Diggle News has now become part of inSaddleworth
We’ve still got all the same Diggle News stories, all the great photos, but now also have all the extra features of inSaddleworth like Notices, News, Business Directory, Events and Galleries
Forthcoming Events in Saddleworth and Lees
2013 Saddleworth Ruchcart (Photo: Stuart Coleman©2014)
Events in Saddleworth and Lees 2014
Diggle Summer Fete
Diggle Primary School
Sunday 29th June
http://insaddleworth.co.uk/2014/06/diggle-fete/
The Saddleworth Show
Saddleworth School
Saturday 12th July 12noon – 5pm
Sunday 13th July 10am – 5pm
http://www.saddleworthshow.org.uk/
Lees Village Fair
Springhead Football Club
Sunday 20th July
Dawson’s Field Annual Family Fun Day
Dawson’s Field, Huddersfield Rd, Scouthead
Thursday 24th July
11am – 3pm
Celebration of Yorkshire Day
Uppermill Museum and King George V Playing Field
Sunday 3rd August
8am – 6pm
Yanks Weekend
Uppermill and surrounding villages
Friday 8th August
Saturday 9th August
Sunday 10th August
Various times
http://www.ww2events.co.uk/index.php
6th Anniversary American Car Show
King George V Playing Field
Sunday 10th August
8am – 5pm
Saddleworth Rushcart
Uppermill and surrounding villages
Saturday 23rd August
Sunday 24th August
Sunday Service at 11am
Sunday procession to St Chad’s Church Uppermill
http://www.morrismen.saddleworth.org.uk/
Greenfield and Grasscroft Residents’ Association
For listings of forthcoming events and details of all the great work they do please take a look at their website
Love Lydgate
For listings of forthcoming events and details of all the great work they do please take a look at their website
OMBC to discuss infrastructure repairs
Oldham Council is to discuss a major programme of infrastructure repairs to roads, bridges and carriageways damaged by the severe wet weather that hit the borough last winter.
Cabinet will decide on the proposals when they meet on Monday, June 30. It follows a successful bid by the local authority for money from the Government’s Severe Weather Recovery Fund. The Council was awarded £811,773.
The money would be used to repair surfaces on a number of roads that were worst affected by the rain. These include improving the A62 Huddersfield Road – one of the priority routes into the borough – by allocating £260,000 of funding towards repairing it.
This will complement the other corridor works funded elsewhere in our programmes. Other works include bringing some of Saddleworth’s unclassified roads and carriageways identified as secondary corridors up to standard – meaning less money will need to be spent carrying out temporary repairs on them in the future.
Councillor Dave Hibbert, Oldham Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Transport, said: “Oldham’s roads and infrastructure, like those nationwide, have suffered due to the extreme wet weather we endured earlier in the year. Our location, high on the Pennine plateau, means the 817km of roads we monitor, and the bridges and retaining walls we are responsible for maintaining, are more susceptible to cold and wet weather damage than those in other boroughs.
“This money will allow us to carry out maintenance and work on areas we have identified as being in most need. Repairing Huddersfield Road will mean that people visiting and commuting along one of our major gateways into the borough have a better journey, which is important to us. As a Council we are doing our bit – we have invested £12m improving our highways over the last few years and are now much more proactive in managing our highways maintenance work rather than being reactive.
“This government money is welcomed but the condition of road infrastructure remains a major national problem.”
Saddleworth North: Monthly Crime Figures
| CRIME | DEC | JAN | FEB | MAR | APRIL | MAY |
| BURGLARY(Of homes) | 1 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| BURGLARY OTHER(Shed, Garage, Business) | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 2 |
| THEFT FROM A VEHICLE | 5 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 2 |
| THEFT OF A MOTOR VEHICLE | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| CRIMINAL DAMAGE | 4 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| ROBBERY | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Burglary Dwelling
Wool Road, Dobcross – Offenders tried unsuccessfully to gain entry to the property by removing roof tiles and cutting roof felt. They then attempted and failed to prise open a roof window. They made their way to the front of the property and forced open a ground floor door. Property was taken from the premises.
Burglary
Brownhill Lane, Uppermill – Offenders forced a lock on a detached garage stealing a high value pedal cycle.
Warth Mill, Diggle – Offenders forced a rear fire door gaining access to the building. They a cash box .
