Gee Cross
| Gee Cross | |
|---|---|
 A view of Gee Cross from Werneth Low | |
  Gee Cross Gee Cross shown within Greater Manchester | |
| Population | 31,000 |
| OS grid reference | SJ9593 |
| Metropolitan borough | |
| Metropolitan county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | HYDE |
| Postcode district | SK14 |
| Dialling code | 0161 |
| Police | Greater Manchester |
| Fire | Greater Manchester |
| Ambulance | North West |
| EU Parliament | North West England |
| UK Parliament | |
Gee Cross is a suburb and village within Tameside Metropolitan Borough, in Greater Manchester, England. It lies within the town of Hyde and borders Woodley in the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport and Godley, also in Tameside metropolitan borough. The centre of the village dates back to the times of the Domesday Book, however the large nearby town of Hyde grew up in the Industrial Revolution, and now Gee Cross merges into the southern part of Hyde.
Historically a part of Cheshire, Gee Cross does not have statutory boundaries, as it does not have civil parish status. Tradition would dictate that the northern boundary is at the corner of Lilly Street and Stockport Road, at a location known as the "big tree". The big tree commemorates those that lost their lives in the Falklands conflict of 1982.
Gee Cross is home to a, recently evolved, Well Dressing festival, which is an ancient custom in the Pennines. There is also another recent addition, an annual village fete, a major fund raising event for local charities which is held on the site of a former reservoir which is now classified as the village green.
Features
The centre of the village hosts a small commercial district which has grown in recent years to include an Estate Agents, new Hairdressing Salons, a Pharmacy, Florists, new Cafe and a Wine Bar, alongside the longstanding businesses such as Barbers and Hairdressers, Takeaways including a traditional Fish and Chip shop, Bistro, Laundrette, Bakers, several Beauty Salons, a tattooist, and a few office based businesses. In addition to this at the bottom of Stockport Rd is a large car dealership. The local Post Office was formerly located on the corner of School Lane and Stockport Rd, but was closed in the phasing out of smaller branches. It has now become a private house.
The village is a popular social venue, featuring numerous pubs alongside newer restaurants and bars. These include The Buxton, The Queen Adelaide, The Werneth, The Cheshire Cheese, and the Grapes Hotel. The former Lamb Inn has been converted to a day nursery. Another addition to the already thriving Gee Cross pub scene is the Joshua Bradley. Named after the former Mayor of Hyde and situated on the borders of the village, this 19th-century former private hall (Bamford Hall in its previous incarnation) has been subject to a £3 million transformation by Hydes brewery.
The two primary schools are Dowson Primary and Gee Cross Holy Trinity (CofE). Just outside Gee Cross is Alder Community High School, which is a new high school built in 2004. It is a computing and maths specialist school which teaches over 800 11-16 year olds.
There are Anglican, Methodist, and Unitarian Churches. The Unitarian Church in the centre of the village is known as Hyde Chapel. The Anglican Church is called Holy Trinity Gee cross.
Gee Cross is built on the side of a hill called Werneth Low.
Werneth Low is mostly a protected country park, that was first created as a war memorial by the people of Hyde. It has a visitors centre and ranger service.
On a clear day, there are views as far as Bolton, Wigan and, on a very clear day, the Welsh mountains. Sightseers can view Manchester city centre, including the tallest tower in the UK outside London - Beetham Tower. The Hare and Hounds pub sits on the top of Werneth Low, as does Hyde Cricket and Squash club, and Werneth Low Golf Club.
Notable people
- Tom Cassell ("Syndicate"), Famous YouTube Gamer
- Tommy Chow, Olympic Cycling Medallist
- Tony Husband (Cartoonist)
- Brian Day (Musician), Founder member of the Syd Lawrence Orchestra. Also worked with Neil Sedaka, 10cc and Barclay James Harvest.
- Ricky Hatton famous boxer born in Hattersley but now lives in Gee Cross
- Benjamin Rowbotham (Left back, Defender. Hyde United Footballer)
- Warren Bradley - Manchester United Footballer
- Nigel Howard (First class cricketer) was born in Gee Cross, Hyde, and played test cricket for England. He played first class cricket for Lancashire between 1946 and 1954, he played his four tests between 1951 and 1952. He became Lancashire's youngest ever captain in 1949 and in 1950 he led Lancashire to a shared Championship title.[1]
- Jack Griffiths - Manchester United Footballer, worked as a physiotherapist, located at Richmond House, Stockport Road. Initially opened in the early 50s, he worked there before retiring in 1980 he was joined by his son, Keith Griffiths, who has been the Principal physiotherapist ever since.
- Mick Coleman (composer and songwriter) of Brian & Michael The Matchstalk Men
- Daniel Benson four time national aba junior champion
- John Bramwell an English singer-songwriter, frontman for the three-piece alternative rock band I Am Kloot.
References
- ↑ Wisden Cricket Monthly. "Nigel Howard player profile". Cricinfo.com. Retrieved 2007-08-28.