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Saddleworth Remembers
Crowds gathering at the monument (Photo: Stuart Coleman ©2014)
Walkers climbing up to the monument (Photo: Stuart Coleman ©2014)
Pots and Pans Photo:(Stuart Coleman ©2014)
EFA will consider the views of local people when deciding on site for Saddleworth School
Photo: Stuart Coleman©2014
Saddleworth Independent Councillors have welcomed a letter from the Education Funding Agency (EFA) indicating that a decision on the New Saddleworth School location is imminent and the views of local people will be taken into account.
The Councillors have recently written to the EFA asking to present a 3000 signature petition requesting that the new school is located in Uppermill rather than in Diggle. In his reply Peter Lauener, EFA chief executive, confirmed that a panel had been set up within the EFA to decide where the new school is to be built. In his reply Mr Lauener states “The feasibility study is currently in progress and the information for the Uppermill and Diggle sites is being assembled. The panel will very shortly commence its assessment of the options.” He goes on to say that he will pass on the Councillors letter to the panel “so that they are fully aware of your views” and would be “very happy to pass the petition through to the panel”.
Cllr. Mike Buckley said “We are grateful to the EFA for listening to the views of Saddleworth people. Despite previous claims, it is clearly not a done deal that the school will go to Diggle. I believe the EFA are being fair and even handed in looking at the two site options. The letter, once and for all, knocks on the head the often repeated scare story that if the school does not go to Diggle, the EFA will withdraw from the project and the money for a new school will be lost. As a result of Saddleworth Independent’s overtures they are now dispassionately looking as Uppermill as an option.”
Cllr. Mike Buckley, Cllr. Rob Knotts, Cllr. Nikkie Kirkham, Cllr. Lesley Brown and Cllr Lesley Schofield plan to travel next week to the EFA headquarters in Coventry to present the petition.
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Local artist offers life-drawing lessons
Remembrance Events in Saddleworth
Remembrance events will take place at St Chad’s Memorial, Uppermill, on Monday 3 November 2014, commencing at 7.15pm and at the Pots and Pans Memorial on Sunday 9 November 2014 at 10.55am.
Emergency repairs after flooding hits Huddersfield Narrow Canal
Flooded towpath in Linthwaite
By Neil Atkinson
Engineers carried out emergency repairs after a stretch of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal was hit by severe flooding.
Water poured over the towpath and fields after Autumn leaves and other vegetation blocked a weir at Linthwaite. The debris meant that water levels on a stretch of the historic canal near Lowestwood Lane rose rapidly, flooding the paths.
A spokesman for the Canal and River Trust, which manages 2,000 miles of British waterways, said: “We are aware of the problem and are currently taking steps to manage the water through the system. The flooding was caused by vegetation blocking the weir at the side of the lock. The blockage was quickly cleared when the locks were checked this morning and water levels have now subsided and normal operations have resumed. Further inspections will take place throughout the day.”
Falling Autumn leaves are a big problem for the Trust and regular inspections are carried out on canals at this time of year to ease the concerns.
The flooding was seen by Marsden cyclist Keith Hopkinson, who was riding along the towpath this morning. He said: “As I came up through Linthwaite to the stretch near the Titanic Mills I realised the canal had flooded. I tried riding through on the towpath but the water was up to the pedals on the bike and had spread along all the paths surrounding the canal. It was a big surprise as I knew we hadn’t had any heavy rain. It was really pouring over the lock overflow in a torrent”.
http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/emergency-repairs-after-flooding-hits-8004992
Flooded towpath in Linthwaite
Flooded towpath in Linthwaite
New public space and restaurants planned for Oldham town centre
Oldham Town Centre is to get its first new high-quality public space in decades. Oldham Council is today releasing early new artists’ impressions of the plans which it is taking to market alongside a set of restaurant letting opportunities.
The six new restaurant units will be located within the flagship regeneration project to transform the Old Town Hall into an 800-seat, seven screen ODEON cinema. A glass extension to the side of the Grade II-listed building will provide access to the various levels of the cinema and will also become the frontage to the new restaurants. The five ground floor and one first floor restaurant will enjoy external seating areas plus excellent views across this new public space – to be known as Parliament Square.
