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
Day two at the Diggle Blue Festival with Mike Parker and the Zodiacs
Mike Parker on slide guitar at the Hanging Gate (Photo: Stuart Coleman©2013)
Photo: Stuart Coleman©2013
The Zodiacs at Diggle band Club (Photo: Stuart Coleman©2013)
Blues legend Victor Brox opens the 2013 Diggle Blues Festival
Victor Brox (Photo: Stuart Coleman©2013)
Dave Wood and Victor Brox (Photo: Stuart Coleman©2013)
Photo: Stuart Coleman©2013
Photo: Stuart Coleman©2013
Photo: Stuart Coleman©2013
Saddleworth North: Crime figures for May
| CRIME |
Jan |
Feb |
March |
April |
May |
| BURGLARY (Of homes) |
1 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
| BURGLARY OTHER (Shed, Garage, Business) |
3 |
4 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
| THEFT FROM A VEHICLE |
4 |
1 |
5 |
1 |
3 |
| THEFT OF A MOTOR VEHICLE |
1 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
| CRIMINAL DAMAGE |
2 |
3 |
3 |
5 |
2 |
Burglary Dwelling
Slack Lane, Delph – Offender/s climbed the slate wall, which surrounds the property, and attempted to force the rear kitchen window. They were unsuccessful so smashed the window to gain access to the property. They conducted an untidy search in the bedrooms. Handbags and jewellery were stolen.
Burglary (Other)
Ship Lane, Moorside – Offenders cut 2 padlocks of a secure farm outbuilding and stole two motor bikes.
Huddersfield Road, Diggle – Unknown offenders jemmied open the front door of the chip shop and stole property and an Oldham Mountain Rescue charity box.
Huddersfield Road, Diggle – Offenders entered an insecure farm out building and stole tractor parts.
Vehicle crime (Theft from A Vehicle )
Stoneswood Road, Delph – Hand bag and items were stolen from a vehicle on Whit Friday.
Ward Lane, Diggle – Wing mirrors were stolen from Skoda Fabia
Oldham Road, Denshaw – Offenders were disturbed whilst trying to steal diesel from a parked HGV.
Vehicle crime – (Theft of a Motor Vehicle)
No vehicles were stolen in May.
Criminal Damage a
Crib Fold, Dobcross – Damage to door handle
Wool Road, Dobcross – Damage to fencing
Good News
Three Offenders were arrested and charged within 24 hours of committing a burglary.
Diggle Blues Festival….5 days to go
Getting sheared at the Hanging Gate
Against the clock (Photo: Stuart Coleman©2013)
Competing sheep shearers (Photo: Stuart Coleman©2013)
You could be forgiven for thinking you were in the Australian outback last Sunday in Diggle. The sun was blazing, lager was flowing and sheep were being sheared against the clock outside the Hanging Gate.
Hundreds of local people turned out to support the charity sheep shearing event organised by landlords, Carl and Farah Benton. Over £1000 pound was raised, on the day, to be shared between Christies Allsorts, Oldham Mountain Rescue Team and Diggle School PTA.
Landlord Carl Benton, who competed in the event, said, “It was a fabulous day and we are pleased we could support these important charities. It’s all thanks to the generosity of local people that we were able to raise so much money.
“A special mention should go to local farmer Chris Crowther, who made the day possible. He provided the sheep, the shearing equipment and the trailers.”
The Hanging Gate (Photo: Stuart Coleman©2013)
Crowds outside the Gate (Photo: Stuart Coleman©2013)
Carl Benton winnning the first competition (Photo: Stuart Coleman©2013)
MP supports Oldham and Saddleworth’s carers
To celebrate the launch of Carers Week, 10-16 June 2013, Debbie Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, has joined forces with actress Lynda Bellingham, to recognise the contribution that carers in Oldham make on a daily basis.
Carers Week is an opportunity to celebrate the 6.5 million carers across the UK and raise awareness of the impact that caring has on people’s lives.
In 2013 Carers Week will be focusing on whether the nation is Prepared to Care? The campaign will highlight how the UK’s current carer population is coping, how effectively government is supporting the growing numbers of carers, and whether the wider population is prepared for future caring responsibilities.
