The Smithy, Smithy Lane.

This photo was given to my Mum by a lady named Margaret. It shows the Smithy that stood on "Smithy Lane" next door to the Ring o Bells Pub. I believe she is one of the little girls and the Smithy is her Uncle. I think the photo was taken circa 1950 just before it was demolished.

This view show the area around where the Smithy stood prior to its demolition. The Smithy stood to the very right (off picture next to the lamp post). James North has since been demolished and a new housing estate is in its place.

This shot shows what stands there now - A car park for the Ring o Bells pub.

Margaret, if you are reading this blog, please will you get in touch so we can get the story details correct and thank you properly.

:)

Back Bower Lane And The Apple And Pear

Diamond Row stood on Stockport Road in Gee Cross just lower down than where the Werneth Pub stands.

Looking up towards Gee Cross

Looking down towards Hyde

I'm showing these as we have been contacted by Steve, a Fireman who is based at Hyde Station and he is interested in seeing any pictures of how this area once was. He would participially like to see pictures of the Reservoirs 'Diamond Row and Stonepit locally known as the Apple and Pear reservoirs.. I'm not sure which was which, so if you know please tell me. Also of interest to Steve are the four cottages, at the bottom of Back Bower Lane.. at the junction with Lilly Street.

Updated 25/06/11

Any info on the Arch in the above stonework would be welcome

Thanks to Eric Down's for the 2 pictures above which show Diamond Row Reservoir after it was drained and levelled and being prepared for landscaping. 

I'm sure there are other photo's about from around here.

Post Cards From Hyde

Jean has kindly shared these postcards all of which show parts of Hyde looking more like a rural village than the cotton town with many mills that it was at the time these were taken.. 

Four Cross Roads, Werneth Low.  Dated July 1927
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Joel Lane, Gee Cross Dated 23 July 1924
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Werneth Low Dated 28th March 1927
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Pudding Lane, Hyde Dated 25th July 1938
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Thanks again to Jean for making this post possible.... feel free to share your post cards, pictures or memories with us. Also, if you find old North Cheshire Heralds, or Church Programs as we could certainly make some posts out of them.

Dave emailed this after viewing these post cards. Dave had this to say.

Good post today of the postcards showing Werneth Low. I've attached a photo I took in April of 'Four Cross Road', and apart from the cars and telephone box it doesn't look much different now.

Old Poster.

A snap shot of a Hyde Fair Poster that I noticed on a photo of John Street - circa 1970 , that was lent to us by Nick C.
I have enlarged it so it can be seen properly.



The fair was , I think, still being held on the spare ground near Mary Street and Newton Street when this was taken. This was where it was situated before the motorway cut Hyde in half and the fair was relocated to Park Road field near Hyde Park!



Mary Street / Newton Street site.



The Park Road Fairground Site.

Thanks to Nick for the loan of the photo. Much appreciated.

Up dated 23 June 2011 By Tom

This was taken in the 1950s on the Market Square on Wakes Week

This shot taken from the balcony over the main entrance to the Town Hall clearly shows Hyde Market Ground, and the Fun Fair. This is more or less how I recalled it in the very early 1960s. 

Seen In Hyde Library

Bears Wood As It Is Now

We have 'CeeCee' to thank for this post as the following words and pictures have been sent in by email for us to use...

Here are some pictures of Bears Wood as it is now.

The one with the dogs on is the back of Coombes Avenue. 

The other one with the houses to the right is the back of Thorseby Avenue, the Iron Bridge would have been in front of the houses.

The one in the snow is taken from below where the bridge stood looking towards Godley. My friends and I spent many happy hours playing in these woods ( many moons ago ) but now as you can see nature has reclaimed it.

Thank you Ceecee...  I hope you send in more pictures like this for us to share.

The Queen Adelaide.

Below is a photo of the Queen Adelaide pub on Stockport Road in Gee Cross. I haven't got any details of when it was taken or what the group of people were doing so any help would be appreciated.

I'm happy to say the pub is still going strong under the very capable hands of Simon & Alison Boot.

How times change... this group of Ladies are off to Chester Races on 5th May 2011. Alison Boot centre left landlady. 