Jim McMahon, Oldham Council Leader, said: “We’re keen to link the history of Oldham to the future we are working hard to create. We researched old maps and discovered the street running under what was the TJ Hughes store was called Parliament Street. To mark that link with the past the new square will be called Parliament Square and it will be an important part of our plans for Oldham Town Centre.
“We know how important good public spaces are to having a well-linked, vibrant and successful town centre and this location (formerly Clegg Street) is vital because it straddles both our retail shopping heart and our new Independent Quarter. These artists’ impressions are only illustrative at this stage but they signal our ambition and vision here to create a stunning public square. We want this to be a buzzing new environment where folk and families from all walks of life can eat and socialise, enjoy arts and cultural events and attractions like specialist markets. It is something that Oldham has lacked for too long.”
Parliament Street was first shown on a map in 1824 and now lies beneath the former TJ Hughes store. Parliament Square reflects that historical fact and also – in another nod to Oldham’s heritage – that a group of owls is known as a ‘parliament’.
Councillor McMahon said: “Last year we asked the public for their views about what kind of public art should accompany our regeneration plans.” You told us you wanted a better street environment with seating, planters and event spaces – plus public art reflecting our heritage as a borough – and we have listened. We believe this scheme will renew how Oldham Town Centre looks and feels, and provide a fantastic new civic focal point.
“Although these designs are only illustrative at this stage, we promise this will be a high-quality development that continues our clear commitment to using history in building our future.”
Tushingham Moore has been appointed as letting agents on this project.
For more information call Tushingham Moore on 0161 833 1197 or contact Suzanne Hilditch by email to shilditch@tushinghammoore.co.uk or Dan Davies at ddavies@tushinghammoore.co.uk
New medical surgery could be open within days
The new Delph Medical Surgery (Photo: Stuart Coleman©2014)
by Ken Bennett
A brand new medical surgery, which has laid idle for months, could open within days, thanks to intervention of the Oldham Chronicle and the Saddleworth and Lees District Partnership (DP).
Five thousand patients in Delph and surrounding villages were shocked when they discovered the multi-million pound facility could remain closed until next January.
The problems, revealed at the DP meeting, centred round the installation of vital telephone and IT cables by BT. The Chronicle contacted the communications giant who, in response, sent a team to Gartside Street to install a temporary cable ahead of a letter from the DP expressing concerns about the delays.
A BT spokesman speaking on behalf of Openreach, said, “Now we have installled the temporary line for the surgery it is ready to open. We understand from the NHS this may happen as early as next week. We have sorted the road closure with the help of Oldham Council and the work to put in the permanent line has been scheduled for Sunday, November 2.”
Val Sedgwick, the DP’s chair, took expert advice from OMBC whose officials said there were no specific restrictions that applied to the closure of Gartside Street while BT completed their work. In her letter to BT she said the new health centre was completed in July but problems of opening focussed around the lack of cabling. She asked for the situation to be resolved quickly before the weather deteriorated as patients from outlying areas would have to trek to Saddleworth Medical Practice’s in Uppermill. Her letter added, “January is not the best time to dig up a road and lay cables in this part of the country.”
The BT spokesman said, “We would like to thank people in Delph for their patience while these final links are finished and we would like to thank the health partnership and the NHS people who have worked so hard to open this vital service. BT and Openreach will continue to ensure the services at Delph are properly supported in future. The delays are regrettable but we are committed to providing an improved service.”
Oldham council have confirmed that BT will carry out the work on Sunday, November 2.
A spokesman for the The NHS North West Commissioning Support Unit, who manages the delivery of IT and telecommunications on behalf of the practice said, “A short-term solution has now been put in place by BT, and, although we have some further work to do on Thursday and Friday, we are now confident the practice will be in a position to open after this week. However, we are still working with BT to ensure that a fully robust solution is put in place as soon as possible to guarantee resilience at the practice.”
Oldham council confirmed BT will carry out the work on Sunday, November 2.
