Work behind the fencing

There is fencing around both sides of the "heritage bus stop" on Market Street whilst workmen are busy erecting a second planter on the market ground. I showed you them working on it in my post last Monday.

You can see a view from the other side on Hyde DP Xtra.

A contribution to Friday Fences.

Quiz Challenge: Charles's Terrace 1873

I've not done a quiz challenge for a long while so it's time I did one.

Who knows where in town this is?

What premises will we find here?

And what are the odds on someone telling me what the premises were in 1873?

There may be prizes for the best answers (accurate or otherwise).

I'll show you the answer to the first two questions next Monday.

A contribution to signs, signs.

ABC Wednesday: G is for the George & Dragon

The George & Dragon is probably the oldest pub in Newton. Records date the licence back to around 1756. It wasn't the large public house there today; probably just a small cottage.

Before 1756 it is thought that the premises were a shop before it gained a licence. The first recorded landlord was James Harrison, who kept the house for over twenty years.

The next landlord, Jonathan Smith the elder, kept the George and Dragon from 1778 to 1826, a grand total of 48 years. When he died in 1826 his wife Elizabeth carried on for a further eight years and then Thomas Smith, thought to be a son carried on until 1850. It seemed to be a family tradition to be in the licensed trade as Jonathan had another son known as Jonathan The Younger who kept the Shoulder Of Mutton Inn on Talbot Road (1819-1823) and also the Bay Horse (1825-1834).

The George & Dragon is supposed to be haunted by a ghost affectionately known as Ferdinand who seems to have been around since the 1950s. Nobody knows his origin; he is described as of average height with long, bushy beard, side whiskers, and wearing a long frock coat.

The pub boasts a fine bowling green at the rear and over the years a consistently good bowling team have won many prizes in local leagues.

More information can be found on Hyde, Chehsire.

The pub sign can be viewed on Hyde DP Xtra.

In front of the pub is Bennett Street War Memorial which was paid for by money raised for the George and Dragon Soldier's Comfort Fund.

More "G" posts can be found at ABC Wednesday.

Ruby Tuesday: Red Brick Substation by Clock Tower Close

The houses behind the wall are in Clock Tower Close, part of an estate of new houses built on the site of Slack Mills, home to James North whose firm patented the PVC glove in 1947.

The factory was demolished in 1998. To service the new houses an electricity sub-station was built using the same red brick design but on outside of the wall.

A contribution to Ruby Tuesday.

4 Men in Yellow Jackets & a Digger

Yesterday I showed you the new planter on the North-West corner of the market.

There will be another planter on the South-West corner and the foundations for it were being dug out last week.

Another photograph of work on the renewal of Hyde Market is on Hyde DP Xtra.

For Mellow Yellow Monday.

The planter and the phone box.

I showed you the new planter when it was still under construction in July.

Here it is now with a tree in the middle and seedlings sprouting.

For Scenic Sunday.

Weekend Reflections: John Street Puddles

This morning was a mixture of brief sunny spells and heavy showers.

Reflected in these puddles on John Street are the barred windows of the Albion public house.

For Weekend Reflections.

Hyde Leisure Pool

On Walker Lane.

Operated by Tameside Sports Trust. The facilities include a 'Red Ripster' Aqua slide, wave machine, white water channel, water cannons, cafe and air conditioned eating area, fitness suite, dance studio and disabled changing rooms.

For Skywatch Friday.

Signs off the motorway

If you enter Hyde from the West off the M67 these are the signs that greet you at the end of the sliproad.

A contribution to signs, signs.

ABC Wednesday: F is for Fernbank Court

From the footpath by Gower Hey Woods between Smithy Fold and Clough Gate. Fernbank Court was built on the site of Fernbank Farm which was demolished in 2003.

For ABC Wednesday.

Market Renewal Phase 2

Compare if you will with my posts of 7th February 2012 and of 29th February 2012.

The telephone box is still where it was but the "Crown Pole" has gone as have the market stalls along the front. Traders have moved into the Northern half of the market ground while this half is renewed. Much of the area has been repaved and new stalls have been partially erected outside the Clarendon Mall.

In the background is the dome of what was original Brownson's and is now £-stretcher but which everyone remembers as Woolworths.

