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Hyde memories

Here are memories of Hyde and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Hyde or a Hyde photo.

Leigh Street School 1958 1962

Market Street And Town Hall c1955
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Trying to find anybody who may remember me from school or from Waverley Road, Hyde, also Lynda Bardsley from Astoria Hyde.

Hyde - so Many Fond Memories.

Market Street 1968
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Nightingales on the corner opposite the post office. What a wonderful smell when you walked in. The cafe (Booth's?) just up from CABLE shoes where I started work at age 14, best chips and gravy ever! Ibbotson's bakery where my boss's wife worked for many years, Mini Broadbent. I was born at 17th Syddall Street in April 1946. The corner shop "Andrew's" provided everything from Fenning's little healers to drinks like Vimto and Dandelion & Burdock. My grandad (Jimmy Snee) used to drink with LS Lowry in the Cheshire Cheese on Hyde Lane. I watched him paint on the Town Hall steps. Had I only known :-)) Wonderful little town with wonderful people.

Sweetshops in Hyde

Market Street 1968
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Does anyone remember the great sweet shops we had in Hyde? Notably Nightingales who had a stall in the old original market hall, where they used to make gorgeous toffee while everyone watched. I can still see them throwing hot toffee over a big hook until it turned a creamy colour, it was then rolled inside brown toffee to make Godley Rock. Also they made cough drops, clove rock, cough candy and treacle toffee. The smell was mouthwatering. There was also another bow windowed shop on Market Street which sold rock called Tommy Todd, great for taking to the Ritz Saturday matinee pictures. The shop is still there, but is now a cafe.

Days Out on Hyde Market

Market Street 1968
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Being born and brought up in Flowery Field, Hyde was the centre of the universe for us as children. After shopping on Hyde market we would turn the corner and enter into the world of this picture. On the right of the picture, in the distance there was the bank then Fred Dawes, TV and Radio dealer where we would go to pay rental on our black and white TV. This was later taken over by Granada. You can see their shop clearly on the LHS of the picture. Next, coming towards the camera, Ibbotson's bakery. The best tipsy cake in the world and when mum and I went in on our own during the week we would enjoy a delicious toasted teacake and cup of tea as they had half a dozen tables by the wall opposite the counter. Two doors up the tobacco shop and how fascinating were all the ephemera of smoking displayed in the window? Next door again, and two... Read more

St George's Youth Club

My dad ran the St George's youth club for a few years. He also had the butcher's shop on Old Road in Flowery Field and my grandpa owned the butchers on Croft Street. The youth club was up some rickety stairs in the loft space in the old school. I remember the old sofas and carpet with holes in but many happy times especially when 'love grows where my Rosemary goes' came on the record player! I remember buying my Harrytown uniform at a shop near the Cheshire Cheese and looking at it hung up in the wardrobe all summer before I started in Sept 69. I also remember the Town Hall disco where I used to sneak instead of going to guides with Miss Tweedy. Part of 'Yanks' was filmed there. We used to hang around up at 'the swingy' in Gee Cross and I used to have to be home for 8.30pm and walked back on my own through Gower Hey Woods. Great days and I still love... Read more

1950s And 60s

I was born in 1950 and lived first in Parsonage St and then, from 1956, in Woodend Lane. I attended St George's Primary and Junior School and was an active member of St George's Church. My earliest memories include two shops. My maternal grandparents owned the shop (general grocers) on Sydall St and my neighbours, the Leighs, ran the Cycle and Tobacconists on Market St (it became the Ron Hill Sports Shop). I remember sledging in the snow on Fawley's Field and canoeing on the canal with ? Norgrove. My friends at St George's included Paul Richardson (now sadly passed away), Wendy Thompson (my first love) and Linda Baguley(?), in Mrs Drewett's class in 1960. My parents decided Hyde Grammar School, which they both attended, had gone downhill and sent me to King's School in Macclesfield, which became my school until 1968. One of my strongest memories of my adolescence was the Brady/Hindley case, The Moors Murderers. I remember old ladies queueing for the first indictment at the Town Hall. They reminded me... Read more

What A Wonderful Time

I was born in 1945 at Hudson Road, Gee Cross and attended Holy Trinity School and later Greenfield Street, leaving at age 16 to work at Adamsons in Hyde. During the next couple of years I applied to emigrate to Australia. While I still have a soft spot for Gee Cross and Hyde, going to Australia was the best move ever. Anyone who remebers me are welcome to contact me in Perth, Western Australia.

My First Day at School

I remember arriving at St Mary's School, Newton, for my very first day in September 1940 when the sirens sounded which meant putting my gas mask on and making a quick dash to the shelter behind the school. My grandma was with me at the time and stayed until the all clear sounded. Later we were all shown to our classrooms to begin our schooldays by our form teacher Miss Clegg who along with Miss Ives and Miss Broadbent made my inital school years happy ones at a very difficult time.

The Jester

I remember the Jester Cafe. I used to deliver milk to this cafe. But I liked the ice cream parlour - Meciasers? It was better. We were Rockers, not Mods.

Flowery Field Hotel

My great-grandfather - John William Lord - was licensee at the Flowery Field from about 1917 until well into the 1920s. My grandmother had her wedding reception at the pub in October 1919. Grandma (Emily Lord) was a bit of a local celebrity in that she was one of the first 14 women to serve in France during the First World War - leaving for France in March 1917. Emily was decorated for valour during the bombing of the hospitala at Etaples and when she married the local Mayor sent a wedding present. I understand the pub is still there.