Leigh Street School Photograph around 1954

Thanks ceecee for sending in this photograph, I did have an old copy which I had not looked at for many years. Are you one of the class ??. Anyway down to trying to name them, I think you have done well with your list, I can add a few and amend a few, but there are some which have eluded both of us, I'm sure that there will be someone out there who can fill in the blanks:-

Top row L-R
Peter Walker, John Pomroy, David Birchall, John Wilcockson, Raymond Bromley, ---?---
4th row
Trevor Heyward, Barry Gaskill, ---?---, Eric Wildgoose, Michael Carr, Alan Robinson, Kelvin Gould, Andrew Joughin.
3rd row
Paul Taylor, Jacqueline Holland, Katherine Johnson, Jean Nixon, Dawn Walden, Christine Robinson, Ann Middleton, Margaret Johnson, David Royston.
2nd row
Brenda Gosling, Brenda Gaskill, Pauline Reece, Rita Boardman, Maureen Howarth, ---?---, Audrey Blackwell, Christine Nightingale.
Front row
----?---, ----?-----, Tony Mather, -----?----, Graham Richardson, John Hamer.

Obviously I am not 100% certain on the above names but I am sure I will be corrected in time.

Some of the teachers I remember at the time:-

Miss Shaw, Mrs Jackson, Miss Livesey, Miss Stafford, Miss McFarlane, Mrs Beaumont, Miss French, Mr Pakeman, Mr Sloan, Mr Renshaw, Mr Drewitt and the Head was Mr Renwick.

Morning Drive

Thanks to Jean for this picture.

On the front row {punching the air} Percy Nixon {my dad} next is Brian Hurst, behind these is Tommy Memory. Ernie Nightingale stands to the left of dad, The lad wearing sunglasses is Ernies son Bill behind Bill with a big grin is Mick Reid. Wearing a policemans hat we have Jack Souter and behind him is Smith Sherwin. The lad to the right stood up is Alan Ball with Ernie Knowles behind him then we have Tommy Slater and in front of him is ...Crabtree

Gee Cross Mill, Gate Post

Here are three shots of the gateposts that belonged to Gee Cross Mill on Apethorn Lane. Now ,sadly ,all that is left of this fine building. The site was taken over after demolision and used as land for private housing.

The gateposts were to the left of the building, as seen on this photo.

Stockport Road, Gee Cross

Another great post card.. this one of Stockport Road Gee Cross. Please feel free to comment on this... and if you have any postcards we could use please scan them and email them to us... or if you have a picture you have taken or a view you are fond of we'd like to feature them.

 

Picture by Dave

Hyde Park Bowling Club Postcard

This postcard shows the Green and Pavilion .

Unfortunately we have no date for it but I do know that photos exist from the 1920's which gives you some idea how long it has been in existance.


A photograph of the Hyde Park Bowling Clubs green circa 1980's.
Thanks to Jack and Doreen Morris for loan of it.


A capture from Bing Maps to show that the Greens are still looking good!

Anybody who has any information on the club, or even better ,if they have ever played here , please get in touch and share your stories. We'd love to hear them!

S.H.M.D.

In 1897, Alderman John Norman, Mayor of Stalybridge, first proposed a joint tramways and electricity scheme, but it was not until two years later, in 1899, that progress on the idea was made. Hyde and Dukinfield had already applied to build a tramway between the two towns, when, in September 1899, they were invited to join with Ashton-under-Lyne, Stalybridge and Mossley in a joint undertaking. Although Ashton-under-Lyne Corporation was willing to be involved in a joint tramway scheme they were not willing to participate in a joint electricity scheme and consequently withdrew from the discussions. By October 1899 the four towns had reached a formal agreement and the Stalybridge, Hyde, Mossley and Dukinfield Tramways and Electricity Board was formed.

Fleet History 1903 - 1969

Tram Fleet List 1900 - 1934

Bus Fleet List 1925 - 1969

I would like to thank Peter Gould and his stunning Local Transport History site for the above information and being allowed to link back there.

I would like to get as many pictures and story's as I could about this company...  I have many happy memories of the 90 and 30 buses... I was saddened when the conductors were done away with.

Thanks to JohnW for this picture

There used to be a conductor/clippy on the 30 bus who was a rather loud large lady that would have the passengers in fits of laughter with her banter... as soon as we got on the bus and saw this lady we knew we'd be getting off with a smile on our faces... 

On the 90 bus as it was turning up Knott Lane we would jump off as it slowed for the corner... I miss timed it many a time and went flying... another time I did it perfectly... but my mum was coming out of the Spar shop and clipped my ear for being a 'Stupid Boy'.. 

Strange but true !

 Whilst walking down Hyde today I noticed a "Superhero" walking down in front of me, so I decided to take a photo of him as it isn't every day you get to see one "live" in your town. Anyway, when I got home and downloaded the photo I noticed that there wasn't just the one Superhero -  Superman had joined him ! Funny thing was I didn't see him whilst taking the shot as the bus passed just as I was taking it - either that or he was in invisible mode ...haha...enjoy!


Superman and friend.