GEE CROSS THROUGH THE TREES

Gee Cross through the trees - taken from Aspland Road.
Photo by Susan Jaleel 

More from Pole Bank

Another video kindly sent in by email for used all to see and enjoy the on going work to get Pole Bank Grounds up to speck.



Pole Bank Hall Cheshire, is also a Facebook Group which some might find an interesting place page to view what is happening and when. Hopefully some might want to join in the good work.

My thanks to David Barlow for the video.

I was informed this week that one of our subscribers JOE LLOYD of Gee Cross had passed away. Joe was a local historian and railway enthusiast

Joe Lloyd

 Words By Dave Stafford

Joe was born in Wallasey son of a grocer but moved to Hyde very soon after his birth.

Lived on Stockport road a few doors away from Zion’s church and the railway lines on Peel Street

He attended Leigh Street School, then moved to Hyde Grammar, his father died when he was fifteen from an old WW1 wound.

Attended St Georges scouts and got his interest in the peak district walking and hiking he became scout leader taking his troop on numerous trips, and even to Switzerland.

Stayed involved with the scouts all his life.

Started work at Beyer Peacocks (Gorton tank) as a trainee apprentice designer then called up for national service.

Served in Northern Ireland in the military police special investigations squad rose to sergeant this is where he got his interest in research, after national service he decided Beyer Peacocks not the job for his so he started at Hyde town hall as a committee Clark 1946 stayed in local government all his career working at Stratford Stockport Dukinfield and Hyde and was part of the formation of T.M.B.C.

Married Betty 1953

In 1974 moved to Ashton T.H. as an assistant director of administration and retired in 1981

But carried on with committees charities and trust. 

He has published books on Beyer Peacocks locomotive listing every locomotive built and where they are today and enclosing all design drawing of each one.

He had a love of cars and travelling and a never ending searching for facts

R.I.P.

Panto Pictures From 1949

The last post for 2013 comes all the was from Australia... sent in from Joe and showing his wife to be as a young girl in Pantomime in 1949. Lovely pictures, great costumes and sets.

OVER TO JOE: Some photos of my wife, Jean Wilde, for the Hydonian blog site.  Maybe someone knows others who were in these pantomimes.  Panto was held in the church hall in Gee Cross.

Jean Wilde (aged about 8) is kneeling in front row, fourth from the right.

Same panto - Jean Wilde is sitting in front row, second from right. 

Jean and I moved to Australia in 1964 with our two daughters and settled in Canberra.

Cheers and happy new year,

Joe Wilde

UPDATED 03/01/14

From Eric In New Zealand

On second photo reading from the Right on back row they are: Jean Goddard, Cora Wilson, Marjorie Bennison, ?, ?, ?, Dorothy Newton, ?, Margaret Morris,  Joan Stafford, Joan Wimpenny, Marjorie Baddeley, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?.

Happy New Year To One And All

Thank you for sticking by us, and putting up with the last few months, I cannot see the blog being done on a daily basis in the near future... I personally have not the time or inclination to carry on as before , but will post at least once a month. I do check the emails but cannot answer them all.. What I must do in the New Year is to show a few of the comments I had to block, these comments have gradually got worse.... some I could not publish as they are horrid, nasty and some even downright filthy. I do hope the people/person responsible can move on next year.. What a shame this year as to end on such a matter... but these comments have taken the toll on us and we ask ourselves at times 'Why Bother'...  Lets hope this time next year our final post as a much happier tone to it.

Tom  

Post Cards 'Hyde & Gee Cross

Today's post is from Susan

Susan say's: I'm sharing a recently acquired postcard of Hyde Chapel.  In my collection, I have many others of the chapel but none quite like this.  Unfortunately, as it was not posted I can't date it, but on the back is the printer's identity - Woolley, Tower Street Printing Works, Hyde.  I've never heard of them and wonder if anyone else has.  The card obviously has age to it, as the requirement is for a 1/2d stamp.

I'm also attaching another new recently obtained card of Manchester Road, below Newton Street along with its approximate location today.  What a difference!  Again, I can't date this card as it hasn't been posted, but looking at what the men on the right are wearing, I'd say late 20s early-mid 30s.  As a child I remember a shop on the left of the picture called Busy Bee which sold children's wear.  You can just about pick out the corner of Newton Street where, I suppose Garbett's shoes were there even at that time.

