Shadow Shot Sunday: I Love Hyde

Following last week's official opening the Hyde Civic Square the sun was out yesterday.

The baked potato stall and Madge's ice-cream van were already there as a team from I Love Hyde were setting up stalls for a community event here and on the nearby Croft Millennium Green.

An hour later and the place was packed as you can see in the photographs on Hyde DP Xtra.

A contribution to Shadow Shot Sunday.

The Grand Pianist

What I absolutely love about Toruń...is that there is always something happening in town. Last night this pianist was out in force with a grand piano serenading onlookers...all under the watchful eye of Copernicus and the Town Hall.

Plugging the Strip Club

A few months ago a strip club opened up in Toruń's Old Town. Now you get these girls in pink skirts with pink umbrellas marching up and down Ul. Szeroka trying to entice guys to spend some money in their club.

The carousel keeps on turning

As I posted last Sunday the roundabout was stopped for a time as the new flags had raised the ground and prevented it turning.

But all is now well. As the sign says "This roundabout was manufactured by Halsteads of Sowerby Bridge in 1897", and you don't stop the old girl for very long. The fare today is 50p. 100 years ago it was probably a ha'penny.

Behind the carousel work on fitting new stalls continues as can be seen on Hyde DP Xtra.

A contribution to signs, signs.

Shadows across the market ground

Sun on the last Saturday of June meant many shadows fell across the market ground where the new stalls were being erected.

One slight problem; the stone flags around the children's roundabout had raised the ground so much that it couldn't operate.

However, I am pleased to report the problem has since been solved and the carousel is turning again.

A contribution to Shadow Shot Sunday.

Cooke's Traditional Roundabout

"Have a long and safe ride on Cooke's traditional roundabout" it reads on the bottom.

Behind it is parked a yellow JCB being used in the renewal of Hyde Market.

In the background are the stalls on the southern half of the market ground.

The renewal is being done in two phases so there will always be half the market still trading.

The carousel is over 100 years old and has been on Hyde Market for most of that time.

It is going nowhere except round and round.

A contribution to Mellow Yellow Monday.

Jubilee Stiltwalker

As part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations in Clarendon Mall on Saturday, this wonderfully skilled stiltwalker was parading around the shopping centre.

We've seen her before but I'm not sure whether she was Frosty or Sparkle then.

My son Craig posed for a photograph with the lady which you can see on Hyde DP Xtra.

A contribution to Ruby Tuesday.

Shadow Shot Sunday: A Civil War Cannon

Last weekend Colonel Edward Montagu's Regiment of Foote were performing at Newton Hall. It was part of the Open Days organised by Tameside History Forum who in conjunction with Salford University had undertaken an archaeological dig at the site.

They brought with them a cannon which they fired on several occasions.

You can see more photographs of the regiment on Hyde DP Xtra.

I'll be posting photographs and information on the dig at a later date.

This post is a contribution to Shadow Shot Sunday.

The children's carousel and a JCB

The "roundabout" on Hyde Market has been there around a hundred years and it is going nowhere.

The market is undergoing a revamp this year in two phases so that one half will still be operating whist the half is being worked on.

This was the scene last Tuesday afternoon with a JCB parked near the carousel.

Visit Hyde DP Xtra for a view in the opposite direction and a photograph from last Saturday morning when the market was closed for once.

A contribution to

Shadows across Hyde Market

Mature trees cast their shadows across the cleared Northern half of Hyde Market last Sunday afternoon in a never to be repeated view.

The original renovation plans included removal of all the trees but after protests at least some of the more mature trees are to be retained.

On the left can be seen the greengrocer's "Strawberry Gardens" with solicitor's offices above. To the right is the White Lion public house, William Hill's betting shop (bookies) and the Santander (former Abbey) Bank. Far right is the children's carousel (roundabout) in front of the Clarendon shopping centre.

Compare with the scene in the opposite direction in heavy rain the previous day as shown on Hyde DP Xtra.

Since Sunday this part of the market has been cordoned off as renewal work gets under way. The small trees in front of the White Lion have already gone.

Yesterday shadows of different kind were cast over Hyde Market but of these I do not wish comment here.

This is a contribution to Shadow Shot Sunday.