Vehicle crime
Heywood Lane, Austerlands – Offenders stole front and rear number plates from a parked, secure vehicle.
Huddersfield Road, Delph – Offenders smashed the front nearside window of parked secure vehicle and stole a handbag from the foot well.
Theft of a Vehicle
Wall Hill Road, Dobcross – Domestic incident
Criminal Damage
Gartside Street, Delph – Offender threw a stone at ground floor window causing damage.
Clydesdale Rise, Diggle – Offenders cut through perimeter fencing and caused damage.
Wall Hill Road, Dobcross – Offenders throw a large stone from the garden through the front window.
Victoria Works, Wool Road, Dobcross – Offenders entered a building site and threw stones at windows causing damage. (Four local youths were detained nearby and have been dealt with by Restorative Justice)
Contact PCSO Monica Seville and PCSO Kath Crompton oldhamborough@gmp.police.uk or call 0161 856 8825
2014 Diggle Fete
2014 Diggle Fete is on 29th June at Diggle Primary School. Doors open at 1pm
Live Blues Music in Saddleworth
You saw Reverand Peyton’s Big Damn Band last summer at Friezland, but this time the Reverend has requested a bigger venue where he can see y’all dancing because once he gets started, you just can’t stay in your seat. The Oak Room at the White Hart at Lydgate is a great venue. We are lucky enough to have the Band during their UK tour sandwiched between major UK festivals at Glastonbury, Grillstock at Manchester and then after Saddleworth on to the Maverick and Cornbury Music festivals.
Reverand Peyton’s Big Damn Band from Indiana, USA with support from Garron Firth
White Hart at Lydgate, OL4 4JJ
Thursday 3rd July, Doors 7.30, show 8pm
Tickets £12.50 Advance, £15 on the 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 shop
Roaring out of the southern Indiana foothills comes Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band playing a brand of Americana and Blues that stands alone – Delta blues and hillbilly fervor combine with musical acuity sharp as razor wire – best know, this trio is a force to be reckoned with. The growl of a good truck engine, the fiercest passion for his country home and family and an uncanny ability to breathe new life into old forms of music give them a pedigree many Americana acts would kill for and an ironclad work ethic keeps them on the road 250 dates a year, playing for the people with hurricane force. Locked in with an audience, the band create their own community and welcome the crowd into it, transporting them away from their troubles to joyous release, the way great musicians have done for centuries. The Rev. J. Peyton, his wife Breezy and Ben “Bird Dog” Bussell are a living breathing embodiment of the traditions and hard work ethic native to their Brown County, Indiana home. Their new album Between The Ditches is a chronicle of this lifestyle.
“These guys are a hillbilly blues throwback ensemble, though, and no amount of refinement can really push them off their mark. Peyton’s voice still croaks, shouts, and roars, and his unique, kinetic slide guitar playing, whether it’s a ’30s National guitar, a cigar-box guitar, a Gibson flattop 1929 L2, or an Airline Map electric guitar, still drives and churns like a runaway train.” – Allmusic
“The latest from Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, Between The Ditches on SideOneDummy Records is, in short, a revelation. An amazingly well crafted, controlled explosion of talent, the range and depth of the music performed by the trio is remarkable.” – American Blues Scene
“With his wife, Breezy, serving as a one-woman amen corner, and distant cousin Aaron Persinger laying down the floppy-boot-stomp drums behind Peyton’s spiky, waspish National steel slide guitar on tracks like “Something for Nothing”, the result is a peculiarly infectious blues crusade, touching on themes of money, morality and social responsibility.” – The Independent (UK)
Beer and Music Festival at the White Hart
2014 Diggle Blues Festival
Gallery of selected images taken at the 2014 Diggle Blues Festival
Garron Firth, Diggle Hotel (Photo: Stuart Coleman©2014)
Angelo Palladino, Woolyknit Cafe (Photo: Stuart Coleman©2014)
Backwater Blues Band, Kilngreen Hall (Photo: Stuart Coleman©2014)
Backwater Blues band, Kilngreen Hall (Photo: Stuart Coleman©2014)
Sons of the Delta, Hanging Gate (Photo: Stuart Coleman©2014)
Half Dead Clatch, Hanging Gate (Photo: Stuart Coleman©2014)
Backwater Blues Band, Kilngreen Hall (Photo: Stuart Coleman©2014)
Backwater Blues Band, Kilngreen Hall (Photo: Stuart Coleman©2014)
