Best of Hyde Daily 2014

It is that time of the year again.

Hyde Daily Photo is one of more than 400 websites worldwide that post a daily picture of their home town or city. On 1st January 2015 members of the City Daily Photobloggers community will be revealing their Photo of the Year.

I have selected twelve contenders for Best of Hyde 2014 and am asking readers to vote for their favourites.

These thumbnails are only a taster. To vote for your three favourites please visit Best of Hyde Daily 2014 and use the form on the page.

Deadline for voting is 12 noon GMT on Monday 29th December 2014.

Friends of Sam Redfern Green

Another shot from this year's Gee Cross Fete.

The Friends of Sam Redfern Green, a group of parents who met through local mums and tots groups, aim to create a play-area on the Green.

The green was originally the site of the Queen Adelaide reservoir, which was built, in the late 1860s. See Old Hyde. The reservoir was well used by the community until the middle of the 20th century, older residents recall children swimming in it and picnics being taken there. The site was also home to angling clubs.

In the mid 1980s, local Rotarian George Wagstaff thought the area would be better used as a Green for the village of Gee Cross. Talks took place with Tameside MBC and EEC grants were obtained for drainage and sewerage though no money for embellishments. The Rotary Club of Hyde offered the use of some money left to them out of the estate of the late Samuel Redfern. The council approached the Countryside Commission who matched the money pound for pound. In exchange for their monies the Rotary Club entered into a covenant whereby they could use the Green one day a year for the annual fete.

You can see an extensive collection of my photographs from the fete at Gee Cross Fete 2010.

Shadow Shot Sunday:Gee Cross Fete

Another shot from last Sunday's Gee Cross Fete.

The girls here are from Dynamite Dance, a streetdance & hiphop dance school based in Hadfield.

You can see a collection of photographs from the fete at Gee Cross Fete 2010.

For more shadows shots this Sunday visit Hey Harriet.

Gee Cross Fete 2010

Yesterday was Gee Cross Fete.

It was a nice sunny day, not too hot.

This photograph is just a taster.

You'll find another 21 photographs from the day at Gee Cross Fete 2010

The Magic Flute at the Fete

The organ playing outside Gee Cross Fete this year was the "Magic Flute", a 105 note concert organ.

According to the Melody Man website

This concert organ was built by David Leach of Huddersfield and Ian Goodwin of Stockport between 1995 and 1998. It was first played in Anglesey in 1998.

It was built from new to play from a MIDI system using a slightly modified DECAP 105 note scale. Electro-magnets take the place of pneumatics, except on the percussion.

David's workshop was part of Springwood Music Workshops in central Huddersfield. The building formerly housed Conacher's cinema organ works and latterly, John Willis had his church organ business there.

The organ contains 380 pipes which are a mixture of new and reclaimed pipework, the latter having been sourced and restored from the massive stocks stored at Springwood. Apart from the 12 metal Tromba reed pipes, all the pipework is of the flue type.

Wind is supplied by two blowers and three regulators accurately set the wind pressure for different sections of the organ.

The organ was sold to Duncan Mallows in the Spring of 2006. During this year, we have been commemorating the 250th anniversary of the birth of Mozart. It therefore seemed appropriate to name the organ "THE MAGIC FLUTE".

There is a brief video of the organ at the fete on Hyde DP Xtra.

More of my photographs from this year's fete and earlier ones can be found at Gee Cross Fete 2009.

Women's Institute at the Fete

One of the interesting stalls in the marquee at Gee Cross Fete was the one belonging to the local WI.

More photos at Gee Cross Fete 2009.

Return to the Fete

Yesterday was Gee Cross Fete and it was the best weather for it that has been known for years.

I've just posted nineteen photographs that I took at the fete on Gee Cross Fete 2009.

Although I didn't return to the field, as I left, I had my hand stamped with a blue image which would allow me to go back without paying again. What I did was to cross the road to Gee Cross Methodist Church where the local Art Group had an exhibition and were serving tea and biscuits.

So here is my half-drunk cup of tea and a view of the blue "return-stamp".

