Starlings love Hyde's Christmas Tree

The starlings love the new Christmas Tree in Hyde Civic Square.

For a fuller picture of the tree see Hyde DP Xtra.

A contribution to
Saturday Critters;
I'd rather b birdin;.
Camera Critters.

Weekend Reflections in Black & White: Peak Forest Canal near Aldi

This is the view from the other side of the bridge in Wednesday's post T is for Towpath. Note the towpath has changed sides.

The original version can be seen on Geograph.

A contribution to
The Weekend in Black and White;
Weekend Reflections;
Scenic Weekends.

Morning Contrails over Gee Cross

A contribution to Skywatch Friday.

Painted milepost at Foxholes

Since I showed you the new Sustrans milepost at Foxholes in June it has been painted this vivid blue colour.

1000 Millennium cast iron mileposts were funded by the Royal Bank of Scotland to mark the creation of the National Cycle Network, and are to be found along the cycle routes through the UK. There are four different types of posts, "Fossil Tree" by John Mills, "The Cockerel" by Iain McColl, Rowe Type by Andrew Rowe, and "Tracks" by David Dudgeon. The four artists are from each country of the UK though all posts can be found in all four countries. This one on National Cycle Network Route #62 and the Trans Pennine Trail is by Andrew Rowe.

A contribution to signs, signs.

T is for Towpath

The towpath of the Peak Forest Canal approaching Manchester Road.

On the left is a grade II listed former canal warehouse now used as offices.

On the right are new houses built on the site of the former Automasters engineering works.

Compare with the view in 2008 before the works was demolished - Hyde DP Vol.1, Automasters and with the view in 2011 before the new houses close to the canal had been built - Hyde DP Vol.1, Moorside Place.

A contribution to
Outdoor Wednesday;
Water World Wednesday;
ABC Wednesday;
Good Fences.

Barn at Apethorn Farm

This barn is part of Apethorn Farm and like the rest of the property is in a dire state. The farm itself dates from the 15th century and is Grade II listed.

Old photographs and a history of the farm can be found on Old Hyde.

Modern photographs of the farm can be found on Hyde DP Xtra.

A contribution to Rubbish Tuesday and Our World Tuesday.

Ice Adventure in Hyde

On Friday the Christmas lights were switched on with entertainment beforehand and fireworks afterwards. It was pouring down with rain so I stayed at home, but those who braved the storm had a wonderful time by all accounts (barring the minority of always-moaners).

On Saturday an ice-skating rink was provided on the Civic Square by Ice Adventure who are based in Chorley.

Two more photographs of the rink can be seen on Hyde DP Xtra.

A contribution to Blue Monday.

A bend in the river Tame

A bend in the river Tame which forms the boundary between Hyde and Denton and between the traditional counties of Cheshire and Lancashire.

A contribution to Scenic Weekends.

More reflections in the rain

A contribution to Weekend Reflections.

ABC Wednesday: S is for Saturday stalls

Some new stalls have been setting up on Saturdays at Hyde Market.

Sweet Lily Peas sells baby and children's wear whilst Wear It Love It specialises in ladies fashion wear.

When I spoke to one of the stallholders she said she was liking Hyde Market a lot better than Ashton so the stall will become a regular sight here.

A contribution to ABC Wednesday and signs, signs.

Dunkirk Farm

Dunkirk Farm is boarded up and sports a "Keep Out" sign.

See how it looked in 2009 on Hyde DP Volume 1. It was boarded up then too but earlier in 2007 it was being lived in and sported a TV satellite dish and a very distinctive chimney-pot.

Part of the land at Dunkirk Farm is let out for stabling and the keeping of poultry but most of the other buildings are derelict and there are plans to demolish the farm and its outbuildings and build four detached houses on the site.

A contribution to
Our World Tuesday;
Rubbish Tuesday.

Blue Monday: The missing face of Owd Josh

Two of the clockfaces on Hyde Town Hall have been removed recently for cleaning and general restoration. This shows the blank space left on the northern face. The space behind has been covered with blue sheeting.

See its normal look as at 09:09 09/09/09.

A photograph of the southern face of the clock and the tower itself can be found on Hyde DP Xtra.

Photographs of the inside of the clock tower can be found at Hyde, Cheshire.

It should be back looking new again before too long.

This poem is from Gleams Of Sunshine by James Leigh

Opening Of Hyde Town Hall Clock And Bells
October 18th 1884
Presented By Mr. Joshua Bradley, Of Godley.

Hark! To those sounds of jubilee
In honour of our friend J.B.;
Hark! To those sounds -
Loud cheers are heard on every hand,
Whist with the music of the band,
The town resounds.

With joyful step and hearts elate
This noble gift we celebrate
With demonstration:
Our hearty cheers this day we raise,
The givers worthy of all praise
And emulation.

But now's the time, and now's the hour
J.B. ascends the Town Hall Tower
To play his part, -
He starts the Clock, the Bells chime out,
And with the sounds, a mighty shout
Doth thrill the heart.