Mudcats Blues Trio, Diggle Band Club (Photo: Stuart Coleman©2014)
Blue Swamp, Diggle Band Club (Photo: Stuart Coleman2014)
Blue Swamp, Diggle Band Club (Photo: Stuart Coleman2014)
Dani Wilde and Todd Sharpville’s Dog, Diggle Band Club (Photo: Stuart Coleman©2014)
Relaxing with the Blues, Diggle Band Club (Photo: Stuart Coleman©2014)
Dani Wilde and Todd Sharpville, Diggle Band Club (Photo: Stuart Coleman©2014)
Mudcat Blues Trio, Diggle Band Club (Photo: Stuart Coleman©2014)
John Otway, Kilgreen Hall (Photo: Stuart Coleman©2014)
John Otway, Kilgreen Hall (Photo: Stuart Coleman©2014)
Dani Wilde and Todd Sharpville, Diggle Band Club (Photo: Stuart Coleman©2014)
Audience at Kilngreen Hall watching John Otway (Photo:Stuart Colemang©2014)
John Otway, Kilngreen Hall (Photo: Stuart Coleman©2014)
Dave Wood, Diggle Blues Founder and Organiser (Photo: Stuart Coleman©2014)
Arrangements for Whit Friday in Diggle
2013 Whit Walks (Photo: Stuart Coleman©2014)
by Lynda Elmore and Brian Cliffe, Diggle Whit Friday Committee
The Whit Friday Walk will take place this Friday 13 th June, starting from Kilngreen Church at 9.15 am.
Hopefully it will be a little warmer this year- the weather was not kind to us at all in 2013 as the banner men will testify! Strong winds and rain made it a great challenge for the bandsmen and the brave folk of Diggle who made our procession yet again the largest in Saddleworth.
Unfortunately, we will only have one band this year due to Marsden Band being unable to play for us for the second year running. This is due to other commitments and inability to take time off work for the whole day. We have had a long association with Marsden Band and sincerely wish them well as the now famous Yorkshire Tea Band.
However, Diggle Band will be leading our procession with their rousing tones and we are always happy to see them leading us away to Uppermill and back looking so smartly turned out.
As usual, a coach will be provided to and from Uppermill for the less mobile. Hop on next to the Chip shop on Ward Lane. Crisps and a drink will be provided for all schoolchildren from the village. They will be handed out at the rear of the playing field in Uppermill during the service.
The house to house collection has exceeded expectations this year and the committee are always so pleased to see that this event gives such a fantastic result. It is well worth the effort that our dedicated team of collectors put in when we count the donations and find that we have achieved our £1000 target. So thank you residents of Diggle for being so generous in these austere times and here’s to another successful Whit Friday for this great little village !
Order of Procession
Small Church banner
Kilngreen Banner
Uniformed Organisations and Village Children
Diggle Band
Village Residents
Later in the day, starting at 4.15, we will once again be treated to the annual Whit Friday Band Contest, often described as “one of the greatest free shows on earth.” Now in it’s sixth year, the Diggle contest has quickly established itself as one of the must do contests for many bands. Each year we have attracted over fifty bands to play at our unique venue on Diggle Tunnel Tip on Sam Road. No other venue has such a magnificent view of the Saddleworth landscape, an aspect which is much admired by bands from far and wide.
This is a unique opportunity to see and hear Brass Bands of all standards, from local youth bands to some of the top UK bands and increasingly bands from further afield in Europe. So come along and cheer for your favourites!
Everyone is encouraged to bring your picnic and enjoy the music and the atmosphere. It would be appreciated if the noise could be kept to a dull roar during the bands’ performance so the adjudicator can hear every note.
There will be catering on the site, with Grandpa Greene’s serving ice cream, sandwiches, paninis and hot and cold drinks. This year we are pleased to welcome Al’s BBQ Shack all the way from Manchester who offer delicious top quality hot BBQ food which we hope will be a big hit. Last but not least of course our own Band Club will have sandwiches and pies in addition to their magnificent range of drinks.
Slightly away from the contest site, don’t forget both the Hanging Gate and Diggle Hotel will be open as usual if you need a brief rest from the festivities.
So as the sun sinks over Lark Hill come and bask in the rousing tones of Brass music at it’s finest. A fitting conclusion to a truly unique and magnificent Saddleworth tradition, celebrated in style as only Diggle can.
