Diamond Row Open Space

On the site of a covered reservoir named after a group of cottages which were on the corner of Back Bower Lane and Stockport Road.

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.

The View from Windy Harbour

Looking over the plinth at Windy Harbour viewpoint towards the Lancashire fells beyond Oldham and Rochdale.

The building dominating the near background is the Kerry Foods Factory and West of that is Godley Reservoir.

A detailed view of the toposcope plinth can be seen on Hyde DP Extra.

Ice on Stonepit Reservoir

Another picture from the icy spell of several weeks ago.

Previous photographs of Stonepit Reservoir.

• July 20th 2006 Stonepit Reservoir
• September 6th 2006 Twigs & Barbed Wire
• September 14th 2006 Stonepit Reservoir Again
• December 14th 2006 Stonepit Reservoir Yet Again
• December 22nd 2006 A Glimpse of Stonepit Reservoir
• January 11th 2007 Reservoir Filling Up
• May 15th 2007 Reservoir Nearly Ready
• July 7th 2007 Waterfall flowing at Stonepit
• August 11th 2007 Stonepit Reservoir Not Quite Ready
• September 17th 2007 Missed the Birdie
• November 2nd 2007 A Licence to Fish
• November 23rd 2007 Another Sign at Stonepit
• February 27th 2008 A Frosty Morning at Stonepit Reservoir
• April 20th 2008 April Morning at Stonepit
• April 27th 2008 Heron at Stonepit
• May 4th 2008 Danger Deep Water
• May 11th 2008 Gone Fishing
• 4th February 2009 Round the Bend

Round the Bend

Yesterday I showed you the bend in Mottram Old Road. Today I take you round the bend. On the right hand side is a wood that overlooks Stonepit Reservoir.


Walk on down the road and in winter when some of the trees are bare you can actually get a glimpse of the reservoir. Compare it with the glimpse I showed you two years ago in December 2006.

Godley Reservoir South

Walk up Barmhouse Lane and you will come to Godley Reservoir, best seen in the distance from Werneth Low.

The footpath leading down past the Southern end of the reservoir comes out near Godley Station.


The reservoir embankment can be glimpsed through the trees behind the fence from the station platform.

Danger at Godley Reservoir

When I posted a photograph of the sluice gates at Godley Reservoir, someone asked if I could get a shot of them in action.

I don't think so because they are out of bounds to the public beyond this barbed-wire fence and warning notice.

In any case, there are nicer views to be had on the other side by the Godley Bridleway.

Sluice Gates at Godley Reservoir

These are the sluice gates at Godley Reservoir.

Of the two pylons you can see, I'm not sure which is the one featured here last Monday.

Broad Mills Pond

This pond was constructed in the 19th century to feed the waterwheel that drove the cotton mills at Broadbottom.

Within the Broad Mills Heritage Site, today it is a pleasant respite for ducks.

Sam Redfern Green

Sam Redfern Green is the site of the annual Gee Cross Fete.

In the 1860s it was the Queen Adelaide Reservoir but like others in the area it has long since been drained, covered and grassed over.

Gone Fishing

At last, the post you've all been waiting for (some of you at least).

I am finally able to bring you a photograph of a man fishing at Stonepit Reservoir.

Previous photographs of Stonepit Reservoir.

• July 20th 2006 Stonepit Reservoir
• September 6th 2006 Twigs & Barbed Wire
• September 14th 2006 Stonepit Reservoir Again
• December 14th 2006 Stonepit Reservoir Yet Again
• December 22nd 2006 A Glimpse of Stonepit Reservoir
• January 11th 2007 Reservoir Filling Up
• May 15th 2007 Reservoir Nearly Ready
• July 7th 2007 Waterfall flowing at Stonepit
• August 11th 2007 Stonepit Reservoir Not Quite Ready
• September 17th 2007 Missed the Birdie
• November 2nd 2007 A Licence to Fish
• November 23rd 2007 Another Sign at Stonepit
• February 27th 2008 A Frosty Morning at Stonepit Reservoir
• April 20th 2008 April Morning at Stonepit
• April 27th 2008 Heron at Stonepit
• May 4th 2008 Danger Deep Water

Danger Deep Water

As promised, here is a close-up picture of the notice on the sign at Stonepit Reservoir.

