, (who for many years had done excellent work for the local Volunteer movement preceding the Territorials, and subsequently was associated with the National Reservist). The men marched to Godley Station and the Glossop detachment also went to Stockport. The great bulk of the Hyde Territorials subsequently volunteered for active service in the war.

OFFICERS OF THE HYDE VOLUNTEER TRAINING CORPS.

　
Front Row (Seated): E. Ogden (Platoon Commander), J.W. Sutcliff (Platoon Commander), D. Pennington (Sub-Commander, Secretary, and Treasurer), H.L. Plant (Commander), W.A. Aspland (Platoon Commander), F. Shenton (Platoon Commander)
Back Row: A. Winterbotham (Transport Secretary), A. Bateman (Armoury Sergeant), F. Cheetham (Corporal), C. E. Moores (Platoon Sergeant), A. Slater (Quartermaster Sergeant), A. Harrop (Platoon Sergeant), W. Johnson (Ambulance Sergeant), C. H. Brogden (Committee man), A. Hall (Orderly-Sergeant)

Stirring scenes were again witnessed on September 14th when about 200 men who had joined the colours marched from the Armoury to Hyde Station, en route for Chester. By September 19th 700 men had enlisted at Hyde

Spout House Farm

Before the construction of Dowson Road in the early 1920's and the subsequent housing development which occured along Knott Lane , the land to the west of Hyde Chapel was attached to Spout House Farm.


Tithe Map 1836-51

In 1712 the building was occupied By Robert Ashton. Later tenants included Joseph Redfern in 1816 who was a shopkeeper and Amy Redfern in 1850 ,a Corn dealer.

It seems ,according to the baptism register at Hyde Gee Cross Unitarian Chapel, that Blind Jack of Knarsborough's first daughter Tabitha, who had married a Cheshire cotton manufacturer, lived at Spout House farm. This is also confirmed by the Werneth Land Tax records.
(Grateful thanks to Gay J Oliver for her invaluble information on "Blind Jack of Knaresborough")

(John Metcalfe 1717-1810, otherwise known as Blind Jack of Knaresborough was a famous road building pioneer, pre-dating Telford and Macadam.)....but that's another blog :)


Photo Courtesy G J Oliver.

This building is still in existence and is located between Enfield Street and Tatton Street,Gee Cross

Norbury Street and Helen Street

We've decided to try to find photos of all streets that have ceased to be in Hyde.
First ones in this series are Norbury Street and Helen Street.


Norbury Street.

Clarendon Shopping Centre was built over Norbury Street and it still basically runs its course through there.


A map from 1897 showing the streets' formation.


Helen Street.

Helen Street has disappeared forever.



Notice the street lamp on the Market Square..



You can see the corner of Helen Street here.. Hyde Cafe was on the corner... notice the street lamp again on the Market Square.