Happy Halloween

So reads the poster on the Oldham Street side of the former David Tuson's car showroom which used to be a Ford dealership. Now it is a fancy dress showroom.

I actually took this photograph back in March but it didn't seem relevant until now.

The shop's website is http://www.shop4fancydress.com/.

A contribution to signs, signs.

ABC Wednesday: P is for Plymouth Savoy

Another of the American cars on show at the classic car rally held recently at Ewen Fields in aid of SSAFA, a charity that provides practical support and assistance to servicemen and women, veterans and their families.

The 1958 Plymouth Savoy was imported from California in 1992. It has a standard V8 engine as in the Fury. This was a cheap second car for the wife with no radio and power steering.

A contribution to ABC Wednesday.

Walking Train

This is what is known as a "Walking Train" passing the Shell filling station on Dowson Road. The children who are all very well kitted out with red macs and wellington boots are presumably on their way to a pre-school nursery. These were followed a few minutes later by another train of similar length.

A pdf file on the KidsAllowed gives some rules for how a Walking Train should operate. It suggests among other things that:

The Walking Train Driver must set good behaviour standards and check for hazards whilst the Walking Train Conductor must ensure all children keep to the paths and do not trail behind.

When operating the Walking Train children should walk in pairs with the Walking Train Driver at the front and the Walking Train Conductor at the rear. Children should be positioned on the left away from the pavement kerb and a team member must be positioned nearest the kerb. Team members should hold hands with the younger children.

A team member will carry a back pack containing a supply of waterproof coats, mobile phone and First Aid kit.

A contribution to Ruby Tuesday and Our World Tuesday.

Santander shrouded in scaffolding

On a wet Saturday morning, the Santander Bank on the corner of Market Place and Hamnett Street is shrouded in scaffolding and thin blue netting.

The bottom lengths of scaffolding are enclosed in yellow pipes.

The grey building at the bottom of Hamnett Street is the Job Centre.

A contribution to Monday Mellow Yellows and Blue Monday.

Manchester City Chevrolet at Ewen Fields

Last Sunday afternoon the sun stayed out long enough to cast shadows across Ewen Fields where a classic car rally was held in aid of SSAFA, a charity that provides practical support and assistance to servicemen and women, veterans and their families.

Next to the ice-cream van was a stand hosted by the Irish Fusiliers.

In the foreground is MCF1C, a Chevrolet imported into the UK by Mike Radcliffe and Shaun Donohoe business partners based in North America. They have painted certain parts of the car with faces from a number of players including Nigel de Jong, David Silva and Carlos Tevez as well as the legendary Franny Lee, Colin Bell and Mike Summerbee plus an image of Sheikh Mansour.

The Chevrolet, which was built in 1975 cost 15,000 euros and the two owners paid 5,000 euros to transport the car to Manchester.

See front and rear views of the car on Hyde DP Xtra.

A contribution to Shadow Shot Sunday.

Edsel Ranger at Ewen Fields

One of several American cars on show at a classic car rally held at Ewen Fields in aid of SSAFA, a charity that provides practical support and assistance to servicemen and women, veterans and their families, was this 1958 Edsel Ranger 2 door sedan. It was built in September 1957 in Loiusville, KY and is one of only 4615 of this model. It has a 3 speed automatic gearbox, self-adjusting brakes and was imported from Colorado in 2002. The engine, gearbox and interior are all original.

The Edsel was named after Henry Ford's deceased son. Although a failure when first introduced in 1958 only a few examples remain and it is classed as one of world's most collectable cars.

A coloured image of the car can be seen on Geograph.

A contribution to The Weekend in Black and White.

Autumn Sky

As heavy rain eases off the light from the soon to be setting sun highlights the autumn colours in the trees below Garside Street.

On the left is a sliver of a rainbow.

On the right the Hare & Hounds on Werneth Low can be glimpsed.

See a closer view of the trees on Hyde DP Xtra.

A contribution to Skywatch Friday.