Saddleworth News

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Reporting Team

Ruby Anstee - Editor
Stuart Littleford - Reporter
Allan Roach - Reporter
George Wilson - Reporter and IT
Judith Grinter - Reporter

Past Articles

Springhead Schools amalgamation proposals rejected

Oldham Council has been notified that proposals to amalgamate an infant and junior school in Springhead have been rejected.

The proposed merger of Springhead Infant and Nursery School and Knowsley Junior School was the subject of a public consultation process with interested parties from schools and the local community, which launched in July 2013.

The findings were then sent to the Government’s Schools Adjudicator who has now notified the local authority of a decision to reject the plans.

Positive efforts […]

Councillor Jim McMahon wins ‘Leader of the Year’ award

Winner - Council Leader Jim McMahon

Councillor Jim McMahon, Leader of Oldham Council, has been honoured nationally for his outstanding leadership at the C’llr Achievement Awards.

Councillor McMahon was announced the winner of the ‘Leader of the Year’ title last night at a local government gathering in London – which celebrated some of the best work done by councillors across the country.

Hosted by the Local Government Information Unit (LGiU), the annual event championed the strong leadership and direction […]

Saddleworth School update from Brian Lord

Chair of Governors at Saddleworth School - Brian Lord

Chair of Governors at Saddleworth School, Brian Lord, has written to Saddleworth News to give an update on the school situation.

He said: “I would like to outline where the situation regarding the new school is at.

“It is expected that in the next few days OMBC will sign a section 151 and section 77 agreement with the EFA. This means that they will underwrite any costs incurred […]

Land grab: Councillor John McCann slams Oldham Council’s proposals to reallocate dozens of sites in Saddleworth for development

Cllr John McCann

Local Liberal Democrat Councillor John McCann has told Saddleworth News he is advising local residents that if the innocuous sounding Site Allocation Report is agreed by Oldham Council next month, land use zoning for these sites will be re-designated. When planning applications follow in years to come, the battle to stop these developments will already be lost.

Councillor John McCann says some of the most horrendous proposals include:

1. Building houses on Shaw Street […]

Spiritualist church offering private readings in March

Saddleworth Spiritualist Church

Saddleworth Spirtualist Church are holding private readings at the church on Sat 15 Mar & Sun 16 Mar 2014 after popular demand.

For just £15 you’ll get a private one to one reading for approx 30mins with a good experienced medium. Advance booking is required.

They say this is great value and recommend you book early to avoid disappointment .

To book or enquire which appointments are still […]

First man from Saddleworth in Space?

Saddleworth man, Carl Pugh, has produced an App for kids interested in space and space travel called the ‘Space App’ and the App is a fun way for kids to learn the basics about space and space travel.

Carl has a room in the Eureka Centre in Halifax for the half term teaching kids the basics about space and space travel in a fun way. They have their Apps on iPads for the children to play on and lots of […]

Saddleworth School: Letter to the editor

Saddleworth School

As a life long Saddleworth man I have taken a keen interest in the current debate on the choice between Diggle and Uppermill for the site of a new Saddleworth School. Our three daughters each received a good education by the present school and I would like the same or better opportunity to be available to future students. Many people seem to think that it has to be Diggle or lose the new school, but […]

Uppermill coffee shop is a true hidden gem

Customers sampling the many varieties of coffee

By Gregory Deane

They often say every town has its hidden gem. A shop or a café which is so under the radar, even local residents can be forgiven for not knowing about its existence. Saddleworth is no different. Hidden away in Uppermill and sharing the same room as a baker is Buckley’s Yard. At first glance it looks like a gimmick, as if an after-thought by someone […]

Save Diggle Action Group interview on Saddleworth School

Saddleworth News interviewed two members of the Save Diggle Action Group (SDAG) last week, who put their views across on the proposed move of Saddleworth School to Diggle.

Mike Buckley and Keith Lucas took part in the interview.

Interview by Gregory Deane, Camera - Danielle Bradshaw and Matthew Jaggar (editor).

Exceptional weather causes mayhem in Saddleworth

An injured wagon driver is treated by rescue workers in high winds

By Stuart Littleford

Winds of up to 100mph brought chaos to Saddleworth yesterday with numerous weather related incidents reported throughout the afternoon and night. The Met Office issued a rare Red Weather Warning covering parts of Wales and the North West.

A HGV driver was taken to hospital after he was injured trying to secure the load on his Wagon on the A62, Standedge road, above Diggle […]

Red Weather Warning issued for later today

The Met Office has issued a Red Weather Warning which it has described as a “hurricane warning” for the North West of England.

Residents are advised to take extra precautions this afternoon and tonight to prevent damage to life and property, the Met Office says there is a serious risk to both and trees could be felled along with power lines.

Wind gust are expected to reach up to 100mph in some areas. There could be snow and blizzards on […]

Saddleworth students build better job prospects

Building better job prospects - Saddleworth School students

Students in Saddleworth have undergone a four-week construction skills programme in order to improve their job prospects and help them understand the demands of working life.

Affordable housing contractor, Wates Living Space, delivered a series of training sessions with Saddleworth School pupils to give them an insight into the industry and show them what employers expect from members of their workforce.

Topics covered throughout the training programme included punctuality, presentation, respect […]

Stories and Rhymes sessions taking place at Delph Library

Oldham Coliseum will be running a number of free half term events including stories and rhymes sessions at Delph Library.

Delph Library

Walter and the No-Need-To-Worry Suit by Rachel Bright aimed at 5-11 year olds but can accommodate younger children.

We all worry but nobody worries quite like Walter. As the seriously competitive Sports and Fun day approaches, Walter’s worries start to roll out of control…Can his brand new No-Need-To-Worry Suit save the day? Performed by the Coliseum Theatre’s […]

Roger gets Oldham Council Civic Appreciation Award

Award - Roger Tanner MBE

Roger Tanner MBE DL has become the latest recipient of Oldham Council Civic Appreciation Award thanks to his contribution to community life over many years.

Mr Tanner received the award at a special ceremony at Oldham Civic Centre last night.

Roger, 92, was born in Greenfield. He was the youngest son of Tanners of Greenfield, a large mill-owning family.

He was educated at a private boarding school in Uppingham, Rutland. On leaving full-time education […]