Removal of the temporary surgery (Photo: Stuart Coleman©2014)
Main entrance (Photo: Stuart Coleman©2014)
Saddleworth’s Independent Councillors say consider the views of 3000 residents
Independent Cllr Nikki Kirkham (Photo: Stuart Coleman©2014)
Saddleworth’s Independent Councillors are petitioning Oldham Council and the Education Funding Agency (EFA) to build the new Saddleworth School in Uppermill
Early in the Summer the EFA announced it would make a decision on the site of the new Saddleworth Secondary School and that an announcement was expected in the Autumn. Saddleworth Independent Councillors Nikki Kirkham, Mike Buckley, Rob Knotts, Lesley Brown and Lesley Schofield have now written to the EFA chief executive requesting that the wishes of local Saddleworth people are fully taken into consideration when making the decision. To underline this message the councillors plan to present the EFA with a petition signed by over 3,000 Saddleworth residents, businesses, and parents requesting that the new school remains in Uppermill.
The location of the new school has been a topic of great concern throughout the district. An apparent ‘done deal’ announced by Oldham Council to build the school in Diggle, was overturned in June following a meeting between Saddleworth Independent Councillors and the EFA. Following the meeting the EFA decided to include the Uppermill site as an option. Since then survey work has been carried out at Uppermill to seriously evaluate the Uppermill option; survey work that has never before taken place.
Cllr Nikki Kirkham said “the EFA have said the school can be built in Uppermill, it just boils down to cost. We are convinced that it will cost a lot less to build in Uppermill as the playing fields and public transport arrangements are already in place. It all hinges on whether Oldham Council will subsidise the EFA costs in Diggle. Oldham Council money should be used to improve the school itself not on the expensive groundwork necessary in Diggle.
“Traffic is an insurmountable problem in Diggle and there is a real concern over pedestrian safety. We have written to the EFA highlighting the concerns of the Saddleworth community. We also have requested that Cllr McMahon, Leader of Oldham Council meets with us to receive the petition and discuss these concerns. To date the people of Saddleworth have never been consulted.”
The Councillors also plan to petition MP, Debbie Abrahams, and School Minister David Laws.
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Stories From Conflicts
Oldham Council is inviting residents to a poignant event at Oldham Library to commemorate the contribution local people have made to the war effort.
The Stories from Conflicts event on Saturday, November 1, is part of the local authority’s Oldham Remembers campaign – and will feature presentations about stories from World War One, World War Two and other conflicts.
Former paratrooper Dan Jarvis MP (Barnsley Central) will talk about WW1 and his own experiences in the armed forces serving in Afghanistan and Kosovo. Oldham Theatre Workshop will also be delivering a special production on the day.
Jim McMahon, Oldham Council Leader and Councillor Cath Ball, Assistant Cabinet Member for World War One Centenary, will speak proudly about “Oldham Remembers”, which is bringing people from across the borough and beyond together in remembrance.
After the presentations, visitors will get the chance to learn how to record and research their own stories and past.
The free event takes place in the Educational Suite within the Greaves Street-based library from 1pm to 3pm. Just turn up on the day.
Councillor Ball said: “It is only right and proper that we remember all those who died in conflicts around the world.
“We hope that through a number of commemorative events taking place around the borough that we can bring communities together and support the extraordinary work our forces do.
“Most people will have some connection to the two world wars and other conflicts in some way. In many cases this will be through family history or a serving friend or relative. So let’s unite in honouring these people who have, or are, protecting our country and remember those who have fallen.”
Visit our website www.oldhamremembers.org.uk to find out more about numerous events taking place around the borough.
To get involved in Oldham’s commemorations to mark 100 years since the start of World War One; visit www.oldhamremembers.org.uk or email oldhamremembers@oldham.gov.uk
Diggle Football Club wear their poppies with pride
This year to commemorate Remembrance Day Diggle Football Club have teamed up with the ‘poppies4kits’ appeal to support the Royal British Legion to raise funds for the Poppy Appeal. All three Diggle FC teams will be showing their support by wearing an adhesive poppy on their playing shirts during their fixtures on Saturday 8th November.