Cheetham Family

Would anyone remember the Cheetham family who lived at/near Marple Bridge, Cheshire, apparently the boys' (no. of boys unknown) of the family who went to the First World War and who unfortunately perished. There was one brother who remained, Bertram Cheetham who married Mabel Faulkner. I would like to know of any history/stories relating to my ancestors. Many thanks. Kathryn

Where Are They Now? What do You Remember?

Mr Kimblin was the headmaster at Bredbury County Primary. I also remember Miss Littlebotem, Mrs Guyton, Mrs Lambert, Mrs Lydiard, Mr Hume and Mr and Mrs Garlic; have any info on those teachers please. There is a Mrs Garlic that teaches at Bredbury Green Primary but I don't think it could be the same one.

Can anyone tell me when they knocked down Bredbury County Primary School and if you know of anyone that can give me any more information on the school in the 50s and early 60s.

The Jester

I remember the Jester coffee bar! Hyde scooters, mods and a scruffy old juke box, hours of good times all for the price of a coke which would last all night!

Mescia's Milk Bar, Market Street

I was quite an accomplished swimmer in my youth, and after a session in the swimming baths, we would call in at Mescia's for a coffee or a milk shake. There was another Coffee Bar opposite (I can't remember its name now) but Mescia's was always the first choice for me and my pals.

Hyde Chapel, Gee Cross

I lived on Apethorne Lane, Gee Cross from 1941 (when I was born), till 1962 when I left the area. Saturday nights were the highlight of the week, with a dance held at Hyde Chapel, which was always well attended, with the lads and girls having the back of their hand stamped, if they wanted a pass-out. The idea was to go for a bottle of light ale, 1 shilling (5p) in those days, although we were under age. On the way home we would call at the 'chippie' which was round the corner and, if your luck was in, you might get a quick cuddle if the girl you were with fancied you. Ahh! Halceon Days Indeed!

Travis Street, Hyde

I was born in 1963 in Travis Street, Hyde, my parents Joan and Stan Smith owned a small shop at the time. I think it may have been a general grocers. They moved to Newton shortly after I was born. They then bought a bakers/confectioners in Clarendon Place. I have 2 sisters who would have been 6 and 16 years old at the time we lived in Travis Street, they are called Julie and Sandra.
Both my parents have passed away now. I would love to see some photos of the shop either when they owned it or after.

Leigh Street School

I lived on Travis Street at a small shop for a short time in 1967 and went to Leigh Street School.

Edith Redfern

Someone posted about an Edith Redfern.  I have relatives in Hyde that were Redferns and wondered if anyone else out there is related.  My grandmother was Doris with a sister Rene, brother Eddie.

Memories of Cheshire

Holland Street

Dear Sirs, My father Alan Dunbar was born in Holland Street 189, Denton, Greater Manchester, UK. He worked at Rotunda and Pass-works. I never knew my father, but after a search of 13 years (1993-2006) I found out he was a British soldier in the Second World War. Does anyone know of him? Does anyone have any photographs of him? Please look at my website www.klaus-id.nl Klaus Volkmann, The Netherlands.

Childhood Memories of Mottram

Market Street c1955
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My Grandma, Grandad and Auntie Annie lived on Market Street all their lives. They moved into the houses when they were brand new - they had a building at the bottom of the little garden which incorporated a flushing toilet and a coal bunker. However, they didn't have a bathroom and I remember sitting in the tin bath in front of the fire hiding behind the washing-maiden. We used to make toast on the fire - it tasted so good, and Gran used to put her teacakes next to it to rise. Across the road was the butcher's and the fish n chip shop whilst further up was Mrs. Sheldon's where I was sent to buy sterilised milk. There was also the Post Office by the traffic lights and The Junction pub. At the top end of Market Street was the White Hart pub - as seen on the right of the photo, another butchers, a grocers, a greengrocers and round the corner Mrs Peel's sweet shop! At the Crown Pole... Read more

My Home Village

The Village c1960
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I cannot remember the exact year but I remember the shop (centre) and the houses to it's right. The shop was called 'Jolly's' and sold sweets and other things. The road was widened in the 1960's so the shop and houses were demolished. There now stands a garden with a lifesize statue of L.S. Lowry, the artist who lived just up Stalybridge Road.

Childhood Memories at Grandma Robinsons.

Funny how some things stay with you all your life, and even when you leave a country you have grown up in, those memories follow you. It was the end of WW2, people were beginning to settle, 'ration books' were used by all. People could leave their lights on at night, and not have to draw the curtains. Us kids played outside till late at night too, and Dad pulled down the air-raid shelter from our back garden.

Our family went from Newport Mon, to see our grandparents. They lived in Stalybridge, at 46 Caroline Street. It was really something going on the train in those days, it seemed to take forever to get there.

Caroline Street, everything seemed to be dark and grey, skies, roads and houses, but there was a bustle as people went about their business. Grandma's house was set right on the pavement. Inside it was dark, and as a child, it felt unfriendly, until all the family sat around the table,... Read more

School

The school i went to is still standing today..i remember the headmaster Mr Harry Healey...we had a drill hall it was the basement of the school which led us out into the playground...the boys and girls had their own playgrounds..school time was spent at 1 school not like it is today....the nit nurse used to come round and we had to have stuff put on our heads didnt matter if you had nits or not it was still put on . We had to go home for our dinner but it was just a village so we didnt have to go far to get home..

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