The scene is probably already a bit different as this was taken before my recent holiday and I've not been down into town since my return as yet.

A contribution to Ruby Tuesday and also Our World Tuesday.

The Ghost of Timpson

Two month's ago MG Domestics moved into the premises under Powerhouse Gym after "Let's Celebrate" moved next door. They have now moved out leaving behind signage belonging to "Let's Celebrate" and also revealing ghost signage of the shoe shop Timpson's who once traded here.

For Blue Monday.

Note: I'll be away in St Annes all this week and probably without internet access so will not be tweeting.

I've scheduled a post each day to go live at midnight BST and Julie Storry of Sydney Eye will be posting a notice to the CDPB Facebook page which is also where CDPB members can go to vote for September's theme day.

Track off Halton Street

The track off Halton Street leads to Bonehill Dam.

The Godley Brook flows through the valley on the right.

Note: I'll be away in St Annes all this week and probably without internet access so will not be tweeting.

I've scheduled a post each day to go live at midnight BST and Julie Storry of Sydney Eye will be posting a notice to the CDPB Facebook page which is also where CDPB members can go to vote for September's theme day.

Boston Bank House

A former "gentleman's house" on Mottram Road which has been converted into six apartments.

Note: I'll be away in St Annes all this week and probably without internet access so will not be tweeting.

I've scheduled a post each day to go live at midnight BST and Julie Storry of Sydney Eye will be posting a notice to the CDPB Facebook page which is also where CDPB members can go to vote for September's theme day.

A Glimpse of Godley Brook

A glimpse of the Godley Brook through the thick vegetation on Halton Street.

Note: I'll be away in St Annes all this week and probably without internet access so will not be tweeting.

I've scheduled a post each day to go live at midnight BST and Julie Storry of Sydney Eye will be posting a notice to the CDPB Facebook page which is also where CDPB members can go to vote for September's theme day.

Old Bank, Old Shelter, New Post

With phase 2 of the market renewal ongoing there is good view of the side of the HSBC bank. Previously it was the Midland Bank and the Bank Chambers are over 100 years old - see Old Hyde.

On the right is the canopy of the "Heritage Bus Shelter" as it is known, originally a tram shelter and itself a Grade II listed structure.

In the centre of the newly reflagged portion of the market ground is a round metal post. I wonder what it will turn out to be.

Note: I'll be away in St Annes all this week and probably without internet access so will not be tweeting.

I've scheduled a post each day to go live at midnight BST and Julie Storry of Sydney Eye will be posting a notice to the CDPB Facebook page which is also where CDPB members can go to vote for September's theme day.

ABC Wednesday: E is for Ewen Villa

The house at the top of Villiers Street is dated 1878.

The view is from the car park at Ewen Fields football ground, home of Hyde FC.

In the background is St John's church, Godley.

For ABC Wednesday.

Note: I'll be away in St Annes all this week and probably without internet access so will not be tweeting.

I've scheduled a post each day to go live at midnight BST and Julie Storry of Sydney Eye will be posting a notice to the CDPB Facebook page which is also where CDPB members can go to vote for September's theme day.

The Christie Charity Stall

The charity stall on the market last Saturday was in aid of The Christie. The charity raises money to fund projects at The Christie which are outside the scope of the NHS. Last year they raised over £13 million.

Visit their website.

Note: I'll be away in St Annes all this week and probably without internet access so will not be tweeting.

I've scheduled a post each day to go live at midnight BST and Julie Storry of Sydney Eye will be posting a notice to the CDPB Facebook page which is also where CDPB members can go to vote for September's theme day.

Bus Stop Yellow

Yellow lines delineate the bus stop at the end of Talbot Road, Newton.

The house across the roundabout at the end of Talbot Road is called Chapel Hill and has a date stone reading 1912. I beleive it was formerly a Wesleyan Chapel. To the left on Matley Road are modern terraces dating (I think) from the 1970s or 1980s. To the right the cottages on Victoria street are probably late Victorian.

Behind the bus stop on the left is the Bay Horse. The public house is currently boarded up as you can see on Hyde DP Xtra.

For Mellow Yellow Monday.