Diggle’s home fixtures on Saturday 8th November will see the club host two important home cup tie’s down at Churchill Playing Fields, Greenfield. The First team entertain Netherton FC in the Barlow Cup, whilst the Reserves play a Richardson Cup tie against Newsome FC Reserves. Both games kick off at 1.45pm, and the club are urging any local support to get down and watch the matches.
Show your respect and wear your Poppies with pride!
Diggle United, All Invited!
Unitedwww.digglefc.co.uk
www.poppies4kits.co.uk
Diggle Primary School pupils use Skype to learn about tornados
Year 5 pupils at Diggle School with their American virtual visitor, Heather McDown
Earlier this week, Diggle Primary School pupils enjoyed a live hi-tech lesson with a difference.
They learned, using Skype, about the damaging effect of tornados direct from people living in Tornado Alley, North America.
Using a live Skype connection the Year 5 pupils were able to talk directly to a tornado survivor living in Oklahoma. They asked a range of questions and heard fascinating first-hand stories about life and survival in Tornado Alley.
The school’s virtual visitor was Heather McDown (28), whose hometown of Moore was struck by a massive tornado in 2013. This natural disaster was devastating with peak winds of 210mph, more than 20 people killed and entire neighbourhoods destroyed.
Diggle Primary School’s deputyhead teacher, Stephanie Moore, said, “The children had a wonderful experience using Skype. Not only was it fun and exciting, it supported our curriculum and they learnt so much from speaking interactively with Heather.
“At Diggle School we work really hard to bring learning to life. We make our lessons as interesting as possible so that our pupils enjoy being at school. Although we received a ‘good’ rating from Ofsted last year, we constantly strive to develop our teaching and learning.
“Lessons about extreme weather, such as tornados, used to be based on books, videos and finding information on the internet. Skype offered our children a personal conversation with someone thousands of miles away. It’s the kind of new technology that we embrace at Diggle School.”
Pupils spent an hour ‘Skyping’ with Heather, who described what it’s like to be in a tornado and explained all the steps that are taken to protect lives in Oklahoma.
Heather is a former college friend of Diggle’s Year 5 teacher Kate Wilson. She said, “It was a fantastic experience to help educate school children who are over 5000 miles away. Their questions were really engaging, and you could tell that they would remember the experience for years to come. Technology is a fantastic avenue to fully explore teaching capabilities. This was the first time I’ve used Skype in the classroom and it was great. The session was completely child led and they asked questions that they were interested in and got truly honest answers. It really opened their eyes to what goes on in other parts of the world.”
Following the lesson, the children wrote down their thoughts and their comments included “awesome”, “amazing”, “the best lesson I’ve ever had” and “can we do it again please?”
Related stories:
SADDLEWORTH SCHOOL PLANNING APPLICATIONS ‘GO LIVE’
Diggle School awarded ‘Good’ by OFSTED
Year 4 pupils at Diggle Primary School share their dream of equality
The New Saddleworth School – Public drop-in event to take place over the Christmas break
Diggle Dandelions Judged to be ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted
An evening of comedy and music
An evening of comedy and music at Dobcross Holy Trinity Church on Saturday 25 October. Doors open at 7pm. Refreshments available. Tickets £10 (available from Dobcross Post Office, Dobcross Band Club, The Navigation, The Swan or on the door.) All proceeds go to Dobcross Village Community & Holy Trinity Church.
Oldham’s 2014 Civic Bonfire
OMBC Press release
Oldham’s hugely-popular civic bonfire is back for 2014.
‘The Big Bang’ is returning to Oldham Edge on Wednesday, November 5 boasting another electrifying line-up of free family-oriented entertainment.
Star turn on the night will be a stunning new pyrotechnics masterclass from Fantastic Fireworks. This centrepiece mixes traditional favourites ranging from stars, rockets and mines to crackers, fountains and screechers – all set to popular hit songs from the ITV talent show The X Factor.
