A TOWN hall clock that remains frozen in time because of a £12,000 cost, despite millions of pounds of Government money heading into Tameside, has sparked a quarrel.
The building has not seen repairs, even though the office of the town’s MP, Jonathan Reynolds, lies directly beneath the affected element.
However, Tameside Council has informed those hoping for a repair they will not pay the £12,000 asking price for the required part.
That has led to a plea from local councillor Phil Chadwick for a handout, which is paltry compared to the funds heading to nearby Ashton-under-Lyne.
However, those believing Hyde is falling victim to an Ashton-centric authority have been told they are wrong.
Cllr Chadwick told the meeting of Tameside Council on Tuesday, October 3: “At the very heart of the Hyde masterplan is Hyde Town Hall and maximising its uses.
“While I welcome the £40 million that has come from the Government into the borough, it’s seemingly always blooming Ashton that receives redevelopment investment to the detriment of other towns.
“Seen as Ashton is receiving £40 million of government funding, can Hyde kindly be given £12,000 to fix the town hall clock?”
Cllr Chadwick’s complaint was countered by leader of Tameside Council, Cllr Ged Cooney, who admits he gets the same himself.
And he admitted he would like to see the clock ticking, sooner rather than later.
He said: “I’m aware of the clock because Cllr Betty Affleck and others have mentioned it constantly.
“I get it as it’s a monument. We’re looking at it and hopefully when we do in future it will tell the proper time.
“In my own area, Droylsden, they kick off all the time and rightly so. I would. I see, ‘There’s £20 million going to Ashton again.’
“People say, ‘You’re a Droylsden councillor, what’s going there?’ But this money is being directed to us with an instruction.
“I wish £20 million did go to Hyde. I’d like I to go to Hyde, Denton, Droylsden, Audenshaw, Denton and Longdendale, we all would.”
Giving the pigeons of Ashton somewhere to roost under the 10 million Pound roof is more important that keeping Hyde clock ticking.
The argument next we’ve all got smart phones to tell the time with.
Joshua Bradley as a 7 year old living on Pudding Lane Hattersley, began saving his farthings to be able to [many years later] pay for the townsfolk of Hyde to get to work on time. His legacy of hard work & of aspiring to be ‘the best you can possibly be’ is as relevant today as it were when JB was ‘nobbut a wee lad in clogs’. Hyde Town Hall is a unique landmark in our town. JB battled with all sorts of challenges to install/fund the clock that adorns its lofty tower.
Do we hold dear his priceless principles today.. or NOT.?
If we do then can our community raise the money for the repair as proof that, even today, we also share the vision & enterprise of a remarkable young lad who lent his name to the Joshua Bradley Pub/Restaurant in Gee Cross. Would the owners & patrons of the Gee Cross hostelry like to help save the towns clock? Who agrees?
Maureen Roscoe
I do nt live in Hyde now but if someone cd organize an appeal/crowdfund & get the story of JB featured on our local tv news the money could be raised. It’s a great story –
Poor. family, mum a widow & like many in 19thC not having a clock – also he was a very young Child walking to Newton every day in all weathers, working long hours 6 days a week for a pittance – afraid of being late for work. He was always early for fear of being locked out & losing some of his very meagre earnings. His story needs revivong . I used to tell his story to my primary school children at Pinfold School & we even went to the TH to see the clock & the commemorative plate on it. Plus when the Nayor heard we were there he invited all the children to the Mayors Parlour for refreshments & donned his robes for themAt one time we’d all hav been reading this story in the local paper but now there are too many “platforms “ . Come on Hydonians / get together!