Hot Summers Day

A picture of King Edward Court taken in the recent hot weather.
The Werneth Pub can be seen in the distance in the middle of the photo.



I wonder if the house building will ever get finished down there?

Summers here !

Here is a nice 'Summery shot' of Buttercup Meadow 
aka "Shanes Field" which is at the top end of Gower Hey Wood.

It used to be such a beautiful field in the Summer, until the council in its infinite wisdom started cutting the grass every  few weeks which stopped the buttercups from seeding for the next year. I'm happy to say that the council now leave it as a wild meadow and all the beautiful wild flowers are starting to return.


Photo circa mid 1980's.
Note the houses on York Road can be seen in the distance.

Gee Cross Fete 2013

It's that time of year again !! 

It is the 20th year of  the Gee Cross Fete and it is jointly organised by Willow Wood Hospice and the Rotary Club of Hyde to raise funds for both charities.  
Show your support for the local Charities and the great work they do by attending and having a great day out !

The 1995 Fete with the Queen Adelaide in the background

Buses and Trams Galore !!

Below is a selection of bus and Tram photos and postcards sent to us by Susan Jaleel.
Underneath are the descriptions !!



The No.4 on its return to Hyde from Mossley.  It's just crossing Bennett Street bridge, where Flowery Field Station is now.

 

The No.15 bus [SHMD] leaving Hamnett Street for Shaw Hall via Victoria Street.  How lovely to get just a little peep of the late, lamented UCP on the left hand corner of the street.



The No.19 tram stopped at the market.  There was some query about who ran the 19 recently on the Blog, but it isnt easy to pick out the livery on a black and white photo!  Also on the same posting, someone asked about the attractive building which stood where Natwest/Boots is now.  It was the District Bank and on this shot of the tram it's possible to see a bit more of that building.



Tram climbing the Gerrards towards the Grapes.  Someone has written on the reverse of the postcard "Stockport car in SHMD territory [Hyde]", whatever that means!

 

 Tram at the bottom of the Gerrards.  Just see how clearly the chapel spire can be seen without the trees of today.

 

These trams waiting at the market are from a "scenes of yesteryear" modern card, entitled "Memories of Stockport".  The date is given as 1938, and the caption is Trams wait to leave for Manchester, Edgeley and Gee Cross.  The Norfolk Arms is clear to see in the left background and, of course, the roof of the Midland Bank.

Many, many thanks, Susan.
You are doing a sterling job supplying us with great photographs and information !

Aerial View

Here is an aerial view of part of Hyde/Gee Cross area .

Bottom left you can make out Redferns Industrial Estate. Stockport Road runs across just above it. The dense foliage is Gower Hey Wood, incorporating the Trans Pennine trail which runs along the old railway line. The Cemetery can be seen top left to top middle of the photo and the field at the top right is Buttercup Meadow. The houses to the bottom right are, from the bottom, Brooks,Coronation and Auburn Avenues which are located off King George Road.

Many thanks to John H for the photo.
Much appreciated.

If anyone else has anything of interest to do with Hyde, Hattersley, Godley, Gee Cross and Newton, old or new, that they would like to share, please send it to us. at hydonian@gmail.com

A view about town.

Here are a couple of local postcards.

 

  

Here is a rather striking picture of Hyde Town Hall circa 1950's

 
Church Avenue, Gee Cross.

Aeriel View from Gee Cross Mill

 The following was sent to us via David Barlow

"This might be of interest to you Hydonians.....Early 1980's panoramic  picture of  Cross Cliffe and Daisy Bank cottages at the bottom of Apethorn Lane. The picture was taken from the top of the now demolished Gee Cross Mill.  Across the fields and in the distance you can just make out Pole Bank Hall. "



This unusual picture was taken by Karl Barlow.


Thumbnail for bigger view. 

Many Thanks, David and Karl .
Much Appreciated  :)

Hyde Waterworks --- a brief history

Waterworks were established in Hyde by Thomas Mottram, the descendent of an old yeoman family of the township, who in 1831, obtained an Act of Parliament "for the better supply of water to the several townships of Hyde, Werneth and Newton," and under the powers of that Act constructed the Gee Cross reservoir, Tinker's reservoir, New reservoir and Arnold Hill reservoir. The first three of these being known as "Queens" (later as Queen Adelaide), "Stonepit" and "Diamond Reservoir". Godley reservoir was constructed later in the 1850's.

