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The winter weather didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits at the Christmas Shopping Festival in Hyde last Saturday, (8^th December 2018) However, as a result of the damp, somewhat chilly, windy conditions, participation was not as strong as envisaged, and organizers were forced to cancel certain aspects and re-plan the intended entertainment programme.

Nevertheless, the volunteer organizers’ which comprised Hyde Town Team, the management from The Clarendon Shopping Centre and officers representing Tameside Markets, who worked together to host this event, were determined the event was going on ‘rain or shine’ because rescheduling it would conflict with too many other Christmas events scheduled throughout the borough.

On the day, shoppers still experienced traditional Christmas stalls selling locally made crafts, handmade gifts, local produce and delicious seasonal food! There were also beers and mulled wine and a programme of live entertainment, fitness displays, dancing and children’s activities for the little ones!

Despite the weather, visitors and shoppers were entertained by choirs, soloists and dancers, who braved the wet conditions to sing and play to a crowd of 100+ who were out looking for bargains in Hyde’s indoor/outdoor market and the variety of High Street names and retail outlets housed within The Clarendon Shopping Centre.

Unfortunately, as the rain persisted, organizers were forced to cancel the last few performances.

The worshipful the Civic Mayor of Tameside, Cllr Denise Ward and local MP Jonathan Reynolds were on hand to open the proceedings and visited many of the stalls, met the entertainers and sampled the ‘prosseco’ before visiting Father Christmas in the indoor market’s themed Grotto.

Blood Bikes Manchester and Specsavers staff; assisted by Hyde United’s ROARY the TIGER were on hand pointing out the visibility problems that can be encountered whilst winter driving and the Hyde Town Team ran their popular Tombola as well as a Grand Raffle with great prizes, there was also a ‘Guess the Price’ competition, where one lucky winner collected a child’s electric ride-in car.

RAIN did nothing to stop the proud members of The Tame Valley Vintage and Classic Car Club from supporting Hyde’s Town Team biannual Classic Car event on Saturday.

After hours of continuous rain, the Vintage & Classic Car Show; held on the town’s Civic Square was awash with water, which quite understandably had a dramatic affect on the expected visitor numbers that the popular show, normally attracts.

However, the show still managed to stick to its tradition of bringing some of the very best Classic Vehicles into the heart of the town.

Roger Bamford, speaking on behalf of the Town Team said: “Even though it is raining, nearly everyone has managed to get here and our sincere thanks go out to all the owners and club members for their continued support. It is always a really good show –featuring some lovingly restored and cherished vehicles.”

“Nonetheless, with the weather putting the brakes on the number of expected vehicle entries, there was still plenty of ‘indoor’ shopping and market stall bargains to be had.”

The show was judged by jointly by Jonathan Reynolds MP and the Deputy Mayor Cllr Leigh Drennan who despite his 6’4” stature, managed to squeeze himself into a vintage Alvis in order to experience what driving a car of yesteryear would have been like!

Councillor Drennan; who represents the Ashton Hurst ward, said, “It’s brilliant to see the range of Vintage and Classic cars that are on display, considering the poor weather. In presenting these commemorative trophies to the proud owners, I must say a big ‘thank you’ to everyone who has organised and those people that regularly support these town events. They too deserve our recognition for their amazing voluntary work within Hyde.

Jonathan Reynolds added, “I too want to particularly congratulate the Hyde Town Team volunteers; they all show the huge difference voluntary work makes in Hyde! Our borough, neighbourhoods and local communities are truly enriched and strengthened by the amazing voluntary work undertaken by so many committed individuals and groups.”

Despite the blustery weather threatening to bring an abrupt end to the glorious summer heatwave, for many visitors and shoppers visiting Hyde on Saturday, activity on the Market Square was quite literarily buzzing!

This was the third, and possibly the largest and best attended annual ‘Blue Light Event’ which raised hundreds of pounds for a number of local charities and organisations.

Organised entirely by the stalwart volunteers who make up Hyde’s Town Team, the highly interactive show brought together many ‘front line’ services and community volunteer groups, and presented an ideal opportunity for the men and women in the emergency services to introduce themselves in a fun-filled relaxed environment to the general public.

On show were officers from: Greater Manchester Police and local PCSO’s, Police Cadets, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, volunteer members from Blood Bikes Manchester, NHS Foundation Trust, Be Well Tameside, Managers from GMFRS Prince’s Trust Team, health & Safety in the working environment training company, MEDISKILLS, POLICE CAR UK– a charitable organisation run by retired police officers, Members of the GMP Mounted Division and the Glossop Mountain Rescue Team.