Note: I'll be away in St Annes all this week and probably without internet access so will not be tweeting.

I've scheduled a post each day to go live at midnight BST and Julie Storry of Sydney Eye will be posting a notice to the CDPB Facebook page which is also where CDPB members can go to vote for September's theme day.

Reflections around the new planter

The new planter next to the Baked Potato stall reflects the offices above Boot's pharmacy.

The windows of the NatWest bank next door to Boots reflects the roofs of the new market stalls.

See how the planter and market looked last Tuesday on Hyde DP Xtra.

For Weekend Reflections.

Looking up Joel Lane

The view up Joel Lane from opposite Arnold Hill Well.

See the view downhill on Hyde DP Xtra.

A contribution to The Weekend in Black and White.

Bennett Street War Memorial

The Bennett Street War Memorial sits in front of the George & Dragon public house, surrounded by railings. It was designed by J.H. Wood, the borough surveyor and sculpted by J.J. Hirst of Denton, the memorial - a stone column - is 16ft 3ins high. The main shaft is 10ft high and 2ft square. It is made of a solid block of the best white selected Windaway stone from Bollington - chosen for its weathering qualities.

At the top across is the word "Honour" and the town coat of arms. Inscribed on the plinth is "to the glory of God and in affectionate memory of the men of Newton who gave their lives for their country and the cause of liberty in the Great War 1914-1919".

To the right below a cross are crossed swords and the inscription "In thanksgiving for the sacrifice of parents, wives, and relatives of the fallen for the safe return of those who have been spared".

On the back are wings and the inscription "Subscribed for and erected by the inhabitants of Newton".

On the left is an anchor and the inscription "Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends".

The memorial was paid for by money raised for the George and Dragon Soldier's Comfort Fund. Originally, the plan was for a small scroll of honour, but £329 was raised, allowing for a grander scheme eventually costing £450. It was unveiled on August 15, 1925, by Mr EWH Wood, the M.P. for Stalybridge and Hyde, in front of a crowd of 1,500 people.

Earlier a procession headed by the Chief Constable of Hyde, Mr J.W. Danby, left the town hall, accompanied by Kingston Mills Band and featuring many members of the British Legion. After the hymn "O God Our Help in Ages Past", prayers were led by Pastor Black of Muslin Street (now Talbot Road) and Daisyfield United Methodist churches. A passage from Scripture was then read by the Rev. T.E. Lee of St. Stephen's. Speeches followed by Mr B. Winterbottom, chairman of the memorial committee, and Mr Wood M.P.

A contribution to Friday Fences.

The Sign at St Stephen's

St Stephen's, the parish church of Flowery Field was consecrated in 1891, the foundation stone having been laid nearly two years earlier. The present building was the outcome of a Mission Church (an offshoot from St. Mary's, Newton, started about 1883), and was erected through the munificence of Colonel Ashton, of Newton, and Little Onn, Staffordshire. It is a fine stone building, in the 13th century style of architecture, containing nave and chancel, and boasting a handsome tower and spire of about 120 feet high. The first vicar was the Rev. T. M. Tozer.

The Church closed in July 2011 and worshippers must now attend St Mary's, Newton.

It has been deconsecrated and is for sale at around £180,000.

More photographs of the church are on Hyde DP Xtra.

For signs, signs.

ABC Wednesday: D is for the dead centre of Hyde

Where is the dead centre of Hyde?

The cemetery of course!

In March you wouldn't have seen the entrance down that tree-lined path - a JCB was digging through the rubble of the last Cemetery Chapel - see Hyde DP Xtra.

Now a few green shoots are poking out of the ground where the chapel stood.

Hyde cemetery was laid out in 1894. The Non-Conformist chapel was the last of three chapels which originally stood in the cemetery. It was designed by J.W. Beaumont; an architect with at least three listed buildings to his name, including Hyde Town Hall (1883-5, Grade II) and the Whitworth Gallery in Manchester (c.1895-1900, Grade II).

