Chimney Down

Today's update is a video clip sent in from a regular visitor to the blog... over to Stephen.

Click to enlarge.

Its a view of the chimney on the land of the old A B C wax company coming down. Taken From A.P. Patterns Clarendon Industrial Estate, Clarendon Road Hyde. Saturday Morning 08/11/2014, its probably one of the last in Hyde? 

Stephen Roberts

Demolition Of The Fire Station And Health Clinic.

When emails come in I never know what will turn up... to say I was pleased with this contact is an understatement. 

Over to Richard Thornley.  "I came across these pictures recently when I was tidying up. I worked for the construction company that built Asda in Hyde. I took these photographs while the demolition of the old Fire Station and Health Clinic was going on. Many of the materials like slates, cast iron guttering and drainpipes and even some of the interior were sold off prior to the demolition. While we were carrying out the demolition of the Fire Station, we came across a stone plaque commemorating the opening of the station. I contacted Hyde Fire Station, and we carefully removed the plaque and transported it to the new Fire Station where they installed it in reception.  I hope these picture are of some use to you."

Richard Thornley  

All I can say is well done to all involved in saving this Plaque, this important bit of Hydes History could have been lost for ever if these workers had not had the sense to save it.

The old Health Clinic

What a fine looking building this was... it would have been the envy of many a local council to have such a building in it's town centre. The next few pictures are quite sad to see... can you believe those grand pillars and top couldn't be saved... 

I asked Richard how come the stone work was demolished, and his answer was simple...  

Richard said  "They did try to sell the pillars & surrounding stonework,  but couldn't find a buyer in time.  

Unfortunately they were knocked down and then put through a stone crusher and used under the car park"

What a shame, such a sad sight.

I'd like to say thank you to Richard for these great pictures and documenting the demise of these iconic Hyde buildings, and for having the hindsight to save the Fire Station Plaque and making sure it was safely removed to the Station on Railway Street. 

Greenfield Street School

 Eric , one of our regular blog contributors, sent us these photos of Greenfield Street School the other day with this short message....

"Here are some photos of the school which you might be interested in.

 No doubt they will evoke a nostalgic tear or two or maybe a rousing cheer for those who hated their school days..."

 Old Greenfield St. School Art building in Water St. taken from Greenfield St.


Greenfield St school.


Greenfield St school later in Spring

Next are  3 photos from the start of the demolition of the school.


Going...


..Going...
.

Gone.

Many Thanks, Eric - Much appreciated ! :)

This week we received these photos and this letter off Meglet....

"Hi All @ Hydonian Blog

This is more of an alert rather than a trip down memory lane.

But, this is a 'Heads up' I think all those who visit the blog should know about.

I've known for a number of years Kerry Foods have been in negotiation with Tameside Council, to create a new access road for their factory at Godley.

No one who knows Godley Hill Road, can deny they desperately need it.

The narrow, curved, single lane, they have at the moment has been inadequate for decades, and the precarious traffic light system they operate from the security lodge is problematic at best.

Well, now planning permission has been given the go ahead, and groundwork has already started, but the plans approved means that one of the least known, but possibly the most awe inspiring, remaining buildings of Hyde's history is about to be demolished.

I know Godley Hill Road, and the current access road have been captured by 'Google Street View', but the old railway sheds on the car park approach can only fleetingly be seen.

So, I have included some quick snaps I took recently, and one from Godley East Station from 1979, where the side of the sheds can be seen in the distance.

I must admit that I know really nothing of the building other than what is seen in the photos.

The building was part of the old railways sidings and marshalling yards of the long closed Godley East Railway Station, and as you can see, it stretches the full length of the Kerry Foods car park approach road, about 100 meters in length.

To me it looks very much like a fortification, with it's tightly packed small stone blocks construction, and so, gives off a wonderful aura of indestructibility and history. So, I was not surprised at all when I spoke to a very old Walls' (now Kerry Foods) employee who told me, that when he was a young lad at the factory he was told that the building was used, during both World Wars, to store munitions prior to transportation.

It's generally considered by those I have asked that the building was built around 150 years ago, which I feel also.  It's roof is in very poor shape, and it has evidently had some repairs done with standard bricks over the years, but it is still very awesome to look at.

At the moment (July 2012) the only work that has commenced is the clearing of trees around the building, as can be see in one of the photos.

I believe work is due to begin proper in October 2012, and the whole project will take 12 months to complete, as the access road is planned to carry on through and up towards Hattersley.

If this building is to be razed then I will try and get as much video & photos of it as I can from all sides, but I'm not sure how much access I will be able to get.

I think the inside will be well off limits, and dangerous, but I would love to explore it.

If anyone is in the vicinity, I recommend you take a look in person, it is a magnificent structure.  There is no problem walking up the road, but walking into the car park around the back of the sheds is not advisable, as they are under CCTV.

Anything on the building true history and function would be fantastic to know, I will update about the demolition process when it happens."

 



Many thanks for letting us know, Meglet. :)

If anyone else knows anything else about the demolition of this building or any other building around the Hyde area , please let us know !!

Demolition of the "Seven Sisters"

2001 saw the demolition of 7 Multi-Storey 1960’s Tower blocks in Hattersley which were affectionately known as the "Seven Sisters".

Two blocks, Sandybank Court and Chapman Court were demolished using a highreach excavator.



Due to the location of Fields Court, situated near the main line Railway station and adjacent residential properties the tower block was demolished using the "floor by floor deconstruction method" so as to reduce any risks.



On Sunday 22nd April 2001 the remaining four tower blocks (Underwood, Honiton, Hattersley and Waterside Courts) were demolished using explosives.