ABC Wednesday: E is for Empty Half of the Market Ground

Following the preparation work on Saturday, removing the remnants of the old market stalls, the Northern half of the market ground has now been cleared as part of the first phase of the planned renovation.

Across the empty ground is a clear view of Clarendon Street leading down to the Bus Station. On the left can be seen the greengrocer's "Strawberry Gardens" with solicitor's offices above. To the right is the White Lion public house, William Hill's betting shop (bookies) and the Santander (former Abbey) Bank. In the background is the "Job Centre" and far right is the children's carousel (roundabout).

So whilst the market ground may be temporarily empty it reveals a full scene.

See the view in the opposite direction on Hyde DP Xtra.

For more E posts visit ABC Wednesday.

ABC Wednesday: C is for Cordwell's Café

Cordwell's on Market Place is an amusement arcade cum café. There is another amusement arcade belonging to Cordwell's in nearby Clarendon Street but this one includes a café. At one time it was very smokey but after smoking inside was banned it was revamped and includes a toilet with disabled access. It seems though that the premises have been sold and the café is soon to close and be replaced by yet another bookies. To the left is £-stretchers in what used to be Woolworth's and is still referred to as "Woollies". To the right is the Albion public house.

Cordwell's Amusement Arcade on Clarendon Street can be seen on Hyde DP Xtra.

For more C posts visit ABC Wednesday

Carousel in the Rain

On the last Friday before Christmas, a butcher's van is set up between the carousel and the White Lion. The carousel has operated on Hyde Market for over 100 years and will be retained when the market is extensively renovated in 2012.

More about the renovations on Hyde DP Xtra.

Astoria Bingo Building

It was originally a cinema called La Scala; rumour has it they used to turn the heating up towards the interval in the hope that people would buy more ice cream. It was also used as a dance hall.

Comments made when I posted a photo of the Astoria Bingo Hall in 2007 include

"astoria bingo is ok its free every monday afternoon and evening, and its half price on tuesday. the money is not up to scratch like the big bingo halls,but its ok for the dear old ladies and the food is great too and it doesnt cost an arm and a leg."

"it may be small but all it needs is a lot more people to get the prices up.the staff and the people that go to astoria bingo are great to get on with you make new friends.and the atmosphere is nice too."

Obviously it was well loved by its clientelle but not very profitable and it was closed down in 2010. The cladding on the wall is coming off and the disused building is clearly deteriorating.

This is a crop of a wider view which you can see on Geograph.

ABC Wednesday: V is for Voting

The time has come to vote for the best of Hyde DP 2011.

View the twelve contenders at Best of Hyde 2011 and vote for your favourite three photographs.

Voting closes 12 noon GMT, Friday 30th December 2011.

For more V posts visit ABC Wednesday.

Bev Moss in Action

Bev Moss is the pantomime dame in the production of Dick Whittington that is touring Tameside this year. I caught the actor in action at the switching on of the Christmas lights outside Hyde Town Hall a few weeks ago.

I expected being "out of action" today as I was due to go in hospital at 8am to have my gall bladder out but owing to the Industrial Action yesterday my operation has been put back to December 15th.

"Action" is the CDPB theme today. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

The Quintessential Quiz

On Saturday night, our school organised that quintessential of British traditions...the pub quiz. We had a very successful evening with a pub full of Polish students and native English teachers...with each teacher presenting a round of questions. My round was all about Toruń!

2011 Fete on Sam Redfern Green

Sam Redfern Green in Gee Cross is the venue for the annual village fete.

More of my photos from this year's event can be found on Gee Cross Fete 2011.

"Green" is the CDPB theme for today. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants to the theme.

Gee Cross Fete 2011

Gee Cross Fete took place on Sunday. The weather was on the cool side with a bit of wind but a warm sun kept peeping out and the rain never materialised.

I was too late it seems to get a photograph of the new mayor with a snake wrapped around her neck but I had a good wander round and took a lot of pictures. I've made a selection of the best 18 which you can view at Gee Cross Fete 2011.

Street Dancin'!

The weather is currently scorching here in Toruń and these streetwise lads were out in force today to keep the townsfolk entertained. Breakdancing, acrobats and loads of twists and turns. They certainly knew how to keep us amused!

In Poland street performers, leaflet canvassing, etc don't need a licence from the local council. So you can literally just turn up on the street and try to entertain the crowds!