Diggle residents say NO to OMBC in big way
Keith Lucas with local Saddleworth residents (Photo: Stuart Coleman © 2014)
Diggle residents today made their feelings clear about the proposed building of a new secondary school in Diggle by erecting a huge banner supporting the idea of keeping the school in Uppermill.
The sign reads:
“Save Saddleworth’s Greenbelt
SAY NO to OMBC
It’s Not A Done Deal
The New School Can Be Built In Uppermill”
Keith Lucas, member of Save Diggle Action Group, organised the erection of the banner with the help of local residents at the junction of Ambrose Crescent and Huddersfield Road.
Bradley and Paula Wosahio who are hosting the banner said: “We had the banner put up as it was our way of supporting the community and campaign and we want to make sure the school gets built in the most appropriate place, which we believe is Uppermill”
Keith Lucas said: “The recent Educational Funding Agency announcement is great news for people throughout Saddleworth, who realise that this is a flawed plan and want the school issue discussed openly and transparently. There has been a fantastic groundswell of support from people who have felt outraged by the lack of political accountability with this issue.
A few courageous people have stood above the parapet and we are now seeing the support grow and grow. The banner is a clear sign to say we are in it for the long haul.”
Whilst the banner was being erected, passing traffic were sounding their horns and giving the thumbs up in support.
Related stories:
The future for the Coliseum and Heritage Centre?
Gallery Oldham’s latest exhibition – ‘Designs on our Future’ – gives visitors their first chance to see how plans for the new town centre Coliseum Theatre and Heritage Centre are developing.
The proposals involve bringing the old library building back into use and making the most of the surrounding land to create a vibrant cultural hub for Oldham. The plans and designs on display are all working documents and the exhibition is an important stage in developing them further. The project was awarded development funding by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England in 2012.
Councillor Jean Stretton, Oldham Council’s Cabinet Member for Co-operatives and Neighbourhoods, said: “Since 2012 we’ve been busy developing our concept for a new theatre and heritage centre with the aim of applying for further funding later this year. Initial conversations with a range of people – from architects to artists through to quantity surveyors and local teenagers – have brought us a long way and now we are ready to share our plans.
“The exhibition is your chance to find out about our progress, tell us what you think and help shape our plans for the future.”
Alongside the modern plans a display charts the beginnings of Oldham’s Library and Museum in 1883.The poster advertising the first ever exhibition is on display too and visitors will have the chance to design a new poster imagining what items might be on display in a few years’ time.
Photographer Ian Beesley and poet Ian McMillan have also been looking at this project and their creative responses will be on display too.
There is still time to take part in a consultation survey – the deadline is June 9 – about the plans on https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/OCTHC
Whit Friday Band Contest to Hit the Right Notes
Whit Friday 2013 (Photo: Stuart Coleman©2014)
Thousands of people from across the borough and beyond are set to enjoy a spectacular day of free entertainment at the famous Whit Friday band contests.
Oldham Council has been providing help and financial support to ensure the 2014 Saddleworth and Lees contests hit the right notes once again.This traditional event dates back to an earliest-recorded contest in 1884 and is dubbed locally ‘the greatest free show on earth’.
Contests will run across 11 villages from around 4pm until 10.30pm or later on Friday, June 13 – following on from the traditional ‘Whit Walks’ in the morning.
The organisation of these contests takes several months of close discussion and work with partners to ensure all families – residents and visitors alike – can enjoy them in total safety.
Councillor Jim McMahon, Leader of Oldham Council, said: “The Whit Friday Band contests are one of the highlights of the year and are a great showcase for the borough.
“The council has been working for months with the organisers and partners, such as Greater Manchester Police, to ensure that we have all the right traffic diversions, stewarding and policing arrangements in place to make it a success.Immediately after the event there’s also a huge clean-up operation to undertake where, working alongside an army of volunteers, we clear away street litter and empty local bins so that everything can return to normal as quickly as possible.
“We are all delighted to be welcoming bands and visitors from across the country, and as far afield as Europe, to a fabulous free show. It is vital we all support flagship events like this because they help put us on the map and also contribute hugely to our tourism and events industry, which is worth more than £240m and supports 3,000 jobs in Oldham.”