Families will also be kept warm by another all-singing, all-dancing entertainment line-up. Highlights this year include Brazilian beats from the Juba De Leao drummers. The Gandini Jugglers will mesmerise the crowd with a magical routine using advanced light technology and virtuoso juggling and there will be tricks and treats aplenty as the Fire Man Dave and his team showcase their dazzling fire-juggling display.
A small bonfire, street entertainers, family fairground activities and food stalls selling traditional autumn grub will also be on site.
To help cater for parking demand, Oldham Council is offering the use of all its town centre car parks free of charge from 3pm on the day.
There’s also an extra special treat in store for one lucky child this year – a free prize draw offering the chance to push the button and launch a fireworks display that will be visible across all corners of the borough.
Councillor Jean Stretton, Cabinet Member for Town Centres, Culture and Tourism, said: “The Big Bang was a huge success at Oldham Edge last year with an estimated crowd of around 15,000 people all enjoying free entertainment in a fun, safe and friendly environment. Bringing the bonfire back has proved massively popular since 2012 and the public reaction has re-established it as a major part of our annual calendar of civic events. A lot of planning has taken place with partners to make The Big Bang even better this time round.
“I’d like to particularly thank this year’s sponsors – the Oldham Housing Investment Partnership (OHIP) which brings together the main social housing providers in the borough and the NSL Group which manages our parking offer in Oldham – for their sponsorship and support of this free event.
“We’ve also been enjoying working closely with Revolution 96.2 on the evening’s entertainment and will be revealing further details soon.”
Gates to the Oldham Edge site will open at 5pm on the day with a funfair, entertainers and stalls on offer. Things will start to heat up at 6pm as we light the bonfire and the on-stage entertainment gets underway. Finally the sky will light up at 7pm with The X Factor fireworks display started by one lucky local youngster. Your child can win this once in lifetime opportunity by entering our prize draw online before the closing date of Saturday, November 1. This can be done at The Big Bang webpage at www.oldham.gov.uk/bonfire which also hosts a site map and other event information such as parking and entry conditions.
This event is designed to discourage smaller groups of people from holding unsupervised bonfires which can put extreme pressure on emergency services. Plans are shared with Greater Manchester Police and the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service to help maximise public safety.
The following items – alcohol, sparklers, fireworks, gazebos, fires and barbecues will not be permitted on site and will be confiscated. Children under 16 years old must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Local weather will be closely monitored in the run-up to the event. If conditions are thought to pose any threat to public safety then some aspects could be cancelled.
Council motion in to tackling dog fouling
Councillor Dave Murphy and local resident Ziggy
At Wednesday’s Council meeting (22 October), Cllr Dave Murphy, Shadow Cabinet member for Housing, Transport and Planning will be proposing a motion asking the Overview and Scrutiny Board to carry out an enquiry to ensure that Oldham Council is following best practice in to tackling dog fouling.
Cllr Murphy said “Let me be clear this is not an attack on those responsible dog owners who pick up after their dogs – it is about looking for solutions to prevent it happening full-stop!”
He added “I am regularly contacted by residents expressing concerns over dog fouling; it has got to be in the top five of anti-social behaviour. I want to be able to tell them that Oldham Council is doing all it can to combat this horrible menace and this motion is just part of that step”.
Councillor Val Sedgwick who is seconding the motion said “the problem of dog fouling is not ward specific – it is borough wide. Owners who do not pick up after their pets give all dog owners and pets a bad name”.
The motion also calls for the Council to look at recent research, current practices in our and other local authorities together with the powers granted to it in recent legislation and then present a report on this matter to a future Council meeting at the earliest opportunity.