And now they're off - the Town Hall Bells,
Each listening heart with pleasure swells,
To view the scene;
Strains of sweet music fill the air,
Whilst joyful faces everywhere
With pleasure beam.

As to the clock our eyes we lift,
We thank the donor for his gift
With loud acclaim.
And others will in future times,
When listening to those mellow chimes
Pronounce his name.

That grand old spinner's played his part,
For he with large unselfish heart
Doth noble give;
Then let this mighty concourse sing
The words that in my ears now ring
Long may he live

Long may he live to view with pride
The gift he has bestowed on Hyde
For many years;
And when this generation's gone,
Those Town Hall Bells may still chime on
For other ears.

A contribution to Blue Monday.

Magpie behaviour

The magpie has just dragged leaves out of the guttering and thrown them on the roof.

A contribution to I'd rather b birdin and Camera Critters.

Weekend Reflections: Umbrella Weather

Last Saturday morning on Hyde Market.

It did actually clear up in the afternoon.

A contribution to Weekend Reflections.

Tower from Tower Street

The tower of St George's church from Tower Steet.

It gets dark early these days.

A contribution to Skywatch Friday and Inspired Sundays.

ABC Wednesday: R is for Remembrance

A display for Remembrance Day in the window of the Salvation Army charity shop in Clarendon Square Shopping Centre.

A contribution to ABC Wednesday.

George V Post Box on Bennett Street

This George V Postbox (SK14 26) on Bennett Street is one of the oldest post boxes in Hyde and stands outside what was formerly a sub post office.

The last collection time given for postbox SK14 26 is 5.30pm Mon-Fri (11.00am Sat) but a change notice has been affixed reading:

"In order to improve efficiency we're reviewing our mail collection arrangements and revising collection times. From 15th September 2014, the final collection from this postbox will be made no earlier than 9.00am Monday to Friday and 7.00am on Saturday."

In other words (correct me if I've got it wrong) previously if you posted a letter before 5.30pm it would be definitely collected that day - now if you post a letter after 9.00am it may not get collected until the following day - efficiency for whom?

A contribution to Ruby Tuesday and Our World Tuesday.

Seats out of use

Whilst improvement work takes place at Hyde Central Station there is nowhere for waiting passengers to sit as these seats are behind the barriers.

According to Northern Rail they will be refurbishing the rear station wall; resurfacing the station concourse; installing improved lighting; resurfacing and improving and drainage in the car park.

A workman said they will be putting the shelter back when the work is complete.

See photos of the work in progress on Platform 1 on Hyde DP Xtra.

A contribution to Blue Monday.

Shadows at Church View

I first published the view from "Church View" on 3rd May 2009 and later on 31st March 2013 but this time I'm showing a view of the street itself.

The sign under the street name sign reads "Private Road No Parking".

A contribution to Shadow Shot Sunday.

Geese by the River Tame

These Canada geese were by the side of the river Tame in the Jet Amber Fields area between Kingston and St Anne's Haughton.

Dozens more of them were grazing in the fields and trees nearby - see Hyde DP Xtra.

A contribution to
Weekend Reflections;
Scenic Weekends;
Saturday Critters;
I'd rather b birdin;
Camera Critters.

Sign for Hoviley

The street sign for Hoviley.

Hoviley is at the bottom of Commercial Street and used to go past the dye works to Hoviley Brow which led straight into town.

You can see the sign on the left hand side of the photograph I published recently on Hyde DP Xtra.

A contribution to signs, signs.

ABC Wednesday: Q is for Queens (again)

A Joseph Holts pub on Clarendon Place. Read about its history on Old Hyde.

A contribution to ABC Wednesday.

Autumn on Great Norbury Street

A contribution to
Our World Tuesday;
Wordless Wednesday.

Ewen Fields Main Stand

Ewen Fields, the home ground of Hyde FC looking towards the Walkers Lane End from the Main Stand. For a brief history of the club see Old Hyde.

A contribution to Blue Monday.

Horses at Jet Amber Fields

Grazing horses at Jet Amber Fields on the boundaries of Hyde and Dukinfield.

A contribution to
Scenic Weekends;
Saturday Critters;
Camera Critters.

Landmarks: Hyde Grammar School

The building on Clarendon Road cost £12,000 and was opened as the "New County School" on September 17th 1912, by Sir George Dixon, chairman of the County Council. Large extensions to the building were made and opened in 1929 and at that time the name was changed to the "Hyde Grammar School".

It was for a time a boys only school (see note in the comments section) and closed its doors to 11 year olds in 1979. When the last intake had progressed to the Sixth Form, it became Hyde Sixth Form College. It later merged with Ashton Sixth Form college to form Tameside College after which it was known as Hyde Clarendon Sixth Form College.

Current plans for Tameside College are to transfer all services to a new centre in Ashton under Lyne and then sell the site to a developer for demolition. An e-petition has been launched - Save Hyde Clarendon College from demolition.

More photographs of Hyde Grammar School are on Hyde DP Xtra.

Old photographs of the school and links to some early videos can be found on Old Hyde.

A contribution to the Landmark theme at City Daily Photoblogs.