As part of Carers Week, a number of events will be held in and around Oldham, to help carers access support and advice. Carers can find out what’s going on at www.carersweek.org.
Debbie said: “Every day across Oldham and Saddleworth 1 in 8 people will care for a loved one in some form. This hidden group of people give up their time, sometimes their jobs and often make life changing sacrifices to care for someone.
“Carers save this country an incredible £119 billion1 every year. That’s why I believe as a society we must be Prepared to Care for our carers. My experience of caring for my mother, who had Alzheimer’s disease, has taught me the challenges and stresses of caring for a family member.
“To demonstrate that we value the work done by unpaid carers, we must make sure we recognise the demands involved and do everything we can to make it as easy as possible for people to continue to care. This includes ensuring the provision of health, psychological or financial support carers require.
“It’s also important to recognise the unique challenges faced by young carers who are often given huge responsibilities and can become isolated amongst their peers, often affecting them for the rest of their lives.
“However, we should also remember how rewarding it can be to care for a loved one and encourage those who are willing to do so to take up this responsibility. The role of carers is extremely important and their contribution to building a supportive society is immeasurable.”
Actress and former carer, Lynda Bellingham, said: “My sister and I cared for our mother when she had Alzheimer’s and so I know first-hand the impact that caring can have on someone’s life. That’s why I’m supporting Carers Week because I believe it’s vital that help is made available, especially when you consider that every day 6,000 new people will take on a caring role for a loved one. Carers in this country do a fantastic job and we must come together to support them.
“It’s fantastic to see MPs like Debbie pledge their support for Carers Week and carers in Oldham, Saddleworth and across the UK. Events like this ensure that carers stay at the top of the political agenda and it’s also an opportunity to remind MPs and decision makers of the overwhelming contribution that carers make.”
Angela Barnes, Oldham Council Carers Development Worker at The Link Centre, commented: “Carers form the backbone of our society and that’s why Carers Week is so incredibly important to not only recognise their contribution, but ensure they get the help and support they need.
”I hope as many people as possible will get involved with our events across Oldham and help send a message to all carers that they’re not alone and that they’re valued by society.”
Carers Week is delivered by a partnership of national charities – Age UK, Carers Trust, Carers UK, Independent Age, Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care, MS Society, Parkinson’s UK and supported by the Stroke Association and Bupa’s Carewell. In 2013 it is sponsored by Sainsbury’s Plc and the sector skills council in England Skills for Care.
Keep up to date with Carers Week and events happening in Oldham at:
www.carersweek.org www.facebook.com/carersweek Twitter @carersweek
After 37 years, ‘I dig Diggle’ is back!
Kirsty Jones (Photo: Stuart Coleman©2013)
After a break of 36 years, it’s back. Friends of Diggle Band Club (F.D.B.C.) have, this week, officially re-launched the ‘I dig Diggle’ slogan.
In 1977, Sliver Jubilee Year, Diggle’s then youth club leader, Kath Airey, brought out an “I Dig Diggle” t-shirt for youth club members to wear on their float at the Oldham and Mossley carnivals. Local carnivals in the 70s were huge with processions reaching over a mile long.
All the youth club members wore the t-shirts as they paraded through the streets of Oldham and Mossley. They were so well received that, following the carnivals, everyone in Diggle bought one.
At a recent meeting of The F. D. B. C., there was a discussion about ‘promoting pride in the village’. Several ideas were bounced around but the old slogan had been forgotten until someone suggested “digging Diggle”. Chairperson for the group, Kirsty said, “As soon as it was mentioned almost, unanimously, everyone jumped up shouting, what about ‘I Dig Diggle’ from when we were kids?”
A week later, a conversation cropped up on Facebook, instigated by F.D.B.C. and ex-youth club members and, as a result, the Friends Of Diggle Band Club contacted Kath to ask if they could use the design. She said she was delighted that the group wanted to bring back the slogan and the vintage design.
Since the idea was mooted there has been a growing demand for the t-shirts. Kath Airey said, “I’m not surprised, people are very proud of their village and their roots. Once a Diggler always a Diggler”.