In 1891 the supply of water from the Gee Cross reservoirs was declared unfit for domestic consumption owing to contamination, and this water was then used for manufacturing use only. The Arnold Hill reservoir, however was utilised for storing the Manchester Corporation water, and the pumping station was erected in 1893 to force the water into it. Meanwhile Newton had only a private supply, but in 1908 the Corporation decided to erect additional pumping plant, and constructed in Joel Lane the storage reservoirs known as "Hillside" and "Werneth", which were completed in 1911. In 1920 the Corporation acquired from the trustees of C & J Ashton, their Newton water supply, which included the reservoirs known as "Newton House" , "Blue Bell" and "Harbour". The property which these reservoirs supplied was disconnected in 1922, and supplied by town's water. The whole of the property within the borough , except a few isolated farms, was then supplied with town's water. The area between the Clarke's Arms, Stockpot Rd and the Goodiers, Victoria St, Newton, is supplied by gravitation from the Hoviley and Godley sources. Gee Cross and Newton are supplied by water pumped into the Gee Cross storage reservoirs, and then by gravity. The Newton service reservoir was constructed in 1928, and opened on Feb 19th, 1929, by the Mayor, Councillor A. Shaw J.P.

The large reservoir and waterworks of the Manchester Corporation at Tetlow Fold, Godley were constructed in 1850.

The above is from Thomas Middleton's "History of Hyde"

The photo's below show the Queen Adelaide reservoir in Gee Cross undergoing some reconstruction work probably around the early part of the 20th century.

Prefabs in Gee Cross

A few weeks ago we spoke about the prefabs and steel houses that were built after the end of WW2 . Someone mentioned the ones that stood behind the Grapes pub in Gee Cross and Ken Smith very kindly sent us this newspaper cutting and some information about them.

 

Over to Ken -

 

"Looking through the blogs recently I came across a request for information regarding  the prefab estate constructed behind the Grapes Hotel shortly after the end of WW2.

I lived on the estate with my parents from its first occupation until September 1952, when I joined the RAF as an Aircraft Apprentice, with just one short break during 1951 when our house burned down!

I enclose a newspaper cutting from the time which may remind some of your readers of the occasion.

Incidentally, I now live on the plot of land almost immediately opposite that of the house that burned down !!"

 

Thanks very much for sharing , Ken. Much appreciated ! :)

Dales Shop corner

Here are a couple of "then and now" shots.
They show the area where Dales sweet shop used to stand.  

Dales was a wonderful shop owned by a kindly couple who had a lot of patience with the children when they went in to spend their pocket money. I remember they had a great selection of ice creams in an array of flavours, my favourite being rum and raisin. Dales was to the far left of the row. 

It is now car park to the now defunct Gee Cross Labour/Sports and Social club.



 
King Edward Road is to the right of the photo.

Hudson Road View

This is a photo taken at the beginning of the building of the Wych Fold /Brabyns Road Estate.
The new estate was built by the Wimpey Construction Company.

The houses shown are the ones that stand at the bottom of Hudson Road.
.



Map of Hudson Road and Wych Fold.

Glove Workers

Here are a couple of photos that were sent to us a while ago.
I believe that they show the workers in a Gee Cross Glove Factor.

If anyone has any information about them please get in contact.

Postcards From Bygone Years

Here are a few of postcards of local views.
Great Norbury Street


Diamond Row,Gee Cross


The Big Tree, Gee Cross.

Gee Cross Methodist

Gee Cross Methodist Church was founded in 1882.

Gee Cross Methodist Stockport Road

 

 Chris Lawton playing the Wadsworth organ inside Gee Cross Methodist Church, Hyde:

At the side of the Gee Cross Methodist and the door leading to the hall.


 
The Memorial foundation stone.

This was sent in by Susan Jaleel who wondered why the sign said "Methodists Church" instead of "Methodist Church" ? Anybody know?.

Gee Cross Social And Sports Club

3 - 5, King Edward Road, Gee Cross

I think this was taken in the late 1980's when the club was doing quite well. 

I have had a few good nights in here and attended a wake or two. It was such a busy place at one time. Saturdays always sounded great when I walked by - there was always much singing and merriment until late :)  They used to have some decent acts on there, too.

I heard it had been sold and plans were in place to rejuvenate it though I should imagine that the plans will include knocking it down and building more houses on the spot.

Another sad loss to Gee Cross.

Picture taken by the late Alan Heelis