Fairground Organ at Fete

Welcoming people to Gee Cross Fete this year was Dave Stubbs with his Fairground Organ.

This organ was made in 1982 by the Dean Organ Company from Bristol and has been decorated in a traditional style to give it a more Continental look. Unlike a barrel organ which uses a cylindrical barrel with pins that activate the individual instruments of the organ, this uses a cardboard book of punched music, where each hole corresponds to a musical note or percussion instrument.

This is not the same as the Fairground Organ which attended previous fetes.

There is a gallery of nineteen photographs at Gee Cross Fete 2008 which has links to photos from previous years too

Village Fete

Last Sunday was the 15th Gee Cross Village Fete, organised by the Rotary Club of Hyde. Nowadays it is part of a "Festival Weekend" with a musical concert taking place on the Saturday evening in a marquee on Sam Redfern Green.

It seems I arrived just as the Mayoral party was leaving.

You will find a gallery of nineteen photographs at Gee Cross Fete 2008 which has links to photos from previous years too.

My other ABC-Wednesday V posts this week are ~~ Video Footage of Hyde 1947 at Old Hyde ~~ Vroom Vroom at Ackworth born, gone West ~~ Vintage Cars at Sithenah

To visit more ABC-Wednesday V posts go to Mrs. Nesbitt's Place.

Crooked Cottage

One of the highlights of Sunday's "Fun Day" would seem to have been this "Crooked Cottage".

Exactly what was inside this inflatable two-story building, I've no idea, but judging from the faces of the kids appearing at the balcony and emerging from the place it must be plenty of fun!

Fun Day

This year there was no Gee Cross Fete. Instead there was a "Fun Day".

It was geared up to attract the children mainly. Entrance was £2 for adults (up 50p from last year) though children were allowed in free (or for 50p if unaccompanied!).

There were no vintage-cars nor falconry display, few craft stalls. But there was a "bucking bronco" and lots of hot sunshine. It was only later that the sky darkened and we had an almighty thunderstorm.

Gee Cross Methodist Church

June is traditionally the time for the local Gee Cross Fete. As I'm away this year, in my absence I'm displaying a series of photos from earlier years.

Had enough of the Fete?

Then pop across the road to the Methodist Church. On Fete days they hold an Art Exhibition and serve tea. Afterwards you can back to the Fete for more fun or make your way home.

Thanks to Pamela of Tenerife for posting these photographs for me.

If you want more you can check out my photos of the 2003 and 2004 fetes at Gee Cross & Hyde

BBQ

June is traditionally the time for the local Gee Cross Fete. As I'm away this year, in my absence I'm displaying a series of photos from earlier years.

Feeling hungry?

Punch 'n' Judy

June is traditionally the time for the local Gee Cross Fete. As I'm away this year, in my absence I'm displaying a series of photos from earlier years.

Let's get back down to earth with a traditional Punch 'n' Judy show.

Starchaser Rocket

June is traditionally the time for the local Gee Cross Fete. As I'm away this year, in my absence I'm displaying a series of photos from earlier years.

One year the chief attraction was Steve Bennett's Starchaser Rocket. Steve is from nearby Dukinfield.

Tug-o'-war

June is traditionally the time for the local Gee Cross Fete. As I'm away this year, in my absence I'm displaying a series of photos from earlier years.

Sport comes in the form of a tug-o'-war contest.

Coconut shy

June is traditionally the time for the local Gee Cross Fete. As I'm away this year, in my absence I'm displaying a series of photos from earlier years.

The coconut shy is always very popular.

Vintage Car (3)

June is traditionally the time for the local Gee Cross Fete. As I'm away this year, in my absence I'm displaying a series of photos from earlier years.

Here is another of those vintage cars.

Owl

June is traditionally the time for the local Gee Cross Fete. As I'm away this year, in my absence I'm displaying a series of photos from earlier years.

An owl is a beautiful bird to behold.

Falconry

June is traditionally the time for the local Gee Cross Fete. As I'm away this year, in my absence I'm displaying a series of photos from earlier years.

A falconry display is always an attraction.