If you would like to get your hands on an ‘I dig Diggle t-shirt’, contact Diggle Band Club on the Friends of Diggle Band Club Facebook page or contact the club directly on
T-Shirts are from £8 and are available in all sizes. They will be on-sale at this year’s Diggle School Fete & the Yorkshire Day Festival.
Kirsty Jones and Kath Airey (Stuart Coleman©2013)
Friends of Diggle Band Club would like to thank Phil & Jo Grundy @ Simply Signs who have done the artwork. The original design had to be re-tweaked as it showed a man with a ‘fag’ in his mouth (not very PC these days).
Diggle Band Contest Presentation
Diggle’s brass band takes Whit Friday to the World
Diggle Band (Photo: Stuart Coleman©2013)
Diggle B Band will help to recreate the sounds and sights of a unique local tradition in a huge parade of arts and culture. They will join local performers this weekend to recreate the world famous Saddleworth and Oldham Whit Friday brass band contests.
Musicians, artists and dancers aim to ‘raise the roof’ when they represent the village, Saddleworth and Oldham in the annual Manchester Day Parade this Sunday 2 June, 2pm.
This year’s parade theme is Wish You Were Here and is a celebration of place, identity and holidays featuring community groups from across Greater Manchester. Diggle B Band will be joined by musicians from three other local brass bands to create a mass band and big sound for this one-off performance. The band will be accompanied by young theatre performers and dancers. They will perform alongside an extraordinary comedy mobile band club with opening top, created by local artist Mike Green, which will ‘Raise The Roof’ for this year’s parade. Joined together the performance will be a spectacle to make you ‘wish you were here’ in Saddleworth and Oldham.
Manchester Day Parade started in 2010 to celebrate the creativity and diversity of the people and places of Greater Manchester. This highly visual cultural event attracts over 2000 participants, wowing over 50,000 spectators annually. Spokesman David Shipp, Musical Director from Diggle B Band, said, “We are delighted to be taking part in this parade. We can share a flavour of the music and traditions which are large features of the heritage and thriving culture of our village and local communities. We are a true village band, with local residence and connections, representing the whole community. Our youngest player is 11, oldest 83. It is commendable that Oldham Council recognises the special value of these Whit Friday traditions with the organisation and support for this event”.
Diggle’s windy Whit Walk
Thousands set to enjoy the Whit Friday Band Contest
Diggle Band, Whit Friday (Photo: Stuart Coleman©2013)
Thousands of people are set to enjoy a spectacular day of free entertainment at the famous Whit Friday band contests in Saddleworth.
Oldham Council has been providing organisational help and financial support to ensure the 2013 Saddleworth and Lees contests hit the high notes once again.
This traditional event dates back to an earliest-recorded contest in 1884 and is dubbed ‘the greatest free show on earth’. Contests will run across 12 villages from around 4.00pm until 10.30pm or later on Friday May 24th, 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 Shoab Akhtar, Cabinet Member for Business and Town Centres, said, “The band contests are a fantastic showcase for our Borough and a top highlight in our cultural calendar. It takes months of close working with the organisers and partners like Greater Manchester Police (GMP) to ensure that we have all the right traffic diversions, stewarding and policing arrangements in place to make it such 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 Europe again to a fabulous free show that really puts our Borough on the map.”
The Saddleworth and Lees District Partnership has again been closely involved in organising the event and its’ members have contributed around £15,000 of their devolved funding from Oldham Council towards the costs of prizes, stewarding and other vital amenities.
Councillor Barbara Beeley, Chair of the District Partnership, said, “The Whit Friday band contests are the biggest annual free event in Saddleworth and Lees and the huge effort made by the contest organisers and volunteers is to be applauded, whatever the weather.”
“There are always challenges and we’ve worked closely with the contest organisers and other parties to ensure our community promotes 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 enjoy themselves but to please act responsibly and with respect for others, have a great evening!”
Some road restrictions are in force in the area from 4pm until midnight on May 24th. These have been signposted two weeks in advance. Event stewards or police are also on hand at venues if motorists need help.
Greater Manchester Police officers will be in attendance across the various contests. They advise all parents to keep in touch with children throughout the day so that you know where they are, who they are with and when you can expect them to return home.