The Saddleworth and Lees District Executive has been closely involved in organising the event and its’ members have again given a significant financial contribution from their devolved funding from Oldham Council towards the costs of prizes, stewarding and other vital amenities.
Cllr McMahon added: “The Whit Friday band contests are one of the biggest annual free events in the borough and the huge effort made by the contest organisers and volunteers is to be applauded.There are always challenges and we’ve worked closely with the organisers and other parties to ensure we promote a positive image of our area and, as ever, our priority is to ensure that everyone enjoys the event in safety.
“The simple message is for people to act responsibly and have a great day.”
Some road restrictions are in force in the area from 4pm until midnight on June 13. These have been signposted in advance. Event stewards or police are also on hand at venues if motorists need help.
EFA reconsider Uppermill as the site for Saddleworth School
by Cllr Mike Buckley
Following intense lobbying by the Save Diggle Action Group (SDAG), and growing protests across Saddleworth, the Educational Funding Agency (EFA) have decided to reconsider Uppermill as the site of the new Saddleworth School. Following a meeting with representatives of the EFA, headteacher, Matthew Milburn announced to the school’s technical committee on Thursday that a detailed feasibility study was now underway by the EFA into the best place to build the new school and this study includes the Uppermill site as well as the site at Diggle.
SDAG spokesperson “Cllr Mike Buckley said “This is excellent news and it knocks on the head the propaganda issued by Oldham that the move is a done deal. The recent local elections sent a strong message to the powers-that-be that Saddleworth residents regard the school move to Diggle as a great mistake and want to see it remain in Uppermill.
“At last someone is listening to what the people of Saddleworth want.
“The proposed site in Diggle is fraught with planning and technical problems, none of which exist in Uppermill. The plans we put forward for building in Uppermill we believe will also cost less than building in Diggle. These plans were never properly considered, either by Oldham Council or the EFA.
“We will now be contacting the EFA to ask them to look seriously at our proposals.”
Related stories:
Man arrested for raid on Diggle Post Office
A 35 year old man from Denton has been charged with a string of robberies – including two terrifying armed raids on Saddleworth sub post offices.
He is accused of two robberies, attempted robbery and possessing an offensive weapon in a public place. In the first raid last November sub-postmistress Mandy Gorey faced two armed robbers, one holding a hand gun, the other an axe, at Greenfield Post Office in Chew Valley Road. The men sped off on a motorbike.
In March, police launched a massive manhunt after two raiders held sub-postmaster Paul Borg at gunpoint in Diggle post office. They threatened him with a hand gun, stole cash and again left on a motorcycle, later found abandoned.
He is scheduled to appear at Manchester Crown Court on June 10.
Greenfield train station car park will remain open
Debbie Abrahams (Photo: Stuart Coleman©2014)
Oldham East and Saddleworth MP, Debbie Abrahams, has spoken of her ‘relief’ following a speedy resolution to commuters’ concerns about the potential loss of parking near to Greenfield train station.
Many rail passengers park for free in the nearby grounds of Saddleworth Rangers Rugby Club on Shaw Hall Bank Road. But recently many of them, along with concerned locals, approached Debbie’s office asking if she could look into rumours that this popular, off road free car park was about to close. Now, the Club has confirmed the car park will remain open on existing arrangements after Debbie wrote to Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) about the matter.
Rangers’ Secretary, Peter Townsend, said: “Many people were beginning to fear the worst as they noted that all signage around our car park has been removed recently. Present contract arrangements are that we open from 7am to 8pm Monday to Friday. The car park is manned by our own staff throughout and is free to all rail users.
“Our staff have received a growing number of queries from concerned rail passengers in the last couple of weeks. They say that they would be badly affected by a lack of safe, secure parking in the immediate area. Some anxious local residents, particularly along Shaw Hall Bank Road, have also been down to the Club to express their concerns about the knock on effect of rail users’ cars blocking up local streets. From our point of view it would have been a very difficult situation too as we depend heavily on the rental income provided by TfGM.
“We’re an amateur club, with no private income, and very reliant on our small army of volunteers who give up their free time willingly to provide opportunities for hundreds of children and adults across the area to enjoy the rugby league experience. This is our 84th season. Generations of families across the borough have connected with the Club over those years. We hope to continue that legacy for many generations to come.
“The Club is really grateful to Debbie for getting straight on to this issue and writing to TfGM, who have now confirmed that the car park will remain open on existing arrangements.”