When the local council intimated that they wanted to demolish the chapel Nancy Morris of the Hyde Cheshire blog applied to English Heritage to have the chapel listed but was turned down. The main reasons given were as follows

• The chapel at Hyde is a late example of its type as Municipal cemeteries were laid out from the 1850s, with the height of cemetery chapel construction spanning the period 1840-1880
• This Non-Conformist chapel has lost the context of its companion chapels to the north and south, although it still retains its place within the landscape and relationship with the lodge.
• Although designed by a respected architect, this is not the best example of his work; aside from the unusual tower, the design is largely standard for its date.

The second reason seems to me particularly ironic, the loss of its sisters being a good argument for its retention.

See how the chapel looked in my post of August 3rd 2011

See the view in the opposite direction on Hyde DP Xtra.

This post is a contribution to ABC Wednesday and Taphophile Tragics.

The Back of the New Inn

This is the rear of the New Inn as seen from Sundial Close off Wardlebrook Avenue on the Hattersley Estate.

The former Robinson's Inn by the side of the A57 road from Liverpool to Lincoln, is currently being demolished.

There may have been an inn on the site since the 1600s and it was known as a highwayman's inn. There are tales of it being haunted by a ghost named Mary.

However the New Inn was first licensed around 1856 with Robert Turner being the first Innkeeper.

William F Gratton was the landlord in the 1930s. Between 1927 and 1930 there were sixteen serious accidents on this stretch of road that were attributed to a "Phantom Lorry". Read the story. This is probably why a lorry features in the Inn sign.

It was the local of the Moors Murderers, Brady & Hindley whose house on Wardlebrook Avenue was behind the Inn. That house was demolished many years ago.

A later landlord was the father of boxer Ricky Hatton who was brought up in the New Inn. Part of the celler was used as a gymnasium.

See the view of the front of the Inn on Mottram Road as it looked recently on Hyde DP Xtra or as it looked in 2008 on Sithenah.

A contribution to Our World Tuesday.

Blue Monday: Tesco Filling Station

This is the new 24hour Tesco filling station off Ashworth Lane, Hattersley.

The huge construction on the left is a multi-storey car park - see last Friday's post on Hyde DP Xtra. The actual supermarket is beyond the car park - see Friday Fences.

See how it looked four years ago.

Take a look at Ashworth Lane and the entrance on Hyde DP Xtra.

A contribution to Blue Monday.

Horses Grazing at Westwood

A group of horses grazing in a field at Westwood.

For Scenic Sunday and Camera Critters.

Weekend in Black & White: Lower Bennett Street Gatespost

Just by a footpath that cuts the corner between Lower Bennett Street and Dukinfield Road is a little bench and this castellated gatepost. I've so far been unable to discover its origin.

The coloured version can be viewed on Geograph.

A contribution to The Weekend in Black and White.

Friday Fences: Tesco Extra

This is looking up the pedestrian ramp from Stockport Road to the upper story of the new Tesco Extra at Hattersley. The main store is underneath but above is a café and non-food department as well as a presently hardly used two-storey car park.

Take a look at the empty car park on Hyde DP Xtra.

Over the road is McDonalds and the roundabout at the end of the M67.

For Friday Fences.

Signs at Clough Gate

Signs at the Clough Gate entrance to Gower Hey Woods.

There is a "No Tipping" sign which doesn't mean you don't have to give gratuities to anyone but is addressed to fly-tippers who dump rubbish (shame is they can't read).

Another sign is "No Firearms and No Motorcycles" - the latter seems sensible as there's certainly been problems with people driving motorbikes where they shouldn't. But surely firearms are illegal anywhere so why the need for a specific prohibition here?

Behind is a "Welcome" signboard with a map of the area and details of the wildlife that can be encountered here.

Also there's a gas-main indicator below another sign that appears to have been covered over (but is in fact a marker - see the comments).

A contribution to signs, signs.

Charles Dickens - 200 Years

Booths Well was dressed by members of Gee Cross and District Women's Institute as part of the 2012 Gee Cross Well Dressing.

"The Old Curiosity Shop" celebrates the bi-centenary of the birth of Charles Dickens.

More details on the Well Dressing with photographs of all seven wells visited this year can be viewed at Gee Cross Well Dressing 2012.

Other "C" posts can be viewed via ABC Wednesday.

With the CDPB portal still not up and running, contributions to the August 1st theme of numbers can be seen at CDPB Theme Day.