Hyde War Memorial Trust

29/06/2026

Gee Cross Well Dressing 🌷

We were delighted to be invited to this community event where the displays were outstanding, as ever. Denton Brass Band did a masterful job - especially when playing and marching….up Joel Lane 🙌🏻

We attended a lovely service at Hyde Chapel where we were entertained by the Gee Cross Brownies and their brilliant organ player. Our busy afternoon was rounded of with a scrumptious cream tea courtesy of Ge Cross WI 😋

We’re thankful for the Gee Cross folk that make sure this event keeps running. It’s always special when we come together as a community 👏🏻👏🏻

26/06/2026

Peace Day 2026

A small group gathered at the Cenotaph for a time of reflection and to lay a wreath to commemorate the signing of the Versailles Treaty. The sun shone, the skylarks sang and we read much missed Tony Husband’s poem, Our Joe, which was perfect and particularly poignant.

19/06/2026

Why do we observe Peace Day?

Our founders wanted a lasting obligation to commemorate the signing of the Versailles Treaty which ended WWI. It’s written into our founding documents that we must lay a wreath at the Cenotaph on 25 June every year.

It's difficult knowing peace was not lasting and the details of the Treaty led to more death and destruction. So we respect those who had the foresight to establish our special place of remembrance and are proud to honour this commitment.

This year we'll hold a simple service with readings and reflections on peace. We leave the Higham Lane car park around 10.30/10.45am for a leisurely stroll up to the Cenotaph.

We’ll open the Visitor Centre afterwards for refreshments.

All are welcome.

29/05/2026

Brian Wigley
13.10.1934 - 15.5.2026

We were very sorry to hear about Brian's passing.

Brian was a dedicated supporter of the Trust, serving for many many years as a trustee. He was standard bearer on many occasions at Remembrance Day and Peace Day services up at the Cenotaph, in all weathers.

He spent decades as a Greenspace volunteer in Werneth Low Country Park and green spaces across Tameside.

We are grateful to have known Brian and to have benefitted from his loyal and selfless service to others.

Rest in peace Brian.

05/04/2026

Easter Sunday

For decades people have gathered at the Cenotaph early on Easter Sunday for a simple celebration. This year was no different.

24/02/2026

A glimpse of rare February sun peeping out from behind the Cenotaph, beautifully captured by Roger Almond.

02/02/2026

HIROSHIMA SEEDS

We were honoured to be approved to receive seeds propagated from trees in Hiroshima which survived the atomic bomb in 1945. It’s an incredible story and we think these trees will find a welcome home in Werneth Low Country Park.

It’s a massive responsibility and we are pleased (and relieved) that new friends, Richard and David, at the Hyde Park Allotment Association will be our expert partners for this important task. The seeds will be germinated and then planted out in a suitable spot.

We’ll keep you posted as this progresses.

12/01/2026

IMPORTANT UPDATE

Representatives of Hyde War Memorial Trust have received confirmation from Tameside Council today that the proposal for solar energy panels in Werneth Low Country Park in the 'Homes, Spaces, Places - Shaping Tameside for Tomorrow' will NOT proceed.

We are delighted at this outcome and grateful to trustees, Councillors, friends and neighbours who spoke up against this proposal.

We remain totally committed to the maintenance of Werneth Low Country Park as open space for all, forever.

Follow us through this page to keep up to date with all developments relating to the Trust.

09/01/2026

Trustees held an urgent meeting with representatives from TMBC today.

We expressed our concern about the planning proposal in the strongest way.

We explained the uniqueness of our Country Park and its unsuitability as the base for a renewable energy site.

We received strong assurances our reservations were understood and would be taken account of.

We will continue to make the strongest representations in order to preserve our special place.

We will post regular updates as this progresses.

08/01/2026

The Council yesterday published an interactive map showing areas across Tameside with potential for renewable energy development.

The map includes some Hyde War Memorial Trust land which forms part of Werneth Low Country Park.

The Trust had NO prior knowledge of these proposals and there is no explanation as to why this unique place was included.

It’s worth remembering how and why the Country Park was created and why the Trust exists.

After the First World War the people of Hyde raised over £14,000 to create a meaningful commemoration for the massive sacrifice made by the men of Hyde.

From this fund £2,000 was allocated to erect a Cenotaph, £3,750 to fund education for the children of lost soldiers,
£3,500 towards a Maternity Home, £4,000 to purchase Lower Higham Farm and land - to be used for public recreation.

We will prepare our response and share it here.

Homes, Spaces, Places