Debbie Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, said: “I’m really relieved for both commuters and the club that this issue has been resolved.”
Related stories:
Eight months of improvement work on Trans-Pennine Rail Routes
Hundreds make the climb up to Pots and Pans to remember and pay their respects
Major sewer upgrade in Uppermill expected to cause serious disruption
The Scarborough Flyer entering Standedge Tunnel, Diggle: September 2013
Commuters warned of two days of strike disruption
2014 Diggle Blues Festival
Venues. times and line-up for the 2014 Diggle Blues festival.
Saddleworth Group of Artists Annual Summer Exhibition
Deansgate by Jane Braithwaite
The Saddleworth Group of Artists will again hold their annual summer exhibition at the Saddleworth Museum, Uppermill. This popular show is on between Saturday 14th of June and Saturday 19th July with up to fifty works including oil, watercolour, pastel and textiles on display. Styles range from photorealism to expressionistic and well known local artists such as John McCombes, Sheila Dewsbury and Janice Bowie will be exhibiting. Most of the work will be for sale.
Started in 1950, the Saddleworth Group of Artists is in it’s 63rd year and is comprised of enthusiastic members wishing to paint and exhibit their work.
Inspiration is not hard to come by in this moorland area to the north of Oldham, with local artists taking full advantage of the rural landscape and cityscapes as well as historical cotton mills and machinery.
For more information visit – www.saddleworthartists.co.uk or Saddleworth Museum, High St, Uppermill, OL36HS Tel. 01457874093.
John McCombs
School Meals in Oldham are Top of the Class
The Education Catering Team
Oldham Council has been awarded a prestigious ‘Gold Food for Life Catering Mark’ thanks to the high quality meals being served in schools across the borough.
The Education Catering Team is only the third local authority in the country to achieve this honour – and the first in the North-West. The award is the culmination of a five-year journey of improvement which has already seen the council earn bronze and silver awards.
Every meal served in 92 primary and special schools by the catering team meets the gold standard and are examples of best practice. They are healthy, ethically prepared and contain lots of locally sourced ingredients and products which can be traced. All the menus are freshly prepared daily on site by Oldham’s catering teams using a range of organic, high animal welfare produce and free range ingredients.
Councillor Amanda Chadderton, Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills, said: “I’d like to thank and congratulate the Education Catering Team for all their hard work and I’m delighted that we are the first council in the North West to achieve the gold award. Every day our staff prepares around 12,000 healthy, nutritious and tasty meals for pupils across the borough to tuck into and this award shows they are doing it the right way. Residents are more interested than ever before about the source and quality of the food they eat.
“The Food for Life Catering Mark provides them with a guarantee that our meals and the products used to make them are traceable, fresh, seasonal and better for animal welfare. They also demonstrate our commitment to ensuring that school children are receiving the best quality food as part of a healthy balanced diet.”
The Food for Life Catering Mark criteria has been developed to reflect best practice in healthy and sustainable school meals, in consultation with a wide range of leading school caterers from the private, independent and local authority sectors. The Food for Life Partnership is a network of schools and communities across England committed to transforming food culture. Together they are revolutionising school meals, informing children and young people with where their food comes from, and inspiring families to grow and cook food.
Related stories:
SADDLEWORTH SCHOOL PLANNING APPLICATIONS ‘GO LIVE’
Proposals for new Saddleworth School revealed
The New Saddleworth School – Public drop-in event to take place over the Christmas break
Saddleworth School: Council set to buy Diggle site
Public anger grows following Saddleworth Parish Council’s U-turn
An Interview with newly elected Nikki Kirkham
Independent Councillor Nikki Kirkham (Photo: Stuart Coleman©2014)
Recently elected Independent Councillor Nikki Kirkham talks to Stuart Coleman about her impressive victory at the local elections and her fight to keep Saddleworth School in Uppermill.
Stuart: Hi Nikki how do you feel?
Nikki: Brilliant, absolutely ecstatic, so happy.
Stuart: Did you expect to win with such a large majority?
Nikki: No, not at all. I think the people have spoken, the result speaks volumes.
Stuart: How did you feel leading up to the election?
Nikki: I was so nervous, you just don’t know how these things will work out. It’s so difficult to read. You can never count your eggs.
Stuart: Was there any indication that you had such a large majority?