Officially opening the event was Chief Superintendent Neil Evans; Territorial Commander for Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside, along with The Worshipful the Civic Mayor of Tameside, Councillor Denise Ward.

Phil Nelson, Group Manager for Stockport & Tameside GMFRS was also due to attend the popular event, but unfortunately had to cancel at the last minute due to him having to attend the scene of a domestic fire which had resulted in a tragic fatality.

Chief Superintendent Evans said: “This was a fantastic event offering us a great opportunity to meet members of the public and for them to meet members of their local emergency services and our partner agencies.

It’s given us an opportunity to talk about safety with people from all areas of our local communities including children from the local schools, disabled, the elderly and members from all Hyde’s community groups in a relaxed environment”

Cllr Denise Ward, Tameside’s Mayor, on touring the stands and talking to the volunteers from the Town Team added, “The Blue Light Day in Hyde is a great opportunity for residents to see the important work all the emergency services do in and around the town. I’m really pleased to be joining them today for what is a fantastic and well organised event.

She went on to say that although the show was bursting with a variety of entertainment, it tells and underlines a serious message about how the police, fire, the NHS, ambulance service and the other emergency services work in a genuine and close partnership with volunteer forces to keep our communities, workers, shoppers and visitors safe; and not forgetting those vital charities who are here today that also need our continued support!”

* Hyde Town Team is always looking for volunteers to help out and get involved in a variety of events that promote the town centre.

If you are interested, please contact: Julia Harrison by email: julia@lee-print.co.uk  

Hyde’s town’ market came alive on Saturday when hundreds of shoppers and visitors came out in their droves to visit the Town Teams first ‘Meet the Market’ event.

As shoppers and bargain hunters browsed the traditional familiar retail stalls, they found that many of the booths, stalls and pitches had been occupied for the day by 17 of the towns ‘big name’ retailers, charities and community groups, who’d abandoned their stores and online presence, to come out into the sunshine in order to get ‘up front and personal’ with the changing face of Hyde’s market shoppers and explore the impact they may have on the town and the people who live and work in the area.

In Hyde, the market is geographically at the very heart of the town, and as one has come to expect from northerners and their exchange of light-hearted banter; the towns’ community of traders have always been happy to chat with their customers, making sure everyday products, new lines and friendly customer service remains ‘part and parcel’ of Hyde market life.

However, changing shopping habits have meant that all outdoor markets as well as the ‘traditional’ shops that once graced our high streets, are now having to change; and by holding this mini-exhibition; which attracted a wide range of family shoppers; reminded all those involved of the rich history and colourful stories that once attracted many people from across the borough to flock into Hyde for the market alone.

Speaking on behalf of Hyde’s Town Team, Harvey Beeley, thanked everyone for making this event so successful, and announced, that based on the events favourable outcome, the team had already been approached by at 5 other businesses who would like to be invited to the next event; plus the local PCSO’s, in addition every business who joined in, eager to ‘Meet the Market’ today wants to be included in the next on! Most retailers have reported good sales and renewed interest in what they provide; all have said that they have benefited in some way and the Manager of Hyde’s Iceland store was ecstatic at the result!

Harvey also added his thanks’ to Cllr.Phil Chadwick for supporting the event along with his family, and Cllr.Ruth Welsh, who added her support and expressed her thanks to the volunteers from the Town Team for their consistent efforts to promote Hyde Town Centre. And last but not least, Harvey expressed a special thanks to the children from ‘Miss Bec’s School of Dance’ whose performances throughout the day had the cheering crowds enthralled.

In order to capitalise on this initial success, Hyde Town Team will now begin planning for next year’s ‘Meet the Market’ event with an even bigger and wider ranging retail participation, to ensure it continues into the future, in the hope that the market and town centre soon regains its place as one of the key retail activity centres of the borough.

Hyde Town Centre and indoor/outdoor market may never return to the historically thriving days that it once enjoyed, but if the enthusiasm, energy, positivity and drive created by the Town Team’s group of volunteers, coupled with the towns forward looking retailers is anything to go by, it will certainly get close!

Marking another milestone in building Hyde’s sustainable retail offering, Hyde Town Team are proud to announce the launch of ‘Meet the Market’ – a special one day programme, designed and developed by members of Hyde’s volunteer Town Team to introduce the town’s retailer’s latest products, technologies and services directly to the shopping community.

This new event, which will be staged on 23^rd June 2018 on Hyde’s Market Square, gives all the participating Businesses, Non-profit organizations and Community Groups a unique opportunity to ‘get out there’ and present their products and services to Hyde’s Saturday shoppers from open air, pre-booked Market Stalls and Gazebo’s.