Major changes to how decisions are made at a local level
Councillor Jean Stretton
Oldham Council is to implement radical new changes in District Working.
The next steps, approved by Annual Council today, will affect local boundaries and how decisions are made at a neighbourhood level, including testing a new power allowing local residents to ‘call in’ decisions.
A report outlining the changes was drawn up following consultation with all Ward Members plus discussions with District Partnership Chairs and Vice Chairs. Their purpose is to help services better reflect the realities in different districts. They aim to strengthen the connections between Council services and residents and promote better engagement.
They should also enhance the independence and resilience of communities, ultimately leading to reduced demand on the public purse through ‘smarter’ and more flexible local services. Oldham Council’s district boundaries will be redrawn to ensure they better reflect residents’ own perceptions of local identity:
East and West Oldham are merging to form one new seven-ward district for Oldham;
Royton, Shaw and Crompton is splitting into two districts – Royton; Shaw and Crompton – with two wards each;
The remaining districts of Failsworth and Hollinwood, Chadderton, Saddleworth and Lees, are unchanged.
Important changes to local governance will see the launch of a totally new model for decision-making.
New ward-level Community Forum meetings are being introduced where local members will meet residents face-to-face. Findings and ideas from Community Forums will be passed upwards to strategic and operational working groups – made up of Ward Members, partners and officers – where local responses will be developed to local issues.
To enable swifter decision-making, the District Partnership meetings will now also mirror the Cabinet model at Borough level. A new District Executive, made up of local ward councillors only, will hold decision-making meetings open to the public. It is proposed that Ward Members will get increased annual individual budgets from £2,000 to £3,000 to help promote quicker responses to local issues. A 12-month pilot scheme will also see all districts testing a new ‘Community Call-in’ procedure that will enable residents to challenge decisions taken by the new District Executives.
Many key services have already been devolved to a local level. The next phase will allow any District Partnership to bid to run a council service or asset in their own area following submission of a business case to Council’s Cabinet.
Councillor Jean Stretton, Cabinet Member for Co-operatives and Neighbourhoods, said, “District working is absolutely crucial to our work as a Co-operative Council. These new ways of working are driven by a need to ensure that what happens at a local level is flexible. We recognise that each district is distinct in terms of its needs and challenges, a ‘one size fits all’ approach simply won’t do.
“These new arrangements should promote better discussions with residents and faster decisions that are responsive to and driven by local needs identified by local people.
“As we tackle the challenges of shrinking budgets and increased demand in public services we have to use every pound effectively. To do that we must redesign services in a way that connects them better and closer to people, delivering real value and concentrating on what each particular area needs, and what works. We need to focus on how to get the very best outcomes for local communities without regard to how these solutions are provided. That’s why we are collaborating so closely across the public sector and with residents to get the best outcomes.
“The past year has seen many successes at local levels through District Working. We have been leading the way with our changes and other Local Authorities are already showing interest in learning from our approach.”
Related stories:
Saddleworth Parish Council concerned about the lack of consultation re: Saddleworth School
Candidates for Elections – Thursday, May 7
The fight will continue say Saddleworth residents
Residents asked to submit questions for a public meeting: “The Future of Saddleworth School…”
Letter to the Editor regarding a new Saddleworth School in Diggle
Whit Friday – Bus timetables and parking restrictions
Please see the following diversion and road closures that will affect services travelling through Saddleworth
on Whit Friday.
First bus have worked closely with Oldham Council, Greater Manchester Police and Event Organisers to try and keep
service disruption to a minimum.
I an Hulse, Operations Manager said, “The diversions and road closures are necessary due to the amount of people taking part in the events and the amount of visitors/pedestrians that are attracted to the area. Supervisors and managers will be out and about during both events to monitor the services and to deal with any safety issues that we may have.”
Bus Timetables
Service 353/354 The following journey from Uppermill to Carrcote will not operate between Uppermill and Carrcote/Denshaw due to the Whit Walks.