It outlines the rules for anglers

1. Anglers fish at their own risk
2. Juniors under 14 must be accompanied by an adult
3. No keepnets except for organised matches
4. Barbless hooks only
5. Fishing only permitted from platforms
6. No bank sticks or rod rests to be used except in designated brackets
7. No night fishing
8. One rod only
9. Gate to be kept locked at all times
10. No litter will be tolerated

Previous photographs of Stonepit Reservoir.

• July 20th 2006 Stonepit Reservoir
• September 6th 2006 Twigs & Barbed Wire
• September 14th 2006 Stonepit Reservoir Again
• December 14th 2006 Stonepit Reservoir Yet Again
• December 22nd 2006 A Glimpse of Stonepit Reservoir
• January 11th 2007 Reservoir Filling Up
• May 15th 2007 Reservoir Nearly Ready
• July 7th 2007 Waterfall flowing at Stonepit
• August 11th 2007 Stonepit Reservoir Not Quite Ready
• September 17th 2007 Missed the Birdie
• November 2nd 2007 A Licence to Fish
• November 23rd 2007 Another Sign at Stonepit
• February 27th 2008 A Frosty Morning at Stonepit Reservoir
• April 20th 2008 April Morning at Stonepit
• April 27th 2008 Heron at Stonepit

Heron at Stonepit

As I promised here is a close-up of the heron I spotted at Stonepit recently.

Previous photographs of Stonepit Reservoir.

• July 20th 2006 Stonepit Reservoir
• September 6th 2006 Twigs & Barbed Wire
• September 14th 2006 Stonepit Reservoir Again
• December 14th 2006 Stonepit Reservoir Yet Again
• December 22nd 2006 A Glimpse of Stonepit Reservoir
• January 11th 2007 Reservoir Filling Up
• May 15th 2007 Reservoir Nearly Ready
• July 7th 2007 Waterfall flowing at Stonepit
• August 11th 2007 Stonepit Reservoir Not Quite Ready
• September 17th 2007 Missed the Birdie
• November 2nd 2007 A Licence to Fish
• November 23rd 2007 Another Sign at Stonepit
• February 27th 2008 A Frosty Morning at Stonepit Reservoir
• April 20th 2008 April Morning at Stonepit

An April Morning at Stonepit

Stonepit Reservoir has been open for fishing again some weeks now. A few mornings ago I noticed that the Weak Bridge Sign had been covered up by another notice.

Regular readers will recall that last September I had missed taking a picture of a bird I'd seen.

Well I've got the birdie this time, except that I had no idea it was there until I downloaded the picture on to the computer. I shall show you closer pictures of both the bird and the sign at a later date.

Previous photographs of Stonepit Reservoir.

• Jul 20th 2006 Stonepit Reservoir
• Sep 6th 2006 Twigs & Barbed Wire
• Sep 14th 2006 Stonepit Reservoir Again
• Dec 14th 2006 Stonepit Reservoir Yet Again
• Dec 22nd 2006 A Glimpse of Stonepit Reservoir
• Jan 11th 2007 Reservoir Filling Up
• May 15th 2007 Reservoir Nearly Ready
• July 7th 2007 Waterfall flowing at Stonepit
• August 11th 2007 Stonepit Reservoir Not Quite Ready
• September 17th 2007 Missed the Birdie
• November 2nd 2007 A Licence to Fish
• November 23rd 2007 Another Sign at Stonepit
• February 27th 2008 A Frosty Morning at Stonepit Reservoir

Godley Reservoir from the Low

I'm presently on holiday so while I'm away Per Stromsjo from Stockholm is kindly posting a series of photographs taken from the top of Werneth Low.

Here we are looking across over Godley Reservoir. It seems to have been expanded somewhat in the last year or so.