Council 22nd Oct. 2014 – Notice of Opposition Business – Motion 2
Dog Fouling and Nuisance
This Council notes:
· That the vast majority of dog owners are responsible and law-abiding individuals; however a small number of irresponsible pet owners continue to fail to remove faeces deposited by their dogs or to keep their dogs under proper control in public places
· There are legal requirements placed upon owners to clean up after their dogs in public places, to keep control of their pets, and to ensure their animal displays a dog collar with the name and address of the owner
· In 2010, this Council introduced three Dog Control Orders to
– exclude dogs from designated children’s play areas
– require a dog to be kept on a lead in designated cemeteries
– restrict the number of dogs that can be kept under control by any one individual to four
This Council further notes that:
· Calderdale and Tameside Councils have introduced additional Dog Control Orders, which:
– exclude dogs from other public areas (such as tennis courts, bowling greens, skate parks, and a limited number of designated sports pitches)
– require a dog to be kept on a lead in other designated areas (such as on roads, around unfenced children’s play areas, on school grounds, and in public car parks, allotments and religious grounds)
· Local authorities can use recent legislation to combat dog fouling and nuisance:
– The 2005 Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act) permits local authorities to establish its own fixed penalties for dog fouling offences and that the level of such penalties can act as a deterrent
– The Sustainable Communities Act 2007 permits Councils to ask Government for permission to assume new responsibilities and powers within its boundaries, for example to establish a local dog registration scheme
– The Localism Act 2011 grants the ‘general power of competence’ to local authorities in England to do ‘anything that individuals generally may do’.
– The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 permits councils to impose Public Spaces Protection Orders to ban or regulate any activity in public spaces which is believed to have a ‘detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality’.
This Council wishing to more effectively prevent dog fouling and nuisance in this borough resolves to ask the Overview and Scrutiny Board to:
– Carry out an inquiry to ensure this Council is following best practice, taking account of recent research, current practice in our own and other local authorities, and the powers granted to it in recent legislation
– Present a report on this matter to a future Council meeting at the earliest opportunity
Friezland Hall Hosts LSS
By Neil Williams
Yes, THEY ARE BACK. This is the most exciting live band you will ever see! We had the Legendary Shack Shakers in Saddleworth about three years back. You might have heard one of their tracks on the vampire/horror series True Blood, also on the soundtrack album.
Led by their wildly charismatic, rail-thin frontman/blues-harpist, J.D. Wilkes, the Shack Shakers are a four-man wrecking crew from the South whose explosive interpretations of the blues, rock, country, western and carnival music have made fans, critics and legions of potential converts into true believers.
Although not legendary upon being named, the band has grown into its own shoes over the last several years due to a grueling tour schedule spanning the globe. The band has toured with Robert Plant, Rancid, The Black Keys, Southern Culture in the Skids, and Hank Williams III, among others. Time Out New York Magazine said The Legendary Shack Shakers were “Among Top Ten Live NYC acts of the year”. Jello Biafra of Alternative Tentacles and The Dead Kennedys called J.D. Wilkes “the last great Rock and Roll frontman.”News Of The World called them “The maddest, baddest, most outrageous band in America.. a rockabilly version of the Sex Pistols.” TheNashville Scene voted Wilkes the Best Frontman in Nashville. This is what some of the critics have said about the band( but you’ve really got to see them for yourselves) :
Critical acclaim for LSS: “Dynamite group. What a great soundtrack…! (One) I actually play when I’m working, pretending to work, or just goofing around.” –author Stephen King (about the album Cockadoodledon’t)
“It’s f***ing great!” -Robert Plant on LSS
“Col. J.D. Wilkes lets loose on the (harmonica) like an Old Western mob on a prisoner. Come for a sh*t-kickin’ good time.” -Pitchfork
“(Wilkes writes) mind-blowing lyrics rife with Biblical references and ruminations of life, death, sin and redemption.” –Billboard
(Wilkes) is the closest thing there is to the Ambassador of Genuine Traditional Southern Culture.” -Alarm Magazine
The Legendary Shack Shakers from USA with support from Rockability
Friezland Hall, Greenfield OL3 7LE
Friday 24TH OCTOBER, doors 7.30, show 8pm
Tickets £12.50 advance, £15 door( You can reserve tickets by texting Neil on 07707090108)
Tickets available from : Uppermill and Greenfield Post Offices, Mossley Chippy ( opposite the station), wegottickets.com, yorkshire gig guide ticket store.