353 Service – 9.37 from Uppermill to arrive at Carrcote at 9.47
354 Service – 10.31 from Uppermill to arrive at Carrcote at 10.42 – Denshaw at 10.46.
353 Service – 11.42 from Uppermill to arrive at Carrcote at 11.52.
The following journey from Denshaw to Uppermill will not operate for the same reason.
353 Service – 9.48 from Carrcote to arrive at Uppermill at 9.58
354 Service – 11.00 from Denshaw to arrive at Uppermill at 11.15
353 Service – 11.53 from Carrcote to arrive at Uppermill 12.03.
The following journey will be affected in the afternoon due to the Band Contest.
354 Service – 16.41 Uppermill to arrive at Denshaw at 16.56
354 Service – 17.00 Denshaw to arrive at Uppermill at 17.15.
350/180 and 184 services during the Whit Walks will be subject to rolling road closure – some disruption is likely but we will try
to keep it to a minimum.
In the evening once the Band Contests start at 16.00hrs the following diversions will apply.
Delph/Diggle/Dobcross and Greenfield all closed from to all traffic from 16.00hrs
350 Service from Ashton to Oldham after 16.00hrs will operate via Well I Hole Road/Shaw Hall Bank Road then normal route to
Deplh Crossroad – Delph village closed to all traffic – turn left onto Huddersfield Road (A62) the normal route to Scouthead. The service will then turn left into Lower Turf Lane – right into Heywood Road before resuming normal route into Oldham
350 Service from Oldham to Ashton will operate as normal to Delph Crossroads – miss out Delph Village – normal route through Uppermill and then reverse of the above route back to Ashton.
180 service with operate normal route to Greenfield Station and then turn right into Chapel Road – right into Chew Valley Road back to Greenfield Station – turn left onto Oldham Road and wait any excess time out at the first bus stop.
184 Service to and from Huddersfield will operate via Stanedge Road.
184 Service to Diggle will terminate at Uppermill.
All the above service will terminate at Uppermill and wait the excess time out in the turning circle.
Parking Restrictions
Sam Road Diggle – south side from Sam Road Car Park entrance to its junction with Huddersfield Road
Sam Road Diggle – north side from its junction with Heather Way to its junction with Huddersfield Road
Sunfield Lane Diggle – both sides from its junction with Huddersfield Road to its junction with Sunfield Estate
Huddersfield Road Diggle – both sides from its junction with Sam Road to its junction with Carr Lane
Huddersfield Road Diggle – west side from its junction with Sam Road to a point opposite the pedestrian entrance to Diggle Fields to the junction with Dorset Avenue
Huddersfield Road Diggle – east side from its junction with Sam Road to a point 39 metres southwest of its junction with the un-named access to the former access to the former Shaw Pallets premises
Huddersfield Road Diggle – west side from its junction with Ambrose Crescent to its junction with Standedge Road
Huddersfield Road Diggle – east side from its junction with Wool Road for a distance of 110 metres in a northeasterly direction
Huddersfield Road Diggle – east side from a point 250 metres northeast of its junction with Standedge Road for a distance of 60 metres in a northeasterly direction
The wonderful world of Rodney Peppé
Gallery Oldham latest exhibition explores the wonderful world of Rodney Peppe, a prolific artist, children’s author and maker of inventive toys and automata.
This humorous display, which runs from May 25 to September 14, represents Rodney’s creative life, from his early days as a graphic designer in London’s 1960s advertising world to his career as a writer of illustrated children’s books. It also looks at the development of his collection of handmade toys, models and automata (moving toys).
Rodney’s graphic design includes a famous London Underground poster Hats Off for Guinness. In 1968 he published his first book The Alphabet Book, and this has been followed by more than 80 titles about well-loved characters such as Henry the Elephant.
The exhibition features a selection of these books along with original artwork. Original models for Rodney’s popular television characters, Huxley Pig, and Anglemouse are also featured.
Imaginative recycling is one of the themes of Rodney work, and the show includes ingenious models such as The Kettleship pirates, made with a real kettle. Rodney’s early toys were inspired by classic Victorian designs, such as a lively monkey climbing up a string. From the 1980s his automata became increasingly complex and a distinctive personal style emerged that is colourful, humourous and engages people of all ages. Some of the automata are hand turned and Rodney has made two works for the exhibition which visitors can operate.