ABC Wednesday:Frosty Morning at Stonepit Reservoir

A frosty morning at Stonepit reservoir, which is still not yet open for fishing.

Previous photographs of Stonepit Reservoir.

• Jul 20th 2006 Stonepit Reservoir
• Sep 6th 2006 Twigs & Barbed Wire
• Sep 14th 2006 Stonepit Reservoir Again
• Dec 14th 2006 Stonepit Reservoir Yet Again
• Dec 22nd 2006 A Glimpse of Stonepit Reservoir
• Jan 11th 2007 Reservoir Filling Up
• May 15th 2007 Reservoir Nearly Ready
• July 7th 2007 Waterfall flowing at Stonepit
• August 11th 2007 Stonepit Reservoir Not Quite Ready
• September 17th 2007 Missed the Birdie
• November 2nd 2007 A Licence to Fish
• November 23rd 2007 Another Sign at Stonepit

More ABC Wednesday F posts can be found at Mrs. Nesbitt's Place.

At the end of the Wall

Here is the end of the wall I posted a close-up of last week.

OCC correctly guessed it was near Stonepit Reservoir. In fact it is the wall opposite the speed camera on Stockport Road. At the top of this picture you can see the back of the old OSTPITAL sign and down on the ground is another of those painted footprints marking a school walking route.

Another sign at Stonepit

Beyond the new gates at Stonepit reservoir is a recently-erected sign, warning of a weak bridge. You can see the bridge on this picture from July. I suppose it is an essential warning but it does seem to spoil the view. Then again, the reservoir is there for the benefit of the anglers when it re-opens, not for mere sightseers.

Previous pictures in this series:

• Jul 20th 2006 Stonepit Reservoir
• Sep 6th 2006 Twigs & Barbed Wire
• Sep 14th 2006 Stonepit Reservoir Again
• Dec 14th 2006 Stonepit Reservoir Yet Again
• Dec 22nd 2006 A Glimpse of Stonepit Reservoir
• Jan 11th 2007 Reservoir Filling Up
• May 15th 2007 Reservoir Nearly Ready
• July 7th 2007 Waterfall flowing at Stonepit
• August 11th 2007 Stonepit Reservoir Not Quite Ready
• September 17th 2007 Missed the Birdie
• November 2nd 2007 A Licence to Fish

A Licence to Fish

New steel gates have been erected at the entrance to Stonepit Reservoir, together with this stern warning notice.

Previously in this series:

• Jul 20th 2006 Stonepit Reservoir
• Sep 6th 2006 Twigs & Barbed Wire
• Sep 14th 2006 Stonepit Reservoir Again
• Dec 14th 2006 Stonepit Reservoir Yet Again
• Dec 22nd 2006 A Glimpse of Stonepit Reservoir
• Jan 11th 2007 Reservoir Filling Up
• May 15th 2007 Reservoir Nearly Ready
• July 7th 2007 Waterfall flowing at Stonepit
• August 11th 2007 Stonepit Reservoir Not Quite Ready
• September 17th 2007 Missed the Birdie

Missed the Birdie

As I was passing Stonepit Reservoir recently I saw what I think was a heron by the first fishing station.

I fished my "point-and-shoot" out of my pocket but just as I stuck the lens through the bars I dropped my stick and the bird flew off.

Even so, you can see the piece of wattle-fencing and a new strip of grass in this picture.

Previous photographs in this series:

• Jul 20th 2006 Stonepit Reservoir
• Sep 6th 2006 Twigs & Barbed Wire
• Sep 14th 2006 Stonepit Reservoir Again
• Dec 14th 2006 Stonepit Reservoir Yet Again
• Dec 22nd 2006 A Glimpse of Stonepit Reservoir
• Jan 11th 2007 Reservoir Filling Up
• May 15th 2007 Reservoir Nearly Ready
• July 7th 2007 Waterfall flowing at Stonepit
• August 11th 2007 Stonepit Reservoir Not Quite Ready