Nikki: The general feeling, when we were canvassing, was that we were going to do really well. I had no idea it would result in a 479 majority. Its fantastic!
Stuart: So, why did you do so well?
Nikki: The school in Diggle, that’s the main issue. I think that’s why the Lib Dems lost so many votes, they just haven’t listened to the people. I recognise that there are a minority who want the school in Diggle but the majority don’t. I think the Lib Dems stance on this issue has really hurt them.
Stuart: Would you describe your win as a protest vote?
Nikki: Not as such, I think it says to politicians and decision makers that the people are tired of not being consulted. They deserve to be listened to and shouldn’t be dismissed or ignored. If they didn’t have a voice before, they will have one now. I will do everything in my power to ensure they are heard and listened to.
Stuart: So when Oldham Council are asked about how they deal with issues in Saddleworth they claim they always consult. Do you feel that this is the case?
Nikki: I don’t believe that at all. We have tried to liaise with Saddleworth School, the EFA and OMBC and we’ve come back with nothing. All we are given are general responses to specific questions and out of date reports. A lot of people are disillusioned and are sick of being fobbed off. They are tired of hearing ‘its a done deal’ when it clearly isn’t. We’re going to contact the Education Minister, as an Independant Group, to arrange a meeting, so that we can tackle the Saddleworth School issues head-on.
Stuart: Have you got the support of the other Independent councillors?
Nikki: Absolutely, yes, we work as a team.
Stuart: How does that work with Independents? By default you all have independent views and stand for your own reasons? Do you come together on specific issues?
Nikki: We come together on a lot of issues, sometimes we don’t agree and sometimes we do, thats the point of being Independent. The thing is, the other political groups are bound by party dogma, they have to walk the party line. We don’t, we can think and decide for ourselves. With regard to the school, we come together because we all agree, building a school in Diggle is fundamentally flawed and wrong.
Stuart: So given that this was a landslide majority would you say that the Saddleworth people are saying no to moving the school to Diggle?
Nikki: Yes I would, a 479 majority speaks for itself and it speaks volumes.
Stuart: So given that you’re now the elected to represent Saddleworth North would you say that you can make a difference and can give the people of Saddleworth the voice they deserve?
Nikki: Yes with their support I will make sure that our concerns are heard and addressed.
Stuart: Thanks Nikki and good luck.
To see the Election results for May 2014 go to: http://www.oldham.gov.uk/info/200038/elections/1364/election_results_may_2014
Related stories:
Debbie Abrahams says Diggle is the ‘least worst option’ for locating a new school
Public anger grows following Saddleworth Parish Council’s U-turn
Diggle residents say NO to OMBC in big way
The fight will continue say Saddleworth residents
Debbie Abrahams will not oppose moving Saddleworth School to Diggle
16 year old girl charged with Section 18 Assault
A girl has been charged after a woman was stabbed in Dobcross.
Shortly before 5am on Sunday 25 May 2014, police were called to Dobcross New Road, following reports a woman had been stabbed.
Officers attended and a 42 year old woman was taken to hospital for treatment to injuries to her back. She remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital.
A 16-year-old girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with Section 18 Assault (causing grievous bodily harm with intent). She appeared at Oldham youth court on 26 May 2014.
A big thank you to the Diggle Hotel from Diggle Primary School
Pupils from Year 4 receiving a cheque for £500 fro Angie O’Reilly (Photo: Stuart Coleman©2014)
Diggle Primary School children will receive much needed outdoor classroom equipment thanks to a generous cash boost from Angie and Billy O’Reilly, landlady and landlord at the Diggle Hotel .
The £500 donation will help Diggle School buy toy JCB diggers and outdoor climbing equipment, for its youngest pupils. This will coincide with the school’s development of its new Early Years Unit.
Headteacher, Nigel Fowler, who joined the school in January said: “We are very grateful to Angie and Billy for their donation. There are some really exciting changes happening in our school and we want to ensure it continues to be a fantastic place to learn. Providing outstanding facilities and equipment is fundamental to our long-term vision.”
The Early Years Unit will be up and running by the end of this school year and be ready to welcome new pupils in September. There will be an enclosed outdoor area which which will include an organic vegetable patch, sensory garden, music zone, race track, digging area and a mud café!
For further details visit the school’s website at: http://www.diggle.oldham.sch.uk/