The show also includes examples of toys to play with and imaginative family activities, from making a book to creating your own thumbprint circus. Some of his television characters will also be shown on screen.
Councillor Barbara Brownridge, Cabinet Member for Co-operatives and Community Development, said, “This exhibition really has something for everyone and I’m sure residents of all ages will enjoy seeing the many toys and drawings on display, many of which they will instantly recognise.”
There is a catalogue for the exhibition, including an essay by Hilary Kay, the well-known toy and automata expert on BBC Antiques Roadshow. She says, “Rodney has developed a rare knack for preserving the joy of invention, making each of his creations appear spontaneous and fresh.”
We are having a special opening event on Saturday, May 25 to celebrate the opening of our new season of exhibitions: The Wonderful World of Rodney Peppé, Worn to be Wild and Brian Clarke: Born Oldham 1953.
Timetable for the opening event:1.30pm: Exhibition opened by The Mayor of Oldham.
1.45pm to-3.15pm: Meet the Artist! Rodney Peppé will be in the exhibition to talk informally to visitors and demonstrate some of his toys and automata
2pm: Natural History Curator, Patricia Francis, will talk about the animals that inspired the costumes in the exhibition Worn to be Wild. This exhibition of extraordinary costumes inspired by wildlife and historical fashion, created by designer Kate Plumtree, includes natural history specimens from our Natural History Collection.
Refreshments will be served and there will be family activities throughout the afternoon in the exhibitions.
“What’s On” at Diggle Band Club
MAY
24th May – Whit Friday. Watch out for the band clubs beer stall at the bottom of the drive – selling beer, locally made gourmet pies, band cd. Also (hopefully) the launch of the fundraising “I Dig Diggle” T-shirt.
25th May – Live band night – Final Destination Digg 13. Beerwalk fancy dress rememberance celebration. Bands include Non-Skills, Barmcake & Beat Swanking play sounds from the Skatalites. £5 on the door including hot supper.
31st may – Charity Whiskey Tasting Event – for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
The event includes:
Evening hosted by the amazingly knowledgeable Dr Bill Warnock
Nine superb malt whiskies to taste including a Mystery Malt
Tasting Notes
Homemade Pork Pie & Pies Supper
Whisky Quiz
Raffle & Auction with some great prizes
All this for just £20 per person
With a non-whisky version available for £6
Tickets are limited, advanced booking online only.
Full details and secure online booking at www.amateurdram.co.uk
JUNE
8 th July – Bike/Auto Jumble Sales motor cycle specialists 8.30am – public entry £1.00. Breakfast muffins, tea & coffee available.
9th June – Whit Friday Presentation.
13th to 16th June – The Fabulous Diggle Blues Festival – venues Hanging Gate, Diggle Band Club & Kilngreen Church.
JULY
7th July – Bar-B-Que – Help the Heroes family fun
13th July – Bike/Auto Jumble Sales motor cycle specialists 8.30am – public entry £1.00. Breakfast muffins, tea & coffee available.
21st July – Diggle A Band Concert.
April – May Crime figures for Saddleworth North
Pc 9098 Mark Clough, Saddleworth North Policing Team
There were 21 offences in Saddleworth North during April and May. Only one was committed in Diggle.
Vehicle damaged on Stoneswood Road, Delph on the 28/4/13. Offender damaged a car door lock causing the alarm to sound.
Burglary on Huddersfield Road, Austerlands on the 16/4/13. Unknown offenders forced entry through a panel on the backdoor of the property. They made an untidy search of the house and stole several items.
Burglary of The Grove, Dobcross on the 2/4/13. Unknown Offender/s used a paving stone to smash the French-windows at the rear of the property. They gained access to the kitchen and made an untidy search of the property. Several items were stolen. The Offender/s were possibly disturbed as a number of high-value items and vehicle keys were left untouched.
Burglary on Standedge Road, Diggle on the 1/4/13. Two male offenders broke into a large secluded semi detached property. They entered through an insecure door and made an untidy search of the property. They were disturbed by a visitor to the house and fled on foot.