To find out more about The Legendary Shack Shakers, check out their website http://www.legendaryshackshakers.com/
LETS KEEP MUSIC LIVE IN SADDLEWORTH
Ornaments stolen from a memorial in Dobcross
Stolen Stone Ornaments
Garden ornaments have been stolen from a memorial in Dobcross. Can you help?
Mr and Mrs Howarth are a retired couple who have lived in Dobcross all their lives and are keen gardeners, so keen in fact they often enter the Saddleworth in Bloom competition and on several occasion have won prizes for their beautiful garden.
In 2007 their 33 year old nephew Karl Jones was tragically killed in a motorbike accident and in the same year Mrs Howarth’s eldest and younger brother also passed away. In response to this tragic loss they decided to make a memorial in their garden in remembrance of them both. Andrew, their son, bought them two stone garden cherubs and placed them with a white cherub which had been in the garden for twelve years. Over the years, when working in the garden, they have gained a great deal of comfort from the cherub ornaments.
The couple were heartbroken to discover that between Thursday 25th and Monday 29th September 2014 the three cherubs had been stolen.
They would like to appeal to anyone who may know where these ornaments are, in monetary terms they cost very little but in sentimental value, to Mr and Mrs Howarth, they are priceless.
If you can help please contact Diggle News
White Cherubs
Confessions of an Adventure Cameraman
Keith Partridge
Keith Partridge – Confessions of an adventure cameraman
Where: Millgate Arts Centre, Delph, Saddleworth OL3 5DY
Date: Thursday, November 13.
Time: 7.30pm to 9.30pm
Cost: Tickets £10 available from Eventbrite: http://www.eventbrite.com/o/oldham-library-3419033869
Oldham Libraries is bringing Keith Partridge, EMMY award winning cinematographer, to Saddleworth for a behind the scenes exploration of filmmaking in some of the most extreme and challenging places on earth.
From the Elger’s North Face and unexplored caves in Papua New Guinea to the summit of Everest, Keith’s work has pushed the limits of adventure filmmaking for two decades. The BAFTA winning ‘Touching the Void’, ‘Beckoning Silence’ and ‘Human Planet are just some of the films that have taken him to the ends of the earth.
Back to School
Diggle Primary School Reporter
by Diggle Primary School’s junior reporters
Going back to school is daunting at the best of times but after six weeks of holidays, playing and beautiful weather, it can be particularly challenging.
Class five’s junior reporters Lottie Refearn, Abigail Sandiford, Henry Rutter, Jacob Wakefield, Katherine Worral and Carys writing for Diggle News, decided to look at what pupils, staff and parents think about as they prepare to start a new academic year.
Lottie and Abigail asked the Reception class, some of the youngest children in school, about the things they most look forward to. They were surprised to discover it is school dinners, they really like them. They have a few favourites but top of the list is fish fingers and beans, and chicken and gravy.
Nearly all Reception children said that playing with their friends in the playground is their number one activity. Their favourite places are the sandpit and the washing up area.
Quite a few Reception children said they enjoy wearing school uniform and particularly like the colours in the new school tie.
Henry and Jacob asked Class 3 about the things they thought about before they joined their new class. Thomas said, ‘It felt a little bit scary, but I had got a little bit used to it when we had our trial day.’ Henry asked Thomas what he thought about before joining the juniors, he said, ‘I’m a little bit scared about doing harder work and I’m worried about doing the school play at the end of the year.’
Jacob asked Thomas about his new teacher. He said, ‘She is really nice but makes me do more work than I’m used to. She is really helpful and is good at getting pupils into higher groups. I’d like to do better in phonics and writing this year but I’m a bit worried about writing.’
Thomas thinks the new uniform is really good and he particularly likes wearing a real tie even if fastening it is a bit of a challenge.
Katherine and Carys asked Year 6 pupils to share their thoughts on homework. Most said it was challenging but helped them understand the work they are doing in class better. Year 6 pupil Hannah said, ‘I have to try and do my homework straight away. If I leave it, it builds up and I’m left with too much to do. I’m worried about SATS and really want to get a good result. I always try my hardest and want to be more confident.’