The purpose of the ‘Meet the Market Day’ is to enable shoppers and visitors to connect and directly talk with local Hyde businesses who will be set up to ‘get up close and personal’ with their customers; so that they know exactly what they’re about and exactly who they are buying from.

Visitors to Hyde’s new ‘Meet The Market Day’ event will see Demonstrations and Presentations, be invited to participate in free Tastings, find out more about community groups and enter Competitions, – oh, and there’s a little sprinkling of Live Music and Magical Entertainment to add to the occasion.

MEET THE MARKET‐ 2018

The introduction of this new event is a product of Hyde Town Teams continued collaboration with the town’s retailers, which will see over 20 Businesses and organisations who operate within the Hyde Community, all exhibiting on the day.

These will include: Iceland Frozen Foods, Greenhalghs Craft Bakery, Luxury Linens, Hyde Town Team, Local Community Matters, The Cottage Deli, Harrison Office Supplies, Leading Edge Hair & Beauty, Tameside Action Together, EE Mobile Phones, Once Upon A Bride and Perfect Fit, Helping Hand Charity Shop, Morrison’s, Sandwich Angels, Miss Bec’s School of Dancing, The Way Community Church and Zion Church, Variety Direct, Specsavers, Central Methodist Church, Boots, Aroma Amour Ltd, Job Centre Plus Disability Confident team, and more yet to confirm.

Hyde Town Team Chair, Julia Harrison said, “The generous support of community members, local businesses and organisations helps Hyde; as a small Market Town, to survive in today’s ever changing retail environment and by combining shoppers loyalty with businesses generously sponsoring and supporting these town centre events, show a shared commitment to sustaining an and energising Hyde as a traditional market town.”

“I would like to thank all our participating retailers, the organisations and community groups that have supported us thus far. And without the work of our ‘busy bee’ volunteer, Harvey Beeley from The Helping Hand, this new event, designed to advance economic development, neighborhood vitality, and community building, wouldn’t be taking place.”

So please make a date to visit Hyde Market on 23^rd June 2018 to take part in this new retail event.

What a fun-filled day it was on Hyde Market last Saturday, not only was the sun shining on Town Centre shoppers, they were also treated to a fabulous musical performance and introduced first hand to a dedicated group of volunteers bikers – The Blood Bikes Manchester.

Saturday was a bitter sweet day for the blood bikers from all around the country as they’d said goodbye to Russell Curwen one of their gallant members from Kendal, who sadly lost his life doing something he enjoyed, saving lives and saving the NHS money.

The previous day, riders from Manchester had sent fleet motorcycles and riders had headed up to Kendal to join in with over 200 other Blood Bikers to pay their respects on behalf of every member of the local Manchester group.

However, that did not dampen the members day as they set up their mini-exhibition and charity ‘tombola’ alongside the musicians to take full advantage of the generosity of the delighted shoppers.

While millions of people around the world were watching Prince Harry marry Meghan Markle on Saturday, shoppers in Hyde Town Centre were treated ‘royally’ to a musical event, showcasing the musical talents of students from Hyde’s Community College.

As the music rang out across the market square there developed a fabulous community spirit as people gathered in the sunshine to appreciate the young singers and musicians who enthusiastically put on a ‘market square’ show that covered a wide variety of genres.

The musical event was organised by volunteers from the Hyde Town Team, in conjunction with Teachers and Students from Hyde Community College and Tameside Markets Managers

Deputy Headteacher, Paul Thompson said, “Last year, the response from residents, shoppers and visitors was great, and the atmosphere brilliant, so we wanted to put this on again; …and we were not disappointed!”

Head of Music at the college, Mr Stephen Anthony, said, ““Playing live is one of the things our students have always loved; it’s such a wonderful experience. It’s a time when musicians and singers get to connect with people, and we are grateful to the Hyde Town Team for their invaluable time and effort they put in to make our annual musical event happen.”

Hyde Town Team is a totally independent group of volunteers who are dedicated to creating vibrant, sustainable events that capture the imagination of the visiting public and boost the appeal and encourage more shoppers to visit Hyde’s Town Centre.

Harvey Beeley, a member of the Town Team said, “The team try to provide innovative and exciting trading environments for traders and stimulating events for the visiting public, blending retail opportunities with fun, ‘education’, entertainment and originality. That’s why our next ‘market square’ event will be a ‘Retail Event’ which is scheduled to take place on Saturday the 23^rd June 2018. The event will consist of a number of conventional ‘High Street’ names breaking with tradition by taking their offerings to the shopping public.”