Theft from a motor vehicle on Oldham Road, Denshaw on the 8/5/13. Thieves tried to steal diesel from an HGV whilst the driver slept inside. No diesel was stolen but siphoning equipment was left at the scene.
Theft from a motor vehicle on Woodleigh Road, Austerlands on the 10/4/13. An unknown offender used a stone to smash a car’s offside window. The offender climbed over the seats at the rear of the vehicle and stole an electric guitar.
Shoplifting 0n King Street, Delph on the 6/5/13. An unknown male offender stole two sirloin steaks then got into a taxi, as passenger, and left the scene.
Damage to a vehicle on Thorpe Lane, Scouthead on the 23/4/13. Unknown offender/s threw a stone at a parked vehicle. The vehicle’s bonnet was damaged and the front windscreen smashed.
Damage to a vehicle on Dobcross New Road, Dobcross on the 15/4/13. Unknown offenders scratched a vehicle’s bonnet with a sharp instrument and then forced a nail in the front nearside tyre.
Damage to a vehicle on Sam Road, Diggle on the 12/4/13. Unknown offenders threw a stone at a moving bus, smashing the upper deck window.
Damage to a dwelling on Oldham Road, Denshaw on the 9-12/4/13. A door handle to an outbuilding was removed. The door handle was found on the floor.
Damage to road surface on Knarr Lane, Delph on the 5-15/4/13. Offenders painted double yellow lines black.
Illegal posession of drugs on Dale Lane, Delph on the 12/5/13. Offender, on a public street, was approached by the police in relation to another matter and was found to be in possession of a small amount of cannabis.
Illegal possession of drugs on Ship Lane, Moorside on the 19/4/13. Offender was stop searched and found to be in possession of a small amount of cannabis. The offender was arrested at the scene.
Breach of a restraining order on Belmont Avenue, Springhead on the 9/5/13. An offender, who is not allowed within 500m of Dovecote Lane, was seen breaching a restraining order several times over a three day period.
Thieves break into Diggle Chippy to steal a charity box
Diggle Chippy (Photo: Stuart Coleman©2013)
Last night thieves broke into Diggle Chip Shop on Huddersfield Road, Diggle, stealing an Oldham Mountain Rescue charity box and a small amount of stock .
Police would like anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious to contact them on 101.
Oldham proudly flies the Rainbow Flag
Oldham Council is set to proudly fly the Rainbow Flag to demonstrate its commitment to tackling homophobia, biphobia and transphobia across the Borough.
For the seventh year, the flag will again be raised at the Civic Centre to mark the annual International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHO) on Friday, May 17. IDAHO marks the date when the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from its list of mental illness in 1990.
Oldham Council is committed to working with its partners to do all that it can to tackle hate crime and discrimination, and ensure that homophobia, biphobia and transphobia are not tolerated. All Youth Centres across Oldham will be flying the rainbow flag to mark the youth service’s commitment to supporting young people and tackling homophobia and transphobia. Greater Manchester Police’s Oldham division headquarters will also be raising the Rainbow Flag.
The Council is urging people and local places to fly Rainbow Flags on May 17 as a visible demonstration of support. Oldham’s LGBT community are having an afternoon tea event at the George Tavern from 1pm to 5pm to mark IDAHO and will be holding a vigil to remember the victims of homophobic, biphobic and transphobic hate crime in the evening. To find out more about these events contact oldhamlgbtevents@hotmail.co.uk
For more information about IDAHO visit www.dayagainsthomophobia.org or contact Oldham Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Forum by sending an email to oldhamlgbtforum@oldham.gov.uk
A message from the chairman of the Diggle Whit Friday Committee
Bandsmen in Diggle (Photo: Stuart Coleman©2013)
Arrangements for the Diggle Whit Friday Procession 2013
This year’s procession will be led by Diggle Band and will include banners from the Village Churches Together and Kilngreen. The main body of the procession will be local uniformed organisations, villagers and a guest band.
After leaving Kilngreen Church at 9.15, the procession will stop on Sam Road for two hymns then continue on to the Hanging Gate Pub, in the village centre. Where a short service, led by Duncan Rhodes, will take place accompanied by hymns and prayers.
