V is for voting

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.

A contribution to ABC Wednesday.

Ice Adventure in Hyde

On Friday the Christmas lights were switched on with entertainment beforehand and fireworks afterwards. It was pouring down with rain so I stayed at home, but those who braved the storm had a wonderful time by all accounts (barring the minority of always-moaners).

On Saturday an ice-skating rink was provided on the Civic Square by Ice Adventure who are based in Chorley.

Two more photographs of the rink can be seen on Hyde DP Xtra.

A contribution to Blue Monday.

Police in the firing line at Gee Cross Fete

Police Community Support Officers at Gee Cross Fete. It was three wet sponges for a £1. Note the Xs in the registration plate on the police van.

For more photos from Gee X fete visit Gee Cross Fete 2014.

A contribution to ABC Wednesday.

Reflections at Gee Cross Fete

Bunting outside the fete reflected in the windscreen of a car parked on Stockport Road.

For more photos of the 21st anniversary fete see Gee Cross Fete 2014.

A contribution to Weekend Reflections.

Shadows behind the lights of a teapot

As I showed you yesterday the Christmas lights have been switched on.

Beforehand there was entertainment on the Civic Square including some fairground rides. On the left is the children's roundabout that has been a permanent fixture here for a century. On the right is the back of a small "skyrider" ride. In the middle is a "teapot-carousel" with the children riding in huge teacups.

It was hard to photograph as attached to the "teapot" were some strong lights that created artefacts. They did however also produce some excellent shadows.

A contribution to Shadow Shot Sunday.

Jump and Smile

There was a bouncy castle on Hyde Civic Square last Saturday. The weather was more like November than May and unlike the market stalls it had no customers.

See another view of it from the side on Hyde DP Xtra.

A contribution to Monday Mellow Yellows and Blue Monday.

Bouncy Castle in Hyde Civic Square

This bouncy castle was set up in the Civic Square a couple of weeks ago. It hadn't started taking customers first thing but it was quite busy later - you can see it in the background of my recent post about Stockport Steel. If I recall correctly they were charging £1.50 for a 5 minute session.

A contribution to Mellow Yellow Monday.

Weekend Reflections: Stockport Steel

The Pantonic All Stars Steel Orchestra performing on Hyde Civic Square.

Based in Stockport and founded in November 1985, they play regular gigs and collect for their charity, The Royal Manchester Children's Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Trust. Visit their website for more information.

There are two more photographs on Hyde DP Xtra.

A contribution to Weekend Reflections.

Weekend Reflections in the White Lion Window

Reflected in the etched window of the White Lion are one side of the Clarendon Square shopping centre and the century-old children's carousel.

For Weekend Reflections.

ABC Wednesday: L is for Lion on the Loose

There was a lion on the loose in the inside market the other week.

I caught it on my phone and haven't seen it since.

A contribution to ABC Wednesday.

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 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