Carys asked Mrs Stone, Year 6 teacher, who has just returned from maternity leave, what do you think about at the start of the year. She said, ‘I think about how I will organise my classroom and group the children. I look at how I can best help the children to manage their lessons. I want all the children to do well before they move on to secondary school.’ Abigail asked about her hopes for the new year. Mrs Stone said, ‘I always hope that my Year 6 class will enjoy learning and like all of the topics.’ Finally Carys asked about coping with planning. Mrs Stone said, ‘I do it as soon as I get home, even if it’s Friday. I have to work Saturday and Sunday evenings but I try do most of my marking, in the evenings, during the week.’
Related stories:
Diggle Primary School pupils use Skype to learn about tornados
Diggle School awarded ‘Good’ by OFSTED
Year 4 pupils at Diggle Primary School share their dream of equality
The New Saddleworth School – Public drop-in event to take place over the Christmas break
Diggle Dandelions Judged to be ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted
Mikron Theatre Company Returns to The Swan
Michael and Tim, Landlords at the Swan, are delighted to announce that Troupers (Mikron Theatre Company) is coming back to Dobcross!
It sold out on both nights in May and anyone who saw it will no doubt recommend it to friends and may well want to see it again. As World War One’s centenary year approaches Remembrance Day, there can be no better time to see this charming, funny and moving play with music set during ‘The Great War’.
The Mikron Theatre Company have been touring the country by narrowboat with their original plays with music for over 40 years. They played at the Swan earlier this month with ‘Till The Cows Come Home’ and are always very popular, so tickets are sure to sell out quickly.
Tickets are on sale at the bar now or there is the option to buy online at: http://tinyurl.com/pdolc5m
It’s 1914 and British entertainment is down on its uppers. Actor-manager Lena Ashwell (OBE) has a theatre but no audience so she assembles a motley bunch of ‘turns’ and books a tour with a difference. For her TROUPERS won’t tread the boards of Old Blighty they’ll trudge the muddy, bloody fields of France.
In a little-told story of the Great War, TROUPERS brings to life the amazingly audacious Concerts At The Front – a hitherto unsung war effort that’s full of guts, gusto and greasepaint.
Writer & Lyricist: Maeve Larkin, Composer & Musical Director: Rebekah Hughes, Director: Marianne McNamara. www.mikron.org.uk
Running time: approx. 110mins including a 20 minute interval.
TICKETS £11 (available from the bar and online)
Magnificent Diggle Animal
The Last of Borderway by John Hewitt
Diggle artist John Hewitt is showing his final drawing of a magnificent Diggle animal, at the Millyard Gallery in the Square in Uppermill from Sunday 12 October. For several years the limousin bull, Gallaber Borderway, has been a familiar site to anyone who has walked up Ridge Lane during the spring and summer months. John has drawn Borderway three times. The first two drawings were exhibited at London’s Royal Academy in 2009 and 2010 respectively. Due to the technicalities of husbandry, eight-year-old Borderway moved on earlier this year and now resides at a farm in Cheshire.
“The Last of Borderway” took six months to complete, drawn through a magnifying glass with pin-sharp pencils. It shows the bull with one of his many calves, completing a generational cycle. John remembers Borderway as a gentle giant. “He was tremendously powerful but had an aura of calmness about him. If you were chased out of the field by the cows Borderway would amble along several minutes later, just to see what the fuss was about. On very hot days the cows and calves would shelter from the sun in the Borderway’s vast shadow.”
John is a frequent exhibitor at the Millyard Gallery. “It is always a privilege to show work at the Millyard,” he says. “As a commercial gallery it stands alone in the region for the quality and the diversity of the artists it supports. Artworks by internationally important figures such as Peter Blake, Barbara Rae and Bruce McLean are shown alongside those by prominent local practitioners, and the gallery has always given newcomers a chance to get on the ladder. Joan Frost and her team deserve medals for their long-standing contribution to the cultural life of Saddleworth.”
The Millyard Gallery Autumn Exhibition continues until Sunday 2nd November and contains work by a vibrant range of contemporary British artists.