A coach will leave Ward Lane just before the procession and wait close to the Hanging Gate. When the service outside the Hanging Gate has finished. Duncan Rhodes will prompt people going to Uppermill to make their way onto the coach, where a volunteer will be waiting to accompany them.
There may be a pause at the grassy mound just before the mini roundabout before Uppermill, depending on time management of the procession.
Due to a scaling down of police presence, several volunteers will be wearing white jackets clearly marked Diggle Whit Friday. They will be responsible for traffic management and procession safety. Members of the procession will be urged to keep safe by walking on the left hand side of the main road to Uppermill, allowing traffic to pass if necessary.
For safety reasons, could all the walkers stay off the pavements and walk in the road as the procession makes its way through Diggle and Uppermill.
On arrival in Uppermill, the coach will park at the turning circle and wait until the service is over and then make the return journey with the procession back to Diggle.
Looking forward to seeing you on Whit Friday 24th May,
Chairman, Diggle Whit Friday Committee
Wildfires highlight the vulnerability of the South Pennines
Wildfire at Cragg Vale Low Res
Following the incidents of large damaging wildfires on the moorland above Littleborough, Todmorden, Hebden Bridge and Cragg Vale over the Bank Holiday weekend the South Pennines Fire Operations Group (FOG) has warned of the danger posed by wildfires, which can strike anywhere in the South Pennines, to endangered wildlife, farm livestock, valuable habitat and human health.
As the good weather both dries out the peatland and encourages more people into the countryside the likelihood of wildfires increases at this time of year, explained Danny Jackson, FOG chairman. “Spring is a real danger period for moorland wildfires, which is why the partners working together through FOG, including firefighters and landowners, are asking members of the public to be extra vigilant when out in the countryside.
“The negative impact of wildfires across the moors is widely recognised, including the economic impact on farmers through the loss of grazing,” said Danny. “The loss of habitat and the effect that these fires have on nesting birds, such as the endangered twite, can also clearly be seen but in addition we want to highlight the hidden dangers; the pollution, the release of carbon into the atmosphere, and the impact on people’s health.”
Between October 1 and April 15 some controlled burning by landowners takes place, but a fire started outside of these dates is a wildfire and any person caught starting one can be prosecuted for arson. Robin Ward, wildfire officer for the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said the message was clear, “Please be very careful when you are out on the moors. Dispose of any glass bottles and cigarettes in a responsible manner and remember to use your barbecue at home rather than on the moors. If you see a wildfire please report it through the 999 service giving its location as precisely as possible. And we would also ask people to report anyone acting suspiciously.
“Until recently moorland fires were seen as a low priority but now the uplands are recognised as being as valuable as bricks and mortar. If the peat burns it can be very difficult to extinguish and these fast moving fires in off-road locations can be tiring for firefighting crews and resource intensive, which means that we may be stretched if fires occur elsewhere.”
Established by rural regeneration company Pennine Prospects, FOG brings together representatives from the three fire services of the area, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and West Yorkshire; the area’s water companies Yorkshire Water and United Utilities, as well as private estates; the six South Pennines local authorities and Natural England.
Mr Ward added, “Through the FOG partnership landowners can see how the fire services operate and how they can assist when dealing with a wildfire. They know the areas well and have their own specialist equipment, such as all-terrain vehicles, as well as additional human resources to tackle fires. We are firefighting together.”
“And hopefully this will also benefit the wildlife at risk, including the twite, which is an endangered species on the national red list. Fires during their breeding season can have a devastating impact,” said Charlotte Weightman, the RSPB’s habitat intervention officer for the twite recovery project.
“Twite is England’s most threatened song bird with only approximately 100 breeding pairs, the majority of which breed on moorland to the north of the M62,” Charlotte explained. “Many farmers in the Calderdale area have been working really hard alongside the Twite Recovery Project to restore meadows and pasture where twite feed so that this enigmatic little finch isn’t lost from England, it would be very sad if moorland fires meant that this effort was wasted.”
More than 60 firefighters tackled a moorland wildfire above Cragg Vale, West Yorkshire, on Tuesday, May 7, in the second large fire in the area in just three days.