Singing Carols in Clarendon Mall

On Saturday morning a group of musicians belonging to local churches led carol singing in Clarendon Mall.

There is another photograph of them on Hyde DP Xtra.

Late Autumn Look at the Bandstand

A late autumn look at the bandstand in Hyde Park.

It is a Grade II listed building and you can see the details of its listing on Old Hyde.

Lady Gonegaga

This the second of six photographs from the switching on of the Christmas lights outside the Town Hall.

If I heard correctly the singer on stage is called Lady Gonegaga and she was entertaining the crowd with some loud rock music. I could hear her from above Union Street as I was making my way down Market Street.

Her act was followed by Mossley Brass Band.

Hollingworth Brass Band at Christmas

Whilst the carol singers were at one end of the mall on Saturday, some young members of the Hollingworth Brass Band were near the Market entrance.

Carols in Clarendon

Yesterday these musicians were leading the carol singing in Clarendon Mall.

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.

Bandstand Hyde Park

Tom of Wiggers World has today supplied us with the following photo and accompanying text from Hyde:

Over the last few years more than £2m has been spent bringing Hyde Park into the 21st century, Hyde Park dates back to the beginning of the 19th century. It was built by a local mill owning Ashton family, who offered the estate to Hyde Corporation in 1897.

Thank you, Tom!

RuneE - temporary caretaker.

Simon Marsh Flautist

Simon Marsh is a flautist who visits Clarendon Mall from time to time.

I can't give you a taste of his music, as he hasn't set up his website yet. When he does I'll let you know.

Cold Busker

On the last Saturday of 2008 the temperature barely crept above freezing.

On the bench outside the Cotton Bale in the Market Place, this busker played his accordion as shoppers hurried for warmth inside somewhere/anywhere.

Joy to the World

In Clarendon Mall last week we were treated to a carol concert by the Belle Vue Brass Band.

It is perhaps ironic that in the background are two closed units, Max Spielmans (20 Mins Photos) and BB's Coffee & Muffins whose tables and chairs previously occupied the space in which the band are performing.

As a bonus today, here is a short video of the band. The assistant conductor is my son Craig.

Column Art

Some time ago I showed a photograph of the Bandstand in Hyde Park.

Here now is a closer look at the artwork around the columns.

Hyde Park Bandstand Again

Two weeks ago I welcomed you to Hyde Park and last week showed you a map.

In the middle of the park is the bandstand. I've posted pictures of it here before

• Bandstand 1999
• Looking down on the bandstand
• Looking up at the bandstand

Today's view is more straight face on.

Organ of St Thomas the Apostle

Last Sunday I featured the Rose Window at St Thomas the Apostle.

This week I bring you the organ.

Hyde Chapel Organ

The organ case at the rear of Hyde Chapel is part of the original design of the building. It is not connected to the present organ and is now merely a decorative screen.

The pipes on view were last heard in 1869.

As part of the tercentenary celebrations it is hoped the case can be restored. The case is meant to represent a 12th century style and mirrors the look of monastic furnishings of the period. It may be based on a screen at Cartmel Priory.

Skywatch: Joel Lane on a Quiet Day

This is Joel Lane on a quiet day with a nice blue sky, and the Grapes Hotel still decked with scaffolding.

It wasn't quiet last Sunday when the Adamson Band led the 2008 Gee Cross Welldressing Ceremony.





They marched up to Slateacre Well and then proceeded down Joel Lane.

More about the history of the ceremony can be found on the Tameside Local History Forum website.

I have also published some photographs of the 2006 Well Dressing.

To view different skys around the world visit Skywatch Friday.

Gee Cross Well Dressing 2008

Yesterday was the Well Dressing Ceremony.

Despite the blustery conditions, there was a large crowd gathered outside the Grapes Hotel and Hyde Chapel waiting for the Adamson Band to lead the procession around to six sites. At each there is a blessing, followed by a verse and chorus of Onward Christian Soldiers.

This year Booths Well was decorated by members of the W.I. to celebrate 300 years of Hyde Chapel.

You can see pictures of five of the six wells or displays on Ackworth born, gone West.

There is also a short video of the band leading the parade up Joel Lane.

More about the history of the ceremony can be found on the Tameside LH Forum website. Also photographs of the 2006 Well Dressing are on my website. One special photo of the band Reflection in Silver is on my photoblog and I'll be publishing some additional photographs from today at a later date.

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

L S Lowry

It was recently brought to my attention that Mottram-in-Longdendale, Hollingworth and indeed Broadbottom all have an SK14 postcode and that I should try and include more photographs from these areas.

L.S. Lowry, lived in Mottram from 1948 until his death in 1976. This bronze statue of Lowry seated on a bench is located next to the junction of Hyde Road and Stalybridge Road.

There is a close-up picture of the statue on my photoblog Sithenah.

A commemorative plaque can also be found on Lowry's former home, "The Elms" on Stalybridge Road.

Local duo Brian & Michael created a new audience for Lowry when they recorded their One Hit Wonder Matchstalk Men & Matchstalk Cats & Dogs. You can hear them talking about it today on Old Hyde.

Model of Bell from St George's

This model of a bell from St George's Church was on display at the Heritage Day in September.

Yew Tree Singers

The last Saturday before Christmas was busy as always. Carol singing in the Clarendon Shopping Centre was led this year by the Yew Tree Singers from Dukinfield.